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Alum-(K)

Formula:
KAl[SO
 
4
]
 
2
· 12H
 
2
O
System:IsometricColour:Colourless, white; ...
Hardness:2


Alum Group.

Classification of Alum-(K)

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:6/C.14-20
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:7.CC.20

7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
C : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, with H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
Dana 8th edition ID:29.5.5.1

29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
5 : AB(XO4)2·xH2O
Hey's CIM Ref.:25.6.17

25 : Sulphates
6 : Sulphates of Al and Tl
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Physical Properties of Alum-(K)

Lustre:Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Colour:Colourless, white; colourless in transmitted light.
Hardness (Mohs):2
Cleavage:Poor/Indistinct
{111}, traces.
Fracture:Conchoidal
Density (measured):1.757 g/cm3
Density (calculated):1.753 g/cm3

Crystallography of Alum-(K)

Crystal System:Isometric
Class (H-M):m3 (2/m 3) - Diploidal
Morphology:Crystals octahedral if precipitated from pure water solution; cubic from alkaline solutions. Commonly massive with a columnar or granular structure; stalactitic, mealy coatings.
Twinning:On {111}, very rare.
Crystal Atlas:
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Potassiumalum no.3 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Potassiumalum no.27 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Potassiumalum no.28 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)

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X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
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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 Alum-(K)

Type:Isotropic

Chemical Properties of Alum-(K)

Formula:
KAl[SO
 
4
]
 
2
· 12H
 
2
O
Essential elements:Al, H, K, O, S
All elements listed in formula:Al, H, K, O, S
Analytical Data:Soluble in water (11.4 g. in H2O at 20°).

Relationship of Alum-(K) to other Species

Related to:
  • Alum Group
  • Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

    - +
    7.CC.05Krausite
    KFe(SO
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    ·H
     
    2
    O
    7.CC.10Tamarugite
    NaAl(SO
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    ·6H
     
    2
    O
    7.CC.15Kalinite
    KAl(SO
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    ·11H
     
    2
    O Not confirmed
    7.CC.15Mendozite
    NaAl(SO
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    ·11H
     
    2
    O
    7.CC.20Lonecreekite
    (NH
     
    4
    )Fe
    3+
     
    [SO
     
    4
    ]
     
    2
    · 12H
     
    2
    O
    7.CC.20Alum-(Na)
    NaAl[SO
     
    4
    ]
     
    2
    · 12H
     
    2
    O
    7.CC.20Tschermigite
    (NH
     
    4
    )Al[SO
     
    4
    ]
     
    2
    · 12H
     
    2
    O
    7.CC.20Lanmuchangite
    Tl
    +
     
    Al[SO
     
    4
    ]
     
    2
    · 12H
     
    2
    O
    7.CC.25Voltaite
    K
     
    2
    Fe
    2+
    5
    Fe
    3+
    3
    Al[SO
     
    4
    ]
     
    12
    · 18H
     
    2
    O
    7.CC.25Zincovoltaite
    K
     
    2
    Zn
     
    5
    Fe
    3+
    3
    Al[SO
     
    4
    ]
     
    12
    · 18H
     
    2
    O
    7.CC.25Pertlikite
    K
     
    2
    (Fe
    2+
     
    ,Mg)
     
    2
    Mg
     
    4
    Fe
    3+
    2
    Al(SO
     
    4
    )
     
    12
    ·4H
     
    2
    O
    7.CC.30Kröhnkite
    Na
     
    2
    Cu(SO
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    ·2H
     
    2
    O
    7.CC.35Ferrinatrite
    Na
     
    3
    Fe(SO
     
    4
    )
     
    3
    ·3H
     
    2
    O
    7.CC.40Goldichite
    KFe(SO
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    ·4H
     
    2
    O
    7.CC.45Löweite
    Na
     
    12
    Mg
     
    7
    (SO
     
    4
    )
     
