Gaitite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Gaitite
Formula:
Ca2Zn(AsO4)2 · 2H2O
Colour:
White to colorless
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
5
Specific Gravity:
3.81
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1980 by Bozidar Darko Sturman and Pete J. Dunn in honor of Robert Irwin Gait [b. September 12, 1938], mineralogist, Curator of the mineral and gem collection (1967-1996), Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Ontario, for his contributions to mineralogy and curatorial excellence.
Dimorph of:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1636
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1636:6
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
8ef337a6-0a86-465f-94e9-2863248f5154
IMA Classification of Gaitite
Approved
Approval year:
1978
First published:
1980
Classification of Gaitite
8.CG.05
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
G : With large and medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O = 1:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
G : With large and medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O = 1:1
40.2.2.6
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
2 : AB2(XO4)2·xH2O
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
2 : AB2(XO4)2·xH2O
20.3.11
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
3 : Arsenates of Zn, Cd or Hg
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
3 : Arsenates of Zn, Cd or Hg
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 |
---|---|---|
Gt | 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 Gaitite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
White to colorless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
5 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
{010}, {001}, and {011}, probable, equally good.
{010}, {001}, and {011}, probable, equally good.
Density:
3.81(5) g/cm3 (Measured) 3.82 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Gaitite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.713 nβ = 1.730 nγ = 1.748
2V:
Measured: 88° , Calculated: 90°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.035
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:
High
Dispersion:
weak
Chemistry of Gaitite
Mindat Formula:
Ca2Zn(AsO4)2 · 2H2O
Crystallography of Gaitite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.9 Å, b = 7.61 Å, c = 5.57 Å
α = 111.67°, β = 70.83°, γ = 119.42°
α = 111.67°, β = 70.83°, γ = 119.42°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.775 : 1 : 0.732
Unit Cell V:
199.08 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1
Crystal Structure
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2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0007063 | Gaitite | Keller P, Lissner F, Schleid T (2004) The crystal structures of zincroselite and gaitite: Two natural polymorphs of Ca2Zn[AsO4]2*2H2O from Tsumeb, Namibia European Journal of Mineralogy 16 353-359 | 2004 | Tsumeb, Namibia | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
2.781 Å | (100) |
3.080 Å | (80) |
2.750 Å | (70) |
1.721 Å | (60) |
3.350 Å | (50) |
3.208 Å | (50) |
5.05 Å | (40) |
Comments:
Tsumeb, Namibia. Data from the type description.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates] |
Type Occurrence of Gaitite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Polycrystalline coatings; only a few small crystals were found, with the largest dimension of about 1 mm.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M35388.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 144799.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 144799.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Sturman, B.D., Dunn, P.J. (1980) Gaitite, H2Ca2Zn(AsO4)2(OH)2, a new mineral from Tsumeb, Namibia. The Canadian Mineralogist: 18: 197-200.
Synonyms of Gaitite
Other Language Names for Gaitite
Relationship of Gaitite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
Anorthoroselite | Ca2Co(AsO4)2 · 2H2O | Tric. |
Cassidyite | Ca2Ni(PO4)2 · 2H2O | Tric. |
Collinsite | Ca2Mg(PO4)2 · 2H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
Fairfieldite | Ca2Mn2+(PO4)2 · 2H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
Hillite | Ca2Zn(PO4)2 · 2H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
Messelite | Ca2Fe2+(PO4)2 · 2H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
Nickeltalmessite | Ca2Ni(AsO4)2 · 2H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
