Named after Antonio Rossi (1942–2011), professor of Sedimentary Petrology at Modena and Reggio Emilia University and an early developer of scientific speleology in Italy, in recognition of his constant and precious efforts devoted to the study of minerals and, especially, of cave minerals.

Type Locality:

ⓘ Akopan-Dal Cin cave system, Chimantá Massif (Chimantha Massif), Gran Sabana Municipality, Bolívar, Venezuela

New structure type.
Structurally similar to the Sanjuanite-Destinezite Group.

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Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:

43579

Long-form identifier:

mindat:1:1:43579:8

GUID
(UUID V4):

c4bb1c17-ae94-4ca7-959a-fcf1dc0ed8d3

IMA Classification of RossiantoniteHide

IMA status:

Approved

IMA Formula:

Al₃(PO₄)(SO₄)₂(OH)₂(H₂O)₁₀ · 4H₂O

First published:

2013

Type description reference:

Galli, E., Brigatti, M. F., Malferrari, D., Sauro, F., De Waele, J. (2013) Rossiantonite, Al₃(PO₄)(SO₄)₂(OH)₂(H₂O)₁₀·4H₂O, a new hydrated aluminum phosphate-sulfate mineral from Chimanta massif, Venezuela: Description and crystal structure. American Mineralogist, 98 (10) 1906-1913 doi:10.2138/am.2013.4393

Classification of RossiantoniteHide

Strunz-mindat (2024):

8.DB.50

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H₂O
B : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO₄< 1:1

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

Symbol	Source	Reference
Ran	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 RossiantoniteHide

Lustre:

Vitreous

Transparency:

Transparent

Colour:

Colorless

Streak:

White

Tenacity:

Brittle

Cleavage:

None Observed

Fracture:

Irregular/Uneven, Sub-Conchoidal

Density:

1.958 g/cm³ (Calculated)

Optical Data of RossiantoniteHide

Type:

Biaxial

Pleochroism:

Non-pleochroic

Comments:

Mean refractive index of n = 1.504.
Interference colors vary from light gray to light cyan.

Chemistry of RossiantoniteHide

Mindat Formula:

Al₃(PO₄)(SO₄)₂(OH)₂(H₂O)₁₄

Elements listed:

Al, H, O, P, S - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of RossiantoniteHide

Crystal System:

Triclinic

Class (H-M):

1 - Pinacoidal

Space Group:

Cell Parameters:

a = 10.3415(5) Å, b = 10.9580(5) Å, c = 11.1445(5) Å
α = 86.968(2)°, β = 65.757(2)°, γ = 75.055(2)°

Ratio:

a:b:c = 0.944 : 1 : 1.017

Unit Cell V:

1,110.58 Å³ (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Crystal StructureHide

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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)
0020013	Rossiantonite	Galli E, Brigatti M F, Malferrari D, Sauro F, de Waele J (2013) Rossiantonite, Al3(PO4)(SO4)2(OH)2(H2O)104H2O, a new hydrated aluminum phosphate-sulfate mineral from Chimanta massif, Venezuela: Description and crystal structure* American Mineralogist 98 1906-1913		2013	Chimanta massif, Venezuela	0	293

