Lavendulan
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Lavendulan
Formula:
NaCaCu5(AsO4)4Cl · 5H2O
Colour:
Turquoise-blue, greenish blue, pale blue
Lustre:
Vitreous, Waxy
Hardness:
2½
Specific Gravity:
3.54
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named after the lavender colour of the "type" specimen, which has been determined to be a mixture with no relationship to modern lavendulan (Ondruš et al., 2006). Lavendulan does not exhibit a lavender colour.
Isostructural with:
Lavendulan Group.
The Ca analogue of zdenĕkite and the arsenate analogue of sampleite.
Compare also the chemically and visually similar mahnertite and lemanskiite.
May appear visually similar to slavkovite.
Data regarding this species have been significantly defined in recent years [see Ondruš et al. (2006) and the crystal structure determination by Giester et al. (2007)], including a re-examination of Breithaupt's type specimen. That effort disclosed that the "type specimen" of lavendulan was a mixture unrelated to present-day lavendulan. The second locality from which "lavendulan" was found is Jachymov (Joachimsthal), Czech Republic; therefore, the type locality of the species was changed to the latter locality, pending any formal declarations to the contrary.
Note that Ondruš et al. (2006) reported that lavendulan from Lavrion, Greece, once powdered transformed to lemanskiite in a few days.
The Ca analogue of zdenĕkite and the arsenate analogue of sampleite.
Compare also the chemically and visually similar mahnertite and lemanskiite.
May appear visually similar to slavkovite.
Data regarding this species have been significantly defined in recent years [see Ondruš et al. (2006) and the crystal structure determination by Giester et al. (2007)], including a re-examination of Breithaupt's type specimen. That effort disclosed that the "type specimen" of lavendulan was a mixture unrelated to present-day lavendulan. The second locality from which "lavendulan" was found is Jachymov (Joachimsthal), Czech Republic; therefore, the type locality of the species was changed to the latter locality, pending any formal declarations to the contrary.
Note that Ondruš et al. (2006) reported that lavendulan from Lavrion, Greece, once powdered transformed to lemanskiite in a few days.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2349
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2349:4
IMA Classification of Lavendulan
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
NaCaCu2+5(As5+O4)4Cl(H2O)5
First published:
1837
Classification of Lavendulan
8.DG.05
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
G : With large and medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4< 0.5:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
G : With large and medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4< 0.5:1
42.9.4.2
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
22.2.2
22 : Phosphates, Arsenates or Vanadates with other Anions
2 : Phosphates, arsenates or vanadates with chloride
22 : Phosphates, Arsenates or Vanadates with other Anions
2 : Phosphates, arsenates or vanadates with chloride
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lvd | 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 Lavendulan
Vitreous, Waxy
Transparency:
Translucent
Comment:
Satinly in aggregates
Colour:
Turquoise-blue, greenish blue, pale blue
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Good on {010}
Distinct on {100} {001}
Good on {010}
Distinct on {100} {001}
Density:
3.54 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.597 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Lavendulan
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.66 nβ = 1.715 nγ = 1.734
2V:
Measured: 33° , Calculated: 58°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.074
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 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:
weak
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
O= pale blue to pale greenish blue
E= blue to greenish blue
E= blue to greenish blue
Chemistry of Lavendulan
Mindat Formula:
NaCaCu5(AsO4)4Cl · 5H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Lavendulan
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.011 Å, b = 19.478 Å, c = 10.056 Å
β = 90.37°
β = 90.37°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.514 : 1 : 0.516
Unit Cell V:
1960.8 ų
Z:
4
Morphology:
Thin rectangular, pseudo-orthorhombic plates.
Twinning:
Commmon.
Comment:
Space group P21/n. Pseudo-orthorhombic metrics.
