Evansite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About Evansite
Formula:
Al3(PO4)(OH)6 · 6H2O
Colour:
Colourless, milk-white, lightly tinted blue, green or yellow at times; brown, reddish-brown, or red due to FeO inclusions; colourless to brown in transmitted light
Lustre:
Vitreous, Resinous, Waxy
Hardness:
3½ - 4
Specific Gravity:
1.8 - 2.2
Crystal System:
Amorphous
Name:
For British metallurgist, Brooke Evans (1797-1862), Birmingham, England, who brought the first specimens from Hungary in 1855.
A secondary amorphous mineral commonly occurring with limonite and allophane.
Needs modern reinvestigation.
Needs modern reinvestigation.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1426
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1426:3
IMA Classification of Evansite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Al3PO4(OH)6·8H2O
First published:
1864
Classification of Evansite
8.DF.10
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
F : With only medium-sized cations, (OH,etc.):RO4 > 3:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
F : With only medium-sized cations, (OH,etc.):RO4 > 3:1
42.1.2.1
42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
1 : A3(XO4)Zq·xH2O
42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
1 : A3(XO4)Zq·xH2O
19.7.9
19 : Phosphates
7 : Phosphates of Al alone
19 : Phosphates
7 : Phosphates of Al alone
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Evn | 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 Evansite
Vitreous, Resinous, Waxy
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Comment:
Lustre inclines toward resinous or waxy.
Colour:
Colourless, milk-white, lightly tinted blue, green or yellow at times; brown, reddish-brown, or red due to FeO inclusions; colourless to brown in transmitted light
Streak:
White; lightly tinted.
Hardness:
3½ - 4 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Very brittle
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
1.8 - 2.2 g/cm3 (Measured)
Comment:
Density usually about 1.9.
Optical Data of Evansite
Type:
Isotropic
RI values:
n = 1.445 - 1.485
Surface Relief:
High (negative)
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
Chemistry of Evansite
Mindat Formula:
Al3(PO4)(OH)6 · 6H2O
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Cu,Pb
Crystallography of Evansite
Crystal System:
Amorphous
Morphology:
Botryoidal or reniform coatings; concentric, colloform structure at times; opaline; stalactitic. Massive.
Comment:
Amorphous. Point Group: n.d.; Space Group: n.d. Z = n.d.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| - Å | () |
Comments:
Amorphous to X-rays.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] | |
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 50 : Coal and/or oil shale minerals | <0.36 |
| 52 : Guano- and urine-derived minerals | <0.4 |
Type Occurrence of Evansite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Incrustations in cavities in limonite. Small reniform or globular stalactites; pearl-like.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Narodni Museum, Prague, Czech Republic, 1935-26572; Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, 110880.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Evansite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 7 photos of Evansite associated with Doyleite | Al(OH)3 |
| 5 photos of Evansite associated with Vashegyite | Al11(PO4)9(OH)6 · 38H2O |
| 5 photos of Evansite associated with Chalcanthite | CuSO4 · 5H2O |
| 2 photos of Evansite associated with Montgomeryite | Ca4MgAl4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 12H2O |
| 2 photos of Evansite associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
| 2 photos of Evansite associated with Antlerite | Cu3(SO4)(OH)4 |
| 2 photos of Evansite associated with 'Shungite (1)' | |
| 1 photo of Evansite associated with Curetonite | Ba(Al,Ti)(PO4)(OH,O)F |
| 1 photo of Evansite associated with Volborthite | Cu3(V2O7)(OH)2 · 2H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.DF. | Wiperamingaite | NaCaFe3+Al(PO4)F5(OH) · H2O |
| 8.DF. | Kernowite | Cu2Fe(AsO4)(OH)4 · 4H2O |
| 8.DF.05 | Hotsonite | Al11(SO4)3(PO4)2(OH)21 · 16H2O |
| 8.DF.10 | Liskeardite | [(Al,Fe)32(AsO4)18(OH)42(H2O)22] · 52H2O |
| 8.DF.10 | Rosièresite | (Pb, Cu, Al, P, O, H) |
| 8.DF.10 | Bolivarite | Al2(PO4)(OH)3 · 4-5H2O |
| 8.DF.15 | Rusakovite | (Fe3+,Al)5(VO4,PO4)2(OH)9 · 3H2O |
| 8.DF.20 | Liroconite | Cu2Al(AsO4)(OH)4 · 4H2O |
| 8.DF.25 | Sieleckiite | Cu3Al4(PO4)2(OH)12 · 2H2O |
| 8.DF.30 | Chalcophyllite | Cu18Al2(AsO4)4(SO4)3(OH)24 · 36H2O |
| 8.DF.35 | Parnauite | Cu9(AsO4)2(SO4)(OH)10 · 7H2O |
| 8.DF.40 | Gladiusite | Fe2(Fe,Mg)4(PO4)(OH)11(H2O) |
| 8.DF.50 | Forêtite | Cu2Al2(AsO4)(OH,O,H2O)6 |
Fluorescence of Evansite
May fluoresce bright green under SW and LW UV, probably due to trace uranium.
