Sonoraite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Sonoraite
Formula:
Fe3+(TeO3)(OH) · H2O
Colour:
Dark Yellow-green
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
3.95
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named in 1968 by Richard Valentine Gaines, Gaibrielle Donnay, and Max H. Hey after the state of Sonora, Mexico, that includes the discovery locality.
This page provides mineralogical data about Sonoraite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3712
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3712:5
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
0e97245b-e080-414d-8fdd-157660f63b33
IMA Classification of Sonoraite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Fe3+(Te4+O3)(OH) · H2O
Approval year:
1968
First published:
1968
Classification of Sonoraite
4.JN.05
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
N : Tellurites with additional anions, with H2O
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
N : Tellurites with additional anions, with H2O
34.7.1.1
34 : SELENITES, TELLURITES AND SULFITES
7 : Hydrated Selenites, Tellurites and Sulfites containing Hydroxyl or Halogen
34 : SELENITES, TELLURITES AND SULFITES
7 : Hydrated Selenites, Tellurites and Sulfites containing Hydroxyl or Halogen
28.3.25
28 : Selenites, Selenates, Tellurites, and Tellurates
3 : Tellurites
28 : Selenites, Selenates, Tellurites, and Tellurates
3 : Tellurites
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Son | 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 Sonoraite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Dark Yellow-green
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Density:
3.95(1) g/cm3 (Measured) 4.18 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Sonoraite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 2.018(3) nβ = 2.023(3) nγ = 2.025(3)
2V:
Measured: 20° to 25°, Calculated: 64°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.007
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:
relatively weak
Chemistry of Sonoraite
Mindat Formula:
Fe3+(TeO3)(OH) · H2O
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Sonoraite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/b
Setting:
P21/c
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.984(2) Å, b = 10.268(1) Å, c = 7.917(2) Å
β = 108.49(2)°
β = 108.49(2)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.07 : 1 : 0.771
Unit Cell V:
846.82 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
8
Morphology:
Thin platy. Pinacoid {100} and rhombic prisms {110} and {011}.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0015635 | Sonoraite | Donnay G, Stewart J M, Preston H (1970) The crystal structure of sonoraite, Fe3+Te4+O3(OH)*H2O Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen 14 27-44 | 1970 | Sonora, Mexico | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 10.4 Å | (100) |
| 4.66 Å | (80) |
| 3.110 Å | (80) |
| 3.290 Å | (70) |
| 3.66 Å | (60) |
| 5.18 Å | (50) |
| 3.035 Å | (50) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47e : [Vanadates, chromates, manganates] |
Type Occurrence of Sonoraite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Blade-like single crystals and sheaves of, 0.5 to 1.0 mm across. Rosettes.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1967,390; National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 119271, 164343, 164344.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Gaines, R.V., Donnay, G., Hey, M.H. (1968) Sonoraite. American Mineralogist: 53: 1828-1832.
Synonyms of Sonoraite
Other Language Names for Sonoraite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 8 photos of Sonoraite associated with Emmonsite | Fe3+2(TeO3)3 · 2H2O |
| 4 photos of Sonoraite associated with Jarosite | KFe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 4 photos of Sonoraite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 2 photos of Sonoraite associated with Rickardite | Cu7Te5 |
| 2 photos of Sonoraite associated with Chlorite Group | |
| 1 photo of Sonoraite associated with Goethite | α-Fe3+O(OH) |
| 1 photo of Sonoraite associated with Mackayite | Fe3+(Te4+2O5)(OH) |
| 1 photo of Sonoraite associated with Spiroffite | Mn2+2Te4+3O8 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.JN. | Tombstoneite | (Ca0.5Pb0.5)Pb3Cu2+6Te6+2O6(Te4+O3)6(Se4+O3)2(SO4)2 · 3H2O |
| 4.JN. | Ozernovskite | Fe3+4(Te4+O4)(Te4+O3)4 · 7H2O |
| 4.JN.10 | Poughite | Fe3+2(TeO3)2(SO4)(H2O)2 · H2O |
| 4.JN.15 | Cesbronite | Cu2+3Te6+O4(OH)4 |
| 4.JN.20 | Eztlite | Pb2+2Fe3+3(Te4+ O3)3(SO4)O2Cl |
| 4.JN.30 | Juabite | CaCu10(TeO3)4(AsO4)4(OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 4.JN.35 | Eurekadumpite | (Cu,Zn)16(TeO3)2(AsO4)3Cl(OH)18 · 7H2O |
| 4.JN.40 | Tamboite | Fe3+3(OH)(H2O)2(SO4)(Te4+O3)3(Te4+O(OH)2)(H2O)3 |
| 4.JN.40 | Metatamboite | Fe3+3(OH)(H2O)2(SO4)(Te4+O3)3(Te4+O(OH)2)(H2O) |
Other Information
Notes:
Readily soluble in dilute hydrochloric acid.
Upon heating, it loses water and turns brown.
Upon heating, it loses water and turns brown.
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 Sonoraite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3712.html
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References for Sonoraite
Localities for Sonoraite
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.
Japan | |
| Matsubara et al. (1999) +2 other references |
Mexico (TL) | |
| Gaines et al. (1968) +1 other reference |
USA | |
| Thorne (n.d.) |
| Anthony et al. (1995) | |
| Georges Favreau collection |
| Bruce J. Murphy collection |
| Mike Scott S102666 fm Cureton CWB ID by ... | |
| PXRD analyzed by Tony Kampf. |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Carnein et al. (2005) |
| Rocks & Minerals |
| Castor et al. (2004) | |
| John Dagenais collection |
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Moctezuma Mine, Moctezuma, Moctezuma Municipality, Sonora, Mexico