Fuenzalidaite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Fuenzalidaite
Humberto Fuenzalida
Formula:
K6(Na,K)4Na6Mg10(SO4)12(IO3)12 · 12H2O
Colour:
Colourless to pale yellow
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2 - 3
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Name:
Named by Judith A. Konnert, Howard T. Evans, Jr., James J. McGee, and George E. Ericksen in 1994 in honor of Humberto Fuenzalida Villegas (27 March 1904, Curicó, Chile - 24 February 1966, Santiago, Chile), geographer, geologist, paleontologist, academic and naturalist. He was director of the National Museum of Natural History between 1948 and 1964. He founded the Chilean School of Geology within the Faculty of Physical Sciences and Mathematics at the University of Chile (and was the first Director) and the Institute of Geography at the Faculty of Education at the same university. He also co-founded the Antarctic Institute of Chile (INACH) and the Geological Society of Chile.
Isostructural with:
Carlosruizite-Fuenzalidaite Series. The S analogue of carlosruizite.
Occurs in veins and veinlets of the white nitrate ore ("Caliche Blanco").
The structure is based on two complex slabs, normal to the c axis; each slab consists of a double layer formed by trigonal-pyramidal iodate groups, bounded at the top and bottom by layers of SO4 groups. The layers are separated by K, with Na and Mg helding the layer complex together. The structure somewhat resembles that of alunite group members.
Occurs in veins and veinlets of the white nitrate ore ("Caliche Blanco").
The structure is based on two complex slabs, normal to the c axis; each slab consists of a double layer formed by trigonal-pyramidal iodate groups, bounded at the top and bottom by layers of SO4 groups. The layers are separated by K, with Na and Mg helding the layer complex together. The structure somewhat resembles that of alunite group members.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1618
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1618:2
IMA Classification of Fuenzalidaite
Classification of Fuenzalidaite
7.DG.40
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
G : With large and medium-sized cations; with NO3, CO3, B(OH)4, SiO4 or IO3
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
G : With large and medium-sized cations; with NO3, CO3, B(OH)4, SiO4 or IO3
Dana 7th ed.:
23.1.2.1
23.1.2.1
23 : COMPOUND IODATES
1 : Miscellaneous
23 : COMPOUND IODATES
1 : Miscellaneous
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Fzl | 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 Fuenzalidaite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless to pale yellow
Hardness:
2 - 3 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Optical Data of Fuenzalidaite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.622 nε = 1.615
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.007
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:
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 uniaxial interference figure - the conoscopic
(convergent-light, Bertrand-lens-in) view, for a grain cut with the optic axis
centred and vertical. The coloured rings are isochromatics, computed with the
same physics as the Michel-Lévy bar above; the dark cross is the isogyre.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
Chemistry of Fuenzalidaite
Mindat Formula:
K6(Na,K)4Na6Mg10(SO4)12(IO3)12 · 12H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Fuenzalidaite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m(32/m) - Hexagonal Scalenohedral
Space Group:
P3c1
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.4643(4) Å, c = 27.336(6) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 2.888
Unit Cell V:
2,120.52 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Crystals are platy with a hexagonal outline. They are pseudorhombohedral, flattened on {0001} with beveled edges {1012}.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0001677 | Fuenzalidaite | Konnert J A, Evans H T, McGee J J, Ericksen G E (1994) Mineralogical studies of the nitrate deposits of Chile: VII. Two saline minerals with the composition K6(Na,K)4Na6Mg10(XO4)12(IO3)12.12H2O: Fuenzalidaite (X=S) and carloruizite (X=Se) American Mineralogist 79 1003-1008 |  | 1994 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 13.67 Å | (50) |
| 7.05 Å | (40) |
| 3.927 Å | (100) |
| 3.023 Å | (41) |
| 2.681 Å | (33) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 25 : Evaporites (prebiotic) | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47b : [Sulfates and sulfites] | |
| 47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates] | |
| 47g : [Halogen-bearing surface weathering minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Fuenzalidaite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Thin, euhedral, platy crystals with hexagonal outline, usually less than 200 microns in diameter and 20 microns thick.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
No designated type material.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Veins and veinlets of "caliche blanco".
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Fuenzalidaite
Other Language Names for Fuenzalidaite
Relationship of Fuenzalidaite to other Species
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.DG. | Mathesiusite | K5(UO2)4(SO4)4(VO5) · 4H2O |
| 7.DG.05 | Darapskite | Na3(SO4)(NO3) · H2O |
| 7.DG.10 | Clinoungemachite | (Na, K, Fe, SO4) |
| 7.DG.10 | Humberstonite | Na7K3Mg2(SO4)6(NO3)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.DG.10 | Ungemachite | K3Na8Fe(SO4)6(NO3)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Chiyokoite | Ca3Si(CO3)[B(OH)4]O (OH)5 · 12H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Kottenheimite | Ca 3Si(SO4)2(OH)6 · 12H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Hielscherite | Ca3Si(SO4)(SO3)(OH)6 · 11H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Jouravskite | Ca3Mn4+(SO4)(CO3)(OH)6 · 12H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Thaumasite | Ca3(SO4)[Si(OH)6](CO3) · 12H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Bentorite | Ca6Cr2(SO4)3(OH)12 · 26H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Carraraite | Ca3(SO4)[Ge(OH)6](CO3) · 12H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Ettringite | Ca6Al2(SO4)3(OH)12 · 26H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Birunite | Ca18(SiO3)8.5(CO3)8.5SO4 · 15H2O(?) |
| 7.DG.15 | Siwaqaite | Ca6Al2(CrO4)3(OH)12 · 26H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Buryatite | Ca3(Si,Fe3+,Al)(SO4)B(OH)4(OH,O)6 · 12H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Charlesite | Ca6(Al,Si)2(SO4)2[B(OH)4](OH,O)12 · 26H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Tatarinovite | Ca3Al(SO4)[B(OH)4](OH)6 · 12H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Imayoshiite | Ca3Al(CO3)[B(OH)4](OH)6 · 12H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Sturmanite | Ca6Fe3+2(SO4)2.5[B(OH)4](OH)12 · 25H2O |
| 7.DG.20 | Rapidcreekite | Ca2(SO4)(CO3) · 4H2O |
| 7.DG.25 | Tatarskite | Ca6Mg2(SO4)2(CO3)2(OH)4Cl4 · 7H2O |
| 7.DG.30 | Nakauriite | Cu8(SO4)4(CO3)(OH)6 · 48H2O |
| 7.DG.35 | Chessexite | (Na,K)4Ca2(Mg,Zn)3Al8(SO4)10(SiO4)2 · 40H2O |
| 7.DG.40 | Carlosruizite | K6(Na,K)4Na6Mg10(SeO4)12(IO3)12 · 12H2O |
| 7.DG.45 | 'Chelyabinskite' | (Ca,Mg)3(SO4,CO3)2[Si(OH)6] · 9H2O (?) |
| 7.DG.55 | Ramazzoite | [Mg8Cu12(PO4)(CO3)4(OH)24(H2O)20][(H0.33SO4)3(H2O)36] |
| 7.DG.60 | Witzkeite | Na4K4Ca(NO3)2(SO4)4 · 2H2O |
Radioactivity
Other Information
Notes:
Slowly soluble in H2O.
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 Fuenzalidaite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1618.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Fuenzalidaite
Reference List:
Konnert, Judith A., Evans, Howard T., Jr.,, Mcgee, James J., Ericksen, George E. (1994) Mineralogical studies of the nitrate deposits of Chile: VII. Two new saline minerals with the composition K6(Na,K)4Na6Mg10(XO4)12(IO3)12 · 12H2O: Fuenzalidaite (X = S) and carlosruizite (X = Se) American Mineralogist, 79 (9-10) 1003-1008
Localities for Fuenzalidaite
Showing 4 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.
Chile (TL) | |
| Konnert et al. (1994) +1 other reference |
| Marta et al. (1996) +1 other reference |
| collected by Reynaldo Contreira |
| Personally collected by Reynaldo ... |
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Oficina Santa Luisa, Canchas, Antofagasta Province, Antofagasta, Chile