Attikaite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Attikaite
View of the Kamariza silver mining area, in 1985.
Serpieri Mine, Kamariza Mines, Agios Konstantinos, Lavrion mining district, Lavreotiki, East Attica, Attica, Greece
Serpieri Mine, Kamariza Mines, Agios Konstantinos, Lavrion mining district, Lavreotiki, East Attica, Attica, Greece
Formula:
Ca3Cu2Al2(AsO4)4(OH)4 · 2H2O
Colour:
light blue, greenish blue
Hardness:
2½ - 3
Specific Gravity:
3.2
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named for the old Greek region of Attika and the Attiki Prefecture, respectively, in which the Lavrion District is situated.
Note on the type locality: Chukanov et al. (2007) give "Christiana 132" in their original description, but the type locality is in fact only nine metres from the shaft of the Isabelle mine (Branko Rieck, in https://www.mindat.org/mesg-570724.html ). The wrong entry in the publication is probably because of a mis-communication between the finder and the scientists.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
30778
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:30778:7
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
8555573a-723d-4ffb-b3cc-7a63fcda2be4
IMA Classification of Attikaite
Approved
Approval year:
2006
Classification of Attikaite
8.DJ.45
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
J : With large and medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 = 1:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
J : With large and medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 = 1:1
42.9.10.
42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
9 : (AB)7(XO4)4Zq·xH2O
42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
9 : (AB)7(XO4)4Zq·xH2O
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 |
---|---|---|
Atk | 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 Attikaite
Colour:
light blue, greenish blue
Streak:
pale blue
Hardness:
2½ - 3 on Mohs scale
Hardness Data:
Measured
Cleavage:
Perfect
mica-like on {001}
mica-like on {001}
Density:
3.2(2) g/cm3 (Measured)
Comment:
by heavy liquids
Optical Data of Attikaite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.642(2) nβ = 1.644(2) nγ = 1.644(2)
2V:
Measured: 10° (8)
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.002
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 Attikaite
Mindat Formula:
Ca3Cu2Al2(AsO4)4(OH)4 · 2H2O
Crystallography of Attikaite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pban
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.01(1) Å, b = 8.199(5) Å, c = 22.78(1) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.221 : 1 : 2.778
Unit Cell V:
1,869.60 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Spheroidal segregations (up to 0.3 mm in diameter) consisting of thin flexible crystals up to 3 x 20 x 80 μm in size.
Comment:
Space group Pban, Pbam or Pba2.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
22.8 Å | (100) |
11.36 Å | (60) |
5.01 Å | (90) |
2.780 Å | (70) |
2.682 Å | (30) |
2.503 Å | (50) |
2.292 Å | (20) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates] |
Type Occurrence of Attikaite
General Appearance of Type Material:
sparsely scattered, minute botryoids of pale green aggregates, comprised of submicroscopic, intergrown needles
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Fersman Mineralogical Museum of the Russian Academy of Science, Moscow, Russia, Catalog no. 3435/1.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Attikaite
Other Language Names for Attikaite
German:Attikait
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
1 photo of Attikaite associated with Richelsdorfite | Ca2Cu5Sb(AsO4)4(OH)6Cl · 6H2O |
1 photo of Attikaite associated with Olivenite | Cu2(AsO4)(OH) |
1 photo of Attikaite associated with Pharmacosiderite | KFe3+4(AsO4)3(OH)4 · 6-7H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
8.DJ.05 | Johnwalkite | K(Mn2+,Fe2+,Fe3+)2(Nb5+,Ta5+)(PO4)2O2 · 2(H2O,OH) |
8.DJ.05 | Olmsteadite | KFe2+2(Nb5+,Ta5+)(PO4)2O2 · 2H2O |
8.DJ.10 | Gatumbaite | CaAl2(PO4)2(OH)2 · H2O |
8.DJ.15 | Camgasite | CaMg(AsO4)(OH) · 5H2O |
8.DJ.20 | Phosphofibrite | (H2O,K)3.5Fe8(PO4)6(OH)7 · 5H2O |
8.DJ.20 | Meurigite-K | KFe3+8(PO4)6(OH)7 · 6.5H2O |
8.DJ.20 | Meurigite-Na | NaFe3+8(PO4)6(OH)7 · 6.5H2O |
8.DJ.25 | Jungite | Ca2Zn4Fe3+8(PO4)9(OH)9 · 16H2O |
8.DJ.30 | Wycheproofite | NaAlZr(PO4)2(OH) · H2O |
8.DJ.35 | Ercitite | Na2Mn3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2O |
8.DJ.40 | Mrázekite | Bi2Cu3(PO4)2O2(OH)2 · H2O |
8.DJ.50 | Mengeite | Ba(Mg,Mn2+)Mn3+4(PO4)4(OH)4 · 4H2O |
Other Information
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 Attikaite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-30778.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Attikaite
Reference List:
Localities for Attikaite
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).
Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality.
Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Greece | |
| Chukanov et al. (2007) |
| ZRMO 136 (2) |
| N. V. Chukanov (2007) |
Spain | |
| Mineralogía de la concesión San Rafael |
| issuu.com (n.d.) +1 other reference |
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Christiana Mine No. 132, Mercati mines, Agios Konstantinos, Lavrion mining district, Lavreotiki, East Attica, Attica, Greece