Alleghanyite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About Alleghanyite
Seal of Alleghany County
Formula:
Mn2+5(SiO4)2(OH)2
Colour:
Pinkish to reddish brown, deep pink, grayish pink
Lustre:
Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Waxy, Dull
Hardness:
5½
Specific Gravity:
3.93 - 4.02
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1932 by Clarence S. Ross and Paul F. Kerr after the type locality occurrence in Alleghany County, North Carolina, USA.
Dimorph of:
Isostructural with:
Alleghanyite is a mineral in the humite group and is the manganese analogue of chondrodite. Alleghnyite is closely related to the other manganese-dominant humite-group minerals such as leucophoenicite, manganhumite and sonolite, and is often difficult to distinguish from these.
Alleghanyite most commonly occurs in hypogene and hydrothermal manganese deposits. It normally occurs as mm-sized grains together with other Mn silicates such as tephroite, but crystals on vein fractures are known from Franklin and Sterling Hill and the Bennalt mine in Wales.
Alleghanyite most commonly occurs in hypogene and hydrothermal manganese deposits. It normally occurs as mm-sized grains together with other Mn silicates such as tephroite, but crystals on vein fractures are known from Franklin and Sterling Hill and the Bennalt mine in Wales.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
129
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:129:0
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
7882c480-3643-4805-8b96-b1ed9dd4d188
IMA Classification of Alleghanyite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
Classification of Alleghanyite
9.AF.45
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
F : Nesosilicates with additional anions; cations in [4], [5] and/or only [6] coordination
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
F : Nesosilicates with additional anions; cations in [4], [5] and/or only [6] coordination
52.3.2b.1
52 : NESOSILICATES Insular SiO4 Groups and O,OH,F,H2O
3 : Insular SiO4 Groups and O, OH, F, and H2O with cations in [6] coordination only
52 : NESOSILICATES Insular SiO4 Groups and O,OH,F,H2O
3 : Insular SiO4 Groups and O, OH, F, and H2O with cations in [6] coordination only
14.17.4
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
17 : Silicates of Mn
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
17 : Silicates of Mn
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Alh | 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 Alleghanyite
Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Waxy, Dull
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Pinkish to reddish brown, deep pink, grayish pink
Comment:
in thin section, pink or buff in thick plates
Streak:
Very pale pink
Hardness:
5½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Good to poor
Good to poor
Fracture:
Conchoidal, Sub-Conchoidal
Density:
3.93 - 4.02 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.96 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Alleghanyite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.756 nβ = 1.780 nγ = 1.792
2V:
Measured: 72° , Calculated: 68°
Birefringence:
0.036
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.036
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:
Very High
Dispersion:
r > v
Optical Extinction:
X ^ a = 35°, Z = b (olivine setting). OAP perpendicular to {100}
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
X brown, Y light brown, Z colorless
Chemistry of Alleghanyite
Mindat Formula:
Mn2+5(SiO4)2(OH)2
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Ti,Al,Fe,Mg,Ca,F
Crystallography of Alleghanyite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/b
Setting:
P21/b
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.27 Å, b = 4.85 Å, c = 10.72 Å
β = 104.64°
β = 104.64°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.705 : 1 : 2.21
Unit Cell V:
416.01 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Crystals often rounded, slender; in stout plates, some longitudinally deeply striated. As fan-shaped aggregates; commonly irregular, massive.
Twinning:
On {001} , lamellar, common; also on {105} , {305} .
Comment:
Various settings reported
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0000968 | Alleghanyite | Francis C A (1985) Crystal structure refinement of magnesian alleghanyite American Mineralogist 70 182-185 |  | 1985 | Sterling mine, Ogdensburg, New Jersey, USA | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.10 Å | (100) |
| 2.84 Å | (70) |
| 2.75 Å | (40) |
| 2.70 Å | (40) |
| 2.59 Å | (40) |
| 2.33 Å | (50) |
| 1.79 Å | (60) |
Comments:
ICDD 43-683; see also ICDD 39-1348. Older data sets show different strongest lines: ICDD 22-726 (d100 = 1.799) and ICDD 25-1184 (d100 = 3.616).
