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Erythrite

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Bou Azzer District, Tazenakht, Ouarzazate Province, Souss-Massa-Draâ Region, Morocco
© Jacques VALVERDE

Show Erythrite Photos (283)
Formula:
Co
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
·8H
 
2
O
System:MonoclinicColour:Crimson to peach red, ...
Hardness:1½ - 2½
Name:From the Greek έρυθρος for red.


Vivianite Group, Annabergite-Erythrite Series.

The Cobalt analogue of Annabergite

Classification of Erythrite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:7/C.13-70
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:8.CE.40

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
E : With only medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O about 1:2.5
Dana 8th edition ID:40.3.6.3

40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
3 : A3(XO4)2·xH2O
Hey's CIM Ref.:20.10.1

20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
10 : Arsenates of Co and Ni
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Type Occurrence of Erythrite

Type Locality:Daniel Mine, Neustädtel, Schneeberg District, Erzgebirge, Saxony, Germany

Occurrences of Erythrite

Geological Setting:A secondary mineral in the oxidation zone of some Ni-Co-As mineral deposits.

Physical Properties of Erythrite

Lustre:Dull, Earthy
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent, Translucent
Comment:Pearly on {010} cleavage
Colour:Crimson to peach red, pale rose, pink
Comment:Grades into paler shades and is still pale rose or pale pink at Co:Ni ~ 1:1. Single crystals might exhibit colour banding or may be tipped by material of a different colour.
Streak:Pale red to pink (paler than the colour)
Hardness (Mohs):1½ - 2½
Comment:Softest on {010}.
Tenacity:Sectile
Cleavage:Perfect
Perfect on {010}, poor on {100}{102}
Translation gliding:T{010}, t[001].
Comment:Flexible in thin {010} laminae; sectile
Density (measured):3.06 g/cm3
Density (calculated):3.135 g/cm3
Comment:3.178 (artificial material).

Crystallography of Erythrite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Class (H-M):2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:B2/m (B1 1 2/m) [C2/m] {C1 2/m 1}
Cell Parameters:a = 10.254(3) Å, b = 13.447(4) Å, c = 4.764(1) Å
β = 104.98°
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.763 : 1 : 0.354
Unit Cell Volume:V 634.56 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:2
Morphology:Crystals prismatic to acicular [001] and typically flattened on {010}; deeply striated or furrowed [001]. Also striated on {010} parallel to {h0l} or {_h0l}. Crystals are rare; frequently as radial or stellate groups; globular or reniform shapes with drusy surfaces and columnar or coarse-fibrous structure. Earthy or pulverulent.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
Image Loading

Radiation - Copper Kα
Data Set:
Horizontal Axis: ° to ° Vertical Axis: % Source Data: Filtered Data: Peaks:
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.

Optical Data of Erythrite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.626 - 1.629 nβ = 1.662 - 1.663 nγ = 1.699 - 1.701
2V:Measured: 85° to 90°, Calculated: 88° to 90°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.073

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Moderate
Dispersion:r > v
Pleochroism:Visible
Comments:X= paleish pink to pale rose
Y= Pale violet to pale violet-rose
Z= deep red
Comments:May be biaxial negative

Chemical Properties of Erythrite

Formula:
Co
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
·8H
 
2
O
Essential elements:As, Co, H, O
All elements listed in formula:As, Co, H, O
Common Impurities:Ni,Fe,Zn

Relationship of Erythrite to other Species

Series:Forms a series with Annabergite (see here)
Forms a series with Hörnesite (see here)
Related to:
  • Vivianite Group
    • Common Associates:
    SymplesiteSkutteruditeScoroditeRetgersiteMorenosite
    MalachiteCobaltiteAdamite
    Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

    - +
    8.CE.05Chudobaite
    (Na,K)(Mg,Zn)
     
    2
    		H(AsO
     
    4
    		)(OH,O)
     
    6
    8.CE.05Geigerite
    Mn
     
    5
    		[HAsO
     
    4
    		|AsO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    		 · 10H
     
    2
    		O
    8.CE.10Newberyite
    MgHPO
     
    4
    		·3H
     
    2
    		O
    8.CE.15Brassite
    MgHAsO
     
    4
    		·4H
     
    2
    		O
    8.CE.20Phosphorrösslerite
    MgHPO
     
    4
    		·7H
     
    2
    		O
    8.CE.20Rösslerite
    MgHAsO
     
    4
    		·7H
     
    2
    		O
    8.CE.25Metaswitzerite
    Mn
     
    3
    		(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    2
    		·4H
     
    2
    		O
    8.CE.25Switzerite
    (Mn,Fe)
     
    3
    		(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    2
    		·7H
     
    2
    		O
    8.CE.30Lindackerite
    CuCu
     
    4
    		[HAsO
     
    4
    		|AsO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    		 · 8-9H
     
    2
    		O
    8.CE.30IMA2008-010
    CaCu
     
    4
    		(AsO
     
    4
    		)
     
