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Natroalunite

Big Photo

Planet Mine (Planet Copper Mine; New Planet Mine), Planet Mine group (New Planet Mine group; Great Central Mine), Planet, Santa Maria District (Planet District; Swansea District; Bill Williams District), Buckskin Mts, La Paz Co., Arizona, USA
© JSS

Show Natroalunite Photos (3)
Formula:
(Na,K)Al
 
3
[(OH)
 
3
|SO
 
4
]
 
2
System:TrigonalColour:White, grayish, ...
Hardness:3½ - 4
Name:In allusion to the dominance of sodium (NATRium in Latin) in the composition and its relationship to ALUNITE.


Alunite Group

Classification of Natroalunite

IMA status:Approved
Strunz 8th edition ID:6/B.11-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:7.BC.10

7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
B : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, without H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
Hey's CIM Ref.:25.6.15

25 : Sulphates
6 : Sulphates of Al and Tl
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Type Occurrence of Natroalunite

Type Locality:Red Mountain District, Ouray Co., Colorado, USA
Year of Discovery:1902

Physical Properties of Natroalunite

Lustre:Vitreous, Pearly
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent, Translucent on thin edges
Comment:Somewhat pearly on {0001}.
Colour:White, grayish, yellowish, reddish, red-brown; colourless in transmitted light.
Comment:White when pure.
Streak:White
Hardness (Mohs):3½ - 4
Hardness Data:Measured
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Distinct/Good
On {0001}, distinct; on {01_12}, traces.
Fracture:Irregular/Uneven, Splintery, Conchoidal
Density (measured):2.6 - 2.9 g/cm3
Comment:Values measured on massive material.

Crystallography of Natroalunite

Crystal System:Trigonal
Class (H-M):3m - Ditrigonal Pyramidal
Space Group:R3m
Cell Parameters:a = 6.97Å, c = 16.74Å
Ratio:a:c = 1 : 2.402
Unit Cell Volume:V 704.29 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:Rarely in small crystals; as druses in massive material or as aggregates. Crystals tabular {0001} or terminated by flat vicinal rhombohedra; rhombohedral and commonly pseudo-cubic {01_12}. Lenticular based on distortion or vicinal development. Massive, granular to dense.

Optical Data of Natroalunite

Type:Uniaxial (+)
RI values: nω = 1.568 nε = 1.590
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.022

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Low

Chemical Properties of Natroalunite

Formula:
(Na,K)Al
 
3
[(OH)
 
3
|SO
 
4
]
 
2
Essential elements:Al, H, Na, O, S
All elements listed in formula:Al, H, K, Na, O, S
Common Impurities:K

Relationship of Natroalunite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):
7.BC.05D'Ansite
Na
 
21
Mg(SO
 
4
)
 
10
Cl
 
3
7.BC.10Alunite
KAl
 
3
[(OH)
 
3
|SO
 
4
]
 
2
7.BC.10Ammonioalunite
(NH
 
4
)Al
 
3
[(OH)
 
3
|SO
 
4
]
 
2
7.BC.10Ammoniojarosite
(NH
 
4
)Fe
3+
3
[(OH)
 
3
|SO
 
4
]
 
2
7.BC.10Argentojarosite
AgFe
3+
3
[(OH)
 
3
|SO
 
4
]
 
2
7.BC.10Beaverite
Pb(Fe
3+
 
,Cu,Al)
 
3
[(OH)
 
3
|SO
 
4
]
 
2
7.BC.10Dorallcharite
(Tl,K)Fe
3+
3
[(OH)
 
3
|SO
 
4
]
 
2
7.BC.10Huangite
CaAl
 
6
[(OH)
 
3
|SO
 
4
]
 
4
7.BC.10Hydroniumjarosite
(H
 
3
O)Fe
3+
3
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
7.BC.10Jarosite
KFe
3+
 
 
3
[(OH)
 
3
|SO
 
4
]
 
2
7.BC.10Minamiite
(Na,Ca
 
0.5
,K)Al
 
3
[(OH)
 
3
|SO
 
4
]
 
2
7.BC.10Natrojarosite
NaFe
 
3
[(OH)
 
3
|SO
 
4
]
 
2
7.BC.10Osarizawaite
Pb(Al,Cu)
 
