Ajoite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Ajoite
Ajo Mine (1916 or earlier)
New Cornelia Mine, Ajo, Little Ajo Mountains, Ajo Mining District, Pima County, Arizona, USA
New Cornelia Mine, Ajo, Little Ajo Mountains, Ajo Mining District, Pima County, Arizona, USA
Formula:
(K,Na)Cu7AlSi9O24(OH)6 · 3H2O
Colour:
Bluish green
Specific Gravity:
2.96
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
Named after the type locality, the New Cornelia mine in Ajo, Arizona, USA (http://www.mindat.org/loc-3370.html)
See also Best Minerals article on ajoite: Currier, R., Revheim O. (2016): Ajoite. revision 2.1 Mindat Best Minerals Project, article "mesg-66-124530":
http://www.mindat.org/mesg-66-124530.html
http://www.mindat.org/mesg-66-124530.html
Unique Identifiers
IMA Classification of Ajoite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
K3Cu2+20Al3Si29O76(OH)16 · 8H2O
First published:
1958
Classification of Ajoite
9.EA.70
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
A : Single nets of tetrahedra with 4-, 5-, (6-), and 8-membered rings
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
A : Single nets of tetrahedra with 4-, 5-, (6-), and 8-membered rings
78.5.1.1
78 : Unclassified Silicates
5 :
78 : Unclassified Silicates
5 :
16.5.6
16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
5 : Aluminosilicates of Cs, NH4 and Cu
16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
5 : Aluminosilicates of Cs, NH4 and Cu
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 |
---|---|---|
Aj | 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 Ajoite
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Bluish green
Streak:
Greenish white
Cleavage:
Perfect
on {010}
on {010}
Density:
2.96 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.951 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Ajoite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.550(1) nβ = 1.583(1) nγ = 1.641(1)
2V:
Measured: 80° (1), Calculated: 76.4°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.091
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:
Moderate
Dispersion:
r < v strong
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X= very light bluish green
Y=Z= brilliant bluish green
Y=Z= brilliant bluish green
Chemistry of Ajoite
Mindat Formula:
(K,Na)Cu7AlSi9O24(OH)6 · 3H2O
Common Impurities:
Fe,Mn,Ca
Crystallography of Ajoite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Cell Parameters:
a = 13.634(5) Å, b = 13.687(7) Å, c = 14.522(7) Å
α = 110.83(1)°, β = 107.21(1)°, γ = 105.68(1)°
α = 110.83(1)°, β = 107.21(1)°, γ = 105.68(1)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.996 : 1 : 1.061
Unit Cell V:
2,195.04 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
3
Morphology:
As sprays of bladed prismatic crystals, to 0.4 mm; commonly fibrous.
From New Cornelia mine {010} is the most prominent form and {100} and {110} are much less prominent but always present. The termination on c may be either {001} or {203} or both.
From New Cornelia mine {010} is the most prominent form and {100} and {110} are much less prominent but always present. The termination on c may be either {001} or {203} or both.
Comment:
Cell parameters from Pluth and Smith (2002)
Crystal Structure
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Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0015331 | Ajoite | Pluth J J, Smith J V (2002) Arizona porphyry copper/hydrothermal deposits II: Crystal structure of ajoite, (K+Na)3Cu20Al3Si29O76(OH)16*~8H2O Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 99 11002-11005 | 2002 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
12.25 Å | (100) |
4.08 Å | (10) |
3.381 Å | (8) |
3.061 Å | (10) |
2.832 Å | (8) |
2.455 Å | (12) |
2.258 Å | (8) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] |
Geological Setting:
In oxidised copper-rich base-metal deposits.
Type Occurrence of Ajoite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 113220.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Schaller, W.T., Vlisidis, A.C. (1958) Ajoite, a new hydrous aluminum copper silicate. American Mineralogist: 43: 1107-1111.
