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Tamarugite

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Big Photo

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

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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
Analytical 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.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.25Pertlikite
K
 
2
(Fe
2+
 
,Mg)
 
2
Mg
 
4
Fe
3+
2
Al(SO
 
4
)
 
12
 · 18H
 
2
O
7.CC.25Ammoniomagnesiovoltaite
(NH
 
4
)
 
2
Mg
2+
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
 · 15H
 
2
O
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(SO
 
4
)(OH) · 5H
 
2
O
25.6.2Jurbanite
Al(SO
 
4
)(OH) · 5H
 
2
O
25.6.3Khademite
Al(SO
 
4
)F · 5H
 
2
O
25.6.4Meta-aluminite
Al
 
2
(SO
 
4
)(OH)
 
4
 · 5H
 
2
O
25.6.5Aluminite
Al
 
2
(SO
 
4
)(OH)
 
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
(SO
 
4
)(OH)
 
10
 · 4H
 
2
O
25.6.9Basaluminite
25.6.10Hydrobasaluminite
Al
 
4
(SO
 
4
)(OH)
 
10
 · 12-36H
 
2
O
25.6.11Zaherite
Al
 
12
(SO
 
4
)
 
5
(OH)
 
26
 · 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
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
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
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
25.6.19Minamiite
(Na,Ca
 
0.5
,K)Al
 
3
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
25.6.20Tschermigite
(NH
 
4
)Al(SO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 12H
 
2
O
Other Names for Tamarugite
Synonyms:
Lapparentite
Other Languages:
German:Tamarugit
Russian:Тамаругит
Simplified Chinese:斜钠明矾
三斜钠明矾
三斜钠茂
Spanish: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
    






    


    

    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.

    Antarctica
     
    

    • Western Antarctica
    
    		Barczuk A. & Tatur A. 2003: BIOGENIC PHOSPHATE AND SULPHATE MINERALS IN THESOILS OF ANTARCTIC PENINSULA. Mineralogical Society of Poland - Special Papers, vol. 23, pp. 41-43
    Australia
     
    

    • Victoria
    

    Chile
     
    

    • Antofagasta Region
    

      • Antofagasta Province
    

        • Sierra Gorda District
    
    		Samples analysed by Dr. Jochen Schluter, Curator of Hamburg Mineralogical Museum, Germany
    




          • 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
    




	Malcherek, T. & Schlüter, J. (2010): Anatacamite from La Vendida mine, Sierra Gorda, Atacama desert, Chile: a triclinic polymorph of Cu2(OH)3Cl. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie - Abhandlungen, 187, 307-312.
    


      • 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.; Kampf, A.R.; Mills, S.J.; Housley, R.M.; Williams, P.A.; Dini, M. (2012): Alcaparrosaite, K3Ti4+Fe3+(SO4)4O(H2O)2, a new hydrophobic Ti4+ sulfate from Alcaparrosa, Chile. Mineralogical Magazine 76, 851-861.
    




          • 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: 467.
    





            • Toki Cu deposit (Toki Cluster)
    
    		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.
    

    • 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
    China
     
    

    • Xinjiang (Xinjiang-Uygur) Autonomous Region
    

      • Tulufan (Turfan; Turpan) Prefecture
    

        • Shanshan (Piqan; Pichan) Co.
    

          • Kanggur-Xifengshan gold belt
    
    		Zhaoxin Han, Lijun Luan, and Chaoyou Wang (2004): Journal of Xi'an University of Science and Technology 24(3), 324-327; Kaiyin Bai and Zhaoxin Han (2007): Northwestern Geology 40(2), 114-117
    Cyprus
     
    

    • Nicosia District (Lefkoşa District; Lefkosia 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
     
    
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
    
    		Analyses Thomas Witzke
    


      • 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
    Iran
     
    

    • Yazd Province
    

      • Saghand (Sagand; Saqand)
    
    		Bariand, P., Cesbron, F. & Berthelon, J. P. (1977): Iron sulfates of Saghand near Yazd (Iran). Memoire Hors-Série de la Société Géologique de France 8, 77-85.
    Italy
     
    

    • Campania
    

      • Phlegrean Volcanic complex
    

        • 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
    

        • Eolie Islands (Aeolian Islands)
    

          • Lipari
    

            • 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
    

      • 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 Region
    

      • Oita prefecture
    

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



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

    • Kermadec Islands
    
    		de Ronde, C.E.J.; Hannington, M.D.; Stoffers, P.; Wright, I.C.; Ditchburn, R.G.; Reyes, A.G.; Baker, E.T.; Massoth, G.J.; Lupton, J.E.; Walker, S.L.; Greene, R.R.; Soong, C.W.R.; Ishibashi, J.; Lebon, G.T.; Bray, C.J.; Resing, J.A. 2005 Evolution of a submarine magmatic-hydrothermal system : Brothers volcano, southern Kermadec arc, New Zealand. Economic geology, 100(6): 1097-1133
    

    • North Island
    

      • Bay of Plenty
    
    		Mackenzie, K, et al, Min Mag Vol 59
    Poland
     
    

    • Lower Silesia (Dolnośląskie)
    

      • Turoszow
    
    		Stepisiewicz, M. (1983): Sideronatrite and copiapite from Turoszow, Lower Silesia. Archiwum Mineralogiczne 38, 35-44 (in Polish).      
    Romania
     
    

    • Caraş-Severin Co.
    

      • Cerna valley
    
    		Pušcaš, C. M.; Onac, B. P.; Effenberger, H. S.; Povarǎ, I. (2005): Tamarugite from Diana Cave (SW Romania) -first true karst occurrence.EGU General Assembly 2012, held 22-27 April, 2012 in Vienna, Austria., p.5305
    

    • Hunedoara Co.
    

      • Cerna valley
    
    		Onac, B. P. (2009): ACTA CARSOLOGICA 38/1, 27-39
    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
    Switzerland
     
    

    • Vaud (Waadt)
    

      • Bex
    
    		Stalder, H. A., Wagner, A., Graeser, S. and Stuker, P. (1998): "Mineralienlexikon der Schweiz", Wepf (Basel), p. 400.
    UK
     
    

    • England
    

      • Co. Durham
    

        • Billingham
    
    		Mineralogical Magazine 1959 32 : 172-175.
    


      • Isle of Wight
    

        • Freshwater
    
    		Mineralogical Magazine 1998 62 : 371-372
    Ukraine
     
    

    • Crimea Oblast'
    

      • Crimea peninsula
    

        • Balaklava area
    
    		Dobrovolskaya T.I., Polkanov Y.A. The Paleovolcano Fiolent. Giude (2004) - Simferopol, 2004, 19 p. (in Russ.)  Oleg V. Zinchenko at al. (2008).The mineralogy of seasonal sulfates in the cape Fiolent - Zapiski Ukrainskogo Mineralogichnogo Tovaristva (Proceeding Ukrainian Mineralogical Society), 2008, #5, p. 75-83 (in Ukr.)
    


      • Simferopol area
    

        • Petropavlovka Village area
    
    		A. Tischenko. Minerals of the Crimea - World of stones, 1996, #9, p. 9-18
    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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