Arcanite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Arcanite
Formula:
K2SO4
Colour:
Colourless, white, yellow
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
2.663
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named in 1845 by Wilhelm Carl von Haidinger from the Latin "arcanum duplicatum," for double secret, a medieval alchemical name. The original material was an exudate on the surface of discarded railroad track ties that had been used in the Santa Ana tin mine, Trabuco Canyon, Santa Ana Mountains, Orange County, California, USA.
Type Locality:
Isostructural with:
Arcanite-Mascagnite Series.
This species was described and named based on artificial material and the type occurrence, which is anthropogenic (pine rail tie in a mine). It has since been identified in nature.
NOTE: Well-crystalline specimens on the market (eg those labelled from Poland) are grown artificially and are not natural minerals.
This species was described and named based on artificial material and the type occurrence, which is anthropogenic (pine rail tie in a mine). It has since been identified in nature.
NOTE: Well-crystalline specimens on the market (eg those labelled from Poland) are grown artificially and are not natural minerals.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
314
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:314:6
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
0f184efa-cd08-4e3d-aab0-419843a4267a
IMA Classification of Arcanite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
K2(SO4)
Classification of Arcanite
7.AD.05
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
A : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, without H2O
D : With only large cations
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
A : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, without H2O
D : With only large cations
28.2.1.2
28 : ANHYDROUS ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
2 : A2XO4
28 : ANHYDROUS ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
2 : A2XO4
25.1.4
25 : Sulphates
1 : Sulphates of the alkali metals and ammonium
25 : Sulphates
1 : Sulphates of the alkali metals and ammonium
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acn | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Arcanite
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Colourless, white, yellow
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
On {010} and {001}.
On {010} and {001}.
Density:
2.663 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.667 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Arcanite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.494 nβ = 1.495 nγ = 1.497
2V:
Measured: 67° , Calculated: 70°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.004
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
r > v strong
Chemistry of Arcanite
Mindat Formula:
K2SO4
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Arcanite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.77 Å, b = 10.07 Å, c = 7.48 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.573 : 1 : 0.743
Unit Cell V:
434.62 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Thin tablets comprised of sixling cyclic twins bounded by {001}, {011}, and {112} (Santa Ana Mine). Artificial crystals frequently twinned.
Twinning:
On {110}, cyclic at times; pseudo-hexagonal groupings.
Comment:
Space Group: P nam (synthetic)
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
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Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
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View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
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Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0009456 | Arcanite | McGinnety J A (1972) Redetermination of the structures of potassium sulphate and potassium chromate: the effect of electrostatic crystal forces upon observed bond length Acta Crystallographica B28 2845-2852 |  | 1972 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0018287 | Arcanite | Robinson M (1958) The crystal structures of beta-K2SO4 and of beta-K2PO3F _cod_database_code 1200011 Journal of Physical Chemistry 62 925-928 | 1958 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 2.903 Å | (100) |
| 3.001 Å | (77) |
| 2.886 Å | (53) |
| 4.176 Å | (28) |
| 2.422 Å | (25) |
| 2.089 Å | (25) |
| 2.082 Å | (25) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 3b: Earth’s earliest hydrosphere | >4.45 |
| 14 : Hot springs, geysers, and other subaerial geothermal minerals | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45a : [Sulfates, arsenates, selenates, antimonates] | |
| 45b : [Other oxidized fumarolic minerals] | |
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 50 : Coal and/or oil shale minerals | <0.36 |
| 52 : Guano- and urine-derived minerals | <0.4 |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 54 : Coal and other mine fire minerals (see also #51 and #56) | |
| 55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals |
Type Occurrence of Arcanite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Thin tablets in wood.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
University of California, Berkeley, California; Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, 100763.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Not applicable.
Reference:
Haidinger, W. (1845) Erste Klasse: Akrogenide. IV. Ordnung. Salze. XIII. Pikrochylinsalz. Arcanit. in: Handbuch der bestimmenden Mineralogie, Vienna, 487-492.