    13
    7.CC.50Blödite
    Na
     
    2
    Mg(SO
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    ·4H
     
    2
    O
    7.CC.50Nickelblödite
    Na
     
    2
    (Ni,Mg)(SO
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    ·4H
     
    2
    O
    7.CC.50Changoite
    Na
     
    2
    Zn(SO
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    ·4H
     
    2
    O
    7.CC.50Zincblödite
    7.CC.55Leonite
    K
     
    2
    Mg(SO
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    ·4H
     
    2
    O
    7.CC.55Mereiterite
    K
     
    2
    Fe(SO
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    ·4H
     
    2
    O
    7.CC.60Boussingaultite
    (NH
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    Mg(SO
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    ·6H
     
    2
    O
    7.CC.60Cyanochroite
    K
     
    2
    Cu(SO
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    ·6H
     
    2
    O
    7.CC.60Mohrite
    (NH
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    Fe(SO
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    ·6H
     
    2
    O
    7.CC.60Nickelboussingaultite
    (NH
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    Ni(SO
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    ·6H
     
    2
    O
    7.CC.60Picromerite
    K
     
    2
    Mg(SO
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    ·6H
     
    2
    O
    7.CC.65Polyhalite
    K
     
    2
    Ca
     
    2
    Mg(SO
     
    4
    )
     
    4
    ·2H
     
    2
    O
    7.CC.70Leightonite
    K
     
    2
    Ca
     
    2
    Cu(SO
     
    4
    )
     
    4
    ·2H
     
    2
    O
    7.CC.75Amarillite
    NaFe(SO
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    ·6H
     
    2
    O
    7.CC.80Konyaite
    Na
     
    2
    Mg(SO
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    ·5H
     
    2
    O
    7.CC.85Wattevilleite
    Na
     
    2
    Ca(SO
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    ·4H
     
    2
    O (?)
    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
    ] · 4H
     
    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
    25.6.15Natroalunite
    (Na,K)Al
     
    3
    [(OH)
     
    3
    |SO
     
    4
    ]
     
    2
    25.6.16Kalinite
    KAl(SO
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    ·11H
     
    2
    O Not confirmed
    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 Alum-(K)

    Synonyms:
    Potassium Alum
    Other Languages:
    German:Kalialaun
    Russian:Алюмокалиевые квасцы

    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 Alum-(K)

    Reference List:Dana, J.D. (1868) System of Mineralogy, 5th. Edition, New York: 652.

    Weisbach, Albin (1875) Synopsis mineralogical, systematische Übersicht des Mineralreiches. 78 pp., Freiberg: 9.

    Klocke (1878) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 2: 126.

    Klocke (1880) Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Geologie und Paleontologie, Heidelberg, Stuttgart.: I: 56.

    Klocke (1881) Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Geologie und Paleontologie, Heidelberg, Stuttgart.: II: 267.

    Wulff (1881) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 5: 81.

    Brauns (1883) Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Geologie und Paleontologie, Heidelberg, Stuttgart.: II: 102.

    Pfaff (1884) Sitzber. bayer. Ak. Wiss.: 255.

    Soret (1884) Arch. sc. phys. nat. Genève: 12: 376.

    Brauns (1885) Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Geologie und Paleontologie, Heidelberg, Stuttgart.: I: 96.

    Brauns (1891) Die opt. Anom. der Kristalle, Leiopzig.

    Pockels (1892) Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Geologie und Paleontologie, Heidelberg, Stuttgart., Beil.-Bd: 8: 217.

    Groth (1908) Chemische Krystallographie. Leipzig. 5 volumes: vol. 2: 565.

    Bauhans (1913) Verh. Nat. Ver. Heidelberg: 12: 319.

    Beckenkamp (1913) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 51: 492.

    Valeton (1921) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 56: 434.

    Britton (1922) Journal of the Chemical Society, London: 121: 982.

    Friedel (1924) Comptes rendu de l’Académie des sciences de Paris: 179: 796.

    Spangenberg (1925) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 61: 189.

    Spangenberg (1928) Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Geologie und Paleontologie, Heidelberg, Stuttgart. Beil.-Bd.: 57: 1197.

    Alfani (1933) Periodico de Mineralogia-Roma: 4: 395.

    Wendekamm (1933) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 85, 169.

    Lipson and Beevers (1935) Proceeding of the Royal Society, London: 148A: 664.

    Frondel, C. (1940) American Mineralogist: 25: 91.

