Flinkite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Flinkite
Gustav Flink
Formula:
Mn2+2Mn3+(AsO4)(OH)4
Colour:
Green-brown, dark green; brownish yellow-green in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Vitreous, Greasy
Hardness:
4½
Specific Gravity:
3.87
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named in 1889 by Axel Hamberg in honor of Gustav Flink (January 18, 1849 Skaraborg, Sweden - January 11, 1931 Älvsjö, Sweden), Swedish mineralogist and systematic collector of the Långban deposits, assistant curator of minerals at the Natural History Museum, Stockholm, Sweden. Flink described: akrochordite, ancylite, chalcolamprite, cordylite, dixenite, eisenpyrochroite, ektopite, endiolite, epididymite, harstigite, heliophyllite, iron-schefferite, katoptrite, langbanite, leucosphenite, lorenzenite, manganomagnetite, molybdophyllite, narsarsukite, neptunite, ochrolite, pinakiolite, platynite, pseudoparisite, pyrobelonite, quenselite, rhodotilite, soda-catapleiite, sphenomanganite, spodiophyllite, synchysite, tainiolite, trigonite, trimerite, weibulite, weslienite, yttrium-apatite. Flink wrote the Mineralogy of Sweden. In 1900, Flink was awarded a Ph. D. from the University of Upsala. A portion of the Flink mineral collection was purchased by Harvard University and has served as source material for new species and data.
This page provides mineralogical data about Flinkite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1558
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1558:1
Similar Names
IMA Classification of Flinkite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Mn2+2Mn3+As5+O4(OH)4
First published:
1889
Classification of Flinkite
8.BE.30
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
E : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 > 2:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
E : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 > 2:1
41.3.3.1
41 : ANHYDROUS PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
3 : (AB)3(XO4)Zq
41 : ANHYDROUS PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
3 : (AB)3(XO4)Zq
20.8.4
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
8 : Arsenates of Mn
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
8 : Arsenates of Mn
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Fln | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Flinkite
Vitreous, Greasy
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Green-brown, dark green; brownish yellow-green in transmitted light.
Hardness:
4½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Density:
3.87 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.73 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Flinkite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.783 nβ = 1.801 nγ = 1.834
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.051
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
Very High (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure
- the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using
this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points
where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the
field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are
isogyres.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
No measured or calculated 2V is on file for this mineral, so the value used here (74°) is estimated from its recorded refractive indices and optic sign, not from a direct 2V measurement.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
No measured or calculated 2V is on file for this mineral, so the value used here (74°) is estimated from its recorded refractive indices and optic sign, not from a direct 2V measurement.
Dispersion:
extreme
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X = b = Pale brownish green
Y = c = Yellow-green
Z = a = Orange-brown
Y = c = Yellow-green
Z = a = Orange-brown
Comments:
2V large.
Chemistry of Flinkite
Mindat Formula:
Mn2+2Mn3+(AsO4)(OH)4
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Flinkite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pnma
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.483(2) Å, b = 13.030(3) Å, c = 5.339(1) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.728 : 1 : 0.41
Unit Cell V:
659.71 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Crystals thin tabular {001} with minor elongation [010]. The crystals are frequently rounded in the zone [100], and {001} is striated [100]. Individuals rare, commonly as feather-like aggregates.
Comment:
Data from Kolitsch (2001) (sample from type locality; from collection of Natural History Museum Vienna, cat. no. F9361).