CIF Raw Data - click here to close

data_global
_chemical_name_mineral 'Rossiantonite'
loop_
_publ_author_name
'Galli E'
'Brigatti M F'
'Malferrari D'
'Sauro F'
'de Waele J'
_journal_name_full 'American Mineralogist'
_journal_volume 98 
_journal_year 2013
_journal_page_first 1906
_journal_page_last 1913
_publ_section_title
;
 Rossiantonite, Al3(PO4)(SO4)2(OH)2(H2O)10*4H2O, a new hydrated aluminum
 phosphate-sulfate mineral from Chimanta massif, Venezuela: Description
 and crystal structure
;
_database_code_amcsd 0020013
_chemical_compound_source 'Chimanta massif, Venezuela'
_chemical_formula_sum 'Al3 P S2 O28 H30'
_cell_length_a 10.3410
_cell_length_b 10.9600
_cell_length_c 11.1446
_cell_angle_alpha 86.985
_cell_angle_beta 65.727
_cell_angle_gamma 75.064
_cell_volume 1110.493
_exptl_crystal_density_diffrn      1.957
_symmetry_space_group_name_H-M 'P -1'
loop_
_space_group_symop_operation_xyz
  'x,y,z'
  '-x,-y,-z'
loop_
_atom_site_label
_atom_site_fract_x
_atom_site_fract_y
_atom_site_fract_z
_atom_site_U_iso_or_equiv
Al1   0.25082   0.61747   0.02865   0.01200
Al2   0.26865   0.62187   0.33029   0.01430
Al3   0.55570   0.94305   0.09333   0.01340
P   0.51694   0.66281   0.06107   0.01211
S1   0.95448   0.04744   0.25820   0.01870
S2   0.74541   0.64528   0.32748   0.01659
O1   0.58492   0.77396   0.04457   0.01500
O2   0.44148   0.63987   0.20622   0.01740
O3   0.40338   0.69257   0.00033   0.01540
O4   0.36214   0.45247   0.01552   0.01650
O5   0.18040   0.63653   0.21369   0.01680
O6   0.12510   0.77941   0.02700   0.02270
O7   0.69290   0.38680   0.16000   0.02150
O8   0.09370   0.54600   0.04781   0.02100
O9   0.11130   0.57840   0.47340   0.02040
O10   0.17350   0.79431   0.38980   0.02250
O11   0.34500   0.43780   0.29520   0.02490
O12   0.36210   0.61504   0.45000   0.02150
O13   0.38090   0.00610   0.07683   0.01640
O14   0.46620   0.91360   0.27530   0.02280
O15   0.74720   0.88640   0.09530   0.02060
O16   0.55460   0.10757   0.15250   0.02500
O17   0.09880   0.00093   0.26120   0.03780
O18   0.95360   0.15317   0.17280   0.03800
O19   0.91440   0.94628   0.21160   0.04050
O20   0.84230   0.09135   0.39310   0.02920
O21   0.80650   0.66173   0.18464   0.02240
O22   0.67120   0.54142   0.35320   0.02530
O23   0.63330   0.76204   0.39646   0.02670
O24   0.86191   0.61508   0.37425   0.02510
OW1   0.12450   0.31170   0.13650   0.02940
OW2   0.28450   0.08760   0.46520   0.03270
OW3   0.40480   0.78840   0.65550   0.03130
OW4   0.15510   0.29420   0.36510   0.03060
H5   0.11000   0.63100   0.24700   0.02400
H13   0.30200   0.00900   0.12700   0.02200
H6I   0.89600   0.19800   0.03600   0.04000
H6D   0.07200   0.82500   0.09400   0.02500
H7I   0.70000   0.43600   0.20400   0.05900
H7D   0.67200   0.33100   0.20500   0.05900
H8I   0.00400   0.58300   0.08200   0.04000
H8D   0.10200   0.46600   0.07500   0.04700
H9I   0.12200   0.51000   0.51800   0.05400
H9D   0.02700   0.62500   0.52800   0.07300
H10I   0.16800   0.82600   0.45500   0.03300
H10D   0.15600   0.84900   0.34200   0.03800
H11I   0.29000   0.39000   0.31200   0.05100
H11D   0.39200   0.42600   0.23000   0.03800
H12I   0.45800   0.60200   0.41400   0.05400
H12D   0.34700   0.56700   0.50600   0.03100
H14I   0.51300   0.86400   0.30300   0.05300
H14D   0.41700   0.96700   0.32800   0.02600
H15I   0.75700   0.81900   0.12400   0.04500
H15D   0.78300   0.93000   0.12000   0.06400
H16D   0.56100   0.13600   0.21700   0.05700
H16I   0.57100   0.17100   0.10200   0.03800
HW1I   0.07200   0.25900   0.14400   0.03800
HW1D   0.21500   0.27400   0.07500   0.05600
HW2I   0.22200   0.04300   0.52500   0.04600
HW2D   0.68500   0.87100   0.49600   0.05100
HW3I   0.33200   0.82300   0.63500   0.07300
HW3D   0.47100   0.76300   0.58700   0.04200
HW4D   0.14300   0.28600   0.29600   0.06500
HW4I   0.18600   0.22300   0.40100   0.07300
loop_
_atom_site_aniso_label
_atom_site_aniso_U_11
_atom_site_aniso_U_22
_atom_site_aniso_U_33
_atom_site_aniso_U_12
_atom_site_aniso_U_13
_atom_site_aniso_U_23
Al1 0.01170 0.01140 0.01250 -0.00090 -0.00560 -0.00030
Al2 0.01430 0.01560 0.01260 -0.00330 -0.00560 0.00170
Al3 0.01470 0.01250 0.01370 -0.00310 -0.00670 0.00110
P 0.01250 0.01110 0.01200 -0.00210 -0.00490 0.00080
S1 0.01800 0.01960 0.01700 -0.00320 -0.00670 0.00030
S2 0.01620 0.01740 0.01560 -0.00320 -0.00680 0.00240
O1 0.01420 0.01240 0.01820 -0.00350 -0.00650 0.00070
O2 0.01410 0.02360 0.01480 -0.00610 -0.00580 0.00220
O3 0.01700 0.01440 0.01770 -0.00560 -0.00960 0.00320
O4 0.01420 0.01190 0.01960 -0.00190 -0.00390 -0.00060
O5 0.01200 0.02230 0.01470 -0.00460 -0.00400 0.00070
O6 0.02600 0.02060 0.01950 0.00540 -0.01350 -0.00450
O7 0.02860 0.01930 0.01750 -0.00530 -0.01060 -0.00130
O8 0.01560 0.02090 0.02620 -0.00490 -0.00770 -0.00140
O9 0.01620 0.02180 0.01830 -0.00400 -0.00330 0.00570
O10 0.03390 0.01740 0.01830 -0.00250 -0.01490 -0.00110
O11 0.02370 0.01900 0.02540 -0.00430 -0.00440 0.00060
O12 0.01960 0.02980 0.01690 -0.00890 -0.00870 0.00880
O13 0.01020 0.02000 0.01560 -0.00280 -0.00270 0.00350
O14 0.02720 0.01740 0.01770 0.00200 -0.00770 -0.00050
O15 0.02190 0.01780 0.02730 -0.00780 -0.01420 0.00480
O16 0.04340 0.01710 0.02350 -0.01120 -0.02080 0.00380
O17 0.02390 0.04840 0.03870 -0.00760 -0.01300 0.01370
O18 0.03950 0.04590 0.03890 -0.01710 -0.02480 0.02080
O19 0.04140 0.03440 0.04420 -0.01020 -0.01410 -0.01490
O20 0.02910 0.03290 0.02080 -0.00430 -0.00680 -0.00690
O21 0.02200 0.02370 0.01600 -0.00040 -0.00590 0.00420
O22 0.03190 0.02590 0.02680 -0.01530 -0.01650 0.00840
O23 0.02530 0.02460 0.02100 0.00360 -0.00580 -0.00440
O24 0.02380 0.02930 0.02960 -0.00930 -0.01780 0.00970
OW1 0.02510 0.02680 0.03120 -0.00940 -0.00450 -0.00300
OW2 0.03850 0.03000 0.02440 -0.01350 -0.00470 -0.00120
OW3 0.02800 0.04280 0.02010 -0.00330 -0.00980 -0.00350
OW4 0.03150 0.03040 0.02830 -0.00530 -0.01180 -0.00310

