Durangite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Durangite
Flag of Durango, Mexico
Formula:
NaAl(AsO4)F
Colour:
Light to dark orange-red, red; green; orange-yellow in artificial light.
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
5½
Specific Gravity:
3.94 - 4.07
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
After the locality in the state of Durango, Mexico.
Type Locality:
Isostructural with:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1332
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1332:7
IMA Classification of Durangite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
NaAlAs5+O4F
First published:
1869
Classification of Durangite
8.BH.10
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
H : With medium-sized and large cations, (OH,etc.):RO4 = 1:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
H : With medium-sized and large cations, (OH,etc.):RO4 = 1:1
41.5.5.2
41 : ANHYDROUS PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
5 : (AB)2(XO4)Zq
41 : ANHYDROUS PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
5 : (AB)2(XO4)Zq
22.1.31
22 : Phosphates, Arsenates or Vanadates with other Anions
1 : Phosphates, arsenates or vanadates with fluoride
22 : Phosphates, Arsenates or Vanadates with other Anions
1 : Phosphates, arsenates or vanadates with fluoride
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Dur | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Durangite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Durangite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Light to dark orange-red, red; green; orange-yellow in artificial light.
Comment:
Green colour exhibited by artificial material.
Streak:
Cream-yellow
Hardness:
5½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
On {110}, distinct.
On {110}, distinct.
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
3.94 - 4.07 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.616 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Highest in dark-coloured, ferrian material.
Optical Data of Durangite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.634 nβ = 1.673 nγ = 1.685
2V:
Measured: 45° , Calculated: 56°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.051
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:
Very High (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure
- the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using
this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points
where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the
field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are
isogyres.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Dispersion:
strong
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X = ^c -25° = Orange-yellow
Y = Pale orange-yellow
Z = b = Nearly colourless
Y = Pale orange-yellow
Z = b = Nearly colourless
Chemistry of Durangite
Mindat Formula:
NaAl(AsO4)F
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Durangite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/b
Setting:
C2/c
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.5789(5) Å, b = 8.5071(6) Å, c = 7.0212(5) Å
β = 115.447(4)°
β = 115.447(4)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.773 : 1 : 0.825
Unit Cell V:
354.83 ų
Z:
4
Morphology:
Crystal habit is oblique pyramidal with {111} and {110} dominant. Faces commonly dull and rough. Artificial crystals are prismatic [101], and rarely tabular.
Twinning:
On {001} common as interopenetration twins (artificial crystals).
Crystal Structure
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Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
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CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
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Rotation
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Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0019593 | Durangite | Downs G W, Yang B N, Thompson R M, Wenz M D, Andrade M B (2012) Redetermination of durangite, NaAl(AsO4)F Acta Crystallographica E68 i86-i87 |  | 2012 | the Barranca mine, Coneto de Comonfort, Durango, Mexico | 0 | 293 |
| 0010570 | Durangite | Kokkoros P (1938) Uber die struktur des durangit NaAlF[AsO4] Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 99 38-49 |  | 1938 | Durango, Mexico | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 2.967 Å | (100) |
| 4.76 Å | (80) |
| 3.236 Å | (80) |
| 2.560 Å | (60) |
| 2.549 Å | (57) |
| 3.34 Å | (50) |
| 1.533 Å | (41) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 4a: Earth’s earliest continental crust | >4.4-3.0 |
| 20 : Acidic volcanic rocks | |
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 34 : Complex granite pegmatites | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45a : [Sulfates, arsenates, selenates, antimonates] | |
| 45b : [Other oxidized fumarolic minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Durangite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Rhombic orange-red crystals.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA, 3.586, 3.3036, 3.3037.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Durangite
Relationship of Durangite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Tilasite Group:
| Arsenatrotitanite | NaTi(AsO4)O | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Isokite | CaMg(PO4)F | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Kononovite | NaMg(SO4)F | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Lacroixite | NaAl(PO4)F | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Maxwellite | NaFe3+(AsO4)F | Mon. 2/m : P2/m |
| Panasqueiraite | CaMg(PO4)(OH) | Mon. |
| Reznitskyite | CaMg(VO4)F | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Tilasite | CaMg(AsO4)F | Mon. |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 63 photos of Durangite associated with Hematite | Fe2O3 |
| 19 photos of Durangite associated with Cassiterite | SnO2 |
| 4 photos of Durangite associated with Topaz | Al2(SiO4)(F,OH)2 |
| 2 photos of Durangite associated with 'Wood Tin' | SnO2 |
| 2 photos of Durangite associated with Sanidine | K(AlSi3O8) |
| 2 photos of Durangite associated with 'Rhyolite' |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.BH. | Peterchinite | Zn3Zn2(OH)6As[O3(OH)3] |
| 8.BH. | Reznitskyite | CaMg(VO4)F |
| 8.BH. | Plumbogottlobite | PbMg(VO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH. | Cuprozheshengite | Pb4CuZn2(AsO4)2(PO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BH. | Zheshengite | Pb4ZnZn2(AsO4)2(PO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BH. | Crimsonite | PbFe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BH.05 | Thadeuite | Ca(Mg,Fe2+)3(PO4)2(OH,F)2 |
| 8.BH.10 | Panasqueiraite | CaMg(PO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.10 | Isokite | CaMg(PO4)F |
| 8.BH.10 | Lacroixite | NaAl(PO4)F |
| 8.BH.10 | Arsenatrotitanite | NaTi(AsO4)O |
| 8.BH.10 | Maxwellite | NaFe3+(AsO4)F |
| 8.BH.10 | Kononovite | NaMg(SO4)F |
| 8.BH.15 | Drugmanite | Pb2Fe3+(PO4)(PO3OH)(OH)2 |
| 8.BH.20 | Nigelcookite | PbFe2+2V3+2(PO4)3(OH)3 |
| 8.BH.20 | Plumbojohntomaite | PbFe2+2Fe3+2(PO4)3(OH)3 |
| 8.BH.20 | Cirrolite | Ca3Al2(PO4)3(OH)3 (?) |
| 8.BH.20 | Penikisite | Ba(Mg,Fe2+,Ca)2Al2(PO4)3(OH)3 |
| 8.BH.20 | Perloffite | Ba(Mn2+,Fe2+)2Fe3+2(PO4)3(OH)3 |
| 8.BH.20 | Bjarebyite Group | |
| 8.BH.20 | Strontioperloffite | SrMn2+2Fe3+2(PO4)3(OH)3 |
| 8.BH.20 | Plumboperloffite | PbMn2+2Fe3+2(PO4)3(OH)3 |
| 8.BH.20 | Johntomaite | BaFe2+2Fe3+2(PO4)3(OH)3 |
| 8.BH.20 | Bjarebyite | (Ba,Sr)(Mn2+,Fe2+,Mg)2Al2(PO4)3(OH)3 |
| 8.BH.20 | Kulanite | Ba(Fe2+,Mn2+,Mg)2(Al,Fe3+)2(PO4)3(OH)3 |
| 8.BH.25 | Bertossaite | Li2CaAl4(PO4)4(OH)4 |
| 8.BH.25 | Natropalermoite | Na2SrAl4(PO4)4(OH)4 |
| 8.BH.25 | Palermoite | Li2SrAl4(PO4)4(OH)4 |
| 8.BH.30 | Sewardite | CaFe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BH.30 | Carminite | PbFe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BH.35 | Adelite | CaMg(AsO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.35 | Duftite | PbCu(AsO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.35 | Cobaltaustinite | CaCo(AsO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.35 | Nickelaustinite | CaNi(AsO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.35 | Gabrielsonite | PbFe3+(As3+O3)O |
| 8.BH.35 | Conichalcite | CaCu(AsO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.35 | Arsendescloizite | PbZn(AsO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.35 | 'Duftite-alpha' | PbCu(AsO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.35 | Gottlobite | CaMg(VO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.35 | Austinite | CaZn(AsO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.35 | Hermannroseite | CaCu(PO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.35 | Tangeite | CaCu(VO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.40 | Čechite | PbFe2+(VO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.40 | Khorixasite | (Bi0.67◻0.33)Cu(VO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.40 | Mottramite | PbCu(VO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.40 | Descloizite | PbZn(VO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.40 | Pyrobelonite | PbMn2+(VO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.45 | Bayldonite | PbCu3(AsO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BH.45 | Vésigniéite | BaCu3(VO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BH.50 | Paganoite | NiBi(AsO4)O |
| 8.BH.55 | Jagowerite | BaAl2(PO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BH.55 | Harrisonite | Ca(Fe2+,Mg)6(PO4)2(SiO4)2 |
| 8.BH.60 | Attakolite | CaMn2+Al4(SiO3OH)(PO4)3(OH)4 |
| 8.BH.65 | Leningradite | PbCu3(VO4)2Cl |
| 8.BH.70 | Katiarsite | KTiO(AsO4) |
| 8.BH.70 | Yurgensonite | K2SnTiO2(AsO4)2 |
| 8.BH.75 | Melanarsite | K3Cu7Fe3+O4(AsO4)4 |
| 8.BH.80 | Evseevite | Na2Mg(AsO4)F |
| 8.BH.80 | Moraskoite | Na2Mg(PO4)F |
| 8.BH.85 | Piccoliite | NaCaMn3+2(AsO4)2O(OH) |
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in H2SO4.
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 Durangite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1332.html
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References for Durangite
Reference List:
Larsen, Esper S. (1921) The microscopic determination of the nonopaque minerals. Bulletin 679. US Geological Survey doi:10.3133/b679 p.70
Strunz, Hugo (1937) Titanit und Tilasit. Über die Verwandtschaft der Silikate mit den Phosphaten und Arsenaten. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, 96 (1). 7-14 doi:10.1524/zkri.1937.96.1.7
Kokkoros, P. (1937) Über die Gitterkonstanten und die Raumgruppe von Durangit. Die Naturwissenschaften, 25 (44). 717 doi:10.1007/bf01734633
Kokkoros, P. (1938) Über die Struktur des Durangit NaAlF[AsO4]. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, 99 (1-6). 38-49 doi:10.1524/zkri.1938.99.1.38
Richmond, Wallace E. (1940) Crystal chemistry of the phosphates, arsenates and vanadates of the type A2XO4(Z). American Mineralogist, 25 (7). 441-479
Foord, E. E., Oakman, M. R., Maxwell, C. H. (1985) Durangite from the Black Range, New Mexico, and new data on durangite from Durango and Cornwall. The Canadian Mineralogist, 23 (2) 241-246
Localities for Durangite
Showing 14 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.
Canada | |
| Foord et al. (1985) |
| Faribault (1908) | |
Mexico (TL) | |
| Brush G J (1869) +2 other references |
| Megaw (2023) |
Romania | |
| Hirtopanu et al. (2000) |
UK | |
| Embrey (1978) +1 other reference |
USA | |
| NMGS 37th Field Conference |
| NMGS 37th Field Conference |
| Maxwell et al. (1986) | |
| geoinfo.nmt.edu (n.d.) | |
| Northrop et al. (1996) | |
| Northrop et al. (1996) | |
| Wilson (1986) |
| In the collection of Alex Earl |
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Barranca Mine, Coneto de Comonfort, Coneto de Comonfort Municipality, Durango, Mexico