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Taranakite

A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About TaranakiteHide

Formula:
(K,NH4)Al3(PO4)3(OH) · 9H2O
Colour:
Yellow, gray, white
Specific Gravity:
2.12 - 2.15
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Name:
Discovered by H. Richmond and described by James Hector in 1865. The mineral is named after its discovery locality, Sugar Loaves, Taranaki peninsula, New Zealand.
A secondary mineral formed from the interaction of phosphatic solutions derived from bird or bat guano on clays or aluminous rocks under perenially damp conditions in caves and along sea coasts.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
3890
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3890:0
GUID
(UUID V4):
265cc240-9c67-4e11-a51e-e6772edf2fcb

IMA Classification of TaranakiteHide

Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
K3Al5(PO3OH)6(PO4)2 · 18H2O
First published:
1865

Classification of TaranakiteHide

8.CH.25

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
H : With large and medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O < 1:1
39.3.6.1

39 : HYDRATED ACID PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
3 : Miscellaneous
19.8.7

19 : Phosphates
8 : Phosphates of Al and other metals

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference
TarIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of TaranakiteHide

Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Yellow, gray, white
Comment:
Colourless in transmitted light.
Tenacity:
Malleable
Density:
2.12 - 2.15 g/cm3 (Measured)    2.12 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of TaranakiteHide

Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.506 - 1.510 nε = 1.500 - 1.503
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.006 - 0.007
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Low

Chemistry of TaranakiteHide

Mindat Formula:
(K,NH4)Al3(PO4)3(OH) · 9H2O

Crystallography of TaranakiteHide

Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m (3 2/m) - Hexagonal Scalenohedral
Space Group:
R3c
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.7025 Å, c = 95.05 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 10.922
Unit Cell V:
6,234.06 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
6
Morphology:
Crystals pseudohexagonal, platy; minute, lath-like and commonly in compact nodular aggregates, powdery, flour-like to claylike; massive.
Comment:
Space group determined from synthetic material.

Crystal StructureHide

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0012725TaranakiteDick S, Gossner U, Weiss A, Robl C, Grossman G, Ohms G, Zeiske T (1998) Taranakite - the mineral with the longest crystallographic axis Inorganica Chimica Acta 269 47-571998synthetic0293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
15.82 Å(100)
3.82 Å(40)
3.14 Å(31)
3.36 Å(29)
7.47 Å(28)
3.59 Å(22)
7.92 Å(18)

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event<2.4
47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals]
47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates]
Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere<0.6
50 : Coal and/or oil shale minerals<0.36
52 : Guano- and urine-derived minerals<0.4
Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals<10 Ka
54 : Coal and other mine fire minerals (see also #51 and #56)

Type Occurrence of TaranakiteHide

Place of Conservation of Type Material:
No designated type material.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Thin seams in fissures in trachytic rocks, with phosphate derived from guano.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Synonyms of TaranakiteHide

Other Language Names for TaranakiteHide

Common AssociatesHide

Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
1 photo of Taranakite associated with Parwanite(Na,K)(Mg,Ca)4Al8(PO4)8(CO3)(OH)7 · 30H2O
1 photo of Taranakite associated with Montmorillonite(Na,Ca)0.33(Al,Mg)2(Si4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O
1 photo of Taranakite associated with MontgomeryiteCa4MgAl4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 12H2O