Parabrandtite | Ca2Mn2+(AsO4)2 · 2H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
Talmessite | Ca2Mg(AsO4)2 · 2H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
Unnamed (Fe2+-analogue of Parabrandtite) | Ca2Fe2+(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
2 photos of Gaitite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
1 photo of Gaitite associated with Picropharmacolite | Ca4Mg(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 11H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
8.CG. | Ca-Huréaulite | CaMn5(PO4)4 · 4H2O |
8.CG. | Fluckite | CaMn2+(AsO3OH)2 · 2H2O |
8.CG. | Dondoellite | Ca2Fe(PO4)2 · 2H2O |
8.CG. | Alumolukrahnite | Ca[CuAl](AsO4)2(H2O,OH)2 |
8.CG.05 | Cassidyite | Ca2Ni(PO4)2 · 2H2O |
8.CG.05 | Collinsite | Ca2Mg(PO4)2 · 2H2O |
8.CG.05 | Fairfieldite | Ca2Mn2+(PO4)2 · 2H2O |
8.CG.05 | Messelite | Ca2Fe2+(PO4)2 · 2H2O |
8.CG.05 | Parabrandtite | Ca2Mn2+(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
8.CG.05 | Anorthoroselite | Ca2Co(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
8.CG.05 | Talmessite | Ca2Mg(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
8.CG.05 | Hillite | Ca2Zn(PO4)2 · 2H2O |
8.CG.05 | Unnamed (Fe2+-analogue of Parabrandtite) | Ca2Fe2+(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
8.CG.10 | Brandtite | Ca2Mn2+(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
8.CG.10 | Roselite | Ca2Co(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
8.CG.10 | Wendwilsonite | Ca2Mg(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
8.CG.10 | Zincroselite | Ca2Zn(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
8.CG.10 | Rruffite | Ca2Cu(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
8.CG.10 | Unnamed (Fe2+-analogue of Brandtite) | Ca2Fe2+(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
8.CG.15 | Ferrilotharmeyerite | CaZnFe3+(AsO4)2(OH) · H2O |
8.CG.15 | Lotharmeyerite | CaZn2(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
8.CG.15 | Mawbyite | PbFe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2 |
8.CG.15 | Mounanaite | PbFe3+2(VO4)2(OH,F)2 |
8.CG.15 | Thometzekite | PbCu2+2(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
8.CG.15 | Tsumcorite | PbZn2(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
8.CG.15 | Cobaltlotharmeyerite | CaCo2(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
8.CG.15 | Cabalzarite | CaMg2(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
8.CG.15 | Krettnichite | PbMn3+2(VO4)2(OH)2 |
8.CG.15 | Cobalttsumcorite | PbCo2(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
8.CG.15 | Nickellotharmeyerite | CaNi2(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
8.CG.15 | Manganlotharmeyerite | CaMn3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2 |
8.CG.15 | Schneebergite | BiCo2(AsO4)2(OH) · H2O |
8.CG.15 | Nickelschneebergite | BiNi2(AsO4)2(OH) · H2O |
8.CG.15 | Yancowinnaite | PbCuAl(AsO4)2OH · H2O |
8.CG.15 | Nickeltsumcorite | Pb(Ni,Fe3+)2(AsO4)2(H2O,OH)2 |
8.CG.15 | Magnesiofluckite | CaMg(AsO3OH)2(H2O)2 |
8.CG.20 | Gartrellite | PbCuFe3+(AsO4)2(OH) · H2O |
8.CG.20 | Helmutwinklerite | PbZn2(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
8.CG.20 | Zincgartrellite | PbZn2(AsO4)2(H2O,OH)2 |
8.CG.20 | Rappoldite | PbCo2(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
8.CG.20 | Phosphogartrellite | PbCuFe3+(PO4)2(OH,H2O)2 |
8.CG.20 | Lukrahnite | CaCuFe3+(AsO4)2(OH,H2O)2 |
8.CG.25 | Pottsite | (Pb3xBi4-2x)(VO4)4 · H2O (0.8 < x < 1.0) |
8.CG.25 | Armellinoite-(Ce) | Ca4Ce4+(AsO4)4 · H2O |
8.CG.35 | Nickeltalmessite | Ca2Ni(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
8.CG.55 | Irhtemite | Ca4Mg(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 4H2O |
Fluorescence of Gaitite
Not fluorescent.
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 Gaitite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1636.html
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References for Gaitite
Localities for Gaitite
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.
Germany | |
| Schnorrer et al. (1993) |
Greece | |
| |
Rieck (1999) | |
| Fritz Schreiber collection |
Namibia (TL) | |
| Sturman et al. (1980) +1 other reference |
Spain | |
| Rewitzer et al. (2018) |
USA | |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
Min News (1999) |
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Cogolla Alta mine, La Ventosilla farmhouse, Belalcázar, Córdoba, Andalusia, Spain