Mindat Logo
Home Page Log In Message Board The Mindat Directory
Register Search Pages Mineral Chatroom The Mindat Store

Aluminocopiapite

This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
Big Photo

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

Show Aluminocopiapite Photos (6)



Formula:
Al
 
2/3
Fe
3+
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
(OH)
 
2
 · 20H
 
2
O
System:TriclinicColour:Pale lemon-yellow to ...
Lustre:VitreousHardness:2 - 3
Member of:Copiapite Group
Name:In allusion to its composition containing aluminum in substitution for ferric iron and its relationship to copiapite.


Copiapite Group

Classification of Aluminocopiapite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:6/D.10-80
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:7.DB.35

7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
B : With only medium-sized cations; insular octahedra and finite units
Dana 7th edition ID:31.10.5.7
Dana 8th edition ID:31.10.5.7

31 : HYDRATED SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
10 : Miscellaneous
Hey's CIM Ref.:25.11.25

25 : Sulphates
11 : Sulphates of Fe and other metals
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-87.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Type Occurrence of Aluminocopiapite

Co-type Localities:Mosquito Fork, Forty Mile River, Southeast Fairbanks Borough, Alaska, USA
Temple Mountain, San Rafael District (San Rafael Swell), Emery Co., Utah, USA
Place of Conservation of Type Material:National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 93834, 103544.
Year of Discovery:1947

Occurrences of Aluminocopiapite

Geological Setting:Secondary mineral formed by oxidation of pyrite in coal deposits and shales. May also be of fumarolic origin.

Physical Properties of Aluminocopiapite

Lustre:Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent, Translucent
Colour:Pale lemon-yellow to deep yellow
Streak:no data
Hardness (Mohs):2 - 3
Comment:by analogy to copiapite group
Tenacity:Fragile
Cleavage:Perfect
Perfect on {010}; imperfect on {101}
Density (calculated):2.163 g/cm3

Crystallography of Aluminocopiapite

Crystal System:Triclinic
Class (H-M):1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:P1
Cell Parameters:a = 7.3(1) Å, b = 18.8(2) Å, c = 7.31(1) Å
α = 91.5(2)°, β = 102.3(1)°, γ = 98.7(1)°
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.388 : 1 : 0.389
Unit Cell Volume:V 967.14 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:1
Morphology:As minute scales and efforvescences.

Optical Data of Aluminocopiapite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.525 nβ = 1.535 - 1.540 nγ = 1.585 - 1.590
2V:Measured: 45° , Calculated: 40°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.060 - 0.065

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Low
Dispersion:none
Pleochroism:Visible
Comments:Y= colorless
Z= Greenish yellow

Chemical Properties of Aluminocopiapite

Formula:
Al
 
2/3
Fe
3+
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
(OH)
 
2
 · 20H
 
2
O
Essential elements:Al, Fe, H, O, S
All elements listed in formula:Al, Fe, H, O, S
Empirical Formula:
Al
 
.66
Fe
3+
4
[OH|(SO
 
4
)
 
3
]
 
2
 · 20H
 
2
O

Relationship of Aluminocopiapite to other Species

Member of:Copiapite Group
Other Members of Group:

- +
Calciocopiapite
CaFe
 
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
(OH)
 
2
 · 10H
 
2
O
Copiapite
Fe
2+
 
Fe
3+
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
(OH)
 
2
 · 20H
 
2
O
Cuprocopiapite
CuFe
 
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
(OH)
 
2
 · 20H
 
2
O
Ferricopiapite
Fe
 
5
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
O(OH) · 20H
 
2
O
Magnesiocopiapite
MgFe
3+
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
(OH)
 
2
 · 20H
 
2
O
Zincocopiapite
ZnFe
3+
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
(OH)
 
2
 · 18H
 
2
O
Common Associates:
Pyrite
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
7.DB.05Aubertite
CuAl(SO
 
4
)
 
2
Cl · 14H
 
2
O
7.DB.05Magnesioaubertite
(Mg,Cu)Al(SO
 
4
)
 
2
Cl · 14H
 
2
O
7.DB.05Svyazhinite
(Mg,Mn
2+
 
,Ca)(Al,Fe
3+
 
)(SO
 
4
)
 