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:

d-spacing	Intensity
10.16 Å	(32)
9.12 Å	(56)
8.02 Å	(40)
7.12 Å	(33)
5.00 Å	(29)
4.647 Å	(100)
4.006 Å	(53)
3.781 Å	(28)

Comments:

From Type Description.

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):

Paragenetic Mode	Earliest Age (Ga)
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event	<2.4
47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals]
47b : [Sulfates and sulfites]
47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates]

Type Occurrence of RossiantoniteHide

Type Locality:

ⓘ Akopan-Dal Cin cave system, Chimantá Massif (Chimantha Massif), Gran Sabana Municipality, Bolívar, Venezuela

General Appearance of Type Material:

Sand like grains on floor of cave with prismatic euhedral crystals, ~0.15 mm in size.

Place of Conservation of Type Material:

Gemma University Museum of Modena and Reggio E. University, Modena, Italy, catalogue number 2/2012.

Geological Setting of Type Material:

Precambrian quartz sandstone under tropical wet conditions, in Venezuela, cave environment.

Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Reference:

Galli, E., Brigatti, M.F., Malferrari, D., Sauro, F., De Waele, J. (2013): Rossiantonite, Al3(PO4)(SO4)2(OH)2(H2O)10•4H2O, a new hydrated aluminum phosphate-sulfate mineral from Chimanta massif, Venezuela: Description and crystal structure. American Mineralogist, 98, 1906-1913.

Download:

https://rruff.info/rruff_1.0/uploads/AM98_1906.pdf

Synonyms of RossiantoniteHide

IMA2012-056

Relationship of Rossiantonite to other SpeciesHide

Structurally related to group(s):

