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Aluminocopiapite

Big Photo

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

Show Aluminocopiapite Photos (5)
Formula:
Al
 
2/3
Fe
3+
4
[OH|(SO
 
4
)
 
3
]
 
2
 · 20H
 
2
O
System:TriclinicColour:Lemon-yellow
Lustre:VitreousHardness:2 - 3
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
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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:Smithsonian Museum, Washington, DC 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
Colour:Lemon-yellow
Streak:no data
Hardness (Mohs):2 - 3
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
[OH|(SO
 
4
)
 
3
]
 
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 Group:
Copiapite Group:
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
7.DB.05Aubertite
CuAl[Cl|(SO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 14H
 
2
O
7.DB.05Magnesioaubertite
(Mg,Cu)Al[Cl|(SO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 14H
 
2
O
7.DB.05Svyazhinite
(Mg,Mn
2+
 
,Ca)(Al,Fe
3+
 
)[F|(SO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 14H
 
2
O
7.DB.10Khademite
Al[F|SO
 
4
] · 5H
 
2
O
7.DB.10Rostite
Al[OH|SO
 
4
] · 5H
 
2
O
7.DB.15Jurbanite
Al[OH|SO
 
4
] · 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
[O|(SO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 7H
 
2
O
7.DB.30Hohmannite
Fe
3+
2
[O|(SO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 8H
 
2
O
7.DB.30Metahohmannite
Fe
3+
2
[O|(SO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 4H
 
2
O
7.DB.35Calciocopiapite
CaFe
 
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
(OH)
 
2
·10H
 
2
O
7.DB.35Copiapite
Fe
2+
 
Fe
3+
4
[OH|(SO
 
4
)
 
3
]
 
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
[OH|(SO
 
4
)
 
3
]
 
2
 · 20H
 
2
O
7.DB.35Zincocopiapite
ZnFe
3+
4
[OH|(SO
 
4
)
 
3
]
 
2
 · 18H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
25.11.1Natrojarosite
NaFe
 
3
[(OH)
 
3
|SO
 
4
]
 
2
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
[(OH)
 
3
|SO
 
4
]
 
2
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(SO
 
4
)
 
2
25.11.14Ammoniojarosite
(NH
 
4
)Fe
3+
3
[(OH)
 
3
|SO
 
4
]
 
2
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,Fe)(SO
 
4
)
 
2
25.11.19Botryogen
MgFe
3+
 
[OH|(SO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 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
[(OH)
 
12
|B(OH)
 
4
|(SO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 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
[OH|(SO
 
4
)
 
3
]
 
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

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
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  • Search for Aluminocopiapite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Aluminocopiapite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    Localities for Aluminocopiapite

    Hide Locality List
    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.
    (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)
    • Styria
      • Leutschach
    		Taucher, J. (1992); Exel, R. (1993)
    Brazil
     
    • Southeast Region
      • São Paulo
    		Rafael Hernandes Corrêa-Silva Collection
    Canada
     
    • Nova Scotia
      • Cape Breton Co.
        • Cape Breton Island
          • Sydney coalfield
            • Glace Bay
              • #26 Colliery
    		http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/doclib/hom/aluminocopiapite.pdf.
    Chile
     
    • Antofagasta Region
      • 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
    		Raade (1973, pers. com. ); Neumann (1985, p. 112).
    • Oslo
    		Neumann (1985, p. 112).
    Slovakia
     
    • Košice Region
      • Eastern Slovenské Rudohorie Mts
        • Smolnik 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
    UK
     
    • England
      • Cornwall
        • Camborne - Redruth - St Day District
          • Carn Brea area
            • 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
    		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.
      • 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
    Google
     
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