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Durangite

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Thomas Range, Juab Co., Utah, USA
© D. Richerson

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Formula:
NaAl(AsO
 
4
)F
System:MonoclinicColour:Light to dark ...
Hardness:5½
Member of:Tilasite Group
Name:After the locality in the state of Durango, Mexico.
Isostructural with:Titanite


Tilasite Group. Durangite-Tilasite Series; Durangite-Maxwellite Series.

Classification of Durangite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:7/B.25-50
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:8.BH.10

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
H : With medium-sized and large cations, (OH,etc.):RO4 = 1:1
Dana 8th edition ID:41.5.5.2

41 : ANHYDROUS PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
5 : (AB)2(XO4)Zq
Hey's CIM Ref.:22.1.31

22 : Phosphates, Arsenates or Vanadates with other Anions
1 : Phosphates, arsenates or vanadates with fluoride
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Type Occurrence of Durangite

Type Locality:Barranca Mine, Coneto de Comonfort, Mun. de Coneto de Comonfort, Durango, Mexico
Year of Discovery:1869
Associated Minerals at type locality:
TopazHematiteCassiterite

Physical Properties of Durangite

Lustre:Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Translucent
Colour:Light to dark orange-red, red; green; orange-yellow in artificial light.
Comment:Green colour exhibited by artificial material.
Streak:Cream-yellow
Hardness (Mohs):5½
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Distinct/Good
On {110}, distinct.
Fracture:Irregular/Uneven
Density (measured):3.94 - 4.07 g/cm3
Density (calculated):3.616 g/cm3
Comment:Highest in dark-coloured, ferrian material.

Crystallography of Durangite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Class (H-M):2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:B2/b {B1 1 2/b} {C2/c} {C1 2/c 1}
Space Group Setting:C2/c
Cell Parameters:a = 6.5789(5) Å, b = 8.5071(6) Å, c = 7.0212(5) Å
β = 115.447(4)°
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.773 : 1 : 0.825
Unit Cell Volume:V 354.83 ų
Z:4
Morphology:Crystal habit is oblique pyramidal with {111} and {110} dominant. Faces commonly dull and rough. Artificial crystals are prismatic [101], and rarely tabular.
Twinning:On {001} common as interopenetration twins (artificial crystals).

Optical Data of Durangite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.634 nβ = 1.673 nγ = 1.685
2V:Measured: 45° , Calculated: 56°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.051

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:High
Dispersion:strong
Pleochroism:Visible
Comments:X = ^c -25° = Orange-yellow
Y = Pale orange-yellow
Z = b = Nearly colourless

Chemical Properties of Durangite

Formula:
NaAl(AsO
 
4
)F
Essential elements:Al, As, F, Na, O
All elements listed in formula:Al, As, F, Na, O

Relationship of Durangite to other Species

Series:Forms a series with Maxwellite (see here)
Forms a series with Tilasite (see here)
Member of:Tilasite Group
Other Members of Group:

- +
Isokite
CaMg(PO
 
4
)F
Lacroixite
NaAl(PO
 
4
)F
Maxwellite
NaFe
3+
 
(AsO
 
4
)F
Panasqueiraite
CaMg(PO
 
4
)(OH,F)
Tilasite
CaMg(AsO
 
4
)F
Common Associates:
Cassiterite
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
8.BH.05Thadeuite
Ca(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH,F)
 
2
8.BH.10Isokite
CaMg(PO
 
4
)F
8.BH.10Lacroixite
NaAl(PO
 
4
)F
8.BH.10Maxwellite
NaFe
3+
 
(AsO
 
4
)F
8.BH.10Panasqueiraite
CaMg(PO
 
4
)(OH,F)
8.BH.10Tilasite
CaMg(AsO
 
4
)F
8.BH.15Drugmanite
Pb(Fe
3+
 
,Al)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
8.BH.20Bjarebyite
(Ba,Sr)(Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
,Mg)
 
