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Walthierite

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Formula:
Ba
 
0.5
Al
 
3
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
System:TrigonalColour:White, light yellow
Hardness:3 - 4
Name:Named after Thomas N. Walthier, geologist who played a significant role in the exploration of the El Indio and Tambo mining districts, Coquimbo region (Chile).


Alunite Group.

Classification of Walthierite

IMA status:Approved 1991
Strunz 8th edition ID:6/B.11-45
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:7.BC.10

7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
B : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, without H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
Dana 8th edition ID:30.2.4.7

30 : ANHYDROUS SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
2 : (AB)2(XO4)Zq
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Type Occurrence of Walthierite

Type Locality:Retna vein, Tambo Mine, El Indio deposit, Elqui Province, Coquimbo Region, Chile
Year of Discovery:1992

Physical Properties of Walthierite

Lustre:Waxy, Earthy
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Colour:White, light yellow
Hardness (Mohs):3 - 4

Crystallography of Walthierite

Crystal System:Trigonal

Optical Data of Walthierite

Type:Uniaxial (+)
RI values: nω = 1.588 nε = 1.604
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.016

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

Chemical Properties of Walthierite

Formula:
Ba
 
0.5
Al
 
3
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
Essential elements:Al, Ba, H, O, S
All elements listed in formula:Al, Ba, H, O, S

Relationship of Walthierite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
7.BC.05D'Ansite
Na
 
21
Mg(SO
 
4
)
 
10
Cl
 
3
7.BC.10Alunite
KAl
 
3
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
7.BC.10Ammonioalunite
(NH
 
4
)Al
 
3
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
7.BC.10Ammoniojarosite
(NH
 
4
)Fe
3+
3
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
7.BC.10Argentojarosite
AgFe
3+
3
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
7.BC.10Beaverite-(Cu)
Pb(Fe
3+
 
,Cu)
 
3
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
7.BC.10Dorallcharite
(Tl,K)Fe
3+
3
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
7.BC.10Huangite
Ca
 
0.5
Al
 
3
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
7.BC.10Hydroniumjarosite
(H
 
3
O)Fe
3+
3
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
7.BC.10Jarosite
KFe
3+
 
 
3
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
7.BC.10Minamiite
(Na,Ca
 
0.5
,K)Al
 
3
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
7.BC.10Natroalunite
(Na,K)Al
 
3
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
7.BC.10Natrojarosite
NaFe
 
3
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
7.BC.10Osarizawaite
Pb(Al,Cu)
 
3
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
7.BC.10Plumbojarosite
Pb
 
0.5
Fe
3+
3
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
7.BC.10Schlossmacherite
(H
 
3
O,Ca)Al
 
3
(SO
 
4
,AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
7.BC.15Ye'elimite
Ca
 
4
Al
 
6
(SO
 
4
)O
 
12
7.BC.20Atlasovite
K(BiO)Cu
 
6
Fe
3+
 
(SO
 
4
)
 
5
O
 
3
Cl
7.BC.20Nabokoite
KCu
 
7
(SO
 
4
)
 
5
(Te
4+
 
O
 
3
)OCl
7.BC.25Chlorothionite
K
 
2
Cu(SO
 
4
)Cl
 
2
7.BC.30Euchlorine
KNaCu
 
3
(SO
 
4
)
 
3
O
7.BC.30Fedotovite
K
 
2
Cu
 
3
(SO
 
4
)
 
3
O
7.BC.35Kamchatkite
KCu
 
3
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
OCl
7.BC.40Piypite
K
 
2
Cu
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
O
7.BC.45Klyuchevskite
K
 
3
Cu
 
3
(Fe
3+
 
,Al)(SO
 
4
)
 
4
O
 
2
7.BC.45Alumoklyuchevskite
K
 
3
Cu
 
3
(Al,Fe
3+
 
)(SO
 
4
)
 
4
O
 
2
7.BC.50Caledonite
Cu
 
2
Pb
 
5
(SO
 
4
)
 
3
(CO
 
3
)(OH)
 
6
7.BC.55Wherryite
Pb
 
7
Cu
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
4
(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
7.BC.60Mammothite
Pb
 
6
Cu
 
4
AlSb(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
18
Cl
 
4
7.BC.65Linarite
PbCu(SO
 
4
)(OH)
 
2
7.BC.65Schmiederite
Pb
 
2
Cu
 
2
(Se
6+
 
O
 
4
)(Se
4+
 
O
 
3
)(OH)
 
4
7.BC.65Munakataite
Pb
 
2
Cu
 
2
(Se
4+
 
O
 
3
)(SO
 
4
)(OH)
 
4
7.BC.70Chenite
Pb
 
4
Cu(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
7.BC.75Krivovichevite
Pb
 
3
Al(SO
 
4
)(OH)
 
7
7.BC.80Anhydrokainite
KMg(SO
 
4
)Cl

Other Names for Walthierite

Synonyms:
IMA1991-008
Other Languages:
German:Walthierit
Spanish:Walthierita

Other Information

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 Walthierite

Reference List:

- +
Li, G. Peacor, D. R., Essene, E. J., Brosnahan, D. R. & Beane R. E. (1992): Walthierite, Ba0.5◻0.5Al3(SO4)2(OH)6, and huangite, Ca0.5◻0.5Al3(SO4)2(OH)6, two new minerals of the alunite group from the Coquimbo region, Chile. American Mineralogist: 77: 1275-1284.

New Minerals (1997), New Minerals 1990-1994.

Internet Links for Walthierite

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    • Localities for Walthierite

    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
    		Economic Geology; January 2005; v. 100; no. 1; p. 131-148
    • Coquimbo Region
      • Elqui Province
        • El Indio deposit
          • Tambo Mine
    		Amer.Min.(1992) 77, 1275-1284
    http://www.lrz-muenchen.de/~mineralogische-sammlungen-dmg/analysen/winstanleyit.htm
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    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: 21st Jun 2011 17:43:06
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