Aluminocopiapite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Aluminocopiapite
Formula:
Al2/3Fe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O
Colour:
Pale lemon-yellow to deep yellow
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2 - 3
Specific Gravity:
2.163 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Member of:
Name:
In allusion to its composition containing aluminum in substitution for ferric iron and its relationship to copiapite.
Unique Identifiers
IMA Classification of Aluminocopiapite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
(Al,Mg)Fe3+4(SO4)6(OH,O)2 · 20H2O
First published:
1947
Classification of Aluminocopiapite
7.DB.35
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
B : With only medium-sized cations; insular octahedra and finite units
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
B : With only medium-sized cations; insular octahedra and finite units
Dana 7th ed.:
31.10.5.7
31.10.5.7
31 : HYDRATED SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
10 : Miscellaneous
31 : HYDRATED SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
10 : Miscellaneous
25.11.25
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Acpi | 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 Aluminocopiapite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Pale lemon-yellow to deep yellow
Streak:
no data
Hardness:
2 - 3 on Mohs scale
Comment:
by analogy to copiapite group
Tenacity:
Fragile
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect on {010}; imperfect on {101}
Perfect on {010}; imperfect on {101}
Density:
2.163 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Aluminocopiapite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.525 nβ = 1.535 - 1.540 nγ = 1.585 - 1.590
2V:
Measured: 45° , Calculated: 40°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.060 - 0.065
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:
none
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
Y = colorless; Z= greenish yellow.
Chemistry of Aluminocopiapite
Mindat Formula:
Al2/3Fe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O
Crystallography of Aluminocopiapite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.3(1) Å, b = 18.8(2) Å, c = 7.31(1) Å
α = 91.5(2)°, β = 102.3(1)°, γ = 98.7(1)°
α = 91.5(2)°, β = 102.3(1)°, γ = 98.7(1)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.388 : 1 : 0.389
Unit Cell V:
967.14 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1
Morphology:
As minute scales and efforvescences.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 9.2 Å | (100) |
| 18.1 Å | (80) |
| 5.58 Å | (80) |
| 6.17 Å | (70) |
| 3.58 Å | (50) |
| 3.50 Å | (50) |
| 5.32 Å | (30) |
Comments:
Magnesium-rich. Forty Mile River, Alaska, USA. Data from Jolly and Foster (1967).
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45a : [Sulfates, arsenates, selenates, antimonates] | |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 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:
Secondary mineral formed by oxidation of pyrite in coal deposits and shales. May also be of fumarolic origin.
Type Occurrence of Aluminocopiapite
Co-Type Localities:
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 93834, 103544.
Other Language Names for Aluminocopiapite
Spanish:Aluminocopiapita
Relationship of Aluminocopiapite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
| Calciocopiapite | CaFe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Copiapite | Fe2+Fe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Cuprocopiapite | Cu2+Fe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Ferricopiapite | Fe3+0.67Fe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Magnesiocopiapite | MgFe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Zincocopiapite | ZnFe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 18H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 3 photos of Aluminocopiapite associated with Pickeringite | MgAl2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| 2 photos of Aluminocopiapite associated with Melanterite | Fe2+(H2O)6SO4 · H2O |
| 2 photos of Aluminocopiapite associated with Rozenite | FeSO4 · 4H2O |
| 2 photos of Aluminocopiapite associated with Woodhouseite | CaAl3(PO4)(SO4)(OH)6 |
| 2 photos of Aluminocopiapite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 1 photo of Aluminocopiapite associated with Calciocopiapite | CaFe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O |
| 1 photo of Aluminocopiapite associated with Butlerite | Fe3+(SO4)(OH) · 2H2O |
| 1 photo of Aluminocopiapite associated with Aubertite | CuAl(SO4)2Cl · 14H2O |
| 1 photo of Aluminocopiapite associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
| 1 photo of Aluminocopiapite associated with Magnesiocopiapite | MgFe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.DB.05 | Aubertite | CuAl(SO4)2Cl · 14H2O |
| 7.DB.05 | Magnesioaubertite | (Mg,Cu)Al(SO4)2Cl · 14H2O |
| 7.DB.05 | Svyazhinite | (Mg,Mn2+,Ca)(Al,Fe3+)(SO4)2F · 14H2O |
| 7.DB.10 | Khademite | Al(SO4)F · 5H2O |
| 7.DB.10 | Rostite | Al(SO4)(OH) · 5H2O |
| 7.DB.15 | Jurbanite | Al(SO4)(OH) · 5H2O |
| 7.DB.20 | Minasragrite | (V4+O)(SO4) · 5H2O |
| 7.DB.20 | Orthominasragrite | (V4+O)(SO4) · 5H2O |
| 7.DB.20 | Anorthominasragrite | (V4+O)(SO4) · 5H2O |
| 7.DB.25 | Bobjonesite | (V4+O)(SO4) · 3H2O |
| 7.DB.27 | Karpovite | Tl2VO(SO4)2(H2O) |
| 7.DB.30 | Amarantite | Fe3+2(SO4)2O · 7H2O |
| 7.DB.30 | Hohmannite | Fe3+2(SO4)2O · 8H2O |
| 7.DB.30 | Metahohmannite | Fe3+2(SO4)2O · 4H2O |
| 7.DB.35 | Calciocopiapite | CaFe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O |
| 7.DB.35 | Copiapite | Fe2+Fe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O |
| 7.DB.35 | Cuprocopiapite | Cu2+Fe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O |
| 7.DB.35 | Ferricopiapite | Fe3+0.67Fe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O |
| 7.DB.35 | Magnesiocopiapite | MgFe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O |
| 7.DB.35 | Zincocopiapite | ZnFe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 18H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
Somewhat soluble in water.
