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Dittmarite

A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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01079480017077034036041.jpg
Dittmarite

Skipton Caves, Mount Widderin, Skipton, Corangamite Shire, Victoria, Australia
06602400014948444685452.jpg
Dittmarite

Punta Patache, Iquique Province, Tarapacá, Chile
01079480017077034036041.jpg
Dittmarite

Skipton Caves, Mount Widderin, Skipton, Corangamite Shire, Victoria, Australia
06602400014948444685452.jpg
Dittmarite

Punta Patache, Iquique Province, Tarapacá, Chile
01079480017077034036041.jpg
Dittmarite

Skipton Caves, Mount Widderin, Skipton, Corangamite Shire, Victoria, Australia
06602400014948444685452.jpg
Dittmarite

Punta Patache, Iquique Province, Tarapacá, Chile
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About DittmariteHide

07809650014946592163873.jpg
William Dittmar
Formula:
(NH4)Mg(PO4) · H2O
Colour:
Colourless
Hardness:
5
Specific Gravity:
2.15
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named in 1887 (described in 1902) by R.W. Emerson MacIvor in honor of William Dittmar (14/15 April 1833, Umstadt, Germany – 9 February 1892, Glasgow, Scotland), Professor of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland.
This page provides mineralogical data about Dittmarite.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
1297
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1297:9
GUID
(UUID V4):
7c2dc882-b594-47ec-bf54-f563e1ea725d

IMA Classification of DittmariteHide

Classification of DittmariteHide

Strunz-mindat (2024):
8.CH.20

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
H : With large and medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O < 1:1
Dana 8th ed.:
40.1.2.1

40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
1 : AB(XO4)·xH2O
Hey's CIM Ref.:
19.3.22

19 : Phosphates
3 : Phosphates of Be and Mg

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference
DmrIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of DittmariteHide

Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
5 on Mohs scale
Density:
2.15 g/cm3 (Measured)    2.19 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of DittmariteHide

Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.549 nβ = 1.569 nγ = 1.571
2V:
Measured: 40° , Calculated: 34°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.022
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Low
Dispersion:
none

Chemistry of DittmariteHide

Mindat Formula:
(NH4)Mg(PO4) · H2O
Elements listed:
H, Mg, N, O, P - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of DittmariteHide

Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mm2 - Pyramidal
Space Group:
Pmn21
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.606 Å, b = 8.758 Å, c = 4.788 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.64 : 1 : 0.547
Unit Cell V:
235.08 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Rhombic crystals.
Comment:
Cell parameters from Mrose 1971.

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
8.77 Å(100)
2.80 Å(50)
2.92 Å(40)
4.72 Å(30)
4.20 Å(25)
2.50 Å(20)
2.28 Å(10)
Comments:
Skipton lava tube caves, Australia. ICDD 20-663.

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere<0.6
52 : Guano- and urine-derived minerals<0.4

Type Occurrence of DittmariteHide

Type Locality:
ⓘ Skipton Caves, Mount Widderin, Skipton, Corangamite Shire, Victoria, Australia
General Appearance of Type Material:
Small rhombic, transparent crystals.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
No designated type material.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
A dry bat guano cave.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
StruviteScherteliteNewberyiteHannayite
Reference:
MacIvor, R.W.E. (1887) On Australian bat guano and some minerals occurring therein. The Chemical News and Journal of Industrial Science, London: 55: 215-216.

Other Language Names for DittmariteHide

German:Dittmarit
Spanish:Dittmarita

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

8.CH.05WalentaiteFe3+3(P0.84As0.16O4)2(O,OH)6As3+2.56Ca0.42Na0.28Mn2+0.35Fe2+0.30O6.1(OH)0.9(H2O)0.9Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Imma
8.CH.05Natrowalentaite [Fe3+0.5Na0.5(H2O)6][NaAs3+2(Fe3+2.33W6+0.67)(PO4)2O7]Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Imma
8.CH.05Halilsarpite[Mg(H2O)6][CaAs3+2(Fe3+2.67Mo6+0.33)(AsO4)2O7]Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Imma
8.CH.10AnapaiteCa2Fe2+(PO4)2 · 4H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.CH.15PicropharmacoliteCa4Mg(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 11H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.CH.20Niahite(NH4)(Mn2+,Mg)(PO4) · H2OOrth. mm2 : Pmn21
8.CH.25FrancoanelliteK3Al5(PO3OH)6(PO4)2 · 12H2OTrig.
8.CH.25Taranakite(K,NH4)Al3(PO4)3(OH) · 9H2OTrig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c
8.CH.30Schertelite(NH4)2MgH2(PO4)2 · 4H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbca
8.CH.35Hannayite(NH4)2Mg3H4(PO4)4 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.CH.40Struvite(NH4)Mg(PO4) · 6H2OOrth. mm2 : Pmn21
8.CH.40Struvite-(K)KMg(PO4) · 6H2OOrth. mm2 : Pmn21
8.CH.40HazeniteKNaMg2(PO4)2 · 14H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
8.CH.45Rimkorolgite(Mg,Mn)5(Ba,Sr,Ca)(PO4)4 · 8H2OOrth.
8.CH.50BakhchisaraitseviteNa2Mg5(PO4)4 · 7H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.CH.55FahleiteCaZn5Fe3+2(AsO4)6 · 14H2OOrth.
8.CH.55SmolyaninoviteCo3Fe3+2(AsO4)4 · 11H2OOrth.
8.CH.60Barahonaite-(Al)(Ca,Cu,Na,Fe3+,Al)12Al2(AsO4)8(OH,Cl)x · nH2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
8.CH.60Barahonaite-(Fe)(Ca,Cu,Na,Fe3+,Al)12Fe3+2(AsO4)8(OH,Cl)x · nH2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
8.CH.70EpifanoviteNaCaCu5(PO4)4[AsO2(OH)2] · 7H2OMon. 2/m : P21/m
8.CH.75Esdanaite-(Ce)NaMnCe(PO4)2 · 4H2OOrth. 2 2 2 : P21 21 21

Other InformationHide

Thermal Behaviour:
Does not lose water when exposed to the atmosphere, but when heated to 100-105°C for a time, it gives up water and loses transparency.
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 DittmariteHide

References for DittmariteHide

Localities for DittmariteHide

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

- 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.
Australia
 
  • South Australia
    • Flinders Ranges
      • North Flinders Ranges
        • Wooltana homestead area
Snow et al. (2014)
  • Victoria
    • Corangamite Shire
      • Skipton
        • Mount Widderin
Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference
Botswana
 
  • North-West District
    • Ngamiland West District
Martini (1996) +1 other reference
Chile
 
  • Antofagasta
    • Antofagasta Province
      • Mejillones
        • Mejillones peninsula
XRD by Joachim Lorenz
  • Tarapacá
    • Iquique Province
      • Chanabaya
samples analysed by Gerhard Mohn and ... +1 other reference
Nestola et al. (2012)
forum.amiminerals.org (2016)
Ethiopia
 
  • Somali Region
    • Kunama
Tribolo et al. (2017)
Namibia
 
  • Khomas Region
    • Windhoek Rural
Martini (1992)
  • Kunene Region
    • Khorixas
Mineralogical Society of America - ...
Thailand
 
  • Chiang Mai Province
Lenoble et al. (2006, September)
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