Naalasite (original) (raw)
A valid IMA mineral species
Formula:
NaAl(AsO3OH)2 · H2O
Colour:
light to medium pink
Name:
Name naalasite is based on the species-defining cations Na, Al and As and parallels the name of its Fe analogue nafeasite, NaFe3+(AsO3OH)2·H2O
The Al analogue of nafeasite (even though they differ in not just the space groups but even the crystallographic system).
Unique IdentifiersHide
This section is currently hidden. Click the show button to view.
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:470837:3
3bd08a44-130e-47d2-9728-8b67754ec766
IMA Classification of NaalasiteHide
This section is currently hidden. Click the show button to view.
Approval history:
IMA No. 2023-027
Type description reference:
Kampf, Anthony R., Möhn, Gerhard, Ma, Chi, Désor, Joy (2024) Naalasite, NaAl(AsO3OH)2⋅H2O, the Al analogue of nafeasite from the Torrecillas mine, Iquique Province, Chile. Mineralogical Magazine, 88 (2) 155-161 doi:10.1180/mgm.2023.96
Classification of NaalasiteHide
This section is currently hidden. Click the show button to view.
8.CF.
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
F : With large and medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O > 1:1
Mineral SymbolsHide
This section is currently hidden. Click the show button to view.
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Naa | 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 NaalasiteHide
This section is currently hidden. Click the show button to view.
Colour:
Light to medium pink
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
3.19(2) g/cm3 (Measured) 3.235 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of NaalasiteHide
This section is currently hidden. Click the show button to view.
RI values:
_n_ω = 1.630(3) _n_ε = 1.660(3)
δ = 0.030
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of NaalasiteHide
This section is currently hidden. Click the show button to view.
Mindat Formula:
NaAl(AsO3OH)2 · H2O
Chemical AnalysisHide
This section is currently hidden. Click the show button to view.
Empirical formulas:
| Sample ID | Empirical Formula |
|---|---|
| 1 | Na0.92Al0.61Fe3+0.39As2O9H4.07 |
Sample references:
Crystallography of NaalasiteHide
This section is currently hidden. Click the show button to view.
Class (H-M):
32 - Trapezohedral
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.4796(6) Å, c = 26.399(3) Å
Unit Cell V:
1,643.88 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide
This section is currently hidden. Click the show button to view.
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 9.04 Å | (20) |
| 7.23 Å | (89) |
| 4.33 Å | (30) |
| 3.127 Å | (100) |
| 3.085 Å | (33) |
| 2.809 Å | (15) |
| 2.518 Å | (15) |
| 1.417 Å | (16) |
Type Occurrence of NaalasiteHide
This section is currently hidden. Click the show button to view.
General Appearance of Type Material:
Tightly intergrown aggregates and druses of equant crystals, up to 0.15 mm in diameter; associated minerals also include a lavendulan-like phase
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
collections of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90007, USA, catalogue number 76282
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Oxidation of native arsenic and other As-bearing primary phases, followed by later alteration by saline fluids derived from evaporating meteoric water under hyperarid conditions.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide
This section is currently hidden. Click the show button to view.
| 8.CF. | Falsterite | Ca2MgMn2+2Fe2+2Fe3+2Zn4(PO4)8(OH)4(H2O)14 | Mon. 2/m : _P_21/b |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8.CF. | Ferraioloite | MgMn2+4(Fe2+0.5Al3+0.5)4Zn4(PO4)8(OH)4(H2O)20 | Mon. |
| 8.CF. | Espadaite | Na4Ca3Mg2[AsO3(OH)]2[AsO2(OH)2]10 · 7H2O | Orth. m m m _(_2/_m_2/_m_2/m ) : C c c a |
| 8.CF. | Liraite | NaCa2Mn2+2[Fe3+Fe2+]Mn2+2(PO4)6(H2O)2 | Orth. m _m_2 |
| 8.CF. | Nafeasite | Na3Fe3+3(AsO3OH)6 · 3H2O | Mon. 2 : _B_2 |
| 8.CF.05 | Grischunite | NaCa2Mn2+5Fe3+(AsO4)6 · 2H2O | Orth. m m m _(_2/_m_2/_m_2/m ) |
| 8.CF.05 | Wicksite | NaCa2(Fe2+,Mn2+)4MgFe3+(PO4)6 · 2H2O | Orth. m m m _(_2/_m_2/_m_2/m ) : P b c a |
| 8.CF.05 | Bederite | Ca2(Mn2+)4(Fe3+)2(PO4)6 · 2H2O | Orth. m m m _(_2/_m_2/_m_2/m ) |
| 8.CF.05 | Tassieite | (Na,◻)Ca2(Mg,Fe2+,Fe3+)2(Fe2+,Mg)2(Fe3+,Mg)2(PO4)6 · 2H2O | Orth. m m m _(_2/_m_2/_m_2/m ) : P b c a |
| 8.CF.05 | Maneckiite | (Na◻)Ca2Fe2+2(Fe3+Mg)Mn2(PO4)6 · 2H2O | Orth. m m m _(_2/_m_2/_m_2/m ) : P b c a |
| 8.CF.10 | Haigerachite | KFe3+3(PO3OH)2[PO2(OH)2]6 · 4H2O | Mon. 2/m : _B_2/b |
| 8.CF.10 | Yazganite | NaFe3+2(Mg,Mn2+)(AsO4)3 · H2O | Mon. 2/m : _B_2/b |
| 8.CF.15 | Currierite | Na4Ca3MgAl4(AsO3OH)12 · 9H2O | Hex. 622 : _P_622 |
| 8.CF.20 | Ríosecoite | Ca2Mg(AsO3OH)3(H2O)2 | Tric. 1 : _P_1 |
Fluorescence of NaalasiteHide
This section is currently hidden. Click the show button to view.
mineral does not fluoresce in long- or short-wave ultraviolet light.
Other InformationHide
This section is currently hidden. Click the show button to view.
Notes:
dissolves slowly in dilute HCl at room temperature
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 NaalasiteHide
This section is currently hidden. Click the show button to view.
References for NaalasiteHide
This section is currently hidden. Click the show button to view.
Reference List:
Kampf, Anthony R., Möhn, Gerhard, Ma, Chi, Désor, Joy (2024) Naalasite, NaAl(AsO3OH)2⋅H2O, the Al analogue of nafeasite from the Torrecillas mine, Iquique Province, Chile. Mineralogical Magazine, 88 (2) 155-161 doi:10.1180/mgm.2023.96
Localities for NaalasiteHide
This section is currently hidden. Click the show button to view.
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
This section is currently hidden. Click the show button to view.
- 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.
| Chile (TL) | |
|---|---|
| Tarapacá Iquique Province Iquique ⓘ Torrecillas mine (TL) | Bosi et al. (2023) |