3
[(OH,H
 
2
O)
 
3
|SO
 
4
]
 
2
7.BC.10Plumbojarosite
PbFe
3+
6
[(OH)
 
3
|SO
 
4
]
 
4
7.BC.10Walthierite
BaAl
 
6
[(OH)
 
3
|SO
 
4
]
 
4
7.BC.15Ye'elimite
Ca
 
4
Al
 
6
[O
 
12
|SO
 
4
]
7.BC.20Atlasovite
K(BiO)Cu
 
6
Fe
3+
 
[Cl|O
 
3
|(SO
 
4
)
 
5
]
7.BC.20Nabokoite
KCu
 
7
Te
4+
 
[Cl|O
 
4
|(SO
 
4
)
 
5
]
7.BC.25Chlorothionite
K
 
2
Cu[Cl
 
2
|SO
 
4
]
7.BC.30Euchlorine
KNaCu
 
3
[O|(SO
 
4
)
 
3
]
7.BC.30Fedotovite
K
 
2
Cu
 
3
[O|(SO
 
4
)
 
3
]
7.BC.35Kamchatkite
KCu
 
3
[O|Cl|(SO
 
4
)
 
2
]
7.BC.40Piypite
K
 
2
Cu
 
2
[O|(SO
 
4
)
 
2
]
7.BC.45Klyuchevskite
K
 
3
Cu
 
3
(Fe
3+
 
,Al)[O|(SO
 
4
)
 
2
]
 
2
7.BC.45Alumoklyuchevskite
K
 
3
Cu
 
3
(Al,Fe
3+
 
)[O|(SO
 
4
)
 
2
]
 
2
7.BC.50Caledonite
Cu
 
2
Pb
 
5
[(OH)
 
6
|CO
 
3
|(SO
 
4
)
 
3
]
7.BC.55Wherryite
Pb
 
4
CuCO
 
3
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(Cl,OH)
 
2
O
7.BC.60Mammothite
Pb
 
6
Cu
 
4
AlSb[(OH)
 
9
|Cl
 
2
|SO
 
4
]
 
2
7.BC.65Linarite
PbCu[(OH)
 
2
|SO
 
4
]
7.BC.65Schmiederite
Pb
 
2
Cu
 
2
[(OH)
 
4
|SeO
 
3
|SeO
 
4
]
7.BC.65Munakataite
Pb
 
2
Cu
 
2
(Se
4+
 
O
 
3
)(SO
 
4
)(OH)
 
4
7.BC.70Chenite
Pb
 
4
Cu[(OH)
 
3
|SO
 
4
]
 
2
7.BC.75Krivovichevite
Pb
 
3
[Al(OH)
 
6
](SO
 
4
)(OH)
7.BC.80Anhydrokainite
KMgClSO
 
4
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:
25.6.1Rostite
Al[OH|SO
 
4
] · 5H
 
2
O
25.6.2Jurbanite
Al[OH|SO
 
4
] · 5H
 
2
O
25.6.3Khademite
Al[F|SO
 
4
] · 5H
 
2
O
25.6.4Meta-aluminite
Al
 
2
[(OH)
 
4
|SO
 
4
] · 5H
 
2
O
25.6.5Aluminite
Al
 
2
[(OH)
 
4
|SO
 
4
] · 7H
 
2
O
25.6.6Meta-alunogen
Al
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
3
·12H
 
2
O
25.6.7Alunogen
Al
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
3
·17H
 
2
O
25.6.8Felsőbányaite
Al
 
4
[(OH)
 
10
|SO
 
4
] · 5H
 
2
O
25.6.9Basaluminite
25.6.10Hydrobasaluminite
Al
 
4
[(OH)
 
10
|SO
 
4
] · 12-36H
 
2
O
25.6.11Zaherite
Al
 
12
[(OH)
 
26
|(SO
 
4
)
 
5
] · 20H
 
2
O
25.6.12Tamarugite
NaAl(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·6H
 
2
O
25.6.13Mendozite
NaAl(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·11H
 
2
O
25.6.14Alum-(Na)
NaAl[SO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 12H
 
2
O
25.6.16Kalinite
KAl(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·11H
 
2
O Not confirmed
25.6.17Alum-(K)
KAl[SO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 12H
 
2
O
25.6.18Alunite
KAl
 
3
[(OH)
 
