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Pharmacoalumite

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Aghbar open pit, Aghbar, Bou Azer District (Bou Azzer District), Tazenakht, Ouarzazate Province, Souss-Massa-Draâ Region, Morocco

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Formula:
KAl
 
4
(AsO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
4
 · 6.5H
 
2
O
System:IsometricColour:White, pale yellow
Hardness:2½
Member of:Pharmacoalumite Group > Pharmacosiderite Supergroup
Name:Originally named 'Alumopharmacosiderite' in 1981 by Karl Schmetzer, Wolfgang Horn, and Hermann Bank in allusion to its composition, containing ALUMinium, and its relationship to Pharmacosiderite.

Renamed to Pharmacoalumite by Rumsey et al. 2010.


Pharmacoalumite Group.
The Al analogue of pharmacosiderite.

The type material was found on a museum specimen associated with other oxidized arsenates.

Classification of Pharmacoalumite

IMA status:Approved 1980
Strunz 8th edition ID:7/D.47-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:8.DK.12

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
K : With large and medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 > 1:1 and < 2:1
Dana 8th edition ID:42.8.1b.1

42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
8 : (AB)5(XO4)3Zq·xH2O
Hey's CIM Ref.:20.4.3

20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
4 : Arsenates of Group III metals (Al, rare earths)
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Type Occurrence of Pharmacoalumite

Type Locality:Guanaco (Huanaco), Santa Catalina, Antofagasta Province, Antofagasta Region, Chile
Place of Conservation of Type Material:U.S. National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA: #149527.
Year of Discovery:1980
Geological Setting of type material:With other oxidized arsenates in a polymetallic deposit.
Associated Minerals at type locality:
SchlossmacheriteQuartzOliveniteMansfielditeCeruleite

Physical Properties of Pharmacoalumite

Lustre:Sub-Vitreous, Waxy, Dull
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent, Translucent
Colour:White, pale yellow
Streak:White
Hardness (Mohs):2½
Comment:By analogy with pharmacosiderite
Tenacity:Brittle
Density (calculated):2.676 g/cm3

Crystallography of Pharmacoalumite

Crystal System:Isometric
Class (H-M):4 3m - Hextetrahedral
Space Group:P4 3m
Space Group Setting:P4 3m
Cell Parameters:a = 7.745Å
Unit Cell Volume:V 464.58 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:1
Morphology:As fine-grained polycrystalline aggregates. Often in cubic crystals.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
d-spacingIntensity
7.77 (100)
2.739 (60)
4.48 (50)
3.16 (50)
3.87 (40)
2.335 (40)
2.452 (30)
Comments:Values obtained on natural material from El Guanaco, Chile.

Optical Data of Pharmacoalumite

Type:Isotropic
RI values: n = 1.565
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.000 - Isotropic minerals have no birefringence
Surface Relief:Low
Pleochroism:Non-pleochroic

Chemical Properties of Pharmacoalumite

Formula:
KAl
 
4
(AsO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
4
 · 6.5H
 
2
O
Essential elements:Al, As, H, K, O
All elements listed in formula:Al, As, H, K, O

Relationship of Pharmacoalumite to other Species

Member of:Pharmacoalumite Group > Pharmacosiderite Supergroup
Other Members of Group:

- +
Bariopharmacoalumite
Ba
 
0.5
Al
 
4
(AsO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
4
 · 4H
 
2
O
Natropharmacoalumite
NaAl
 
4
(AsO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
4
 · 4H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
8.DK.Richelsdorfite
Ca
 
