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Luetheite

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Patagonia District, Patagonia Mts, Santa Cruz Co., Arizona, USA
© C.Boutry

Show Luetheite Photos (15)



Formula:
Cu
 
2
Al
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
4
System:MonoclinicColour:blue, pale green (upon ...
Hardness:3
Name:After Ronald D. Luethe (1944– ), geologist for Phelps Dodge Corporation, Douglas, Arizona, USA, who found the first material.


The aluminium analogue of Chenevixite. Chenevixite-Luetheite Series.

Classification of Luetheite

IMA status:Approved 1976
Strunz 8th edition ID:7/D.16-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:8.DD.05

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
D : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4= 2:1
Dana 8th edition ID:42.7.10.2

42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
7 : (AB)2(XO4)Zq·xH2O
Hey's CIM Ref.:20.4.4

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 Luetheite

Type Locality:Patagonia District, Patagonia Mts, Santa Cruz Co., Arizona, USA
General Appearance of Type Material:Cavity fillings.
Year of Discovery:1976
Geological Setting of type material:Intensely altered volcanic rocks.
Associated Minerals at type locality:
CornubiteChenevixite

Physical Properties of Luetheite

Diaphaneity (Transparency):Translucent
Colour:blue, pale green (upon alteration).
Comment:May be tan
Streak:white
Hardness (Mohs):3
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Distinct/Good
On {100}, fair to good.
Density (measured):4.28 g/cm3
Density (calculated):4.4 g/cm3

Crystallography of Luetheite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Class (H-M):2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:P21/m {P1 1 21/m} {P21/m} {P1 21/m 1}
Cell Parameters:a = 14.743Å, b = 5.093Å, c = 5.598Å
β = 101.49°
Ratio:a:b:c = 2.895 : 1 : 1.099
Unit Cell Volume:V 411.91 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:2
Morphology:Crystals thin blades exhibiting prominent {100} with {140} and {011}. Commonly in spherulitic aggregates.
Twinning:Observed at a very fine scale.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
d-spacingIntensity
7.21 (7)
3.498 (10)
2.546 (3)
2.507 (5)
2.454 (3)
1.803 (5)
1.270 (4)

Optical Data of Luetheite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.752 nβ = 1.775 nγ = 1.796
2V:Calculated: 88°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.044

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Very High
Dispersion:r < v marked
Pleochroism:Weak
Comments:Faint in pale blues.

Chemical Properties of Luetheite

Formula:
Cu
 
2
Al
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
4
Essential elements:Al, As, Cu, H, O
All elements listed in formula:Al, As, Cu, H, O

Relationship of Luetheite to other Species

Series:Forms a series with Chenevixite (see here)
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
8.DD.05Chenevixite
Cu
 
2
Fe
3+
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
4
8.DD.10Akrochordite
(Mn
2+
 
,Mg)
 
5
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
4
 · 4H
 
2
O
8.DD.10Guanacoite
Cu
 
2
Mg
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
4
 · 4H
 
2
O
8.DD.15Aheylite
(Fe
2+
 
,Zn)Al
 
6
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
8
 · 4H
 
2
O
8.DD.15Chalcosiderite
Cu(Fe
3+
 
,Al)
 
6
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
8
 · 4H
 
2
O
8.DD.15Faustite
(Zn,Cu)Al
 
6
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
8
 · 4H
 
2
O
8.DD.15Planerite
Al
 
6
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(HPO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
8
 · 4 H
 
2
O
8.DD.15Turquoise
Cu(Al,Fe
3+
 
)
 
6
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
8
 · 4H
 
2
O
8.DD.15Afmite
Al
 
3
(OH)
 
4
(H2O)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)(PO
 
3
OH) · H2O
8.DD.20Childrenite
(Fe
2+
 
,Mn
2+
 
)Al(PO
 
4
)(OH)
 
2
 · H
 
2
O
8.DD.20Eosphorite
(Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
)Al(PO
 
4
)(OH)
 
2
 · H
 
2
O
8.DD.20Ernstite
(Mn
2+
 
,Fe
3+
 
)Al(PO
 
4
)(OH,O)
 
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
20.4.3Pharmacoalumite
KAl
 
4
(AsO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
4
 · 6.5H
 
2
O
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 Luetheite

Synonyms:
IMA1976-011Luethite
Other Languages:
German:Luetheit
Luethit
Russian:Луетеит
Spanish:Luetheita
Luethita

Other Information

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 Luetheite

Reference List:

- +
Williams, S. A. (1977): Luetheite, Cu2Al2(AsO4)2(OH)4.H2O, a new mineral from Arizona, compared with chenevixite. Mineralogical Magazine: 41: 27-32.

American Mineralogist (1977): 62: 1058.

Burns, P. C., Smith, J. V. and Steele, I. M. (2000): Arizona porphyry copper/hydrothermal deposits I. The structure of chenevixite and luetheite. Mineral. Mag., 64, 25-30.

Internet Links for Luetheite

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

    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
     
    • Western Australia
      • Ashburton Shire
    		Mineralogical Record: 24: 203.
    Mineralogical Record 24,203-216,218.
    USA
     
    • Arizona
      • Santa Cruz Co.
        • Patagonia Mts
          • Harshaw District
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 281; Williams, S.A. (1977), Luetheite, Cu2Al2(AsO4)2(OH)4.H2O, a new mineral from Arizona compared with chenevixite, Min.Mag.: 41: 27-42.
    Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 187.
    [Nickel & Nichols, 1991 - "Mineral Reference Manual", p123; Min.Mag.(1977) 41, 27-32]
    • Nevada
      • Pershing Co.
        • Antelope District
          • Majuba Hill Mine (Mylar Mine)
    		Jensen, M. (1993): Update on the mineralogy of the Majuba Hill mine, Pershing County. Mineralogical Record. 24, 171-180.
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