Alunogen
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Formula:
Al2(SO4)3 · 17H2O
Colour:
Colorless in crystals, aggregates white, or pale yellow or red from impurities.
Lustre:
Vitreous, Silky
Hardness:
1½ - 2
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
From the Latin "alum" and the Greek γεννώ ("genno"), "to create".
A hydrated aluminium sulfate. The highest hydrate of natural Al sulphate, when compared to 'meta-alunogen', Unnamed (Al Sulphate-Hydrate), and UM1976-22-SO:AlFeH. Also the hydrated counterpart of millosevichite.
At high temperates, alunogen may dehydrate to its pentahydrate, Unnamed (Al Sulphate-Hydrate).
Compare also 'UM1987-13-SO:AlH' and 'UM1976-22-SO:AlFeH'.
At high temperates, alunogen may dehydrate to its pentahydrate, Unnamed (Al Sulphate-Hydrate).
Compare also 'UM1987-13-SO:AlH' and 'UM1976-22-SO:AlFeH'.
Classification of Alunogen
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
6/C.08-70
7.CB.45
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
C : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, with H2O
B : With only medium-sized cations
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
C : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, with H2O
B : With only medium-sized cations
Dana 7th ed.:
29.8.6.1
29.8.6.1
29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
8 : A2(XO4)3·H2O
29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
8 : A2(XO4)3·H2O
25.6.7
25 : Sulphates
6 : Sulphates of Al and Tl
25 : Sulphates
6 : Sulphates of Al and Tl
Physical Properties of Alunogen
Vitreous, Silky
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colorless in crystals, aggregates white, or pale yellow or red from impurities.
Comment:
colorless in transmitted light.
Streak:
White
Hardness:
1½ - 2 on Mohs scale
Optical Data of Alunogen
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.473 nβ = 1.474 nγ = 1.480
2V:
Measured: 31° to 69°, Calculated: 46°
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:
Moderate
Dispersion:
none
Chemical Properties of Alunogen
Formula:
Al2(SO4)3 · 17H2O
IMA Formula:
Al2(SO4)3(H2O)12 · 5H2O
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Alunogen
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Morphology:
Crystals rare, small; prismatic [001] or {010} with a hexagonal outline about [010]; very complex, with about 60 forms noted. Commonly as delicate fibrous masses or crusts; effloresences; massive, fibrous to 5mm.
Twinning:
On {010}.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Image Loading
Radiation - Copper Kα
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Synonyms of Alunogen
Other Language Names for Alunogen
Varieties of Alunogen
| Phosphoralunogen | A variety of Alunogen containing some P2O5 |
Common Associates
| Epsomite | MgSO4 · 7H2O |
| Epsomite | MgSO4 · 7H2O |
| Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
| Halotrichite | FeAl2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| Marcasite | FeS2 |
| Melanterite | FeSO4 · 7H2O |
| Pickeringite | MgAl2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| Pyrite | FeS2 |
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| Coquimbite | 23 photos of Alunogen associated with Coquimbite on mindat.org. |
| Copiapite | 14 photos of Alunogen associated with Copiapite on mindat.org. |
| Chalcanthite | 12 photos of Alunogen associated with Chalcanthite on mindat.org. |
| Metavoltine | 7 photos of Alunogen associated with Metavoltine on mindat.org. |
| Voltaite | 7 photos of Alunogen associated with Voltaite on mindat.org. |
| Halotrichite | 7 photos of Alunogen associated with Halotrichite on mindat.org. |