2
Cu
 
5
Sb(AsO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
6
Cl · 6H
 
2
O
8.DK.10Bariopharmacosiderite
Ba
 
0.5
Fe
3+
4
(AsO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
4
 · 5H
 
2
O
8.DK.10Pharmacosiderite
KFe
3+
4
(AsO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
4
 · 6-7H
 
2
O
8.DK.10Natropharmacosiderite
(Na,K)Fe
3+
4
(AsO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
4
 · 6-7H
 
2
O
8.DK.10Hydroniumpharmacosiderite
(H
 
3
O)Fe
 
4
(AsO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
4
 · 4H
 
2
O
8.DK.12Natropharmacoalumite
NaAl
 
4
(AsO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
4
 · 4H
 
2
O
8.DK.12Bariopharmacoalumite
Ba
 
0.5
Al
 
4
(AsO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
4
 · 4H
 
2
O
8.DK.15Burangaite
NaFe
2+
 
Al
 
5
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
6
 · 2H
 
2
O
8.DK.15Dufrénite
Ca
 
0.5
Fe
2+
 
Fe
3+
5
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
6
 · 2H
 
2
O
8.DK.15Natrodufrénite
NaFe
2+
 
Fe
3+5(PO4)4(OH)6.2H2O
 
8.DK.15Matioliite
NaMgAl
 
5
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
6
 · 2H
 
2
O
8.DK.15Gayite
NaMn
2+
 
Fe
3+
5
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
6
 · 2H
 
2
O
8.DK.20Kidwellite
NaFe
3+
9
(PO
 
4
)
 
6
(OH)
 
11
 · 3H
 
2
O
8.DK.25Bleasdaleite
(Ca,Fe
3+
 
)
 
2
Cu
 
5
(Bi,Cu)(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(H
 
2
O,OH,Cl)
 
13
8.DK.30Matulaite
(Fe
3+
 
,Al)Al
 
7
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(PO
 
3
OH)
 
2
(OH)
 
8
(H
 
2
O)
 
8
 · 8H
 
2
O
8.DK.35Krasnovite
Ba(Al,Mg)(PO
 
4
,CO
 
3
)(OH)
 
2
 · H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
20.4.1Mansfieldite
AlAsO
 
4
 · 2H
 
2
O
20.4.2Bulachite
Al
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)(OH)
 
3
 · 3H
 
2
O
20.4.4Luetheite
Cu
 
2
Al
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
4
20.4.5Arsenogoyazite
SrAl
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
5
 · H
 
2
O
20.4.6Arsenocrandallite
CaAl
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
5
 · H
 
2
O
20.4.7Arsenoflorencite-(Ce)
CeAl
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
20.4.8Arsenoflorencite-(La)
(La,Ce,Nd)(Al,Fe
3+
 
)
 
3
(AsO
 
4
,PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
20.4.9Arsenoflorencite-(Nd)
NdAl
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
20.4.10Gerdtremmelite
(Zn,Fe)(Al,Fe)
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)(OH)
 
5
20.4.11Gasparite-(Ce)
(Ce,REE)(AsO
 
4
)
20.4.12Chernovite-(Y)
Y(AsO
 
4
)
20.4.13Agardite-(Y)
(Y,Ca)Cu
 
6
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(AsO
 
4
,HAsO
 
4
)(OH)
 
6
 · 3H
 
2
O
20.4.14Agardite-(La)
(La,Ce)Cu
 
6
(AsO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
6
 · 3H
 
2
O
20.4.15Goudeyite
(Al,Y)Cu
 
6
(AsO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
6
 · 3H
 
2
O
20.4.16Retzian-(Ce)
Mn
2+
2
Ce(AsO
 
4
)(OH)
 
4
20.4.17Retzian-(La)
(Mn
2+
 
,Mg)
 
2
(La,Ce,Nd)(AsO
 
4
)(OH)
 
4
20.4.18Retzian-(Nd)
Mn
2+
2
(Nd,Ce,La)(AsO
 
4
)(OH)
 
4

Other Names for Pharmacoalumite

Synonyms:
AlumopharmacoliteAlumopharmacosideriteIMA1980-002
Other Languages:
German:Alumofarmacosiderit
Alumopharmacolit
Alumopharmacosiderit
Italian:Alumofarmacosiderite
Spanish:Alumofarmacolita
Alumofarmacosiderita
Alumopharmacosiderita

Other Information

Fluorescence in UV light:Not fluorescent.
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 Pharmacoalumite

Reference List:

- +
Schmetzer, K.; Horn, W.; Bank, H. (1981): Alumopharmacosiderite, KAl4[(OH)4|(AsO4)3].6.5 H2O, a new mineral. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Monatshefte 1981, 97-102. (in German).

