Vote for your favorite mineral in #MinCup26! - Azurite vs. Smithsonite
It's carbonate-vs-carbonate to kick off Mineral Cup 2026 with copper-rich Azurite against zinc-rich Smithsonite.
Log InRegister
Quick Links : The Mindat ManualThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryMindat Newsletter [Free Download]
Home PageAbout MindatThe Mindat ManualHistory of MindatCopyright StatusWho We AreContact UsAdvertise on Mindat
Donate to MindatCorporate SponsorshipSponsor a PageSponsored PagesMindat AdvertisersAdvertise on Mindat
Learning CenterWhat is a mineral?The most common minerals on earthInformation for EducatorsMindat ArticlesThe ElementsThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryGeologic TimeExplore Fossils
Minerals by PropertiesMinerals by ChemistryMineral Visual ExplorerAdvanced Locality SearchRandom MineralRandom LocalitySearch by minIDLocalities Near MeSearch ArticlesSearch GlossaryMore Search Options
Search For:
Mineral Name:
Locality Name:
Keyword(s):
 
The Mindat ManualAdd a New PhotoRate PhotosLocality Edit ReportCoordinate Completion ReportAdd Glossary Item
Mining CompaniesStatisticsUsersMineral MuseumsClubs & OrganizationsMineral Shows & EventsThe Mindat DirectoryDevice SettingsThe Mineral QuizTime Machine
Photo SearchPhoto GalleriesSearch by ColorPhoto Colour ExplorerNew Photos TodayNew Photos YesterdayMembers' Photo GalleriesPast Photo of the Day GalleryPhotography

Mcauslanite

A valid IMA mineral species
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
05677320017271924871855.jpg
David McAuslan
Formula:
Fe3Al2(PO4)3(PO3OH)F · 18H2O
Colour:
Yellowish white
Lustre:
Vitreous, Silky
Hardness:
3½
Specific Gravity:
2.22
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
Named in honor of David Alexander McAuslan (1943- ), former Eastern Exploration Manager for Shell Canada Resources Ltd. who was key to the discovery and development of the East Kemptville deposit.
This page provides mineralogical data about Mcauslanite.


Hide all sections | Show all sections

Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
2610
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2610:5

IMA Classification of McauslaniteHide

Classification of McauslaniteHide

Strunz-mindat (2026):
8.DB.60

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
B : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4< 1:1
Dana 8th ed.:
42.11.22.1

42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
11 : (AB)3(XO4)2Zq·xH2O
Hey's CIM Ref.:
22.1.26

22 : Phosphates, Arsenates or Vanadates with other Anions
1 : Phosphates, arsenates or vanadates with fluoride

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference for Standard
MasIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of McauslaniteHide

Lustre:
Vitreous, Silky
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Yellowish white
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Parallel to [001] good
Density:
2.22(2) g/cm3 (Measured)    2.17 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of McauslaniteHide

Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.522(1) nβ = 1.531(1) nγ = 1.534(1)
2V:
Measured: 55° (5), Calculated: 60°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.012
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.

Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
none
Optical Extinction:
X:b= l7° in β obtuse
Y:c = l8° in α obtuse
Z:a = 14° in γ obtuse
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic

Chemistry of McauslaniteHide

Mindat Formula:
Fe3Al2(PO4)3(PO3OH)F · 18H2O
Element Weights:
Element% weight
O57.524 %
Fe17.716 %
P13.101 %
Al5.706 %
H3.944 %
F2.009 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
Elements listed:
Al, F, Fe, H, O, P - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of McauslaniteHide

Crystal System:
Triclinic
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.055(5) Å, b = 11.568(5) Å, c = 6.888(5) Å
α = 105.84(6)°, β = 93.66(6)°, γ = 106.47(5)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.869 : 1 : 0.595
Unit Cell V:
730.43 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1
Morphology:
Tabular to acicular fibers and bladed crystals. Individuals blades are terminated by the forms {010} major, {100} minor and {001} very minor.
Twinning:
Twinning occurs as a l80 deg rotation about a*. The (010) face has a twin suture.
Comment:
Point Group: 1 or 1; Space Group: P1 or P1.

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Geological EnvironmentHide

Type Occurrence of McauslaniteHide

Type Locality:
ⓘ East Kemptville Tin-Indium Project (East Kemptville Tin Mine), East Kemptville, Argyle, Yarmouth Co., Nova Scotia, Canada
General Appearance of Type Material:
Clusters of radiating crystals to 4 mm The crystals are clear, tabular to acicular yellowish-white fibers and bladed crystals.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Department of Earth Sciences, Carleton University, Canada, 4427.
Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, Canada, 64806.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 165484.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
On fracture surfaces in leucomonzogranite at a greisen-hosted tin mine.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
'Childrenite-Eosphorite Series'FluorapatitePhosphophylliteTripliteVivianite
Reference:
Richardson, J. M., Roberts, A. C., Grice, J. D., Ramik, R. A. (1988) Mcauslanite, a supergene hydrated iron aluminum fluorophosphate from the East Kemptville tin mine, Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia. The Canadian Mineralogist, 26 (4) 917-921

