Aphthitalite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Aphthitalite
Formula:
(K,Na)3Na(SO4)2
Colour:
Colourless (rare), white, grey, bluish, greenish, reddish; colourless in transmitted light
Lustre:
Vitreous, Resinous
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
2.656 - 2.71
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Member of:
Name:
From the Greek άφθητος ("aphthitos"), "unalterable", and άλας ("halas"), "salt", in allusion to its stability in air.
Occurs in two widely diversified environments, both as an incrustation in volcanic fumaroles and as a constituent of oceanic and lacustrine salt deposits.
As shown by experiments of Africano et al. (2002), it may deposit from volcanic gas in high fO2 conditions during cooling from ca. 800 down to 400oC, together with thénardite.
Glaserite is a common synonym.
Structurally related to bubnovaite. Both structurally and chemically related to belomarinaite.
As shown by experiments of Africano et al. (2002), it may deposit from volcanic gas in high fO2 conditions during cooling from ca. 800 down to 400oC, together with thénardite.
Glaserite is a common synonym.
Structurally related to bubnovaite. Both structurally and chemically related to belomarinaite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
280
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:280:0
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
e89fe8ef-1de1-4b89-9ff6-993411a8d706
IMA Classification of Aphthitalite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
K3Na(SO4)2
First published:
1813
Classification of Aphthitalite
7.AC.35
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
A : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, without H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
A : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, without H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
28.2.2.1
28 : ANHYDROUS ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
2 : A2XO4
28 : ANHYDROUS ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
2 : A2XO4
25.1.7
25 : Sulphates
1 : Sulphates of the alkali metals and ammonium
25 : Sulphates
1 : Sulphates of the alkali metals and ammonium
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Att | 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 Aphthitalite
Vitreous, Resinous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent, Opaque
Colour:
Colourless (rare), white, grey, bluish, greenish, reddish; colourless in transmitted light
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Imperfect/Fair
On {1010} fair; on {0001} poor.
On {1010} fair; on {0001} poor.
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Conchoidal
Density:
2.656 - 2.71 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.72 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Aphthitalite
Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 1.487 - 1.491 nε = 1.492 - 1.499
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.005
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
Chemistry of Aphthitalite
Mindat Formula:
(K,Na)3Na(SO4)2
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Aphthitalite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m (3 2/m) - Hexagonal Scalenohedral
Space Group:
P3m1
Setting:
P3m1
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.677 Å, c = 7.3331 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 1.292
Unit Cell V:
204.67 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1
Morphology:
Crystals commonly thin to thick tabular with pronounced trigonal development. Distorted pseudo-orthorhombic forms. Bladed aggregates; mammilary; crusts; massive.
Twinning:
On {0001} or on {1120}, repeated. Twinned groups on {1120}, similar to aragonite twins.
Crystallographic forms of Aphthitalite
Crystal Atlas:
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Aphthitalite no.97 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Aphthitalite no.116 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0009708 | Aphthitalite | Okada K, Ossaka J (1980) Structures of potassium sodium sulphate and tripotassium sodium disulphate Acta Crystallographica B36 919-921 |  | 1980 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0017926 | Aphthitalite | Gossner B (1928) Ueber die Kristallstruktur von Glaserit und Kaliumsulfat. _cod_database_code 1011019 Neues Jahrbuch fur Mineralogie, Geologie und Palaeontologie. Beilage 57 89-116 | 1928 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
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Radiation - Copper Kα
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 2.839 Å | (100) |
| 2.940 Å | (75) |
| 2.042 Å | (45) |
| 4.09 Å | (30) |
| 3.67 Å | (20) |
| 2.443 Å | (16) |
| 2.330 Å | (14) |
Comments:
Synthetic
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 25 : Evaporites (prebiotic) | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45a : [Sulfates, arsenates, selenates, antimonates] | |
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 49 : Oxic cellular biomineralization (see also #44) | <0.54 |
| 52 : Guano- and urine-derived minerals | <0.4 |
Type Occurrence of Aphthitalite
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Volcanic fumaroles
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Smithson, J. (1813) On a saline substance from Mount Vesuvius. Royal Society of London, Philosophical Transactions: 256-262.
Synonyms of Aphthitalite
Other Language Names for Aphthitalite
French:Aphthalose
Latin:Sal polychrestum Glaseri
Russian:Афтиталит
Simplified Chinese:钾芒硝
Traditional Chinese:鉀芒硝
Varieties of Aphthitalite
| Ammonium-Aphthitalite | An ammonium-bearing variety of Aphthitalite. Occurs as fibrous crusts. Originally reported from Guañape Island, La Libertad Department, Peru. |
| Copper- and Manganese-bearing Aphthitalite | A Cu- and Mn-rich variety. |
Relationship of Aphthitalite to other Species
Member of:
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 7 photos of Aphthitalite associated with Halite | NaCl |
| 2 photos of Aphthitalite associated with Cassiterite | SnO2 |
| 2 photos of Aphthitalite associated with Badalovite | Na2Mg2Fe(AsO4)3 |
| 2 photos of Aphthitalite associated with Calciojohillerite | NaCaMg3(AsO4)3 |
| 2 photos of Aphthitalite associated with Hematite | Fe2O3 |
| 1 photo of Aphthitalite associated with D'Ansite-(Mn) | Na21Mn2+(SO4)10Cl3 |
| 1 photo of Aphthitalite associated with Tugarinovite | MoO2 |
| 1 photo of Aphthitalite associated with Molybdenite | MoS2 |
| 1 photo of Aphthitalite associated with Lammerite | Cu3(AsO4)2 |
| 1 photo of Aphthitalite associated with Paralammerite | Cu3(AsO4)2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.AC. | Aluminopyracmonite | (NH4)3Al(SO4)3 |
| 7.AC. | Amgaite | Tl+32Te6+O6 |
| 7.AC.05 | Vanthoffite | Na6Mg(SO4)4 |
| 7.AC.08 | Pyracmonite | (NH4)3Fe(SO4)3 |
| 7.AC.10 | Efremovite | (NH4)2Mg2(SO4)3 |
| 7.AC.10 | Langbeinite | K2Mg2(SO4)3 |
| 7.AC.10 | Manganolangbeinite | K2Mn2(SO4)3 |
| 7.AC.10 | Ferroefremovite | (NH4)2Fe2+2(SO4)3 |
| 7.AC.15 | Yavapaiite | KFe(SO4)2 |
| 7.AC.15 | Eldfellite | NaFe3+(SO4)2 |
| 7.AC.20 | Godovikovite | (NH4)Al(SO4)2 |
| 7.AC.20 | Sabieite | (NH4)Fe3+(SO4)2 |
| 7.AC.20 | Steklite | KAl(SO4)2 |
| 7.AC.35 | Möhnite | (NH4)K2Na(SO4)2 |
| 7.AC.35 | Belomarinaite | KNa(SO4) |
| 7.AC.35 | Natroaphthitalite | KNa3(SO4)2 |
| 7.AC.40 | Itelmenite | Na4Mg3Cu3(SO4)8 |
| 7.AC.45 | Saranchinaite | Na2Cu(SO4)2 |
| 7.AC.50 | Majzlanite | K2Na(ZnNa)Ca(SO4)4 |
| 7.AC.60 | Philoxenite | (K,Na,Pb)4(Na,Ca)2(Mg,Cu)3(Fe3+0.5Al0.5)(SO4)8 |
| 7.AC.75 | Petrovite | Na12Cu2(SO4)8 |
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in water and in acids.
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 Aphthitalite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-280.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Aphthitalite
Localities for Aphthitalite
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.
