Kambaldaite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Kambaldaite
Kambalda Nickel mines underground, 1970.
Kambalda Nickel mines, Kambalda, Coolgardie Shire, Western Australia, Australia
Kambalda Nickel mines, Kambalda, Coolgardie Shire, Western Australia, Australia
Formula:
NaNi4(CO3)3(OH)3 · 3H2O
Colour:
Emerald-green, bright grass green
Lustre:
Vitreous, Silky
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
3.18
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Name:
Named after the type locality.
This page provides mineralogical data about Kambaldaite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2145
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2145:2
IMA Classification of Kambaldaite
Approved
IMA Formula:
NaNi2+4(CO3)3(OH)3·3H2O
Approval year:
1982
First published:
1985
Classification of Kambaldaite
5.DA.20
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
D : Carbonates with additional anions, with H2O
A : With medium-sized cations
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
D : Carbonates with additional anions, with H2O
A : With medium-sized cations
16b.7.12.1
16b : HYDRATED CARBONATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
7 : Miscellaneous
16b : HYDRATED CARBONATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
7 : Miscellaneous
11.14.7
11 : Carbonates
14 : Carbonates of Co and Ni
11 : Carbonates
14 : Carbonates of Co and Ni
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kbd | 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 Kambaldaite
Vitreous, Silky
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Emerald-green, bright grass green
Streak:
Pale green
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
None Observed
Density:
3.18 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.193 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Kambaldaite
Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 1.65 nε = 1.69
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.040
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:
Very 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.
Pleochroism:
Strong
Comments:
E : emerald green, and O : light green.
Chemistry of Kambaldaite
Mindat Formula:
NaNi4(CO3)3(OH)3 · 3H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Kambaldaite
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Class (H-M):
6 - Pyramidal
Space Group:
P63
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.340(3) Å, c = 6.097(2) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.59
Unit Cell V:
564.6 ų
Z:
2
Morphology:
Hexagonal prisms, generally terminated by basal pinacoids. Some crystals are terminated by second-order pyramids, together with small pinacoidal faces.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0000983 | Kambaldaite | Engelhardt L M, Hall S R, White A H (1985) Crystal Structure of kambaldaite, Na2Ni8(CO3)6(OH)6(H2O)6 American Mineralogist 70 423-427 |  | 1985 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 9.03 Å | (100) |
| 4.490 Å | (90) |
| 3.613 Å | (40) |
| 2.681 Å | (40) |
| 2.584 Å | (40) |
| 2.519 Å | (40) |
| 2.263 Å | (40) |
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] |
Type Occurrence of Kambaldaite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Cryptocrystalline veins, layers and concretionary growths up to about 2 mm thick, commonly intergrown with gaspeite. Also as encrustations of tiny hexagonal prisms.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Division of Mineralogy, CSIRO, Perth, Western Australia, Australia, numbers M62.1991 , MDC 6595.
Government Chemical Laboratories of Western Australia, Australia.
The Australian Museum, Sydney, Australia, number D48054.
British Museum of Natural History, London, UK, number BM 1985,497.
Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., USA.
Museum of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia, number M37494.
Government Chemical Laboratories of Western Australia, Australia.
The Australian Museum, Sydney, Australia, number D48054.
British Museum of Natural History, London, UK, number BM 1985,497.
Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., USA.