    Spangenberg and Baldermann-Fiola (1949) Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Monatsh., Abt. A: 113.

    Palache, Charles, Harry Berman & Clifford Frondel (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana Yale University 1837-1892, Seventh edition, Volume II: 472-474.

    Acta Crystallographica (1967): 22: 793.

    Internet Links for Alum-(K)

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

    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.
    Austria
     
    • Salzburg
      • Hallein
        • Dürrnberg
    A. Strasser: Die Minerale Salzburgs, 1989
    • Tyrol
      • North Tyrol
        • Inn valley
    Lapis 19(7/8):13-78 (1994)
    Bolivia
     
    • Potosí Department
      • Cerro Huañaquino
    Salomon Rivas & Federico Ahlfeld (1998) Los Minerales de Bolivia y sus Parajes. (Santa Cruz)
      • Daniel Campos Province
        • San Pablo de Napa
    [www.hedegaard.com]
    Chile
     
    • Antofagasta Region
      • El Loa Province
        • Calama
          • 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: 473.
    China
     
    • Guizhou Province
      • Qianxi'nan Autonomous Prefecture
        • Xingren Co.
    Acta Mineral. Sinica: 21(3):271-277, in Chinese, English abs.
    Germany
     
    • Baden-Württemberg
      • Black Forest
        • Wolfach
          • Oberwolfach
            • Rankach valley
    Walenta, K. (1992): Die Mineralien des Schwarzwaldes. Chr. Weise Verlag, München, 336 pp. (in German)
        • Zell am Harmersbach
          • Biberach
    Aufschluss 1984(1), 1-5
    • Hesse
      • North Hesse
        • Richelsdorf District
          • Süss
            • Richelsdorf Smelter
    S. Weiß: "Mineralfundstellen, Deutschland West", Weise (Munich), 1992
    • North Rhine-Westphalia
      • Aachen
        • Alsdorf
    Blaß, G. and Graf, H.-W. (1996): Neue mineralogische Erkenntnisse und neue Funde aus Eifel, Schwarzwald und Siegerland. Mineralien-Welt 7 (2), 55-64. (in German)
    • Saarland
      • Saar coal mining area
        • Saarbrücken
          • Dudweiler (Duttweiler)
    H. Schneider: "Saarland", Sammlung geologischer Führer Vol. 84, Borntraeger (Berlin, Stuttgart), 1991
    • Thuringia
      • Gera
        • Ronneburg U deposit
    T. Witzke & F. Rüger: Lapis 1998(7/8), 26-64
    Hungary
     
    • Baranya Co.
      • Mecsek Mts.
        • Komló
    Geoda 2007/1
    • Heves Co.
      • Mátra Mts.
        • Parádfürdő
    Own collecting and analysed(2005)
    Geoda,2005
    Italy
     
    • Campania
      • Naples Province
        • Somma-Vesuvius Complex
    Russo, M., 2006: I minerali di formazione fumarolica della grande eruzione vesuviana del 1906
    Russo, M., Punzo, I. (2004): I minerali del Somma-Vesuvio, AMI
      • Phlegrean Volcanic complex
        • Naples Province
          • Phlegrean Fields
            • Cape Miseno
    [Klaproth, M.H. (1795): Untersuchung des natürlichen Alauns von Miseno, Beiträge zur chemischen Kenntniss der Mineralkörper, Erster Band, Rottmann Berlin, pp 311] [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: 467, 473, 620]
    • Latium
      • Rome Province
        • Campagnano di Roma
          • Sacrofano
    A. del Caldo, C. Moro, C.M. Gramaccioli, M. Boscardin: Guida ai Minerali - Fabbri ed. 1973
    • Sicily
      • Messina Province
        • Lipari
          • Eolie Islands (Aeolian Islands)
            • Vulcano Island
              • Porto Levante
    COSSA A. (1881) : Ricerche chimiche e microscopiche su roccie e minerali d'Italia. Allume potassico dell' Isola Vulcano. - Regia Stazione Agraria Sperimentale di Torino - Tip. V. Bona.
    COSSA A. (1881) : Ricerche chimiche e microscopiche su roccie e minerali d'Italia. Allume potassico dell'Isola Vulcano. - Regia Stazione Agraria Sperimentale di Torino - Tip. V. Bona.
    COSSA A. (1881) : Ricerche chimiche e microscopiche su roccie e minerali d'Italia. Allume potassico dell' Isola Vulcano. - Regia Stazione Agraria Sperimentale di Torino - Tip. V. Bona.
    • Tuscany
      • Siena Province
        • Chiusdino
    Brizzi G., Ciselli I, Santucci A. (1985) - Le Cetine di Cotorniano: storia e mineralogia - Riv. Miner. Ital., 9(1): 1-12; 9(2): 55-64; 9(3): 89-99
    Japan
     
