Amarillite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Amarillite
Formula:
NaFe(SO4)2 · 6H2O
Colour:
Pale yellow with greenish tint.
Lustre:
Adamantine, Vitreous
Hardness:
2½ - 3
Specific Gravity:
2.19 - 2.2
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
For the type locality, Tierra Amarilla, near Copiapó, Chile.
Type Locality:
The structure is based on octahedral–tetrahedral "sheets" comprising corner-sharing NaO4(H2O)2 octahedra and sulfate tetrahedra; their combination leads to a structural sheet, parallel to (001): [Na(SO4)2(H2O)2]3-. Interstitial Fe3+ cations and hydrogen bonds provide linkage of the sheets; Fe occurs in FeO2(H2O)4 octahedra; these octahedra are connected to the adjacent sheets by eight hydrogen bonds, that provides further stabilization of the structure.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
183
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:183:8
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
9ae5efa1-34ff-460f-9500-b357ef774c72
IMA Classification of Amarillite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
NaFe3+(SO4)2 · 6H2O
First published:
1933
Classification of Amarillite
7.CC.75
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
C : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, with H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
C : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, with H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
29.5.3.2
29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
5 : AB(XO4)2·xH2O
29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
5 : AB(XO4)2·xH2O
25.11.5
25 : Sulphates
11 : Sulphates of Fe and other metals
25 : Sulphates
11 : Sulphates of Fe and other metals
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Amr | 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 Amarillite
Adamantine, Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Comment:
Brilliant, adamantine inclining toward vitreous.
Colour:
Pale yellow with greenish tint.
Hardness:
2½ - 3 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
{110} difficult to develop.
{110} difficult to develop.
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
2.19 - 2.2 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.22 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Amarillite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.532(2) nβ = 1.555(3) nγ = 1.591(2)
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.059
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:
Low
Dispersion:
medium
Comments:
Large 2V
Chemistry of Amarillite
Mindat Formula:
NaFe(SO4)2 · 6H2O
Crystallography of Amarillite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/b
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.419(61) Å, b = 10.8409(40) Å, c = 12.4717(50) Å
β = 95.495°
β = 95.495°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.777 : 1 : 1.15
Unit Cell V:
1,133.06 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Equant, complexly faceted crystals, thick tabular or rarely prismatic parallel [001], with common forms {001}, {100}, {110}, {101}, and {111}; as groupings of parallel individuals, to 2 mm.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0012226 | Amarillite | Li J J, Zhou J L, Dong W (1990) The structure of amarillite Chinese Science Bulletin 35 2073-2075 | 1990 | Qinghai Province, China | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| - Å | () |
Comments:
No published powder pattern data.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47b : [Sulfates and sulfites] |
Geological Setting:
Formed in the oxidation zones of sulfide deposits.
Type Occurrence of Amarillite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Veinlets in massive coquimbite.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National School of Mines, Paris, France, 133.69.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Amarillite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 1 photo of Amarillite associated with Halotrichite-Pickeringite Series | |
| 1 photo of Amarillite associated with Magnesioaubertite | (Mg,Cu)Al(SO4)2Cl · 14H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.CC. | Cobaltoblödite | Na2Co(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 7.CC. | Andychristyite | PbCu2+Te6+O5(H2O) |
| 7.CC. | Ammoniovoltaite | (NH4)2Fe2+5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12(H2O)18 |
| 7.CC.05 | Krausite | KFe(SO4)2 · H2O |
| 7.CC.10 | Tamarugite | NaAl(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.15 | Kalinite | KAl(SO4)2 · 11H2O |
| 7.CC.15 | Mendozite | NaAl(SO4)2 · 11H2O |
| 7.CC.20 | Lonecreekite | (NH4)Fe3+(SO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 7.CC.20 | Alum-(K) | KAl(SO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 7.CC.20 | Alum-(Na) | NaAl(SO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 7.CC.20 | Tschermigite | (NH4)Al(SO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 7.CC.20 | Lanmuchangite | Tl+Al(SO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 7.CC.25 | Voltaite | K2Fe2+5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O |
| 7.CC.25 | Zincovoltaite | K2Zn5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O |
| 7.CC.25 | Pertlikite | K2(Fe2+,Mg)2Mg4Fe3+2Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O |
| 7.CC.25 | Ammoniomagnesiovoltaite | (NH4)2Mg2+5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O |
| 7.CC.25 | Magnesiovoltaite | K2Mg5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O |
| 7.CC.30 | Kröhnkite | Na2Cu(SO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 7.CC.35 | Ferrinatrite | Na3Fe(SO4)3 · 3H2O |
| 7.CC.40 | Goldichite | KFe(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 7.CC.45 | Löweite | Na12Mg7(SO4)13 · 15H2O |
| 7.CC.50 | Blödite | Na2Mg(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 7.CC.50 | Nickelblödite | Na2(Ni,Mg)(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 7.CC.50 | Changoite | Na2Zn(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 7.CC.55 | Leonite | K2Mg(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 7.CC.55 | Mereiterite | K2Fe(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 7.CC.60 | Boussingaultite | (NH4)2Mg(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.60 | Cyanochroite | K2Cu(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.60 | Mohrite | (NH4)2Fe(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.60 | Nickelboussingaultite | (NH4)2Ni(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.60 | Picromerite | K2Mg(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.60 | Nickelpicromerite | K2Ni(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.60 | Katerinopoulosite | (NH4)2Zn(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.65 | Polyhalite | K2Ca2Mg(SO4)4 · 2H2O |
| 7.CC.70 | Leightonite | K2Ca2Cu(SO4)4 · 2H2O |
| 7.CC.80 | Konyaite | Na2Mg(SO4)2 · 5H2O |
| 7.CC.85 | Wattevilleite | Na2Ca(SO4)2 · 4H2O (?) |
| 7.CC.85 | Xocolatlite | Ca2Mn4+2(Te6+O6)2 · H2O |
| 7.CC.90 | Eckhardite | (Ca,Pb)Cu2+Te6+O5(H2O) |
Other Information
IR Spectrum:
Strong absorption bands in the 3000-3500 cm-1 range, with maxima at ca. 3110 and 3342 cm-1.
Notes:
Soluble in water, astringent taste.
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 Amarillite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-183.html
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References for Amarillite
Reference List:
Localities for Amarillite
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.
Brazil | |
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Canada | |
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Chile | |
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China | |
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Greece | |
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Italy | |
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Russia | |
| Zhitova, Elena S., Khanin, Dmitry A., Nuzhdaev, Anton A., Nazarova, Maria A., Ismagilova, Rezeda M., Shilovskikh, Vladimir V., Kupchinenko, Anastasia N., Kuznetsov, Ruslan A., Zhegunov, Pavel S. (2022) Efflorescent Sulphates with M+ and M2+ Cations from Fumarole and Active Geothermal Fields of Mutnovsky Volcano (Kamchatka, Russia) Minerals, 12 (5) 600 doi:10.3390/min12050600 |
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Tierra Amarilla, Copiapó Province, Atacama, Chile