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Tamarugite

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Willi Agatz Mine, Dresden, Saxony, Germany
© Thomas Witzke

Show Tamarugite Photos (6)
Formula:
NaAl(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·6H
 
2
O
System:MonoclinicColour:Colourless; colourless ...
Hardness:3
Name:Named after its discovery locality, Cerro Pintados, Tamarugal Pampa, Tarapaca, Chile.
This page provides mineralogical data about Tamarugite.

Classification of Tamarugite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:6/C.15-20
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:7.CC.10

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:29.5.3.1

29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
5 : AB(XO4)2·xH2O
Hey's CIM Ref.:25.6.12

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

Type Locality:Cerros Pintados ("Cerro Pintados"), Pampa del Tamarugal, Iquique Province, Tarapacá Region, Chile
Year of Discovery:1889

Occurrences of Tamarugite

Geological Setting:Occurs under arid conditions by the oxidation of sulphides in aluminous and alkali-rich environments.

Physical Properties of Tamarugite

Lustre:Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Colour:Colourless; colourless in transmitted light.
Hardness (Mohs):3
Cleavage:Perfect
On {010}, perfect; not easy.
Density (measured):2.07 g/cm3

Crystallography of Tamarugite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Class (H-M):2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:a = 7.35Å, b = 25.22Å, c = 6.09Å
β = 95.2°
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.291 : 1 : 0.241
Unit Cell Volume:V 1,124.24 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:Crystals short tabular {010} or short prismatic [001]. Fibrous or fine-grained massive.

Optical Data of Tamarugite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.484 nβ = 1.486 nγ = 1.497
2V:Measured: 60° , Calculated: 48°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.013

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Moderate
Dispersion:r > v to r < v strong

Chemical Properties of Tamarugite

Formula:
NaAl(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·6H
 
2
O
Essential elements:Al, H, Na, O, S
All elements listed in formula:Al, H, Na, O, S
Analyical Data:Soluble in water.
Relationship of Tamarugite to other Species
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):
7.CC.05Krausite
KFe(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·H
 
2
O
7.CC.10Amarillite
NaFe(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-(K)
KAl[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.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.60Konyaite
Na
 
2
Mg(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·5H
 
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.65Wattevilleite
Na
 
2
Ca(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·4H
 
2
O (?)
7.CC.70Leightonite
K
 
2
Ca
 
2
Cu(SO
 
4
)
 
4
·2H
 
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
] · 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
25.6.13Mendozite
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
25.6.17Alum-(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 Tamarugite
Synonyms:
Lapparentite
German names:
Tamarugit
Russian names:
Тамаругит
Spanish names:
Tamarugita
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 Tamarugite
Reference List:Schulze (1889) Verh. Ver. Santiago: 2: 56.



Zambonini (1907) Reale accademia delle scienze fisische e matematiche, Naples. Rendus: 46: 321.



Ungemach (1935) Bulletin de la Société française de Minéralogie: 58: 209 (as Lapparentite).



Bandy (1938) American Mineralogist: 23: 740. (as Lapparentite)



Gordon (1940) Academy of Sciences, Philadelphia, Notulae Naturae No. 57.



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.: 466-468.



American Mineralogist (1966): 51: 1805.



American Mineralogist (1969): 54: 19-30.



American Mineralogist (1971): 56: 2159.



Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Monatshefte (1987): 171.
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    Localities for Tamarugite
    
	






    


    

    
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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
     
    

    • Victoria
    

    Chile
     
    

    • Antofagasta Region
    

      • 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: 467.
    



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.
    



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: 467.
    



Dana 7:II:457.
    


      • Tocopilla Province
    

        • Sierra Gorda District
    

          • Caracoles
    
    		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: 467; maurizio dini collection
    




M.Dini & A.Molina collections-analysed material
    

    • 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: 467.
    