Synonyms of Arcanite
Other Language Names for Arcanite
French:Potasse sulfatée
Russian:Арканит
Varieties of Arcanite
| Taylorite (of Dana) | Ammonian Arcanite. Found in guano beds of the Chincha Islands, Peru |
Relationship of Arcanite to other Species
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 3 photos of Arcanite associated with Hematite | Fe2O3 |
| 2 photos of Arcanite associated with Piypite | K4Cu4O2(SO4)4 · (Na,Cu)Cl |
| 1 photo of Arcanite associated with Unnamed (Lyonsite-like Cu-Fe-Vanadate) | (Cu,Zn)2(Fe,Al)2[(V,Mo,S,As)O4]3 |
| 1 photo of Arcanite associated with Alunite Group | A0.5-1 B3[SO4]2(OH)6 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.AD. | Calciolangbeinite | K2Ca2(SO4)3 |
| 7.AD. | Bubnovaite | K2Na8Ca(SO4)6 |
| 7.AD. | Dobrovolskyite | Na4Ca(SO4)3 |
| 7.AD. | Murphyite | Pb(Te6+O4) |
| 7.AD. | Cuprodobrovolskyite | Na4Cu(SO4)3 |
| 7.AD. | Kristjánite | KNa2H(SO4)2 |
| 7.AD.05 | Mascagnite | (NH4)2SO4 |
| 7.AD.10 | Mercallite | KHSO4 |
| 7.AD.15 | Misenite | K8H6(SO4)7 |
| 7.AD.20 | Letovicite | (NH4)3H(SO4)2 |
| 7.AD.25 | Glauberite | Na2Ca(SO4)2 |
| 7.AD.25 | Thénardite | Na2SO4 |
| 7.AD.30 | Anhydrite | CaSO4 |
| 7.AD.30 | Metathénardite | Na2SO4 |
| 7.AD.35 | Anglesite | PbSO4 |
| 7.AD.35 | Baryte | BaSO4 |
| 7.AD.35 | Celestine | SrSO4 |
| 7.AD.35 | Olsacherite | Pb2(Se6+O4)(SO4) |
| 7.AD.40 | Kalistrontite | K2Sr(SO4)2 |
| 7.AD.40 | Palmierite | K2Pb(SO4)2 |
| 7.AD.45 | Ivsite | Na3H(SO4)2 |
| 7.AD.55 | Markhininite | TlBi(SO4)2 |
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Arcanite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-314.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
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References for Arcanite
Localities for Arcanite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Australia | |
| Bideaux et al. Handbook of Mineralogy. |
| Garske (n.d.) |
Botswana | |
| Handbook of Mineralogy (2005) |
Canada | |
| Abersteiner et al. (2018) |
| Shang (2000) |
Chile | |
| forum.amiminerals.org (2016) |
France | |
| Naze-Nancy Masalehdani et al. (2009) |
Germany | |
| Frenzel (1964) |
Iran | |
| Talbot et al. (2009) |
Italy | |
| D’Angeli et al. (2022) |
| Cavarretta et al. (1982) +2 other references |
| Toutain et al. (1995) |
Japan | |
| The Mineral Species of Japan (5th ed) |
Mexico | |
| Ostrooumov et al. (2008) |
Namibia | |
| Martini (1992) |
| Handbook of Mineralogy (2005) | |
| Handbook of Mineralogy (2005) |
| Handbook of Mineralogy (2005) |
| Handbook of Mineralogy (2005) | |
| Handbook of Mineralogy (2005) |
| Handbook of Mineralogy (2005) |
Peru | |
| Taylor (1859) +1 other reference |
Poland | |
| Kruszewski et al. (2019) |
Russia | |
| Golovin et al. (2023) |
| Diederik Visser List #39 |
| Pavel M. Kartashov analytical data |
| Zubkova et al. (2018, March) | |
| Okrugin (2004) |
| Naumov et al. (2008) |
Saudi Arabia | |
| Saudi Geological Survey Open-File ... +1 other reference |
South Africa | |
| Handbook of Mineralogy (2005) |
| Giuliani et al. (2017) |
Spain | |
| Martínez-Arkarazo et al. (2007) |
| Benavente +2 other references |
Uganda | |
| Kasedde et al. (2014) |
USA | |
| - (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| Eakle (1908) |
| Ingalls et al. (1908) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| Hawley +5 other references |
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Dingo Donga Cave, Madura Roadhouse, Dundas Shire, Western Australia, Australia