Hydrocalumite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Hydrocalumite
Formula:
Ca4Al2(OH)12(Cl,CO3,OH)2 · 4H2O
may be multiple species
Colour:
Colourless to light green
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
2.15
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
In allusion to the composition, containing water (HYDRO-), CALcium, and ALUMinium.
Type Locality:
The range of composition currently ascribed to hydrocalumite may represent more than one species (Mills et al., 2012).
Several hydrocalumite-related species have been described as synthetic compounds ('AFm phases' in cement mineralogy).
Several hydrocalumite-related species have been described as synthetic compounds ('AFm phases' in cement mineralogy).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1968
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1968:8
IMA Classification of Hydrocalumite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Ca4Al2(OH)12(Cl,CO3,OH)2·4H2O
First published:
1934
Classification of Hydrocalumite
4.FL.10
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
F : Hydroxides (without V or U)
L : Hydroxides with H2O +- (OH); sheets of edge-sharing octahedra
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
F : Hydroxides (without V or U)
L : Hydroxides with H2O +- (OH); sheets of edge-sharing octahedra
6.4.4.1
6 : HYDROXIDES AND OXIDES CONTAINING HYDROXYL
4 : Miscellaneous
6 : HYDROXIDES AND OXIDES CONTAINING HYDROXYL
4 : Miscellaneous
7.4.14
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
4 : Oxides of Be, Mg and the alkaline earths
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
4 : Oxides of Be, Mg and the alkaline earths
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Hcl | 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 Hydrocalumite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless to light green
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
{001}; a poor cleavage inclined at about 60° to {100}.
{001}; a poor cleavage inclined at about 60° to {100}.
Density:
2.15 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.15 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Hydrocalumite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.535 nβ = 1.553 nγ = 1.557
2V:
Measured: 24° , Calculated: 50°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.022
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
Dispersion:
r > v weak
Chemistry of Hydrocalumite
Mindat Formula:
Ca4Al2(OH)12(Cl,CO3,OH)2 · 4H2O
may be multiple species
may be multiple species
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Hydrocalumite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P2/b
Setting:
P2/c
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.0234(3) Å, b = 11.5131(3) Å, c = 16.2989(5) Å
β = 104.205(3)°
β = 104.205(3)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.871 : 1 : 1.416
Unit Cell V:
1,823.39 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Massive; tabular, pseudohexagonal crystals.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0014832 | Hydrocalumite | Sacerdoti M, Passaglia E (1988) Hydrocalumite from Latium, Italy: its crystal structure and relationship with related synthetic phases Neues Jahrbuch fur Mineralogie, Monatshefte 1988 462-475 | 1988 | Montalto di Castro, Viterbo, Latium, Italy | 0 | 293 | |
| 0014831 | Hydrocalumite | Sacerdoti M, Passaglia E (1988) Hydrocalumite from Latium, Italy: its crystal structure and relationship with related synthetic phases Neues Jahrbuch fur Mineralogie, Monatshefte 1988 462-475 | 1988 | Montalto di Castro, Viterbo, Latium, Italy | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 7.92 Å | (vvs) |
| 3.99 Å | (vs) |
| 2.87 Å | (s) |
| 2.46 Å | (s) |
| 1.657 Å | (ms) |