    • Tarapacá Region
    

      • Iquique Province
    

        • Pampa del Tamarugal
    
    		NJMM (1987), 171; Peter G. Seroka collection
    Cyprus
     
    

    • Nicosia District
    

      • Skouriotissa
    
    		Dana 7:II: 465,467.
    Czech Republic
     
    

    • Bohemia (Böhmen; Boehmen)
    

      • Liberec Region
    
    		Scharm, B.: Přehled minerálů nalezených v oblasti uranových koncentrací v severočeské křídě. Bulletin mineralogicko-petrografického oddělení Národního muzea v Praze, 1995, roč. 3, s. 169-172. 
    French West Indies
     
    

    • Lesser Antilles
    

      • Guadeloupe
    
    		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.
    Germany
     
    

    • North Rhine-Westphalia
    

      • Aachen
    

        • Alsdorf
    
    		Aufschluss 77(2), 70-72
    


      • Ruhr Coal Mining area
    

        • Bottrop
    
    		Weiss: "Mineralfundstellen, Deutschland West", 1990
    



        • Herne
    
    		No reference listed
    

    • Saxony
    

      • Dresden
    

        • Freital
    
    		Thalheim, K.; Reichel, W. & Witzke, T. (1991): Die Minerale des Döhlener Beckens.- Schriften des Staatlichen Museums für Mineralogie und Geologie zu Dresden, Nr. 3
    


Thalheim, K.; Reichel, W. & Witzke, T. (1991): Die Minerale des Döhlener Beckens.- Schriften des Staatlichen Museums für Mineralogie und Geologie zu Dresden, Nr. 3
    Greece
     
    

    • Attikí (Attica; Attika) Prefecture
    

      • Lavrion (Laurion; Laurium) District
    

        • Lavrion District Mines
    

          • Plaka
    

            • Plaka Mines
    
    		No reference listed
    Hungary
     
    

    • Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén Co.
    

      • Borsodi Mts.
    

    

    • Heves Co.
    

      • Bükk Mts.
    
    		ACTA MIN. PETR. Suppl. Tomus XXXVIII., 1997
    


      • Mátra Mts.
    

        • Recsk
    
    		HOM Collection,2006
    Italy
     
    

    • Campania
    

      • Naples Province
    

        • Phlegrean Fields
    

          • Cape Miseno
    
    		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.
    

    • Sardinia
    

      • Medio Campidano Province
    

        • Furtei
    
    		Da Pelo, S. & Frau, F (2000): Magnesian aubertite, (Cu,Mg)Al(SO4)2Cl·14H4O, from the gold mine of Furtei in Sardinia, Italy. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Monatshefte, 2000(6), 279-288. 
    

    • Sicily
    

      • Messina Province
    

        • Lipari
    

          • Eolie Islands (Aeolian Islands)
    

            • Vulcano Island
    

              • Porto Levante
    
    		LOMBARDI G., SPOSATO A. (1981): Tamarugite from Vulcano, Aeolian Islands, Italy. - Canadian Mineralogist - 19, 403-407.
    






LOMBARDI G., SPOSATO A. (1981): Tamarugite from Vulcano, Aeolian Islands, Italy. - Canadian Mineralogist - 19, 403-407.
    






LOMBARDI G., SPOSATO A. (1981): Tamarugite from Vulcano, Aeolian Islands, Italy. - Canadian Mineralogist - 19, 403-407.
    





LOMBARDI G., SPOSATO A. (1981): Tamarugite from Vulcano, Aeolian Islands, Italy. - Canadian Mineralogist - 19, 403-407.
    

    • Tuscany
    

      • Siena Province
    

        • Chiusdino
    
    		Mineralogical Record, 15 (1), 27-36.
    Japan
     
    

    • Hokkaido Island
    

      • Iburi Province
    
    		Matsubara, S. et al (2002) Sublimates of Usu Volcano, Hokkaido, Japan (2002 annual meeting of Japanese Association of Mineralogists, Petrologists and Economic Geologists)
    

    • Kyushu Island
    

      • Oita prefecture
    

        • Beppu
    
    		Minakawa (1994) Chigaku Kenkyu, 43, 195-199.
    



Minakawa (1994) Chigaku Kenkyu, 43, 195-199.
    Spain
     
    

    • Asturias
    

      • Gozon
    
    		Calvo, M., Viñals, J. & González, J.R. (2007). The presencie of tamarugite in the cliffs of llumeres (Asturias). Mineral Up, 2007-2, 49-52
    USA
     
    
AmMin 20:537
    


      • Callaway Co.
    

        • Fulton
    
    		Rocks & Min., March 1998.
    


      • St. Louis 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: 467; Rocks & Minerals: 73(2): 98-117.
    

    


    

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