2
F · 14H
 
2
O
7.DB.10Khademite
Al(SO
 
4
)F · 5H
 
2
O
7.DB.10Rostite
Al(SO
 
4
)(OH) · 5H
 
2
O
7.DB.15Jurbanite
Al(SO
 
4
)(OH) · 5H
 
2
O
7.DB.20Minasragrite
(V
4+
 
O)(SO
 
4
) · 5H
 
2
O
7.DB.20Orthominasragrite
(V
4+
 
O)(SO
 
4
) · 5H
 
2
O
7.DB.20Anorthominasragrite
(V
4+
 
O)(SO
 
4
) · 5H
 
2
O
7.DB.25Bobjonesite
(V
4+
 
O)(SO
 
4
) · 3H
 
2
O
7.DB.30Amarantite
Fe
3+
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
O · 7H
 
2
O
7.DB.30Hohmannite
Fe
3+
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
O · 8H
 
2
O
7.DB.30Metahohmannite
Fe
3+
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
O · 4H
 
2
O
7.DB.35Calciocopiapite
CaFe
 
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
(OH)
 
2
 · 10H
 
2
O
7.DB.35Copiapite
Fe
2+
 
Fe
3+
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
(OH)
 
2
 · 20H
 
2
O
7.DB.35Cuprocopiapite
CuFe
 
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
(OH)
 
2
 · 20H
 
2
O
7.DB.35Ferricopiapite
Fe
 
5
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
O(OH) · 20H
 
2
O
7.DB.35Magnesiocopiapite
MgFe
3+
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
(OH)
 
2
 · 20H
 
2
O
7.DB.35Zincocopiapite
ZnFe
3+
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
(OH)
 
2
 · 18H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
25.11.1Natrojarosite
NaFe
 
3
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
25.11.2Sideronatrite
Na
 
2
Fe(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH) · 3H
 
2
O
25.11.3Metasideronatrite
Na
 
4
Fe
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
25.11.4Ferrinatrite
Na
 
3
Fe(SO
 
4
)
 
3
 · 3H
 
2
O
25.11.5Amarillite
NaFe(SO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
25.11.6Yavapaiite
KFe(SO
 
4
)
 
2
25.11.7Krausite
KFe(SO
 
4
)
 
2
 · H
 
2
O
25.11.8Goldichite
KFe(SO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
25.11.9Jarosite
KFe
3+
 
 
3
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
25.11.10Voltaite
K
 
2
Fe
2+
5
Fe
3+
3
Al(SO
 
4
)
 
12
 · 18H
 
2
O
25.11.11Ungemachite
K
 
3
Na
 
8
Fe(SO
 
4
)
 
6
(NO
 
3
)
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
25.11.12Metavoltine
Na
 
6
K
 
2
FeFe
 
6
(SO
 
4
)
 
12
O
 
2
 · 18H
 
2
O
25.11.13Sabieite
(NH
 
4
)Fe
3+
 
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
25.11.14Ammoniojarosite
(NH
 
4
)Fe
3+
3
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
25.11.15Clairite
(NH
 
4
)
 
2
Fe
 
3
(SO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
3
 · 3H
 
2
O
25.11.16Mohrite
(NH
 
4
)
 
2
Fe(SO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
25.11.17Lonecreekite
(NH
 
4
)Fe
3+
 
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 12H
 
2
O
25.11.18Godovikovite
(NH
 
4
)Al(SO
 
4
)
 
2
25.11.19Botryogen
MgFe
3+
 
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH) · 7H
 
2
O
25.11.21Slavíkite
(H
 
3
O
+
 
)
 
3
Mg
 
6
Fe
 
15
(SO
 
4
)
 
21
(OH)
 
18
 · 99H
 
2
O
25.11.23Sturmanite
Ca
 
6
(Fe
3+
 
,Al,Mn
3+
 
)
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
[B(OH)
 
4
](OH)
 
12
 · 25H
 
2
O
25.11.24Millosevichite
(Al,Fe)
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
3
25.11.26Halotrichite
FeAl
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
4
 · 22H
 
2
O
25.11.27Idrizite
(Mg,Fe)(Al,Fe)
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
2
 · 15H
 
2
O or near
25.11.28Lishizhenite
ZnFe
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
4
 · 14H
 
2
O
25.11.29Zincovoltaite
K
 
2
Zn
 
5
Fe
3+
3
Al(SO
 
4
)
 
12
 · 18H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Dana Grouping):

- +
31.10.5.1Copiapite
Fe
2+
 
Fe
3+
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
(OH)
 
2
 · 20H
 
2
O

Other Names for Aluminocopiapite

Other Languages:
German:Aluminiocopiapit
Aluminocopiapit
Spanish:Aluminocopiapita

Other Information

Other Information:Somewhat soluble in water.
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 Aluminocopiapite

Reference List:

- +
University of Toronto Stud., Geol. Series, no. 51 (1947): 21.

