Aluminite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Aluminite
Formula:
Al2(SO4)(OH)4 · 7H2O
Colour:
White to yellow, grey; colourless in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Dull, Earthy
Hardness:
1 - 2
Specific Gravity:
1.7
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1807 for its composition, containing principally aluminium.
Type Locality:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
154
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:154:6
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
34797a65-e43e-470d-b90a-4110877e8070
IMA Classification of Aluminite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
Classification of Aluminite
7.DC.05
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
C : With only medium-sized cations; chains of edge-sharing octahedra
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
C : With only medium-sized cations; chains of edge-sharing octahedra
Dana 7th ed.:
31.7.4.1
31.7.4.1
31 : HYDRATED SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
7 : (AB)2(XO4)Zq·xH2O
31 : HYDRATED SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
7 : (AB)2(XO4)Zq·xH2O
25.6.5
25 : Sulphates
6 : Sulphates of Al and Tl
25 : Sulphates
6 : Sulphates of Al and Tl
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMAâCNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| A | IMAâCNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMAâCNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Aluminite
Dull, Earthy
Transparency:
Translucent, Opaque
Colour:
White to yellow, grey; colourless in transmitted light.
Streak:
White
Hardness:
1 - 2 on Mohs scale
Hardness Data:
Measured
Tenacity:
Fragile
Cleavage:
None Observed
None
None
Parting:
None
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
1.7 g/cm3 (Measured) 1.794 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Aluminite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.459 nβ = 1.464 nγ = 1.470
2V:
Measured: 90° , Calculated: 86°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.011
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
Dispersion:
none
Chemistry of Aluminite
Mindat Formula:
Al2(SO4)(OH)4 · 7H2O
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Aluminite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/b
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.44 Å, b = 15.583 Å, c = 11.7 Å
β = 110.18°
β = 110.18°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.477 : 1 : 0.751
Unit Cell V:
1,273.20 Ă
Âł (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
As needles and fibers, to 0.1 mm, commonly in reniform, nodular, or spherulitic masses, and as veinlets.
Twinning:
None noted.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0009644 | Aluminite | Sabelli C, Ferroni R T (1978) The crystal structure of aluminite Acta Crystallographica B34 2407-2412 |  | 1978 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 8.98 Ă | (100) |
| 7.79 Ă | (90) |
| 6.37 Ă | (40) |
| 5.49 Ă | (30) |
| 5.01 Ă | (40) |
| 4.70 Ă | (50) |
| 3.74 Ă | (40) |
| 3.71 Ă | (30) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 21 : Chemically precipitated carbonate, phosphate, iron formations | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45a : [Sulfates, arsenates, selenates, antimonates] | |
| 47b : [Sulfates and sulfites] | |
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 50 : Coal and/or oil shale minerals | <0.36 |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 54 : Coal and other mine fire minerals (see also #51 and #56) |
Geological Setting:
Found as concretionary deposits in Tertiary to Quaternary clays, marls, and lignites, formed by the action of sulfate solutions derived from the decay of pyrite or marcasite on aluminous silicates. Typically in clays or lignites, formed by the reaction of sulfate-bearing solutions from the decomposition of marcasite or pyrite at moderate temperatures with aluminous silicates; as a volcanic sublimate; in sulfur deposits; rarely in caves.
Type Occurrence of Aluminite
Synonyms of Aluminite
Other Language Names for Aluminite
French:Hydrosulfate d'alumine
Russian:ĐĐ»ŃĐŒĐžĐœĐžŃ
Simplified Chinese:çŸçł
Spanish:Aluminita
Websterita
Websterita
Relationship of Aluminite to other Species
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 2 photos of Aluminite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 2 photos of Aluminite associated with Muscovite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| 1 photo of Aluminite associated with Selenite | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
| 1 photo of Aluminite associated with Alumogel | |
| 1 photo of Aluminite associated with Allophane | (Al2O3)(SiO2)1.3-2 · 2.5-3H2O |
| 1 photo of Aluminite associated with Limonite | |
| 1 photo of Aluminite associated with Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.DC.05 | Meta-aluminite | Al2(SO4)(OH)4 · 5H2O |
| 7.DC.10 | Butlerite | Fe3+(SO4)(OH) · 2H2O |
| 7.DC.10 | Parabutlerite | Fe3+(SO4)(OH) · 2H2O |
| 7.DC.15 | Fibroferrite | Fe3+(SO4)(OH) · 5H2O |
| 7.DC.20 | Xitieshanite | Fe3+(SO4)Cl · 6H2O |
| 7.DC.25 | Botryogen | MgFe3+(SO4)2(OH) · 7H2O |
| 7.DC.25 | Zincobotryogen | (Zn,Mg,Mn2+)Fe3+(SO4)2(OH) · 7H2O |
| 7.DC.30 | Chaidamuite | ZnFe3+(SO4)2(OH) · 4H2O |
| 7.DC.30 | Guildite | CuFe3+(SO4)2(OH) · 4H2O |
| 7.DC.40 | Pauladamsite | Cu4(SeO3)(SO4)(OH)4 · 2H2O |
| 7.DC.45 | Riotintoite | Al(SO4)(OH) · 3H2O |
| 7.DC.50 | Thorneite | Pb6(Te6+2O10)(CO3)Cl2(H2O) |
| 7.DC.55 | Vendidaite | Al2(SO4)(OH)3Cl · 6H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in acids.
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 Aluminite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-154.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Aluminite
Reference List:
Larsen, Esper S. (1921) The microscopic determination of the nonopaque minerals. Bulletin Vol. 679. US Geological Survey doi:10.3133/b679 p.38
Localities for Aluminite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
â - 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.
Australia | |
| Harris et al. (2003) |
| qld Dept of mines- mines records |
| Formation of Platiniferous Sulfide ... +1 other reference |
Austria | |
| FREYN (1906) |
| FREYN (1906) | |
Azerbaijan | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
Brazil | |
| PilĂł et al. (2023) |
| Figueira et al. (2019) | |
Canada | |
| Robinson et al. (1992) |
| Robinson et al. (1992) | |
Chile | |
| Cook (1978) |
China | |
| Lincong Fu (1998) |
| Pin'an Wang (2001) |
Czech Republic | |
| PauliĆĄ et al. (SO4) +1 other reference |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
| JirĂĄsek (2001) |
| MatĂœsek et al. (2023) |
| JirĂĄsek J et al. (2019) |
| Kuttna +1 other reference |
| PauliĆĄ | |
| Prachař +6 other references |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
France | |
| Lacroix (1910) |
| A. Lacroix : "Minéralogie de la France ... |
| A. Lacroix : "Minéralogie de la France ... +1 other reference |
| A. Lacroix : "Minéralogie de la France ... |
| StrĂŒbel +1 other reference |
Germany | |
| BaumgÀrtl (2006) |
| Werner (1780) +1 other reference |
| - (n.d.) |
Hungary | |
| SzakĂĄll: Minerals of RudabĂĄnya |
| SzakĂĄll et al. (1996) |
| SzakĂĄll et al. (1996) | |
| SzakĂĄll et al. (1996) |
| SzakĂĄll et al. (1996) |
| ACTA MIN. PETR. Suppl. Tomus XXXVIII. | |
| SzakĂĄll et al. (1996) |
| SzakĂĄll et al. (1996) |
| SzakĂĄll et al. (1996) | |
| |
| SzakĂĄll et al. (1996) |
| SzakĂĄll et al. (1996) |
| ACTA MIN. PETR. Suppl. Tomus XXXVIII. |
| Mineral Species of Hungary |
Italy | |
| Jervis (1874) |
| Russo et al. (2017) |
| Russo et al. (2017) | |
| Russo et al. (2017) | |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
| Russo et al. (2022) |
| Palache et al. (1951) +2 other references | |
| Exel (1987) |
| Menchetti et al. (2015) |
Japan | |
| The Mineral Species of Japan (5th ed) +1 other reference |
Kazakhstan | |
| Ankinovich et al. (1997) |
Lebanon | |
| Kruszewski et al. (South Lebanon) |
New Zealand | |
| Muiruru F.G. (1985) |
Pakistan | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
Romania | |
| Onac (2009) |
Russia | |
| Novoselov et al. (2006) |
| Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) |
| maurice.strahlen.org (2004) |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
Slovakia | |
| KodÄra (1986) |
| Duda et. all. |
| ÄuÄa R. (2001) | |
South Africa | |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) |
| Martini (1997) |
Spain | |
| Rosell-Riba et al. (2022) |
| Pedro Mingueza et al. (2022) |
UK | |
| F. Rutley: "Elements of Mineralogy" (1900) |
| www.mineralman.f9.co.uk (2001) |
| Render (n.d.) |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Render (n.d.) |
| F. Rutley: "Elements of Mineralogy" (1900) |
| J.Ralph 2020 |
| Render (n.d.) |
| Render (n.d.) |
| Render (n.d.) |
| Render (n.d.) |
Ukraine | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
USA | |
| Minerals of Colorado (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
| Polyak +1 other reference |
| Coskren et al. (2000) |
| Rocks & Min. | |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
| Bullock (1981) |
| Bullock (1981) | |
| Hammarstrom et al. (2000) |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
Venezuela | |
| Urbani (1996) |
| Franco Urbani (2009) |
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