3
|SO
 
4
]
 
2
25.6.19Minamiite
(Na,Ca
 
0.5
,K)Al
 
3
[(OH)
 
3
|SO
 
4
]
 
2
25.6.20Tschermigite
(NH
 
4
)Al[SO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 12H
 
2
O

Other Names for Natroalunite

Synonyms:
AlmeriiteAlumianAlumianiteSoda-Alunite
German names:
AlmeriitAlumianitNatroalunit
Russian names:
Натроалунит
Spanish names:
AlkanasulAlmeriitaAlumianitaNatroalunita
Varieties:
Strontian Natroalunite

Other Information

Electrical:Strongly pyroelectric.
Other Information:Insoluble in water.
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 Natroalunite

Reference List:Hurlbutt (1894) American Journal of Science: 48: 130.

Calderón y Arana, S. (1910) Los minerales de España, 2 volumes, Madrid: 2: 203 (as Almeriite).

Schaller (1911) American Journal of Science: 32: 359.

Doelter, C. (1927) Handbuch der Mineral-chemie (in 4 volumes divided into parts): 4 [2]: 495 (as Natroalunit).

Westman (1931) Bol. Minero soc. nac. Mineria, Santiago de Chile: 43: 433 (as Alkanasul).

Laudermilk (1935) American Mineralogist: 20: 57 (as Soda-Alunite).

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.: 556-560.

Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Monatshefte (1982): 534-540.

Internet Links for Natroalunite

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    Localities for Natroalunite

    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.
    Australia
     
    • Tasmania
      • Queenstown district
        • Mount Lyell Mines
    		Bottrill RS & Baker, WE (in prep) Catalogue of Minerals of Tasmania. Mineral Resources Tasmania
    • Western Australia
      • Coolgardie
    		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: 559.
    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: 559.
    Bolivia
     
    • Oruro Department
      • Cercado Province
    		[MinRec 32:476]
    [MinRec 32:473]
    • Potosí Department
      • Sud Chichas Province
        • Atocha-Quechisla District
    		Salomon Rivas y Federico Ahlfeld (1998) Los Minerales de Bolivia y sus Parajes. (Santa Cruz)
    Chile
     
    • Coquimbo Region
      • Choapa 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: 559.
    Germany
     
    • North Rhine-Westphalia
      • Sauerland
        • Iserlohn
          • Letmathe
    Greece
     
    • Attikí (Attica; Attika) Prefecture
      • Lavrion (Laurion; Laurium) District
        • Lavrion District Mines
          • Agios Konstantinos [St Constantine] (Kamareza; Kamariza)
    		No reference listed
    Japan
     
    • Honshu Island
      • Chubu region
        • Shizuoka prefecture
    		Ryoichi SADANAGA and Michiaki BUNNO (1974) THE WAKABAYASHI MINERAL COLLECTION Bulletin No. 7 The University Museum, The University of Tokyo
    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: 559; Ryoichi SADANAGA and Michiaki BUNNO (1974) THE WAKABAYASHI MINERAL COLLECTION Bulletin No. 7 The University Museum, The University of Tokyo
      • Kanto Region
        • Gunma Prefecture
    		Matsubara et al (1998) Mineralogical Journal, 20, 1-8
    Kyrgyzstan
     
    • Osh Oblast
      • Fergana Valley
        • Alai Range
    		[Lapis 1993:11 p11-24]
    [Lapis 11:11-24]
    New Zealand
     
    • North Island
      • Waikato
        • Waihi
    		Simpson, Mauk, & Simmons, 2001, Hydrothermal Alteration and Hydrologic Evolution of the Golden Cross Epithermal Au-Ag Deposit, Economic Geology 96, pp773-796
    Slovakia
     
    • Banská Bystrica Region
      • Kremnica Mts
    		Ďuďa R., 1993 : Die mineralien der Gold und Silber - lagersttäte von Kremnitz ( Kremnica) in der Slowakei. Mineralien Welt /Haltern,Nemecko/,5, s. 20 - 32
    • Košice Region
      • Eastern Slovenské Rudohorie Mts
    		Koděra, M. et al., 1986 a 1990 : Topografická mineralógia Slovenska, diel 1- 3, Veda – Vydavateľstvo SAV, Bratislava, 1990, 1 – 1590k
    • Prešov Region
      • Northern Slanské Mts
        • Červenica (Czerwenitza)
          • Dubník
    		Koděra, M. et al., 1986 a 1990 : Topografická mineralógia Slovenska, diel 1- 3, Veda – Vydavateľstvo SAV, Bratislava, 1990, 1 – 1590
    South Africa
     