Other Language Names for Ajoite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
181 photos of Ajoite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
44 photos of Ajoite associated with Shattuckite | Cu5(Si2O6)2(OH)2 |
33 photos of Ajoite associated with Hematite | Fe2O3 |
27 photos of Ajoite associated with Papagoite | CaCu[H3AlSi2O9] |
22 photos of Ajoite associated with Copper | Cu |
7 photos of Ajoite associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
7 photos of Ajoite associated with Cuprorivaite | CaCuSi4O10 |
6 photos of Ajoite associated with Olivenite | Cu2(AsO4)(OH) |
6 photos of Ajoite associated with Kaolinite | Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
5 photos of Ajoite associated with Conichalcite | CaCu(AsO4)(OH) |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
9.EA. | Bussyite-(Y) | (Y,REE,Ca)3(Na,Ca)6MnSi9Be5(O,OH,F)34 |
9.EA. | Fluorapophyllite-(NH₄) | NH4Ca4(Si8O20)F · 8H2O |
9.EA. | Hydroxymcglassonite-(K) | KSr4Si8O20(OH) · 8H2O |
9.EA.05 | Cuprorivaite | CaCuSi4O10 |
9.EA.05 | Gillespite | BaFe2+Si4O10 |
9.EA.05 | Effenbergerite | BaCuSi4O10 |
9.EA.05 | Wesselsite | SrCuSi4O10 |
9.EA.07 | Fluorapophyllite-(Cs) | CsCa4(Si8O20)F · 8H2O |
9.EA.10 | Ekanite | Ca2ThSi8O20 |
9.EA.15 | Fluorapophyllite-(K) | KCa4(Si8O20)(F,OH) · 8H2O |
9.EA.15 | Hydroxyapophyllite-(K) | KCa4(Si8O20)(OH,F) · 8H2O |
9.EA.15 | Fluorapophyllite-(Na) | NaCa4(Si8O20)F · 8H2O |
9.EA.20 | Magadiite | Na2Si14O29 · 11H2O |
9.EA.25 | Dalyite | K2ZrSi6O15 |
9.EA.25 | Davanite | K2TiSi6O15 |
9.EA.30 | Sazhinite-(Ce) | Na2CeSi6O14 · 6H2O |
9.EA.30 | Sazhinite-(La) | Na3La[Si6O15] · 2H2O |
9.EA.35 | Armstrongite | CaZr[Si6O15] · 3H2O |
9.EA.40 | Okenite | Ca10Si18O46 · 18H2O |
9.EA.45 | Nekoite | Ca3Si6O15 · 7H2O |
9.EA.45 | Perettiite-(Y) | Y2Mn4FeSi2B8O24 |
9.EA.45 | Badakhshanite-(Y) | Y2Mn4Al(Si2B7BeO24) |
9.EA.47 | Shlykovite | KCa[Si4O9(OH)] · 3H2O |
9.EA.50 | Cavansite | Ca(VO)Si4O10 · 4H2O |
9.EA.50 | Diegogattaite | Na2CaCu2Si8O20 · H2O |
9.EA.52 | Yangite | PbMnSi3O8 · H2O |
9.EA.55 | Pentagonite | Ca(VO)Si4O10 · 4H2O |
9.EA.60 | Penkvilksite | Na4Ti2Si8O22 · 4H2O |
9.EA.60 | Tumchaite | Na2Zr(Si4O11) · 2H2O |
9.EA.65 | Nabesite | Na2BeSi4O10 · 4H2O |
9.EA.75 | Zeravshanite | Na2Cs4Zr3[Si18O45]*2H2O |
9.EA.80 | Bussyite-(Ce) | (Ce,REE)3(Na,H2O)6MnSi9Be5(O,OH)30F4 |
9.EA.85 | Plumbophyllite | Pb2Si4O10 · H2O |
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 Ajoite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-66.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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Mineral Dealers:
References for Ajoite
Reference List:
Schaller, W. T., Vlisidis, A. C. (1958) Ajoite, a new hydrous aluminum copper silicate. American Mineralogist, 43 (11-12) 1107-1111
Kato, Toshio, Miúra, Yasunori (1976) Cell dimensions of ajoite. Mineralogical Journal, 8 (4) 234-239 doi:10.2465/minerj.8.234
Frost, Ray L., Xi, Yunfei (2012) Vibrational spectroscopic study of the copper silicate mineral ajoite (K,Na)Cu7AlSi9O24(OH)6·3H2O. Journal of Molecular Structure, 1018. 72-77 doi:10.1016/j.molstruc.2011.10.056
Localities for Ajoite
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.
Austria | |
| G.Blaß |
| Niedermayr (1996) |
Germany | |
| Schnorrer-Köhler et al. (1990) |
Japan | |
| Numao et al (2005) |
Mexico | |
| Megaw (2023) |
Namibia | |
| Gerhard Niedermayr: Mesopotamia 504 - ... |
Romania | |
| minerals-of-the-carpathians.eu (2008) |
| Hîrtopanu (1997) +1 other reference |
South Africa | |
| Cairncross (1991) +2 other references |
Cairncross et al. (1995) | |
Spain | |
| Joan Abella i Creus (Joanabellacreus@gmail.com) |
UK | |
| www.mindat.org (n.d.) |
USA | |
| Williams (1968) +1 other reference |
| Williams (1968) +2 other references |
| Sun (1961) +1 other reference |
| Schaller et al. (1958) +7 other references |
| In the collection of Brent Thorne. |
Mr. Joe Ruiz. |
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