Kyrgyzstanite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Kyrgyzstanite
Formula:
ZnAl4(SO4)(OH)12 · 3H2O
Colour:
Light blue - greenish
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2 - 2½
Specific Gravity:
2.25
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
For the country.
Type Locality:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
27476
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:27476:2
IMA Classification of Kyrgyzstanite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Zn2+Al4S6+O4(OH)12·3H2O
Approval year:
2004
First published:
2005
Classification of Kyrgyzstanite
7.DD.75
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
D : With only medium-sized cations; sheets of edge-sharing octahedra
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
D : With only medium-sized cations; sheets of edge-sharing octahedra
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kyr | 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 Kyrgyzstanite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Light blue - greenish
Hardness:
2 - 2½ on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN20=47 - 87 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Cleavage:
Perfect
(001)
(001)
Density:
2.25(1) g/cm3 (Measured) 2.242 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Kyrgyzstanite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.517(1) nβ = 1.525(1) nγ = 1.527(1)
2V:
Calculated: -53°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.010
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:
Low (negative)
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.
No measured or calculated 2V is on file for this mineral, so the value used here (53°) is estimated from its recorded refractive indices and optic sign, not from a direct 2V measurement.
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.
No measured or calculated 2V is on file for this mineral, so the value used here (53°) is estimated from its recorded refractive indices and optic sign, not from a direct 2V measurement.
Dispersion:
Strong r < v
Chemistry of Kyrgyzstanite
Mindat Formula:
ZnAl4(SO4)(OH)12 · 3H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Kyrgyzstanite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/b
Setting:
P21/n
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.2718(4) Å, b = 8.8955(3) Å, c = 17.1119(7) Å
β = 95.562(3)°
β = 95.562(3)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.155 : 1 : 1.924
Unit Cell V:
1,556.20 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Comment:
Space group P21/n
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 8.51 Å | (100) |
| 7.88 Å | (70) |
| 4.59 Å | (80) |
| 4.26 Å | (100) |
| 2.517 Å | (70) |
| 2.295 Å | (80) |
| 2.002 Å | (95) |
| 1.896 Å | (65) |
Reference:
Zhitova, Elena S.; Sheveleva, Rezeda M.; Zolotarev, Andrey A.; Kupchinenko, Anastasia N.; Bocharov, Vladimir N.; Karpenko, Vladimir Yu.; Pekov, Igor V. (2026) Crystal chemistry of natural layered double hydroxide of M2+Al4-type – kyrgyzstanite, ZnAl4(OH)12(SO4)·3H2O, and its relation to the hydrotalcite supergroup. Mineralogical Magazine, 1-25 doi:10.1180/mgm.2026.10209
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] |
Type Occurrence of Kyrgyzstanite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Crusts of radiating fibrous aggregates
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Moscow.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Kyrgyzstanite
Other Language Names for Kyrgyzstanite
Dutch:Kyrgyzstaniet
German:Kyrgyzstanit
Relationship of Kyrgyzstanite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Chalcoalumite Group:
| Chalcoalumite | CuAl4(SO4)(OH)12 · 3H2O | Mon. 2 : P21 |
| Mbobomkulite | (Ni,Cu)Al4((NO3)2,SO4)(OH)12 · 3H2O | Mon. 2 : P21 |
| Nickelalumite | NiAl4(SO4)(OH)12(H2O)3 | Mon. 2/m |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.DD. | Asagiite | NiCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 6H2O |
| 7.DD.05 | Felsőbányaite | Al4(SO4)(OH)10 · 4H2O |
| 7.DD.07 | Llantenesite | Cu6Al[SeO4](OH)12Cl · 3H2O |
| 7.DD.10 | Langite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 · 2H2O |
| 7.DD.10 | Fehrite | MgCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 6H2O |
| 7.DD.10 | Posnjakite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 · H2O |
| 7.DD.10 | Wroewolfeite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 · 2H2O |
| 7.DD.10 | Gobelinite | CoCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 6H2O |
| 7.DD.15 | Kobyashevite | Cu5(SO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2O |
| 7.DD.15 | Spangolite | Cu6Al(SO4)(OH)12Cl · 3H2O |
| 7.DD.15 | 'Unnamed (Dimorph of Devilline)' | CaCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 7.DD.20 | Ktenasite | ZnCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 6H2O |
| 7.DD.25 | Christelite | Cu2Zn3(SO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2O |
| 7.DD.30 | Edwardsite | Cu3Cd2(SO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2O |
