Paratooite-(La)
A valid IMA mineral species
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About Paratooite-(La)
Formula:
(La,Sr,Ca)4CuCa(Na,Ca)2(CO3)8
Colour:
Pale turquoise-blue to pale blue
Lustre:
Vitreous, Pearly
Hardness:
4
Specific Gravity:
3.68
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
For the type locality, the Paratoo copper mine, Australia. The suffix/modifier follows the IMA Levinson rule for minerals with essential REE, and denotes predominant lanthanum.
Unique combination of elements. In terms of atomic arrangement, paratooite-(La) is a 1 x 2 x 2 superstructure of carbocernaite. The mineral also shows an interesting carbonate-nitrate diadochy, as shown below.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
27579
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:27579:8
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
ad553813-d6a1-4ff4-8396-90bd15b73673
IMA Classification of Paratooite-(La)
Approved
IMA Formula:
(La,Ca,Na,Sr)6Cu(CO3)8
Approval year:
2005
First published:
2006
Classification of Paratooite-(La)
5.AD.20
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
A : Carbonates without additional anions, without H2O
D : With rare-earth elements (REE)
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
A : Carbonates without additional anions, without H2O
D : With rare-earth elements (REE)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Pto-La | 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 Paratooite-(La)
Vitreous, Pearly
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Pale turquoise-blue to pale blue
Streak:
Pale blue
Hardness:
4 on Mohs scale
Comment:
Hardness estimated based on other REE carbonates. Aggregate hardness was 2.
Cleavage:
None Observed
TEM studies indicate a cleavage parallel to {100}
TEM studies indicate a cleavage parallel to {100}
Density:
3.68(3) g/cm3 (Measured) 3.78 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Measured using the suspension method, with Clerici solution diluted with water
Optical Data of Paratooite-(La)
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.605(3) nβ = 1.696(3) nγ = 1.752(2)
2V:
Calculated: 72.6°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.147
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:
High
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
Medium strong; X = very pale bluish; Y = Z = bluish (with greenish tint).
Comments:
Absorption: Z ≈ Y >> X.
Chemistry of Paratooite-(La)
Mindat Formula:
(La,Sr,Ca)4CuCa(Na,Ca)2(CO3)8
Crystallography of Paratooite-(La)
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pbam
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.2250(3) Å, b = 12.7626(5) Å, c = 10.0559(4) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.566 : 1 : 0.788
Unit Cell V:
927.25 ų
Comment:
Data from Krivovichev et al. (2019). Wallwork et al. (2006) gives the following unit-cell parameters, determined from synchrotron powder diffraction data (indexed on a primitive orthorhombic cell): a = 10.0862(5), b = 12.8088(6), c = 7.2360(4) Å, V = 934.8(1) Å3; they could not determine the crystal structure, but suggested several possible space groups.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 5.047 Å | (53) |
| 4.786 Å | (49) |
| 3.957 Å | (43) |
| 3.468 Å | (43) |
| 2.927 Å | (100) |
| 2.530 Å | (52) |
| 2.344 Å | (22) |
| 2.232 Å | (20) |
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) |
Type Occurrence of Paratooite-(La)
General Appearance of Type Material:
Sheaves and radiating sprays of blade-like to tabular pale blue crystals in thin fissures in a slaty country rock. Individual crystals are typically 50-200 µm in maximum dimension but <5 µm thick.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
South Australian Museum, Adelaide (G29614).
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Copper and REE deposit
From type description: Formation took place under conditions of intense weathering in an arid climate, probably at neutral or slightly basic pH and oxidizing conditions, with evaporation of saline groundwaters playing an important role.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Pring, A., Wallwork, K., Brugger, J., Kolitsch, U. (2006) Paratooite-(La), a new lanthanum-dominant rare-earth copper carbonate from Paratoo, South Australia. Mineralogical Magazine: 70: 131-138.
Synonyms of Paratooite-(La)
Other Language Names for Paratooite-(La)
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 7 photos of Paratooite-(La) associated with Kamphaugite-(Y) | Ca(Y,REE)(CO3)2(OH) · H2O |
| 3 photos of Paratooite-(La) associated with Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 1 photo of Paratooite-(La) associated with Bastnäsite-(La) | La(CO3)F |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.AD.05 | Sahamalite-(Ce) | (Mg,Fe)(Ce,La,Nd)2(CO3)4 |
| 5.AD.15 | Petersenite-(Ce) | Na4(Ce,La,Nd)2(CO3)5 |
| 5.AD.15 | Rémondite-(Ce) | Na3(Ce,Ca,Na)3(CO3)5 |
| 5.AD.15 | Rémondite-(La) | Na3(La,Ca,Na)3(CO3)5 |
Fluorescence of Paratooite-(La)
No visible fluorescence
Other Information
Notes:
Quickly reacts with with effervescence in dilute HCl. Dissolves slowly in cold 10% HNO3, but reacts rapidly, with effervescence and discolouration, when the solution is heated.
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 Paratooite-(La)
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-27579.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 Paratooite-(La)
Reference List:
Pring, A., Wallwork, K., Brugger, J., U. Kolitsch, (2006) Paratooite-(La), a new lanthanum-dominant rare-earth copper carbonate from Paratoo, South Australia. Mineralogical Magazine, 70 (1) 131-138 doi:10.1180/0026461067010319
Localities for Paratooite-(La)
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 (TL) | |
| Pring et al. (2006) |
Quick NavTopAbout Paratooite-(La)Unique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography X-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Paratoo copper Mine, Peterborough, South Flinders Ranges, Flinders Ranges, South Australia, Australia