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Amarantite

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Big Photo

Queténa Mine (Queténa Prospect), Toki Cu deposit (Toki Cluster), Chuquicamata District, Calama, El Loa Province, Antofagasta Region, Chile
© Elmar Lackner 2009

Show Amarantite Photos (24)



Formula:
Fe
3+
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
O · 7H
 
2
O
System:TriclinicColour:Amaranth-red to brownish ...
Hardness:2½
Name:From the Greek αμάραντος = amaranth, an imaginary red undying flower, in allusion to its colour.
This page provides mineralogical data about Amarantite.

Classification of Amarantite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:6/D.01-40
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:7.DB.30

7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
B : With only medium-sized cations; insular octahedra and finite units
Dana 8th edition ID:31.9.3.1

31 : HYDRATED SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
9 : (AB)(XO4)Zq·xH2O
Hey's CIM Ref.:25.10.17

25 : Sulphates
10 : Sulphates of Fe alone
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Type Occurrence of Amarantite

Type Locality:Caracoles, Sierra Gorda District, Antofagasta Province, Antofagasta Region, Chile
Place of Conservation of Type Material:BAF, 44700.
Year of Discovery:1888

Occurrences of Amarantite

Geological Setting:A secondary mineral formed especially in arid climates.

Physical Properties of Amarantite

Lustre:Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Colour:Amaranth-red to brownish red and red-orange
Streak:Lemon-yellow
Hardness (Mohs):2½
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Perfect
On {010} and {100}, perfect.
Density (measured):2.189 - 2.286 g/cm3

Crystallography of Amarantite

Crystal System:Triclinic
Class (H-M):1 - Pinacoidal
Cell Parameters:a = 8.9Å, b = 11.56Å, c = 6.64Å
α = 95.55°, β = 90.52°, γ = 97.42°
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.77 : 1 : 0.574
Unit Cell Volume:V 674.09 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:Crystals, to 2 cm, elongated along [001], with dominant {100} and {010}, and square cross section; also flattened [100] and striated on {001}; more than 60 forms recorded; typically in radiating or matted aggregates of needles; columnar or
bladed.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
Image Loading

Radiation - Copper Kα
Data Set:
Horizontal Axis: ° to ° Vertical Axis: % Source Data: Filtered Data:
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.

Optical Data of Amarantite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.516 nβ = 1.598 nγ = 1.621
2V:Measured: 30° , Calculated: 52°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.105

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Moderate
Dispersion:none
Pleochroism:Visible
Comments:X = colourless
Y = Light yellow
Z = Reddish brown

Chemical Properties of Amarantite

Formula:
Fe
3+
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
O · 7H
 
2
O
Essential elements:Fe, H, O, S
All elements listed in formula:Fe, H, O, S

Relationship of Amarantite to other Species

Common Associates:
SideronatriteHohmanniteFibroferriteCoquimbiteCopiapite
Chalcanthite
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
7.DB.05Aubertite
CuAl(SO
 
4
)
 
2
Cl · 14H
 
2
O
7.DB.05Magnesioaubertite
(Mg,Cu)Al(SO
 
4
)
 
2
Cl · 14H
 
2
O
7.DB.05Svyazhinite
(Mg,Mn
2+
 
,Ca)(Al,Fe
3+
 
)(SO
 
4
)
 
2
F · 14H
 
2
O
7.DB.10Khademite
Al(SO
 
4
)F · 5H
 
2
O
7.DB.10Rostite
Al(SO
 
4
)(OH) · 5H
 
2
O
7.DB.15Jurbanite
Al(SO
 
4
)(OH) · 5H
 
2
O
7.DB.20Minasragrite
(V
4+
 
O)(SO
 
4
) · 5H
 
2
O
7.DB.20Orthominasragrite
(V
4+
 
O)(SO
 
4
) · 5H
 
2
O
7.DB.20Anorthominasragrite
(V
4+
 
O)(SO
 
4
) · 5H
 
2
O
7.DB.25Bobjonesite
(V
4+
 
O)(SO
 
4
) · 3H
 
2
O
7.DB.30Hohmannite
Fe
3+
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
O · 8H
 
2
O
7.DB.30Metahohmannite
Fe
3+
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
O · 4H
 
2
O
7.DB.35Aluminocopiapite
Al
 
2/3
Fe
3+
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
(OH)
 