Crystal Structure
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Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
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Rotation
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0007195 | Lavendulan | Giester G, Kolitsch U, Leverett P, Turner P, Williams P A (2007) The crystal structures of lavendulan, sampleite, and a new polymorph of sampleite European Journal of Mineralogy 19 75-93 | 2007 | Hilarion mine, Lavrion, Greece | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 9.716 Å | (100) |
| 7.084 Å | (5) |
| 6.970 Å | (5) |
| 5.003 Å | (7) |
| 4.865 Å | (16) |
| 4.449 Å | (7) |
| 4.371 Å | (5) |
| 3.243 Å | (4) |
| 3.156 Å | (6) |
| 3.110 Å | (9) |
| 3.082 Å | (5) |
| 2.968 Å | (9) |
| 2.752 Å | (7) |
| 2.668 Å | (4) |
| 2.513 Å | (5) |
| 2.482 Å | (5) |
Comments:
From ICDD-PDF no. 49-1857 (based on crystal structure).
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] | |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals | |
| 56 : Slag and smelter minerals (see also #51 and #55) |
Geological Setting:
Secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of some copper deposits.
Type Occurrence of Lavendulan
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Mining Academy, Freiberg, Germany, 20944.
Synonyms of Lavendulan
Other Language Names for Lavendulan
Dutch:Lavendulaan
Japanese:ラヴェンデュラン
Simplified Chinese:氯砷钠铜石
Spanish:Lavendulanita
Lavendulita
Lavendulita
Traditional Chinese:氯砷鈉銅石
Varieties of Lavendulan
| Zinclavendulan | Zn-bearing lavendulan (originally thought to be the Zn-dominant analogue of lavendulan). Modern reinvestigation desirable. First reported from Tsumeb Mine (Tsumcorp Mine), Tsumeb, Otjikoto (Oshikoto) Region, Namibia. |
Relationship of Lavendulan to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Lavendulan Group:
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 49 photos of Lavendulan associated with Conichalcite | CaCu(AsO4)(OH) |
| 27 photos of Lavendulan associated with Olivenite | Cu2(AsO4)(OH) |
| 22 photos of Lavendulan associated with Erythrite | Co3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 20 photos of Lavendulan associated with Azurite | Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
| 19 photos of Lavendulan associated with Lammerite | Cu3(AsO4)2 |
| 18 photos of Lavendulan associated with Magnesiokoritnigite | Mg(AsO3OH) · H2O |
| 13 photos of Lavendulan associated with Strashimirite | Cu8(AsO4)4(OH)4 · 5H2O |
| 13 photos of Lavendulan associated with Cyanotrichite | Cu4Al2(SO4)(OH)12 · 2H2O |
| 12 photos of Lavendulan associated with Parnauite | Cu9(AsO4)2(SO4)(OH)10 · 7H2O |
| 12 photos of Lavendulan associated with Ondrušite | CaCu4(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 10H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.DG. | Jasonsmithite | Mn2+4ZnAl(PO4)4(OH)(H2O)7 · 3.5H2O |
| 8.DG. | Davidbrownite-(NH4) | (NH4)5(V4+O)2(C2O4)[PO2.75(OH)1.25]4 · 3H2O |
| 8.DG. | Relianceite-(K) | K4Mg(V4+O)2(C2O4)(PO3OH)4(H2O)10 |
| 8.DG. | Pleysteinite | [(H2O)0.5K0.5]2Mn2Al3(PO4)4F2 · 14H2O |
| 8.DG.05 | Fluor-rewitzerite | [(H2O)K]Mn2(Al2Ti)(PO4)4(OF)(H2O)10 · 4H2O |
| 8.DG.05 | Lemanskiite | NaCaCu5(AsO4)4Cl · 3H2O |
| 8.DG.05 | Sampleite | NaCaCu5(PO4)4Cl · 5H2O |
| 8.DG.05 | Zdenĕkite | NaPbCu5(AsO4)4Cl · 5H2O |
| 8.DG.05 | Rewitzerite | [K(H2O)]Mn2Al3(PO4)4(OH)2 · 14H2O |
| 8.DG.10 | Dacostaite | K(Mg2Al)[Mg(H2O)6]2(AsO4)2F6 · 2H2O |
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 Lavendulan
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2349.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Lavendulan
Reference List:
Foshag, William F. (1924) Note on lavendulan from Joachimstal, Bohemia. American Mineralogist, 9 (2) 29
Guillemin, Claude (1956) Contribution à la minéralogie des arséniates, phosphates et vanadates de cuivre. I. — Arséniates de cuivre. Bulletin de Minéralogie, 79 (1) 7-95 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1956.5049
Ondruš, P., Veselovský, F., Skála, R., Sejkora, J., Pažout, R., Fryda, J., Gabašová, A., Vajdak, J. (2006) Lemanskiite, NaCaCu5(AsO4)4Cl·5H2O, a new mineral species from the Abundancia mine, Chile. The Canadian Mineralogist, 44 (2) 523-531 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.44.2.523 (type specimen data)
Localities for Lavendulan
Showing 198 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.
