Mammothite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Mammothite
Mammoth-St. Anthony Mine, 1941
Mammoth-Saint Anthony Mine, St. Anthony deposit, Tiger, Mammoth Mining District, Pinal County, Arizona, USA
Mammoth-Saint Anthony Mine, St. Anthony deposit, Tiger, Mammoth Mining District, Pinal County, Arizona, USA
Formula:
Pb6Cu4AlSb5+O2(OH)16Cl4(SO4)2
Sb was originally assumed to be trivalent.
Colour:
Cerulean blue, blue-green, pale blue
Lustre:
Sub-Vitreous, Resinous
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
5.21 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named in 1985 by Donald R. Peacor, Pete J. Dunn, G. Schnorrer-Köhler, and Richard A. Bideaux, for the Mammoth vein (one the the two principal veins at Tiger) and the town of Mammoth, Arizona, which was named for the mine.
May superficially resemble very thinly bladed caledonite.
Note on the cotype locality: The cotype specimen is from "Charakas" (pers. comm. of the curator of the mineral collection of the University of Göttingen to Branko Rieck, 2023); the original description (Peacor et al., 1985) only gives "Laurium".
"Type material is preserved in the Smithsonian Institution under catalog numbers NMNH #141368 and #161200, and in the Mineralogical Museum of the University of Goettingen under catalog #M5632."
Note on the cotype locality: The cotype specimen is from "Charakas" (pers. comm. of the curator of the mineral collection of the University of Göttingen to Branko Rieck, 2023); the original description (Peacor et al., 1985) only gives "Laurium".
"Type material is preserved in the Smithsonian Institution under catalog numbers NMNH #141368 and #161200, and in the Mineralogical Museum of the University of Goettingen under catalog #M5632."
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2556
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2556:6
IMA Classification of Mammothite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Pb2+6Cu2+4AlSb5+O2(S6+O4)2Cl4(OH)16
Approval year:
1983
First published:
1985
Classification of Mammothite
7.BC.60
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
B : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, without H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
B : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, without H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
30.1.14.1
30 : ANHYDROUS SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
1 : (AB)m(XO4)pZq, where m:p>2:1
30 : ANHYDROUS SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
1 : (AB)m(XO4)pZq, where m:p>2:1
26.26
26 : Sulphates with Halide
26 : Sulphates with Halide
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mm | 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 Mammothite
Sub-Vitreous, Resinous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Cerulean blue, blue-green, pale blue
Streak:
Pale blue
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Very brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Distinct on {010}
Distinct on {010}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
5.21 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
"measured > 4.2"
Optical Data of Mammothite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.868 nβ = 1.892 nγ = 1.928
2V:
Measured: 80° , Calculated: 80°
Birefringence:
0.060
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.060
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
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
in pale blues
Chemistry of Mammothite
Mindat Formula:
Pb6Cu4AlSb5+O2(OH)16Cl4(SO4)2
Sb was originally assumed to be trivalent.
Sb was originally assumed to be trivalent.
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Mammothite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2 - Sphenoidal
Space Group:
B2
Setting:
C2
Cell Parameters:
a = 18.959(4) Å, b = 7.33989(19) Å, c = 11.363(3) Å
β = 112.428(9)°
β = 112.428(9)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 2.583 : 1 : 1.548
Unit Cell V:
1461.6 ų
Z:
2
Morphology:
Tabular to prismatic and acicular crystals, radial aggregates.
Comment:
Original structure determination assumed C2/m.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0015702 | Mammothite | Effenberger H (1985) The crystal structure of mammothite, Pb6Cu4AlSbO2(OH)16Cl4(SO4)2 Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen 34 279-288 | 1985 | Mammoth vein, Tiger, Arizona, USA | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 10.4 Å | (60) |
| 6.67 Å | (90) |
| 6.08 Å | (60) |
| 5.24 Å | (30) |
| 4.72 Å | (80) |
| 3.59 Å | (30) |
| 3.05 Å | (90) |
| 2.896 Å | (100) |
Comments:
ICDD 38-389
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47b : [Sulfates and sulfites] | |
| 47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates] | |
| 47g : [Halogen-bearing surface weathering minerals] | |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 56 : Slag and smelter minerals (see also #51 and #55) |
Geological Setting:
Noted in furnace slags reacting with salt water.
