Mindat Logo
Home Page Log In Message Board The Mindat Directory
Register Search Pages Chat Now! (2 online) Mindat Auctions

Alacránite

Big Photo

Wilmsdorfer Schacht, Possendorf, Dresden, Saxony, Germany
© Thomas Witzke

Show Alacránite Photos (9)
Formula:
As
 
8
S
 
9
System:MonoclinicColour:Orange-Yellow
Lustre:AdamantineHardness:1½
Name:Named after its discovery locality in Chile.


Different from (unnamed) natural beta-As4S4.

Classification of Alacránite

IMA status:Approved 1985
Strunz 8th edition ID:2/F.02-50
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:2.FA.20

2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
F : Sulfides of arsenic, alkalies; sulfides with halide, oxide, hydroxide, H2O
A : With As, (Sb), S
Dana 8th edition ID:2.8.22.

2 : SULFIDES
8 : AmXp, with m:p = 1:1
Hey's CIM Ref.:3.7.6

3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
7 : Sulphides etc. of V, As, Sb and Bi
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-91.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Type Occurrence of Alacránite

Co-type Localities:Alacrán Mine, Alacrán, Pampa Larga district, Tierra Amarilla, Copiapó Province, Atacama Region, Chile
Uzon Caldera, Kamchatka Oblast', Far-Eastern Region, Russia
Year of Discovery:1986

Physical Properties of Alacránite

Lustre:Adamantine
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Colour:Orange-Yellow
Streak:Orange-Yellow
Hardness (Mohs):1½
Hardness (Vickers):VHN20=69 kg/mm2
Tenacity:Very brittle
Cleavage:Imperfect/Fair
imperfect on {100}
Fracture:Conchoidal
Density (measured):3.43(3) g/cm3
Density (calculated):3.43 g/cm3

Crystallography of Alacránite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Class (H-M):2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:P2/b {P1 1 2/b} {P2/c} {P1 2/c 1}{P2/a}
Space Group Setting:P2/c
Cell Parameters:a = 9.942Å, b = 9.601Å, c = 9.178Å
β = 101.94°
Ratio:a:b:c = 1.036 : 1 : 0.956
Unit Cell Volume:V 857.1 ų
Z:2
Morphology:Flattened and prismatic grains.

Optical Data of Alacránite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 2.390(1) nγ = 2.520(2)
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.130

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Moderate
Dispersion:r < v
Colour in reflected light:Light gray
Internal Reflections:Rose-yellow

Chemical Properties of Alacránite

Formula:
As
 
8
S
 
9
Essential elements:As, S
All elements listed in formula:As, S

Relationship of Alacránite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
2.FA.05Duranusite
As
 
4
S
2.FA.10Dimorphite
As
 
4
S
 
3
2.FA.15bPararealgar
As
 
4
S
 
4
2.FA.15aRealgar
As
 
4
S
 
4
2.FA.15cUM1970-19-S:As
As
 
4
S
 
4
2.FA.15dUM1970-18-S:As
As
 
4
S
 
4
2.FA.25Uzonite
As
 
4
S
 
5
2.FA.30Laphamite
As
 
2
(S,Se)
 
3
2.FA.30Orpiment
As
 
2
S
 
3
2.FA.35Getchellite
AsSbS
 
3
2.FA.40Wakabayashilite
[(As,Sb)
 
6
S
 
9
][As
 
4
S
 
5
]
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
3.7.1Patrónite
VS
 
4
3.7.2Duranusite
As
 
4
S
3.7.3Dimorphite
As
 
4
S
 
3
3.7.4Realgar
As
 
4
S
 
4
3.7.5Pararealgar
As
 
4
S
 
4
3.7.7Uzonite
As
 
4
S
 
5
3.7.8Orpiment
As
 
2
S
 
3
3.7.9Jeromite
3.7.10Laphamite
As
 
2
(S,Se)
 
3
3.7.11Getchellite
AsSbS
 
3
3.7.12Wakabayashilite
[(As,Sb)
 
6
S
 
9
][As
 
4
S
 
5
]
3.7.13Pääkkönenite
Sb
 
2
AsS
 
2
3.7.14Stibnite
Sb
 
2
S
 
3
3.7.15Metastibnite
Sb
 
2
S
 
3
3.7.16Tellurantimony
Sb
 
2
Te
 
3
3.7.17Bismuthinite
Bi
 
2
S
 
3
3.7.18Nevskite
Bi(Se,S)
3.7.19Guanajuatite
Bi
 
2
(Se,S)
 
3
3.7.21Ikunolite
Bi
 
4
(S,Se)
 
3
3.7.22Laitakarite
Bi
 
4
Se
 
2
S
3.7.23Poubaite
PbBi
 
2
(Se,Te,S)
 
4
3.7.24Tellurobismuthite
Bi
 
2
Te
 
3
3.7.25Součekite
PbCuBi(S,Se)
 
3
3.7.26Tsumoite
BiTe
3.7.27Pilsenite
Bi
 
4
Te
 
3
3.7.28Hedleyite
Bi
 
7
Te
 
3
3.7.29Tetradymite
Bi
 
2
Te
 
2
S
3.7.30Joséite
Bi
 
4
TeS
 
2
3.7.31Joséite-B
Bi
 
4
Te
 
2
S
3.7.32Ingodite
Bi
 
2
TeS
3.7.33Sulphotsumoite
Bi
 
3
Te
 
2
S
3.7.34Kawazulite
Bi
 
2
Te
 
2
Se
3.7.36Skippenite
Bi
 
2
TeSe
 
2
3.7.37Kochkarite
PbBi
 
4
Te
 
7
3.7.38Rucklidgeite
(Bi,Pb)
 
3
Te
 
4
3.7.39Aleksite
PbBi
 
2
Te
 
2
S
 
2
3.7.40Junoite
Cu
 
2
Pb
 
3
Bi
 
8
(S,Se)
 
16

Other Names for Alacránite

Synonyms:
IMA1985-033
Other Languages:
German:Alacranit
Russian:Алакранит
Spanish:Alacranita

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 Alacránite

Reference List:American Mineralogist (1988): 73: 189.

