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Walthierite

Formula:
BaAl
 
6
[(OH)
 
3
|SO
 
4
]
 
4
System:TrigonalColour:White, light yellow
Hardness:3 - 4
Name:Named after Thomas N. Walthier, geologist who played a significant role in the exploration of the El Indio and Tambo mining districts, Coquimbo region (Chile).


Alunite Group

Classification of Walthierite

IMA status:Approved 1991
Strunz 8th edition ID:6/B.11-45
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
Dana 8th edition ID:30.2.4.7

30 : ANHYDROUS SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
2 : (AB)2(XO4)Zq
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Type Occurrence of Walthierite

Type Locality:Retna vein, Tambo Mine, El Indio deposit, Elqui Province, Coquimbo Region, Chile
Year of Discovery:1992

Physical Properties of Walthierite

Lustre:Waxy, Earthy
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Colour:White, light yellow
Hardness (Mohs):3 - 4

Crystallography of Walthierite

Crystal System:Trigonal

Optical Data of Walthierite

Type:Uniaxial (+)
RI values: nω = 1.588 nε = 1.604
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.016

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

Chemical Properties of Walthierite

Formula:
BaAl
 
6
[(OH)
 
3
|SO
 
4
]
 
4
Essential elements:Al, Ba, H, O, S
All elements listed in formula:Al, Ba, H, O, S

Relationship of Walthierite 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.10Natroalunite
(Na,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.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

Other Names for Walthierite

Synonyms:
IMA1991-008
German names:
Walthierit
Spanish names:
Walthierita

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 Walthierite

Reference List:Li, G. Peacor, D. R., Essene, E. J., Brosnahan, D. R. & Beane R. E. (1992): Walthierite, Ba0.5[]0.5Al3(SO4)2(OH)6, and huangite, Ca0.5[]0.5Al3(SO4)2(OH)6, two new minerals of the alunite group from the Coquimbo region, Chile. American Mineralogist: 77: 1275-1284.

New Minerals (1997), New Minerals 1990-1994.

Internet Links for Walthierite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
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  • Search for Walthierite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
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    Localities for Walthierite

    (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.
    Chile
     
    • Coquimbo Region
      • Elqui Province
        • El Indio deposit
          • Tambo Mine
    		Amer.Min.(1992) 77, 1275-1284
    Mineral and/or Locality
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