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Alamosite

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Tsumeb Mine (Tsumcorp Mine), Tsumeb, Otjikoto (Oshikoto) Region, Namibia
© Brent Thorne

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Formula:
Pb
 
12
[Si
 
12
O
 
36
]
System:MonoclinicColour:Colorless to white, ...
Hardness:4½
Name:Named after its discovery locality at Alamos, Mun. de Alamos, Sonora, Mexico.
This page provides mineralogical data about Alamosite.

Classification of Alamosite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:8/F.32-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:9.DO.20

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
D : Inosilicates
O : Inosilicates with 7-, 8-, 10-, 12- and 14-periodic chains
Dana 8th edition ID:65.7.1.1

65 : INOSILICATES Single-Width,Unbranched Chains,(W=1)
7 : Single-Width Unbranched Chains, W=1 with chains P > 7
Hey's CIM Ref.:14.13.1

14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
13 : Silicates of Pb
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Type Occurrence of Alamosite

Type Locality:Alamos, Mun. de Alamos, Sonora, Mexico
Place of Conservation of Type Material:Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, 84859, 85509.
Year of Discovery:1909
Associated Minerals at type locality:
WulfeniteLeadhilliteCerussite

Occurrences of Alamosite

Geological Setting:As a rare secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of lead-bearing base metal deposits.

Physical Properties of Alamosite

Lustre:Adamantine
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent, Translucent
Colour:Colorless to white, cream, or light gray
Streak:white
Hardness (Mohs):4½
Cleavage:Perfect
{010}

Crystallography of Alamosite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Cell Parameters:a = 12.24Å, b = 7.05Å, c = 11.23Å
β = 113.12°
Ratio:a:b:c = 1.736 : 1 : 1.593
Unit Cell Volume:V 891.23 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:Crystals fibrous parallel [010] ; as radiating aggregates and balls, to 7.5 cm.

Optical Data of Alamosite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.947 nβ = 1.961 nγ = 1.968
2V:Measured: 65° , Calculated: 70°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.021

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Very High
Dispersion:relatively weak

Chemical Properties of Alamosite

Formula:
Pb
 
12
[Si
 
12
O
 
36
]
Essential elements:O, Pb, Si
All elements listed in formula:O, Pb, Si
Common Impurities:Al,Fe,Mn,Ca

Relationship of Alamosite to other Species

Common Associates:
LeadhilliteAnglesiteMelanotekiteMelanotekiteKegelite
HematiteDiaboleitePhosgeniteCerussiteWulfenite
WillemiteShattuckiteWickenburgite
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
9.DO.05Pyroxferroite
(Fe,Mn,Ca)SiO
 
3
9.DO.05Pyroxmangite
MnSiO
 
3
9.DO.10Pellyite
Ba
 
2
Ca(Fe,Mg)
 
2
Si
 
6
O
 
17
9.DO.15Nordite-(Ce)
(Ce,La)(Sr,Ca)Na
 
2
(Na,Mn)(Zn,Mg)Si
 
6
O
 
17
9.DO.15Nordite-(La)
(La,Ce)(Sr,Ca)Na
 
2
(Na,Mn)(Zn,Mg)Si
 
6
O
 
17
9.DO.15Ferronordite-(Ce)
Na
 
3
SrCeFe
2+
 
Si
 
6
O
 
17
9.DO.15Manganonordite-(Ce)
Na
 
3
SrCeMn
2+
 
Si
 
6
O
 
17
9.DO.15Ferronordite-(La)
Na
 
3
Sr(La,Ce)FeSi
 
6
O
 
17
9.DO.25Liebauite
Ca
 
3
Cu
 
5
Si
 
9
O
 
26
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
14.13.2Plumbotsumite
Pb
 
13
(CO
 
3
)
 
6
(Si
 
10
O
 
27
) · 3H
 
2
O
14.13.3Luddenite
Cu
 
2
Pb
 
2
Si
 
5
O
 
14
 · 4H
 
2
O
14.13.4Molybdophyllite
Pb
 
2
Mg
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
7
(OH)
 
2
14.13.5Margarosanite
Pb(Ca,Mn
2+
 
)
 
2
(Si
 
3
O
 
9
)
14.13.6Ganomalite
Pb
 
9
Ca
 
5
Mn(Si
 
2
O
 
7
)
 
4
(SiO
 
4
)O
14.13.7Kentrolite
Pb
 
2
Mn
3+
2
(Si
 
2
O
 
7
)O
 
2
14.13.8Barysilite
Pb
 
8
Mn
2+
 
[Si
 
2
O
 
7
]
 
3
14.13.9Melanotekite
Pb
 
2
Fe
3+
2
(Si
 
2
O
 
7
)O
 
2
14.13.10Creaseyite
Cu
 
2
Pb
 
2
(Fe,Al)
 
2
Si
 
5
O
 
17
 · 6H
 
2
O

Other Names for Alamosite

Other Languages:
German:Alamosit
Russian:Аламозит
Spanish:Alamosita

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 Alamosite

Reference List:

- +
Zeitschrift für Kristallographie: 126: 98-111.

Internet Links for Alamosite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
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  • Alamosite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    • Localities for Alamosite

    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.
    Mexico
     
    • Hidalgo
      • Mun. de Zimapán
        • Zimapán
    		Panczner (1987): 87.
    • Sonora
      • Mun. de Alamos
    		[Amer.J.Sci., ser. 4 (1909) 27, 399; Clark, 1993 - "Hey's Mineral Index, 3rd Edition"]
    Namibia
     
    • Otjikoto (Oshikoto) Region
      • Tsumeb
    		 Gebhard, G. (1999): Tsumeb II. A Unique Mineral Locality. GG Publishing, Grossenseifen, Germany
    Sweden
     
    • Värmland
      • Filipstad
    		Nysten, P., Holtstam, D. and Jonsson, E. (1999) The Långban minerals. In Långban - The mines,their minerals, geology and explorers (D. Holtstam and J. Langhof, eds.), Swedish Museum of Natural History and Raster Förlag, Stockholm & Chr. Weise Verlag, Munich, pp. 89-183.
        • Persberg district
          • Pajsberg
    USA
     
    • Arizona
      • Cochise Co.
        • Tombstone Hills
          • Tombstone District
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 104, 242.
      • Maricopa Co.
        • Big Horn Mts
          • Osborn District
            • Tonopah
              • Belmont Mountain
                • Tiger Wash
      • Mohave Co.
        • Artillery Mts
          • Artillery Peak
    		S. A. Williams (1982) Luddenite, a New Copper-Lead Silicate from Arizona Mineralogical Magazine 1982 46 : 363-364
          • Rawhide Wash
            • Rawhide Mine area
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 104, 369; Williams, S.A. (1982), Luddenite, a new copper-lead silicate mineral from AZ, Min.Mag.: 46:363-364.
    Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 280.
      • Pinal Co.
        • Mammoth District
          • Tiger
            • St. Anthony deposit
    		Analyzed at the University of Western Syndey, Australia.
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    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.
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