Type Occurrence of Mammothite
Co-Type Localities:
General Appearance of Type Material:
Teal-blue striated crystals
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Victor Goldschmidt University, Göttingen, Germany, M5632.
National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian), Washington, D.C., USA, 141368, 161200.
National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian), Washington, D.C., USA, 141368, 161200.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Oxidation zone
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Mammothite
Other Language Names for Mammothite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 15 photos of Mammothite associated with Cerussite | PbCO3 |
| 10 photos of Mammothite associated with Diaboleite | Pb2CuCl2(OH)4 |
| 6 photos of Mammothite associated with Phosgenite | Pb2CO3Cl2 |
| 4 photos of Mammothite associated with Anglesite | PbSO4 |
| 3 photos of Mammothite associated with Pseudoboleite | Pb31Cu24Cl62(OH)48 |
| 3 photos of Mammothite associated with Boleite | KPb26Ag9Cu24(OH)48Cl62 |
| 2 photos of Mammothite associated with Matlockite | PbFCl |
| 2 photos of Mammothite associated with Wherryite | Pb7Cu2(SO4)4(SiO4)2(OH)2 |
| 1 photo of Mammothite associated with Cumengeite | Pb21Cu20Cl42(OH)40 · 6H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.BC. | Viskontite | Pb5Cu2(SO4)3(SeO3)(OH)6 |
| 7.BC. | Zincochenite | Pb4Zn(OH)6(SO4)2 |
| 7.BC. | D'Ansite-(Mn) | Na21Mn2+(SO4)10Cl3 |
| 7.BC. | D'Ansite-(Fe) | Na21Fe2+(SO4)10Cl3 |
| 7.BC. | Acmonidesite | (NH4,K,Pb)8NaFe2+4(SO4)5Cl8 |
| 7.BC. | Adranosite | (NH4)4NaAl2(SO4)4Cl(OH)2 |
| 7.BC. | Chromviskontite | Pb5Cu2(CrO4)3(SeO3)(OH)6 |
| 7.BC. | Backite | Pb2AlTeO6Cl |
| 7.BC. | Adranosite-(Fe) | (NH4)4NaFe3+2(SO4)4Cl(OH)2 |
| 7.BC. | Agaite | Pb3CuTeO5(OH)2(CO3) |
| 7.BC. | Wildcatite | CaFe3+Te6+O5(OH) |
| 7.BC. | Hagstromite | Pb8Cu2+(Te6+O6)2(CO3)Cl4 |
| 7.BC.05 | D'Ansite | Na21Mg(SO4)10Cl3 |
| 7.BC.07 | 'Apatelite' | Fe3(SO4)2(OH)5 · 0.5H2O |
| 7.BC.07 | 'Unnamed (Ba-Fe Vanadate)' | Ba, Fe, V, O, H |
| 7.BC.10 | Jarosite | KFe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Dorallcharite | TlFe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Argentojarosite | AgFe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Natroalunite | NaAl3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Natrojarosite | NaFe3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Beaverite-(Cu) | Pb(Fe3+2Cu)(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Beaverite-(Zn) | Pb(Fe3+2Zn)(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Walthierite | Ba0.5Al3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Huangite | Ca0.5Al3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | 'Natroalunite-2c' | (Na,Ca0.5,K)Al3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Alunite | KAl3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Plumbojarosite | Pb0.5Fe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Karlseifertite | Pb(Ga2Ge)(AsO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Hydroniumjarosite | (H3O)Fe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Ammonioalunite | (NH4)Al3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Ammoniojarosite | (NH4)Fe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Osarizawaite | Pb(Al2Cu2+)(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Schlossmacherite | (H3O)Al3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.15 | Ye'elimite | Ca4Al6(SO4)O12 |
| 7.BC.20 | Nabokoite | KCu7(SO4)5(Te4+O3)OCl |
| 7.BC.20 | Puninite | Na2Cu3O(SO4)3 |
| 7.BC.20 | Atlasovite | K(BiO)Cu6Fe3+(SO4)5O3Cl |
| 7.BC.25 | Chlorothionite | K2Cu(SO4)Cl2 |
| 7.BC.30 | Euchlorine | KNaCu3(SO4)3O |
| 7.BC.30 | Fedotovite | K2Cu3(SO4)3O |
| 7.BC.35 | Kamchatkite | KCu3(SO4)2OCl |
| 7.BC.40 | Piypite | K4Cu4O2(SO4)4 · (Na,Cu)Cl |
| 7.BC.45 | Alumoklyuchevskite | K3Cu3(Al,Fe3+)(SO4)4O2 |
| 7.BC.45 | Belousovite | KZn(SO4)Cl |
| 7.BC.45 | Klyuchevskite | K3Cu3(Fe3+,Al)(SO4)4O2 |
| 7.BC.47 | Müllerite | Pb2Fe3+(Te6+O6)Cl |
| 7.BC.50 | Caledonite | Pb5Cu2(SO4)3(CO3)(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.50 | Elasmochloite | Na3Cu6BiO4(SO4)5 |
| 7.BC.52 | Eleomelanite | (K2Pb)Cu4O2(SO4)4 |
| 7.BC.55 | Falgarite | K4(VO)3(SO4)5 |
| 7.BC.55 | Wherryite | Pb7Cu2(SO4)4(SiO4)2(OH)2 |
| 7.BC.57 | Krasheninnikovite | KNa2CaMg(SO4)3F |
| 7.BC.60 | Wulffite | K3NaCu4O2(SO4)4 |
| 7.BC.60 | Parawulffite | K5Na3Cu8O4(SO4)8 |
| 7.BC.62 | Shuvalovite | K2(Ca2Na)(SO4)3F |
| 7.BC.65 | Saccoite | Ca2Mn3+2F(OH)8 · 0.5(SO4) |
| 7.BC.65 | Linarite | PbCu(SO4)(OH)2 |
| 7.BC.65 | Therasiaite | (NH4)3KNa2Fe2+Fe3+(SO4)3Cl5 |
| 7.BC.65 | Franksousaite | PbCu(Se6+O4)(OH)2 |
| 7.BC.65 | Munakataite | Pb2Cu2(Se4+O3)(SO4)(OH)4 |
| 7.BC.65 | Schmiederite | Pb2Cu2(Se6+O4)(Se4+O3)(OH)4 |
| 7.BC.70 | Chenite | Pb4Cu(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.75 | Krivovichevite | Pb3Al(OH)6(SO4)(OH) |
| 7.BC.80 | Anhydrokainite | KMg(SO4)Cl |
Fluorescence of Mammothite
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 Mammothite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2556.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Mammothite
Reference List:
Effenberger, H. (1985) The crystal structure of mammothite, Pb6Cu4AlSbO2(OH)16Cl4(SO4)2. TMPM Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen, 34 (3) 279-288 doi:10.1007/bf01082967
Localities for Mammothite
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.
Greece (TL) | |
| Fritz Schreiber collection (SXRD-analysed by Uwe Kolitsch) +2 other references |
| Stephan Wolfsried collection | |
| 50. +1 other reference | |
| Gelaude et al. (1996) |
| Gelaude et al. (1996) |
| Gelaude et al. (1996) | |
Italy | |
| Muenchener Micromounter-Lithothek |
UK | |
| Blue sprays of Mammothite with ... |
USA | |
| Paul M. Adams Collection |
| EDX analysis Association Jean WYART |
| Bideaux et al. (1985) +2 other references |
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Rowley Mine, Theba, Painted Rock Mining District, Painted Rock Mountains, Maricopa County, Arizona, USA