Jump to content

Natrophilite

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Natrophilite
Natrophilite, as thin coatings and fracture fillings, from Branchville, Redding, Fairfield County, Connecticut, US
General
CategoryPhosphate mineral
FormulaNaMnPO4
IMA symbolNtp[1]
Strunz classification8.AB.10
Crystal systemOrthorhombic
Crystal classDipyramidal (mmm)
H-M symbol: (2/m 2/m 2/m)
Space groupPnam
Identification
ColorDeep yellow to light yellow
CleavageDistinct/ good
FractureIrregular/ uneven
TenacityBrittle
Mohs scale hardness4+1⁄2 – 5
LusterSub-vitreous, greasy
StreakWhite
DiaphaneityTransparent, translucent
Specific gravity3.41 g/cm3

Natrophilite is a mineral with the chemical formula NaMnPO4. In a pure form it has a yellow coloration. Its crystals are orthorhombic to dipyramidal. It is transparent to translucent. It is not radioactive. Natrophilite is rated 4.5 to 5 on the Mohs Scale. At Branchville, Fairfield County, Connecticut, it is found as a rare replacement of lithiophilite within a complex granite pegmatite, together with triploidite, eosphorite and dickinsonite.[2]

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. ↑ "Natrophilite" (PDF). Handbook of Mineralogy. Mineral Data Publishing. Retrieved 10 September 2026.