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Greifensteinite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Greifensteinite
Formula:
Ca2Fe2+5Be4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 6H2O
Colour:
Dark olive-green
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
4½
Specific Gravity:
2.93
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
For the type locality, at the Greifenstein Rocks, Ehrenfriedersdorf, Erzgebirge, Saxony, Germany.
Dimorph of:
Isostructural with:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
11356
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:11356:8
IMA Classification of Greifensteinite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Ca2Fe2+5Be4(PO4)6(OH)4·6H2O
Approval year:
2001
First published:
2002
Classification of Greifensteinite
8.DA.10
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
A : With small (and occasionally larger) cations
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
A : With small (and occasionally larger) cations
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Gfs | 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 Greifensteinite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Dark olive-green
Streak:
White
Hardness:
4½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Good on {100}
Good on {100}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
2.93(2) g/cm3 (Measured) 2.95 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Greifensteinite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.624(2) nβ = 1.634(2) nγ = 1.638(2)
2V:
Measured: 80° , Calculated: 64°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.014
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:
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.
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.
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X = light bluish green, Y = light green, Z = brownish green
Comments:
X = b
Chemistry of Greifensteinite
Mindat Formula:
Ca2Fe2+5Be4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 6H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Greifensteinite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/b
Setting:
C2/c
Cell Parameters:
a = 15.903(7) Å, b = 11.885(7) Å, c = 6.677(3) Å
β = 94.68(4)°
β = 94.68(4)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.338 : 1 : 0.562
Unit Cell V:
1,257.79 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0019974 | Greifensteinite | Barinova A V, Rastsvetaeva R K, Chukanov N V, Pietraszko A (2004) Refinement of the crystal structure of Zn-containing greifensteinite Crystallography Reports 49 942-945 | 2004 | Pirineus mine, Minas Gerais, Brazil | 0 | 293 | |
| 0012508 | Greifensteinite | Rastsvetaeva R K, Gurbanova O A, Chukanov N V (2002) Crystal structure of greifensteinite Ca2Be4(Fe2+,Mn)5(PO4)6(OH)4*6H2O Doklady Chemistry 383 78-81 | 2002 | Greifenstein, Saxony, Germany | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 9.48 Å | (100) |
| 3.96 Å | (90) |
| 5.94 Å | (80) |
| 2.783 Å | (80) |
| 2.982 Å | (70) |
| 2.638 Å | (70) |
| 4.82 Å | (60) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 34 : Complex granite pegmatites |
Type Occurrence of Greifensteinite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Olive green radiated aggregates up to 5 mm in size.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
State Museum of Mineralogy and Geology, Dresden, Germany (18634).
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Li-rich granite pegmatite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Greifensteinite
Other Language Names for Greifensteinite
Dutch:Greifensteiniet
German:Greifensteinit
Russian:Грайфенштейнит
Simplified Chinese:水磷锰铍石
Spanish:Greifensteinita
Traditional Chinese:水磷錳鈹石
Relationship of Greifensteinite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Roscherite Group:
