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Woodallite

Formula:
Mg
 
6
Cr
 
2
(OH)
 
16
Cl
 
2
·4H
 
2
O
System:TrigonalColour:Purple to deep magenta.
Lustre:ResinousHardness:1½ - 2
Name:For Roy Woodall (b. 1930) eminent Australian geologist who was instrumental in the initiation and development of the nickel and aluminium industries in Western Australia.


Hydrotalcite Group.

See also the visually similar stichtite.

Classification of Woodallite

IMA status:Approved 2000
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:4.FL.05

4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
F : Hydroxides (without V or U)
L : Hydroxides with H2O +- (OH); sheets of edge-sharing octahedra
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Type Occurrence of Woodallite

Type Locality:Mount Keith nickel deposit, Wiluna Shire, Western Australia, Australia

Physical Properties of Woodallite

Lustre:Resinous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Colour:Purple to deep magenta.
Streak:Pale pink to white
Hardness (Mohs):1½ - 2

Crystallography of Woodallite

Crystal System:Trigonal

Optical Data of Woodallite

Type:Uniaxial (-)
RI values: nω = 1.555 nε = 1.535
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.020

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

Chemical Properties of Woodallite

Formula:
Mg
 
6
Cr
 
2
(OH)
 
16
Cl
 
2
·4H
 
2
O
Essential elements:Cl, Cr, H, Mg, O
All elements listed in formula:Cl, Cr, H, Mg, O

Relationship of Woodallite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
4.FL.05Iowaite
Mg
 
4
Fe(OH)
 
8
OCl·4H
 
2
O
4.FL.05Jamborite
(Ni
2+
 
,Ni
3+
 
,Co,Fe)(OH)
 
2
(OH,S,H
 
2
O)
4.FL.05Meixnerite
Mg
 
6
Al
 
2
(OH)
 
18
·4H
 
2
O
4.FL.05Muskoxite
Mg
 
7
Fe
 
4
O
 
13
·10H
 
2
O
4.FL.05Fougèrite
(Fe
2+
 
,Mg)
 
6
Fe
3+
2
(OH)
 
18
· 4H
 
2
O
4.FL.10Hydrocalumite
Ca
 
2
Al(OH)
 
7
·2H
 
2
O
4.FL.15Kuzelite
Ca
 
4
Al
 
2.4
(OH)
 
12.8
(SO
 
4
)·6H
 
2
O
4.FL.20Aurorite
(Mn
2+
 
,Ag,Ca)Mn
4+
3
O
 
7
· 3H
 
2
O
4.FL.20Chalcophanite
(Zn,Fe,Mn)Mn
 
3
O
 
7
·3H
 
2
O
4.FL.20Ernienickelite
NiMn
 
3
O
 
7
·3H
 
2
O
4.FL.20Jianshuiite
(Mg,Mn)Mn
 
3
O
 
7
·3H
 
2
O
4.FL.25Woodruffite
Zn(Mn
4+
 
,Mn
3+
 
)
 
5
O
 
10
·3½H
 
2
O
4.FL.30Asbolane
(Ni,Co)
 
2-x
Mn
4+
 
(O,OH)
 
4
· nH
 
2
O
4.FL.35Buserite
Na
 
4
Mn
 
14
O
 
27
·21H
 
2
O
4.FL.40Ranciéite
(Ca,Mn)Mn
 
4
O
 
9
·3H
 
2
O
4.FL.40Takanelite
(Mn,Ca)Mn
 
4
O
 
9
·H
 
2
O
4.FL.45Birnessite
(Na,Ca)
 
0.5
(Mn
4+
 
,Mn
3+
 
)
 
2
O
 
4
· 1.5H
 
2
O
4.FL.55Cianciulliite
Mn(Mg,Mn)
 
2
Zn
 
2
(OH)
 
10
·2-4H
 
2
O
4.FL.60Jensenite
Cu
 
3
[TeO
 
6
] · 2H
 
2
O
4.FL.65Leisingite
Cu(Mg,Cu,Fe,Zn)
 
2
[TeO
 
6
] · 6H
 
2
O
4.FL.70Akdalaite
4Al
 
2
O
 
3
· H
 
2
O
4.FL.75Cafetite
(Ca,Mg)(Fe,Al)
 
2
Ti
 
4
O
 
12
·4H
 
2
O
4.FL.80Mourite
UMo
 
5
O
 
12
(OH)
 
10
4.FL.85Deloryite
Cu
 
4
(UO
 
2
)(MoO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6

Other Names for Woodallite

Synonyms:
IMA2000-042
Other Languages:
German:Woodallit
Spanish:Woodallita

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 Woodallite

Reference List:Mineralogical Magazine (2001): 65: 427-435.

Articles/Blogs about Woodallite

Internet Links for Woodallite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
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    Localities for Woodallite

    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.
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    (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
     
    • Western Australia
      • Wiluna Shire
    [AmMin 87:182]
    Mineral and/or Locality
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