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Ajoite

A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About AjoiteHide

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


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
66
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:66:2
GUID
(UUID V4):
8bf685c9-c3e1-479c-bcd1-3503bd1a78f8

IMA Classification of AjoiteHide

Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
K3Cu2+20Al3Si29O76(OH)16 · 8H2O
First published:
1958

Classification of AjoiteHide

9.EA.70

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 :
16.5.6

16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
5 : Aluminosilicates of Cs, NH4 and Cu

Mineral SymbolsHide

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

SymbolSourceReference
AjIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of AjoiteHide

Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Bluish green
Streak:
Greenish white
Cleavage:
Perfect
on {010}
Density:
2.96 g/cm3 (Measured)    2.951 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of AjoiteHide

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.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
r < v strong
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X= very light bluish green
Y=Z= brilliant bluish green

Chemistry of AjoiteHide

Mindat Formula:
(K,Na)Cu7AlSi9O24(OH)6 · 3H2O
Common Impurities:
Fe,Mn,Ca

Crystallography of AjoiteHide

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)°
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.
Comment:
Cell parameters from Pluth and Smith (2002)

Crystal StructureHide

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0015331AjoitePluth 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 11002-1100520020293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
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 EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest 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 AjoiteHide

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 AjoiteHide

German:Ajoit
Italian:Ajoite
Latvian:Adžoīts
Romanian:Ajoit
Spanish:Ajoita
Traditional Chinese:斜矽鋁銅礦
斜硅鋁銅礦

Common AssociatesHide

Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
181 photos of Ajoite associated with QuartzSiO2
44 photos of Ajoite associated with ShattuckiteCu5(Si2O6)2(OH)2
33 photos of Ajoite associated with HematiteFe2O3
27 photos of Ajoite associated with PapagoiteCaCu[H3AlSi2O9]
22 photos of Ajoite associated with CopperCu
7 photos of Ajoite associated with PyriteFeS2
7 photos of Ajoite associated with CuprorivaiteCaCuSi4O10
6 photos of Ajoite associated with OliveniteCu2(AsO4)(OH)
6 photos of Ajoite associated with KaoliniteAl2(Si2O5)(OH)4
5 photos of Ajoite associated with ConichalciteCaCu(AsO4)(OH)

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

9.EA.Bussyite-(Y)(Y,REE,Ca)3(Na,Ca)6MnSi9Be5(O,OH,F)34Mon. 2 : B2
9.EA.Fluorapophyllite-(NH₄)NH4Ca4(Si8O20)F · 8H2OTet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : P4/mnc
9.EA.Hydroxymcglassonite-(K)KSr4Si8O20(OH) · 8H2OTet.
9.EA.05CuprorivaiteCaCuSi4O10Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : P4/ncc
9.EA.05GillespiteBaFe2+Si4O10Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : P4/ncc
9.EA.05EffenbergeriteBaCuSi4O10Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : P4/ncc
9.EA.05WesselsiteSrCuSi4O10Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : P4/ncc
9.EA.07Fluorapophyllite-(Cs)CsCa4(Si8O20)F · 8H2OTet.
9.EA.10EkaniteCa2ThSi8O20Tet. 4 2 2 : I4 2 2
9.EA.15Fluorapophyllite-(K)KCa4(Si8O20)(F,OH) · 8H2OTet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : P4/mnc
9.EA.15Hydroxyapophyllite-(K)KCa4(Si8O20)(OH,F) · 8H2OTet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m)
9.EA.15Fluorapophyllite-(Na)NaCa4(Si8O20)F · 8H2OOrth.
9.EA.20MagadiiteNa2Si14O29 · 11H2OOrth. mm2 : Fdd2
9.EA.25DalyiteK2ZrSi6O15Tric. 1 : P1
9.EA.25DavaniteK2TiSi6O15Tric.
9.EA.30Sazhinite-(Ce)Na2CeSi6O14 · 6H2OOrth. mm2 : Pmm2
9.EA.30Sazhinite-(La)Na3La[Si6O15] · 2H2OOrth. mm2 : Pmm2
9.EA.35ArmstrongiteCaZr[Si6O15] · 3H2OMon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EA.40OkeniteCa10Si18O46 · 18H2OTric. 1 : P1
9.EA.45NekoiteCa3Si6O15 · 7H2OTric. 1 : P1
9.EA.45Perettiite-(Y)Y2Mn4FeSi2B8O24Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pmna
9.EA.45Badakhshanite-(Y)Y2Mn4Al(Si2B7BeO24)Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma
9.EA.47ShlykoviteKCa[Si4O9(OH)] · 3H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
9.EA.50CavansiteCa(VO)Si4O10 · 4H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
9.EA.50DiegogattaiteNa2CaCu2Si8O20 · H2OMon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EA.52YangitePbMnSi3O8 · H2OTric. 1 : P1
9.EA.55PentagoniteCa(VO)Si4O10 · 4H2OOrth. mm2
9.EA.60PenkvilksiteNa4Ti2Si8O22 · 4H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbcn
9.EA.60TumchaiteNa2Zr(Si4O11) · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
9.EA.65NabesiteNa2BeSi4O10 · 4H2OOrth. 2 2 2 : P21 21 21
9.EA.75ZeravshaniteNa2Cs4Zr3[Si18O45]*2H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
9.EA.80Bussyite-(Ce)(Ce,REE)3(Na,H2O)6MnSi9Be5(O,OH)30F4Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.EA.85PlumbophyllitePb2Si4O10 · H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbcn

Other InformationHide

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 AjoiteHide

References for AjoiteHide

Localities for AjoiteHide

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.
Austria
 
  • Carinthia
    • Villach-Land District
      • Finkenstein am Faaker See
        • Mallestiger Mittagskogel
G.Blaß
  • Vorarlberg
    • Bludenz District
      • Silbertal
        • Rinder valley (Gafluna valley)
Niedermayr (1996)
Germany
 
  • North Rhine-Westphalia
    • Arnsberg
      • Hochsauerlandkreis
        • Bestwig
Schnorrer-Köhler et al. (1990)
Japan
 
  • Tochigi Prefecture
    • Nikko City
      • Ashio
Numao et al (2005)
Mexico
 
  • Sonora
    • Cananea Municipality
Megaw (2023)
Namibia
 
  • Kunene Region
    • Khorixas
      • Mesopotamia copper valley
Gerhard Niedermayr: Mesopotamia 504 - ...
Romania
 
  • Suceava County
    • Iacobeni
minerals-of-the-carpathians.eu (2008)
      • Tolovanu
Hîrtopanu (1997) +1 other reference
South Africa
 
  • Limpopo
    • Vhembe District Municipality
      • Musina Local Municipality
Cairncross (1991) +2 other references
Cairncross et al. (1995)
Spain
 
  • Catalonia
    • Tarragona
      • Priorat
        • Cornudella de Montsant
Joan Abella i Creus (Joanabellacreus@gmail.com)
UK
 
  • England
    • Devon
      • West Devon
        • Gulworthy
www.mindat.org (n.d.)
USA
 
  • Arizona
    • Maricopa County
      • Osborn Mining District
        • Hummingbird Springs
Williams (1968) +1 other reference
      • Vulture Mining District
Williams (1968) +2 other references
    • Pima County
Sun (1961) +1 other reference
        • Little Ajo Mountains
          • Ajo
Schaller et al. (1958) +7 other references
    • Pinal County
      • Bunker Hill District (Copper Creek District)
In the collection of Brent Thorne.
Mr. Joe Ruiz.
 
Mineral and/or Locality  
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