Guérinite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Guérinite
Formula:
Ca6(HAsO4)3(AsO4)2 · 10.5H2O
Originally assumed to have formula Ca5(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2·9H2O (Catti & Ferraris, 1974). Formula was revised by Liebhart et al. (2024).
Colour:
Colorless
Lustre:
Sub-Vitreous, Silky, Pearly
Hardness:
1½
Specific Gravity:
2.68 - 2.76
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named by Yevgeny I. Nefedov in 1961 for Henri Guérin [1906-1995], chemist at Paris-Sud University, Orsay, France, who synthesized the compound.
Acicular, bladed, or tabular crystals.
May be intergrown with jeankempite.
Originally considered a dimorph of ferrarisite but was determined to have a different formula by Liebhart et al. (2024).
May be intergrown with jeankempite.
Originally considered a dimorph of ferrarisite but was determined to have a different formula by Liebhart et al. (2024).
Name Encoding
ASCII-7:
Guerinite
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1767
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1767:7
Similar Names
| Curienite | A valid IMA mineral species | Pb(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 5H2O |
| Garronite | A synonym of Garronite Subgroup | |
| Granite | A rock classification type | |
| Guarinite | (Na, Ca, Zr, Si, F, O) | |
| Guarinoite | A valid IMA mineral species | Zn6(SO4)(OH)10 · 5H2O |
| Kernite | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | Na2[B4O6(OH)2] · 3H2O |
IMA Classification of Guérinite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Ca6(HAs5+O4)3(As5+O4)2·10.5H2O
Classification of Guérinite
8.CJ.75
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
J : With only large cations
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
J : With only large cations
39.2.2.2
39 : HYDRATED ACID PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
2 : (AB)5[HXO4]2[XO4]2.xH2O
39 : HYDRATED ACID PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
2 : (AB)5[HXO4]2[XO4]2.xH2O
20.2.11
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
2 : Arsenates of Be, Mg, Ca or Ba
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
2 : Arsenates of Be, Mg, Ca or Ba
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Gué | 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 Guérinite
Sub-Vitreous, Silky, Pearly
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Colorless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
1½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Density:
2.68 - 2.76 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.74 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Acta Cryst. B (1974) 30:1789 structure
Optical Data of Guérinite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.574 - 1.576 nβ = 1.582 nγ = 1.582 - 1.584
2V:
Measured: 7° to 5°
Birefringence:
0.008
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.008
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:
Moderate (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:
r > v strong, also r < v
Optical Extinction:
Z=elongation
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Guérinite
Mindat Formula:
Ca6(HAsO4)3(AsO4)2 · 10.5H2O
Originally assumed to have formula Ca5(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2·9H2O (Catti & Ferraris, 1974). Formula was revised by Liebhart et al. (2024).
Originally assumed to have formula Ca5(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2·9H2O (Catti & Ferraris, 1974). Formula was revised by Liebhart et al. (2024).
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Guérinite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/b
Cell Parameters:
a = 17.631(2) Å, b = 6.731(1) Å, c = 23.388(3) Å
β = 90.69(1)°
β = 90.69(1)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 2.619 : 1 : 3.475
Unit Cell V:
2,775.35 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Comment:
Space-group setting P21/n. For synthetic material, Catti & Ferraris (1974) give: P21/n, a 17.63(1), b 6.734(3), c 23.47(2) Å, β 90.6(1)°.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 14.0 Å | (100) |
| 11.7 Å | (40) |
| 8.7 Å | (30) |
| 4.84 Å | (40) |
| 3.89 Å | (80) |
| 3.49 Å | (60) |
| 3.01 Å | (80) |
| 2.90 Å | (80) |
Comments:
ICDD 26-1055
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates] |
Type Occurrence of Guérinite
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Post-mine
Other Language Names for Guérinite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 43 photos of Guérinite associated with Picropharmacolite | Ca4Mg(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 11H2O |
| 30 photos of Guérinite associated with Erythrite | Co3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 25 photos of Guérinite associated with Sainfeldite | Ca5(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 8 photos of Guérinite associated with Realgar | As4S4 |
| 8 photos of Guérinite associated with Pharmacolite | Ca(HAsO4) · 2H2O |
