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Gearksutite

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Kara-Oba W deposit, Betpakdala Desert (Bet-Pak-Dal Desert), Karagandy Province (Qaragandy Oblysy; Karaganda Oblast'), Kazakhstan
© Pavel M. Kartashov

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Formula:
Ca[Al(F,OH)
 
5
(H
 
2
O)]
System:TriclinicColour:white, colourless ...
Hardness:2
Name:From the Greek γή, earth, and arksutite (chiolite), which it was thought to resemble in composition, in allusion to the earthy character of the material.


A complex aluminium salt mineral, structurally similar to artroeite.
One of the last formed secondary fluorides at the cryolite deposit of Ivigtut, Greenland.

Classification of Gearksutite

IMA status:Approved
Strunz 8th edition ID:3/C.01-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:3.CC.05

3 : HALIDES
C : Complex halides
C : Soro-aluminofluorides
Dana 8th edition ID:11.6.8.1

11 : HALIDE COMPLEXES
6 : Aluminofluorides - Isolated Octahedra
Hey's CIM Ref.:8.6.12

8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
6 : Halides of Al
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Type Occurrence of Gearksutite

Type Locality:Ivigtut Cryolite deposit, Ivittuut (Ivigtut), Arsuk Firth, Arsuk, Kitaa (West Greenland) Province, Greenland
Year of Discovery:1868

Physical Properties of Gearksutite

Lustre:Dull
Colour:white, colourless (including in transmitted light)
Streak:white
Hardness (Mohs):2
Cleavage:Imperfect/Fair
On {1-10}.
Density (measured):2.768 g/cm3
Density (calculated):2.771 g/cm3

Crystallography of Gearksutite

Crystal System:Triclinic
Class (H-M):1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:P1
Cell Parameters:a = 4.94Å, b = 6.81Å, c = 6.978Å
α = 101.12°, β = 94.86°, γ = 110.07°
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.725 : 1 : 1.025
Unit Cell Volume:V 213.43 ų
Z:2
Morphology:Massive; nodular with an earthy to chalky character. Consisting of very minute needles with inclined extinction.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
Image Loading

Radiation - Copper Kα
Data Set:
Horizontal Axis: ° to ° Vertical Axis: % Source Data: Filtered Data:
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
d-spacingIntensity
4.54 (10)
3.33 (7d)
3.14 (8)
2.28 (8)
2.15 (6)
1.924 (8)
1.741 (6)

Optical Data of Gearksutite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.448 nβ = 1.454 nγ = 1.456
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.008

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Moderate
Dispersion:r > v distinct

Chemical Properties of Gearksutite

Formula:
Ca[Al(F,OH)
 
5
(H
 
2
O)]
Essential elements:Al, Ca, F, H, O
All elements listed in formula:Al, Ca, F, H, O

Relationship of Gearksutite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
3.CC.10Acuminite
Sr[AlF
 
4
(OH)(H
 
2
O)]
3.CC.10Tikhonenkovite
Sr[AlF
 
4
(OH)(H
 
2
O)]
3.CC.15Artroeite
Pb[AlF
 
3
(OH)
 
2
]
3.CC.20Calcjarlite
Na(Ca,Sr)
 
3
Al
 
3
(OH)
 
2
F
 
14
3.CC.20Jarlite
Na(Sr,Na)
 
7
MgAl
 
6
F
 
32
(OH,H
 
2
O)
 
2
3.CC.20Jørgensenite
Na
 
2
(Sr,Ba)
 
14
Na
 
2
Al
 
12
F
 
64
(OH,F)
 
4
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
8.6.1Zharchikhite
AlF(OH)
 
2
8.6.2Chloraluminite
AlCl
 
3
 · 6H
 
2
O
8.6.3Cadwaladerite
AlCl(OH)
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
8.6.4Cryolithionite
Na
 
3
Li
 
3
[AlF
 
6
]
 
2
8.6.5Cryolite
Na
 
3
[AlF
 
6
]
8.6.6Chiolite
Na
 
5
Al
 
3
F
 
14
8.6.7Elpasolite
NaK
 
2
[AlF
 
6
]
8.6.8Weberite
Na
 
2
Mg[AlF
 
6
]F
8.6.9Ralstonite
NaMg[Al(F,OH)
 
6
] · H
 
2
O
8.6.10Koenenite
Na
 
4
Mg
 
9
Al
 
4
Cl
 
12
(OH)
 