American Mineralogist (1947): 32: 483.

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.: 623, 625.

Internet Links for Aluminocopiapite

Search Engines:
  • Look for Aluminocopiapite on Google
  • Look for Aluminocopiapite images on Google
    • External Links:
  • Look for Aluminocopiapite on Webmineral
  • Look for Aluminocopiapite on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Aluminocopiapite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Aluminocopiapite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
    • Mineral Dealers:
  • Search for - Aluminocopiapite - on e-Rocks Mineral Sales & Auctions
  • Edwards Minerals - Fine Specimens
  • Buy from David K Joyce minerals
  • Pricedownminerals.com - Reverse Auctions and Shop
  • Wilensky Fine Minerals
  • Buy RARE Minerals from Rocks of Africa
  • High-end worldwide specimens & outstanding customer service
  • By minerals from YourMineralCollection
  • Search for minerals at Heliodor
  • Buy fine minerals and gemstones from Pala International
  • Rare and Unusual minerals at Mineralogical Research Company
  • Fine Minerals from Weinrich Minerals, Inc.
    • Jobs:
  • Mining & Geology Jobs

    • Localities for Aluminocopiapite

    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.
    Argentina
     
    • San Juan
      • La Alcaparrosa
    		MIKON and Gunnar Farber catalogues (2005)
    Austria
     
    • Carinthia
      • Gurktaler Alpen Mts
        • Metnitz
    		G. Niedermayr: Carinthia II 186./106.:130 (1996)
    • Lower Austria
      • Waldviertel
        • Drosendorf-Zissersdorf
          • Wollmersdorf
    		matrixx 2, p.47-51
    • Styria
      • Leutschach
    		Taucher, J. (1992); Exel, R. (1993)
    Brazil
     
    • São Paulo
    		Rafael Hernandes Corrêa-Silva Collection
    Bulgaria
     
    • Plovdiv Oblast
      • Plovdiv
    		Atanassova, R. & Kerestedjian, T. (2009): Efflorescent minerals from the metallurgical waste heaps of the KCM non-ferrous metal smelter, Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Petrology, 47, 51-63.
    Canada
     
    • Nova Scotia
      • Cape Breton Co.
        • Cape Breton Regional Municipality
          • Sydney coalfield
            • Glace Bay
              • #26 Colliery
    		http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/doclib/hom/aluminocopiapite.pdf.
    Chile
     
    • Antofagasta Region
      • Antofagasta Province
        • Sierra Gorda District
          • Caracoles
    		Samples analysed by Dr. Jochen Schluter, Curator of Hamburg Mineralogical Museum, Germany
      • El Loa Province
        • Calama
          • Cerritos Bayos
    		http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/doclib/hom/aluminocopiapite.pdf.
    Czech Republic
     
    • Bohemia (Böhmen; Boehmen)
      • Hradec Králové Region
        • Trutnov (Trautenau)
          • Radvanice
    		Jirásek, J.: Thermal Changes of the Rocks in the Dump Pile of the Kateřina Colliery in Radvanice (Eastern Bohemia). Ostrava: VSB – Technical University of Ostrava, Institute of Geological Engineering - 541, 2001. 69 p.
    Germany
     
    • Mecklenburg-West Pomerania
      • Neubrandenburg
        • Friedland
    		A. Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", Schweizerbart (Stuttgart), 2001
    • Saxony
      • Dresden
    		Thalheim, K.; Reichel, W. & Witzke, T. (1991): Die Minerale des Döhlener Beckens.- Schriften des Staatlichen Museums für Mineralogie und Geologie zu Dresden, Nr. 3
      • Oberlausitz
        • Niesky
          • Horscha
    		Witzke, T. & Giesler, T. (2007): Der Schieferabbau Pansberg bei Horscha in der Lausitz, Sachsen. Lapis 32 (7-8), 68-73; 86.
    • Thuringia
      • Gera
        • Ronneburg U deposit
    		T. Witzke & F. Rüger: Lapis 1998(7/8), 26-64
    T. Witzke & F. Rüger: Lapis 1998(7/8), 26-64
    Greece
     
