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Aurorite

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Aurora mine, Sacramento District, White Pine Co., Nevada, USA
© 2008 Jesse Crawford

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Formula:
(Mn
2+
 
,Ag,Ca)Mn
4+
3
O
 
7
 · 3H
 
2
O
System:TrigonalColour:Black, pale brown in ...
Lustre:MetallicHardness:2 - 3
Member of:Chalcophanite Group
Name:For the type locality.
This page provides mineralogical data about Aurorite.

Classification of Aurorite

IMA status:Approved
Strunz 8th edition ID:4/F.11-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:4.FL.20

4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
F : Hydroxides (without V or U)
L : Hydroxides with H2O +- (OH); sheets of edge-sharing octahedra
Dana 7th edition ID:7.8.2.2
Dana 8th edition ID:7.8.2.2

7 : MULTIPLE OXIDES
8 : AB3X7
Hey's CIM Ref.:7.18.12

7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
18 : Oxides of Mn
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Type Occurrence of Aurorite

Type Locality:North Aurora mine, Summit area, Treasure Hill, Silver Belt, White Pine District, White Pine Co., Nevada, USA
General Appearance of Type Material:Small, irregular masses and platy or scaly grains, to 8 µm
Year of Discovery:1967
Geological Setting of type material:In veinlets filling microfractures in manganoan calcite
Associated Minerals at type locality:
TodorokiteSilverQuartzPyrolusiteManganoan Calcite
CryptomelaneChlorargyrite

Physical Properties of Aurorite

Lustre:Metallic
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Opaque
Colour:Black, pale brown in transmitted light at the edges of very thin, platy grains
Hardness (Mohs):2 - 3
Density (calculated):3.81 g/cm3

Crystallography of Aurorite

Crystal System:Trigonal
Cell Parameters:a = 7.514Å, c = 20.734Å
Ratio:a:c = 1 : 2.759
Unit Cell Volume:V 1,013.81 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:2
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
Image Loading

Radiation - Copper Kα
Data Set:
Horizontal Axis: ° to ° Vertical Axis: % Source Data: Filtered Data:
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
d-spacingIntensity
6.94 (10)
4.06 (5)
3.46 (7)
2.54 (5)
2.45 (4)
2.23 (5)
1.429 (5)
(
Comments:Recorded on type material. The pattern is nearly indistinguishable from those of Chalcophanite and Jianshuiite.

Optical Data of Aurorite

Type:Biaxial
Type:Anisotropic
Anisotropism:Yellow-grey to brownish grey
Bireflectance:Strong, cream-white to medium black
Reflectivity:
400 nmR1=10.4%R2= 36.5%
420 nmR1=10.3%R2= 35.3%
440 nmR1=10.2%R2= 34.0%
460 nmR1=9.99%R2= 32.4%
480 nmR1=9.67%R2= 30.6%
500 nmR1=9.49%R2= 29.2%
520 nmR1=9.31%R2= 27.8%
540 nmR1=9.16%R2= 26.6%
560 nmR1=9.11%R2= 25.6%
580 nmR1=8.93%R2= 24.9%
600 nmR1=8.88%R2= 24.5%
620 nmR1=8.87%R2= 24.0%
640 nmR1=8.85%R2= 23.7%
660 nmR1=8.84%R2= 23.4%
680 nmR1=8.82%R2= 22.9%
700 nmR1=8.80%R2= 22.7%


Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 36.5%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red

Chemical Properties of Aurorite

Formula:
(Mn
2+
 
,Ag,Ca)Mn
4+
3
O
 
7
 · 3H
 
2
O
Essential elements:H, Mn, O
All elements listed in formula:Ag, Ca, H, Mn, O
Analytical Data:Electron microprobe analysis of type material; Mn content (44.02 wt.-%) partitioned as MnO2 (59.99 wt.-%) by analogy to chalcophanite, the remainder reported as MnO; water content calculated from the mass balance
MnO2 (59.99)
SiO2 (0.11)
Al2O3 (0.15)
Fe2O3 (0.07)
MnO (7.89)
NiO (0.03)
CuO (1.06)
ZnO (0.25)
PbO (1.30)
MgO (0.12)
CaO (2.50)
BaO (3.07)
Na2O (0.07)
K2O (1.11)
Ag2O (7.50)
H2O (14.78)

sum 100.00 wt.-%
Empirical Formula:
(Mn
2+
0.48
Ag
 
0.28
Ca
 
0.19
K
 
0.10
Ba
 
0.06
Cu
 
0.06
Pb
 
0.02
Mg
 
0.01
Zn
 
0.01
)
 
