Whiteite Whiteite with lazulite from Rapid Creek, Dawson Mining District, the Yukon, Canada General Category Phosphate Minerals Formula (repeating unit) Whiteite-(CaFeMg): CaFe2+Mg2Al2(PO4)4(OH)2·8H2O Whiteite-(MnFeMg): Mn2+Fe2+Mg2Al2(PO4)4(OH)2·8H2O Whiteite-(CaMnMg): CaMn2+Mg2Al2(PO4)4(OH)2·8H2O Strunz classification 8.DH.15 (10 ed, whole series) 7/D.29 (8 ed) Dana classification 42.11.3.1 Whiteite-(CaFeMg) 42.11.3.2 Whiteite-(MnFeMg) 42.11.3.3 Whiteite-(CaMnMg) Crystal system Monoclinic Crystal class Prismatic (2/m) (same H-M symbol) Space group P2/a (no. 13) Identification Formula mass Whiteite-(CaFeMg):756.29g Whiteite-(MnFeMg):767.44g Whiteite-(CaMnMg):755.61g Color Whiteite-(CaFeMg): Brown, pink-brown or yellow Whiteite-(MnFeMg): Brown Whiteite-(CaMnMg): Yellow, light lavender or pink Crystal habit Tabular crystals or aggregates thereof Twinning Invariably twinned by reflection on {001} producing a pseudo-orthorhombic appearance Cleavage On {001}. Poor for Whiteite-(CaMnMg), but good for the other members of the series (HOM) Tenacity Whiteite-(CaMnMg) is brittle (HOM) Mohs scale hardness 3 to 4 Luster Vitreous Streak White to brownish white Diaphaneity Translucent to transparent Specific gravity Whiteite-(CaFeMg) 2.58 Whiteite-(MnFeMg)2.67 Whiteite-(CaMnMg)2.63 Optical properties Biaxial (+) Refractive index Nx = 1.580, Ny = 1.584 to 1.585, Nz = 1.590 to 1.591 Other characteristics Not radioactive References [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]