Sanjuanite-Destinezite Group

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping Hide

8.DB.	Arangasite	Al₂F(PO₄)(SO₄) · 9H₂O	Mon. 2/m : P2/b
8.DB.	Camaronesite	[Fe³⁺(H₂O)₂(PO₃OH)]₂(SO₄) · 1-2H₂O	Trig. 3 2 : R3 2
8.DB.	Höslite	Fe³⁺₃(VO₄)₂(SO₄)(OH)(H₂O)₄ · 3H₂O	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b
8.DB.05	Diadochite	Fe³⁺₂(PO₄)(SO₄)(OH) · 6H₂O	Amor.
8.DB.05	Pitticite	(Fe, AsO₄, H₂O) (?)	Amor.
8.DB.05	Destinezite	Fe³⁺₂(PO₄)(SO₄)(OH) · 6H₂O	Tric. 1 : P1
8.DB.07	Wilhelmgümbelite	ZnFe²⁺Fe³⁺₃(PO₄)₃(OH)₄(H₂O)₅ · 2H₂O	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
8.DB.07	Schmidite	[Zn₂(Fe³⁺,Mn²⁺)₂Fe³⁺(PO₄)₃(OH)₃(H₂O)₆] · 2H₂O	Orth.
8.DB.07	Wildenauerite	Zn(Fe³⁺,Mn²⁺)₂MnFe³⁺(PO₄)₃(OH)₃(H₂O)₆ · 2H₂O	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbam
8.DB.10	Vashegyite	Al₁₁(PO₄)₉(OH)₆ · 38H₂O	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
8.DB.15	Schoonerite	ZnMn²⁺Fe²⁺₂Fe³⁺(PO₄)₃(OH)₂ · 9H₂O	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbam
8.DB.20	Sinkankasite	Mn²⁺Al(PO₃OH)₂(OH) · 6H₂O	Tric. 1 : P1
8.DB.25	Mitryaevaite	Al₆(PO₄)((P,S)O₃(OH,O))₂F₂(OH)₂ · 14.5H₂O	Tric. 1 : P1
8.DB.30	Sanjuanite	Al₂(PO₄)(SO₄)(OH) · 9H₂O	Tric.
8.DB.35	Sarmientite	Fe³⁺₂(AsO₄)(SO₄)(OH) · 5H₂O	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b
8.DB.40	Bukovskýite	Fe³⁺₂(AsO₄)(SO₄)(OH) · 9H₂O	Tric. 1 : P1
8.DB.40	Flurlite	Zn₃Mn²⁺Fe³⁺(PO₄)₃(OH)₂ · 9H₂O	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/m
8.DB.40	Manganflurlite	ZnMn²⁺₃Fe³⁺(PO₄)₃(OH)₂(H₂O)₇ · 2H₂O	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/m
8.DB.42	Bohuslavite	Fe³⁺₄(PO₄)₃(SO₄)(OH) · nH₂O	Tric. 1 : P1
8.DB.45	Zýkaite	Fe³⁺₄(AsO₄)₃(SO₄)(OH) · 15H₂O	Orth. 2 2 2 : P2 2 2
8.DB.47	Lapeyreite	Cu₃O[AsO₃(OH)]₂ · 0.75H₂O	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
8.DB.50	Giniite	Fe²⁺Fe³⁺₄(PO₄)₃(OH)₅ · 2H₂O	Mon. 2/m : P2/b
8.DB.52	Arctowskite	Al₉(PO₄)₈(OH)₃ · 27H₂O	Orth.
8.DB.55	Sasaite	(Al,Fe³⁺)₁₄(PO₄)₁₁(SO₄)(OH)₇ · 83H₂O	Orth.
8.DB.60	Mcauslanite	Fe₃Al₂(PO₄)₃(PO₃OH)F · 18H₂O	Tric.
8.DB.65	Goldquarryite	CuCd₂Al₃(PO₄)₄F₂(H₂O,F)₂ · 10H₂O	Tric. 1 : P1
8.DB.70	Birchite	Cd₂Cu₂(PO₄)₂(SO₄) · 5H₂O	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma
8.DB.75	Braithwaiteite	NaCu₅(Ti⁴⁺Sb⁵⁺)(AsO₄)₄(HAsO₄)₂O₂ · 8H₂O	Tric. 1 : P1

Fluorescence of RossiantoniteHide

In UV light:

Dim green color, regardless of excitation frequency.

Other InformationHide

Notes:

Rossiantonite dissolves very easily in cold, dilute HCl/H2O (1:1).

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 RossiantoniteHide

mindat.org URL:

https://www.mindat.org/min-43579.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

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Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project

References and PDF downloads at RRUFF project

American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database

Handbook of Mineralogy page PDF

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References for RossiantoniteHide

Reference List:

Williams, P. A., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2013) IMA Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification. CNMNC Newsletter No. 15. Mineralogical Magazine, 77 (1) 1-12 doi:10.1180/minmag.2013.077.1.01

(2023) Rossiantonite. Handbook of Mineralogy. Mineralogical Society of America

Localities for RossiantoniteHide

This 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.

Locality ListHide

- 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.


Venezuela
Bolívar Gran Sabana Municipality Auyán-tepui (Auyán-tepuy; Ayan Tepui) ⓘ Imawarì Yeuta cave ?	Sauro et al. (2013)
Chimantá Massif (Chimantha Massif) ⓘ Akopan-Dal Cin cave system (TL)	Williams et al. (2013) +2 other references

Rossiantonite