22
8.6.11 Chlor-manasseite
Mg
 
x
Al(OH)
 
2x+2
Cl · (x-0.8)H
 
2
O x about 1.75
8.6.13Prosopite
CaAl
 
2
(F,OH)
 
8
8.6.14Yaroslavite
Ca
 
3
Al
 
2
F
 
10
(OH)
 
2
 · H
 
2
O
8.6.15Carlhintzeite
Ca
 
2
[AlF
 
6
]F · H
 
2
O
8.6.16Colquiriite
CaLi[AlF
 
6
]
8.6.17Thomsenolite
NaCa[AlF
 
6
] · H
 
2
O
8.6.18Pachnolite
NaCa[AlF
 
6
] · H
 
2
O
8.6.19Zirklerite
(Fe,Mg,Ca)
 
9
Al
 
4
Cl
 
18
(OH)
 
12
 · 14H
 
2
O (?)

Other Names for Gearksutite

Synonyms:
EvigtokiteGearksiteParagearksutite
Other Languages:
German:Gearksutit
Russian:Геарксутит
Spanish:Gearksutita

Other Information

Other Information:Readily soluble in dilute acid.
Health Warning:No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

References for Gearksutite

Reference List:

- +
Hagemann in: Dana, J.D. (1868) System of Mineralogy, 5th. Edition, New York: 130.

Flight (1883) Journal of the Chemical Society: 43: 140 (as Evigtokite).

Cross and Hillebrand (1885) USGS Bulletin 20: 59.

Dana, E.S. (1892) System of Mineralogy, 6th. Edition, New York: 181.

Larsen, E. and Wells (1916) Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences: 2: 360.

Simpson (1920) Mineralogical Magazine: 19: 23.

Larsen, E.S. (1921) The Microscopic Determination of the Nonopaque Minerals, First edition, USGS Bulletin 679: 78.

Henderson (1929) American Mineralogist: 14: 281.

Smolyaninov and Isakov (1946) Belyankin Jubilee volume, Academy of Sciences, USSR: 145 (as Paragearksutite).

Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: Halides, Nitrates, Borates, Carbonates, Sulfates, Phosphates, Arsenates, Tungstates, Molybdates, Etc. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged: 119-120.

Marchetti, F. & Perchiazzi, N. (2000): The crystal structure of gearksutite, CaAlF4(OH) H2O. American Mineralogist 85, 231-235.

Internet Links for Gearksutite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Gearksutite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    • Specimens:The following Gearksutite specimens are currently listed for sale on minfind.com.
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    • Localities for Gearksutite

    The map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
    Hide Locality List
    (TL) indicates type locality. ? indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. All other localities listed without reference should be considered as uncertain and unproven until references can be found.
    Australia
     
    • Tasmania
      • Heazlewood district
        • Luina
    		Am Min 85:231-235
    • Western Australia
      • Swan Co.
    		Edward S. Simpson (1920): On Gearksutite at Gingin, Western Australia. Mineralogical Magazine 19, 23-39; Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 120.
    Bolivia
     
    • La Paz Department
      • Inquisivi Province
        • Colquiri
    China
     
    • Guizhou Province
      • Qianxi'nan Autonomous Prefecture
        • Qinglong Co.
          • Dachang Sb ore field
    		Niedermayr, G. (2004): Ein bemerkenswerter Neufund von Carbonat-Cyanotrichit aus China. Mineralien-Welt 15 (5), 58-60. (in German)
    Germany
     
    • Baden-Württemberg
      • Black Forest
        • Wolfach
          • Oberwolfach
            • Rankach valley
    		Walenta, K. (1992): Die Mineralien des Schwarzwaldes. Chr. Weise Verlag, München, 336 pp. (in German); Kolitsch, U. & Götzinger, M. (2000): Einige Neufunde aus der Grube Clara im mittleren Schwarzwald: Eulytin, Namibit, Volborthit, Gearksutit, Spertiniit, Monazit-(La), Protasit, Sainfeldit, Cyanotrichit und Vauquelinit. Erzgräber 14, 33-47. (in German); KOLITSCH, U., GRÖBNER, J. BLASS, G., GRAF, H.-W. & PRING, A. (2005): Neufunde aus der Grube Clara im mittleren Schwarzwald (II): Dreyerit, Gasparit-(Ce), Klinobisvanit, Kobaltkoritnigit, Metatyuyamunit, Roscoelith, Sengierit, Vésigniéit und Wakefieldit. Lapis 30 (9), 35-39; 58; Gröbner, J., Kolitsch, U. und Bayerl, R. (2005): Interessante Uranmineralien im Stinkspat der Grube Clara. Lapis 30 (10), 34-39; 90; Gröbner, J., Bayerl, R. und Kolitsch, U. (2006): Weitere Beobachtungen zu den Uran- und Vanadium-Paragenesen der Grube Clara aus den Jahren 2002, 2004 und 2005. Erzgräber 20, 1-10
    Greece
     
