Vote for your favorite mineral in #MinCup26! - Azurite vs. Smithsonite
It's carbonate-vs-carbonate to kick off Mineral Cup 2026 with copper-rich Azurite against zinc-rich Smithsonite.
Log InRegister
Quick Links : The Mindat ManualThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryMindat Newsletter [Free Download]
Home PageAbout MindatThe Mindat ManualHistory of MindatCopyright StatusWho We AreContact UsAdvertise on Mindat
Donate to MindatCorporate SponsorshipSponsor a PageSponsored PagesMindat AdvertisersAdvertise on Mindat
Learning CenterWhat is a mineral?The most common minerals on earthInformation for EducatorsMindat ArticlesThe ElementsThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryGeologic TimeExplore Fossils
Minerals by PropertiesMinerals by ChemistryMineral Visual ExplorerAdvanced Locality SearchRandom MineralRandom LocalitySearch by minIDLocalities Near MeSearch ArticlesSearch GlossaryMore Search Options
Search For:
Mineral Name:
Locality Name:
Keyword(s):
 
The Mindat ManualAdd a New PhotoRate PhotosLocality Edit ReportCoordinate Completion ReportAdd Glossary Item
Mining CompaniesStatisticsUsersMineral MuseumsClubs & OrganizationsMineral Shows & EventsThe Mindat DirectoryDevice SettingsThe Mineral QuizTime Machine
Photo SearchPhoto GalleriesSearch by ColorPhoto Colour ExplorerNew Photos TodayNew Photos YesterdayMembers' Photo GalleriesPast Photo of the Day GalleryPhotography

Doyleite

A valid IMA mineral species
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
Hide all sections | Show all sections

About DoyleiteHide

Formula:
Al(OH)3
Often contains small amounts of (stabilising?) F.
Colour:
White, creamy-white, bluish-white
Lustre:
Vitreous, Pearly, Dull
Hardness:
2½ - 3
Specific Gravity:
2.48
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
Named by George Y. Chao, Judith Baker, Ann P. Sabina, and Andrew C. Roberts in 1985 in honor of Earl Joseph (Jess) Doyle (1905 - 1994) of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. He was a mineral collector and discovered the species.
This page provides mineralogical data about Doyleite.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
1316
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1316:7

Similar NamesHide

BoyleiteA valid IMA mineral speciesZnSO4 · 4H2O
DahlliteA synonym of 'Carbonate-rich Hydroxylapatite'
DellaiteA valid IMA mineral speciesCa6Si3O11(OH)2
Dialite
DualiteA valid IMA mineral speciesNa30(Ca,Na,Ce,Sr)12(Na,Mn,Fe,Ti)6Zr3Ti3Mn[Si51O144](OH,H2O,Cl)9
TooeleiteA valid IMA mineral speciesFe63+(As3+O3)4(SO4)(OH)4 · 4H2O
α-DahlliteA synonym of 'Carbonate-rich Apatite'

IMA Classification of DoyleiteHide

Approved
Approval year:
1980
First published:
1985

Classification of DoyleiteHide

4.FE.10

4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
F : Hydroxides (without V or U)
E : Hydroxides with OH, without H2O; sheets of edge-sharing octahedra
6.3.4.1

6 : HYDROXIDES AND OXIDES CONTAINING HYDROXYL
3 : X(OH)3
7.6.7

7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
6 : Oxides of Al

Mineral SymbolsHide

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

SymbolSourceReference for Standard
DoyIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of DoyleiteHide

Vitreous, Pearly, Dull
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent, Opaque
Colour:
White, creamy-white, bluish-white
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2½ - 3 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Flexible
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect on {010}, fair on {100}.
Density:
2.48(1) g/cm3 (Measured)    2.482 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of DoyleiteHide

Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.545(1) nβ = 1.553(1) nγ = 1.566(1)
2V:
Measured: 77° , Calculated: 78°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.021
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.

Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
None. Type description gives strong, r > v.

