Moraesite (original) (raw)
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
About MoraesiteHide
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Formula:
Be2(PO4)(OH) · 4H2O
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named in 1953 by Marie Louise Lindberg (Smith), William T. Pecora, and Aluízio Licínio de Miranda Barbosa in honor of Dr. Luciano Jacques de Moraes [1896–1968], Brazilian mineralogist and geologist.
This page provides mineralogical data about Moraesite.
Unique IdentifiersHide
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Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2778:2
cfffee08-ca16-4043-82f1-b3c84bd6e0ac
IMA Classification of MoraesiteHide
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Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
Type description reference:
Classification of MoraesiteHide
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8.DA.05
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
A : With small (and occasionally larger) cations
42.6.1.1
42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
6 : A2(XO4)Zq·xH2O
19.3.1
19 : Phosphates
3 : Phosphates of Be and Mg
Mineral SymbolsHide
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As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mae | 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 MoraesiteHide
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Cleavage:
Perfect
Parallel to b and c axes.
Density:
1.805 g/cm3 (Measured) 1.806 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Measured with a pycnometer
Optical Data of MoraesiteHide
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RI values:
_n_α = 1.462 _n_β = 1.482 _n_γ = 1.490
2V:
Measured: 65° , Calculated: 62°
δ = 0.028
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Optical Extinction:
Z = b, Y ∧ c = 11°.
Chemistry of MoraesiteHide
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Mindat Formula:
Be2(PO4)(OH) · 4H2O
Crystallography of MoraesiteHide
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Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.553(6) Å, b = 36.957(18) Å, c = 7.155(8) Å
β = 97.93°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.231 : 1 : 0.194
Unit Cell V:
2,240.02 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Acicular parallel to the c-axis [001], and tabular parallel to the orthopinacoid {100}. The pyramid face (131) is usually better developed than (131) and in some crystals gives the general appearance of a basal plane of a triclinic mineral. The faces (130) and (130) are better developed than (130) and (130). The orthopinacoid and prism faces of the forms {100} and {130} are striated parallel to the c-axis.
Crystal StructureHide
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| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0011025 | Moraesite | Merlino S, Pasero M (1992) Crystal chemistry of beryllophosphates: The crystal structure of moraesite, Be2(PO4)(OH)*4H2O Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 201 253-262 |  |
1992 | Humaita, Brazil | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide
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Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 7.00 Å | (100) |
| 3.278 Å | (90) |
| 4.24 Å | (60) |
| 3.023 Å | (60) |
| 2.819 Å | (60) |
| 6.15 Å | (40) |
| 2.325 Å | (40) |
Geological EnvironmentHide
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Type Occurrence of MoraesiteHide
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General Appearance of Type Material:
Occurs in tufted or radial aggregates, in fibrous coatings, or in spherulitic masses Delicate needles grade into crusts with a coarse fibrous structure. Crystals are minute singly terminated needle-like laths.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
National School of Mines, Paris, France, number 50740.
National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian), Washington, D.C., USA, number 106577.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Lindberg, M.L., Pecora, W.T., Barbosa, A.L.M. (1953) Moraesite, a new hydrous beryllium phosphate from Minas Gerais, Brazil. American Mineralogist: 38: 1126-1133.
Other Language Names for MoraesiteHide
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Common AssociatesHide
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Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide
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| 8.DA.05 | Bearsite | Be2(AsO4)(OH) · 4H2O | Mon. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8.DA.10 | Roscherite | Ca2Mn2+5Be4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : _B_2/m |
| 8.DA.10 | Zanazziite | Ca2Mg5Be4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : _B_2/b |
| 8.DA.10 | Greifensteinite | Ca2Fe2+5Be4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : _B_2/b |
| 8.DA.10 | Atencioite | Ca2Fe2+3Mg2Be4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 6H2O | Tric. 1 : _P_1 |
| 8.DA.10 | Ruifrancoite | Ca2(◻,Mn)2(Fe3+,Mn,Mg)4Be4(PO4)6(OH)4(OH,H2O)2 · 4H2O | Mon. 2/m : _B_2/b |
| 8.DA.10 | Guimarãesite | Ca2Be4Zn5(PO4)6(OH)4 · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : _B_2/b |
| 8.DA.10 | Footemineite | Ca2Mn2+Mn2+2Mn2+2Be4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 6H2O | Tric. 1 : _P_1 |
| 8.DA.10 | Okruschite | Ca2Mn2+5Be4(AsO4)6(OH)4 · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : _B_2/b |
| 8.DA.15 | Uralolite | Ca2Be4(PO4)3(OH)3 · 5H2O | Mon. 2/m |
| 8.DA.20 | Weinebeneite | CaBe3(PO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2O | Mon. m : B b |
| 8.DA.25 | Tiptopite | K2(Na,Ca)2Li3Be6(PO4)6(OH)2 · H2O | Hex. 6 : _P_63 |
| 8.DA.40 | Spencerite | Zn4(PO4)2(OH)2 · 3H2O | Mon. 2/m : _P_2/b |
| 8.DA.45 | Glucine | CaBe4(PO4)2(OH)4 · 0.5H2O |
Other InformationHide
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Notes:
Soluble in dilute HCl, HNO3, and H2SO4.
When heated, it decrepitates, giving off water, but does not fuse into a globular mass.
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 MoraesiteHide
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References for MoraesiteHide
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Localities for MoraesiteHide
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This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the 
symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
Locality ListHide
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- 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). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.