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 23 : Subaerial aqueous alteration by non-redox-sensitive fluids (see also #47) | |
| High-𝑇 alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 32 : Ba/Mn/Pb/Zn deposits, including metamorphic deposits |
Geological Setting:
in veins crosscutting franklinite ore near pegmatites in a metamorphosed stratiform Zn-Mn deposit
Type Occurrence of Alleghanyite
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Hydrothermally deposited, in lenses in a manganese-bearing vein
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Alleghanyite
Other Language Names for Alleghanyite
Relationship of Alleghanyite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
| Manganhumite | (Mn2+,Mg)7(SiO4)3(OH)2 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
| Sonolite | Mn2+9(SiO4)4(OH)2 | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 25 photos of Alleghanyite associated with Franklinite | Zn2+Fe3+2O4 |
| 20 photos of Alleghanyite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 20 photos of Alleghanyite associated with Willemite | Zn2SiO4 |
| 9 photos of Alleghanyite associated with Kellyite | Mn2+2Al(AlSiO5)(OH)4 |
| 9 photos of Alleghanyite associated with Kutnohorite | CaMn2+(CO3)2 |
| 7 photos of Alleghanyite associated with Jacobsite | Mn2+Fe3+2O4 |
| 7 photos of Alleghanyite associated with Sussexite | Mn2+BO2(OH) |
| 5 photos of Alleghanyite associated with Rhodonite | CaMn3Mn[Si5O15] |
| 5 photos of Alleghanyite associated with Pyrochroite | Mn(OH)2 |
| 5 photos of Alleghanyite associated with Chlorophoenicite | (Mn,Mg)3Zn2(AsO4)(OH,O)6 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.AF. | Chegemite | Ca7(SiO4)3(OH)2 |
| 9.AF. | Barwoodite | Mn2+6Nb5+(SiO4)2O3(OH)3 |
| 9.AF. | Jingwenite-(Y) | YAlV4+(SiO4)O2(OH)2 |
| 9.AF.05 | Sillimanite | Al2(SiO4)O |
| 9.AF.05 | Xenolite | Al10Si8O31 |
| 9.AF.10 | Andalusite | Al2(SiO4)O |
| 9.AF.10 | Kanonaite | Mn3+Al(SiO4)O |
| 9.AF.15 | Kyanite | Al2(SiO4)O |
| 9.AF.20 | Mullite | Al4+2xSi2-2xO10-x |
| 9.AF.20 | Krieselite | Al2(GeO4)F2 |
| 9.AF.23 | Boromullite | Al9BSi2O19 |
| 9.AF.25 | Yoderite | Mg(Al,Fe3+)3(SiO4)2O(OH) |
| 9.AF.30 | Magnesiostaurolite | Mg(Mg,Li)3(Al,Mg)18Si8O44(OH)4 |
| 9.AF.30 | Staurolite | Fe2+2Al9Si4O23(OH) |
| 9.AF.30 | Zincostaurolite | Zn2Al9Si4O23(OH) |
| 9.AF.35 | Topaz | Al2(SiO4)(F,OH)2 |
| 9.AF.40 | Norbergite | Mg3(SiO4)F2 |
| 9.AF.45 | Chondrodite | Mg5(SiO4)2F2 |
| 9.AF.45 | Reinhardbraunsite | Ca5(SiO4)2(OH,F)2 |
| 9.AF.45 | Kumtyubeite | Ca5(SiO4)2F2 |
| 9.AF.45 | Hydroxylchondrodite | Mg5(SiO4)2(OH)2 |
| 9.AF.50 | Humite | Mg7(SiO4)3F2 |
| 9.AF.50 | Manganhumite | (Mn2+,Mg)7(SiO4)3(OH)2 |
| 9.AF.50 | Unnamed (Ca-analogue of Humite) | Ca7(SiO4)4F2 |
| 9.AF.50 | Fluorchegemite | Ca7(SiO4)3F2 |
| 9.AF.50 | Unnamed (OH-analogue of humite) | Mg7(SiO4)3(OH)2 |
| 9.AF.55 | Clinohumite | Mg9(SiO4)4F2 |
| 9.AF.55 | Sonolite | Mn2+9(SiO4)4(OH)2 |
| 9.AF.55 | Hydroxylclinohumite | Mg9(SiO4)4(OH)2 |
| 9.AF.60 | Leucophoenicite | Mn2+7(SiO4)3(OH)2 |
| 9.AF.65 | Ribbeite | Mn2+5(SiO4)2(OH)2 |
| 9.AF.70 | Jerrygibbsite | Mn2+9(SiO4)4(OH)2 |
| 9.AF.75 | Franciscanite | Mn2+6(V5+,◻)2(SiO4)2(O,OH)6 |
| 9.AF.75 | Örebroite | Mn2+3(Sb5+,Fe3+)(SiO4)(O,OH)3 |
| 9.AF.75 | Welinite | Mn2+6(W6+,Mg)2(SiO4)2(O,OH)6 |
| 9.AF.75 | Scorticoite | Mn6(Sb,◻)Σ2(SiO4)2O3(OH)3 |
| 9.AF.80 | Ellenbergerite | Mg6(Mg,Ti,Zr,◻)2(Al,Mg)6Si8O28(OH)10 |
| 9.AF.85 | Chloritoid | (Fe2+,Mg,Mn2+)Al2(SiO4)O(OH)2 |
| 9.AF.85 | Magnesiochloritoid | MgAl2(SiO4)O(OH)2 |
| 9.AF.85 | Ottrélite | (Mn2+,Fe2+,Mg)Al2(SiO4)O(OH)2 |
| 9.AF.90 | Poldervaartite | CaCa[SiO3(OH)](OH) |
| 9.AF.90 | Olmiite | CaMn2+[SiO3(OH)](OH) |
| 9.AF.95 | Pilawite-(Y) | Ca2Y2Al4(SiO4)4O2(OH)2 |
Fluorescence of Alleghanyite
Not fluorescent in UV
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 Alleghanyite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-129.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Alleghanyite
Reference List:
Ross, Clarence S., Kerr, Paul F. (1932) The manganese minerals of a vein near Bald Knob, North Carolina. American Mineralogist, 17 (1) 1-18
