Mindat Logo
Home Page Log In Message Board The Mindat Directory
Register Search Pages Mineral Chatroom The Mindat Store

Amarillite

This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
Big Photo

Tierra Amarilla, Copiapó Province, Atacama Region, Chile

Show Amarillite Photos (2)



Formula:
NaFe(SO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
System:MonoclinicColour:Pale yellow with ...
Hardness:2½ - 3
Name:For the type locality, Tierra Amarilla, near Copiapó, Chile.
This page provides mineralogical data about Amarillite.

Classification of Amarillite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:6/C.15-30
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:7.CC.75

7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
C : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, with H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
Dana 8th edition ID:29.5.3.2

29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
5 : AB(XO4)2·xH2O
Hey's CIM Ref.:25.11.5

25 : Sulphates
11 : Sulphates of Fe and other metals
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-183.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Type Occurrence of Amarillite

Type Locality:Tierra Amarilla, Copiapó Province, Atacama Region, Chile
General Appearance of Type Material:Veinlets in massive Coquimbite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:National School of Mines, Paris, France, 133.69.
Year of Discovery:1933
Associated Minerals at type locality:
Coquimbite

Occurrences of Amarillite

Geological Setting:Formed in the oxidation zones of sulfide deposits.

Physical Properties of Amarillite

Lustre:Adamantine, Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Comment:Brilliant, adamantine inclining toward vitreous.
Colour:Pale yellow with greenish tint.
Hardness (Mohs):2½ - 3
Cleavage:Distinct/Good
{110} difficult to develop.
Fracture:Conchoidal
Density (measured):2.19 - 2.2 g/cm3
Density (calculated):2.22 g/cm3

Crystallography of Amarillite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Class (H-M):2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:B2/b {B1 1 2/b} {C2/c} {C1 2/c 1}
Cell Parameters:a = 8.419(61) Å, b = 10.8409(40) Å, c = 12.4717(50) Å
β = 95.495°
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.777 : 1 : 1.15
Unit Cell Volume:V 1,133.06 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:4
Morphology:Equant, complexly faceted crystals, thick tabular or rarely prismatic parallel [001], with common forms {001}, {100}, {110}, {101}, and {111}; as groupings of parallel individuals, to 2 mm.

Optical Data of Amarillite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.532(2) nβ = 1.555(3) nγ = 1.591(2)
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.059

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Low
Dispersion:medium
Comments:Large 2V

Chemical Properties of Amarillite

Formula:
NaFe(SO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
Essential elements:Fe, H, Na, O, S
All elements listed in formula:Fe, H, Na, O, S
Analytical Data:Soluble in water.
Empirical Formula:
NaFe
3+
 
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
Relationship of Amarillite to other Species
Common Associates:
Coquimbite
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- + 
7.CC.05Krausite
KFe(SO
 
4
)
 
2
 · H
 
2
O
7.CC.10Tamarugite
NaAl(SO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
7.CC.15Kalinite
KAl(SO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 11H
 
2
O Not confirmed
7.CC.15Mendozite
NaAl(SO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 11H
 
2
O
7.CC.20Lonecreekite
(NH
 
4
)Fe
3+
 
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 12H
 
2
O
7.CC.20Alum-(K)
KAl(SO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 12H
 
2
O
7.CC.20Alum-(Na)
NaAl(SO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 12H
 
2
O
7.CC.20Tschermigite
(NH
 
4
)Al(SO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 12H
 
2
O
7.CC.20Lanmuchangite
Tl
+
 
Al(SO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 12H
 
2
O
7.CC.25Voltaite
K
 
2
Fe
2+
5
Fe
3+
3
Al(SO
 
4
)
 
12
 · 18H
 
2
O
7.CC.25Zincovoltaite
K
 
2
Zn
 
5
Fe
3+
3
Al(SO
 
4
)
 
12
 · 18H
 
2
O
7.CC.25Pertlikite
K
 
2
(Fe
2+
 
,Mg)
 