| 2.70 Å | (m) |
| 2.24 Å | (m) |
Comments:
7.89, 100; 3.951, 34; 3.860, 59; 3.753, 26; 2.884, 73; 2.527, 27; 2.501, 38; 2.453, 64; 2.433, 30; 2.327, 25
Boisséjour, Puy-de-Dôme, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
Boisséjour, Puy-de-Dôme, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 23 : Subaerial aqueous alteration by non-redox-sensitive fluids (see also #47) | |
| High-? alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 31 : Thermally altered carbonate, phosphate, and iron formations |
Type Occurrence of Hydrocalumite
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Hydrocalumite
Dutch:Hydrocalumiet
German:Hydrocalumit
Russian:Гидрокалюмит
Simplified Chinese:水铝钙石
Spanish:Hydrocalumita
Traditional Chinese:水鋁鈣石
Relationship of Hydrocalumite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Hydrocalumite Group:
| Kuzelite | Ca4Al2(OH)12[SO4] · 6H2O | Trig. |
| Mampsisite | Ca4Al2(CO3)(OH)12 · 5H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Mariakrite | [Ca4Al2(OH)12(H2O)4][Fe2S4] | Tric. 1 : P1 |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 10 photos of Hydrocalumite associated with Ettringite | Ca6Al2(SO4)3(OH)12 · 26H2O |
| 5 photos of Hydrocalumite associated with Afwillite | Ca3[SiO4][SiO2(OH)2] · 2H2O |
| 5 photos of Hydrocalumite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 2 photos of Hydrocalumite associated with Aragonite | CaCO3 |
| 1 photo of Hydrocalumite associated with Rondorfite | Ca8Mg(SiO4)4Cl2 |
| 1 photo of Hydrocalumite associated with Spurrite | Ca5(SiO4)2(CO3) |
| 1 photo of Hydrocalumite associated with Larnite | Ca2SiO4 |
| 1 photo of Hydrocalumite associated with Chlorellestadite | Ca5(SiO4)1.5(SO4)1.5Cl |
| 1 photo of Hydrocalumite associated with Kuzelite | Ca4Al2(OH)12[SO4] · 6H2O |
| 1 photo of Hydrocalumite associated with Katoite | Ca3Al2[◻(OH)4]3 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.FL. | Trébeurdenite | Fe2+2Fe3+4O2(OH)10CO3 · 3H2O |
| 4.FL. | Mariakrite | [Ca4Al2(OH)12(H2O)4][Fe2S4] |
| 4.FL.05 | Muskoxite | Mg7Fe4O13 · 10H2O |
| 4.FL.05 | Jamborite | Ni2+1-xCo3+x(OH)2-x(SO4)x · nH2O |
| 4.FL.05 | Mössbauerite | Fe3+6O4(OH)8[CO3] · 3H2O |
| 4.FL.05 | Meixnerite | Mg6Al2(OH)16(OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 4.FL.05 | Woodallite | Mg6Cr2(OH)16Cl2 · 4H2O |
| 4.FL.05 | Fougèrite | Fe2+4Fe3+2(OH)12[CO3] · 3H2O |
| 4.FL.05 | Dritsite | Li2Al4(OH)12Cl2 · 3H2O |
| 4.FL.05 | Rotemite | Ca4Cr2(OH)12Cl2 · 4H2O |
| 4.FL.05 | Iowaite | Mg6Fe3+2(OH)16Cl2 · 4H2O |
| 4.FL.15 | Kuzelite | Ca4Al2(OH)12[SO4] · 6H2O |
| 4.FL.20 | Jianshuiite | (Mg,Mn,Ca)Mn3O7 · 3H2O |
| 4.FL.20 | Ernienickelite | NiMn3O7 · 3H2O |
| 4.FL.20 | Aurorite | Mn2+Mn4+3O7 · 3H2O |
| 4.FL.20 | Chalcophanite | ZnMn4+3O7 · 3H2O |
| 4.FL.25 | Woodruffite | Zn2+x/2(Mn4+1-xMn3+x)O2 · yH2O |
| 4.FL.30 | Asbolane | (Ni,Co)2-xMn4+(O,OH)4 · nH2O |
| 4.FL.30 va | 'Lampadite' | Cu, Mn, O, H |
| 4.FL.35 | Buserite | Na4Mn14O27 · 21H2O |
| 4.FL.40 | Takanelite | (Mn,Ca)Mn4O9 · H2O |
| 4.FL.40 | Ranciéite | (Ca,Mn2+)0.2(Mn4+,Mn3+)O2 · 0.6H2O |
| 4.FL.45 | Birnessite | (Na,Ca)0.5(Mn4+,Mn3+)2O4 · 1.5H2O |
| 4.FL.55 | Cianciulliite | Mn(Mg,Mn)2Zn2(OH)10 · 2-4H2O |
| 4.FL.60 | Jensenite | Cu3[TeO6] · 2H2O |
| 4.FL.65 | Leisingite | Cu2MgTe6+O6 · 6H2O |
| 4.FL.70 | Magnesiohongruiite-(Fe3+) | (Mg2Fe3+)Fe3+NbO7(OH) |
| 4.FL.70 | Akdalaite | Al10O14(OH)2 |
| 4.FL.75 | Cafetite | CaTi2O5 · H2O |
| 4.FL.80 | Mourite | UMo5O12(OH)10 |
| 4.FL.85 | Deloryite | Cu4(UO2)(MoO4)2(OH)6 |
| 4.FL.90 | Lagalyite | Ca2xMn1-xO2 · 1.5-2H2O |
| 4.FL.95 | 'Tunnerite' | |
| 4.FL.100 | Carbocalumite | Ca4Al2(OH)12(CO3) · 6H2O |
| 4.FL.100 | Mampsisite | Ca4Al2(CO3)(OH)12 · 5H2O |
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:
Strongly pyroelectric.
