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Allactite

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Moss mine, Nordmark (Nordmarksberg), Filipstad, Värmland, Sweden
© Christian Rewitzer

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Formula:
Mn
2+
7
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
8
System:MonoclinicColour:Brown, dark to light ...
Lustre:Vitreous, GreasyHardness:4½
Member of:Allactite Group
Name:Named by Stens Anders Hjalmar Sjogren in 1884 from the Greek αλλάκτειν ("allaktein"), "to change," alluding to its marked pleochroism.
Isostructural with:Argandite


Arsenate analogue of argandite.

Classification of Allactite

IMA status:Approved
Strunz 8th edition ID:7/B.15-50
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:8.BE.30

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
E : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 > 2:1
Dana 8th edition ID:41.2.1.1

41 : ANHYDROUS PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
2 : (AB)7(XO4)2Zq
Hey's CIM Ref.:20.8.6

20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
8 : Arsenates of Mn
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Type Occurrence of Allactite

Type Locality:Moss mine, Nordmark (Nordmarksberg), Filipstad, Värmland, Sweden
General Appearance of Type Material:Pink bladed crystals in groups
Year of Discovery:1884
Geological Setting of type material:As a rare secondary mineral in veinlets through metamorphosed manganese deposits
Associated Minerals at type locality:
SynadelphitePyrochroiteHematoliteHausmanniteFluorite

Occurrences of Allactite

Geological Setting:in a metamorphosed stratiform zinc orebody (Franklin, New Jersey, USA)

Physical Properties of Allactite

Lustre:Vitreous, Greasy
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Translucent
Comment:Lustre somewhat greasy on fracture surfaces.
Colour:Brown, dark to light purplish red, brownish red, colourless to white
Streak:Grayish to faint brown
Hardness (Mohs):4½
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Distinct/Good
On {001}, distinct.
Fracture:Irregular/Uneven
Density (measured):3.83 g/cm3
Density (calculated):3.94 g/cm3

Crystallography of Allactite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Class (H-M):2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:P21/b {P1 1 21/b} {P21/c} {P1 21/c 1} {P21/a}
Space Group Setting:P21/a
Cell Parameters:a = 11.03Å, b = 12.12Å, c = 5.5Å
β = 114.1°
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.91 : 1 : 0.454
Unit Cell Volume:V 671.17 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:2
Morphology:As terminated prisms elongated on [010] , or bladed and tabular on {100} , with many forms, yielding complex wedgelike terminations. In divergent or subparallel rosette-like aggregates, to 6 mm; may be in druses.
Comment:P21/c setting (P21/n setting also possible)
Crystal Atlas:
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Allactite no.1 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)

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X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
d-spacingIntensity
4.95 (45)
3.71 (65)
3.39 (45)
3.28 (55)
3.23 (50)
3.06 (100)
2.929 (50)
(
Comments:ICDD 17-748

Optical Data of Allactite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.755 - 1.761 nβ = 1.772 - 1.786 nγ = 1.774 - 1.787
2V:Calculated: 36°
Birefringence:0.022
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.019 - 0.026

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Very High
Dispersion:r > v, distinct to strong
Optical Extinction:X ^ c = 51°, Y = b
Pleochroism:Visible
Comments:nX = Blood-red
nY = Light yellow
nZ = Sea-green

Chemical Properties of Allactite

Formula:
Mn
2+
7
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
8
Essential elements:As, H, Mn, O
All elements listed in formula:As, H, Mn, O

Relationship of Allactite to other Species

Member of:Allactite Group
Other Members of Group:

- +
Argandite
Mn
 
7
(VO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
8
Raadeite
Mg
 
7
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
8
Common Associates:
WillemiteSphaleriteSerpentine GroupPyroauriteLeucophoenicite
HodgkinsoniteFriedeliteFrankliniteFluoriteChlorite Group
CaryopiliteCalciteBaryteAdelite
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
8.BE.05Augelite
Al
 
2
(PO
 
4
)(OH)
 
3
8.BE.10Grattarolaite
Fe
3+
3
(PO
 
4
)O
 
3
8.BE.15Cornetite
Cu
 
3
(PO
 
4
)(OH)
 
3
8.BE.20Clinoclase
Cu
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)(OH)
 
3
8.BE.25Arhbarite
Cu
 
2
Mg(AsO
 
4
)(OH)
 
3
8.BE.25Gilmarite
Cu
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)(OH)
 