| Jarosite | 4 photos of Alunogen associated with Jarosite on mindat.org. |
| Römerite | 4 photos of Alunogen associated with Römerite on mindat.org. |
| Meta-alunogen | 3 photos of Alunogen associated with Meta-alunogen on mindat.org. |
| Cuprian Melanterite | 3 photos of Alunogen associated with Cuprian Melanterite on mindat.org. |
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping
| 7.CB.05 | Dwornikite | (Ni,Fe)SO4 · H2O |
| 7.CB.05 | Gunningite | ZnSO4 · H2O |
| 7.CB.05 | Kieserite | MgSO4 · H2O |
| 7.CB.05 | Poitevinite | (Cu,Fe,Zn)SO4 · H2O |
| 7.CB.05 | Szmikite | MnSO4 · H2O |
| 7.CB.05 | Szomolnokite | FeSO4 · H2O |
| 7.CB.05 | Cobaltkieserite | CoSO4 · H2O |
| 7.CB.07 | Sanderite | MgSO4 · 2H2O |
| 7.CB.10 | Bonattite | CuSO4 · 3H2O |
| 7.CB.15 | Aplowite | (Co,Mn,Ni)SO4 · 4H2O |
| 7.CB.15 | Boyleite | (Zn,Mg)SO4 · 4H2O |
| 7.CB.15 | Ilesite | (Mn,Zn,Fe)SO4 · 4H2O |
| 7.CB.15 | Rozenite | FeSO4 · 4H2O |
| 7.CB.15 | Starkeyite | MgSO4 · 4H2O |
| 7.CB.15 | Drobecite | CdSO4 · 4H2O |
| 7.CB.15 | Cranswickite | MgSO4 · 4H2O |
| 7.CB.20 | Chalcanthite | CuSO4 · 5H2O |
| 7.CB.20 | Jôkokuite | MnSO4 · 5H2O |
| 7.CB.20 | Pentahydrite | MgSO4 · 5H2O |
| 7.CB.20 | Siderotil | FeSO4 · 5H2O |
| 7.CB.25 | Bianchite | (Zn,Fe)SO4 · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.25 | Chvaleticeite | (Mn,Mg)SO4 · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.25 | Ferrohexahydrite | FeSO4 · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.25 | Hexahydrite | MgSO4 · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.25 | Moorhouseite | (Co,Ni,Mn)SO4 · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.25 | Nickelhexahydrite | (Ni,Mg,Fe)SO4 · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.30 | Retgersite | NiSO4 · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.35 | Bieberite | CoSO4 · 7H2O |
| 7.CB.35 | Boothite | CuSO4 · 7H2O |
| 7.CB.35 | Mallardite | MnSO4 · 7H2O |
| 7.CB.35 | Melanterite | FeSO4 · 7H2O |
| 7.CB.35 | Zincmelanterite | (Zn,Cu,Fe)SO4 · 7H2O |
| 7.CB.35 | Alpersite | (Mg,Cu)[SO4] · 7H2O |
| 7.CB.40 | Epsomite | MgSO4 · 7H2O |
| 7.CB.40 | Goslarite | ZnSO4 · 7H2O |
| 7.CB.40 | Morenosite | NiSO4 · 7H2O |
| 7.CB.45 | Meta-alunogen | Al2(SO4)3 · 12H2O |
| 7.CB.50 | Aluminocoquimbite | FeAl(SO4)3 · 9H2O |
| 7.CB.55 | Coquimbite | Fe2-xAlx(SO4)3 · 9H2O, x ~0.5 |
| 7.CB.55 | Paracoquimbite | Fe2(SO4)3 · 9H2O |
| 7.CB.55 | Rhomboclase | (H5O2)Fe3+(SO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 7.CB.60 | Kornelite | Fe2(SO4)3 · 7H2O |
| 7.CB.65 | Quenstedtite | Fe2(SO4)3 · 11H2O |
| 7.CB.70 | Lausenite | Fe2(SO4)3·5H2O |
| 7.CB.75 | Lishizhenite | ZnFe2(SO4)4 · 14H2O |
| 7.CB.75 | Römerite | Fe2+Fe3+2(SO4)4 · 14H2O |
| 7.CB.80 | Ransomite | CuFe2(SO4)4 · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.85 | Apjohnite | Mn2+Al2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| 7.CB.85 | Bílinite | Fe2+Fe3+2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| 7.CB.85 | Dietrichite | (Zn,Fe2+,Mn2+)Al2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| 7.CB.85 | Halotrichite | FeAl2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| 7.CB.85 | Pickeringite | MgAl2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| 7.CB.85 | Redingtonite | (Fe2+,Mg,Ni)(Cr,Al)2(SO4)4·22H2O |
| 7.CB.85 | Wupatkiite | (Co,Mg,Ni)Al2(SO4)4·22H2O |
| 7.CB.90 | Meridianiite | MgSO4 · 11H2O |
Related Minerals - Hey's Chemical Index of Minerals Grouping
| 25.6.1 | Rostite | Al(SO4)(OH) · 5H2O |
| 25.6.2 | Jurbanite | Al(SO4)(OH) · 5H2O |
| 25.6.3 | Khademite | Al(SO4)F · 5H2O |
| 25.6.4 | Meta-aluminite | Al2(SO4)(OH)4 · 5H2O |
| 25.6.5 | Aluminite | Al2(SO4)(OH)4 · 7H2O |
| 25.6.6 | Meta-alunogen | Al2(SO4)3 · 12H2O |