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 Hydrocalumite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1968.html
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References for Hydrocalumite
Reference List:
Tilley, C. E. (1934) Hydrocalumite (4CaO.Al2O3.12H2O), a new mineral from Scawt Hill, Co. Antrim. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 23 (146) 607-615 doi:10.1180/minmag.1934.023.146.04
BUTTLER, F. G., DENT GLASSER, L. S., TAYLOR, H. F. W. (1959) Studies on 4CaOAl2.O3.13H2O and the Related Natural Mineral Hydrocalumite. Journal of the American Ceramic Society, 42 (3). 121-126 doi:10.1111/j.1151-2916.1959.tb14078.x
Grünhagen, H.; Mergoil, Juliette (1963) Découverte d'hydrocalumite et afwillite associées à l'ettringite dans les porcélanites de Boisséjour près Ceyrat (Puy-de-Dôme). Bulletin de Minéralogie, 86 (2). 149-157 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1963.8308
Taylor, H. F. W. (1973) Crystal structures of some double hydroxide minerals. Mineralogical Magazine, 39 (304). 377-389 doi:10.1180/minmag.1973.039.304.01
Sacerdoti, M. (1987) Polytypism in the hydrocalumite and related synthetic phases. Acta Crystallographica Section A Foundations of Crystallography, 43 (a1). C154 doi:10.1107/s0108767387081339
Jambor, John L., Burke, Ernst A. J. (1989) New Mineral Names. American Mineralogist, 74 (11-12) 1399-1404
Rousselot, Isabelle, Taviot-Guého, Christine, Leroux, Fabrice, Léone, Philippe, Palvadeau, Pierre, Besse, Jean-Pierre (2002) Insights on the Structural Chemistry of Hydrocalumite and Hydrotalcite-like Materials: Investigation of the Series Ca2M3+(OH)6Cl·2H2O (M3+: Al3+, Ga3+, Fe3+, and Sc3+) by X-Ray Powder Diffraction. Journal of Solid State Chemistry, 167. 137-144 doi:10.1006/jssc.2002.9635
Segni, Rachid, Vieille, Laetitia, Leroux, Fabrice, Taviot-Guého, Christine (2006) Hydrocalumite-type materials: 1. Interest in hazardous waste immobilization. Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids, 67. 1037-1042 doi:10.1016/j.jpcs.2006.01.081
Mills, S. J.; Christy, A. G.; Génin, J.-M. R.; Kameda, T.; Colombo, F. (2012) Nomenclature of the hydrotalcite supergroup: natural layered double hydroxides. Mineralogical Magazine, 76 (5). 1289-1336 doi:10.1180/minmag.2012.076.5.10
Runčevski, Tomče, Dinnebier, Robert E., Magdysyuk, Oxana V., Pöllmann, Herbert (2012) Crystal structures of calcium hemicarboaluminate and carbonated calcium hemicarboaluminate from synchrotron powder diffraction data. Acta Crystallographica Section B Structural Science, 68 (5) 493-500 doi:10.1107/s010876811203042x
Kolitsch, U.; Rieck, B.; Brandstätter, F.; Schreiber, F.; Fabritz, K. H.; Blaß, G.; Gröbner, J. (2014) Neufunde aus dem altem Bergbau und den Schlacken von Lavrion (II). Mineralien-Welt, 25 (2). 82-95 Occurrence in slag
Rossi, Thiago M.; Campos, Juacyara C.; Souza, Mariana M. V. M. (2020) Synthesis and characterization of hydrocalumite: influence of aging conditions on the structure, textural properties, thermal stability, and basicity. Clays and Clay Minerals, 68 (4). 273-286 doi:10.1007/s42860-019-00049-6
Gevers, Bianca R.; Labuschagné, Frederick J.W.J. (2020) Green Synthesis of Hydrocalumite (CaAl-OH-LDH) from Ca(OH)2 and Al(OH)3 and the Parameters That Influence Its Formation and Speciation. Crystals, 10 (8). 672 doi:10.3390/cryst10080672
