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Amarantite

Big Photo

Queténa Mine, Calama, El Loa Province, Antofagasta Region, Chile
© Sandro Maggia

Show Amarantite Photos (8)
Formula:
Fe
3+
2
[O|(SO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 7H
 
2
O
System:TriclinicColour:Amaranth-red to brownish ...
Hardness:2½
Name:From the Greek άμάραυτος = amaranth, in allusion to its common 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, Tocopilla Province, Antofagasta Region, Chile
Year of Discovery:1888

Physical Properties of Amarantite

Lustre:Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Colour:Amaranth-red to brownish red, orange-red.
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 elongated [001] with large {100} and {010}, with a nearly square cross-section, or, flattened {100}. Striated [001]. Radiating or matted aggregates of acicular crystals; columnar; bladed.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
Image Loading

Radiation - Copper Kα
Data Set:
Horizontal Axis: ° to ° Vertical Axis: % Source Data: Filtered Data: Peaks:
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
[O|(SO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 7H
 
2
O
Essential elements:Fe, H, O, S
All elements listed in formula:Fe, H, O, S

Relationship of Amarantite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):
7.DB.05Aubertite
CuAl[Cl|(SO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 14H
 
2
O
7.DB.05Magnesioaubertite
(Mg,Cu)Al[Cl|(SO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 14H
 
2
O
7.DB.05Svyazhinite
(Mg,Mn
2+
 
,Ca)(Al,Fe
3+
 
)[F|(SO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 14H
 
2
O
7.DB.05Wilcoxite
MgAl[F|(SO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 18H
 
2
O
7.DB.10Khademite
Al[F|SO
 
4
] · 5H
 
2
O
7.DB.10Rostite
Al[OH|SO
 
4
] · 5H
 
2
O
7.DB.15Jurbanite
Al[OH|SO
 
4
] · 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.25Stanleyite
(V
4+
 
O)[SO
 
4
] · 6H
 
2
O
7.DB.25Bobjonesite
(V
4+
 
O)[SO
 
4
] · 3H
 
2
O
7.DB.30Hohmannite
Fe
3+
2
[O|(SO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 8H
 
2
O
7.DB.30Metahohmannite
Fe
3+
2
[O|(SO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 4H
 
2
O
7.DB.35Aluminocopiapite
Al
 
2/3
Fe
3+
4
[OH|(SO
 
4
)
 
3
]
 
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
[OH|(SO
 
4
)
 
3
]
 
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
[OH|(SO
 
4
)
 
3
]
 
2
 · 20H
 
2
O
7.DB.35Zincocopiapite
ZnFe
3+
4
[OH|(SO
 
4
)
 
3
]
 
2
 · 18H
 
2
O
7.DB.40Mcalpineite
Cu
 
3
[TeO
 
6
] · H
 
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
HFe(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·4H
 
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
(SO
 
4
)
 
3
·9H
 
2
O
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
[O|(SO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 4H
 
2
O
25.10.14Hohmannite
Fe
3+
2
[O|(SO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 8H
 
2
O
25.10.15Butlerite
Fe
3+
 
[OH|SO
 
4
] · 2H
 
2
O
25.10.16Parabutlerite
Fe
3+
 
[OH|SO
 
4
] · 2H
 
2
O
25.10.18Fibroferrite
Fe
3+
 
[OH|SO
 
4
] · 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
[OH|(SO
 
4
)
 
3
]
 
2
 · 20H
 
2
O

Other Names for Amarantite

Synonyms:
Castanite (of Bandy)Paposite
German names:
Amarantit
Russian names:
Амарантит
Spanish names:
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.

Articles/Blogs about Amarantite

Internet Links for Amarantite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Amarantite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Amarantite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    Localities for Amarantite

    Hide Locality List
    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.
    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
          • Paposo
    		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.
    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: 612.
      • Tocopilla 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: 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.
    • 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)
    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.
    Slovakia
     
    • Prešov Region
      • Northern Slanské Mts
        • Červenica (Czerwenitza)
    		Duda,R. et. all.,1981: MIneralogia severnej časti Slanských vrchov. Min.Slovaca,Monografia 2, Bratislava, 98p
    USA
     
    • California
      • Riverside Co.
    		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.
    • 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
    Google
     
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