3
8.BE.30Flinkite
Mn
2+
2
Mn
3+
 
(AsO
 
4
)(OH)
 
4
8.BE.30Raadeite
Mg
 
7
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
8
8.BE.30Argandite
Mn
 
7
(VO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
8
8.BE.35Chlorophoenicite
(Mn,Mg)
 
3
Zn
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)(OH,O)
 
6
8.BE.35Magnesiochlorophoenicite
(Mg,Mn)
 
3
Zn
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)(OH,O)
 
6
8.BE.40Gerdtremmelite
(Zn,Fe)(Al,Fe)
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)(OH)
 
5
8.BE.45Dixenite
CuMn
2+
14
Fe
2+
 
(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
(As
5+
 
O
 
4
)(As
3+
 
O
 
3
)
 
5
(OH)
 
6
8.BE.45Hematolite
(Mn,Mg,Al)
 
15
(As
5+
 
O
 
4
)
 
2
(As
3+
 
O
 
3
)(OH)
 
23
8.BE.45Kraisslite
(Mn
2+
 
,Mg)
 
24
Zn
 
4
(SiO
 
4
)
 
8
(AsO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
12
8.BE.45Mcgovernite
Mn
 
19
Zn
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
3
(AsO
 
3
)(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
21
8.BE.45Arakiite
(Zn,Mn
2+
 
)(Mn
2+
 
,Mg)
 
12
(Fe
3+
 
,Al)
 
2
(As
5+
 
O
 
4
)
 
2
(As
3+
 
O
 
3
)(OH)
 
23
8.BE.45Turtmannite
(Mn,Mg)
 
22.5
Mg
 
3-3x
((V
5+
 
,As
5+
 
)O
 
4
)
 
3
(As
3+
 
O
 
3
)
 
x
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
O
 
5-5x
(OH)
 
20+x
8.BE.50Synadelphite
Mn
2+
9
(As
5+
 
O
 
4
)
 
2
(As
3+
 
O
 
3
)(OH)
 
9
 · 2H
 
2
O
8.BE.55Holdenite
(Mn
2+
 
,Mg)
 
6
Zn
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)(OH)
 
8
8.BE.60Kolicite
Mn
2+
7
Zn
 
4
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
8
8.BE.65Sabelliite
(Cu,Zn)
 
2
Zn(AsO
 
4
,SbO
 
4
)(OH)
 
3
8.BE.70Jarosewichite
Mn
2+
3
Mn
3+
 
(AsO
 
4
)(OH)
 
6
8.BE.75Theisite
Cu
 
5
Zn
 
5
(AsO
 
4
,SbO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
14
8.BE.80Coparsite
Cu
 
4
(AsO
 
4
,VO
 
4
)O
 
2
Cl
8.BE.85Waterhouseite
Mn
2+
7
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
8
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
20.8.1Sarkinite
Mn
2+
2
(AsO
 
4
)(OH)
20.8.2Eveite
Mn
2+
2
(AsO
 
4
)(OH)
20.8.3Arsenoclasite
Mn
2+
5
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
4
20.8.4Flinkite
Mn
2+
2
Mn
3+
 
(AsO
 
4
)(OH)
 
4
20.8.5Jarosewichite
Mn
2+
3
Mn
3+
 
(AsO
 
4
)(OH)
 
6
20.8.7Krautite
Mn(HAsO
 
4
) · H
 
2
O
20.8.8Synadelphite
Mn
2+
9
(As
5+
 
O
 
4
)
 
2
(As
3+
 
O
 
3
)(OH)
 
9
 · 2H
 
2
O
20.8.9Sterlinghillite
Mn
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
20.8.10Geigerite
Mn
2+
5
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(HAsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 10H
 
2
O
20.8.11Akrochordite
(Mn
2+
 
,Mg)
 
5
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
4
 · 4H
 
2
O
20.8.12Manganohörnesite
(Mn,Mg)
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
20.8.13Fluckite
CaMn
2+
 
(HAsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
20.8.14Brandtite
Ca
 
2
(Mn
2+
 
,Mg)(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
20.8.15Parabrandtite
Ca
 
2
Mn
2+
 
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
20.8.16Wallkilldellite-(Mn)
Ca
 
2
Mn
2+
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
4
 · 9H
 
2
O
20.8.17Berzeliite
NaCa
 
2
(Mg,Mn
2+
 
)
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
3
20.8.18Manganberzeliite
(Ca,Na)
 
