Zaratite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered - questionable
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About Zaratite
Antonio Gil y Zarate
Formula:
Ni3(CO3)(OH)4 · 4H2O ?
Colour:
Emerald-green; green in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Vitreous, Greasy
Hardness:
3½
Specific Gravity:
2.57 - 2.649
Crystal System:
Isometric
Name:
Named after Antonio Gil y Zarate (1 December 1793, El Escorial, Madrid, Spain – 27 January 1861, Madrid, Spain), dramatist.
Type Locality:
A secondary nickel carbonate of uncertain and apparently variable composition.
Garcia-Guinea et al. (2014) concluded that "zaratite" should not deserve a species status. Their samples taken from various localities proved to be low-crystalline anhydrous zaratite, nullaginite, or gaspéite, all differing in Ni/C/H ratios.
See also hellyerite.
Garcia-Guinea et al. (2014) concluded that "zaratite" should not deserve a species status. Their samples taken from various localities proved to be low-crystalline anhydrous zaratite, nullaginite, or gaspéite, all differing in Ni/C/H ratios.
See also hellyerite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
4388
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4388:1
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
9c77c069-9f37-4b18-9666-0684ece96a00
IMA Classification of Zaratite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959), Questionable
IMA Formula:
Ni3(CO3)(OH)4 · 4H2O
Type description reference:
Classification of Zaratite
5.DA.15
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
D : Carbonates with additional anions, with H2O
A : With medium-sized cations
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
D : Carbonates with additional anions, with H2O
A : With medium-sized cations
16b.4.1.1
16b : HYDRATED CARBONATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
4 : AmBn(XO3)pZqxH2O & with (m+n):p = 3:1
16b : HYDRATED CARBONATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
4 : AmBn(XO3)pZq
11.14.6
11 : Carbonates
14 : Carbonates of Co and Ni
11 : Carbonates
14 : Carbonates of Co and Ni
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Zar | 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 Zaratite
Vitreous, Greasy
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Emerald-green; green in transmitted light.
Streak:
Light green
Hardness:
3½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
2.57 - 2.649 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.67 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Zaratite
Type:
Biaxial
RI values:
nα = 1.597 nβ = 1.602 nγ = 1.609 n = 1.56 - 1.62
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.012
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
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
Emerald green (fiber length)
Yellowish green (perpendicular to fiber length).
Yellowish green (perpendicular to fiber length).
Chemistry of Zaratite
Mindat Formula:
Ni3(CO3)(OH)4 · 4H2O ?
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Mg
Crystallography of Zaratite
Crystal System:
Isometric
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.16 Å
Unit Cell V:
233.74 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Incrustations; small stalactititic; minute mammillary. Microcrystalline structure; massive, compact.
Comment:
Crystal Data: n.d. Point Group: n.d.; Cell Data: Space Group: n.d. Z = n.d
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 5.07 Å | (vs) |
| 8.93 Å | (s) |
| 2.45 Å | (s) |
| 2.73 Å | (m) |
| 2.00 Å | (mw) |
| 1.91 Å | (w) |
| 1.55 Å | (w) |
Comments:
; diffuse pattern, probably of a mixture
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] |
Geological Setting:
Basic igneous rocks and serpentinites.
Type Occurrence of Zaratite
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Martinez Alcibar A (1850) Raro é importante mineral de niquel. Revista Minera 1, 302-306
Synonyms of Zaratite
Other Language Names for Zaratite
German:Nickel Smaragd
Zaratit
Zavalit
Zaratit
Zavalit
Simplified Chinese:翠镍矿
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 22 photos of Zaratite associated with Heazlewoodite | Ni3S2 |
| 19 photos of Zaratite associated with Chromite | Fe2+Cr3+2O4 |
| 14 photos of Zaratite associated with Millerite | NiS |
| 12 photos of Zaratite associated with Hellyerite | NiCO3 · 5.5H2O |
| 6 photos of Zaratite associated with Reevesite | Ni6Fe3+2(OH)16(CO3) · 4H2O |
| 6 photos of Zaratite associated with Sphalerite | ZnS |
| 5 photos of Zaratite associated with Hydromagnesite | Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 4 photos of Zaratite associated with Serpentine Subgroup | D3[Si2O5](OH)4 |
| 2 photos of Zaratite associated with Magnetite | Fe2+Fe3+2O4 |
| 2 photos of Zaratite associated with Retgersite | NiSO4 · 6H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.DA. | Alexkhomyakovite | K6(Ca2Na)(CO3)5Cl · 6H2O |
| 5.DA. | Amoraite | Ca12Al6(OH)36(CO3)2(SO3) · 15H2O |
| 5.DA.05 | Dypingite | Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2 · 5H2O |
| 5.DA.05 | Giorgiosite | Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2 · 5-6H2O |
| 5.DA.05 | Hydromagnesite | Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.05 | Widgiemoolthalite | Ni5(CO3)4(OH)2 · 5H2O |
| 5.DA.05 | UM1986-10-CO:ClHMgMnZn (also called Mineral F, Dunn, 1995) | Mg5(Zn,Mn)3(CO3)2(OH,Cl)12 · H2O |
| 5.DA.05 | UM1987-01-CO:HMgS | Mg4(CO3)2(OH)4 · 6H2O ? |
| 5.DA.10 | Artinite | Mg2(CO3)(OH)2 · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.10 | Indigirite | Mg2Al2(CO3)4(OH)2 · 15H2O |
| 5.DA.10 | Chlorartinite | Mg2(CO3)(OH)Cl · 2H2O |
| 5.DA.15 | Otwayite | Ni2(CO3)(OH)2 · H2O |
