Aurorite
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About Aurorite
Formula:
Mn2+Mn4+3O7 · 3H2O
Colour:
Black, pale brown in transmitted light at the edges of very thin, platy grains
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
2 - 3
Specific Gravity:
3.81 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1967 by Arthur S. Radtke, Charles M. Taylor, and Donnel Foster Hewett for the type locality.
This page provides mineralogical data about Aurorite.
Classification of Aurorite
Approved
4/F.11-10
4.FL.20
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
F : Hydroxides (without V or U)
L : Hydroxides with H2O +- (OH); sheets of edge-sharing octahedra
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
F : Hydroxides (without V or U)
L : Hydroxides with H2O +- (OH); sheets of edge-sharing octahedra
Dana 7th ed.:
7.8.2.2
7.8.2.2
7 : MULTIPLE OXIDES
8 : AB3X7
7 : MULTIPLE OXIDES
8 : AB3X7
7.18.12
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
18 : Oxides of Mn
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
18 : Oxides of Mn
Physical Properties of Aurorite
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Black, pale brown in transmitted light at the edges of very thin, platy grains
Hardness:
2 - 3 on Mohs scale
Density:
3.81 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Aurorite
Type:
Biaxial
Anisotropism:
Yellow-grey to brownish grey
Bireflectance:
Strong, cream-white to medium black
Reflectivity:
400 nm | R1=10.4% | R2= 36.5% |
420 nm | R1=10.3% | R2= 35.3% |
440 nm | R1=10.2% | R2= 34.0% |
460 nm | R1=9.99% | R2= 32.4% |
480 nm | R1=9.67% | R2= 30.6% |
500 nm | R1=9.49% | R2= 29.2% |
520 nm | R1=9.31% | R2= 27.8% |
540 nm | R1=9.16% | R2= 26.6% |
560 nm | R1=9.11% | R2= 25.6% |
580 nm | R1=8.93% | R2= 24.9% |
600 nm | R1=8.88% | R2= 24.5% |
620 nm | R1=8.87% | R2= 24.0% |
640 nm | R1=8.85% | R2= 23.7% |
660 nm | R1=8.84% | R2= 23.4% |
680 nm | R1=8.82% | R2= 22.9% |
700 nm | R1=8.80% | R2= 22.7% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Top of box is 100%. Peak reflectance is 36.5%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Chemical Properties of Aurorite
Formula:
Mn2+Mn4+3O7 · 3H2O
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Aurorite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3 - Pyramidal
Space Group:
R3
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.514 Å, c = 20.734 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 2.759
Unit Cell V:
1,013.81 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
6
Comment:
Could be R-3.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Image Loading
Radiation - Copper Kα
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
6.94 Å | (100) |
6.20 Å | (20) |
4.06 Å | (50) |
3.46 Å | (70) |
3.29 Å | (20) |
3.20 Å | (10) |
2.76 Å | (30) |
2.70 Å | (5) |
2.54 Å | (50) |
2.45 Å | (40) |
2.40 Å | (40) |
2.23 Å | (50) |
2.13 Å | (30) |
1.98 Å | (5) |
1.899 Å | (40) |
1.841 Å | (20) |
1.795 Å | (30) |
1.748 Å | (5) |
1.712 Å | (10) |
1.668 Å | (5) |
1.563 Å | (5) |
1.560 Å | (50) |
1.508 Å | (20) |
1.429 Å | (50) |
1.398 Å | (5) |
1.321 Å | (10) |
1.277 Å | (10) |
1.234 Å | (5) |
1.204 Å | (10) |
1.144 Å | (10) |
1.119 Å | (5) |
1.064 Å | (20) |
1.036 Å | (10) |
Comments:
ICDD 19-88 (note subsequent change in crystal system). The pattern is nearly indistinguishable from those of Chalcophanite and Jianshuiite. Recorded on type material (Aurora Mine, Hamilton, Nevada).