2
Mg
 
4
Fe
3+
2
Al(SO
 
4
)
 
12
 · 18H
 
2
O
7.CC.25Ammoniomagnesiovoltaite
(NH
 
4
)
 
2
Mg
2+
5
Fe
3+
3
Al(SO
 
4
)
 
12
 · 18H
 
2
O
7.CC.30Kröhnkite
Na
 
2
Cu(SO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
7.CC.35Ferrinatrite
Na
 
3
Fe(SO
 
4
)
 
3
 · 3H
 
2
O
7.CC.40Goldichite
KFe(SO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
7.CC.45Löweite
Na
 
12
Mg
 
7
(SO
 
4
)
 
13
7.CC.50Blödite
Na
 
2
Mg(SO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
7.CC.50Nickelblödite
Na
 
2
(Ni,Mg)(SO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
7.CC.50Changoite
Na
 
2
Zn(SO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
7.CC.50Zincblödite
7.CC.55Leonite
K
 
2
Mg(SO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
7.CC.55Mereiterite
K
 
2
Fe(SO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
7.CC.60Boussingaultite
(NH
 
4
)
 
2
Mg(SO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
7.CC.60Cyanochroite
K
 
2
Cu(SO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
7.CC.60Mohrite
(NH
 
4
)
 
2
Fe(SO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
7.CC.60Nickelboussingaultite
(NH
 
4
)
 
2
Ni(SO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
7.CC.60Picromerite
K
 
2
Mg(SO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
7.CC.65Polyhalite
K
 
2
Ca
 
2
Mg(SO
 
4
)
 
4
 · 2H
 
2
O
7.CC.70Leightonite
K
 
2
Ca
 
2
Cu(SO
 
4
)
 
4
 · 2H
 
2
O
7.CC.80Konyaite
Na
 
2
Mg(SO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 5H
 
2
O
7.CC.85Wattevilleite
Na
 
2
Ca(SO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O (?)
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- + 
25.11.1Natrojarosite
NaFe
 
3
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
25.11.2Sideronatrite
Na
 
2
Fe(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH) · 3H
 
2
O
25.11.3Metasideronatrite
Na
 
4
Fe
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
25.11.4Ferrinatrite
Na
 
3
Fe(SO
 
4
)
 
3
 · 3H
 
2
O
25.11.6Yavapaiite
KFe(SO
 
4
)
 
2
25.11.7Krausite
KFe(SO
 
4
)
 
2
 · H
 
2
O
25.11.8Goldichite
KFe(SO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
25.11.9Jarosite
KFe
3+
 
 
 
3
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
25.11.10Voltaite
K
 
2
Fe
2+
5
Fe
3+
3
Al(SO
 
4
)
 
12
 · 18H
 
2
O
25.11.11Ungemachite
K
 
3
Na
 
8
Fe(SO
 
4
)
 
6
(NO
 
3
)
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
25.11.12Metavoltine
Na
 
6
K
 
2
FeFe
 
6
(SO
 
4
)
 
12
O
 
2
 · 18H
 
2
O
25.11.13Sabieite
(NH
 
4
)Fe
3+
 
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
25.11.14Ammoniojarosite
(NH
 
4
)Fe
3+
3
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
25.11.15Clairite
(NH
 
4
)
 
2
Fe
 
3
(SO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
3
 · 3H
 
2
O
25.11.16Mohrite
(NH
 
4
)
 
2
Fe(SO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
25.11.17Lonecreekite
(NH
 
4
)Fe
3+
 
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 12H
 
2
O
25.11.18Godovikovite
(NH
 
4
)Al(SO
 
4
)
 
2
25.11.19Botryogen
MgFe
3+
 
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH) · 7H
 
2
O
25.11.21Slavíkite
(H
 
3
O
+
 
)
 
3
Mg
 
6
Fe
 
15
(SO
 
4
)
 
21
(OH)
 
18
 · 99H
 
2
O
25.11.23Sturmanite
Ca
 
6
(Fe
3+
 
,Al,Mn
3+
 
)
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
[B(OH)
 
4
](OH)
 
12
 · 25H
 
2
O
25.11.24Millosevichite
(Al,Fe)
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
3
25.11.25Aluminocopiapite
Al
 
2/3
Fe
3+
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
(OH)
 
2
 · 20H
 
2
O
25.11.26Halotrichite
FeAl
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
4
 · 22H
 
2
O
25.11.27Idrizite
(Mg,Fe)(Al,Fe)
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
2
 · 15H
 
2
O or near
25.11.28Lishizhenite
ZnFe
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
4
 · 14H
 
2
O
25.11.29Zincovoltaite
K
 
2
Zn
 
5
Fe
3+
3
Al(SO
 
4
)
 
12
 · 18H
 
2
O
Other Names for Amarillite
Other Languages:
German:Amarillit
Spanish:Amarillita
Other Information
Other Information:Soluble in water, astringent taste.
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 Amarillite
Reference List:

- + 
Ungemach (1933) Comptes rendu de l’Académie des sciences de Paris: 197: 1132.



Ungemach (1935) Bulletin de la Société française de Minéralogie: 58: 200.



American Mineralogist (1936): 21: 270.



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. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged, 1124 pp.: 468.



Li Jia-Ju, Zhou Jing-Liang, Dong Wei (1990): The structure of amarillite. Chinese Science Bulletin, 35, 2073–2075 (in English).



American Mineralogist (1992): 77: 212.


Internet Links for Amarillite
Search Engines:












  • Look for Amarillite on Google
    • 


  • Look for Amarillite images on Google
    • External Links:
  • Look for Amarillite on Webmineral
  • Look for Amarillite on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Amarillite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Amarillite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
    • Mineral Dealers:
  • Rare and Unusual minerals at Mineralogical Research Company
  • High-end worldwide specimens & outstanding customer service
  • Buy fine minerals and gemstones from Pala International
  • Fabre Minerals - search for Amarillite specimens
  • Wilensky Fine Minerals
  • SpiriferMinerals.com - high quality low prices
  • Top quality minerals from Kristalle of California
  • Search for minerals at Heliodor
  • Mineral Classics - Worldwide Collector Quality Minerals and Gems
  • Search for Amarillite from all mineral dealers at minfind.com
  • By minerals from YourMineralCollection
  • Buy from David K Joyce minerals
    • Jobs:
  • Mining & Geology Jobs
    • Localities for Amarillite
    






    


    

    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.

    Chile
     
    

    • Atacama Region
    

      • Copiapó Province
    
    		C.R.Acad.Sci., Paris (1933) 197, p. 1133
    

    • Tarapacá Region
    

      • Iquique Province
    

        • Pampa del Tamarugal
    
    		Peter G. Seroka collection
    China
     
    

    • Qinghai (Chinghai) Province
    

      • Haixi Autonomous Prefecture
    

        • Da Qaidam (Dachaidan) Co.
    
    		Am Min 90: 1518-1521
    

    


    

    Mineral
 and/or
Locality

    

    
 
    Search Google
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
    

  
 

 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 

    




    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2011.  Site Map. Locality, mineral & photograph data are the copyright of the individuals who submitted them. Further information contact the 
  Site hosted & developed by Jolyon Ralph. 
Mindat.org is an online information resource dedicated to providing free mineralogical information to all. Mindat relies on the contributions of
hundreds of members and supporters. Mindat does not offer minerals for sale. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here
to register.
    Current server date and time: 17th Sep 2011 17:50:59     

    

		

    Mineral and Locality Search
    Mineral:
    and/or Locality:
    Options
    Fade toolbar when not in focusFix toolbar to bottom of page
    Hide Social Media Links
    Slideshow frame delay seconds