Argentina | |
| Singer et al. (2008) |
| Sillitoe et al. (2023) | |
| Sillitoe et al. (2023) | |
| Sureda |
Australia | |
| Day et al. (1995) +3 other references |
| Kolitsch et al. (1999) |
| Jack Leach collection & Museum of ... |
| Kleeman et al. (1973) +1 other reference |
| South Australian Museum collection +1 other reference |
| Uwe Kolitsch collection +2 other references |
| |
| Nickel et al. (1993) |
| Nickel et al. (1993) | |
| Grice et al. (1991) | |
| Clissold (2007) |
| P Haas and RD Green collections |
| Government Chemical Laboratories. In: ... +1 other reference |
Austria | |
| Brandstätter et al. (2009) |
| Strasser (1989) |
Bolivia | |
| J.Coordination Chemistry 61 (2008) +1 other reference |
Canada | |
| Transactions of the Canadian Institute ... +2 other references |
Chile | |
| Gerhard Möhn collection |
| SEM-EDS by Joy Desor | |
| www.mindat.org (n.d.) |
| U. Kolitsch collection (SXRD analysed) +2 other references |
| Samples analysed by Dr. Jochen Schluter |
| Samples analysed by Dr. Jochen Schluter | |
| Samples analysed by Dr. Jochen Schlüter (Hamburg University) |
| Zambra et al. (2007) |
| SEM-EDS by Joy Desor |
| Robert A. Jenkins find - personal ... | |
| Samples analysed by Tony Kampf of LAC ... +2 other references | |
| Yang et al. (2011) | |
| maurizio dini collection - quantitative ... | |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
| Kampf et al. (2013) +1 other reference |
Czech Republic (TL) | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Hloušek et al. (2002) | |
| Thorne (n.d.) |
| Hloušek et al. (2002) +1 other reference | |
Europe | |
| |
France | |
| Pélisson et al. (1987) |
| Caubel (1997) |
| van den Berg (1987) +1 other reference |
| Jean-Marie Claude collection | |
| Stephane Maury Collection | |
| Galéa-Clolus et al. (2025) +1 other reference | |
| Georges FAVREAU and CLAUDE Jean-Marie ... | |
Germany | |
| Walenta (1992) +1 other reference |
| Walenta (1992) |
| Weiß (1990) | |
| |
| |
| Walenta (1992) | |
| Markl (1992) |
| Walenta (1992) |
| Walenta (1992) |
| Lorenz (1998) +1 other reference |
| Hanneberg et al. (2009) +1 other reference |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Gröbner (2007) |
| Schnorrer (1995) +1 other reference |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Wittern (2001) | |
| Blaß et al. (1999) | |
| Heinrich et al. (2011) |
| Blaß et al. (1995) |
| Graf et al. (1992) |
| Blaß et al. (1995) |
| Schnorrer-Köhler (1988) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| |
| Hartmut Hensel collection | |
| Wittern (2001) | |
| 58. +1 other reference |
| A. Breithaupt (1837) |
| Möhn et al. (08/2020) |
| Wittern (2001) | |
| Hajek (2010) |
| Gröbner et al. (2005) |
| Lapis (2008) |
| Wittern (2001) |
Greece | |
| Elbin et al. (1996) |
| Simone Citon specimen | |
| Rieck et al. (1999) +1 other reference | |
| 62 +2 other references |
| Gelaude et al. (1996) |
| Schreiber et al. (2003) |
| Gröbner (2003) | |
| Schnorrer-Köhler et al. (1988) | |
| |
Hungary | |
| Szakáll: Minerals of Rudabánya |
| Szakáll: Minerals of Rudabánya | |
| HOM Collection-Szakáll S.-2010 |
Iran | |
| Collection of NHM |