Type Occurrence of Aurorite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Small, irregular masses and platy or scaly grains, to 8 µm
Geological Setting of Type Material:
In veinlets filling microfractures in manganoan calcite
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Aurorite
Manganese Oxides (in part)
Other Language Names for Aurorite
Relationship of Aurorite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
Chalcophanite | ZnMn4+3O7 · 3H2O | Trig. 3 : R3 |
Ernienickelite | NiMn3O7 · 3H2O | Trig. 3 : R3 |
Jianshuiite | (Mg,Mn,Ca)Mn3O7 · 3H2O | Trig. 3 : R3 |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping
4.FL. | Trébeurdenite | Fe2+2Fe3+4O2(OH)10CO3 · 3H2O | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
4.FL.05 | Woodallite | Mg6Cr2(OH)16Cl2 · 4H2O | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
4.FL.05 | Iowaite | Mg6Fe3+2(OH)16Cl2 · 4H2O | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
4.FL.05 | Jamborite | Ni2+1-xCo3+x(OH)2-x(SO4)x · nH2O | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
4.FL.05 | Meixnerite | Mg6Al2(OH)16(OH)2 · 4H2O | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
4.FL.05 | Muskoxite | Mg7Fe4O13 · 10H2O | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) |
4.FL.05 | Fougèrite | Fe2+4Fe3+2(OH)12[CO3] · 3H2O | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
4.FL.10 | Hydrocalumite | Ca4Al2(OH)12(Cl,CO3,OH)2 · 4H2O | Mon. 2 : P21 |
4.FL.15 | Kuzelite | Ca4Al2(OH)12[SO4] · 6H2O | Trig. |
4.FL.20 | Chalcophanite | ZnMn4+3O7 · 3H2O | Trig. 3 : R3 |
4.FL.20 | Ernienickelite | NiMn3O7 · 3H2O | Trig. 3 : R3 |
4.FL.20 | Jianshuiite | (Mg,Mn,Ca)Mn3O7 · 3H2O | Trig. 3 : R3 |
4.FL.25 | Woodruffite | Zn2+x/2(Mn4+1-xMn3+x)O2 · yH2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
4.FL.30 | Asbolane | (Ni,Co)2-xMn4+(O,OH)4 · nH2O | Hex. |
4.FL.35 | Buserite | Na4Mn14O27 · 21H2O | |
4.FL.40 | Ranciéite | (Ca,Mn2+)0.2(Mn4+,Mn3+)O2 · 0.6H2O | Trig. 3 : P3 |
4.FL.40 | Takanelite | (Mn,Ca)Mn4O9 · H2O | Hex. |
4.FL.45 | Birnessite | (Na,Ca)0.5(Mn4+,Mn3+)2O4 · 1.5H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
4.FL.55 | Cianciulliite | Mn(Mg,Mn)2Zn2(OH)10 · 2-4H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
4.FL.60 | Jensenite | Cu3[TeO6] · 2H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/m |
4.FL.65 | Leisingite | Cu2MgTe6+O6 · 6H2O | Trig. 3 : P3 |
4.FL.70 | Akdalaite | Al10O14(OH)2 | Hex. |
4.FL.75 | Cafetite | CaTi2O5 · H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
4.FL.80 | Mourite | UMo5O12(OH)10 | Mon. |
4.FL.85 | Deloryite | Cu4(UO2)(MoO4)2(OH)6 | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
Related Minerals - Dana Grouping (8th Ed.)