Synonyms of McauslaniteHide

Other Language Names for McauslaniteHide

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

8.DB.ArangasiteAl2F(PO4)(SO4) · 9H2O Mon. 2/m : P2/b
8.DB.HösliteFe3+3(VO4)2(SO4)(OH)(H2O)4 · 3H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DB.Camaronesite[Fe3+(H2O)2(PO3OH)]2(SO4) · 1-2H2OTrig. 32 : R32
8.DB.05DestineziteFe3+2(PO4)(SO4)(OH) · 6H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DB.05Pitticite(Fe, AsO4, H2O) (?)Amor.
8.DB.05DiadochiteFe3+2(PO4)(SO4)(OH) · 6H2OAmor.
8.DB.07WilhelmgümbeliteZnFe2+Fe3+3(PO4)3(OH)4(H2O)5 · 2H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
8.DB.07Schmidite[Zn2(Fe3+,Mn2+)2Fe3+(PO4)3(OH)3(H2O)6] · 2H2OOrth.
8.DB.07WildenaueriteZn(Fe3+,Mn2+)2MnFe3+(PO4)3(OH)3(H2O)6 · 2H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbam
8.DB.10VashegyiteAl11(PO4)9(OH)6 · 38H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
8.DB.15SchooneriteZnMn2+Fe2+2Fe3+(PO4)3(OH)2 · 9H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbam
8.DB.20SinkankasiteMn2+Al(PO3OH)2(OH) · 6H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DB.25MitryaevaiteAl6(PO4)((P,S)O3(OH,O))2F2(OH)2 · 14.5H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DB.30SanjuaniteAl2(PO4)(SO4)(OH) · 9H2OTric.
8.DB.35SarmientiteFe3+2(AsO4)(SO4)(OH) · 5H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DB.40BukovskýiteFe3+2(AsO4)(SO4)(OH) · 9H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DB.40ManganflurliteZnMn2+3Fe3+(PO4)3(OH)2(H2O)7 · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P21/m
8.DB.40FlurliteZn3Mn2+Fe3+(PO4)3(OH)2 · 9H2OMon. 2/m : P21/m
8.DB.42BohuslaviteFe3+4(PO4)3(SO4)(OH) · nH2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DB.45ZýkaiteFe3+4(AsO4)3(SO4)(OH) · 15H2OOrth. 222 : P222
8.DB.47LapeyreiteCu3O[AsO3(OH)]2 · 0.75H2OMon. 2/m : B2/m
8.DB.50RossiantoniteAl3(PO4)(SO4)2(OH)2(H2O)14Tric. 1 : P1
8.DB.50GiniiteFe2+Fe3+4(PO4)3(OH)5 · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
8.DB.52'Arctowskite'Al9(PO4)8(OH)3 · 27H2OOrth.
8.DB.55Sasaite(Al,Fe3+)14(PO4)11(SO4)(OH)7 · 83H2OOrth.
8.DB.65GoldquarryiteCuCd2Al3(PO4)4F2(H2O,F)2 · 10H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DB.70BirchiteCd2Cu2(PO4)2(SO4) · 5H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma
8.DB.75BraithwaiteiteNaCu5(Ti4+Sb5+)(AsO4)4(HAsO4)2O2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1

Fluorescence of McauslaniteHide

In UV light:
Not fluorescent

Other InformationHide

Notes:
Does not effervesce in dilute HCl.
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 McauslaniteHide

References for McauslaniteHide

Localities for McauslaniteHide

Showing 1 localities.

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
Hide all sections | Show all sections

Locality ListHide

- 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). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Canada (TL)
 
  • Nova Scotia
    • Yarmouth Co.
      • Argyle
        • East Kemptville
Avalon Advanced Materials Inc.
Quick NavTopUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography X-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesStrunz-MindatFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
 
and/or  
Mindat.org® is an outreach project of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Mindat® and mindat.org® are registered trademarks of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy.
Copyright © mindat.org and the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy 1993-2026, except where stated. Most political location boundaries are © OpenStreetMap contributors. Mindat.org relies on the contributions of thousands of members and supporters. Founded in 2000 by Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau.
Content on this site may not be used to train, fine-tune, or otherwise develop artificial intelligence or machine learning models without prior written permission - see our Terms & Conditions.
To cite: Ralph, J., Von Bargen, D., Martynov, P., Zhang, J., Que, X., Prabhu, A., Morrison, S. M., Li, W., Chen, W., & Ma, X. (2025). Mindat.org: The open access mineralogy database to accelerate data-intensive geoscience research. American Mineralogist, 110(6), 833–844. doi:10.2138/am-2024-9486.
Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Contact Us / DMCA issues - Report a bug/vulnerability Current server date and time: September 1, 2026 07:59:39 Page updated: August 19, 2026 06:59:56
Go to top of page