| 25.6.8 | Felsőbányaite | Al4(SO4)(OH)10 · 4H2O |
| 25.6.9 | Basaluminite | Al4(SO4)(OH)10 · 4H2O |
| 25.6.10 | Hydrobasaluminite | Al4(SO4)(OH)10 · 12-36H2O |
| 25.6.11 | Zaherite | Al12(SO4)5(OH)26 · 20H2O |
| 25.6.12 | Tamarugite | NaAl(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 25.6.13 | Mendozite | NaAl(SO4)2 · 11H2O |
| 25.6.14 | Alum-(Na) | NaAl(SO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 25.6.15 | Natroalunite | NaAl3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 25.6.16 | Kalinite | KAl(SO4)2 · 11H2O Not confirmed |
| 25.6.17 | Alum-(K) | KAl(SO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 25.6.18 | Alunite | KAl3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 25.6.19 | Natroalunite-2c | (Na,Ca0.5,K)Al3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 25.6.20 | Tschermigite | (NH4)Al(SO4)2 · 12H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
Readily soluble in water. Taste alumlike, acid and sharp.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
References for Alunogen
Reference List:
Sort by Year (asc) | by Year (desc) | by Author (A-Z) | by Author (Z-A)
Beudant, F.S. (1824) Trailé élémentaire de Minéralogie, 8vo, Paris: 449. [as Hydrotrisulfate d'alumine]
Mill (1828) Quarterly Journal of Science, Literature, and Art, London: 25: 382. [as Davite]
Beudant, F.S. (1832) Alunogène, sulfate d’alumine. Trailé élémentaire de Minéralogie, second edition, 2 volumes: 2: 488-492. [as Alunogène]
Shepard C.U. (1835) Treatise on Mineralogy. First edition: vols. 2, 3: 188. [as Solfatarite]
Glocker, E.F. (1839) Handbuch der Mineralogie, 2nd. edition, Nürnberg: 689. [as Keramohalite]
Huot, J.J. (1841) Manuel de Minéralogie. 2 volumes, Paris: 2: 451. [as Saldanite]
Glocker, E.F. (1847) Generum et specierum mineralien secundum ordines naturals digestorum synopsis. Halle: 297. [as Stypterit]
Hausmann, J.F.L. (1847) Handbuch der Mineralogie 3 volumes, Göttingen. Second edition: vol. 2, in two parts: 2: 1174. [as Halotrichit]
Rammelsberg, C.F. (1875) Handbuch der Mineralchemie. second edition: 269. [as Haarsalz]
Jirkovsky (1928) cited in Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Geologie und Paleontologie, Heidelberg, Stuttgart: I: 106.
Larsen, E.S., Steiger, G. (1928) Dehydration and optical studies of alunogen, nontronite, and griffithite: American Journal of Science, 5th. series: 15: 1-19.
Lausen, C. (1928) Hydrous sulphates formed under fumerolic conditions at the United Verde Mine. American Mineralogist: 13: 208.
Hintze, C. (1929) Handbuch der Mineralogie. Berlin and Leipzig. 6 volumes: 1 [3B]: 4404.
Petrov (1933) Trav. Inst. Pétrog. Ac. Sc. U.R.S.S., no. 3: 89.
Zavaritsky (1935) Trans. Centr. Geol. & Prosp. Inst., Leningrad, no. 35.
Gordon, S.G. (1942) Results of the Chilean mineralogical expedition of 1938. Part VII.—The crystallography of alunogen, meta-alunogen and pickeringite. Notulae Naturae of The Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia: 101: 1-9.
Palache, C., Berman, H., Frondel, C. (1951) The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged, 1124 pp.: 537-540.
Menchetti, S., Sabelli, C. (1974) Alunogen. Its structure and twinning. Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen: 21: 164-178.
Fang, J.H., Robinson, P.D. (1976) Alunogen, Al2(H2O)12(SO4)3·5H2O: Its atomic arrangement and water content. American Mineralogist: 61: 311-317.
Bariand, P., Cesbron, F., Berthelon, J.-P. (1977) Les sulfates de fer de Saghand près de Yazd (Iran). Mémoire Hors-Série de la Société Géologique de France: 8: 77-85.
Internet Links for Alunogen
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-162.html
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