    2
    		(AsO
     
    3
    		OH)
     
    2
    		·10H
     
    2
    		O
    8.CE.30Veselovskyite
    ZnCu
     
    4
    		(AsO
     
    4
    		)
     
    2
    		(AsO
     
    3
    		OH)
     
    2
    		 · 9H
     
    2
    		O
    8.CE.30Pradetite
    CoCu
     
    4
    		(AsO
     
    4
    		)
     
    2
    		(AsO
     
    3
    		OH)
     
    2
    		·9H
     
    2
    		O
    8.CE.35Bobierrite
    Mg
     
    3
    		(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    2
    		·8H
     
    2
    		O
    8.CE.40Annabergite
    Ni
     
    3
    		(AsO
     
    4
    		)
     
    2
    		·8H
     
    2
    		O
    8.CE.40Arupite
    Ni
     
    3
    		(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    2
    		·8H
     
    2
    		O
    8.CE.40Barićite
    (Mg,Fe)
     
    3
    		(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    2
    		·8H
     
    2
    		O
    8.CE.40Ferrisymplesite
    Fe
    3+
    3
    		[(OH)
     
    3
    		|(AsO
     
    4
    		)
     
    2
    		] · 5H
     
    2
    		O
    8.CE.40Hörnesite
    Mg
     
    3
    		(AsO
     
    4
    		)
     
    2
    		·8H
     
    2
    		O
    8.CE.40Köttigite
    Zn
     
    3
    		(AsO
     
    4
    		)
     
    2
    		·8H
     
    2
    		O
    8.CE.40Manganohörnesite
    (Mn,Mg)
     
    3
    		(AsO
     
    4
    		)
     
    2
    		·8H
     
    2
    		O
    8.CE.40Parasymplesite
    Fe
    2+
    3
    		(AsO
     
    4
    		)
     
    2
    		·8H
     
    2
    		O
    8.CE.40Vivianite
    Fe
    2+
    3
    		(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    2
    		·8H
     
    2
    		O
    8.CE.40Pakhomovskyite
    Co
     
    3
    		[PO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    		 · 8H
     
    2
    		O
    8.CE.45Symplesite
    Fe
    2+
    3
    		(AsO
     
    4
    		)
     
    2
    		·8H
     
    2
    		O
    8.CE.50Cattiite
    Mg
     
    3
    		(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    2
    		·22H
     
    2
    		O
    8.CE.55Koninckite
    Fe
    3+
     
    		[PO
     
    4
    		] · 3H
     
    2
    		O
    8.CE.60Kaňkite
    FeAsO
     
    4
    		·3.5H
     
    2
    		O
    8.CE.65Steigerite
    AlVO
     
    4
    		·3H
     
    2
    		O
    8.CE.70Metaschoderite
    Al
     
    2
    		(PO
     
    4
    		)(VO
     
    4
    		)·6H
     
    2
    		O
    8.CE.70Schoderite
    Al
     
    2
    		(PO
     
    4
    		)(VO
     
    4
    		)·8H
     
    2
    		O
    8.CE.75Malhmoodite
    FeZr(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    2
    		·4H
     
    2
    		O
    8.CE.75IMA2008-046
    MgZr(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    2
    		·4H
     
    2
    		O
    8.CE.80Santabarbaraite
    Fe
    3+
    3
    		[(OH)
     
    3
    		|(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    2
    		] · 5H
     
    2
    		O
    8.CE.85Metaköttigite
    (Zn,Fe,Fe)
     
    3
    		(AsO
     
    4
    		)
     
    2
    		·8(H
     
    2
    		O,OH)
    8.CE.85Metavivianite
    Fe
    2+
    3-x
    		Fe
    3+
    x
    		(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    2
    		(OH)x·(8-x)H
     
    2
    		O
    Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

    - +
    20.10.2Cobaltaustinite
    CaCo[OH|AsO
     
    4
    		]
    20.10.3Roselite
    Ca
     
    2
    		(Co
    2+
     
    		,Mg)[AsO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    		 · 2H
     
    2
    		O
    20.10.4β-Roselite
    Ca
     
    2
    		(Co
    2+
     
    		,Mg)[AsO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    		 · 2H
     
    2
    		O
    20.10.5Wendwilsonite
    Ca
     
    2
    		(Mg,Co
    2+
     
    		)[AsO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    		 · 2H
     
    2
    		O
    20.10.6Cobaltkoritnigite
    (Co,Zn)[HAsO
     
    4
    		] · H
     
    2
    		O
    20.10.7Aerugite
    Ni
     
    8.5
    		(AsO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		As
    5+
     
    		O
     
    8
    20.10.8Xanthiosite
    Ni
     
    3
    		[AsO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    20.10.9Annabergite
    Ni
     
    3
    		(AsO
     
    4
    		)
     
    2
    		·8H
     
    2
    		O
    20.10.10Smolianinovite
    (Co,Ni,Mg,Ca)
     
    3
    		(Fe
    3+
     
    		,Al)
     
    2
    		(AsO
     
    4
    		)
     