| Atencioite | Ca2Fe2+3Mg2Be4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 6H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Footemineite | Ca2Mn2+Mn2+2Mn2+2Be4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 6H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Guimarãesite | Ca2Be4Zn5(PO4)6(OH)4 · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Okruschite | Ca2Mn2+5Be4(AsO4)6(OH)4 · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Roscherite | Ca2Mn2+5Be4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Ruifrancoite | Ca2(◻,Mn)2(Fe3+,Mn,Mg)4Be4(PO4)6(OH)4(OH,H2O)2 · 4H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Zanazziite | Ca2Mg5Be4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 53 photos of Greifensteinite associated with Eosphorite | Mn2+Al(PO4)(OH)2 · H2O |
| 28 photos of Greifensteinite associated with Zanazziite | Ca2Mg5Be4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 6H2O |
| 25 photos of Greifensteinite associated with Albite | Na(AlSi3O8) |
| 16 photos of Greifensteinite associated with Muscovite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| 15 photos of Greifensteinite associated with Gormanite | (Fe2+,Mg)3(Al,Fe3+)4(PO4)4(OH)6 · 2H2O |
| 14 photos of Greifensteinite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 12 photos of Greifensteinite associated with Microcline | K(AlSi3O8) |
| 12 photos of Greifensteinite associated with Guimarãesite | Ca2Be4Zn5(PO4)6(OH)4 · 6H2O |
| 9 photos of Greifensteinite associated with Cookeite | (LiAl4◻)[AlSi3O10](OH)8 |
| 8 photos of Greifensteinite associated with Childrenite | Fe2+Al(PO4)(OH)2 · H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.DA.05 | Bearsite | Be2(AsO4)(OH) · 4H2O |
| 8.DA.05 | Moraesite | Be2(PO4)(OH) · 4H2O |
| 8.DA.10 | Zanazziite | Ca2Mg5Be4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 6H2O |
| 8.DA.10 | Atencioite | Ca2Fe2+3Mg2Be4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 6H2O |
| 8.DA.10 | Guimarãesite | Ca2Be4Zn5(PO4)6(OH)4 · 6H2O |
| 8.DA.10 | Footemineite | Ca2Mn2+Mn2+2Mn2+2Be4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 6H2O |
| 8.DA.10 | Roscherite | Ca2Mn2+5Be4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 6H2O |
| 8.DA.10 | Ruifrancoite | Ca2(◻,Mn)2(Fe3+,Mn,Mg)4Be4(PO4)6(OH)4(OH,H2O)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.DA.10 | Okruschite | Ca2Mn2+5Be4(AsO4)6(OH)4 · 6H2O |
| 8.DA.15 | Uralolite | Ca2Be4(PO4)3(OH)3 · 5H2O |
| 8.DA.20 | Weinebeneite | CaBe3(PO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.DA.25 | Tiptopite | K2(Na,Ca)2Li3Be6(PO4)6(OH)2 · H2O |
| 8.DA.40 | Spencerite | Zn4(PO4)2(OH)2 · 3H2O |
| 8.DA.45 | Glucine | CaBe4(PO4)2(OH)4 · 0.5H2O |
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 Greifensteinite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-11356.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Greifensteinite
Reference List:
Mandarino, Joseph A. (2004) New minerals. The Canadian Mineralogist, 42 (1) 215-234 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.42.1.215
Barinova, A. V., Rastsvetaeva, R. K., Chukanov, N. V., Pietraszko, A. (2004) Refinement of the crystal structure of Zn-containing greifensteinite. Crystallography Reports, 49 (6) 942-945 doi:10.1134/1.1828137
Localities for Greifensteinite
Showing 36 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.
Austria | |
| Chukanov et al. (2003) |
Brazil | |
| |
| Baijot et al. (2014) |
| Menezes (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| |
| Chukanov +3 other references |
| ... |
| Sergio Varvello collection | |
| Chukanov et al. (2003) |
| Luis Menezes +1 other reference |
| Paulo Matioli +1 other reference |
| |
| Donald Doell Collection |
France | |
| Queneau (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| Meisser et al. (2008) +1 other reference |
| Collection Laurent GAYRAUD +1 other reference |
Germany (TL) | |
| Chukanov et al. (2002) +2 other references |
Kazakhstan | |
| Chukanov +2 other references |
Portugal | |
| Alves (n.d.) |
Romania | |
| HÎRTOPANU et al. (2025) |
Spain | |
| Calvo Rebollar et al. (2022) |
USA | |
| MarekC collection |
| ... |
| King +1 other reference |
| King +1 other reference | |
| King et al. (6) +1 other reference | |
| King et al. (1994) |
| Found during ongoing study of Ryerson ... +1 other reference | |
| ... |
| J |
| Bob Janules +1 other reference |
| King (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| ... +1 other reference | |
| Dallaire (2022) |
| Dallaire (2022) |
| ... |
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Greifensteine, Ehrenfriedersdorf, Erzgebirgskreis, Saxony, Germany