Cook, David (1969) Sonolite, alleghanyite and leucophoenicite from New Jersey. American Mineralogist, 54 (9-10) 1392-1398
Localities for Alleghanyite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The 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).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Austria | |
| Kolitsch et al. (2021) |
| Kolitsch et al. (2019) |
China | |
| Yang Yuchun (1996) |
| Yang Yuchun (1996) |
| Yang Yuchun (1996) +1 other reference |
| Pingyi Wan (2002) |
| Pingyi Wan (2002) |
| Pingyi Wan (2002) |
| Pingyi Wan (2002) | |
| Yang Yuchun (1996) |
| Yuchun Yang (1990) |
| Yang Yuchun (1996) | |
| Yang Yuchun (1996) |
France | |
| Chopin (1978) |
| Chopin (1978) |
| Le Règne Minéral 47: 5-21 |
| Ragu (1994) +1 other reference |
Italy | |
| Bracco (2012) |
Japan | |
| Mayumi Yoshinaga (1963) |
| Dr. Yohachiro Okamoto collection (conserved by the Geological Survey of Japan) |
| Matsubara et al. (1996) |
| Masutomi Museum specimen (Kyoto) +1 other reference |
| FUKUOKA et al. (1977) | |
| FUKUOKA et al. (1977) +1 other reference |
| Dr. Kameki Kinoshita collection (curated at Geological Survey of Japan) +1 other reference | |
| University of Tokyo collection | |
| FUKUOKA et al. (1977) +1 other reference | |
| Mayumi Yoshinaga (1963) |
| Katsu Kaneko (1956) |
| Dr. Matsuo Nambu ore collection (curated at Geological Survey of Japan) |
| Dr. Matsuo Nambu ore collection (curated at Geological Survey of Japan) |
| Toyofumi Yoshimura et al. (1969) |
| Toyofumi Yoshimura et al. (1969) +1 other reference |
| Kaneko (1956) |
| Minakawa et al. (2008) |
| Mayumi Yoshinaga (1963) |
| Toyofumi Yoshimura et al. (1969) |
| Yoshinaga (1963) |
| Yamada (2004) |
| Katsu Kaneko (1956) +1 other reference |
| Akira Kato (2011) | |
| Akira Kato (2011) | |
| Fukuoka (1981) |
| Okamoto collection (curated at the Geological Survey museum, Japan) |
| Symposium sobre yacimientos de manganeso et al. (1956) +1 other reference |
| 加藤昭 (1980) +1 other reference |
| Fukuoka (1981) | |
| Akira Kato (undated manuscript) +2 other references |
| Fukuoka (1981) | |
| Collection of NHM |
| 加藤昭 (1980) |
| Dr. Kameki Kinoshita collection (curated at Geological Survey of Japan) | |
| Yamada (2004) |
| Fukuoka (1981) |
| Lee (1955) +2 other references | |
| Fumitoshi HIROWATARI (1961) +1 other reference |
| Mayumi Yoshinaga (1963) | |
Kazakhstan | |
| Vereshchagin et al. (2019) +1 other reference |
Kyrgyzstan | |
| Pautov et al. (1989) |
Namibia | |
| Dunn et al. (1988) +1 other reference |
Romania | |
| Hîrtopanu et al. (2003) | |
| Udubasa et al. (1996) +2 other references |
| minerals-of-the-carpathians.eu (2008) |
Russia | |
| Brusnitsyn et al. (2002) +1 other reference |
| Brusnitsyn +1 other reference |
| Старикова (2011) |
| Brusnitsyn (2000) |
| Brusnitsyn A.I. (2000) |
South Africa | |
| XRD and SEM-EDS by Joy Desor and ... |
Spain | |
| Dill et al. (2023) |
| Dill et al. (2023) | |
Sweden | |
| Nysten (2003) +1 other reference |
| Gatedal (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| Gatedal (n.d.) +1 other reference | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... | |
| Nysten (2004) |
Switzerland | |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
| Stalder et al. (1998) +1 other reference |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
| Ansermet et al. (2021) |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
UK | |
| Bevins (1994) +1 other reference |
| Cotterell (2013) |
USA | |
| Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 410 +3 other references |
| Hewett et al. (1961) +2 other references | |
| Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 413 +5 other references |
| Rocks & Min.: 63: 366-384. +1 other reference |
| Schooner (circa 1980s) |
| Anthony (1997) |
| Quinn (1945) |
| Palache (1928) +3 other references |
| Cook (1969) +3 other references |
| Ross et al. (1932) +2 other references |
| Dietrich (1990) |
| Tracy et al. (2003) |
| Cannon (1975) |
| Cannon (1975) |
Quick NavTopAbout AlleghanyiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Sterling Mine, Sterling Hill, Ogdensburg, Sussex County, New Jersey, USA