Fluorcalciobritholite
A valid IMA mineral species
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About Fluorcalciobritholite
Formula:
(Ca,REE)5(SiO4,PO4)3F
Colour:
Pinkish to brown
Hardness:
5½
Specific Gravity:
4.2
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Member of:
Name:
The name follows convention and denotes its dominant fluorine and calcium content and its relationship to other britholite group minerals.
A mineral in the Britholite Group of the Apatite Supergroup. Defined as a distinct mineral by Pekov et al. (2007).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
29138
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:29138:9
Similar Names
| Fluorcalciobritholite-(Ce) | A synonym of Fluorbritholite-(Ce) |
IMA Classification of Fluorcalciobritholite
Approved
Approval year:
2006
First published:
2007
Type description reference:
Pekov, Igor V., Pasero, Marco, Yaskovskaya, Asiya N., Chukanov, Nikita V., Pushcharovsky, Dmitry Y.u., Merlino, Stefano, Zubkova, Natalia V., Kononkova, Natalia N., Men'shikov, Yury P., Zadov, Aleksandr E. (2007) Fluorcalciobritholite, (Ca,REE)5[(Si,P)O4]3F, a new mineral: description and crystal chemistry. European Journal of Mineralogy, 19 (1) 95-103 doi:10.1127/0935-1221/2007/0019-0095
Classification of Fluorcalciobritholite
9.AH.25
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
H : Nesosilicates with CO3, SO4, PO4, etc.
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
H : Nesosilicates with CO3, SO4, PO4, etc.
52.4.12.7
52 : NESOSILICATES Insular SiO4 Groups and O,OH,F,H2O
4 : Insular SiO4 Groups and O, OH, F, and H2O with cations in [6] and/or >[6] coordination
52 : NESOSILICATES Insular SiO4 Groups and O,OH,F,H2O
4 : Insular SiO4 Groups and O, OH, F, and H2O with cations in [6] and/or >[6] coordination
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Fcbri | 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 Fluorcalciobritholite
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Pinkish to brown
Streak:
White
Hardness:
5½ on Mohs scale
Density:
4.2 g/cm3 (Measured)
Optical Data of Fluorcalciobritholite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.735(5) nε = 1.73(5)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.005
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 uniaxial interference figure - the conoscopic
(convergent-light, Bertrand-lens-in) view, for a grain cut with the optic axis
centred and vertical. The coloured rings are isochromatics, computed with the
same physics as the Michel-Lévy bar above; the dark cross is the isogyre.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
Chemistry of Fluorcalciobritholite
Mindat Formula:
(Ca,REE)5(SiO4,PO4)3F
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Fluorcalciobritholite
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Class (H-M):
6/m - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
P63/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.58(7) Å, c = 6.985(4) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.729
Unit Cell V:
555.2 ų
Z:
2
Morphology:
long-prismatic hexagonal crystals up to 0.5 x 10 mm
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.51 Å | (45) |
| 3.15 Å | (70) |
| 2.85 Å | (100) |
| 2.78 Å | (60) |
| 1.965 Å | (25) |
| 1.931 Å | (20) |
| 1.236 Å | (25) |
| 1.122 Å | (30) |
Reference:
Pekov, Igor V., Pasero, Marco, Yaskovskaya, Asiya N., Chukanov, Nikita V., Pushcharovsky, Dmitry Y.u., Merlino, Stefano, Zubkova, Natalia V., Kononkova, Natalia N., Men'shikov, Yury P., Zadov, Aleksandr E. (2007) Fluorcalciobritholite, (Ca,REE)5[(Si,P)O4]3F, a new mineral: description and crystal chemistry. European Journal of Mineralogy, 19 (1) 95-103 doi:10.1127/0935-1221/2007/0019-0095
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks |
Geological Setting:
In veinlets in an alkaline complex
Type Occurrence of Fluorcalciobritholite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Grains and minute elongated crystals
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, no. 3420/1.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Pekov, Igor V., Pasero, Marco, Yaskovskaya, Asiya N., Chukanov, Nikita V., Pushcharovsky, Dmitry Y.u., Merlino, Stefano, Zubkova, Natalia V., Kononkova, Natalia N., Men'shikov, Yury P., Zadov, Aleksandr E. (2007) Fluorcalciobritholite, (Ca,REE)5[(Si,P)O4]3F, a new mineral: description and crystal chemistry. European Journal of Mineralogy, 19 (1) 95-103 doi:10.1127/0935-1221/2007/0019-0095
