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Glaucocerinite

A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About GlaucoceriniteHide

Formula:
(Zn1-xAlx)(OH)2(SO4)x/2 · nH2O
(x < 0.5, n > 3x/2). May contain Cu replacing Zn (formula for type material is given as Zn13Al8Cu7(SO4)2O30.34H2O).
Colour:
Sky-blue, turquoise-blue, greenish, greyish, brownish
Lustre:
Waxy
Hardness:
1
Specific Gravity:
2.749
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Name:
From the Greek γλαυκός for "sky-blue" and κήρινος for "wax-like," in allusion to its colour and appearance.
Chemically similar to zincowoodwardite.
Compare also other members of the Woodwardite Group. Compare 'UM1985-07-OH:AlCuSZn' - corresponding to the alleged cotype specimen of glaucocerinite.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
1707
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1707:3

IMA Classification of GlaucoceriniteHide

Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Zn2+1-xAlx(S6+O4)x/2(OH)2·nH2O (x<0.5, n>3x/2)
First published:
1932

Classification of GlaucoceriniteHide

7.DD.35

7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
D : With only medium-sized cations; sheets of edge-sharing octahedra
31.4.8.1

31 : HYDRATED SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
4 : (AB)4(XO4)Zq·xH2O
25.5.10

25 : Sulphates
5 : Sulphates of Zn and Hg

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

Physical Properties of GlaucoceriniteHide

Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Sky-blue, turquoise-blue, greenish, greyish, brownish
Comment:
Tints due to included impurities.
Hardness:
Density:
2.749 g/cm3 (Measured)    2.33 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of GlaucoceriniteHide

Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.540(2) nβ = 1.554(2) nγ = 1.562(2)
2V:
Measured: 60° , Calculated: 72°
Birefringence:
High.
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.022
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:
Low (positive)
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.
Dispersion:
weak

Chemistry of GlaucoceriniteHide

Mindat Formula:
(Zn1-xAlx)(OH)2(SO4)x/2 · nH2O

(x < 0.5, n > 3x/2). May contain Cu replacing Zn (formula for type material is given as Zn13Al8Cu7(SO4)2O30.34H2O).

Crystallography of GlaucoceriniteHide

Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Cell Parameters:
a = 3.070(8) Å, c = 32.65(1) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 10.635
Unit Cell V:
266.50 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Occurs as masses with a radial-fibrous structure and concentric colour banding.
Comment:
Hexagonal (?). Point Group: n.d.; Space Group: n.d. ; Z = n.d

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
10.9 Å(100)
5.45 Å(90)
3.63 Å(80)
2.62 Å(60)
2.46 Å(60)
2.231 Å(50)
1.981 Å(50)

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event<2.4
47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals]
47b : [Sulfates and sulfites]

Type Occurrence of GlaucoceriniteHide

General Appearance of Type Material:
Banded botryoidal crusts.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Dept. of Mineralogy and Crystallography, University of Vienna, Vienna, cat. no. C11.130; Natural History Museum, Vienna, Austria, cat. nos. G 1377, G 1378 (NOTE: the Handbook of mineralogy erroneously gives G 1378 and G 1379).

Synonyms of GlaucoceriniteHide

Other Language Names for GlaucoceriniteHide

Relationship of Glaucocerinite to other SpeciesHide

Other Members of Glaucocerinite Group:
Carrboydite(Ni1-xAlx)(SO4)x/2(OH)2 · nH2OHex.
Hydrohonessite(Ni1-xFe3+x)(OH)2(SO4)x/2 · nH2OHex.
Hydrowoodwardite(Cu1-xAlx)(OH)2[SO4]x/2 · nH2OTrig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
Mountkeithite[(Mg1-xFe3+x)(OH)2][SO4]x/2 · nH2OHex.
Zincaluminite(Zn1-xAlx)(SO4)x/2(OH)2 · nH2O

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
3 photos of Glaucocerinite associated with FelsőbányaiteAl4(SO4)(OH)10 · 4H2O
3 photos of Glaucocerinite associated with AzuriteCu3(CO3)2(OH)2
3 photos of Glaucocerinite associated with 'Zaccagnaite-3R'Zn4Al2(OH)12[CO3] · 3H2O
2 photos of Glaucocerinite associated with Allophane(Al2O3)(SiO2)1.3-2 · 2.5-3H2O
2 photos of Glaucocerinite associated with AragoniteCaCO3
2 photos of Glaucocerinite associated with SerpieriteCa(Cu2+,Zn2+)4(S6+O4)2(OH)6 · 3H2O
1 photo of Glaucocerinite associated with 'Agardite'
1 photo of Glaucocerinite associated with GalenaPbS
1 photo of Glaucocerinite associated with GoethiteFe3+O(OH)

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

7.DD.AsagiiteNiCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 6H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.DD.05FelsőbányaiteAl4(SO4)(OH)10 · 4H2OMon. 2 : P21
7.DD.07LlantenesiteCu6Al[SeO4](OH)12Cl · 3H2OTrig. 3m : P31c
7.DD.10LangiteCu4(SO4)(OH)6 · 2H2OMon. m
7.DD.10FehriteMgCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 6H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.DD.10PosnjakiteCu4(SO4)(OH)6 · H2OMon. m : Pm
7.DD.10WroewolfeiteCu4(SO4)(OH)6 · 2H2OMon. m : Pm
7.DD.10GobeliniteCoCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 6H2OMon. 2/m : P21/m
7.DD.15KobyasheviteCu5(SO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2OTric. 1 : P1
7.DD.15SpangoliteCu6Al(SO4)(OH)12Cl · 3H2OTrig. 3m : P31c
7.DD.15'Unnamed (Dimorph of Devilline)'CaCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 3H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.DD.20KtenasiteZnCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 6H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.DD.25ChristeliteCu2Zn3(SO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2OTric. 1 : P1
7.DD.30EdwardsiteCu3Cd2(SO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2O Mon. 2/m : P21/b
7.DD.30NiedermayriteCdCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/m
7.DD.30SerpieriteCa(Cu2+,Zn2+)4(S6+O4)2(OH)6 · 3H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
7.DD.30CampigliaiteMn2+Cu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2OMon. 2 : B2
7.DD.30OrthoserpieriteCa(Cu,Zn)4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 3H2OOrth. mm2 : Pca21
7.DD.30DevillineCaCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 3H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.DD.35ShigaiteMn6Al3(OH)18[Na(H2O)6](SO4)2 · 6H2OTrig. 3 : R3
7.DD.35Zincaluminite(Zn1-xAlx)(SO4)x/2(OH)2 · nH2O
7.DD.35ZincowoodwarditeZn1-xAlx(OH)2[SO4]x/2 · nH2OTrig.
7.DD.35NatroglaucoceriniteZn6Al3(OH)18[Na(H2O)6](SO4)2 · 6H2OHex.
7.DD.35Hydrowoodwardite(Cu1-xAlx)(OH)2[SO4]x/2 · nH2OTrig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
7.DD.35Honessite(Ni1-xFe3+x)(OH)2[SO4]x/2 · nH2OTrig.
7.DD.35Carrboydite(Ni1-xAlx)(SO4)x/2(OH)2 · nH2OHex.
7.DD.35WermlanditeMg7Al2(OH)18[Ca(H2O)6][SO4]2 · 6H2OTrig. 3m(32/m) : P3c1
7.DD.35NikischeriteFe2+6Al3(OH)18[Na(H2O)6](SO4)2 · 6H2OTrig. 3 : R3
7.DD.35Hydrohonessite(Ni1-xFe3+x)(OH)2(SO4)x/2 · nH2OHex.
7.DD.35WoodwarditeCu1-xAlx(OH)2(SO4)x/2 · nH2OTrig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
7.DD.35MotukoreaiteMg6Al3(OH)18[Na(H2O)6][SO4]2 · 6H2OTrig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
7.DD.35Mountkeithite[(Mg1-xFe3+x)(OH)2][SO4]x/2 · nH2OHex.
7.DD.40Lawsonbauerite(Mn2+,Mg)9Zn4(SO4)2(OH)22 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.DD.40Torreyite(Mg,Mn2+)72Mn2+2Zn4(SO4)2(OH)22 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.DD.40IsseliteCu6(SO4)(OH)10(H2O)4 · H2OOrth. mm2 : Pmn21
7.DD.45MooreiteMg92Mn2Zn4(SO4)2(OH)26 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
7.DD.45Hodgesmithite(Cu,Zn)6Zn(SO4)2(OH)10 · 3H2OTrig. 3 : P3
7.DD.47LahnsteiniteZn4(SO4)(OH)6 · 3H2OTric. 1 : P1
7.DD.50NamuwiteZn4(SO4)(OH)6 · 4H2OTrig. 3 : P3
7.DD.50Minohlite(Cu,Zn)7(SO4)2(OH)10 · 8H2OHex.
7.DD.52LauraniiteCu6Cd2(SO4)2(OH)12 · 5H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.DD.55BechereriteZn7Cu(OH)13[(SiO(OH)3(SO4)]Trig. 3 : P3
7.DD.60Ramsbeckite(Cu,Zn)15(SO4)4(OH)22 · 6H2OMon. 2/m
7.DD.65VonbezingiteCa6Cu3(SO4)3(OH)12 · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.DD.70RedgilliteCu6(SO4)(OH)10 · H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.DD.75NickelalumiteNiAl4(SO4)(OH)12(H2O)3Mon. 2/m
7.DD.75KyrgyzstaniteZnAl4(SO4)(OH)12 · 3H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.DD.75ChalcoalumiteCuAl4(SO4)(OH)12 · 3H2OMon. 2 : P21
7.DD.80Schulenbergite(Cu,Zn)7(SO4)2(OH)10 · 3H2OTrig. 3
7.DD.80'UM1992-30-SO:CCuHZn'(Zn,Cu)7(SO4,CO3)2(OH)10 · 3H2OTrig. 3 : P3
7.DD.80ThérèsemagnaniteNaCo4(SO4)(OH)6Cl · 6H2OTrig. 3 : P3
7.DD.80GuarinoiteZn6(SO4)(OH)10 · 5H2OHex.
7.DD.85MontetrisaiteCu6(SO4)(OH)10 · 2H2OOrth. mm2 : Cmc21