Burns, P.C., and J.B. Percival(2001) Alacranite, As4S4: A New Occurrence, New Formula, and Determination of the Crystal Structure. Canadian Mineralogist: 39: 809-818.

Bonazzi, P., Bindi, L., Popova, V., Pratesi, G. & Menchetti, S. (2003): Alacranite, As8S9: Structural study of the holotype and re-assignment of the original chemical formula. American Mineralogist: 88: 1796-1800.

Mineralogical Record 39: 132.

Szakáll, S. (2006): Postmagmatic alacranite (?) from the Ciomadu area, south Harghita, Romania. Acta Mineralogica-Petrographica, Abstract Series 5, Szeged, 114.
http://www.mineral.hermuz.hu/acta_05/pdf/szakalls3.pdf]

Internet Links for Alacránite

Search Engines:
  • Look for Alacránite on Google
  • Look for Alacránite images on Google
    • External Links:
  • Look for Alacránite on Webmineral
  • Look for Alacránite on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Alacránite on Wikipedia
  • Look for Alacránite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Alacránite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Alacranite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
    • Mineral Dealers:
  • Buy Minerals and Crystals from Crystalarium.com
  • Find Alacránite on www.crystalclassics.co.uk
  • Search for - Alacránite - on e-Rocks Mineral Sales & Auctions
  • Top quality minerals from Kristalle of California
  • Edwards Minerals - Fine Specimens
  • High-end worldwide specimens & outstanding customer service
  • Wilensky Fine Minerals
  • Rare and Unusual minerals at Mineralogical Research Company
  • Buy minerals from Mineralium.com
  • Lapis Mineral Magazin
  • DAKOTA MATRIX offers Cabinet and Rare Species from Worldwide Localities.
  • Buy Fine Minerals from mineralsweb.com
    • Jobs:
  • Mining & Geology Jobs

    • Page Sponsor

    Sponsorship:This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.

    Localities for Alacránite

    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.
    Bulgaria
     
    • Haskovo Oblast (Khaskovo Oblast)
      • Rhodope Mts
    		Acad. Bulg. Sci. 53(4): 67-70. (2000)
    Chile
     
    • Atacama Region
      • Copiapó Province
        • Tierra Amarilla
          • Pampa Larga district
            • Alacrán
    		[Clark, 1993 - "Hey's Mineral Index, 3rd Edition"]
    Czech Republic
     
    • Bohemia (Böhmen; Boehmen)
      • Hradec Králové Region
        • Trutnov (Trautenau)
          • Radvanice
    		Žáček, V., Ondruš, P.: Mineralogy of recently formed sublimates from Kateřina colliery in Radvanice, Eastern Bohemia, Czech Republic. Bulletin of the Czech geological survey, 1998, vol. 73, no. 2, s. 289-302.
    Germany
     
    • Baden-Württemberg
      • Black Forest
        • Alpirsbach
          • Reinerzau District
    		K. Walenta: "Die Mineralien des Schwarzwaldes", Weise (Munich), 1992
        • Schenkenzell
          • Wittichen
            • Böckelsbach valley
    		Walenta: "Die Mineralien des Schwarzwaldes", Weise (Munich), 1992
            • Burgfelsen
    		No reference listed
            • Heubach Valley
    		No reference listed
    • North Rhine-Westphalia
      • Siegerland
        • Eisern
    		Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", 2001
    • Saxony
      • Dresden
        • Hänichen
    		Thalheim, K.; Reichel, W. & Witzke, T. (1991): Die Minerale des Döhlener Beckens.- Schriften des Staatlichen Museums für Mineralogie und Geologie zu Dresden, Nr. 3
        • Possendorf
    • Thuringia
      • Gera
        • Ronneburg U deposit
    		T. Witzke & F. Rüger: Lapis 1998(7/8), 26-64
    Japan
     
    • Honshu Island
      • Kanto region
        • Gunma Prefecture
    		The Mineral Species of Japan (5th ed) Matsubara
    Papua New Guinea
     
    • New Ireland Province
      • Lihir Island area
    		Can Min 39 (3), 2001, 809-818
    Romania
     
    • Harghita Co.
    		Szakáll, S. (2006): Postmagmatic alacranite (?) from the Ciomadu area, south Harghita, Romania. Acta Mineralogica-Petrographica, Abstract Series 5, Szeged, 114. http://www.mineral.hermuz.hu/acta_05/pdf/szakalls3.pdf]; Kristály, F. & Szakáll, S. (2009): Mitt. Österr. Mineral. Ges. 155, 94. (Abs.)
    Russia
     
    • Far-Eastern Region
      • Kamchatka Oblast'
    		ZVMO,(1986) 115, 360-368; Bonazzi, P., Bindi, L., Popova, V., Pratesi, G. & Menchetti, S. (2003): Alacranite, As8S9: Structural study of the holotype and re-assignment of the original chemical formula. American Mineralogist 88, 1796-1800.
    Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
    www.mindat.org Web
    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2009. 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. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register. Current server date and time: 20th Nov 2009 18:59:18