    • Attikí (Attica; Attika) Prefecture
      • Lavrion (Laurion; Laurium) District
        • Lavrion District Mines
          • Agios Konstantinos [St Constantine] (Kamariza)
            • Kamariza Mines (Kamareza Mines)
    		No reference listed
    Lapis No.11 2001 p.13-21
    Greenland
     
    • Kitaa (West Greenland) Province
      • Arsuk
        • Arsuk Firth
          • Ivittuut (Ivigtut)
    		Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 112, 120; American Mineralogist (2000), 85, 231–235.]; Petersen, O. V and K Secher (1993) The Minerals of Greenland. Mineralogical Record 24:36
    Italy
     
    • Campania
      • Naples Province
        • Somma-Vesuvius Complex
    		M. Russo & I. Campostrini (2011): Ammineite, matlockite and post 1944 eruption fumarolic minerals at Vesuvius. Plinius 37, 312.
    • Sicily
      • Messina Province
        • Lipari
          • Eolie Islands (Aeolian Islands)
    		Bernauer, F. (1941): Eine Gearksutit-Lagerstätte auf der Insel Vulcano. Zeitschrift der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Geowissenschaften, 93, 65-80.
    Campostrini, I., Demartin, F., Gramaccioli, C. M. & Russo, M. (2011): Vulcano - Tre secoli di mineralogia. Associazione Micro-mineralogia Italiana, Cremona, Italy, 344 pp.
    • Tuscany
      • Grosseto Province
        • Scansano
          • Pereta
    		AA. VV., 1996. Collezionare minerali. Hobby & Work.
    • Veneto
      • Vicenza Province
        • Torrebelvicino
          • Mercanti Valley
    		Boscardin M., Marchetti F., Orlandi P., Zordan A.(1995): La gearksutite della Valle dei Mercanti (Torrebelvicino, Vicenza). Atti Soc. Tosc. Sc. Nat., Mem., 102, 117-120. ; Pegoraro, S., Orlandi, P., Chiereghin, P., Contin, A. & Toniolo, E. (2009). I minerali del Monte Trisa (Torrebelvicino, Vicenza). Rivista Mineralogica Italiana, 3/2009, 160-179.
    American Mineralogist, 85 :231–235
    Kazakhstan
     
    • Eastern Kazakhstan Province (Shyghys Qazaqstan Oblysy; Vostochno-Kazakhstanskaya Oblast')
      • Tarbagatai Range
        • Akzhaylyautas Mts (Akzhailyautas Mts; Akjaylautas Mts; Akzhalautas Mts)
    		Bailey, J. C: Formation of cryolite and other aluminofluorides: A petrologic review. Bull. geol. Soc. Denmark, vol. 29, pp. 1-45. Copenhagen, June 10th, 1980.
    Pavel M. Kartashov data
    • Karagandy Province (Qaragandy Oblysy; Karaganda Oblast')
      • Balkhash (Balqash; Karatas; Prebalkhashie) Region
        • Balkhash (Balqash)
          • Kounrad Massif
    		Pavel M. Kartashov data
      • Betpakdala Desert (Bet-Pak-Dal Desert)
    		Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow; Pautov et al (2005) New Data on Minerals Vol 40 pp5-10
    Kyrgyzstan
     
    • Osh Oblast
      • Alai (Alay) Range
    		[Lapis 1993:11 p11-24]
    Mexico
     
    • Guerrero
      • Mun. de Taxco
        • Taxco de Alarcón (Taxco; Tasco)
    		Panczner(1987):196-197 & 206.
    Norway
     
    • Oppland
      • Lunner
        • Nordmarka
    		Raade, G & Haug, J. (1980): Rare Fluorides from a soda granite in the Oslo Region, Norway. Mineralogical Record, 11,83-91
    Russia
     