    • Northern Cape Province
    		Minerals of South Africa
      • Bushmanland
        • Koenabib farm
    		No reference listed
      • Namaqualand
    		Natural History Museum Vienna collection
    Spain
     
    • Andalusia
      • Almería
        • Adra
    		Bull. Soc. Franç. Minéralo. Cristallo. , 1964, LXXXVII, p. 288.
    • Aragón
      • Zaragoza
        • Morés
          • Purroy
    		Calvo, M. and Sevillano, E (1995). La mina "san Pedro", Purroy, Zaragoza. Revista de Minerales, 1995-2, 34-37
    • Catalonia
      • Barcelona
        • Vallès Oriental
          • Montcada i Reixac
    		Rosell, J. & Garrido, J.L. (2006) The minerals of Montcada Hill Quarry. Mineral Up, 2006/2, 16-20.
    Turkey
     
    • Black Sea Region
      • Samsun Province
    		http://www.odysseyresources.com/i/pdf/Curtis-AltintepeReport.pdf
    USA
     
    • Arizona
      • La Paz Co.
        • Buckskin Mts
          • Santa Maria District (Planet District; Swansea District; Bill Williams District)
            • Planet
              • Planet Mine group (New Planet Mine group; Great Central Mine)
    		John Sobolewski collection
        • Dome Rock Mts
          • Middle Camp-Oro Fino District
            • Sugarloaf Peak
    		Ref.: Keith, Stanton B. (1978) State of Arizona Bureau of Geology and Mineral Technology, Geol. Sur. Br. Bull. 192, Index of Mining Properties in Yuma Co., Arizona: 161 (Table 4); Arizona Bureau of Mines file data.
        • Quartzsite area
    		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: 559; Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 310; Omori, K. & P.F. Kerr (1963), Infrared studies of saline sulfate minerals, Geol. Soc. Amer. Bull. 74: 709-734.
    • California
      • Inyo 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: 559.
      • Mono Co.
    		[var: Strontian Natroalunite] Lemmon (1937) American Mineralogist: 22: 939; 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: 559.
        • White Mts
          • Laws
    		No reference listed
    • Colorado
      • Conejos Co.
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
      • Custer Co.
        • Rosita District
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckel, E. B.
    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: 559; Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckel, E. B.
      • Dolores Co.
        • Rico Mts
          • Rico District (Pioneer District)
            • Horse Creek
    		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: 559.
      • Lake Co.
        • Leadville District
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckel, E. B.
      • Ouray Co.
    		"Minerals of Colorado, updated & revised", p. 344, by Eckel, Edwin B., 1997
          • Red Mountain
    		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: 559; Mineralogical Record (1986) 17: 229-236.
      • Rio Grande Co.
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
    • Hawaii
      • Maui 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: 559; American Mineralogist: 20: 57.
    • Nevada
      • Esmeralda Co.
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
      • Storey Co.
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
      • White Pine Co.
        • Bald Mountain District
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    • New Mexico
      • Eddy Co.
        • Carlsbad
    		Northrop, Minerals of New Mexico, 3rd. Rev. Ed., 1996
    Journ. of Cave & Karst Stud., April 1998
    • Texas
      • Fannin Co.
    		R&M 66:3 pp 196-224
      • Grayson Co.
    		R&M 66:3 pp 196-224
    R&M 66:3 pp 196-224
    R&M 66:3 pp 196-224
    R&M 66:3 pp 196-224
    R&M 66:3 pp 196-224
    • Utah
      • Piute Co.
        • Marysvale District (Marysvale Uranium area)
    		UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
    No reference listed
    U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
      • Sevier Co.
        • Antelope Range
          • Henry District
    		U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
    U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
    U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
        • Gold Mountain District
    		U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
      • Utah Co.
        • East Tintic Mts
    		UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
    Mineral and/or Locality
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