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 Aluminocopiapite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-87.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Aluminocopiapite
Reference List:
Bandy, Mark C. (1938) Mineralogy of three sulphate deposits of northern Chile. American Mineralogist, 23 (11) 669-760 (Temple Mountain, as copiapite)
Localities for Aluminocopiapite
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.
Argentina | |
| MIKON and Gunnar Färber catalogues (2005) |
Austria | |
| G. Niedermayr: Carinthia II 186./106.:130 (1996) |
| Taucher (1993) +1 other reference |
| Postl et al. (1988) +2 other references |
Brazil | |
| Atencio et al. (1994) |
| Rafael Hernandes Corrêa-Silva ... |
Bulgaria | |
| Dimitrova +3 other references |
| Atanassova et al. (2009) |
Canada | |
| Zodrow et al. (1978) |
| Zodrow (1980) |
| Zodrow (1980) | |
| Zodrow et al. (1978) |
Chile | |
| - (n.d.) |
| rruff.geo.arizona.edu (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| Samples analysed by Dr. Jochen Schluter | |
Costa Rica | |
| Ulloa et al. (2018) |
Czech Republic | |
| Jirásek (2001) |
France | |
| Chollet Pascal Collection |
| Bourgoin et al. (2011) |
Germany | |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
| Thalheim +1 other reference |
| 86. +1 other reference |
| T. Witzke & F. Rüger: Lapis 1998 (7/8) |
| T. Witzke & F. Rüger: Lapis 1998 (7/8) |
| www.mikon-online.com (n.d.) |
Greece | |
| Hanke (1994) |
| Branko Rieck collection | |
Hungary | |
| Szakáll: Minerals of Rudabánya |
| Sánoor Szakáll et al. (1997) | |
Italy | |
| I. Campostrini |
| I. Campostrini |
| J. Göske et al. (1997) |
| parcoculturaledicamaiano.toscana.it (2016) +1 other reference |
| Bonifazi (2020) | |
| Brizzi G. et al. (1986) +1 other reference |
Lebanon | |
| Kruszewski et al. (South Lebanon) |
Norway | |
| Raade (1973) +1 other reference |
| Raade (1973) +1 other reference |
Poland | |
| Mochnacka et al. (2012) |
| Mochnacka et al. (2015) |
Slovakia | |
| Šoltés S. |
Spain | |
| Rewitzer et al. (part 2) |
| Joan Rosell |
| Joan Abella i Creus (Joanabellacreus@gmail.com) |
| Crespo et al. (2017) |
| Joan Rosell (2017) |
Switzerland | |
| Ansermet et al. (2012) |
| Ansermet (2012) | |
UK | |
| Golley et al. (1995) +1 other reference |
Ukraine | |
| Alexander I. Tischenko (1996) |
| Dobrovolskaya T.I. (2004) |
USA (TL) | |
| Jolly et al. (1967) |
| rruff.geo.arizona.edu (n.d.) |
| SDSU Geology Department unpublished ... |
| Jamieson et al. (2005) |
| rruff.geo.arizona.edu (n.d.) |
| rruff.geo.arizona.edu (n.d.) |
| Mineral Webzine |
| Bandy (1938) +1 other reference |
| Dietrich (1990) |
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Chessy copper mines, Chessy, Villefranche-sur-Saône, Rhône, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France