Zincaluminite (original) (raw)

A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered - questionable

About ZincaluminiteHide

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Formula:

(Zn1-xAlx)(SO4)x/2(OH)2 · nH2O

(x < 0.5, n > 3x/2)

Also given as Zn6Al6(SO4)2(OH)16 · 5H2O.

Colour:

White, bluish-white, pale blue; colourless in transmitted light.

Name:

From its composition, containing ZINC plus ALUM (aluminium sulfate) and its similarity to aluminite.

A questionable mineral with undetermined X-ray powder pattern and unknown crystallography. Compare also zincowoodwardite.

Note: a SEM-EDS analysis of a typical "zincaluminite" specimen from the Genna zinc smelter slag locality, Letmathe (there are several photos of similar looking specimens on Mindat) clearly conforms to brianyoungite (Christian Auer, written comm. to Uwe Kolitsch, July 2021).

As part of the recent re-evaluation of the nomenclature of the hydrotalcite supergroup (Mills et al., 2012), zincaluminite was confirmed to be a questionable species which needs further investigation.

Unique IdentifiersHide

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Long-form identifier:

mindat:1:1:4409:3

f8e7ff27-23e4-42e7-99f0-c31cb8c44e8f

IMA Classification of ZincaluminiteHide

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Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959), Questionable

IMA Formula:

(Zn1-xAlx)(SO4)x/2(OH)2 · nH2O (x 3x/2)

Classification of ZincaluminiteHide

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7.DD.35

7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
D : With only medium-sized cations; sheets of edge-sharing octahedra

31.2.3.1

31 : HYDRATED SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
2 : (AB)6(XO4)Zq·xH2O

25.5.9

25 : Sulphates
5 : Sulphates of Zn and Hg

Mineral SymbolsHide

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As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

Pronunciation of ZincaluminiteHide

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Pronunciation:

Physical Properties of ZincaluminiteHide

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Colour:

White, bluish-white, pale blue; colourless in transmitted light.

Density:

2.26 g/cm3 (Measured)

Optical Data of ZincaluminiteHide

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RI values:

_n_ω = 1.534 _n_ε = 1.514

δ = 0.020

Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.

Comments:

Biaaxial + at times, with a small 2V.

Chemistry of ZincaluminiteHide

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Mindat Formula:

(Zn1-xAlx)(SO4)x/2(OH)2 · nH2O

(x < 0.5, n > 3x/2)

Also given as Zn6Al6(SO4)2(OH)16 · 5H2O.

Crystallography of ZincaluminiteHide

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Morphology:

Minute crystals as very thin hexagonal plates, forming crusts; tufts.

Comment:

Hexagonal or orthorhombic

Geological EnvironmentHide

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Type Occurrence of ZincaluminiteHide

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General Appearance of Type Material:

Minute thin hexagonal crystals, in tufts and crusts

Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Other Language Names for ZincaluminiteHide

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Relationship of Zincaluminite to other SpeciesHide

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Other Members of this group:

Common AssociatesHide

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Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

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Other InformationHide

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Notes:

Soluble in acids and alkalies.

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 ZincaluminiteHide

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References for ZincaluminiteHide

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Reference List:

**Palache, Charles, Berman, Harry, Frondel, Clifford (1951) The System of Mineralogy (7th ed.) Vol. 2 - Halides, Nitrates, Borates, Carbonates, Sulfates, Phosphates, Arsenates, Tungstates, Molybdates, Ect. John Wiley and Sons, New York.**pp.579-580

Mills, S. J., Christy, A. G., Génin, J.-M. R., Kameda, T., Colombo, F. (2012) Nomenclature of the hydrotalcite supergroup: natural layered double hydroxides. Mineralogical Magazine, 76 (5) 1289-1336 doi:10.1180/minmag.2012.076.5.10

Localities for ZincaluminiteHide

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This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.

Locality ListHide

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- 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). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.