Putnisite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Putnisite
Christine and Andrew Putnis
Formula:
SrCa4Cr3+8(CO3)8SO4(OH)16 · 23H2O
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
1 - 2
Specific Gravity:
2.20
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named after Dr Christine Putnis and Prof Andrew Putnis, both University of Münster, Germany, for their outstanding contributions to mineralogy, especially phase transformations in minerals and mineral surface science (mainly crystal growth and dissolution processes).
Unique combination of elements. The first mineral combining strontium and chromium; also the first strontium-bearing carbonate-sulfate mineral.
Compare grguricite and 'Unnamed (Ca-analogue of Petterdite)'.
Not directly related to any natural or synthetic compound.
NOTE: "All specimens from the type locality are in museum collections. I am aware of at least five dealers who have sold Armstrong Mine specimens labelled Polar Bear peninsula. Anyone who has purchased putnisite specimens labelled Polar Bear peninsula should ask for a refund." (information Peter Elliott, Sept. 2019).
Crystal structure details/elements:
(1) Cr(OH)4O2 octahedra, that share edges to form an eight-membered ring;
(2) [10]Sr atoms are localized at centres the rings;
(3) carbonate group triangles surround the rings; each carbonate group share corners with two Cr-bearing octahedra;
(4) Ca(H2O)4O4 polyhedra link together to form a sheet || (100);
(5) adjacent sheets are linked along [100] by sulfate tetrahedra that share corners; (6) channels along [100] and inter-slab space hold water molecules;
(7) hydrogen bonds, moderate to weak, stand for an additional link fot the slabs.
Compare grguricite and 'Unnamed (Ca-analogue of Petterdite)'.
Not directly related to any natural or synthetic compound.
NOTE: "All specimens from the type locality are in museum collections. I am aware of at least five dealers who have sold Armstrong Mine specimens labelled Polar Bear peninsula. Anyone who has purchased putnisite specimens labelled Polar Bear peninsula should ask for a refund." (information Peter Elliott, Sept. 2019).
Crystal structure details/elements:
(1) Cr(OH)4O2 octahedra, that share edges to form an eight-membered ring;
(2) [10]Sr atoms are localized at centres the rings;
(3) carbonate group triangles surround the rings; each carbonate group share corners with two Cr-bearing octahedra;
(4) Ca(H2O)4O4 polyhedra link together to form a sheet || (100);
(5) adjacent sheets are linked along [100] by sulfate tetrahedra that share corners; (6) channels along [100] and inter-slab space hold water molecules;
(7) hydrogen bonds, moderate to weak, stand for an additional link fot the slabs.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
42732
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:42732:8
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
0a50551d-1986-4c74-8e8d-7992efaca930
IMA Classification of Putnisite
Classification of Putnisite
5.DB.40
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
D : Carbonates with additional anions, with H2O
B : With large and medium-sized cations
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
D : Carbonates with additional anions, with H2O
B : With large and medium-sized cations
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Pni | 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 Putnisite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Translucent
Streak:
Pink
Hardness:
1 - 2 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
One excellent and two good cleavages parallel to {100}, {010} and {001}.
One excellent and two good cleavages parallel to {100}, {010} and {001}.
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
2.20 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.23 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Putnisite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.552(3) nβ = 1.583(3) nγ = 1.599(3)
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.047
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
Comments:
Distinct: X pale bluish grey, Y pale purple, Z pale purple
Chemistry of Putnisite
Mindat Formula:
SrCa4Cr3+8(CO3)8SO4(OH)16 · 23H2O
Common Impurities:
Na,Cl,Cu
Crystallography of Putnisite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pnma
Setting:
Pnma
Cell Parameters:
a = 15.351(3) Å, b = 20.421(4) Å, c = 18.270(4) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.752 : 1 : 0.895
Unit Cell V:
5727 ų
Z:
4
Morphology:
Pseudocubic crystals
Comment:
New structure type
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0020044 | Putnisite | Elliott P, Giester G, Rowe R, Pring A (2014) Putnisite, SrCa4Cr3+8(CO3)8SO4(OH)16*25H2O, a new mineral from Western Australia: description and crystal structure Mineralogical Magazine 78 131-144 | 2014 | Polar Bear peninsula, Southern Lake Cowan, Western Australia, Australia | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 13.577 Å | (100) |
| 7.659 Å | (80) |
| 7.095 Å | (10) |
| 5.084 Å | (19) |
| 4.901 Å | (13) |
| 3.385 Å | (7) |
| 3.689 Å | (16) |
| 3.594 Å | (7) |
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] | |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] |
Type Occurrence of Putnisite
General Appearance of Type Material:
isolated pseudocubic crystals up to 0.5 mm in size in a matrix composed of quartz and a near amorphous Cr silicate
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
South Australian Museum, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, registration number G33429
Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, Canada, catalogue number CMNMC 86133
Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, Canada, catalogue number CMNMC 86133
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Putnisite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.DB. | Grguricite | CaCr2(CO3)2(OH)4 · 4H2O |
| 5.DB.05 | Alumohydrocalcite | CaAl2(CO3)2(OH)4 · 4H2O |
| 5.DB.05 | Nasledovite | PbMn3Al4(CO3)4(SO4)O5 · 5H2O |
| 5.DB.05 | Para-alumohydrocalcite | CaAl2(CO3)2(OH)4 · 6H2O |
| 5.DB.05 | UM1977-02-CO:AlCaH | Ca6Al2(CO3)3O6 · 32H2O |
| 5.DB.10 | Dresserite | BaAl2(CO3)2(OH)4 · H2O |
| 5.DB.10 | Dundasite | PbAl2(CO3)2(OH)4 · H2O |
| 5.DB.10 | Montroyalite | Sr4Al8(CO3)3(OH,F)26 · 10-11H2O |
| 5.DB.10 | Strontiodresserite | SrAl2(CO3)2(OH)4 · H2O |
| 5.DB.10 | Petterdite | PbCr3+2(CO3)2(OH)4 · H2O |
| 5.DB.10 | Kochsándorite | CaAl2(CO3)2(OH)4 · H2O |
| 5.DB.10 | Unnamed (Ca-analogue of Petterdite) | CaCr3+2(CO3)2(OH)4 · H2O |
| 5.DB.15 | Hydrodresserite | BaAl2(CO3)2(OH)4 · 3H2O |
| 5.DB.20 | Schuilingite-(Nd) | PbCu(Nd,Gd,Sm,Y)(CO3)3(OH) · 1.5H2O |
| 5.DB.25 | Sergeevite | Ca2Mg11(CO3)9(HCO3)4(OH)4 · 6H2O |
| 5.DB.30 | Szymańskiite | [H3O]+8[Hg2]2+8(Ni,Mg)6[CO3]12(OH)12 · 3H2O |
| 5.DB.35 | Lusernaite-(Y) | Y4Al(CO3)2(OH)10F · 6H2O |
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 Putnisite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-42732.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Putnisite
Reference List:
Williams, P. A., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2012) New minerals and nomenclature modifications approved in 2012. CNMNC Newsletter No 13. Mineralogical Magazine, 76 (3) 807-817 doi:10.1180/minmag.2012.076.3.26
Localities for Putnisite
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.
Australia | |
| Sorrell (n.d.) |
| Williams et al. (2012) +2 other references |
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Armstrong Ni Mine, Widgiemooltha, Coolgardie Shire, Western Australia, Australia