Museum of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia, number M37494.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Nickel sulfide deposit. A secondary mineral that has been precipitated on fracture surfaces in oxidizing Ni-Fe sulfide ore.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Kambaldaite
Other Language Names for Kambaldaite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.DA. | Alexkhomyakovite | K6(Ca2Na)(CO3)5Cl · 6H2O |
| 5.DA. | Amoraite | Ca12Al6(OH)36(CO3)2(SO3) · 15H2O |
| 5.DA.05 | Dypingite | Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2 · 5H2O |
| 5.DA.05 | 'UM1986-10-CO:ClHMgMnZn (also called Mineral F, Dunn, 1995)' | Mg5(Zn,Mn)3(CO3)2(OH,Cl)12 · H2O |
| 5.DA.05 | 'UM1987-01-CO:HMgS' | Mg4(CO3)2(OH)4 · 6H2O ? |
| 5.DA.05 | Giorgiosite | Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2 · 5-6H2O |
| 5.DA.05 | Hydromagnesite | Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.05 | Widgiemoolthalite | Ni5(CO3)4(OH)2 · 5H2O |
| 5.DA.10 | Artinite | Mg2(CO3)(OH)2 · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.10 | Chlorartinite | Mg2(CO3)(OH)Cl · 2H2O |
| 5.DA.10 | Indigirite | Mg2Al2(CO3)4(OH)2 · 15H2O |
| 5.DA.15 | Zaratite | Ni3(CO3)(OH)4 · 4H2O ? |
| 5.DA.15 | Otwayite | Ni2(CO3)(OH)2 · H2O |
| 5.DA.25 | Callaghanite | Cu2Mg2(CO3)(OH)6 · 2H2O |
| 5.DA.30 | Claraite | (Cu,Zn)15(CO3)4(AsO4)2(SO4)(OH)14 · 7H2O |
| 5.DA.35 | Hydroscarbroite | Al14(CO3)3(OH)36 · nH2O |
| 5.DA.35 | Scarbroite | Al5(CO3)(OH)13 · 5H2O |
| 5.DA.40 | Karchevskyite | Mg18Al9(OH)54Sr2(CO3)9(H2O)6(H3O)5 |
| 5.DA.40 | 'UM1987-05-OH:AlCMg' | Mg4Al2(OH)12(CO3,SO4) · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.40 | Quintinite | Mg4Al2(OH)12(CO3) · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.40 | Charmarite | Mn2+4Al2(OH)12[CO3] · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.40 | Caresite | Fe2+4Al2(OH)12[CO3] · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.45 | 'Hydrotalcite-2H' | Mg6Al2(CO3)(OH)16 · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.45 | 'Stichtite-2H' | Mg6(Cr,Al)2(CO3)(OH)16 · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.45 | Brugnatellite | Mg6Fe3+(CO3)(OH)13 · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.45 | Zaccagnaite | Zn4Al2(OH)12[CO3] · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.45 | 'Pyroaurite-2H' | Mg6Fe3+2(OH)16(CO3) · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.45 | Liudongshengite | Zn4Cr2(OH)12(CO3) · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.45 | Chlormagaluminite | Mg4Al2(OH)12Cl2 · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.50 | Pyroaurite | Mg6Fe3+2(OH)16[CO3] · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.50 | Takovite | Ni6Al2(OH)16[CO3] · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.50 | Reevesite | Ni6Fe3+2(OH)16(CO3) · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.50 | Kaznakhtite | Ni6Co3+2(CO3)(OH)16 · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.50 | Comblainite | Ni4Co2(OH)12[CO3] · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.50 | Marioantofilliite | [Cu4Al2(OH)12](CO3) · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.50 | Hydrotalcite | Mg6Al2(CO3)(OH)16 · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.50 | Stichtite | Mg6Cr3+2(OH)16[CO3] · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.50 | Desautelsite | Mg6Mn3+2(OH)16[CO3] · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.55 | Coalingite | Mg10Fe3+2(OH)24[CO3] · 2H2O |
| 5.DA.55 | Akopovaite | Al4Li2(OH)12(CO3)(H2O)3 |
| 5.DA.60 | Šlikite | Zn2Mg(CO3)2(OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.65 | Marklite | Cu5(CO3)2(OH)6 · 6H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
Not readily soluble in cold 1:1 HCl or l:1 HNO3.
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 Kambaldaite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2145.html
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References for Kambaldaite
Reference List:
Nickel, Ernest H., Robinson, Bruce W. (1985) Kambaldaite-a new hydrated Ni-Na carbonate mineral from Kambalda, Western Australia. American Mineralogist, 70 (3-4) 419-422
Engelhardt, Lutz M., Hall, Sydney R., White, Allan H. (1985) Crystal structure of kambaldaite, Na2Ni8(CO3)6(OH)6·6H2O. American Mineralogist, 70 (3-4) 423-427
Localities for Kambaldaite
Showing 6 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 | |
| Witzke (2023) |
| Nickel et al. (1985) |
| Nickel et al. (1993) +1 other reference |
Austria | |
| 58. +1 other reference |
Brazil | |
|
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132 North Ni Mine, Widgiemooltha, Coolgardie Shire, Western Australia, Australia