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0010370 | Flinkite | Kolitsch U (2001) Redetermination of the mixed-valence manganese arsenate flinkite, MnII2MnIII(OH)4(AsO4) Acta Crystallographica E57 i115-i118 |  | 2001 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0000160 | Flinkite | Moore P B (1967) Crystal chemistry of the basic manganese arsenate minerals 1. The crystal structures of flinkite, Mn2Mn(OH)4(AsO4) and retzian, Mn2Y(OH)4(AsO4) American Mineralogist 52 1603-1613 |  | 1967 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 4.733 Å | (100) |
| 4.386 Å | (100b) |
| 3.815 Å | (30) |
| 3.179 Å | (80) |
| 2.662 Å | (100) |
| 2.506 Å | (30) |
| 1.538 Å | (20) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| High-? alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 32 : Ba/Mn/Pb/Zn deposits, including metamorphic deposits | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates] | |
| 47e : [Vanadates, chromates, manganates] |
Type Occurrence of Flinkite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Veinlets in magnetite ore.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Metamorphosed Mn-Fe ore body of the Långban type.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Flinkite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 7 photos of Flinkite associated with Cahnite | Ca2[B(OH)4](AsO4) |
| 5 photos of Flinkite associated with Jarosewichite | Mn2+3Mn3+(AsO4)(OH)6 |
| 1 photo of Flinkite associated with Brandtite | Ca2Mn2+(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 1 photo of Flinkite associated with Bauranoite | Ba(UO2)2(OH)6 · 1-2H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.BE.05 | Augelite | Al2(PO4)(OH)3 |
| 8.BE.10 | Grattarolaite | Fe3+3(PO4)O3 |
| 8.BE.15 | Cornetite | Cu3(PO4)(OH)3 |
| 8.BE.20 | Clinoclase | Cu3(AsO4)(OH)3 |
| 8.BE.25 | Gilmarite | Cu3(AsO4)(OH)3 |
| 8.BE.25 | Arhbarite | Cu2Mg(AsO4)(OH)3 |
| 8.BE.30 | Argandite | Mn7(VO4)2(OH)8 |
| 8.BE.30 | Raadeite | Mg7(PO4)2(OH)8 |
| 8.BE.30 | Allactite | Mn2+7(AsO4)2(OH)8 |
| 8.BE.35 | 'Mineral E (of Dunn, et. al., 1982)' | |
| 8.BE.35 | Chlorophoenicite | (Mn,Mg)3Zn2(AsO4)(OH,O)6 |
| 8.BE.35 | Magnesiochlorophoenicite | (Mg,Mn)3Zn2(AsO4)(OH,O)6 |
| 8.BE.40 | Gerdtremmelite | (Zn,Fe)(Al,Fe)2(AsO4)(OH)5 |
| 8.BE.45 | Dixenite | CuMn2+14Fe2+(SiO4)2(As5+O4)(As3+O3)5(OH)6 |
| 8.BE.45 | Mcgovernite | Mn19Zn3(AsO4)3(AsO3)(SiO4)3(OH)21 |
| 8.BE.45 | Hematolite | (Mn,Mg,Al,Fe3+)15(As5+O4)2(As3+O3)(OH)23 |
| 8.BE.45 | Turtmannite | (Mn,Mg)22.5Mg3-3x((V5+,As5+)O4)3(As3+O3)x(SiO4)3O5-5x(OH)20+x |
| 8.BE.45 | Carlfrancisite | Mn2+3(Mn2+,Mg,Fe3+,Al)42[As3+O3]2(As5+O4)4[(Si,As5+)O4]6[(As5+,Si)O4]2(OH)42 |
| 8.BE.45 | Arakiite | (Zn,Mn2+)(Mn2+,Mg)12(Fe3+,Al)2(As5+O4)2(As3+O3)(OH)23 |
| 8.BE.45 | Kraisslite | Zn3(Mn,Mg)25(Fe3+,Al)(As3+O3)2[(Si,As5+)O4]10(OH)16 |
| 8.BE.50 | Synadelphite | Mn2+9(As5+O4)2(As3+O3)(OH)9 · 2H2O |
| 8.BE.55 | Holdenite | (Mn2+,Mg)6Zn3(AsO4)2(SiO4)(OH)8 |
| 8.BE.60 | Kolicite | Mn2+7Zn4(AsO4)2(SiO4)2(OH)8 |
| 8.BE.65 | Sabelliite | (Cu,Zn)2Zn(AsO4,SbO4)(OH)3 |
| 8.BE.70 | Jarosewichite | Mn2+3Mn3+(AsO4)(OH)6 |
| 8.BE.75 | Theisite | Cu5Zn5(AsO4,SbO4)2(OH)14 |
| 8.BE.80 | Coparsite | Cu4(AsO4,VO4)O2Cl |
| 8.BE.85 | Waterhouseite | Mn2+7(PO4)2(OH)8 |
| 8.BE.90 | Vasilseverginite | Cu9O4(AsO4)2(SO4)2 |
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in HCl.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Flinkite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1558.html
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References for Flinkite
Reference List:
Hamberg, Axel (1889) Mineralogische Studien. 3. Über Flinkit, ein wasserhaltiges Manganarseniat aus der Grube Harstigen bei Pajsberg in Vermland. Geologiska Föreningen i Stockholm Förhandlingar, 11 (4) 212-222 doi:10.1080/11035898909444257
Larsen, Esper S. (1921) The microscopic determination of the nonopaque minerals. Bulletin 679. US Geological Survey doi:10.3133/b679 p.75
Moore, Paul B. (1967) Crystal chemistry of the basic manganese arsenate minerals: I. The crystal structures of flinkite, Mn2+2Mn3+(OH)4(AsO4) and retzian, Mn2+2Y3+(OH)4(AsO4) American Mineralogist, 52 (11-12) 1603-1613
Localities for Flinkite
Showing 8 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Romania | |
| HÎRTOPANU et al. (2025) |
Sweden | |
| Holtstam et al. (1999) |
| Hamberg (1889) +1 other reference |
| Gatedal (n.d.) +7 other references |
Switzerland | |
| Ansermet (2012) |
USA | |
| King (n.d.) |
| Dunn (1995) | |
| Identified by Christopher Emproto by ... |
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