Cualstibite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Cualstibite
Formula:
Cu2Al(OH)6[Sb5+(OH)6]
Colour:
Blue-green
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Member of:
Name:
Named for chemical composition (Cu, Al, Sb).
An extremely rare secondary antimony mineral closely related to zincalstibite (zinc analogue of cualstibite).
Two polytypes are known, cualstibite-1T (trigonal) and cualstibite-1M (monoclinic, formerly called cyanophyllite). The latter is the more common polytype.
Cualstibite Group, Hydrotalcite Supergroup.
Two polytypes are known, cualstibite-1T (trigonal) and cualstibite-1M (monoclinic, formerly called cyanophyllite). The latter is the more common polytype.
Cualstibite Group, Hydrotalcite Supergroup.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1167
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1167:5
Similar Names
| Cualstibit-1M | A synonym of 'Cualstibite-1M' |
| Cualstibit-1T | A synonym of 'Cualstibite-1T' |
IMA Classification of Cualstibite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Cu2+2AlSb5+(OH)12
Approval year:
1983
First published:
1984
Classification of Cualstibite
4.FB.10
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
F : Hydroxides (without V or U)
B : Hydroxides with OH, without H2O; insular octahedra
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
F : Hydroxides (without V or U)
B : Hydroxides with OH, without H2O; insular octahedra
44.3.10.1
44 : ANTIMONATES
3 : Miscellaneous
44 : ANTIMONATES
3 : Miscellaneous
24.1.4
24 : Antimonates and Antimonites
1 : Antimonates and antimonites of Na, Cu or Ag
24 : Antimonates and Antimonites
1 : Antimonates and antimonites of Na, Cu or Ag
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 for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Casb | 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 Cualstibite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Blue-green
Streak:
Bluish-white
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
None Observed
No distinct cleavage
No distinct cleavage
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Optical Data of Cualstibite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.672 nε = 1.644
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.028
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Comments:
E +/- colorless, O light blue-green.
Comments:
Data for 1T polytype.
Chemistry of Cualstibite
Mindat Formula:
Cu2Al(OH)6[Sb5+(OH)6]
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Cualstibite
Polytype:
Formula:
Crystal System:
Class (H-M)
Space Group:
Space Group Setting:
Cell Parameters:
Ratio:
Unit Cell Volume (calc):
Z:
Comment:
| Cualstibite-1M | Cualstibite-1T |
|---|---|
| (Cu,Al)3(OH)6[Sb5+(OH)6] | Cu2AlSb(OH)12 |
| Monoclinic | Trigonal |
| 2/m - Prismatic | 3 - Rhombohedral |
| P21/b | P3 |
| P21/c | |
| a = 9.938(1) Å, b = 8.890(1) Å, c = 5.493(1) Å β = 102.90(1)° | a = 9.150(2) Å, c = 9.745(2) Å |
| a:b:c = 1.118 : 1 : 0.618 | a:c = 1 : 1.065 |
| V 473.05 ų | V 706.6 ų |
| 2 | 3 |
| Originally assumed to be orthorhombic (Walenta, 1981). |
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0004272 | Cualstibite | Bonaccorsi E, Merlino S, Orlandi P (2007) Zincalstibite, a new mineral, and cualstibite: Crystal chemical and structural relationships American Mineralogist 92 198-203 |  | 2007 | Apuan Alps, Tuscany, Italy | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 4.89 Å | (100) |
| 4.17 Å | (80) |
| 2.65 Å | (70) |
| 2.33 Å | (90) |
| 1.793 Å | (80) |
Comments:
Data for 1T polytype.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates] | |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 57 : Other minerals formed by human processes |