=1.21
Mn
4+
2.97
O
 
7
 · 3.53H
 
2
O

Relationship of Aurorite to other Species

Member of:Chalcophanite Group
Other Members of Group:

- +
Chalcophanite
(Zn,Fe,Mn)Mn
 
3
O
 
7
 · 3H
 
2
O
Jianshuiite
(Mg,Mn)Mn
 
3
O
 
7
 · 3H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
4.FL.Trébeurdenite
Fe
2+
2
Fe
3+
4
O
 
2
(OH)
 
10
CO
 
3
·3H
 
2
O
4.FL.05Woodallite
Mg
 
6
Cr
 
2
(OH)
 
16
Cl
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
4.FL.05Iowaite
Mg
 
6
Fe
3+
2
(OH)
 
16
Cl
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
4.FL.05Jamborite
(Ni
2+
 
,Ni
3+
 
,Co,Fe)(OH)
 
2
(OH,S,H
 
2
O)
4.FL.05Meixnerite
Mg
 
6
Al
 
2
(OH)
 
16
(OH)
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
4.FL.05Muskoxite
Mg
 
7
Fe
 
4
O
 
13
 · 10H
 
2
O
4.FL.05Fougèrite
Fe
2+
4
Fe
3+
2
(OH)
 
12
[CO
 
3
]·3H
 
2
O
4.FL.10Hydrocalumite
Ca
 
8
Al
 
4
(OH)
 
12
(Cl,CO
 
3
,OH)
 
2-x
 · 4H
 
2
O
4.FL.15Kuzelite
Ca
 
4
Al
 
2.4
(OH)
 
12
[SO
 
4
] · 6H
 
2
O
4.FL.20Chalcophanite
(Zn,Fe,Mn)Mn
 
3
O
 
7
 · 3H
 
2
O
4.FL.20Ernienickelite
NiMn
 
3
O
 
7
 · 3H
 
2
O
4.FL.20Jianshuiite
(Mg,Mn)Mn
 
3
O
 
7
 · 3H
 
2
O
4.FL.25Woodruffite
Zn(Mn
4+
 
,Mn
3+
 
)
 
5
O
 
10
·3½H
 
2
O
4.FL.30Asbolane
(Ni,Co)
 
2-x
Mn
4+
 
(O,OH)
 
4
 · nH
 
2
O
4.FL.35Buserite
Na
 
4
Mn
 
14
O
 
27
 · 21H
 
2
O
4.FL.40Ranciéite
(Ca,Mn)Mn
 
4
O
 
9
 · 3H
 
2
O
4.FL.40Takanelite
(Mn,Ca)Mn
 
4
O
 
9
 · H
 
2
O
4.FL.45Birnessite
(Na,Ca)
 
0.5
(Mn
4+
 
,Mn
3+
 
)
 
2
O
 
4
 · 1.5H
 
2
O
4.FL.55Cianciulliite
Mn(Mg,Mn)
 
2
Zn
 
2
(OH)
 
10
 · 2-4H
 
2
O
4.FL.60Jensenite
Cu
 
3
[TeO
 
6
] · 2H
 
2
O
4.FL.65Leisingite
Cu(Mg,Cu,Fe,Zn)
 
2
[TeO
 
6
] · 6H
 
2
O
4.FL.70Akdalaite
4Al
 
2
O
 
3
 · H
 
2
O
4.FL.75Cafetite
(Ca,Mg)(Fe,Al)
 
2
Ti
 
4
O
 
12
 · 4H
 
2
O
4.FL.80Mourite
UMo
 
5
O
 
12
(OH)
 
10
4.FL.85Deloryite
Cu
 
4
(UO
 
2
)(MoO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
7.18.1Manganosite
MnO
7.18.2Hausmannite
MnMn
 