    • Nansei Archipelago
      • Kagoshima Prefecture
        • Yakushima-cho
          • Kuchierabu Island (Kuchinoerabu Island)
    Alfredo Petrov collection; July 2008 field trip.
    Norway
     
    • Svalbard
      • Spitsbergen
    L. Kruszewski specimen
    Poland
     
    • Lower Silesia (Dolnośląskie)
      • Lubań District
    Berg G. 1935: Erläuterungen zu Blatt Lauban. Geol. Karte v. Preussen und benachbarten deutschen Ländern 1:25 000. Lief 333. Preuss. Geol. Landesanst. Berlin
    South Africa
     
    • Mpumalanga Province
      • Nelspruit District
    Martini, J.E.J. et al (1997), "Mbobo Mkulu Cave, South Africa", in "Cave Minerals of the World" (1997)
    UK
     
    • England
      • North Yorkshire
    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: 473.
    USA
     
    • Arizona
      • Coconino Co.
        • San Franciscan volcanic field (San Francisco Peaks; San Francisco Mts)
    Hanson, S. L., A. U. Fastner, W. B. Simmons (2008) Mineralogy of the Fumerole deposits at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, Northern Arizona. Rocks & Mnerals 83:6 pp 534-544.
    • California
      • Contra Costa Co.
        • Nortonville
    Dana 7:II:473.
      • Lake Co.
        • Clear Lake Oaks
          • Clear Lake
    Dana 7:I:143; Dana 7:II:473.
      • San Bernardino Co.
        • Calico Mts
          • Calico District
            • Borate
    Between the Basins:Exp. Western Mojave & Southern Basin, Range Province, Cal State U.,Desert Studies Consortium, April, 2000
    • Colorado
      • Delta Co.
    "Minerals of Colorado, updated & revised", p. 13, by Eckel, Edwin B., 1997
      • Jefferson Co.
    Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
    • Nevada
      • Esmeralda Co.
        • Alum District
    NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada; Uwe Kolitsch (SXRD-analysis; confirmed ID)
    • Ohio
      • Sciota Co.
    Minerals of Ohio Bull. 69 ODNR
      • Summit Co.
        • Cuyahoga Falls
          • Cuyahoga Gorge Park
    Minerals of Ohio Bull. 69 ODNR
        • Twinsburg township
    Minerals of Ohio Bull. 69 ODNR
    • Pennsylvania
      • Lancaster Co.
        • Martic Township
    Reed, Juliet C. (1976), Annotated Biblio. of Mins. New to the PA List 1965-1974, The Min. Soc. of PA, Inc.: 65; Gordon, S. G. (1922), Mineralogy of PA: 146; Montgomery, Arthur (Jan, 1963), "Gordon's PA Min. List," in PA Mins. (PM), PM (3), Keystone Newsletter
      • Schuylkill Co.
    Reed, Juliet C. (1976), Annotated Biblio. of Mins. New to the PA List 1965-1974, The Mineralogical Soc. of PA, Inc.: 19 & 23, 59, 65-66; Downey, W. F., Jr. (1974), "Geol. Conditions in Burning Anthracite-NE PA," Geol. Soc. Am. Abstracts w. Programs, Vol. 5(1):19-20;
    • Tennessee
      • Sevier Co.
        • Great Smoky Mts
    Jan H.Bernard and Jaroslav Hyrsl,2004, Minerals and their Localities, pg 480.
    • Utah
      • Sevier Co.
        • Antelope Range
          • Henry District
    UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
    Mineral and/or Locality
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