    • Attikí (Attica; Attika) Prefecture
      • Lavrion (Laurion; Laurium) District
        • Lavrion District Mines
          • Plaka
            • Plaka Mines
    		No reference listed
    Hungary
     
    • Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén Co.
      • Rudabányai Mts.
        • Rudabánya
    		Szakáll: Minerals of Rudabánya, 2001
    Italy
     
    • Sicily
      • Messina Province
        • Lipari
          • Eolie Islands (Aeolian Islands)
    		I. Campostrini, 2008, pers. com. [M.E. Ciriotti]
              • Porto Levante
    		I. Campostrini, 2008, pers. com. [M.E. Ciriotti]
    • Tuscany
      • Livorno Province
        • Elba Island
          • Capoliveri
    		J. Göske, T. Witzke, H. Pöllmann, S. Stöber (1997) - Neufunde von Sekundarmineralen in der Lagerstatte Calamita/Insel Elba - Der Aufschluss, 48: 305-313.
      • Siena Province
        • Chiusdino
    		Brizzi G., Ciselli I, Santucci A. (1986) - Ultime novità da le Cetine di Cotorniano - Riv. Miner. Ital., Milano, fasc. 3, pp.145-155
    Norway
     
    • Buskerud
      • Hol
        • Ustaoset
    		Neumann, H. (1985): Norges Mineraler. Norges geologiske Undersøkelse Skrifter 68, 278 pp (p. 112).
    • Oslo
    		Neumann (1985, p. 112).
    Slovakia
     
    • Košice Region
      • Gelnica Co.
        • Smolník Mining District
    		Šoltés S., Lintnerova O., Šottník P. 2006: Copiapite group and halotrichite in old mine heaps near Smolník. Mineralogia Polonica - Special Papers, vol. 28, 211-213
    Spain
     
    • Catalonia
      • Barcelona
        • Vallès Occidental
          • Montcada i Reixac
    		Joan Rosell
    UK
     
    • England
      • Cornwall
        • Camborne - Redruth - St Day District
          • Camborne
            • Tuckingmill
    		Handbook of Mineralogy - Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols
    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
        • Mramornoe Village area
    		Alexander I. Tischenko (1996)/ Minerals of the Crimea. - World of stones, 1996, #9, p. 9-18.
    USA
     
    • Alaska
      • Southeast Fairbanks Borough
        • Forty Mile River
    		Handbook of Mineralogy - Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols
    • California
      • Mono Co.
        • White Mts
          • Laws
            • White Mountain
    		http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/doclib/hom/aluminocopiapite.pdf.
      • San Diego Co.
        • Lakeside
    		SDSU Geology Department unpublished field trip guide, circa 1980.
      • Trinity Co.
        • Island Mountain
    		http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/doclib/hom/aluminocopiapite.pdf.
    • Colorado
      • Gilpin Co.
        • Central City District
    		http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/doclib/hom/aluminocopiapite.pdf.
    • South Dakota
      • Lawrence Co.
        • Lead District
    		Mineral Webzine, Dec. 2001
    • Utah
      • Emery Co.
        • San Rafael District (San Rafael Swell)
    		Handbook of Mineralogy - Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols
    • Virginia
      • Louisa Co.
        • Gold-Pyrite Belt
          • Mineral
    		Minerals of Virginia, 1990 by R. V. Dietrich
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Search Google
     
    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2011. Site Map. Locality, mineral & photograph data are the copyright of the individuals who submitted them. Further information contact the Site hosted & developed by Jolyon Ralph. Mindat.org is an online information resource dedicated to providing free mineralogical information to all. Mindat relies on the contributions of hundreds of members and supporters. Mindat does not offer minerals for sale. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register.
    Current server date and time: 17th Sep 2011 16:13:20
    Mineral and Locality Search
    Mineral:
    and/or Locality:
    Options
    Fade toolbar when not in focusFix toolbar to bottom of page
    Hide Social Media Links
    Slideshow frame delay seconds