American Mineralogist (1981): 66: 1099.

Rumsey, M.S., Mills, S.J., Spratt, J. (2010): Natropharmacoalumite, NaAl4[(OH)4(AsO4)3].4H2O, a new mineral of the pharmacosiderite supergroup and the renaming of aluminopharmacosiderite to pharmacoalumite. Mineralogical Magazine, 74, 929-936

Internet Links for Pharmacoalumite

Search Engines:
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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Alumopharmacosiderite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    • Localities for Pharmacoalumite

    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
     
    • Antofagasta Region
      • Antofagasta Province
        • Santa Catalina
    		Neues Jahrb.,Mh.(1981) 97-102
    No reference listed
    • Atacama Region
      • Copiapó Province
        • Tierra Amarilla
          • Pampa Larga district
    		Jesse Crawford collection (mindat foto); Yang, H., Jenkins, R.A., Downs, R.T., Evans, S.H., Tait, K.T. (2011): Rruffite, Ca2Cu(AsO4)2·2H2O,a new member of the roselite group, from Tierra Amarilla, Chile. Canadian Mineralogist, 49, 877-884
    France
     
    • Alsace
      • Bas-Rhin
        • Villé Valley
    		Wittern, Journée: "Mineralien finden in den Vogesen", von Loga (Cologne), 1997
    • Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
      • Var
        • Le Pradet
    		No reference listed
    Germany
     
    • Saxony
      • Erzgebirge
        • Schneeberg District
    		Lapis 30(7/8):67-68 (2005)
    Morocco
     
    • Souss-Massa-Draâ Region
      • Ouarzazate Province
        • Tazenakht
          • Bou Azer District (Bou Azzer District)
            • Aghbar
    		Favreau, G. and Dietrich, J. E. (2006). Die Mineralien von Bou Azzer. Lapis 31(7/8), 27-68; Favreau, G., Dietrich, J. E., Meisser, N., Brugger, J., Ait Haddouch, L. & Maacha, L. (2007): Bou Azzer, Morocco. Mineralogical Record 38, 345-407
            • Bou Azer
    		N. Meisser, J. Brugger (2006): "Bouazzerit und Maghrebit, zwei neue Arsenatmineralien aus dem Revier Bou Azzer, Marokko", Lapis 31(7/8), 69-71; Favreau, G., Dietrich, J. E., Meisser, N., Brugger, J., Ait Haddouch, L. & Maacha, L. (2007): Bou Azzer, Morocco. Mineralogical Record 38, 345-407
            • Oumlil
    		Favreau, G. and Dietrich, J. E. (2006). Die Mineralien von Bou Azzer. Lapis 31(7/8), 27-68; Favreau, G., Dietrich, J. E., Meisser, N., Brugger, J., Ait Haddouch, L. & Maacha, L. (2007): Bou Azzer, Morocco. Mineralogical Record 38, 345-407
            • Tamdrost
    		Favreau, G., Dietrich, J. E., Meisser, N., Brugger, J., Ait Haddouch, L. & Maacha, L. (2007): Bou Azzer, Morocco. Mineralogical Record 38, 345-407
    Favreau, G. and Dietrich, J. E. (2006). Die Mineralien von Bou Azzer. Lapis 31(7/8), 27-68
    Spain
     
    • Andalusia
      • Almería
        • Cuevas del Almanzora (Cuevas de Vera)
          • Sierra Almagrera
            • Jaroso Ravine
    		Robert PECORINI collection
        • Níjar
          • Rodalquilar
    		PXRD-confirmed 9.2009 C. Rewitzer collection
    USA
     
    • California
      • Sierra Co.
        • Antelope Valley
          • Loyalton
    		Mineralogical Record 24: 381
    • Utah
      • Tooele Co.
        • Deep Creek Mts
          • Gold Hill District (Clifton District)
            • Gold Hill
    		Luigi Chiappino specimen
    Mineral and/or Locality
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