7.8.2.1 | Chalcophanite | ZnMn4+3O7 · 3H2O | Trig. 3 : R3 |
7.8.2.3 | Jianshuiite | (Mg,Mn,Ca)Mn3O7 · 3H2O | Trig. 3 : R3 |
7.8.2.4 | Ernienickelite | NiMn3O7 · 3H2O | Trig. 3 : R3 |
Related Minerals - Hey's Chemical Index of Minerals Grouping
7.18.1 | Manganosite | MnO | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fm3m |
7.18.2 | Hausmannite | Mn2+Mn3+2O4 | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : I41/amd |
7.18.3 | Pyrolusite | Mn4+O2 | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : P42/mnm |
7.18.4 | Ramsdellite | Mn4+O2 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
7.18.5 | Akhtenskite | ε-Mn4+O2 | Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P63/mmc |
7.18.6 | Feitknechtite | Mn3+O(OH) | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1 |
7.18.7 | Manganite | Mn3+O(OH) | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
7.18.8 | Groutite | Mn3+O(OH) | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma |
7.18.9 | Nsutite | (Mn4+,Mn2+)(O,OH)2 | Hex. |
7.18.10 | Pyrochroite | Mn(OH)2 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) |
7.18.11 | Birnessite | (Na,Ca)0.5(Mn4+,Mn3+)2O4 · 1.5H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
7.18.13 | Cianciulliite | Mn(Mg,Mn)2Zn2(OH)10 · 2-4H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
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.
References for Aurorite
Reference List:
Sort by Year (asc) | by Year (desc) | by Author (A-Z) | by Author (Z-A)
Radtke, A. S., Taylor, C. M. and Hewett, D. F. (1967): Aurorite, argentian todorokite, and hydrous silver-bearing lead manganese oxide. Econ. Geol. 62, 186-206. - American Mineralogist (1967) 52, 1581 (abstract).
Grice, J. D., Gartrell, B., Gault, R. A. and Van Velthuizen, J. (1994): Ernienickelite, NiMn3O7 . 3H2O, a new mineral species from the Siberia complex, Western Australia: comments on the chalcophanite group. Canadian Mineralogist 32, 333-337.
Criddle, A. J. and Stanley, C. J., Eds. (1993): Quantitative data file for ore minerals, 3rd. ed., Chapman & Hall (London), 29.
Anthony, J. W. et al. (1997): Handbook of Mineralogy, Vol. 3, 30.
Internet Links for Aurorite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-428.html
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Localities for Aurorite
Locality List




All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Australia | |
| Peter Elliott |
| |
V. Peisley & P. Elliott in prep | |
| Francis, G.L., Peisley, V., 2012. Minerals from Fairview and St John's phosphate deposits, South Australia. (self published). |
Austria | |
| Kolitsch, U. (2013): 1818) Aurorit und Chalkophanit vom Bergbau am Arzberg bei Steinhaus am Semmering, Steiermark. Pp. 129-130 in Niedermayr, G. et al. (2013): Neue Mineralfunde aus Österreich LXII. Carinthia II, 203./123., 91-146. |
China | |
| Baisheng Zhang (1998): Mineral Resources and Geology 12(5), 318-323 |
| Yongwei Li, Xinguo Liu, and Changxi Guo (2010): Gold Science and Technology 18(2), 45-50 |
Greece | |
| No reference listed |
Japan | |
| Matsubara & Kato (1981) Memoirs of the National Science Museum (Japan), 14, 5-18; The Mineral Species of Japan (5th ed) |
South Africa | |
| Cairncross, B., Dixon, R. (1995) Cairncross, B., Dixon, R. (1995) Minerals of South Africa. Geological Society of South Africa, PO Box 44283, Linden 2104, South Africa. |
USA | |
| Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 123. |
| Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 124. |
| Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 124. |
| Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 124, 165, 240, 343, 398. |
| Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 124; Cousins, N.B. (1972), Relationship of black calcite to gold and silver mineralization in the Sheep Tanks mining district, Yuma Co., AZ, AZ State Univ. M.S. thesis. |
| NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada |
| NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada |
| NBMG Spec Pub 31 Minerals of Nevada |
NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada | |
| NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada |
NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada | |
| Dunn(1995):Pt4:584. |
North Aurora mine, Summit area, Treasure Hill, Silver Belt, White Pine Mining District, White Pine Co., Nevada, USA