2
Al
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
3
8.BH.20Cirrolite
Ca
 
3
Al
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
3
 (?)
8.BH.20Kulanite
Ba(Fe
2+
 
,Mn
2+
 
,Mg)
 
2
(Al,Fe
3+
 
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
3
8.BH.20Penikisite
Ba(Mg,Fe
2+
 
,Ca)
 
2
Al
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
3
8.BH.20Perloffite
Ba(Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
)
 
2
Fe
3+
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
3
8.BH.20Johntomaite
BaFe
2+
2
Fe
3+
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
3
8.BH.25Bertossaite
(Li,Na)
 
2
(Ca,Fe
2+
 
,Mn
2+
 
)Al
 
4
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH,F)
 
4
8.BH.25Palermoite
(Li,Na)
 
2
(Sr,Ca)Al
 
4
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
4
8.BH.30Carminite
PbFe
3+
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
8.BH.30Sewardite
CaFe
3+
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
8.BH.35Adelite
CaMg(AsO
 
4
)(OH)
8.BH.35Arsendescloizite
PbZn(AsO
 
4
)(OH)
8.BH.35Austinite
CaZn(AsO
 
4
)(OH)
8.BH.35Cobaltaustinite
CaCo(AsO
 
4
)(OH)
8.BH.35Conichalcite
CaCu(AsO
 
4
)(OH)
8.BH.35Duftite
PbCu(AsO
 
4
)(OH)
8.BH.35Gabrielsonite
PbFe(AsO
 
4
)(OH)
8.BH.35Nickelaustinite
Ca(Ni,Zn)(AsO
 
4
)(OH)
8.BH.35Tangeite
CaCu(VO
 
4
)(OH)
8.BH.35Gottlobite
CaMg(VO
 
4
,AsO
 
4
)(OH)
8.BH.35Hermannroseite
CaCu(PO
 
4
)(OH)
8.BH.40Čechite
Pb(Fe
2+
 
,Mn
2+
 
)(VO
 
4
)(OH)
8.BH.40Descloizite
Pb(Zn,Cu)(VO
 
4
)(OH)
8.BH.40Mottramite
PbCu(VO
 
4
)(OH)
8.BH.40Pyrobelonite
PbMn
2+
 
(VO
 
4
)(OH)
8.BH.45Bayldonite
PbCu
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
8.BH.45Vésigniéite
BaCu
 
3
(VO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
8.BH.50Paganoite
NiBi(AsO
 
4
)O
8.BH.55Jagowerite
BaAl
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
8.BH.55Carlgieseckeite-(Nd)
NaNdCa
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
F
8.BH.60Attakolite
(Ca,Sr)Mn(Al,Fe)
 
4
(HPO
 
4
,PO
 
4
)
 
3
(SiO
 
4
,PO
 
4
)(OH)
 
4
8.BH.65Leningradite
PbCu
 
3
(VO
 
4
)
 
2
Cl
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
22.1.1Amblygonite
LiAl(PO
 
4
)F
22.1.2Lacroixite
NaAl(PO
 
4
)F
22.1.3Natrophosphate
Na
 
7
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
F · 19H
 
2
O
22.1.5Nacaphite
Na
 
2
Ca(PO
 
4
)F
22.1.6Arctite
Na
 
2
Ca
 
4
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
F
22.1.7Nefedovite
Na
 
5
Ca
 
4
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
F
22.1.9Fluorapatite
Ca
 
5
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
F
22.1.10Herderite
CaBePO
 