Australia | |
| Caves: processes +1 other reference |
| Bridge (1977) |
| Bridge (1973) |
Austria | |
| Spötl (1989) +1 other reference |
Bolivia | |
| Bentz (2017) |
| Bentz (2017) |
Canada | |
| Kamenetsky et al. (2013) |
Chile | |
| SEM-EDS by Joy Desor |
| SEM-EDS |
China | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
| Zhenmi Liu (2000) |
| Yuanyi Zhao et al. (2004) |
| Qian Wu et al. (2013) |
| Xifang Liu and Mianping Zheng (2010) | |
| Xiyu Zheng and Shengsong Yu (1981) +1 other reference | |
| Shaoxiu Yang (1991) | |
| Yuanyi Zhao (2003) |
| Shaoxiu Yang (1991) +1 other reference |
| Shaoxiu Yang (1991) | |
| Shaoxiu Yang (1991) +1 other reference |
DR Congo | |
| Bailey |
El Salvador | |
| Stoiber et al. (1974) |
France | |
| Naze-Nancy Masalehdani et al. (2009) |
| Vlastélic et al. (2013) |
Germany | |
| Krah et al. (1988) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Bode "Mineralien und Fundstellen BRD" ... |
| Frenzel (1964) |
| Naumann +1 other reference |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| W.I. Borrisenkow (1968) |
Iceland | |
| Balić-Žunić et al. (2016) |
| Mitolo et al. (2008) |
| Jakobsson et al. (1992) |
| JAKOBSSON et al. (1986) +1 other reference | |
Indonesia | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... | |
| Symonds (1993) |
Iran | |
| Rob Lavinsky. |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... | |
| Philip Simmons (http://www.mindat.org/mesg-7-237193.html) |
Italy | |
| Russo et al. (2017) |
| Smithson (1813) +2 other references |
| Pelloux (1927) +3 other references | |
| Cavarretta et al. (1981) +1 other reference |
| Barresi G. (1857) +6 other references |
| Sergio Russo Collection |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
| Dill (1979) |
| De Vecchi et al. (pp. 417-443) |
Japan | |
| Akira Kato (1973) |
| Amir Akhavan Collection |
Kazakhstan | |
| Pekov et al. (1993) |
| Tony Nikischer specimen | |
Kenya | |
| Bowell et al. (1996) |
Mexico | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
Namibia | |
| Martini et al. (1999) |
Nicaragua | |
| Stoiber et al. (1974) |
Niger | |
| Saidou et al. (2015) |
| Saidou et al. (2015) |
| Saidou et al. (2015) | |
| Saidou et al. (2015) | |
Norway | |
| Hansteen et al. (1994) |
Peru | |
| [var: Ammonium-Aphthitalite] Frondel (1950) |
Russia | |
| Golovin et al. (2023) |
| Pekov (1998) |
| found in volcanic fumaroles of the ... | |
| Pekov et al. (2014) +3 other references |
| Zelenski et al. (2012) | |
| Sharygin et al. (2018) |
| Shablinskii et al. (2022) | |
| www.kscnet.ru (2019) |
| Naumov et al. (2008) |
| kimberlites of Udachnaya-East pipe (Siberia) +4 other references |
| Litasov et al. (2017) |
| Sharygin et al. (2021, October) |
| Ganino et al. (2019) |
| Vergasova et al. (1977) +1 other reference |
Saudi Arabia | |
| Saudi Geological Survey Open-File ... +1 other reference |
South Africa | |
| Kamenetsky et al. (2014) |
| Giuliani et al. (2012) +1 other reference |
Spain | |
| Vizcayno et al. (1995) |
| Benavente +2 other references |
| Benavente et al. (2018, September) |
Sweden | |
| Kresten (1990) |
Tanzania | |
| Mitchell (2006) |
Uganda | |
| Kasedde et al. (2014) |
UK | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
| Mineralogical Magazine 1959 32 : ... |
Ukraine | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
United Arab Emirates | |
| Audra et al. (2017) |
USA | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
| Kampf et al. (2019) |
| Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 279. +4 other references |
| Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 279. +3 other references |
| Foshag (1920c) +2 other references | |
| American Mineralogist (1921) |
| Palache et al. (1951) | |
| Hon | |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Philip Simmons (http://www.mindat.org/mesg-7-237193.html) +6 other references |
| Northrop et al. (1996) | |
| Philip (2013) |
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Ilchagh Salt mine, Dandy to Mahneshan road, Zanjan Province, Iran