THE WHITEITE GROUP OF MINERALS

The whiteite minerals are a group of rare phosphates that have similar structures. The group is named after one of the series within the group. The general formula for the group is AB2C2(PO4)4(OH)2 - 8H2O The A ion can be calcium, manganese or boron. The B ion is always a +2 metal ion such as manganese, iron, zinc or magnesium. One of the B ions must be either magnesium or iron. The C ion is always a +3 metal ion and can be either iron or aluminum.

These minerals are some of the more common minerals of the Whiteite Group:

Jahnsite-(CaMnFe), Formula: CaMnFe4(PO4)4(OH)2 - 8H2O
Jahnsite-(CaMnMg), Formula: CaMn(Mg, Fe)2Fe2(PO4)4(OH)2 - 8H2O
Jahnsite-(CaMnMn), Formula: CaMn3Fe2(PO4)4(OH)2 - 8H2O
Jahnsite-(MnMnMn), Formula: Mn4Fe2(PO4)4(OH)2 - 8H2O
Keckite, Formula: Ca(Mn, Zn)2Fe3(PO4)4(OH)3 - 2H2O
Rittmannite, Formula: (Mn, Ca)Mn(Fe, Mn, Mg)2(Fe, Al)2(PO4)4(OH)2 - 8H2O
Whiteite-(CaFeMg), Formula: Ca(Fe, Mn)Mg2Al2(PO4)4(OH)2 - 8H2O
Whiteite-(CaMnMg), Formula: CaMnMg2Al2(PO4)4(OH)2 - 8H2O
Whiteite-(MnFeMg), Formula: MnFeMg2Al2(PO4)4(OH)2 - 8H2O