2
 · 20H
 
2
O
7.DB.35Calciocopiapite
CaFe
 
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
(OH)
 
2
 · 10H
 
2
O
7.DB.35Copiapite
Fe
2+
 
Fe
3+
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
(OH)
 
2
 · 20H
 
2
O
7.DB.35Cuprocopiapite
CuFe
 
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
(OH)
 
2
 · 20H
 
2
O
7.DB.35Ferricopiapite
Fe
 
5
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
O(OH) · 20H
 
2
O
7.DB.35Magnesiocopiapite
MgFe
3+
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
(OH)
 
2
 · 20H
 
2
O
7.DB.35Zincocopiapite
ZnFe
3+
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
(OH)
 
2
 · 18H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
25.10.1Szomolnokite
FeSO
 
4
 · H
 
2
O
25.10.2Rozenite
FeSO
 
4
 · 4H
 
2
O
25.10.3Siderotil
FeSO
 
4
 · 5H
 
2
O
25.10.4Ferrohexahydrite
FeSO
 
4
 · 6H
 
2
O
25.10.5Melanterite
FeSO
 
4
 · 7H
 
2
O
25.10.6Rhomboclase
(H
 
5
O
 
2
)Fe
3+
 
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
25.10.7Lausenite
Fe
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
3
·6H
 
2
O
25.10.8Kornelite
Fe
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
3
 · 7H
 
2
O
25.10.9Coquimbite
Fe
 
2-x
Al
 
x
(SO
 
4
)
 
3
 · 9H
 
2
O, x ~0.5
25.10.10Paracoquimbite
Fe
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
3
 · 9H
 
2
O
25.10.11Quenstedtite
Fe
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
3
 · 10H
 
2
O
25.10.12Ferricopiapite
Fe
 
5
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
O(OH) · 20H
 
2
O
25.10.13Metahohmannite
Fe
3+
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
O · 4H
 
2
O
25.10.14Hohmannite
Fe
3+
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
O · 8H
 
2
O
25.10.15Butlerite
Fe
3+
 
(SO
 
4
)(OH) · 2H
 
2
O
25.10.16Parabutlerite
Fe
3+
 
(SO
 
4
)(OH) · 2H
 
2
O
25.10.18Fibroferrite
Fe
3+
 
(SO
 
4
)(OH) · 5H
 
2
O
25.10.19Hydroniumjarosite
(H
 
3
O)Fe
3+
3
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
25.10.20Römerite
Fe
2+
 
Fe
3+
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
4
 · 14H
 
2
O
25.10.21Bílinite
Fe
2+
 
Fe
3+
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
4
 · 22H
 
2
O
25.10.22Copiapite
Fe
2+
 
Fe
3+
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
(OH)
 
2
 · 20H
 
2
O

Other Names for Amarantite

Synonyms:
Castanite (of Bandy)Paposite
Other Languages:
German:Amarantit
Russian:Амарантит
Spanish:Amarantita

Other Information

Other Information:Decomposed by cold water with the formation of an insoluble basic salt. 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 Amarantite

Reference List:

- +
Frenzel (1887) Mineralogische und petrographische Mitteilungen, Vienna: 9: 398.

Darapsky (1887) Bol. Minero soc. nac. Mineria, Santiago de Chile, No. 92: 735 (as Paposite [?]).

Darapsky (1889) Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Geologie und Paleontologie, Heidelberg, Stuttgart: I: 23 (as Paposite [?]).

Gräbner analysis in: Frenzel (1890) Mineralogische und petrographische Mitteilungen, Vienna: 11: 223.

Genth (1890) American Journal of Science: 40: 199.

Penfield (1890) American Journal of Science: 40: 199.

Dana, E.S. (1892) System of Mineralogy, 6th. Edition, New York: 967, 968.

Posnjak and Merwin (1922) Journal of the American Chemical Society: 44: 1965 (artificial material).

