Wrightite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Wrightite
Adrian C. Wright
Formula:
K2Al2O(AsO4)2
Colour:
Colorless to light yellow
Lustre:
Vitreous
Specific Gravity:
3.499 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named in honour of Adrian Carl Wright (b. 1944, Kent, England, UK), Emeritus Professor of Amorphous Solid-State Physics at the University of Reading, UK. He is an expert on glasses and his work was important for understanding processes in volcanic glass systems.
New structure type. Chemically close minerals are filatovite, pharmacoalumite, and to some extent also dmisokolovite. Third arsenate-oxide of K and Al after nishanbaevite and dmisokolovite. Also somewhat related to alumoedtollite and urusovite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
47777
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:47777:6
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
5fd72d71-c6a5-4562-bc4c-e1d31fdb8c12
IMA Classification of Wrightite
Approved
Approval year:
2016
First published:
2018
Type description reference:
Shablinskii, Andrey P., Filatov, Stanislav K., Vergasova, Lidyua P., Avdontseva, Eugeniya Yu., Moskaleva, Svetlana V. (2018) Wrightite, K2Al2O(AsO4)2, a new oxo-orthoarsenate from the Second scoria cone, Northern Breakthrough, Great Fissure eruption, Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka peninsula, Russia. Mineralogical Magazine, 82 (6) 1243-1251 doi:10.1180/minmag.2017.081.091
Classification of Wrightite
8.BG.30
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
G : With medium-sized and large cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 = 0.5:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
G : With medium-sized and large cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 = 0.5:1
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Wgh | 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 Wrightite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colorless to light yellow
Streak:
White
Tenacity:
Brittle
Density:
3.499(1) g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Wrightite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.679(2) nβ = 1.685(2) nγ = 1.687
2V:
Measured: 62° (10)
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.008
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:
Not Visible
Chemistry of Wrightite
Mindat Formula:
K2Al2O(AsO4)2
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Wrightite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pmma
Setting:
Pmma
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.230(5) Å, b = 5.555(4) Å, c = 17.584(1) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.482 : 1 : 3.165
Unit Cell V:
803.9 ų
Z:
4
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 8.77 Å | (36) |
| 6.01 Å | (18) |
| 4.458 Å | (17) |
| 4.097 Å | (16) |
| 4.010 Å | (19) |
| 3.875 Å | (19) |
| 3.003 Å | (16) |
| 2.972 Å | (100) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45a : [Sulfates, arsenates, selenates, antimonates] |
Type Occurrence of Wrightite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Light yellow aggregates consist of transparent tabular crystals with the average size of 0.05×0.03×0.005 mm3. Well formed crystals rare. Often forms flattened aggregates.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Collections of the Mineralogical Museum, Saint-Petersburg State University, University Emb. 7/9, St. Petersburg 199034,
Russia (catalogue number 1/19653)
Russia (catalogue number 1/19653)
Empirical Formula of Type Material:
(K1.69Na0.38)Σ2.07(Al1.80Fe0.24)Σ2.04As1.96O9
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Fumarole
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Shablinskii, A.P., Filatov, S.K., Vergasova, L.P., Avdontseva, E.Yu., Moskaleva, S.V. (2018): Wrightite, K2Al2O(AsO4)2, a new oxo-orthoarsenate from Great fissure Tolbachik eruption, Kamchatka peninsula, Russia. Mineralogical Magazine, 82: 1243-1251
Synonyms of Wrightite
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.BG. | Canosioite | Ba2Fe3+(AsO4)2(OH) |
| 8.BG. | Aldomarinoite | Sr2Mn3+(AsO4)2(OH) |
| 8.BG. | Dongchuanite | Pb4ZnZn2(PO4)4(OH)2 |
| 8.BG. | Cuprodongchuanite | Pb4CuZn2(PO4)4(OH)2 |
| 8.BG.05 | Arsentsumebite | Pb2Cu(AsO4)(SO4)(OH) |
| 8.BG.05 | Bearthite | Ca2Al(PO4)2(OH) |
| 8.BG.05 | Brackebuschite | Pb2Mn3+(VO4)2(OH) |
| 8.BG.05 | Gamagarite | Ba2Fe3+(VO4)2(OH) |
| 8.BG.05 | Goedkenite | Sr2Al(PO4)2(OH) |
| 8.BG.05 | UM1994-19-PO:CuHMoPb | Pb2Cu(PO4)(MoO4,AsO4,CrO4,GaO4)(OH) |
| 8.BG.05 | Tsumebite | Pb2Cu(PO4)(SO4)(OH) |
| 8.BG.05 | Arsenbrackebuschite | Pb2Fe3+(AsO4)2(OH) |
| 8.BG.05 | Feinglosite | Pb2Zn(AsO4)2 · H2O |
| 8.BG.05 | Bushmakinite | Pb2Al(PO4)(VO4)(OH) |
| 8.BG.05 | Tokyoite | Ba2Mn3+(VO4)2(OH) |
| 8.BG.05 | Calderónite | Pb2Fe3+(VO4)2(OH) |
| 8.BG.05 | Ferribushmakinite | Pb2Fe3+(PO4)(VO4)(OH) |
| 8.BG.05 | Lombardoite | Ba2Mn3+(AsO4)2(OH) |
| 8.BG.05 | Unnamed (possible ordered As-analogue of Tokyoite) | Ba2Mn[(As,V)O4]2(OH) |
| 8.BG.10 | Mélonjosephite | CaFe2+Fe3+(PO4)2(OH) |
| 8.BG.15 | Tancoite | LiNa2Al(PO4)(PO3OH)(OH) |
| 8.BG.20 | Dmisokolovite | K3Cu5AlO2(AsO4)4 |
| 8.BG.25 | Shchurovskyite | K2CaCu6O2(AsO4)4 |
| 8.BG.35 | Polyarsite | Na7CaMgCu2(AsO4)4F2Cl |
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 Wrightite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-47777.html
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References for Wrightite
Reference List:
Hålenius, U., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2016) New minerals and nomenclature modifications approved in 2016, CNMNC Newsletter no 31. Mineralogical Magazine, 80 (4) 691-697 doi:10.1180/minmag.2016.080.083
Shablinskii, Andrey P., Filatov, Stanislav K., Vergasova, Lidyua P., Avdontseva, Eugeniya Yu., Moskaleva, Svetlana V. (2018) Wrightite, K2Al2O(AsO4)2, a new oxo-orthoarsenate from the Second scoria cone, Northern Breakthrough, Great Fissure eruption, Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka peninsula, Russia. Mineralogical Magazine, 82 (6) 1243-1251 doi:10.1180/minmag.2017.081.091
Localities for Wrightite
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.
Russia (TL) | |
| Shablinskii et al. (2018) |
Quick NavTopAbout WrightiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography X-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Second scoria cone, Northern Breakthrough, Great Fissure eruption, Tolbachik Volcanic field, Milkovsky District, Kamchatka Krai, Russia