Synonyms of Fluorcalciobritholite
Other Language Names for Fluorcalciobritholite
Relationship of Fluorcalciobritholite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Britholite Group:
| Britholite-(Ce) | (Ce,Ca)5(SiO4)3OH | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| 'Britholite-(La)' | Ca2(La,Ce,Ca)3(SiO4,PO4)3(OH,F) | |
| Britholite-(Y) | (Y,Ca)5(SiO4)3OH | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| 'Calciobritholite' | (Ca,Y)5(SiO4,PO4)3(OH) | |
| Fluorbritholite-(Ce) | (Ce,Ca)5(SiO4)3F | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Fluorbritholite-(La) | Ca2La3(SiO4)3F | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Fluorbritholite-(Nd) | Ca2Nd3(SiO4)3F | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Fluorbritholite-(Y) | (Y,Ca)5(SiO4)3F | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Tritomite-(Ce) | Ce5(SiO4,BO4)3(OH,O) | |
| Tritomite-(Y) | Y5(SiO4,BO4)3(O,OH,F) |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.AH. | Fluorbritholite-(Nd) | Ca2Nd3(SiO4)3F |
| 9.AH.05 | Iimoriite-(Y) | Y2[SiO4][CO3] |
| 9.AH.10 | Tundrite-(Ce) | Na2Ce2Ti(SiO4)(CO3)2O2 |
| 9.AH.10 | Tundrite-(Nd) | Na2(Nd,Ce)2Ti(SiO4)(CO3)2O2 |
| 9.AH.15 | Galuskinite | Ca7(SiO4)3(CO3) |
| 9.AH.15 | Spurrite | Ca5(SiO4)2(CO3) |
| 9.AH.20 | Ternesite | Ca5(SiO4)2(SO4) |
| 9.AH.20 | Silicocarnotite | Ca5[(SiO4)(PO4)](PO4) |
| 9.AH.25 | Britholite-(Ce) | (Ce,Ca)5(SiO4)3OH |
| 9.AH.25 | Britholite-(Y) | (Y,Ca)5(SiO4)3OH |
| 9.AH.25 | Mattheddleite | Pb5(SiO4)1.5(SO4)1.5(Cl,OH) |
| 9.AH.25 | Fluorbritholite-(Ce) | (Ce,Ca)5(SiO4)3F |
| 9.AH.25 | Fluorellestadite | Ca5(SiO4)1.5(SO4)1.5F |
| 9.AH.25 | Fluorbritholite-(La) | Ca2La3(SiO4)3F |
| 9.AH.25 | Fluorbritholite-(Y) | (Y,Ca)5(SiO4)3F |
| 9.AH.25 | Hydroxylellestadite | Ca5(SiO4)1.5(SO4)1.5(OH) |
| 9.AH.25 | 'Calciobritholite' | (Ca,Y)5(SiO4,PO4)3(OH) |
| 9.AH.25 | 'Britholite-(La)' | Ca2(La,Ce,Ca)3(SiO4,PO4)3(OH,F) |
| 9.AH.25 | Tritomite-(Ce) | Ce5(SiO4,BO4)3(OH,O) |
| 9.AH.25 | Tritomite-(Y) | Y5(SiO4,BO4)3(O,OH,F) |
| 9.AH.25 | Chlorellestadite | Ca5(SiO4)1.5(SO4)1.5Cl |
| 9.AH.35 | Dargaite | BaCa12(SiO4)4(SO4)2O3 |
| 9.AH.35 | Nabimusaite | KCa12(SiO4)4(SO4)2O2F |
| 9.AH.40 | Stracherite | BaCa6(SiO4)2[(PO4)(CO3)]F |
| 9.AH.40 | Zadovite | BaCa6[(SiO4)(PO4)](PO4)2F |
| 9.AH.40 | Gazeevite | BaCa6(SiO4)2(SO4)2O |
| 9.AH.45 | Flamite | Ca8-x(Na,K)x(SiO4)4-x(PO4)x |
| 9.AH.50 | Byzantievite | Ba5(Ca,REE,Y)22(Ti,Nb)18(SiO4)4[(PO4),(SiO4)]4(BO3)9O22[(OH),F]43(H2O)1.5 |
| 9.AH.55 | Greenwoodite | (Ba,V3+O)2V3+9(Fe3+,Fe2+)2Si2O22 |
| 9.AH.60 | Kihlmanite-(Ce) | Ce2TiO2(SiO4)(HCO3)2(H2O) |
| 9.AH.65 | Tsangpoite | Ca5(PO4)2(SiO4) |
| 9.AH.70 | 'Enalite' | (Th,REE,Al) [(PO4),(SiO4),(OH)] |
Other Information
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 Fluorcalciobritholite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-29138.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Fluorcalciobritholite
Reference List:
Pekov, Igor V., Pasero, Marco, Yaskovskaya, Asiya N., Chukanov, Nikita V., Pushcharovsky, Dmitry Y.u., Merlino, Stefano, Zubkova, Natalia V., Kononkova, Natalia N., Men'shikov, Yury P., Zadov, Aleksandr E. (2007) Fluorcalciobritholite, (Ca,REE)5[(Si,P)O4]3F, a new mineral: description and crystal chemistry. European Journal of Mineralogy, 19 (1) 95-103 doi:10.1127/0935-1221/2007/0019-0095
Localities for Fluorcalciobritholite
Showing 11 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.
Canada | |
| Matte et al. (2025) |
China | |
| Yang et al. (2025) |
| Wang et al. (2023) |
Germany | |
| Schäfer et al. (2018) |
Japan | |
| Imaoka et al. (2024) |
Kyrgyzstan | |
| Pautov et al. (2013) |
Norway | |
| Selbekk et al. (2010) |
Russia (TL) | |
| Pekov et al. (2007) |
| Zozulya et al. (2015) |
| Kasatkin (2019) | |
Slovakia | |
| Uher et al. (2015) |
Quick NavTopAbout FluorcalciobritholiteUnique IdentifiersSimilar NamesIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography X-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
In den Dellen quarries, Mendig, Mendig, Mayen-Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany