Tarbuttite from Broken Hill mine (Kabwe mine) in Central Province, Zambia
General
Category
Phosphate minerals
Formula (repeating unit)
Zn2(PO4)(OH)
IMA symbol
Tbt[1]
Strunz classification
8.BB.35
Dana classification
41.6.7.1
Crystal system
Triclinic
Crystal class
Pinacoidal (1) (same H-M symbol)
Space group
P1
Unit cell
a = 5.400 Å, b = 5.654 Å c = 6.465 Å, α = 102.51° β = 102.46°, γ = 86.50° Z = 2[2]
Identification
Color
White, colorless, yellow, red, green, or brown
Crystal habit
Equant to short prismatic [001], sheaf-like aggregates, crusts, individual crystals rounded and deeply striated
Cleavage
Perfect on {010}
Fracture
Irregular, uneven
Mohs scale hardness
3.5
Luster
Vitreous, pearly on cleavages[2]
Streak
White
Diaphaneity
Transparent, translucent
Specific gravity
4.12; 4.19 (calc.)
Density
4.12 g/cm3 (measured)
Optical properties
Biaxial (−)
Refractive index
nα = 1.660 nβ = 1.705 nγ = 1.713
Birefringence
δ = 0.053
2V angle
50° (measured)
Dispersion
Weak,[3] strong[2]
Ultraviolet fluorescence
Non-fluorescent[4]
References
[3]
Tarbuttite is a rare phosphate mineral with formula Zn2(PO4)(OH). It was discovered in 1907 in what is now Zambia and named for Percy Coventry Tarbutt.
Tarbuttite is a rare phosphate mineral with formula Zn2(PO4)(OH). It was discovered in 1907 in what is now Zambia and named for Percy Coventry Tarbutt...
nickel also substitute in the structure. An analogous zinc phosphate, tarbuttite, is known. Adamite occurs as a secondary mineral in the oxidized zone...
A somewhat similar mineral is natural hydrous zinc phosphate called tarbuttite, Zn2(PO4)(OH). Both are known from oxidation zones of Zn ore beds and...
investigator who described several new minerals, including miersite, tarbuttite and parahopeite. He also did important work as a curator, editor and bibliographer...
mixture of non-sulphidic zinc minerals such as smithsonite, hydrozincite, tarbuttite and willemite. Finally, it is the only zinc processing facility to use...
Horne, one of the first to be discovered. The rare phosphate mineral tarbuttite is first discovered at Broken Hill, Barotziland-North-Western Rhodesia...
(1901–1979) Sylvite: KCl – Dutch chemist Franciscus Sylvius (1614–1672) Tarbuttite: Zn2(PO4)(OH) Percy Coventry Tarbutt (died 1943), a Director of the Broken...
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