Type Occurrence of Cualstibite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Columnar, trigonal crystals, up to 0.05 mm long, in voids; crustiform on barite and fluorite; radial aggregates; pseudomorphs after an unknown mineral; and massive.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Institute for Mineralogy and Petrography, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
A secondary mineral from oxidation of a hydrothermal, polymetallic barite–fluorite deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Cualstibite
Other Language Names for Cualstibite
Relationship of Cualstibite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Cualstibite Group:
| Omsite | Ni2Fe3+(OH)6[Sb(OH)6] | Trig. 3 : P3 |
| Zincalstibite | Zn2Al(OH)6[Sb5+(OH)6] | Trig. 3 : P3 |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 10 photos of Cualstibite associated with Azurite | Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
| 4 photos of Cualstibite associated with Bariopharmacosiderite | Ba0.5Fe3+4(AsO4)3(OH)4 · 5H2O |
| 3 photos of Cualstibite associated with 'Cualstibite-1M' | (Cu,Al)3(OH)6[Sb5+(OH)6] |
| 2 photos of Cualstibite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 1 photo of Cualstibite associated with Cornwallite | Cu5(AsO4)2(OH)4 |
| 1 photo of Cualstibite associated with Baryte | BaSO4 |
| 1 photo of Cualstibite associated with 'Limonite' | |
| 1 photo of Cualstibite associated with Chalcostibite | CuSbS2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.FB. | Omsite | Ni2Fe3+(OH)6[Sb(OH)6] |
| 4.FB.05 | Shakhovite | [Hg2]2+Hg2+2[Sb3+O3](OH)3 |
| 4.FB.10 | Zincalstibite | Zn2Al(OH)6[Sb5+(OH)6] |
Fluorescence of Cualstibite
Not florescent
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 Cualstibite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1167.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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Mineral Dealers:
References for Cualstibite
Reference List:
Dunn, Pete J., Ferraiolo, James A., Fleischer, Michael, Gobel, Volker, Grice, Joel D., Langley, Richard H., Shigley, James E., Vanko, David A., Zilczer, Janet A. (1985) New mineral names. American Mineralogist, 70 (11-12) 1329-1335
Bonaccorsi, E., Merlino, S., Orlandi, P. (2007) Zincalstibite, a new mineral, and cualstibite: Crystal chemical and structural relationships. American Mineralogist, 92 (1) 198-203 doi:10.2138/am.2007.2240
Localities for Cualstibite
Showing 27 localities.
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.
Austria | |
| [Cualstibite-1M] Auer et al. (2017) |
| [Cualstibite-1M] Auer et al. (2017) |
| [Cualstibite-1M] Auer (2021) |
France | |
| [Cualstibite-1M] Escande et al. (1973) +6 other references |
| [Cualstibite-1M] Escande et al. (1973) +6 other references | |
| [Cualstibite-1M] Favreau et al. (2003) |
| Favreau et al. (2024) |
| Georges FAVREAU collection & EDX ... +1 other reference | |
Germany (TL) | |
| [Cualstibite-1M, Cualstibite-1T] Walenta (1984) +1 other reference |
| [Cualstibite-1M] Schnorrer-Köhler (1986) +1 other reference |
| [Cualstibite-1M] Schnorrer-Köhler (1989) +1 other reference |
Greece | |
| [Cualstibite-1M] Rieck et al. (2022) |
Italy | |
| [Cualstibite-1M] Ciriotti et al. (2006) +1 other reference |
| [Cualstibite-1M] Ciriotti et al. (2006) |
| Guastoni et al. (2018) |
Luxembourg | |
| PHILIPPO et al. (2018) |
Norway | |
| Husdal (2021) |
Slovakia | |
| Martin Števko-unpublished |
South Africa | |
| [Cualstibite-1M] Cairncross (2004) |
Spain | |
| Joan Rosell et al. (2022) |
Switzerland | |
| [Cualstibite-1M] Ansermet (2012) +2 other references |
| Rick Turner (confirmed by XRD and EDX) |
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Clara Mine, Oberwolfach, Ortenaukreis, Freiburg Region, Baden-Württemberg, Germany