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Zaïrite

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Eta-Etu, Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
© Van King




Formula:
Bi(Fe
3+
 
,Al)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
System:TrigonalColour:Green, light olive green
Hardness:4½
Member of:Florencite Group
Name:Named after its discovery locality, Eta-Etu, Kivu, Congo (Zaïre).


Alunite Supergroup; Florencite Group.
The ferric iron analogue of waylandite.

Medium to light olive-green irregular plates.

Classification of Zaïrite

IMA status:Approved 1975
Strunz 8th edition ID:7/B.36-170
Strunz 9th edition ID:8.DL.10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:8.BL.13

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
L : With medium-sized and large cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 = 3:1
Dana 8th edition ID:41.5.12.3

41 : ANHYDROUS PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
5 : (AB)2(XO4)Zq
Hey's CIM Ref.:19.14.33

19 : Phosphates
14 : Phosphates of Fe and other metals
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Type Occurrence of Zaïrite

Type Locality:Eta-Etu, Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
General Appearance of Type Material:Medium to light olive green irregular plates.
Year of Discovery:1975
Geological Setting of type material:Granite pegmatite.
Associated Minerals at type locality:
QuartzQuartzQuartz

Physical Properties of Zaïrite

Lustre:Waxy, Dull
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Translucent
Colour:Green, light olive green
Streak:White
Hardness (Mohs):4½
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:None Observed
Fracture:Irregular/Uneven
Density (calculated):4.42 g/cm3

Crystallography of Zaïrite

Crystal System:Trigonal
Class (H-M):3m (3 2/m) - Hexagonal Scalenohedral
Space Group:P3 1m {P3 1 2/m}
Cell Parameters:a = 7.015Å, c = 16.365Å
Ratio:a:c = 1 : 2.333
Unit Cell Volume:V 697.43 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:3
Morphology:Found as irregular intersecting plates (<1 mm), perhaps fracture fillings with original mineral dissolved away.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
d-spacingIntensity
5.71 (100)
4.87 (10)
3.50 (40)
2.95 (90)
2.85 (10)
2.73 (20)
2.16 (10)
1.877 (10)
Comments:29-226

Optical Data of Zaïrite

Type:Uniaxial (-)
RI values: nω = 1.820 - 1.830 nε = 1.810
Birefringence:Weak to moderate
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.010 - 0.020

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

Chemical Properties of Zaïrite

Formula:
Bi(Fe
3+
 
,Al)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
Essential elements:Bi, Fe, H, O, P
All elements listed in formula:Al, Bi, Fe, H, O, P
Common Impurities:Ca,Cu,Ba,S,Si,Te

Relationship of Zaïrite to other Species

Member of:Florencite Group
Other Members of Group:

- +
Arsenoflorencite-(Ce)
CeAl
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
Arsenoflorencite-(La)
(La,Ce,Nd)(Al,Fe
3+
 
)
 
3
(AsO
 
4
,PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
Arsenoflorencite-(Nd)
NdAl
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
Arsenowaylandite
BiAl
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
Florencite-(Ce)
CeAl
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
Florencite-(La)
LaAl
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
Florencite-(Nd)
(Nd,La,Ce)Al
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
Graulichite-(Ce)
CeFe
3+
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
Waylandite
BiAl
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
8.BL.05Beudantite
PbFe
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)(SO
 
4
)(OH)
 
6
8.BL.05Corkite
PbFe
 
3
(PO
 
4
)(SO
 
4
)(OH)
 
6
8.BL.05Hidalgoite
PbAl
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)(SO
 
4
)(OH)
 
6
8.BL.05Hinsdalite
PbAl
 
3
(PO
 
4
)(SO
 
4
)(OH)
 
6
8.BL.05Kemmlitzite
(Sr,Ce)Al
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)(SO
 
4
)(OH)
 
6
8.BL.05Svanbergite
SrAl
 
3
(PO
 
4
)(SO
 
4
)(OH)
 
6
8.BL.05Weilerite
8.BL.05Woodhouseite
CaAl
 
3
(PO
 
4
)(SO
 
4
)(OH)
 
6
8.BL.05Gallobeudantite
PbGa
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)(SO
 
4
)(OH)
 
6
8.BL.10Arsenogoyazite
SrAl
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
5
 · H
 
2
O
8.BL.10Arsenogorceixite
BaAl
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
5
 · H
 
2
O
8.BL.10Arsenocrandallite
CaAl
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
5
 · H
 
2
O
8.BL.10Benauite
SrFe
3+
3
(PO
 
4
,SO
 
4
)(HPO
 
4
,PO
 
4
)(OH)
 
6
8.BL.10Crandallite
CaAl
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
5
 · H
 
2
O
8.BL.10Dussertite
BaFe
3+
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
5
8.BL.10Eylettersite
(Th,Pb)Al
 
3
(PO
 
4
,SiO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
8.BL.10Gorceixite
BaAl
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
5
 · H
 
2
O
8.BL.10Goyazite
SrAl
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
5
 · H
 
2
O
8.BL.10Kintoreite
PbFe
3+
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH,H
 
2
O)
 
6
8.BL.10Philipsbornite
PbAl
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
5
 · H
 
2
O
8.BL.10Plumbogummite
PbAl
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
5
 · H
 
2
O
8.BL.10Segnitite
PbFe
3+
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH,H
 
2
O)
 
6
8.BL.10Springcreekite
BaV
3+
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH,H
 