Jiménez, Alejandro, Rives, Vicente, Vicente, Miguel A. (2022) Thermal study of the hydrocalumite–katoite–calcite system. Thermochimica Acta, 713. 179242 doi:10.1016/j.tca.2022.179242
Abd-El-Raoof, F., Youssef, H.F., El-Sokkary, T.M., Abd El-Shakour, Z.A., Tawfik, A. (2023) Fabrication and characterization of calcium aluminates cement via microwave-hydrothermal route: Mayenite, katoite, and hydrocalumite. Construction and Building Materials, 401. 132988 doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.132988
Jiménez, Alejandro; Trujillano, Raquel; Gil, Antonio; Rives, Vicente; Vicente, Miguel Ángel (2025) Hydrocalumite and hydrocalumite-type compounds: A special type of layered double hydroxides. Applied Clay Science, 267. 107707 doi:10.1016/j.clay.2025.107707
Narayanappa, Anand N.; Kamath, P. Vishnu (2025) Synthesis, characterization, structure refinement and dehydration behavior of sulfate-intercalated hydrocalumite-like layered double hydroxide. Materials Chemistry and Physics, 342. 130952 doi:10.1016/j.matchemphys.2025.130952
Zhitova, Elena S.; Sheveleva, Rezeda M.; Zolotarev, Andrey A.; Ferraris, Cristiano; Kupchinenko, Anastasia N.; Sysoeva, Elizaveta K.; Bocharov, Vladimir N.; Krivovichev, Sergey V.; Pekov, Igor V. (2026) Reinvestigation of hydrocalumite, Ca4Al2(OH)12Cl(CO3)0.5·5H2O – a natural layered double hydroxide, calcium hydrated aluminate and AFm phase. Mineralogical Magazine, 1-30 doi:10.1180/mgm.2026.10207
Localities for Hydrocalumite
Showing 49 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.
Austria | |
| Postl et al. (2003) |
| peter neschen collection |
Belgium | |
| Blaß et al. (1995) |
France | |
| Grünhagen et al. (1963) +1 other reference |
Germany | |
| Schimak et al. (05/23) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| |
| Schnorrer et al. (2001) |
| Bender et al. (1994) |
| Neschen (n.d.) |
| Hentschel (1961) |
| Juroszek et al. (Ti 5 Fe) |
| Hentschel (1983) |
| Jasmund et al. (1964) |
| Juroszek et al. (2024) | |
| Galuskin et al. (2016) | |
| in the collection of Christof Schäfer | |
| Hentschel (1983) |
| Blass et al. (2006) |
Greece | |
| Kolitsch et al. (2014) |
Israel | |
| Juroszek et al. (2019) |
| Galuskin et al. (2015) |
| Britvin et al. (2026) | |
| Murashko et al. (2025) | |
| Futrzyński et al. (2023) |
Italy | |
| Carlini et al. (2018) |
| Passaglia et al. (1982) |
| Rivista Mineralogica Italiana (3) |
| Francesco Bonotti Collection |
| Fabris et al. (2014) |
Japan | |
| Petrov (n.d.) |
Jordan | |
| Pitty et al. (2010) |
| Fleurance et al. (2013) |
| Sokol et al. (2016) |
| Sokol +9 other references | |
Middle East | |
| Gross (1977) | |
Palestine | |
| Galuskin et al. (2015) |
Peru | |
| Tyc et al. (2022) |
Poland | |
| Kruszewski et al. (Lower Silesian Coal Basin) +1 other reference |
| Kruszewski (2012) |
Romania | |
| Szakáll |
| Szakáll et al. (2010) | |
Russia | |
| Galuskin et al. (2015) |
| Galuskina et al. (2013) |
| Galuskin et al. (2011) | |
UK (TL) | |
| Tilley (1934) +1 other reference |
USA | |
| [micromounts@yahoogroups.com] |
| Prior label |
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Caspar quarry, Ettringen, Vordereifel, Mayen-Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany