Recommended Books on Gormanite and Related Minerals

If you've stumbled upon this post, you're likely intrigued by the relatively rare phosphate mineral, gormanite. Perhaps you're a mineral collector, a geology student, or a researcher delving into the complexities of phosphate mineralogy. Whatever your interest, finding comprehensive and reliable information on gormanite can be a bit of a challenge. While it doesn't have the widespread recognition of quartz or feldspar, gormanite holds a unique place in the mineral world, and understanding it often requires exploring resources that cover related phosphate minerals and their geological contexts.

This blog post aims to guide you through the best available literature, both print and online, to deepen your knowledge of gormanite and its associated minerals. We'll cover foundational texts, specialized publications, and online databases that will prove invaluable in your exploration.

Understanding Gormanite: The Basics

Before diving into the recommended resources, let's establish a baseline understanding of gormanite.

Gormanite is an iron, aluminum phosphate mineral with the chemical formula: Fe²⁺₃Al₄(PO₄)₄(OH)₆·2H₂O. It belongs to the laueite group of minerals. It is typically found in shades of green, ranging from pale bluish-green to a deeper, almost emerald green, and sometimes yellowish-green. It often occurs as radiating aggregates of fibrous or acicular crystals, or as botryoidal crusts.

Gormanite was first discovered in the Yukon Territory, Canada, specifically at Rapid Creek and Big Fish River. It is named after Professor Donald H. Gorman, a mineralogist at the University of Toronto. It's often associated with other phosphate minerals like souzalite, childrenite-eosphorite, ludlamite, and vivianite, typically forming in weathered, phosphate-rich iron formations.

Foundational Texts: Your Mineralogy Starting Point

For anyone serious about mineralogy, a few core texts are essential. These books provide the broad context needed to understand gormanite within the larger mineral kingdom. While they may not dedicate extensive sections specifically to gormanite, they offer crucial information on phosphate mineralogy, crystallography, and identification techniques.

• Dana's System of Mineralogy (7th Edition, and subsequent revisions): This is the classic reference work for mineralogy. While older editions are still valuable, try to find the most recent revision possible. The System of Mineralogy provides detailed descriptions of mineral species, including their chemical composition, crystal structure, physical properties, and occurrences. You'll find gormanite listed within the phosphate section, along with information on related minerals. The systematic approach of Dana's is invaluable for understanding the relationships between different mineral groups. The 8th edition, often referred to as the "New Dana," is also a valuable resource, although it is organized differently.

• Mineralogy (by Dexter Perkins): This textbook is a widely used resource for undergraduate mineralogy courses. It provides a comprehensive overview of mineralogy, covering topics such as crystallography, crystal chemistry, optical mineralogy, and systematic mineralogy. While it won't have a dedicated chapter on gormanite, it will provide the foundational knowledge necessary to understand the mineral's properties and classification within the broader context of phosphate minerals. [Link to a reputable online bookseller or library catalog listing for this book].

• Manual of Mineral Science (by Cornelis Klein and Barbara Dutrow): Another excellent textbook, often used alongside Perkins' Mineralogy. It offers a similar scope, covering the fundamental principles of mineralogy and providing detailed descriptions of major mineral groups. Again, the phosphate section will be your key area of interest. [Link to a reputable online bookseller or library catalog listing for this book].

• Rock-Forming Minerals (by Deer, Howie, and Zussman): This multi-volume set is a more advanced reference work, focusing on the minerals that make up the Earth's crust. While gormanite is not a major rock-forming mineral, the volumes on phosphates (specifically Volume 5B: Non-Silicates) will provide valuable context and information on related phosphate species and their geological environments. This is a more specialized resource, but highly recommended for serious students and researchers. [Link to a reputable online bookseller or library catalog listing for this book].

Specialized Publications: Delving Deeper into Gormanite

While the foundational texts provide a broad overview, specialized publications offer more focused information on gormanite and its specific occurrences. These resources often include original research papers, detailed locality descriptions, and advanced analytical data.

• The Canadian Mineralogist: This peer-reviewed journal is a crucial resource for anyone researching gormanite, as the original description of the mineral was published here:

  • Sturman, B. D., Mandarino, J. A., & Corlett, M. I. (1981). Gormanite, Fe²⁺₃Al₄(PO₄)₄(OH)₆·2H₂O, the ferrous analogue of souzalite, and new data on souzalite. The Canadian Mineralogist, 19(3), 381-387. This is the definitive paper describing gormanite for the first time. It includes detailed chemical analyses, crystallographic data, and descriptions of the type locality. Accessing this paper is essential for any serious study of gormanite. [Link to the Canadian Mineralogist journal archive or a database like GeoRef where the article can be accessed].

• American Mineralogist: Another leading peer-reviewed journal in mineralogy, petrology, and geochemistry. While it may not have as many articles specifically focused on gormanite as The Canadian Mineralogist, it often publishes research on related phosphate minerals and their paragenesis. Searching the journal's archives using keywords like "gormanite," "phosphate," "Yukon," and "Rapid Creek" can yield valuable results. [Link to the American Mineralogist journal archive].

• Mineralogical Magazine: Published by the Mineralogical Society of Great Britain and Ireland, this journal is another excellent source for research on phosphate minerals. Similar to American Mineralogist, searching the archives for relevant keywords is recommended. [Link to the Mineralogical Magazine journal archive].

• Rocks & Minerals: This magazine, aimed at both amateur and professional mineral collectors, often features articles on specific mineral localities and new mineral discoveries. While not a peer-reviewed journal, it can provide valuable information on gormanite occurrences and collecting tips. Back issues may contain articles featuring gormanite, particularly those focusing on Canadian minerals or phosphate species. [Link to the Rocks & Minerals magazine website].

• Conference Proceedings: Many geological and mineralogical conferences include presentations and abstracts on phosphate mineralogy. Searching for proceedings from conferences like the Geological Society of America (GSA) Annual Meeting, the International Mineralogical Association (IMA) General Meeting, or the Rochester Mineralogical Symposium can uncover recent research on gormanite and related minerals. These proceedings are often available online through the conference websites or through databases like GeoRef.

Online Resources: Databases and Websites

In addition to print resources, several online databases and websites provide valuable information on gormanite.

• Mindat.org: This is arguably the most comprehensive online mineral database. It provides detailed information on gormanite, including its chemical formula, crystal structure, physical properties, localities, and numerous photographs. The Mindat page for gormanite also includes links to relevant publications and discussions in the Mindat forums. This is an essential resource for any mineral enthusiast. [Link to the Gormanite page on Mindat.org: www.mindat.org/min-1728.html].

• Webmineral.com: Another excellent online mineral database, similar to Mindat.org. It provides concise information on gormanite's properties and crystallography. [Link to the Gormanite page on Webmineral.com].

• RRUFF Project: This database provides comprehensive Raman, infrared, and X-ray diffraction data for minerals. While more technical, it can be invaluable for researchers and those involved in mineral identification. [Link to the RRUFF Project website and search for gormanite].

• GeoRef (Geological Reference database): This is a subscription-based database, often accessible through university libraries or geological surveys. It is the most comprehensive database for geological literature, including journal articles, conference proceedings, books, and maps. Searching GeoRef using keywords like "gormanite," "phosphate," and "Yukon" will yield a wealth of information.

• Google Scholar: A free search engine for scholarly literature. While not as specialized as GeoRef, it can be a useful tool for finding research papers on gormanite.

Putting it All Together: A Research Strategy

To effectively research gormanite, a combined approach is recommended:

1. Start with the Foundational Texts: Build a solid understanding of phosphate mineralogy and crystallography using Dana's System of Mineralogy, Mineralogy (Perkins), and Manual of Mineral Science (Klein & Dutrow).

2. Consult the Original Description: Read the original paper on gormanite in The Canadian Mineralogist (Sturman et al., 1981). This will provide the most accurate and detailed information on the mineral's type locality and characteristics.

3. Explore Specialized Journals: Search The Canadian Mineralogist, American Mineralogist, and Mineralogical Magazine for additional research on gormanite and related phosphate minerals.

4. Utilize Online Databases: Use Mindat.org, Webmineral.com, and the RRUFF Project for quick access to mineral data, photographs, and locality information.

5. Delve into Geological Literature: Use GeoRef (if accessible) or Google Scholar to find research papers, conference proceedings, and other geological publications related to gormanite.

6. Consider the associated minerals. Researching minerals commonly found with Gormanite, such as souzalite, childrenite-eosphorite, ludlamite, and vivianite, will provide a more complete picture.

By following this strategy and utilizing the recommended resources, you'll be well-equipped to deepen your understanding of gormanite and its place within the fascinating world of phosphate minerals. Remember that mineralogy is a constantly evolving field, so staying up-to-date with the latest research is crucial. Happy exploring!