3
(Mn
2+
 
,Mg)
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
3
20.8.19Magnesiochlorophoenicite
(Mg,Mn)
 
3
Zn
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)(OH,O)
 
6
20.8.20Villyaellenite
MnMn
 
2
Ca
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(HAsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
20.8.21Hematolite
(Mn,Mg,Al)
 
15
(As
5+
 
O
 
4
)
 
2
(As
3+
 
O
 
3
)(OH)
 
23
20.8.22Grischunite
NaCa
 
2
Mn
2+
5
Fe
3+
 
(AsO
 
4
)
 
6
 · 2H
 
2
O

Other Names for Allactite

Synonyms:
AllaktiteElfstorpite
Other Languages:
German:Allactit
Allaktit
Russian:Альфорсит
Simplified Chinese:砷水锰矿
Spanish:Allactita
Allaktita

Other Information

Fluorescence in UV light:Not fluorescent
Other Information:Readily soluble in HCl.
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 Allactite

Reference List:

- +
Sjögren (1884) Geologiska Föeningens I Stockholm. Förhandlinger, Stockholm: : 109 (as Allaktit).

Sjögren (1884) Svenska Vetenskapsakademien, Stockholm, Öfv.: 41, no. 3: 29 (as Allaktit).

Sjögren (1887) Svenska Vetenskapsakademien, Stockholm, Öfv.: 44: 109 (Lundström analysis).

Igelström (1893) Geologiska Föeningens I Stockholm. Förhandlinger, Stockholm: 15: 472 (as Elfstorpite).

Igelström (1893) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 22: 468 (as Elfstorpite).

Goldschmidt, V. (1897): 33.

Aminoff (1921) Geologiska Föeningens I Stockholm. Förhandlinger, Stockholm: 43: 24.

Hintze, Carl (1933) Handbuch der Mineralogie. Berlin and Leipzig. 6 volumes: 1 [4B]: 1184.

Palache, C. and Berman (1933) Kungl. Svenska Vetenskap., Handl.: [3]: 11, no. 4: 32.

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.: 785-787.

Moore, Paul B., 1968, Crystal Chemistry of the Basic Manganese Arsenate Minerals, American Mineralogist, 53: 733-741.

Internet Links for Allactite

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    • Localities for Allactite

    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
     
    • South Australia
      • Eyre Peninsula
        • Middleback Range
          • Iron Knob
    		Minerals of Iron Monarch, Glyn L. Francis
    Sweden
     
    • Värmland
      • Filipstad
    		Sjögren, A. (1886). Mineralogiska notiser XII. Fynd af allaktit i Långbans grufvor. Geologiska Föreningens i Stockholm Förhandlinger 8: 473-474 ; Nysten, P., Holtstam, D. and Jonsson, E. (1999) The Långban minerals. In Långban - The mines,their minerals, geology and explorers (D. Holtstam and J. Langhof, eds.), Swedish Museum of Natural History and Raster Förlag, Stockholm & Chr. Weise Verlag, Munich, pp. 89-183.
        • Nordmark (Nordmarksberg)
    		Min.Mag.(1978) 42, 133-136; 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: 787.
    Mineralogical Magazine (1998) 62 (3), 395-407
    Geologiska Föreningens i Stockholm. Förhandlingar, Stockholm (1884): 7: 109; 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: 782, 787; Clark, 1993 - "Hey's Mineral Index, 3rd Edition"
        • Persberg district
          • Pajsberg
    		Nysten, P. (2004): Harstigen ett mineralogisk eldorado i Bergslagen. Norsk Bergverksmuseum Skrift 28: 5-13
    • Västmanland
      • Hällefors
        • Grythyttan
    		Fontan, F.; Holtstam, D.; de Parseval, P.; Permingeat, F. and Mason, B. (2004): Elfstorpite synonymy with allactite; mineral and name discredited. Mineralogical Magazine. 68 :523-526
    USA
     
    • New Jersey
      • Sussex Co.
        • Franklin Mining District
          • Franklin
    		Palache, C. (1935), USGS Professional Paper 180: 122; Dunn, P.J. (1995): Part 5: 656-657.
          • Ogdensburg
            • Sterling Hill
    		Palache, C. (1935) USGS Professional Paper 180: 122; 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: 787; Dunn, P.J. (1995):Part 5: 656-657.
    Mineral and/or Locality
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