Chemistry of DoyleiteHide

Mindat Formula:
Al(OH)3

Often contains small amounts of (stabilising?) F.
Element Weights:
Element% weight
O61.533 %
Al34.590 %
H3.877 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.

Crystallography of DoyleiteHide

Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.00 Å, b = 5.17 Å, c = 4.98 Å
α = 97.5°, β = 118.6°, γ = 104.74°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.967 : 1 : 0.963
Unit Cell V:
104.37 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Type material: Crystals are tabular on (010), showing forms {010}, {101}, {101}, and occasionally {100} and {001}.
Comment:
Space group P-1 (Clark et al., 1998).

Crystal StructureHide

Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File    Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0011076DoyleiteClark G R, Rodgers K A, Henderson G S (1998) The crystal chemistry of doyleite, Al(OH)3 Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 213 96-1001998Mont St. Hilaire, Quebec0293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
4.794 Å(100)
4.296 Å(20)
4.182 Å(20)
2.360 Å(40)
1.972 Å(30)
1.857 Å(30)
1.842 Å(30)

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Near-surface Processes
22 : Hydration and low-? subsurface aqueous alteration (see also #23)
Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks>3.0
34 : Complex granite pegmatites

Type Occurrence of DoyleiteHide

General Appearance of Type Material:
Rosettes of platy crystals (MSH), and as pulverulent to compact globules, botryoidal and smooth porcelain like crusts and sheets (Francon).
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, number 48932 (holotype).
Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, number M41025a (holotype).
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, number 162728 (cotype).
Geological Setting of Type Material:
In albitite veins in nepheline syenite (MSH) and in silicocarbonatite sills (Francon).
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Synonyms of DoyleiteHide

Other Language Names for DoyleiteHide

Dutch:Doyleiet
German:Doyleit
Simplified Chinese:水铝石
Spanish:Doyleita
Traditional Chinese:水鋁石

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
39 photos of Doyleite associated with GibbsiteAl(OH)3
7 photos of Doyleite associated with EvansiteAl3(PO4)(OH)6 · 6H2O
2 photos of Doyleite associated with ThomsenoliteNaCa[AlF6] · H2O
2 photos of Doyleite associated with CryoliteNa2NaAlF6
2 photos of Doyleite associated with BayeriteAl(OH)3
1 photo of Doyleite associated with Hydrokenoralstonite Na0.5(Al,Mg)2(F,OH)6 · H2O
1 photo of Doyleite associated with PhlogopiteKMg3(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
1 photo of Doyleite associated with SphaleriteZnS
1 photo of Doyleite associated with ScoroditeFe3+AsO4 · 2H2O
1 photo of Doyleite associated with FluoriteCaF2

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

4.FE.NannoniiteAl2(OH)5FMon. 2/m : P21/b
4.FE.05BruciteMg(OH)2Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1
4.FE.05TheophrastiteNi(OH)2Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1
4.FE.05AmakiniteFe2+(OH)2Trig.
4.FE.05PortlanditeCa(OH)2Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1
4.FE.05PyrochroiteMn(OH)2Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1
4.FE.10BayeriteAl(OH)3Mon. 2/m : P21/m
4.FE.10NordstranditeAl(OH)3Tric. 1 : P1
4.FE.10GibbsiteAl(OH)3Mon. 2/m
4.FE.15LepidocrociteFe3+O(OH)Orth. mm2 : Cmc21
4.FE.15BöhmiteAlO(OH)Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
4.FE.20HeterogeniteCo3+O(OH)Hex.
4.FE.20GrimaldiiteCrO(OH)Trig. 3m : R3m
4.FE.25Lithiophorite(Al,Li)MnO2(OH)2Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
4.FE.25FeitknechtiteMn3+O(OH)Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1
4.FE.30QuenselitePbMnO2(OH)Mon. 2/m : P2/b
4.FE.35FerrihydriteFe3+10O14(OH)2Trig.
4.FE.40Vernadite(Mn4+,Fe3+,Ca,Na)(O,OH)2 · nH2OMon. 2/m : B2/m
4.FE.40FeroxyhyteFe3+O(OH)Hex.
4.FE.45QuetzalcoatliteZn6Cu3(TeO6)2(OH)6 · AgxPbyClx+2yTrig. 3m(32/m) : P31m
4.FE.50FuettereritePb3Cu2+6Te6+O6(OH)7Cl5 Trig. 3 : R3

Fluorescence of DoyleiteHide

Not fluorescent.

Other InformationHide

Notes:
Not attacked by 1:1 HCl, H2SO4 or HNO3 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 DoyleiteHide

References for DoyleiteHide

Localities for DoyleiteHide

Showing 20 localities.

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.
Hide all sections | Show all sections

Locality ListHide

- 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.
Bolivia
 
  • Potosí
    • Tomás Frías Province
      • Potosí (Potosí Municipality)
Chris Stefano specimen
Canada (TL)
 
  • Québec
    • Montérégie
      • La Vallée-du-Richelieu RCM
        • Mont Saint-Hilaire
Chao et al. (1985) +2 other references
      • Lajemmerais RCM
        • Varennes & St-Amable
Horváth et al. (1998)
Horváth et al. (1998)
    • Montréal
176-178. +3 other references
China
 
  • Fujian
    • Fuzhou
      • Jin'an District
        • Shoushan
Zilong Wu (2003)
  • Hubei
    • Xianning
      • Jiayu Co.
Songsheng Li (1993)
  • Hunan
    • Chenzhou
      • Yizhang Co.
        • Yaogangxian W-Sn ore field
Robert Lavinsky specimen
  • Jiangsu
    • Suzhou
      • Huqiu District
Kecong Han and Shengyun Ma (1985)
  • Yunnan
Fabre Minerals
    • Qujing
      • Huize County
Dongmei Tang et al. (2006)
Germany
 
  • Baden-Württemberg
    • Freiburg Region
      • Ortenaukreis
        • Oberwolfach
Walenta (1992) +2 other references
Greece
 
  • Attica
    • East Attica
      • Lavreotiki
        • Agios Konstantinos (Kamariza)
          • Mercati mines
Grosch et al. (12/2021)
Schusser et al. (2022)
Norway
 
  • Akershus
    • Lunner
Raade et al. (1990) +1 other reference
  • Nordland
    • Hamarøy
      • Finnøya
Husdal (2021)
South Africa
 
  • Gauteng
    • City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality
Atanasova et al. (2016)
  • North West
    • Bojanala Platinum District Municipality
      • Madibeng Local Municipality
        • Brits
Species list by Dr. Hans Börner
UK
 
  • England
    • North Yorkshire
      • Harrogate
        • High and Low Bishopside
          • Greenhow
Young +3 other references
USA
 
  • Nevada
    • Eureka County
      • Carlin Trend
        • Maggie Creek Mining Subdistrict
Newmont Mining Corporation
 
and/or  
Mindat.org® is an outreach project of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Mindat® and mindat.org® are registered trademarks of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy.
Copyright © mindat.org and the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy 1993-2026, except where stated. Most political location boundaries are © OpenStreetMap contributors. Mindat.org relies on the contributions of thousands of members and supporters. Founded in 2000 by Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau.
Content on this site may not be used to train, fine-tune, or otherwise develop artificial intelligence or machine learning models without prior written permission - see our Terms & Conditions.
To cite: Ralph, J., Von Bargen, D., Martynov, P., Zhang, J., Que, X., Prabhu, A., Morrison, S. M., Li, W., Chen, W., & Ma, X. (2025). Mindat.org: The open access mineralogy database to accelerate data-intensive geoscience research. American Mineralogist, 110(6), 833–844. doi:10.2138/am-2024-9486.
Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Contact Us / DMCA issues - Report a bug/vulnerability Current server date and time: September 1, 2026 04:06:44 Page updated: August 19, 2026 00:45:43
Go to top of page