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Zapatalite

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Big Photo

Miguel Vacas Mine, Pardais, Vila Viçosa, Évora District, Portugal
© Brent Thorne

Show Zapatalite Photos (26)



Formula:
Cu
 
3
Al
 
4
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
9
 · 4H
 
2
O
System:TetragonalColour:Pale blue to turquoise ...
Hardness:1½
Name:
Named after Emiliano Zapata (1879-1919), peasant hero of the Mexican revolution. He was the Mexican rebel leader who stated that "It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." He was a former sharecropper who organised and led peasants during the battles of the Mexican Revolution.


Zapatalite Group

Classification of Zapatalite

IMA status:Approved 1971
Strunz 8th edition ID:7/D.20-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:8.DE.20

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
E : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 = 3:1
Dana 8th edition ID:42.5.3.1

42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
5 : (AB)7(XO4)3Zq·xH2O
Hey's CIM Ref.:19.2.7

19 : Phosphates
2 : Phosphates of Cu
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Type Occurrence of Zapatalite

Type Locality:Unnamed prospect, Cerro Morita, Sonora, Mexico
Place of Conservation of Type Material:Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C., USA
Year of Discovery:1971

Occurrences of Zapatalite

Geological Setting:Oxidised zone of hydrothermal deposits.

Physical Properties of Zapatalite

Lustre:Dull
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Translucent
Colour:Pale blue to turquoise blue
Streak:Pale blue
Hardness (Mohs):1½
Tenacity:Sectile
Cleavage:Distinct/Good
Good on {001}
Density (measured):3.016(26) g/cm3
Density (calculated):3.017 g/cm3

Crystallography of Zapatalite

Crystal System:Tetragonal
Cell Parameters:a = 15.223Å, c = 11.518Å
Ratio:a:c = 1 : 0.757
Unit Cell Volume:V 2,669.18 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:6
Morphology:Massive, botryoidal crusts.

Optical Data of Zapatalite

Type:Uniaxial (-)
RI values: nω = 1.646 nε = 1.635
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.011

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Moderate
Pleochroism:Weak
Comments:In shades of pale green
Comments:May be biaxial

Chemical Properties of Zapatalite

Formula:
Cu
 
3
Al
 
4
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
9
 · 4H
 
2
O
Essential elements:Al, Cu, H, O, P
All elements listed in formula:Al, Cu, H, O, P

Relationship of Zapatalite to other Species

Common Associates:
PseudomalachiteChrysocolla
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
8.DE.05Senegalite
Al
 
2
(PO
 
4
)(OH)
 
3
 · H
 
2
O
8.DE.10Fluellite
Al
 
2
(PO
 
4
)(OH)F
 
2
 · 7H
 
2
O
8.DE.15Bulachite
Al
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)(OH)
 
3
 · 3H
 
2
O
8.DE.25Ceruleite
Cu
 
2
Al
 
7
(AsO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
13
 · 11.5H
 
2
O
8.DE.35Aldermanite
Mg
 
5
Al
 
12
(PO
 
4
)
 
8
(OH)
 
22
 · 32H
 
2
O
8.DE.40Juanitaite
Bi(Cu,Ca,Fe)
 
10
(AsO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
11
 · 2H
 
2
O
8.DE.45Iangreyite
Ca
 
2
Al
 
7
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(PO
 
3
OH)
 
2
(OH,F)
 
15
 · 8H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
19.2.1Libethenite
Cu
 
2
(PO
 
4
)(OH)
19.2.2Cornetite
Cu
 
3
(PO
 
4
)(OH)
 
3
19.2.3Reichenbachite
Cu
 
5
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
4
19.2.4Ludjibaite
Cu
 
5
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
4
19.2.5Pseudomalachite
Cu
 
5
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
4
19.2.6Nissonite
Cu
 
2
Mg
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
 · 5H
 
2
O
19.2.8Turquoise
Cu(Al,Fe
3+
 
)
 
6
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
8
 · 4H
 
2
O
19.2.9Sieleckiite
Cu
 
3
Al
 
4
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
12
 · 2H
 
2
O
19.2.10Planerite
Al
 
6
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(HPO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
8
 · 4 H
 
2
O
19.2.11Hentschelite
CuFe
3+
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
19.2.13Chalcosiderite
Cu(Fe
3+
 
,Al)
 
6
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
8
 · 4H
 
2
O
19.2.14Phosphofibrite
K
 
<0.5
(Fe
3+
 
,Cu)
 
8
(PO
 
4
)
 
6
(OH)
 
7
 · 7H
 
2
O

Other Names for Zapatalite

Synonyms:
IMA1971-023
Other Languages:
German:Zapatalit
Spanish:Zapatalita

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 Zapatalite

Reference List:

- +
Williams, S. A. (1972) Zapatalite, a new mineral from Sonora, Mexico. Mineralogical Magazine: 38: 541-544.

American Mineralogist (1972): 57: 1911-1912.

Internet Links for Zapatalite

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    • Localities for Zapatalite

    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
      • Flinders Ranges
        • South Flinders Ranges
          • Wilmington
    		P. Elliott & U. Kolitsch (X-ray powder diffraction + SEM-EDS)
    Austria
     
    • Tyrol
      • North Tyrol
        • Inn valley
          • Brixlegg - Schwaz area
    		Lapis 19(7/8):13-78 (1994)
    Mexico
     
    • Sonora
    		Min Mag 38 (1972), 541;
      • Cerro Morita
    		[Min Mag 38 (1972), 541; Am. Min., 57, 1911-1912 (1972) ; MinRec 5:40]
    Portugal
     
    • Évora District
      • Vila Viçosa
        • Pardais
    		Handbook of Mineralogy
    USA
     
    • Nevada
      • Lander Co.
    		NBMG Spec Pub 31 Minerals of Nevada
        • Snowstorm Mountains District
    		Photos in mindat galleries. Material collected 2007 by Jim McGlasson.
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