    4
    		·11H
     
    2
    		O
    20.10.11Nickelaustinite
    Ca(Ni,Zn)[OH|AsO
     
    4
    		]

    Other Names for Erythrite

    Synonyms:
    Arsenate of CobaltCobalt bloomCobalt crustCobalt-micaCobalt Ocher
    Erythrite (of Beudant)Red CobaltRed cobalt ochreRhodoial
    Other Languages:
    Catalan:Eritrina
    Dutch:Erythriet
    French:érythrite
    Cobalt arseniaté
    Erythrine
    Rhodoîse
    German:Erythrin
    Erythrit
    Kobaltblüte
    Kobold-Blüthe
    Koboltbeschlag
    Koboltblüthe
    Rhodoit
    Hungarian:Eritrin
    Italian:Eritrite
    Latin:Cobalti minera colore rubro
    Cobaltum Acido arsenico mineralisatum
    Flos Kobalti
    Ochra Cobalti rubra
    Polish:Erytryn
    Russian:Эритрин
    Slovak:Erytrit
    Spanish:Eritrina
    Erythrita
    Swedish:Koboltbeslag
    Kobolt Blomma
    Ukrainian:Еритрин
    Varieties:
    Mg-rich Erythrite

    Other Information

    Other Information:Soluble in acids.
    Health Warning:No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

    References for Erythrite

    Reference List:Bruckmann (1727) Magnalia dei in locis subterraneis, part 1: 161 (as Kobold-Blüthe).

    Wallerius, J.G (1747) Mineralogia, eller Mineralriket. Stockholm: 234 (as Kobalt Blomma, Flos Cobalti [crystals], Koboltbeslag [earthy & impure], Cobalti minera colore rubro).

    Cronstedt A. (1758) Mineralogie; eller Mineral-Rikets Upstallning. 12mo, Stockholm: 212 (as Koboltblüte, Koboltbeschlag, Ochra Cobalti rubra).

    Bergmann, T. (1780) Opuscula of Tobernus Bergmann: 2: 444 (as Cobaltum Acido arsenico mineralisatum).

    Bergmann, T. (1782) Sciagraphia regni mineralis. 8vo.: 134 (as Cobaltum Acido arsenico mineralisatum).

    Beudant, F.S. (1832), Trailé élémentaire de Minéralogie, second edition, 2 volumes: 2: 596 (as Erythrine).

    Huot, J.J. (1841) Manuel de Minéralogie. 2 volumes, Paris: 1: 313 (as Rhodoise).

    Kersten (1843) Annalen der Physik, Halle, Leipzig: 60: 151.

    Vogl (1856) Gangverhält. und Min. Joachimsthal, Teplitz.

    Petersen (1868) Annalen der Physik, Halle, Leipzig: 134: 86.

    Brezina (1872) Mineralogische und petrographische Mitteilungen, Vienna: 19.

    Mügge (1884) Jahrbuch für Mineralogie: I: 53.

    Genth (1885) Proceeedings of the American Philosophical Society: 23: 46.

    Mügge (1898) Jahrbuch für Mineralogie: I: 74.

    Dana, E.S. (1892) System of Mineralogy, 6th. Edition, New York: 817.

    de Schulten (1904) Comptes rendu de l’Académie des sciences de Paris: 136: 1444.

    Shannon, Green (1910) Transactions of the Canadian Institute, Toronto: 8: 443.

    Lincio (1914) Sitzbereicht Heidelberg Ak. Wiss., Math-phys. Kl., Abh.: 15.

    Goldschmidt, V. (1918) Atlas der Krystallformen. 9 volumes, atlas, and text: vol. 5: 33.

    Larsen, E.S. (1921) The Microscopic Determination of the Nonopaque Minerals, First edition, USGS Bulletin 679: 40, 72.

    Ulrich (1926) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 64: 143.

    Hintze, Carl (1933) Handbuch der Mineralogie. Berlin and Leipzig. 6 volumes: 1 [3B]: 1261, 1264.

    Larsen, E.S. and Berman, H. (1934) The Microscopic Determination of the Nonopaque Minerals, Second edition, USGS Bulletin 848: 120, 178.

    Barth (1937) American Mineralogist: 22: 325.

    Wolfe (1940) American Mineralogist: 25: 804.

    Friedlaender (1942) Verh. Schweiz. naturfor. Ges.: 112.

    Sinkler (1942) Economic Geology: 37: 136.

    Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged, 1124 pp.: 746-750.

    European Journal of Mineralogy: 8: 187-192.

    Anthony, J.W., Bideaux, R.A., Bladh, K.W., and Nichols, M.C. (2000) Handbook of Mineralogy, Volume IV. Arsenates, Phosphates, Vanadates. Mineral Data Publishing, Tucson, AZ, 680 pp.: 159.

    R. B. Cook (2007) Connoisseur's choice, erthyrite, Bou Azzer, Morocco. Rocks & Minerals 82:402-407

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    Localities for Erythrite

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