Huntite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Huntite
Walter Frederick Hunt
Formula:
CaMg3(CO3)4
Colour:
White
Lustre:
Earthy
Hardness:
1 - 2
Specific Gravity:
2.696
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Name:
Named by George T. Faust in honor of Walter Frederick Hunt (6 September 1882, Cincinatti, Ohio, USA - 19 December 1975, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA), professor of mineralogy at the University of Michigan. He served as Editor of the American Mineralogist for 35 years and was awarded the 1957 Roebling Medal.
Huntite forms compact fibrous chalky masses. It is found in caverns in magnesian rocks.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1951
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1951:0
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
f3f11075-ae78-4adb-ba1c-b5dc87ae77ea
IMA Classification of Huntite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1953
Type description reference:
Classification of Huntite
5.AB.25
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
A : Carbonates without additional anions, without H2O
B : Alkali-earth (and other M2+) carbonates
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
A : Carbonates without additional anions, without H2O
B : Alkali-earth (and other M2+) carbonates
Dana 7th ed.:
14.4.3.1
14.4.3.1
14 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL CARBONATES
4 : Miscellaneous
14 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL CARBONATES
4 : Miscellaneous
11.4.7
11 : Carbonates
4 : Carbonates of Ca
11 : Carbonates
4 : Carbonates of Ca
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMAâCNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Hun | IMAâCNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMAâCNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Huntite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Huntite
Earthy
Transparency:
Translucent
Comment:
Fine-grained
Colour:
White
Streak:
White
Hardness:
1 - 2 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
None
None
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Sub-Conchoidal
Density:
2.696 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.87 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Huntite
Type:
Uniaxial
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Huntite
Mindat Formula:
CaMg3(CO3)4
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Huntite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3 2 - Trapezohedral
Space Group:
R3 2
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.5027(6) Å, c = 7.8212(6) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.823
Unit Cell V:
611.64 Ă
Âł (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
3
Morphology:
Fine-grained to chalky.
Comment:
Cell parameters are from Dollase and Reeder (1986).
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0001006 | Huntite | Dollase W A, Reeder R J (1986) Crystal structure refinement of huntite, CaMg3(CO3)4, with X-ray powder data American Mineralogist 71 163-166 |  | 1986 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Image Loading
Radiation - Copper Kα
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 2.89 Ă | (20) |
| 2.83 Ă | (100) |
| 2.60 Ă | (10) |
| 2.43 Ă | (10) |
| 1.991 Ă | (10) |
| 1.972 Ă | (30) |
| 1.765 Ă | (20) |
| 1.757 Ă | (20) |
Comments:
14-409
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 3b: Earthâs earliest hydrosphere | >4.45 |
| 13 : Hadean serpentinization | |
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 21 : Chemically precipitated carbonate, phosphate, iron formations | |
| 23 : Subaerial aqueous alteration by non-redox-sensitive fluids (see also #47) | |
| 25 : Evaporites (prebiotic) | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] | |
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 50 : Coal and/or oil shale minerals | <0.36 |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 54 : Coal and other mine fire minerals (see also #51 and #56) |
Type Occurrence of Huntite
General Appearance of Type Material:
The appearance of magnesite.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, 106372.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 112519.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 112519.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Deposited by cool waters in cavities and vugs in rocks composed of magnesite, dolomite, and deweylite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Faust, G.T. (1953) Huntite, Mg3Ca(CO3)4, a new mineral. American Mineralogist: 38: 4-24.
Other Language Names for Huntite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 14 photos of Huntite associated with Aragonite | CaCO3 |
| 5 photos of Huntite associated with Hydromagnesite | Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 2 photos of Huntite associated with Magnesite | MgCO3 |
| 2 photos of Huntite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 1 photo of Huntite associated with Graphite | C |
| 1 photo of Huntite associated with Nakauriite | Cu8(SO4)4(CO3)(OH)6 · 48H2O |
| 1 photo of Huntite associated with Magnetite | Fe2+Fe3+2O4 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.AB.05 | Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 5.AB.05 | Gaspéite | NiCO3 |
| 5.AB.05 | Magnesite | MgCO3 |
| 5.AB.05 | Otavite | CdCO3 |
| 5.AB.05 | Rhodochrosite | MnCO3 |
| 5.AB.05 | Siderite | FeCO3 |
| 5.AB.05 | Smithsonite | ZnCO3 |
| 5.AB.05 | Spherocobaltite | CoCO3 |
| 5.AB.05 va | Parakutnohorite | |
| 5.AB.10 | Ankerite | Ca(Fe2+,Mg)(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.10 | Dolomite | CaMg(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.10 | Kutnohorite | CaMn2+(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.10 | Minrecordite | CaZn(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.10 | Ć kĂĄchaite | CaCo(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.15 | Aragonite | CaCO3 |
| 5.AB.15 | Cerussite | PbCO3 |
| 5.AB.15 | Strontianite | SrCO3 |
| 5.AB.15 | Witherite | BaCO3 |
| 5.AB.20 | Vaterite | CaCO3 |
| 5.AB.30 | Norsethite | BaMg(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.35 | Alstonite | BaCa(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.40 | Olekminskite | Sr(Sr,Ca,Ba)(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.40 | Paralstonite | BaCa(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.45 | Barytocalcite | BaCa(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.50 | Carbocernaite | (Ca,Na)(Sr,Ce,Ba)(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.55 | Benstonite | Ba6Ca6Mg(CO3)13 |
| 5.AB.60 | Juangodoyite | Na2Cu(CO3)2 |
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:
Before the blowpipe, infusible. A fragment, held with forceps and heated, glows and colors the flame a rich red color. The heated fragment, placed on tumeric paper, turns the paper brown, indicating an alkaline reaction.