| 5.DA.20 | Kambaldaite | NaNi4(CO3)3(OH)3 · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.25 | Callaghanite | Cu2Mg2(CO3)(OH)6 · 2H2O |
| 5.DA.30 | Claraite | (Cu,Zn)15(CO3)4(AsO4)2(SO4)(OH)14 · 7H2O |
| 5.DA.35 | Hydroscarbroite | Al14(CO3)3(OH)36 · nH2O |
| 5.DA.35 | Scarbroite | Al5(CO3)(OH)13 · 5H2O |
| 5.DA.40 | Caresite | Fe2+4Al2(OH)12[CO3] · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.40 | Quintinite | Mg4Al2(OH)12(CO3) · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.40 | Charmarite | Mn2+4Al2(OH)12[CO3] · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.40 | Karchevskyite | Mg18Al9(OH)54Sr2(CO3)9(H2O)6 (H3O)5 |
| 5.DA.40 | UM1987-05-OH:AlCMg | Mg4Al2(OH)12(CO3,SO4) · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.45 | Stichtite-2H | Mg6(Cr,Al)2(CO3)(OH)16 · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.45 | Brugnatellite | Mg6Fe3+(CO3)(OH)13 · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.45 | Chlormagaluminite | Mg4Al2(OH)12Cl2 · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.45 | Hydrotalcite-2H | Mg6Al2(CO3)(OH)16 · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.45 | Pyroaurite-2H | Mg6Fe3+2(OH)16(CO3) · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.45 | Zaccagnaite | Zn4Al2(OH)12[CO3] · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.45 | Liudongshengite | Zn4Cr2(OH)12(CO3) · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.50 | Comblainite | Ni4Co2(OH)12[CO3] · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.50 | Desautelsite | Mg6Mn3+2(OH)16[CO3] · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.50 | Hydrotalcite | Mg6Al2(CO3)(OH)16 · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.50 | Pyroaurite | Mg6Fe3+2(OH)16[CO3] · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.50 | Reevesite | Ni6Fe3+2(OH)16(CO3) · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.50 | Stichtite | Mg6Cr3+2(OH)16[CO3] · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.50 | Takovite | Ni6Al2(OH)16[CO3] · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.50 | Kaznakhtite | Ni6Co3+2(CO3)(OH)16 · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.55 | Coalingite | Mg10Fe3+2(OH)24[CO3] · 2H2O |
| 5.DA.55 | Akopovaite | Al4Li2(OH)12(CO3)(H2O)3 |
| 5.DA.60 | Šlikite | Zn2Mg(CO3)2(OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.65 | Marklite | Cu5(CO3)2(OH)6 · 6H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
Readily soluble in heated dilute HCl with effervescence.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Industrial Uses:
None.
Internet Links for Zaratite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-4388.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Zaratite
Localities for Zaratite
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 | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Madigan (1939) |
| investigation of the type specimen from ... +3 other references |
| Palache et al. (1951) | |
| Bottrill et al. (2008) |
| Bottrill et al. (2008) | |
| R Botttrill |
Austria | |
| Niedermayr et al. (1995) |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Meixner (1952) |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
| Meixner (1959) |
Czech Republic | |
| Duda +1 other reference |
| Řídkošil | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
Germany | |
| Walenta (1992) |
Greenland | |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
India | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
Iran | |
| Bariand et al. (1993) |
Italy | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Bedognè et al. (1993) |
| Piccoli (1980) +2 other references |
Japan | |
| Arai +4 other references |
| Dr. Kameki Kinoshita collection (curated at Geological Survey of Japan) |
New Zealand | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Grapes et al. (1999) |
Russia | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
South Africa | |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) | |
Spain | |
| Romero Silva JC (2003) |
| Romero Silva JC (2003) | |
| Romero Silva JC (2003) | |
| Romero Silva (2003) |
| Romero Silva JC (2003) |
| Romero Silva JC (2003) |
| Joan Abella i Creus (Joanabellacreus@gmail.com) |
| investigation of the type specimen from ... +3 other references |
UK | |
| Ford et al. (1993) |
| Day (1999) |
| Heddle (1878) |
| Palache et al. (1951) | |
USA | |
| Rocks & Min 70:5 pp 320-333 |
| Murdoch (1966) |
| Anonymous (1962) +1 other reference |
| Hanks (1884) +1 other reference |
| Murdoch (1966) |
| [… (abstract) +2 other references |
| being a report of the California State ... +5 other references | |
| Hanks (1884) +1 other reference |
| Bradley et al. (1918) +1 other reference | |
| Cronise (1868) +1 other reference |
| Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 234. +2 other references |
| Murdoch (1966) |
| Murdoch (1966) |
| Cook (1978) |
| Foord et al. (1981) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| Mineralogy of Pennsylvania - 1922 +1 other reference |
| Pearre et al. (1960) |
| The Mineralogy of Pennsylvania +4 other references | |
| Geyer et al. (1976) +1 other reference | |
| Mineralogy of Pennsylvania-1922 +1 other reference |
| American Republican (Chester Co., Newspaper) +3 other references |
| Lapham & Geyer |
| Rocks & Min.: 17:344. |
| Rocks & Minerals: 66 (3) |
| Rocks & Minerals: 66 (3) |
| Crook et al. (1978) +1 other reference |
| Rocks & Min. Vol. 71 (1996) |
| Smock (1883) | |
| Valentine et al. (1960) +2 other references |
| AmMin 44:995-1009 |
| Bagrowski (1940) |
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Lord Brassey Mine, Heazlewood district, Waratah-Wynyard municipality, Tasmania, Australia