Luetheite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Luetheite
Formula:
Cu2Al2(AsO4)2(OH)4
Colour:
Blue, pale green (upon alteration).
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
4.28
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
After Ronald D. Luethe (1944– ), geologist for Phelps Dodge Corporation, Douglas, Arizona, USA, who found the first material.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2456
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2456:9
Similar Names
IMA Classification of Luetheite
Classification of Luetheite
8.DD.05
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
D : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4= 2:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
D : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4= 2:1
42.7.10.2
42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
7 : (AB)2(XO4)Zq·xH2O
42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
7 : (AB)2(XO4)Zq·xH2O
20.4.4
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
4 : Arsenates of Group III metals (Al, rare earths)
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
4 : Arsenates of Group III metals (Al, rare 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lut | 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 Luetheite
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Blue, pale green (upon alteration).
Comment:
May be tan
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
On {100}, fair to good.
On {100}, fair to good.
Comment:
Thin cleavage foliae tend to bend before breaking.
Density:
4.28(5) g/cm3 (Measured) 4.40 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Luetheite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.752 nβ = 1.775 nγ = 1.796
2V:
Calculated: 88°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.044
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:
r < v marked
Optical Extinction:
X = b; Z ∧ c ≃ 10°.
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
Faint in pale blues.
Comments:
Absorption: Y = Z > X.
Chemistry of Luetheite
Mindat Formula:
Cu2Al2(AsO4)2(OH)4
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Luetheite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 14.743 Å, b = 5.093 Å, c = 5.598 Å
β = 101.49°
β = 101.49°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 2.895 : 1 : 1.099
Unit Cell V:
411.91 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Crystals thin blades exhibiting prominent {100} with {140} and {011}. Commonly in spherulitic aggregates.
Twinning:
Observed at a very fine scale.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0014539 | Luetheite | Burns P C, Smith J V, Steele I M (2000) Arizona porphyry copper/hydrothermal deposits I. The structure of chenevixite and luetheite Mineralogical Magazine 64 25-30 |  | 2000 | Humboldt mine, Patagonia, Arizona | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 7.21 Å | (70) |
| 3.498 Å | (100) |
| 2.546 Å | (30) |
| 2.507 Å | (50) |
| 2.454 Å | (30) |
| 1.803 Å | (50) |
| 1.270 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] | |
| 47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates] |
Type Occurrence of Luetheite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Cavity fillings. Spherules of randomly arranged plates. The plates are well-formed crystals up to 0.2 mm in largest dimension.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
The Natural History Museum, London, England, number 1980,536.
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, number 119098.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, number 135810.
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, number 119098.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, number 135810.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Intensely altered volcanic rocks.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Luetheite
Other Language Names for Luetheite
Relationship of Luetheite to other Species
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 3 photos of Luetheite associated with Hematite | Fe2O3 |
| 2 photos of Luetheite associated with Chalcosiderite | CuFe3+6(PO4)4(OH)8 · 4H2O |
| 2 photos of Luetheite associated with Zeunerite | Cu(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 2 photos of Luetheite associated with Scorodite | Fe3+AsO4 · 2H2O |
| 2 photos of Luetheite associated with Chenevixite | Cu2Fe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)4 |
| 1 photo of Luetheite associated with Pharmacosiderite | KFe3+4(AsO4)3(OH)4 · 6-7H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.DD. | Penberthycroftite | [Al6(AsO4)3(OH)9(H2O)5] · 8H2O |
| 8.DD. | Bettertonite | [Al6(AsO4)3(OH)9(H2O)5] · 11H2O |
| 8.DD. | Vargite | MnCu2Mn2(AsO4)2(OH)4(H2O)4 |
| 8.DD. | Galeaclolusite | Al6(AsO4)3(OH)9(H2O)4 · 8H2O |
| 8.DD.05 | Chenevixite | Cu2Fe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)4 |
| 8.DD.10 | Akrochordite | MnMn2Mn2(AsO4)2(OH)4(H2O)4 |
| 8.DD.10 | Guanacoite | MgCu2Mg2(AsO4)2(OH)4(H2O)4 |
| 8.DD.15 | 'UM1981-32-PO:FeH' | Fe2+Fe3+6(PO4)4-x[PO3(OH)]x(OH)8 · 4H2O |
| 8.DD.15 | Afmite | Al3(OH)4(H2O)3(PO4)(PO3OH) · H2O |
| 8.DD.15 | Aheylite | (Fe2+,Zn)Al6(PO4)4(OH)8 · 4H2O |
| 8.DD.15 | 'Coeruleolactite' | |
| 8.DD.15 | Faustite | ZnAl6(PO4)4(OH)8 · 4H2O |
| 8.DD.15 | Planerite | Al6(PO4)2(PO3OH)2(OH)8 · 4H2O |
| 8.DD.15 | Chalcosiderite | CuFe3+6(PO4)4(OH)8 · 4H2O |
| 8.DD.15 | Turquoise | CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8 · 4H2O |
| 8.DD.20 | Eosphorite | Mn2+Al(PO4)(OH)2 · H2O |
| 8.DD.20 | Ernstite | (Mn2+,Fe3+)Al(PO4)(OH,O)2 · H2O |
| 8.DD.20 | Lefontite | Fe2Al2Be(PO4)2(OH)6 |
| 8.DD.20 | Childrenite | Fe2+Al(PO4)(OH)2 · H2O |
| 8.DD.25 | Kobokoboite | Al6(PO4)4(OH)6 · 11H2O |
| 8.DD.30 | Smamite | Ca2Sb(OH)4[H(AsO4)2] · 6H2O |
| 8.DD.35 | 'Gutsevichite' | Al3(PO4)2(OH)3 · 8H2O |
| 8.DD.40 | 'Laubmannite (of Moore)' | (Fe3+,Fe2+,M)8+x(OH,H2O)9(H2O)2(PO4)5, M = Fe3+, Cu2+ or other metal cation, x ~ 0.1. |
Fluorescence of Luetheite
Not fluorescent.
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:
Heated to ignition in a closed tube, luetheite fuses to a greenish slag.
Notes:
Slightly soluble in cold 1:1 HCl or in hot 1:1 HNO3, but readily dissolves in hot 1:1 HCl. Unaffected by perchloric acid (hot or cold), and cold 1:1 H2SO4 or KOH. Dissolves easily in hot H2SO4. Heated in 40% KOH, it turns a distinctive chocolate brown colour.
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 Luetheite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2456.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Luetheite
Reference List:
Williams, S. A. (1977) Luetheite, Cu2Al2(AsO4)2(OH)4·H2O, a new mineral from Arizona, compared with chenevixite. Mineralogical Magazine, 41 (317) 27-32 doi:10.1180/minmag.1977.041.317.04
Fleischer, Michael, Pabst, Adolf, Mandarino, J. A., Chao, George Y. (1977) New mineral names. American Mineralogist, 62 (9-10) 1057-1061
Localities for Luetheite
Showing 11 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 | |
| Nickel et al. (1993) |
| Nickel et al. (1993) | |
Chile | |
| XRD by Joachim Lorenz +1 other reference |
Italy | |
| Fernando Caboni et al. (2024) |
| Fernando Caboni et al. (2024) | |
USA | |
| RRUFF project |
| Joe Ruiz +2 other references |
| Anthony et al. (1995) | |
| Mineralogical Magazine (1977) +1 other reference | |
| Holmwood (2023) |
| Jensen (1993) |
Quick NavTopAbout LuetheiteUnique IdentifiersSimilar NamesIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Humboldt Mine area, Harshaw Mining District, Patagonia Mountains, Santa Cruz County, Arizona, USA