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

8.CH.05WalentaiteFe3+3(P0.84As0.16O4)2(O,OH)6As3+2.56Ca0.42Na0.28Mn2+0.35Fe2+0.30O6.1(OH)0.9(H2O)0.9Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Imma
8.CH.05Natrowalentaite [Fe3+0.5Na0.5(H2O)6][NaAs3+2(Fe3+2.33W6+0.67)(PO4)2O7]Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Imma
8.CH.05Halilsarpite[Mg(H2O)6][CaAs3+2(Fe3+2.67Mo6+0.33)(AsO4)2O7]Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Imma
8.CH.10AnapaiteCa2Fe2+(PO4)2 · 4H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.CH.15PicropharmacoliteCa4Mg(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 11H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.CH.20Dittmarite(NH4)Mg(PO4) · H2OOrth. mm2 : Pmn21
8.CH.20Niahite(NH4)(Mn2+,Mg)(PO4) · H2OOrth. mm2 : Pmn21
8.CH.25FrancoanelliteK3Al5(PO3OH)6(PO4)2 · 12H2OTrig.
8.CH.30Schertelite(NH4)2MgH2(PO4)2 · 4H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbca
8.CH.35Hannayite(NH4)2Mg3H4(PO4)4 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.CH.40Struvite(NH4)Mg(PO4) · 6H2OOrth. mm2 : Pmn21
8.CH.40Struvite-(K)KMg(PO4) · 6H2OOrth. mm2 : Pmn21
8.CH.40HazeniteKNaMg2(PO4)2 · 14H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
8.CH.45Rimkorolgite(Mg,Mn)5(Ba,Sr,Ca)(PO4)4 · 8H2OOrth.
8.CH.50BakhchisaraitseviteNa2Mg5(PO4)4 · 7H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.CH.55FahleiteCaZn5Fe3+2(AsO4)6 · 14H2OOrth.
8.CH.55SmolyaninoviteCo3Fe3+2(AsO4)4 · 11H2OOrth.
8.CH.60Barahonaite-(Al)(Ca,Cu,Na,Fe3+,Al)12Al2(AsO4)8(OH,Cl)x · nH2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
8.CH.60Barahonaite-(Fe)(Ca,Cu,Na,Fe3+,Al)12Fe3+2(AsO4)8(OH,Cl)x · nH2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
8.CH.70EpifanoviteNaCaCu5(PO4)4[AsO2(OH)2] · 7H2OMon. 2/m : P21/m
8.CH.75Esdanaite-(Ce)NaMnCe(PO4)2 · 4H2OOrth. 2 2 2 : P21 21 21

Other InformationHide

Notes:
Readily soluble in acids.
Easily fusible (distinguishing it from visually similar wavellite).
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 TaranakiteHide

References for TaranakiteHide

Reference List:

Localities for TaranakiteHide

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.

Locality ListHide

- 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.
Algeria
 
  • Oran Province
    • Boutlélis District
A. Carnot +1 other reference
Antarctica
 
  • Western Antarctica
    • Antarctic Peninsula
      • South Shetland Islands
        • King George Island
Tatur et al. (1985) +1 other reference
Argentina
 
  • Santa Cruz Province
    • Corpen Aike Department
      • Puerto Santa Cruz
L. R. Catalano +1 other reference
Australia
 
  • New South Wales
    • Westmoreland Co.
Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference
  • Victoria
    • Corangamite Shire
      • Skipton
        • Mount Widderin
Webb et al. (1982)
    • Moorabool Shire
      • Bacchus Marsh
Birch et al. (1993)
  • Western Australia
    • Dandaragan Shire
      • Jurien Bay
Helictite 13:19-33
    • Moora Shire
Bridge et al. (1978)
Brazil
 
  • Pará
    • Canaã dos Carajás
      • Serra Sul Project
        • S11D Deposit
Piló et al. (2023)
    • Parauapebas
      • Carajás iron complex
        • N4WS Pit
Piló et al. (2023)
Cameroon
 
  • South Region
    • Dja-Et-Lobo
      • Meyomessi
Willems et al. (2002)
Chile
 
  • Antofagasta
    • Antofagasta Province
      • Mejillones
        • Mejillones peninsula
XRD and SEM-EDS by Igor V. Pekov
China
 
  • Guangxi
Xunyi Wang (1982)
Czech Republic
 
  • South Moravian Region
    • Brno-Country District
      • Oslavany
Hršelová et al. (2013)
France
 
  • Occitanie
    • Hérault
      • Béziers
        • Cesseras
F. A. Bannister and Miss Hilda Bennett (1947) +4 other references
Palache et al. (1951)
Germany
 
  • North Rhine-Westphalia
    • Cologne
      • Euskirchen
        • Kall
Blaß et al. (1995)
  • Thuringia
    • Greiz District
      • Kauern
EDX and XRD confirmed by Dr. Th. Witzke
Greece
 
  • Central Macedonia
    • Serres
      • Nea Zichni
        • Alistrati
Natural History Museum Vienna collection (collected by Robert Seemann in 2006, PXRD-analysed by Christian L. Lengauer, University of Vienna)
Hungary
 
  • Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County
    • Miskolc District
      • Parasznya
Szakáll-Gatter-Szendrei: Mineral ...
    • Putnok District
      • Aggtelek
Audra et al. (2019)
Iran
 
  • Kurdistan Province
    • Divandarreh County
Amin et al. (2022)
Israel
 
  • Haifa District
    • Hof HaCarmel
Weiner et al. (1993)
Italy
 
  • Apulia
    • Metropolitan City of Bari
      • Acquaviva delle Fonti
Dell'Anna et al. (1989)
      • Castellana Grotte
Balenzano et al. (1974)
      • Polignano a Mare
Dell'Anna et al. (1989)
    • Taranto Province
      • Martina Franca
Dell'Anna et al. (1989)
Dell'Anna et al. (1989)
Dell'Anna et al. (1989)
  • Campania
    • Salerno
      • Castelcivita
Casoria (1904) +2 other references
      • Pertosa
Audra et al. (2019)
  • Friuli Venezia Giulia
    • Gorizia Province
      • Sagrado
        • San Martino del Carso
Cancian (1984)
  • Sardinia
    • South Sardinia Province
      • Carbonia
        • Barbusi
Baldoni et al. (2013) +2 other references
  • Sicily
    • Syracuse Province
      • Melilli
Audra et al. (2019)
    • Trapani Province
      • Castellammare del Golfo
Audra et al. (2019)
Vattano M. et al. (2013)
Japan
 
  • Hiroshima Prefecture
Sakae and Sudo (1975) +1 other reference
  • Kumamoto Prefecture
    • Kuma District
      • Kuma village
Nobuhide Sawamura & Hitoshi Momoi: ... +1 other reference
Ohe Rikosha specimens (Kyoto)
Kenya
 
  • Kajiado County
    • Mount Suswa (Suswa Volcano)
Forti et al. (2004)
Kyrgyzstan
 
  • Osh Region
    • Aravan District
V.I. Stepanov data
Malaysia
 
  • Sarawak
    • Miri Division
Bridge et al. (1983)
Mexico
 
  • Coahuila
    • Cuatro Ciénegas Municipality
      • Cuatro Ciénegas (Cuatrociénegas de Carranza; Venustiano Carranza)
        • Limestone caves
Forti (2006)
New Zealand
 
  • Otago Region
    • Clutha District
J. Thornton in Micro-Scope +1 other reference
  • Taranaki Region
    • New Plymouth District
      • New Plymouth
Palache et al. (1951) +2 other references
Philippines
 
  • Visayas
    • Western Visayas Region
      • Palawan Province
        • Palawan Island
Wurster et al. (2015)
Wurster et al. (2015)
Romania
 
  • Bistrița-Năsăud County
al României (2003)
  • Constanța County
Dumitras D et al. (2004)
  • Gorj County
    • Polovragi
Marincea et al. (2006)
  • Hunedoara County
    • Boșorod
D. Dumitras (2000) +1 other reference
    • Domogled - Cernei Valley National Park
Onac (2009)
  • Maramureș County
    • Șomcuta Mare
Neacșu Antonela (2007)
  • Mehedinti County
    • Dubova
Marincea et al. (2004) +1 other reference
  • Sălaj County
    • Ileanda
      • Răstoci
Onac et al. (2003)
Tudor Tămaș (2010)
Russia
 
  • Altai Krai
Sokol et al. (2022)
Slovakia
 
  • Košice Region
    • Rožňava District
      • Kečovo
Sejkora et al. (2004) +1 other reference
South Africa
 
  • Gauteng
    • West Rand District Municipality
      • Far West Rand
        • Oberholzer
Martini (1978)
  • Mpumalanga
    • Ehlanzeni District Municipality
      • Mbombela Local Municipality
        • Mbombela
Martini (1997)
  • North West
    • Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality
      • JB Marks Local Municipality
        • Ventersdorp
Martini (1978)
    • Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality
      • Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality
Martini (1978)
  • Western Cape
    • West Coast District Municipality
      • Cederberg Local Municipality
Miller et al. (2016)
South Korea
 
  • Gangwon Province
    • Yeongwol County
Jun +4 other references
Spain
 
  • Balearic Islands
B. Onac et al (2009)
      • Inca
Onac et al. (2005)
USA
 
  • California
    • San Francisco County
      • Farallon Islands
Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 314. +2 other references
  • Virginia
    • Bath County
NSS Bulletin 44:90-97 (1982)
    • Giles County
Murray et al. (1956)
Dietrich (1990)
 
Mineral and/or Locality  
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