2
O)
 
6
8.BL.13Arsenoflorencite-(La)
(La,Ce,Nd)(Al,Fe
3+
 
)
 
3
(AsO
 
4
,PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
8.BL.13Arsenoflorencite-(Nd)
NdAl
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
8.BL.13Arsenoflorencite-(Ce)
CeAl
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
8.BL.13Florencite-(Ce)
CeAl
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
8.BL.13Florencite-(La)
LaAl
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
8.BL.13Florencite-(Nd)
(Nd,La,Ce)Al
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
8.BL.13Waylandite
BiAl
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
8.BL.13Arsenowaylandite
BiAl
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
8.BL.13Graulichite-(Ce)
CeFe
3+
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
8.BL.13IMA2009-074
(Sm,Nd)Al
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
8.BL.15Viitaniemiite
Na(Ca,Mn
2+
 
)Al(PO
 
4
)(F,OH)
 
3
8.BL.25Pattersonite
PbFe
3+
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
5
 · H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
19.14.1Cyrilovite
NaFe
3+
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
19.14.2Kidwellite
NaFe
3+
9
(PO
 
4
)
 
6
(OH)
 
11
 · 3H
 
2
O
19.14.3Rosemaryite
(Na,Ca,Mn)(Mn,Fe
2+
 
)(Fe
3+
 
,Mg)Al(PO
 
4
)
 
3
19.14.4Wyllieite
(Na,Ca,Mn)(Mn,Fe)(Fe,Mg)Al(PO
 
4
)
 
3
19.14.5Ferrowyllieite
(Na,Ca,Mn)(Fe,Mn)(Fe,Fe,Mg)Al(PO
 
4
)
 
3
19.14.6Natrodufrénite
NaFe
2+
 
(Fe
3+
 
,Al)
 
5
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
6
 · 2H
 
2
O
19.14.7Leucophosphite
KFe
3+
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH) · 2H
 
2
O
19.14.8Spheniscidite
(NH
 
4
,K)(Fe
3+
 
,Al)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH) · 2H
 
2
O
19.14.9Burangaite
NaFe
2+
 
Al
 
5
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
6
 · 2H
 
2
O
19.14.10Satterlyite
(Fe
2+
 
,Mg,Fe
3+
 
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)(OH,O)
19.14.11Ushkovite
MgFe
3+
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
19.14.12Garyansellite
(Mg,Fe)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH,O) · 1.5H
 
2
O
19.14.13Thadeuite
Ca(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH,F)
 
2
19.14.14Anapaite
Ca
 
2
Fe
2+
 
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
19.14.15Xanthoxenite
Ca
 
4
Fe
3+
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
2
 · 3H
 
2
O
19.14.16Calcioferrite
Ca
 
2
Fe
3+
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH) · 7H
 
2
O
19.14.17Mitridatite
Ca
 
2
Fe
3+
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
O
 
2
 · 3H
 
2
O
19.14.18Mélonjosephite
CaFe
2+
 
Fe
3+
 
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
19.14.19Delvauxite
CaFe
 
4
(PO
 
4
,SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
8
 · 4-6H
 
2
O not confirmed ·
19.14.20Collinsite
Ca
 
2
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
19.14.21Segelerite
Ca
 
2
 Mg
 
2
 Fe
3+
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
19.14.22Kingsmountite
Ca
 
4
(Fe
2+
 
,Mn
2+
 
)Al
 
4
(PO
 
4
)
 
6
(OH)
 
4
 · 12H
 
2
O
19.14.23Vauxite
Fe
2+
 
Al
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
19.14.24Metavauxite
Fe
2+
 
Al
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
19.14.25Paravauxite
Fe
2+
 
Al
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
19.14.26Sigloite
Fe
3+
 
Al
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
3
 · 7H
 
2
O
19.14.27Cacoxenite
Fe
3+
24
Al(PO
 
4
)
 
17
O
 
6
(OH)
 
12
 · 17H
 
2
O
19.14.28Koninckite
Fe
3+
 
PO
 
4
 · 3H
 
2
O
19.14.29Lazulite
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)Al
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
19.14.30Scorzalite
Fe
2+
 
Al
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
19.14.31Souzalite
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)
 
3
(Al,Fe
3+
 
)
 
4
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
6
 · 2H
 
2
O
19.14.32Gormanite
(Fe
2+
 
,Mg)
 
3
(Al,Fe
3+
 
)
 
4
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
6
 · 2H
 
2
O

Other Names for Zaïrite

Synonyms:
IMA1975-018Zaireite
Other Languages:
German:Zaireit
Zairit
Spanish:Zaireita
Zairita

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 Zaïrite

Reference List:

- +
van Wambeke, L. (1975): La zairite, un nouveau minéral appartenant à la serie de la crandallite. Bulletin de la Société française de Minéralogie et de Cristallographie: 98: 351-353. (in French) [Am.Min.(1977): 62: 174-175 (abstract].

Canadian Mineralogist 37, 1323(1999)

Internet Links for Zaïrite

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    • Localities for Zaïrite

    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.
    Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
     
    • Kivu
    		Bull. Soc. fr. Mineral. Cristallogr., 98, 351-353; Am. Min. (1977) 62, 174-175
    Germany
     
    • Bavaria
      • Upper Palatinate
        • Oberpfälzer Wald
          • Vohenstrauß
            • Pleystein
    		Dill, H.G., Weber, B. (2009), Pleystein-City on Pegmatite, 4th International Symposium on Granitic Pegmatites, Recife, Brazil.
    Mineral and/or Locality
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