Faustite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Faustite
George T. Faust
Formula:
ZnAl6(PO4)4(OH)8 · 4H2O
Colour:
Pale green, light blue to apple-green
Lustre:
Sub-Vitreous, Waxy, Dull
Hardness:
5½
Specific Gravity:
2.92
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named by Richard C. Erd, M. D. Foster, and P. D. Procter, in honor of Dr. George Tobias Faust (August 27, 1908 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA - February 27, 1985 Morristown, New Jersey, USA), mineralogist and petrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey. He served as president of the Mineralogical Society of America. He described/codescribed the new minerals huntite, pecoraite, and schoenfliesite.
Type Locality:
Isostructural with:
Turquoise Group. The zinc analogue of Turquoise.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Faustite.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Faustite.Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1623
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1623:6
IMA Classification of Faustite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Zn2+Al6(PO4)4(OH)8·4H2O
First published:
1953
Classification of Faustite
8.DD.15
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
D : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4= 2:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
D : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4= 2:1
42.9.3.3
42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
9 : (AB)7(XO4)4Zq·xH2O
42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
9 : (AB)7(XO4)4Zq·xH2O
19.6.10
19 : Phosphates
6 : Phosphates of Zn
19 : Phosphates
6 : Phosphates of Zn
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Fst | 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 Faustite
Sub-Vitreous, Waxy, Dull
Transparency:
Translucent, Opaque
Colour:
Pale green, light blue to apple-green
Streak:
White to pale yellow-green
Hardness:
5½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Poor/Indistinct
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
2.92 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.99 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Faustite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
Dispersion:
weak
Chemistry of Faustite
Mindat Formula:
ZnAl6(PO4)4(OH)8 · 4H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Faustite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Setting:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.44 Å, b = 9.89 Å, c = 7.67 Å
α = 107.75°, β = 115.65°, γ = 69.65°
α = 107.75°, β = 115.65°, γ = 69.65°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.752 : 1 : 0.776
Unit Cell V:
468.98 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1
Morphology:
Fine grained massive, nuggets, veins.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0014544 | Faustite | Kolitsch U, Giester G (2000) The crystal structure of faustite and its copper analogue turquoise Mineralogical Magazine 64 905-913 |  | 2000 | Iron Monarch iron ore deposit, South Australia | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 6.70 Å | (70) |
| 6.14 Å | (70) |
| 3.68 Å | (100) |
| 3.44 Å | (60) |
| 3.28 Å | (60) |
| 2.92 Å | (60) |
| 2.89 Å | (80) |
| 2.05 Å | (70) |
Comments:
ICDD 6-216
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] |
Geological Setting:
Argillized shales
Type Occurrence of Faustite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Apple green vein filling in altered shales. The veins reach 6 mm (1/4 inch) wide. Also as nuggets or nodules that have roughly polygonal shape. Often enclosed by montmorillonitic clay.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Harvard Mineralogical Museum, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, number 106377.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, numbers 106879, 113171 and 162622 .
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, numbers 106879, 113171 and 162622 .
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Shales and cherts at a copper deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Faustite
Varieties of Faustite
| Cuprofaustite | A Cu-bearing faustite (turquoise group). Originally reported from Rhodope Mts, Bulgaria. |
Relationship of Faustite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Turquoise Group:
| Aheylite | (Fe2+,Zn)Al6(PO4)4(OH)8 · 4H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Chalcosiderite | CuFe3+6(PO4)4(OH)8 · 4H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Planerite | Al6(PO4)2(PO3OH)2(OH)8 · 4H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Turquoise | CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8 · 4H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| 'UM1981-32-PO:FeH' | Fe2+Fe3+6(PO4)4-x[PO3(OH)]x(OH)8 · 4H2O |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 9 photos of Faustite associated with Planerite | Al6(PO4)2(PO3OH)2(OH)8 · 4H2O |
| 4 photos of Faustite associated with Wavellite | Al3(PO4)2(OH)3 · 5H2O |
| 3 photos of Faustite associated with Molybdenite | MoS2 |
| 3 photos of Faustite associated with Hemimorphite | Zn4Si2O7(OH)2 · H2O |
| 3 photos of Faustite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 2 photos of Faustite associated with Turquoise | CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8 · 4H2O |
| 1 photo of Faustite associated with 'Shale' | |
| 1 photo of Faustite associated with Crandallite | CaAl3(PO4)(PO3OH)(OH)6 |
| 1 photo of Faustite associated with Variscite | AlPO4 · 2H2O |
| 1 photo of Faustite associated with Okenite | Ca10Si18O46 · 18H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.DD. | Penberthycroftite | [Al6(AsO4)3(OH)9(H2O)5] · 8H2O |
| 8.DD. | Bettertonite | [Al6(AsO4)3(OH)9(H2O)5] · 11H2O |
| 8.DD. | Vargite | MnCu2Mn2(AsO4)2(OH)4(H2O)4 |
| 8.DD. | Galeaclolusite | Al6(AsO4)3(OH)9(H2O)4 · 8H2O |
| 8.DD.05 | Luetheite | Cu2Al2(AsO4)2(OH)4 |
| 8.DD.05 | Chenevixite | Cu2Fe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)4 |
| 8.DD.10 | Akrochordite | MnMn2Mn2(AsO4)2(OH)4(H2O)4 |
| 8.DD.10 | Guanacoite | MgCu2Mg2(AsO4)2(OH)4(H2O)4 |
| 8.DD.15 | 'UM1981-32-PO:FeH' | Fe2+Fe3+6(PO4)4-x[PO3(OH)]x(OH)8 · 4H2O |
| 8.DD.15 | Afmite | Al3(OH)4(H2O)3(PO4)(PO3OH) · H2O |
| 8.DD.15 | Aheylite | (Fe2+,Zn)Al6(PO4)4(OH)8 · 4H2O |
| 8.DD.15 | 'Coeruleolactite' | |
| 8.DD.15 | Planerite | Al6(PO4)2(PO3OH)2(OH)8 · 4H2O |
| 8.DD.15 | Chalcosiderite | CuFe3+6(PO4)4(OH)8 · 4H2O |
| 8.DD.15 | Turquoise | CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8 · 4H2O |
| 8.DD.20 | Eosphorite | Mn2+Al(PO4)(OH)2 · H2O |
| 8.DD.20 | Ernstite | (Mn2+,Fe3+)Al(PO4)(OH,O)2 · H2O |
| 8.DD.20 | Lefontite | Fe2Al2Be(PO4)2(OH)6 |
| 8.DD.20 | Childrenite | Fe2+Al(PO4)(OH)2 · H2O |
| 8.DD.25 | Kobokoboite | Al6(PO4)4(OH)6 · 11H2O |
| 8.DD.30 | Smamite | Ca2Sb(OH)4[H(AsO4)2] · 6H2O |
| 8.DD.35 | 'Gutsevichite' | Al3(PO4)2(OH)3 · 8H2O |
| 8.DD.40 | 'Laubmannite (of Moore)' | (Fe3+,Fe2+,M)8+x(OH,H2O)9(H2O)2(PO4)5, M = Fe3+, Cu2+ or other metal cation, x ~ 0.1. |
Fluorescence of Faustite
Not fluoescent
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 Faustite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1623.html
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References for Faustite
Reference List:
Erd, Richard C., Foster, Margaret D., Proctor, and Paul D. (1953) Faustite, a new mineral, the zinc analogue of turquois. American Mineralogist, 38 (11-12) 964-972
Kolitsch, U., Giester, G. (2000) The crystal structure of faustite and its copper analogue turquoise. Mineralogical Magazine, 64 (5) 905-913 doi:10.1180/002646100549733
Rossi, Manuela, Rizzi, Rosanna, Vergara, Alessandro, Capitelli, Francesco, Altomare, Angela, Bellatreccia, Fabio, Saviano, Michele, Ghiara, Rosaria M. (2017) Compositional variation of turquoise-group minerals from the historical collection of the Real Museo Mineralogico of the University of Naples. Mineralogical Magazine, 81 (6) 1405-1429 doi:10.1180/minmag.2017.081.055
Localities for Faustite
Showing 30 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.
Australia | |
| David Shannon |
| Birch et al. (1997) |
| Francis (2010) |
| Birch et al. (1993) |
Belgium | |
| Hatert et al. (2002) |
| Hatert et al. (2002) +1 other reference | |
| Schnorrer-Köhler (1988) |
Bolivia | |
| SEM analyses by Gene Foord et al. (analyses copies courtesy of Brian Kosnar) +1 other reference |
| Petrov et al. (2006) |
| Petrov (n.d.) |
Bulgaria | |
| [var: Cuprofaustite] Hikov et al. (2011) |
| Kunov et al. (1997) |
China | |
| Zhaoxin Han et al. (2004) |
| Damao Wu and Yansong Tan (1981) |
Germany | |
| Blaß et al. (1998) +1 other reference |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Witzke et al. (1997) |
Hungary | |
| |
Japan | |
| Matsuyama et al. (1996) |
Malaysia | |
| Manfred Kampf collection |
Spain | |
| Calvo Rebollar (2015) |
UK | |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
USA | |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Erd et al. (1953) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Silver Coin Mine. Compact Disc. Paul ... | |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Collected by Gerry Austin |
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Bingham Canyon Mine, Bingham Canyon, Bingham Mining District, Salt Lake County, Utah, USA