Notes:
Fragments dissolve quickly and with effervescence in cold (1:1) acids such as HCl, HNO3, or H2SO4. Using H2SO4, gypsum is precipitated.
Huntite does not become colored with Meigen's solution.
Huntite does not become colored with Meigen's solution.
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 Huntite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1951.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
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References for Huntite
Reference List:
Localities for Huntite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
â - 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.
Atlantic Ocean | |
| Gablina et al. (2017) |
Australia | |
| McQueen et al. (1988) |
| McQueen +3 other references |
| Oskierski et al. (2013) |
| Podgson RE |
| Sielecki (1988) |
| Sielecki (1988) | |
| Salisbury East geological investigation. +1 other reference |
| Skinner (1958) |
| Skinner (1958) | |
| W.F. Cole & C.J. Lancucki (1975) |
| Birch (1989) |
| Judy Rowe collection |
| Clissold (2007) |
| Grguric (2003) |
Austria | |
| Collection of NHM |
| Niedermayr (1998) +1 other reference | |
| GOLDMANN et al. (2008) | |
| Erwin Löffler & Gerald Knobloch ... |
| Krahuletzmuseum Eggenburg exhibition (no information on method of identification given) |
| Postl (1998) |
Canada | |
| GJ Simandl (1991) |
| Egan (1986) |
Chile | |
| collected by Reynaldo Contreira |
Czech Republic | |
| PauliĆĄ et al. (ÄeskĂĄ republika) |
| PadÄra et al. (Teplitz a. d. BeÄva - MĂ€hren) |
| ÄernĂœ |
| JirĂĄsek |
| Petr PauliĆĄ (2001) +1 other reference |
Egypt | |
| Gatto Rotondo et al. (2012) |
France | |
| |
Germany | |
| WeiĂ (1990) |
| Möhn et al. (07/2020) |
| T. Witzke & F. RĂŒger: Lapis 1998 (7/8) |
Greece | |
| Lapis et al. (1999) +2 other references |
| Calvo et al. (1995) |
Hungary | |
| Csaba Papp collection |
| |
| SzakĂĄll & JĂĄnosi. Minerals of Hungary |
Italy | |
| |
| De Waele et al. (2002) +1 other reference |
Japan | |
| Takeuchi & Urakawa (2000) |
| Takeuchi & Urakawa (2000) | |
Mexico | |
| Kazmierczak et al. (2011) |
Pakistan | |
| Bashir et al. (2009) |
| M. Qasim Jan et al. (1985) |
Poland | |
| Stanienda-Pilecki et al. (2024) |
Russia | |
| Cesnokov et al. (1998) |
| Pekov (1998) |
Slovakia | |
| OzdĂn et al. (2013) |
South Africa | |
| Martini (1978) |
| Martini (1978) |
| Martini (1978) |
Spain | |
| Navarro et al. (2009) |
| Onac et al. (2014) |
| Mineralogistes de Catalunya (1997) |
| Alonso-Zarza et al. (2011) |
Turkey | |
| Irion et al. (1968) +1 other reference |
USA | |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
| Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 222. +5 other references |
| Dunning et al. (2005) |
| |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Bernstein (1980) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Rocks & Minerals |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Faust (1953) +1 other reference | |
| Castor et al. (2004) | |
| Clays and Clay Minerals +4 other references |
| Northrop et al. (1996) | |
| Combining Science and Education. Maps ... +2 other references |
| Tien (1977) |
| x-ray diffraction data from 1986 East Carolina Univ. field trip (Pei Lin Tien) | |
| Ref.1 +3 other references |
| Bullock (1981) |
| Bullock (1981) |
Uzbekistan | |
| Golovanov (UzSSR) |
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