Filipstadite

Filipstadite is a very rare mineral^[4] of the spinel group, with the formula (Mn,Mg)(Sb⁵⁺_0.5Fe³⁺_0.5)O₄.^[5] It is isometric,^[3] although it was previously thought to be orthorhombic. When compared to a typical spinel, both the octahedral and tetrahedral sites are split due to cation ordering.^[3] Filipstadite is chemically close to melanostibite.^[6] The mineral comes from Långban, Sweden, a manganese skarn deposit famous for many rare minerals.^[7]

Filipstadite
General
Category	Oxide mineral
Formula	(Mn,Mg)(Sb5+0.5Fe3+0.5)O4
IMA symbol	Fps[1]
Strunz classification	4.BB.05 (10 ed) 4/B.05-70 (8 ed)
Dana classification	7.2.13.1
Crystal system	Isometric
Crystal class	Hexoctahedral (m3m) H–M Symbol (4/m 3 2/m)
Space group	Fd3m
Unit cell	a = 25.93 Å (approximated); Z = 216
Identification
Color	Black
Crystal habit	modified (pseudo)octahedra
Twinning	Poor
Fracture	Conchoidal
Tenacity	Brittle
Mohs scale hardness	6-6.5
Luster	Metallic
Streak	Brown
Density	4.9 (calculated)
Optical properties	Biaxal
References	[2][3][4]

Occurrence and association

In the metamorphic Fe-Mn ore bodies of the Långban-type filipstadite associates with native antimony, calcite, native copper, forsterite, hausmannite, hedyphane, ingersonite, jacobsite, phlogopite, and svabite.^[2]

Notes on crystal structure

Cations and anions in filipstadite occupy 1⁄8 of the octahedral and 1⁄2 of the tetrahedral holes of the spinel-type oxygen lattice, that has cubic close-packing. Tetrahedral sites are split into 5, and octahedral into 6 substitutes, due to cation ordering, which also causes the unit cell edge to be tripled. Antimony, most of magnesium and trace aluminium are located on the octahedral (M) sites, trace magnesium, zinc and silicon are on the tetrahedral (T) sites. Manganese and iron are on both M and T sites.^[3]