Other InformationHide

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 GlaucoceriniteHide

References for GlaucoceriniteHide

Localities for GlaucoceriniteHide

Showing 24 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.
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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.
Austria
 
  • Salzburg
    • Zell am See District
Exel (1993)
France
 
  • Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
    • Savoie
      • Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne
        • Épierre
De Ascencao Guedes R. (2001)
Germany
 
  • Bavaria
    • Lower Bavaria
      • Passau District
        • Hauzenberg
          • Kropfmühl
Habel (1998)
  • Lower Saxony
    • Goslar District
      • Langelsheim
        • Astfeld
  • North Rhine-Westphalia
    • Arnsberg
      • Märkischer Kreis
        • Iserlohn
          • Letmathe
            • Helmke quarry nature reserve
Bender et al. (1994)
    • Cologne
      • Aachen
        • Stolberg
Blaß et al. (1995)
Blaß et al. (1993)
  • Rhineland-Palatinate
    • Rhein-Lahn-Kreis
Wittern (2001)
      • Lahnstein
        • Friedrichssegen
Der Aufschluss Vol.55
Greece
 
  • Attica
    • East Attica
      • Lavreotiki
        • Agios Konstantinos (Kamariza)
          • Kamariza Mines (Kamareza Mines)
Wendel et al. (1999)
Rieck et al. (1999) +1 other reference
Centralbl.Min. (1932) +1 other reference
          • Mercati mines
Wendel et al. (1999)
        • Sounion
          • Cato Sounio mines
Krause et al. (2006)
Italy
 
  • Friuli Venezia Giulia
    • Udine Province
Bortolozzi et al. (2018)
  • Sardinia
    • South Sardinia Province
      • Nuxis
Gian Claudio Lecca et al. (2024)
  • Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol
    • South Tyrol
      • Eisacktal (Valle Isarco)
        • Klausen (Chiusa)
Mair (1996)
    • Trento Province
      • Roncegno Terme
Bortolozzi et al. (2013) +1 other reference
  • Tuscany
    • Livorno Province
      • Campiglia Marittima
Biagioni et al. (2013)
Norway
 
  • Agder
    • Froland
      • Bøylestad Kobberverk
Raade et al. (1990)
  • Rogaland
    • Sauda
Raade et al. (1990) +1 other reference
USA
 
  • Arizona
    • Cochise County
      • Turquoise Mining District (Courtland-Gleeson Mining District)
        • Courtland
          • Casey Hill
Luetcke (n.d.)
Grant et al. (2005)
 
and/or  
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