    • Eastern-Siberian Region
      • Transbaikalia (Zabaykalye)
        • Buriatia (Buryatia) Republic
          • Dzhida Basin
            • Zakamensk
              • Dzhida W-Mo District
    		M.M. Povilaitis data (http://klopotow.narod.ru/mindata/locathn/R_Buryat/zakamensk/djida.html)
          • Mama River Basin
            • Maigunda River
    		Bailey, J. C: Formation of cryolite and other aluminofluorides: A petrologic review. Bull. geol. Soc. Denmark, vol. 29, pp. 1-45. Copenhagen, June 10th, 1980.
    Arkhipchuk, R. Z. (1971): Gearksutite from the Manzhinsk deposit. Mineralogicheskii Sbornik (Lvov), 25, 181-184.
        • Chitinskaya Oblast'
    		P.M. Karashov data
    Pavel M. Kartashov data
    Ripp, G. S., Bulnaev, K. B. & Zyablishchev, A. Yu. (1996): Alumofluorides of Zharchikhinskoe molybdenum deposit (western Transbaikalia). Zap. Vseross. Mineral. O-va. 125, 72-79. (in Russian) ; Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
      • Tuva Republic
    		Bailey, J. C: Formation of cryolite and other aluminofluorides: A petrologic review. Bull. geol. Soc. Denmark, vol. 29, pp. 1-45. Copenhagen, June 10th, 1980.
        • Tannu-Ola Range
    		Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
    P.M. Kartashov data
    • Far-Eastern Region
      • Primorskiy Kray
        • Voznesenka ore District
    		Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
    • Urals Region
      • Southern Urals
        • Chelyabinsk Oblast'
          • Ilmen Mts
            • Ilmen Natural Reserve
    		Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow; Bailey, J. C: Formation of cryolite and other aluminofluorides: A petrologic review. Bull. geol. Soc. Denmark, vol. 29, pp. 1-45. Copenhagen, June 10th, 1980.
    Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 120.
    South Africa
     
    • Mpumalanga Province
      • Kromdraai 209 JR farm
    		Minerals of South Africa; Rocks & Minerals 83:5 pp 410-421
    • Northwest Province
      • Western Bushveld Complex
        • Brits District
    		Robert O. Meyer collection; Dr. Hans Börner collection; collected by Dr. Hans Börner
    Ukraine
     
    • Zhytomyr Oblast' (Zhitomir Oblast')
    		Yurk Yu.Yu., Gurov E.P., Gurova E.P. (1973) Pecularities of fluorin mineralogy of Ukrainian crystalline shield, - Naukova Dumka, Kiev, pp.184 (in Russian).; Bailey, J. C: Formation of cryolite and other aluminofluorides: A petrologic review. Bull. geol. Soc. Denmark, vol. 29, pp. 1-45. Copenhagen, June 10th, 1980.
    USA
     
    • Arizona
      • Graham Co.
        • Aravaipa District
          • Santa Teresa Mts
            • Klondyke
              • Grand Reef Mountain
                • Laurel Canyon
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 230; Jones, R.W. (1980), The Grand Reef mine, Graham Co., AZ, Min.Rec.: 11: 219-225.
    • Colorado
      • Boulder Co.
        • Jamestown District
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
    Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
    Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
      • El Paso Co.
        • Cheyenne District (St. Peters Dome District)
    		Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 120; Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckel, E. B.
    Am Min 51:299-323
    Am Min 51:299-323
      • Fremont Co.
    		"Minerals of Colorado, updated & revised", p. 16, by Eckel, Edwin B., 1997
      • Mineral Co.
        • Wagon Wheel Gap
    		Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 120, 130; Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckel, E. B.
      • Teller Co.
        • Cripple Creek District
    		Min Rec 36:2 pp143-185; 2009 New Mexico Mineral Symposium abstracts
    • Nevada
      • Churchill Co.
        • Lake District
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
        • Mountain Wells District
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
      • Douglas Co.
        • Wellington District
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
      • Lincoln Co.
        • Vigo District
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
      • Nye Co.
        • San Antone District
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    • Utah
      • Piute Co.
        • Marysvale District (Marysvale Uranium area)
    		UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
      • Utah Co.
        • East Tintic Mts
    		UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
    • Virginia
      • Amelia Co.
        • Winterham
    		[Virginia Minerals, Vol 46:2]
      • Bath Co.
    		Henderson, E. P. (1929): Gearksutite from Virginia. American Mineralogist 14, 281-285; Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 120; Minerals of Virginia, 1990 by R. V. Dietrich
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