| 7.DD.30 | Niedermayrite | CdCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2O |
| 7.DD.30 | Serpierite | Ca(Cu2+,Zn2+)4(S6+O4)2(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 7.DD.30 | Campigliaite | Mn2+Cu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2O |
| 7.DD.30 | Orthoserpierite | Ca(Cu,Zn)4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 7.DD.30 | Devilline | CaCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Shigaite | Mn6Al3(OH)18[Na(H2O)6](SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Zincaluminite | (Zn1-xAlx)(SO4)x/2(OH)2 · nH2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Zincowoodwardite | Zn1-xAlx(OH)2[SO4]x/2 · nH2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Natroglaucocerinite | Zn6Al3(OH)18[Na(H2O)6](SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Hydrowoodwardite | (Cu1-xAlx)(OH)2[SO4]x/2 · nH2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Honessite | (Ni1-xFe3+x)(OH)2[SO4]x/2 · nH2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Carrboydite | (Ni1-xAlx)(SO4)x/2(OH)2 · nH2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Glaucocerinite | (Zn1-xAlx)(OH)2(SO4)x/2 · nH2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Wermlandite | Mg7Al2(OH)18[Ca(H2O)6][SO4]2 · 6H2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Nikischerite | Fe2+6Al3(OH)18[Na(H2O)6](SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Hydrohonessite | (Ni1-xFe3+x)(OH)2(SO4)x/2 · nH2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Woodwardite | Cu1-xAlx(OH)2(SO4)x/2 · nH2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Motukoreaite | Mg6Al3(OH)18[Na(H2O)6][SO4]2 · 6H2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Mountkeithite | [(Mg1-xFe3+x)(OH)2][SO4]x/2 · nH2O |
| 7.DD.40 | Lawsonbauerite | (Mn2+,Mg)9Zn4(SO4)2(OH)22 · 8H2O |
| 7.DD.40 | Torreyite | (Mg,Mn2+)7◻2Mn2+2Zn4(SO4)2(OH)22 · 8H2O |
| 7.DD.40 | Isselite | Cu6(SO4)(OH)10(H2O)4 · H2O |
| 7.DD.45 | Mooreite | Mg9◻2Mn2Zn4(SO4)2(OH)26 · 8H2O |
| 7.DD.45 | Hodgesmithite | (Cu,Zn)6Zn(SO4)2(OH)10 · 3H2O |
| 7.DD.47 | Lahnsteinite | Zn4(SO4)(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 7.DD.50 | Namuwite | Zn4(SO4)(OH)6 · 4H2O |
| 7.DD.50 | Minohlite | (Cu,Zn)7(SO4)2(OH)10 · 8H2O |
| 7.DD.52 | Lauraniite | Cu6Cd2(SO4)2(OH)12 · 5H2O |
| 7.DD.55 | Bechererite | Zn7Cu(OH)13[(SiO(OH)3(SO4)] |
| 7.DD.60 | Ramsbeckite | (Cu,Zn)15(SO4)4(OH)22 · 6H2O |
| 7.DD.65 | Vonbezingite | Ca6Cu3(SO4)3(OH)12 · 2H2O |
| 7.DD.70 | Redgillite | Cu6(SO4)(OH)10 · H2O |
| 7.DD.75 | Nickelalumite | NiAl4(SO4)(OH)12(H2O)3 |
| 7.DD.75 | Chalcoalumite | CuAl4(SO4)(OH)12 · 3H2O |
| 7.DD.80 | Schulenbergite | (Cu,Zn)7(SO4)2(OH)10 · 3H2O |
| 7.DD.80 | 'UM1992-30-SO:CCuHZn' | (Zn,Cu)7(SO4,CO3)2(OH)10 · 3H2O |
| 7.DD.80 | Thérèsemagnanite | NaCo4(SO4)(OH)6Cl · 6H2O |
| 7.DD.80 | Guarinoite | Zn6(SO4)(OH)10 · 5H2O |
| 7.DD.85 | Montetrisaite | Cu6(SO4)(OH)10 · 2H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
Insoluble in water, dissolves in heated 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 Kyrgyzstanite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-27476.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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Mineral Dealers:
References for Kyrgyzstanite
Reference List:
Karpenko, Vladimir Yu.; Agakhanov, Atali A.; Pautov, Leonid A.; Dikaya, Tamara V.; Bekenova, G.K. (2004) New occurrence of nickelalumite on Kara-Chagyr, South Kirgizia. New Data on Minerals, 39. 32-39
Agakhanov, Atali A., Karpenko, V. Yu., Pautov, L. A., Bekenova, G. K., Uvarova, Y. A., Sokolova, E. V., Hawthorne, Frank (2005) Kyrgyzstanite, ZnAl4(SO4)(OH)12·3H2O, a New Mineral from the Kara-Tangi Deposit, Kirgizia. New Data on Minerals, 40. 23-28
Uvarova, Y. A., Sokolova, E., Hawthorne, F. C., Karpenko, V. V., Agakhanov, A. A., Pautov, L. A. (2005) The crystal chemistry of the "nickelalumite"–group minerals. The Canadian Mineralogist, 43 (5) 1511-1519 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.43.5.1511
Zhitova, Elena S.; Sheveleva, Rezeda M.; Zolotarev, Andrey A.; Kupchinenko, Anastasia N.; Bocharov, Vladimir N.; Karpenko, Vladimir Yu.; Pekov, Igor V. (2026) Crystal chemistry of natural layered double hydroxide of M2+Al4-type – kyrgyzstanite, ZnAl4(OH)12(SO4)·3H2O, and its relation to the hydrotalcite supergroup. Mineralogical Magazine, 1-25 doi:10.1180/mgm.2026.10209
Localities for Kyrgyzstanite
Showing 7 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 | |
| Silver Standard Resources Inc |
Austria | |
| Jakely (2008) |
Greece | |
| M.E. Ciriotti collection [S. Möckel ... +1 other reference |
Italy | |
| //doi.org/10.57635/MICRO.2025.23.16 |
| Boscardin et al. (2011) |
Kyrgyzstan (TL) | |
| Uvarova et al. (2005) +2 other references |
Romania | |
| Collector: Gábor Koller |
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Feistritzwald, Northern District, Prinzkogel mines, Prinzkogel, Rettenegg, Weiz District, Styria, Austria