Ammineite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Ammineite
Formula:
[CuCl2(NH3)2]
Colour:
Deep blue to sky blue
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
1
Specific Gravity:
2.34 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named in allusion to being the first natural mineral species containing the ammine complex (= (NH3)) in the composition (see below).
The first approved mineral with an ammine complex (containing a metal in complex with NH3). As of September 2023 there are five ammine complex bearing minerals (ammineite, chanabayaite, joanneumite, shilovite and triazolite.)
Not to be confused with amminite ( a zinc-bearing chemical analogue, but found on burning coal dumps so is anthropogenic and not a valid species).
The mineral was first discovered in a guano quarry at Pabellón de Pica on the Chilean coast, which is the only known contact zone of a copper deposit and a young sub-maritime guano deposit which, due to its unique microbiology, supplies the nitrogen needed for the formation of the mineral.
Minerals like buttgenbachite and gerhardtite have similar compositions regarding the elements N (nitrogen) and H (hydrogen), but have a different chemical nature, since they are nitrates (NO3) containing hydroxyl (OH).
Not to be confused with amminite ( a zinc-bearing chemical analogue, but found on burning coal dumps so is anthropogenic and not a valid species).
The mineral was first discovered in a guano quarry at Pabellón de Pica on the Chilean coast, which is the only known contact zone of a copper deposit and a young sub-maritime guano deposit which, due to its unique microbiology, supplies the nitrogen needed for the formation of the mineral.
Minerals like buttgenbachite and gerhardtite have similar compositions regarding the elements N (nitrogen) and H (hydrogen), but have a different chemical nature, since they are nitrates (NO3) containing hydroxyl (OH).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
38895
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:38895:9
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
32905c82-4b07-4a42-9611-de7c6bd96805
IMA Classification of Ammineite
Approved
IMA Formula:
CuCl2 · 2NH3
Approval year:
2008
First published:
2010
Classification of Ammineite
3.C0.
3 : HALIDES
C : Complex halides
0 :
3 : HALIDES
C : Complex halides
0 :
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Amm | 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 Ammineite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Deep blue to sky blue
Streak:
Light blue
Hardness:
1 on Mohs scale
Hardness Data:
Measured
Cleavage:
Perfect
{001} perfect, {110} good
{001} perfect, {110} good
Comment:
Tenacity described as 'weak' in type description
Density:
2.34 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Not measured due to instablity in water
Optical Data of Ammineite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.676(2) nβ = 1.715(2) nγ = 1.785(2)
2V:
Calculated: 76°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.109
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
Dispersion:
Could not be observed because of the intense blue color
Comments:
β and γ = dark blue, α = light blue
Comments:
X = c, Y = b and Z = a
Chemistry of Ammineite
Mindat Formula:
[CuCl2(NH3)2]
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Ammineite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Cmcm
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.688 Å, b = 10.645 Å, c = 5.736 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.722 : 1 : 0.539
Unit Cell V:
469.43 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Elongate along [100], with the dominant form {001}
Crystal Structure
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0018300 | Ammineite | Bojar H P, Walter F, Baumgartner J, Farber G (2010) Ammineite, CuCl2(NH3)2, a new species containing an ammine complex: Mineral data and crystal structure The Canadian Mineralogist 48 1359-1371 | 2010 | Calleta Pabellon de Pica, Tarapaca region, Chile | 0 | 100 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 6.282 Å | (69) |
| 4.276 Å | (56) |
| 3.897 Å | (60) |
| 2.919 Å | (100) |
| 2.764 Å | (35) |
| 2.659 Å | (81) |
| 2.335 Å | (32) |
| 1.966 Å | (28) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45b : [Other oxidized fumarolic minerals] | |
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 52 : Guano- and urine-derived minerals | <0.4 |
Type Occurrence of Ammineite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Intense sky-blue hypidiomorphic grains up to 3 millimeters across. Also as powdery masses in solution cavities of halite.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Universalmuseum Joanneum, Graz, Austria (mineralogical collection, catalogue number 84.935)
Empirical Formula of Type Material:
CuCl1.99N1.99H5.57
Chemical Analysis of Type Material:
| Cu | 37.60 % |
|---|---|
| Cl | 41.67 % |
| N | 16.54 % |
| H | 3.32 % |
| Total: | 99.13 % |
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Interaction between NH3 from bird guano and Cu from plutonic rocks in a dry environment.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Bojar, H.-P., Walter, F., Baumgartner, J., Färber, G. (2010) Ammineite, CuCl2(NH3)2, a new species containing an ammine complex: mineral data and crystal structure. The Canadian Mineralogist: 48: 1359-1371.
Synonyms of Ammineite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 9 photos of Ammineite associated with Halite | NaCl |
| 3 photos of Ammineite associated with Shilovite | Cu(NH3)4(NO3)2 |
| 2 photos of Ammineite associated with Atacamite | Cu2(OH)3Cl |
| 2 photos of Ammineite associated with Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
| 1 photo of Ammineite associated with Tenorite | CuO |
| 1 photo of Ammineite associated with Triazolite | NaCu2(N3C2H2)2(NH3)2Cl3 · 4H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 3.C0. | Ermakovite | (NH4)(As2O3)2Br |
Fluorescence of Ammineite
Not fluorescent
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in HCl and ammonia, and in water transforms into an amorphous phase
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 Ammineite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-38895.html
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References for Ammineite
Reference List:
Bojar, H.-P., Walter, F., Baumgartner, J., Farber, G. (2010) Ammineite, CuCl2(NH3)2, a new species containing an ammine complex: mineral data and crystal structure. The Canadian Mineralogist, 48 (6) 1359-1371 doi:10.3749/canmin.48.5.1359
Localities for Ammineite
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.
Chile (TL) | |
| Walter et al. (2010) +1 other reference |
Italy | |
| M. Russo & I. Campostrini (2011) |
| Russo et al. (2011) +2 other references | |
| Russo et al. (2011) +1 other reference |
| Russo et al. (2011) +1 other reference | |
USA | |
| Raman analyzed at the University of ... |
| Kampf et al. (2019) |
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Pabellón de Pica, Chanabaya, Iquique Province, Tarapacá, Chile