Other Information
Notes:
Readily soluble in acids.
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 Evansite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1426.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Evansite
Reference List:
Smith Woodward, Arthur (1884) Note on the Occurrence of Evansite in East Cheshire. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 5 (26) 333-334 doi:10.1180/minmag.1884.005.26.05
Duncan McConnell, (1976) Crystallinity among some hydrous aluminium phosphates. Mineralogical Magazine, 40 (314) 609-610 doi:10.1180/minmag.1976.040.314.08
Localities for Evansite
Showing 71 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.
Australia | |
| Peter Keller Collection |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
Austria | |
| Exel (1993) |
Belgium | |
| Van Tassel R. (1959) +4 other references |
| Hatert et al. (2002) |
| Collection Arliguie M | |
| Van Tassel (1959) +1 other reference | |
Bolivia | |
| Wilson (2001) +1 other reference |
China | |
| Nansheng Chen (1996) |
| Hunan 230 Laboratory et al. (1976) |
| Nansheng Chen (1996) |
| Shen (n.d.) |
| Nansheng Chen (1996) |
| Rock Currier specimens | |
Czech Republic | |
| Prachař +6 other references |
| Palache et al. (1951) | |
| Pauliš (1980) |
| Pelíšek (1979) |
| Velebil +5 other references |
| Kovár (1896) +1 other reference | |
DR Congo | |
| Van Wambeke (1971) +1 other reference |
France | |
| Delfour (2007) |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Moëlo et al. (2006) |
Germany | |
| Emser Hefte 1988 (4) |
Hungary | |
| Elsholtz et al. (1974) |
Israel | |
| Weiner et al. (1993) |
Japan | |
| Akira Kato (1973) |
Kazakhstan | |
| Ankinovich et al. (1997) |
Madagascar | |
| Lacroix (1922) +1 other reference |
| Behier (1963) |
Portugal | |
| Nunes (n.d.) |
| Mineral identification (method unknown) |
| |
| Alves (n.d.) |
Romania | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| minerals-of-the-carpathians.eu (2008) |
Russia | |
| Pekov (1998) |
Slovakia | |
| Pauliš |
| Kodě +1 other reference |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
| lení Národního muzea v Praze +2 other references |
| Koděra et al. (1986) |
| Koděra et al. (1986) | |
| Duda +1 other reference | |
| Koděra et al. (1986) | |
| Koděra et al. (1986) |
South Africa | |
| Martini et al. (1978) |
| Martini et al. (1978) |
| Martini et al. (1978) |
| Martini et al. (1978) |
Spain | |
| Rosell-Riba et al. (2022) |
| Mingueza et al. (Min. Catalunya/Paragénesis, 2025) |
| Bareche (2005) |
| |
| Mata i Perelló (1990) | |
| Mineralogistes de Catalunya (1997) |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Calvo et al. (2003) |
UK | |
| Smith Woodward (1884) +1 other reference |
| Alysson Rowan collection |
USA | |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference | |
| Howard +1 other reference |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
| King et al. (1994) |
| Williams (1979) |
| Hawley (1934) |
Venezuela | |
| Franco Urbani (2009) |
Quick NavTopAbout EvansiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography X-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence Other LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Baoshan, Yunnan, China