| Bariand et al. (1993) | |
Ireland | |
| S. Burchmore Collection |
| S. MORETON et al. (1999) |
| |
| |
Italy | |
| Pagano et al. (2001) |
| Analyses of Anthony Kampf of Natural ... +1 other reference | |
| Redazione (2005) |
| Balestra C. (preliminary EDS analysis) +1 other reference |
| collected by F. Castellaro and probed ... |
| M.E. Ciriotti Probed 2005 |
| Fernando Caboni et al. (2023) |
| Stara et al. (1996) |
| Stara et al. (1996) | |
| Fernando Caboni et al. (2024) | |
| Sergio Mascia finding +1 other reference | |
| Brizzi et al. (1994) |
| Stara et al. (1996) | |
| Stara et al. (1996) | |
| //doi.org/10.57635/MICRO.2025.23.16 |
| Ferretti et al. (2018) |
| Bonifazi (2021) |
| Orlandi et al. (1994) +1 other reference |
| Orlandi et al. (2009) +1 other reference |
| Olmi et al. (1994) +2 other references | |
| Orlandi et al. (2009) | |
| Orlandi et al. (2000) |
| Olmi F. et al. (1994) +1 other reference | |
| Orlandi et al. (2000) | |
Morocco | |
| Favreau et al. (2006) |
| Favreau et al. (2006) | |
| Favreau et al. (2006) |
| Barral et al. (2008) |
| Favreau et al. (2006) |
| Praszkier (2010) |
| Favreau et al. (2006) | |
| Favreau et al. (2006) | |
| Favreau et al. (2006) |
| Favreau et al. (2006) |
| Favreau et al. (2006) |
Namibia | |
| [var: Zinclavendulan] Gebhard (1999) |
| Ettler et al. (2009) | |
Portugal | |
| Marques de Sá et al. (2010) |
| Alves (n.d.) |
| Alves (n.d.) |
| Alves (n.d.) |
Romania | |
| Udubasa et al. (2011) |
South Africa | |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) |
Spain | |
| Pesudo Verde Collection |
| Favreau et al. (2013) |
| Christiane & Jean-Robert Eytier ... |
| Sintes et al. (2025) |
| Ignacio Gaspar | |
| S.Rust Collection | |
| Rewitzer et al. (2020) |
| Joan Rosell (2023) |
| Calvo Rebollar (2018) |
| Joan Abella i Creus and Joan Viñals i Olià (2012) |
| Viñals et al. (1990) |
| Xavi Ortiz Collection |
| |
| MinRec-2003-0708-315 | |
| |
Switzerland | |
| Ansermet (2012) |
| Cuchet et al. (2002) |
UK | |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| De Bondt (n.d.) |
| Steve Rust collection |
| Elton et al. (1995) |
| Steve Rust collection | |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| - (2006) |
| Minerals of the World MSN community ... +3 other references |
| Render (n.d.) |
| Day (1999) |
| Braithwaite et al. (1990) |
| Day (1999) | |
| Day (1999) | |
| R. S. W. Braithwaite and J. R. Knight (1990) +1 other reference |
USA | |
| Raman analyzed at the University of ... |
| MarekC pers. coll. 2017-2018 |
| Wilson et al. (1992) |
| |
| Castor et al. (2004) | |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| The Minerals of Rhyolite Pass |
| Castor et al. (2004) +1 other reference |
| Jensen (1993) +1 other reference |
| Jensen (1993) | |
| Nickischer |
| Thorne (n.d.) |
| Min News 10:12 p5 |
| Kokinos et al. (1993) |
| Thorne (n.d.) +1 other reference | |
| Collected by Robert Meyer. | |
| Kokinos et al. (1993) | |
| Thorne (n.d.) |
| Thorne (n.d.) |
Zimbabwe | |
| Vetter et al. (1999) +1 other reference |
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Preamimma Mine, Rural City of Murray Bridge, South Australia, Australia