| 7 photos of Guérinite associated with Weilite | Ca(HAsO4) |
| 6 photos of Guérinite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 5 photos of Guérinite associated with Rauenthalite | Ca3(AsO4)2 · 10H2O |
| 4 photos of Guérinite associated with Orpiment | As2S3 |
| 4 photos of Guérinite associated with Phaunouxite | Ca3(AsO4)2 · 11H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.CJ. | Airdite | Sr(V4+O)2(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ. | Dobšináite | Ca2Ca(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CJ. | Sainfeldite | Ca5(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ. | Caesiumpharmacosiderite | CsFe3+4[(AsO4)3(OH)4] · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ. | Jeankempite | Ca5(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 7H2O |
| 8.CJ.05 | Stercorite | (NH4)Na(PO3OH) · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ.10 | Swaknoite | (NH4)2Ca(PO3OH)2 · H2O |
| 8.CJ.10 | Mundrabillaite | (NH4)2Ca(PO3OH)2 · H2O |
| 8.CJ.15 | Nabaphite | NaBaPO4 · 9H2O |
| 8.CJ.15 | Nastrophite | Na(Sr,Ba)PO4 · 9H2O |
| 8.CJ.20 | Haidingerite | CaHAsO4 · H2O |
| 8.CJ.25 | Rhabdophane-(Y) | YPO4 · H2O |
| 8.CJ.25 | Vladimirite | Ca4(AsO4)2(AsO3OH) · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ.27 | 'Churchite-(Dy)' | (Dy,Sm,Gd,Nd)PO4 · 2H2O |
| 8.CJ.30 | Ferrarisite | Ca5(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 9H2O |
| 8.CJ.35 | Fulbrightite | Ca(V4+O)2(As5+O4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ.35 | Machatschkiite | (Ca,Na)6(AsO4)(HAsO4)3(PO4,SO4) · 15H2O |
| 8.CJ.40 | Rauenthalite | Ca3(AsO4)2 · 10H2O |
| 8.CJ.40 | Phaunouxite | Ca3(AsO4)2 · 11H2O |
| 8.CJ.45 | Brockite | (Ca,Th,Ce)PO4 · H2O |
| 8.CJ.45 | Smirnovskite | (Th,Ca)PO4 · nH2O |
| 8.CJ.45 | Rhabdophane-(Ce) | Ce(PO4) · 0.6H2O |
| 8.CJ.45 | Rhabdophane-(La) | La(PO4) · H2O |
| 8.CJ.45 | Rhabdophane-(Nd) | Nd(PO4) · H2O |
| 8.CJ.45 | Tristramite | (Ca,U4+,Fe3+)(PO4,SO4) · 2H2O |
| 8.CJ.45 | Grayite | (Th,Pb,Ca)(PO4) · H2O |
| 8.CJ.45 | Štěpite | U(AsO3OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ.47 | Vysokýite | U4+[AsO2(OH)2]4 · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ.50 | Churchite-(Y) | Y(PO4) · 2H2O |
| 8.CJ.50 | Brushite | Ca(PO3OH) · 2H2O |
| 8.CJ.50 | Ardealite | Ca2(PO3OH)(SO4) · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ.50 | Pharmacolite | Ca(HAsO4) · 2H2O |
| 8.CJ.50 | 'Churchite-(Nd)' | Nd(PO4) · 2H2O |
| 8.CJ.55 | Mcnearite | NaCa5(AsO4)(HAsO4)4 · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ.60 | Dorfmanite | Na2(PO3OH) · 2H2O |
| 8.CJ.65 | Sincosite | Ca(V4+O)2(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ.65 | Bariosincosite | Ba(V4+O)2(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ.70 | Catalanoite | Na2(PO3OH) · 8H2O |
| 8.CJ.85 | Ningyoite | (U,Ca,Ce)2(PO4)2 · 1-2H2O |
Fluorescence of Guérinite
Not fluorescent.
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 Guérinite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1767.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Guérinite
Reference List:
Pierrot, Roland (1964) Contribution à la minéralogie des arséniates calciques et calcomagnésiens naturels. Bulletin de Minéralogie, 87 (2) 169-211 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1964.5727
Localities for Guérinite
Showing 43 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 | |
| Reiner Mielke 2015 |
Czech Republic | |
| Minerál 5/1995 +1 other reference |
| Hloušek et al. (2002) |
| Sejkora (1994) |
France | |
| Bari (1982) |
| Wittern +1 other reference |
| Bari (1982) | |
| This mine worked the same vein as Gabe ... +2 other references | |
| Wittern et al. (1997) +1 other reference |
| Josef Vajdak |
| Perroud (1989) |
| Cuchet (2000) | |
| Cuchet (2000) | |
Germany | |
| Gröbner et al. (2005) |
| Walenta (1992) +1 other reference |
| Carsten Slotta collection |
| |
| Blaß et al. (2001) | |
| Belendorff (2021) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| various collections (see photos) | |
| |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Stolze et al. (04/2021) |
| Witzke (1992) |
| Hajek (2010) |
| Bulletin de Minéralogie 87 (1964) +1 other reference |
Greece | |
| Rieck et al. (1999) +1 other reference |
| Liebhart et al. (2021) +1 other reference | |
Japan | |
| OHNISHI et al. (2013) +1 other reference |
Morocco | |
| Favreau et al. (2006) |
| Favreau et al. (2006) | |
| Favreau et al. (2006) |
Slovakia | |
| Martin Števko-unpublished |
Switzerland | |
| Stalder et al. (1998) +1 other reference |
USA | |
| Wilson et al. (1992) |
| Dunning (1988) |
| - (2005) | |
| - (2005) | |
| Barrick Gold Corporation | |
| - (2005) | |
| Excalibur Mineral Corp. - Mineral News |
| The Picking Table:22 (1) +1 other reference |
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Zálesí uranium deposit, Zálesí, Javorník, Jeseník District, Olomouc Region, Czech Republic