4
(F,OH)
22.1.11Isokite
CaMg(PO
 
4
)F
22.1.12Panasqueiraite
CaMg(PO
 
4
)(OH,F)
22.1.13Babefphite
BaBePO
 
4
(F,OH)
22.1.14Fluellite
Al
 
2
(PO
 
4
)F
 
2
(OH) · 7H
 
2
O
22.1.15Minyulite
KAl
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH,F) · 4H
 
2
O
22.1.16Morinite
NaCa
 
2
Al
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)F
 
4
 · 2H
 
2
O
22.1.17Bøggildite
Na
 
2
Sr
 
2
Al
 
2
PO
 
4
F
 
9
22.1.18Fluorstrophite
SrCaSr
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
F
22.1.19Viitaniemiite
Na(Ca,Mn
2+
 
)Al(PO
 
4
)(F,OH)
 
3
22.1.20Väyrynenite
Mn
2+
 
Be(PO
 
4
)(OH,F)
22.1.21Maxwellite
NaFe
3+
 
(AsO
 
4
)F
22.1.22Wagnerite
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)F
22.1.23Triplite
(Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)(F,OH)
22.1.24Magniotriplite
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
,Mn
2+
 
)
 
2
PO
 
4
F
22.1.25Zwieselite
(Fe
2+
 
,Mn
2+
 
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)F
22.1.26Mcauslanite
HFe
2+
3
Al
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
F · 18H
 
2
O
22.1.27Richellite
CaFe
3+
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH,F)
 
2
22.1.28Svabite
Ca
 
5
(AsO
 
4
)
 
3
F
22.1.29Tilasite
CaMg(AsO
 
4
)F
22.1.30Johnbaumite-M
Ca
 
5
(AsO
 
4
)
 
3
OH

Other Names for Durangite

Other Languages:
German:Durangit
Russian:Дурангит
Spanish:Durangita

Other Information

Other Information:Soluble in H2SO4.
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 Durangite

Reference List:

- +
Brush (1869) American Journal of Science: 48: 179.

Des Cloizeaux (1875) Annales de chimie et de physique, Paris: 4: 401.

Hawes analysis in: Brush (1876) American Journal of Science: 11: 464.

Dana, E.S. (1892) System of Mineralogy, 6th. Edition, New York: 780.

Goldschmidt, V. (1916) Atlas der Krystallformen. 9 volumes, atlas, and text: vol. 3: 77.

Larsen, E.S. (1921) The Microscopic Determination of the Nonopaque Minerals, First edition, USGS Bulletin 679: 70.

Strunz (1937) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 96: 7.

Kokkoros (1938) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 99: 38.

Strunz (1938) Zentralblatt Mineralien: 59.

Machatschki (1941) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 103: 221.

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.: 829-831.

Canadian Mineralogist (1985): 23: 241.

G. W. Downs, B. N. Yang, R. M. Thompson, M. D. Wenz and M. B. Andrade (2012): Redetermination of durangite, NaAl(AsO4)F. Acta Crystallographica E68, i86-i87.

Internet Links for Durangite

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    • Localities for Durangite

    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.
    Canada
     
    • Nova Scotia
      • Lunenburg Co.
        • New Ross
    		Seaman, 1976. Pegmatite Minerals of the World
    E.R. Faribault, "Lunenberg County, Nova Scotia", Summ. Rep. Geol. Surv. Dep. Canada for 1907, pp. 80-82, 1908.
    Mexico
     
    • Durango
      • Mun. de Coneto de Comonfort
        • Coneto de Comonfort
    		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: 830; Canadian Mineralogist (1985): 23: 241.
    UK
     
    • England
      • Cornwall
        • Liskeard District
          • Linkinhorne
            • Minions
    		Embrey, P. (1978): Fourth supplementary list of British minerals, Min. Mag. 42,172 (1978)
    USA
     
    • New Mexico
      • Catron Co.
        • Taylor Creek District
          • Sawmill Creek
    		NMGS 37th Field Conference
      • Sierra Co.
    		Northrop, Minerals of New Mexico, 3rd rev. ed., 1996
    NMGS 37th Field Conference
    Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.
    • Utah
      • Juab Co.
    		Mineralogical Record: 17(5): 342.
    Mineral and/or Locality
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