2
O
 
4
7.18.3Pyrolusite
MnO
 
2
7.18.4Ramsdellite
Mn
4+
 
O
 
2
7.18.5Akhtenskite
ε-Mn
4+
 
O
 
2
7.18.6Feitknechtite
Mn
3+
 
O(OH)
7.18.7Manganite
Mn
3+
 
O(OH)
7.18.8Groutite
Mn
3+
 
O(OH)
7.18.9Nsutite
(Mn
4+
 
,Mn
2+
 
)(O,OH)
 
2
7.18.10Pyrochroite
Mn(OH)
 
2
7.18.11Birnessite
(Na,Ca)
 
0.5
(Mn
4+
 
,Mn
3+
 
)
 
2
O
 
4
 · 1.5H
 
2
O
7.18.13Cianciulliite
Mn(Mg,Mn)
 
2
Zn
 
2
(OH)
 
10
 · 2-4H
 
2
O

Other Names for Aurorite

Other Languages:
German:Aurorit
Japanese:オローラ鉱
Simplified Chinese:黑银锰矿
Spanish:Aurorita

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 Aurorite

Reference List:

- +
Radtke, A. S., Taylor, C. M. and Hewett, D. F. (1967): Aurorite, argentian todorokite, and hydrous silver-bearing lead manganese oxide. Econ. Geol. 62, 186-206. - American Mineralogist (1967) 52, 1581 (abstract).

Grice, J. D., Gartrell, B., Gault, R. A. and Van Velthuizen, J. (1994): Ernienickelite, NiMn3O7 . 3H2O, a new mineral species from the Siberia complex, Western Australia: comments on the chalcophanite group. Canadian Mineralogist 32, 333-337.

Criddle, A. J. and Stanley, C. J., Eds. (1993): Quantitative data file for ore minerals, 3rd. ed., Chapman & Hall (London), 29.

Anthony, J. W. e t al. (1997): Handbook of Mineralogy, Vol. 3, 30.

Internet Links for Aurorite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Aurorite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    • Localities for Aurorite

    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.
    Australia
     
    • South Australia
      • Mt Lofty Ranges
        • North Mt Lofty Ranges
          • Kapunda
    		 V. Peisley & P. Elliott in prep
    Greece
     
    • Attikí (Attica; Attika) Prefecture
      • Lavrion (Laurion; Laurium) District
        • Lavrion District Mines
          • Agios Konstantinos [St Constantine] (Kamariza)
    		No reference listed
    Japan
     
    • Honshu Island
      • Chubu Region
        • Shizuoka Prefecture
          • Shimoda City
            • Rendaiji
    		Matsubara & Kato (1981) Memoirs of the National Science Museum (Japan), 14, 5-18; The Mineral Species of Japan (5th ed)
    South Africa
     
    • Gauteng Province
    		Minerals of South Africa
    USA
     
    • Arizona
      • Cochise Co.
        • Dragoon Mts
          • Turquoise District (Courtland-Gleeson District)
            • Gleeson
              • Costello Mine group (Costello claims)
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 123.
      • Greenlee Co.
        • Ash Peak District (Twin Peaks District)
          • Duncan
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 124.
        • Shannon Mts
          • Copper Mountain District (Clifton-Morenci District)
            • Morenci
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 124.
      • Yuma Co.
        • Kofa Mts (S.H. Mts)
          • Kofa District
            • Kofa Game Range
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 124, 165, 240, 343, 398.
        • Little Horn Mts
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 124; Cousins, N.B. (1972), Relationship of black calcite to gold and silver mineralization in the Sheep Tanks mining district, Yuma Co., AZ, AZ State Univ. M.S. thesis.
    • Nevada
      • Nye Co.
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
      • Storey Co.
        • Comstock District
          • Comstock Lode
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
      • White Pine Co.
        • White Pine District
          • Silver Belt
            • Treasure Hill
              • Summit area
    		NBMG Spec Pub 31 Minerals of Nevada
    NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    • New Jersey
      • Sussex Co.
        • Franklin Mining District
          • Ogdensburg
            • Sterling Hill
    		Dunn(1995):Pt4:584.
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