Scharizer in: Doelter, C. (1927) Handbuch der Mineral-chemie (in 4 volumes divided into parts): 4 [2]: 574.

Scharizer (1927) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 65: 347.

Ungemach (1935) Bulletin de la Société française de Minéralogie: 58: 115.

Bandy (1938) American Mineralogist: 23: 747.

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.: 611-613.

Giacovazzo C., Menchetti S. (1968) - Dati strutturali sulla amarantite. Periodico di mineralogia – Roma, pp. 727-731.

F. Scordari et al. (2004): American Mineralogist: 89: 365-370.

Zeitschrift für Kristallographie: 127: 261-275.

Internet Links for Amarantite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Amarantite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    • Localities for Amarantite

    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.
    Argentina
     
    • San Juan
      • La Alcaparrosa
    		Angelelli, Victorio and Gordon, Samuel, G. (1941) Sarmientite, a new mineral from Argentina. Notulae Naturae of The Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, #92.
    Australia
     
    • South Australia
      • Olary Province
        • Mingary
          • Pine Creek - Mutooroo area
    Chile
     
    • Antofagasta Region
      • Antofagasta Province
        • Reventon District
          • Officina Paposa
    		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: 612.
    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: 614.
    Bulletin de Minéralogie 87 (1964), 125
    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: 612.
      • El Loa Province
        • Calama
          • Cerritos Bayos
    		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: 612.
          • Chuquicamata District
    		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: 612.
            • Toki Cu deposit (Toki Cluster)
    		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: 612.
    • Atacama Region
      • Copiapó Province
    		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: 612.
    • Tarapacá Region
      • Iquique Province
        • Pampa del Tamarugal
    		Peter G. Seroka collection
    Iran
     
    • Yazd Province
      • Saghand (Sagand; Saqand)
    		Bariand, P., Cesbron, F. & Berthelon, J. P. (1977): Iron sulfates of Saghand near Yazd (Iran). Memoire Hors-Série de la Société Géologique de France 8, 77-85.; Bariand, P., Berthelon, J. P., Cesbron, F. & Sadrzadeh, M. (1973): New aluminum sulfate hydrate, khademite of Saghand (Iran). Comptes Rendus des Seances de l'Académie des Sciences, Série C, 277, 1585-1588 (in French).
    Italy
     
    • Tuscany
      • Livorno Province
        • Elba Island
          • Capoliveri
            • Cape Calamita Mine (Calamita Mine)
    		F. Quagliarella (1966) - Su alcuni solfati di Capo Calamita (Isola d'Elba) - Rend. Soc. Min. It., 22: 210.
    Norway
     
    • Oppland
      • Sel
        • Otta
    		Selbekk, R. S., Husdal, T. A. & Berg, H-J. (2010): Nye mineraler for Norge i 2010. Stein. 37 (4): 24-26
    Slovakia
     
    • Prešov Region
      • Prešov Co.
        • Červenica
    		Duda,R. et. all.,1981: MIneralogia severnej časti Slanských vrchov. Min.Slovaca,Monografia 2, Bratislava, 98p
    USA
     
    • California
      • Riverside Co.
    		Schairer, John Frank & C.C. Lawson (1924), Copiapite from the Santa Maria Mountains, eastern Riverside County, California: American Mineralogist: 9: 242; Murdoch, Joseph & Robert W. Webb (1966), Minerals of California, Centennial Volume (1866-1966): California Division Mines & Geology Bulletin 189: 63.
    Schairer, John Frank & C.C. Lawson (1924), Copiapite from the Santa Maria Mountains, eastern Riverside County, California: American Mineralogist: 9: 242-244; 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.: 612, 626; Murdoch, Joseph & Robert W. Webb (1966), Minerals of California, Centennial Volume (1866-1966): California Division Mines & Geology Bulletin 189: 156.
    • New Mexico
    		Northrop, Minerals of New Mexico, 3rd Rev. Ed., 1996
    Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.
    • South Dakota
      • Pennington Co.
        • Hayward
    		SDSMT Bull 18 Roberts and Rapp "Mineralogy of the Black Hills"
    Mineral and/or Locality
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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.
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