Alamosite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Alamosite
Formula:
PbSiO3
Also given as Pb12(Si12O36).
Colour:
Colorless to white, cream, or light gray
Lustre:
Adamantine
Hardness:
4½
Specific Gravity:
6.488
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named after its discovery locality at Alamos, Mun. de Alamos, Sonora, Mexico.
Type Locality:
This page provides mineralogical data about Alamosite.
Unique Identifiers
IMA Classification of Alamosite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1909
Classification of Alamosite
9.DO.20
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
D : Inosilicates
O : Inosilicates with 7-, 8-, 10-, 12- and 14-periodic chains
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
D : Inosilicates
O : Inosilicates with 7-, 8-, 10-, 12- and 14-periodic chains
65.7.1.1
65 : INOSILICATES Single-Width,Unbranched Chains,(W=1)
7 : Single-Width Unbranched Chains, W=1 with chains P > 7
65 : INOSILICATES Single-Width,Unbranched Chains,(W=1)
7 : Single-Width Unbranched Chains, W=1 with chains P > 7
14.13.1
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
13 : Silicates of Pb
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
13 : Silicates of Pb
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Symbol | Source | Reference |
---|---|---|
Aam | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Alamosite
Adamantine
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Colorless to white, cream, or light gray
Streak:
White
Hardness:
4½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
{010}
{010}
Density:
6.488(2) g/cm3 (Measured) 6.30 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Alamosite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.947 nβ = 1.961 nγ = 1.968
2V:
Measured: 65° , Calculated: 70°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.021
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Very High
Dispersion:
relatively weak
Chemistry of Alamosite
Mindat Formula:
PbSiO3
Also given as Pb12(Si12O36).
Also given as Pb12(Si12O36).
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Al,Fe,Mn,Ca
Crystallography of Alamosite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P2/m
Setting:
P2/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 12.247 Å, b = 7.059 Å, c = 11.236 Å
β = 113.12°
β = 113.12°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.735 : 1 : 1.592
Unit Cell V:
893.35 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
12
Morphology:
Crystals fibrous parallel [010]; as radiating aggregates and balls, to 7.5 cm.
Comment:
P2/n
Crystal Structure
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0010657 | Alamosite | Boucher M L, Peacor D R (1968) The crystal structure of alamosite, PbSiO3 Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 126 98-111 | 1968 | Alamos, Sonora, Mexico | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
3.34 Å | (100) |
3.56 Å | (95) |
3.53 Å | (75) |
2.300 Å | (75) |
3.23 Å | (70) |
2.987 Å | (70) |
3.25 Å | (60) |
Comments:
Tsumeb, Namibia.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
47h : [Near-surface oxidized, dehydrated minerals] |
Geological Setting:
As a rare secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of lead-bearing base metal deposits.
Type Occurrence of Alamosite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Radiating fibrous spheres.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, 84859, 85509.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Palache, C., Merwin, H.E. (1909) Alamosite, a new lead silicate from Mexico. American Journal of Science: 27: 399-401.
Other Language Names for Alamosite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
18 photos of Alamosite associated with Melanotekite | Pb2Fe3+2(Si2O7)O2 |
10 photos of Alamosite associated with Kegelite | Pb8Al4(Si8O20)(SO4)2(CO3)4(OH)8 |
4 photos of Alamosite associated with Leadhillite | Pb4(CO3)2(SO4)(OH)2 |
2 photos of Alamosite associated with Willemite | Zn2SiO4 |
2 photos of Alamosite associated with Hematite | Fe2O3 |
2 photos of Alamosite associated with Calcium-bearing Queitite | (Pb,Ca)4Zn2(SO4)(SiO4)(Si2O7) |
2 photos of Alamosite associated with Ganomalite | Pb9Ca5Mn(Si2O7)4(SiO4)O |
2 photos of Alamosite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
1 photo of Alamosite associated with Luddenite | Cu2Pb2Si5O14 · 4H2O |
1 photo of Alamosite associated with Chrysocolla | Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
9.DO. | Braccoite | NaMn2+5[Si5As5+O17(OH)](OH) |
9.DO. | Illoqite-(Ce) | Na2NaBaCeZnSi6O17 |
9.DO.05 | Pyroxferroite | (Fe,Mn,Ca)SiO3 |
9.DO.05 | Pyroxmangite | Mn2+SiO3 |
9.DO.10 | Pellyite | Ba2Ca(Fe,Mg)2Si6O17 |
9.DO.15 | Nordite-(Ce) | (Ce,La)(Sr,Ca)Na2(Na,Mn)(Zn,Mg)Si6O17 |
9.DO.15 | Nordite-(La) | (La,Ce)(Sr,Ca)Na2(Na,Mn)(Zn,Mg)Si6O17 |
9.DO.15 | Ferronordite-(Ce) | Na3SrCeFe2+Si6O17 |
9.DO.15 | Manganonordite-(Ce) | Na3SrCeMn2+Si6O17 |
9.DO.15 | Ferronordite-(La) | Na3Sr(La,Ce)FeSi6O17 |
9.DO.15 | Meieranite | Na2Sr3MgSi6O17 |
9.DO.25 | Liebauite | Ca3Cu5Si9O26 |
9.DO.30 | Vladykinite | Na3Sr4(Fe2+Fe3+)Si8O24 |
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Alamosite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-93.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Alamosite
Reference List:
Localities for Alamosite
Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality.
Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Canada | |
| Caplette et al. (2015) |
Chile | |
| Zori et al. (2013) |
Germany | |
| Dill (2008) |
Mexico | |
| Smith et al. (1953) +1 other reference |
| [Amer.J.Sci. (1909) +1 other reference |
Namibia | |
| Medenbach et al. (1975) +1 other reference |
Norway | |
| Folvik (2013) |
Poland | |
| Tyszka et al. (2018) |
Sweden | |
| Holtstam et al. (1999) +1 other reference |
| Nysten (2003) +1 other reference |
| The Harstigen mine +1 other reference |
Tajikistan | |
| Agakhanov et al. (2017) +1 other reference |
USA | |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
| Raman analyzed at the University of ... +1 other reference |
| Williams (1982) |
| www.mindat.org (n.d.) |
| Williams (1982) +1 other reference |
Anthony et al. (1995) | |
| Analyzed at the University of Western ... |
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Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia