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Nickelalumite

A valid IMA mineral species
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08449650017271925425308.jpg
Nickelalumite

Kara-Chagyr Mountain, Kadamjay District, Batken Region, Kyrgyzstan
06897340017271925454566.jpg
Nickelalumite

Mbobo Mkulu Cave, Mbombela, Mbombela Local Municipality, Ehlanzeni District Municipality, Mpumalanga, South Africa
05370910017271925486712.jpg
Nickelalumite

Mbobo Mkulu Cave, Mbombela, Mbombela Local Municipality, Ehlanzeni District Municipality, Mpumalanga, South Africa
08449650017271925425308.jpg
Nickelalumite

Kara-Chagyr Mountain, Kadamjay District, Batken Region, Kyrgyzstan
06897340017271925454566.jpg
Nickelalumite

Mbobo Mkulu Cave, Mbombela, Mbombela Local Municipality, Ehlanzeni District Municipality, Mpumalanga, South Africa
05370910017271925486712.jpg
Nickelalumite

Mbobo Mkulu Cave, Mbombela, Mbombela Local Municipality, Ehlanzeni District Municipality, Mpumalanga, South Africa
08449650017271925425308.jpg
Nickelalumite

Kara-Chagyr Mountain, Kadamjay District, Batken Region, Kyrgyzstan
06897340017271925454566.jpg
Nickelalumite

Mbobo Mkulu Cave, Mbombela, Mbombela Local Municipality, Ehlanzeni District Municipality, Mpumalanga, South Africa
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About NickelalumiteHide

Formula:
NiAl4(SO4)(OH)12(H2O)3
Originally assumed to be (Ni,Cu)Al4(SO4,(NO3)2)(OH)12 · 3H2O.
Colour:
Colourless to blue to pistachio-green
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
2.231 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
For the nickel content and relationship to alum.
Chalcoalumite Group. The Ni analogue of chalcoalumite.

Originally reported from Mbobo Mkulu Cave, Nelspruit District, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
2899
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2899:4

IMA Classification of NickelalumiteHide

IMA status:
Approved
IMA Formula:
Ni2+Al4(S6+O4)(OH)12(H2O)3
First published:
2023
Approval history:
Nickelalumite was rejected because of some problems with chemical composition in 1980. Approved as a new mineral species by the IMA-CNMNC, 2022-071.

Classification of NickelalumiteHide

Strunz-mindat (2026):
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
Dana 8th ed.:
31.3.1.2

31 : HYDRATED SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
3 : (AB)5(XO4)Zq·xH2O
Hey's CIM Ref.:
13.13

13 : Nitrates

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

Physical Properties of NickelalumiteHide

Lustre:
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless to blue to pistachio-green
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
Parallel to {001}.
Parting:
None
Fracture:
Splintery
Density:
2.231 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of NickelalumiteHide

Type:
Biaxial
RI values:
nα = 1.542(2) nγ = 1.533(2)
Surface Relief:
None to Very Low
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
Dispersion:
medium
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Comments:
β could not be measured due to the almost negligible thickness of the flakes.

Chemistry of NickelalumiteHide

Mindat Formula:
NiAl4(SO4)(OH)12(H2O)3

Originally assumed to be (Ni,Cu)Al4(SO4,(NO3)2)(OH)12 · 3H2O.
Element Weights:
Element% weight
O58.368 %
Al20.723 %
Ni11.270 %
S6.157 %
H3.484 %

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

Crystallography of NickelalumiteHide

Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.2567(5) Å, b = 8.8815(4) Å, c = 17.0989(8) Å
β = 95.548(1)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.155 : 1 : 1.925
Unit Cell V:
1550.3 ų
Z:
4
Comment:
Space group: P21/n

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
8.35 Å(100)
4.27 Å(90)
3.02 Å(60)
2.683 Å(60)
2.508 Å(80)
2.276 Å(70)
1.981 Å(90)
1.480 Å(60)

Type Occurrence of NickelalumiteHide

Type Locality:
ⓘ Kara-Tangi U deposit, Batken Region, Kyrgyzstan
General Appearance of Type Material:
Pale-blue to greenish crusts of radiating lamellar aggregates of crystals up to 1.5 mm on the surface of carbon-rich siliceous schist.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Type material is deposited in the collections of the Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninskiy Prospekt 18-2, Moscow 119071, Russia, registration number 6794.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Nickelalumite formed by hydrothermal alteration of U–V bearing carbon-rich silicified schists.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
AllophaneAlumohydrocalciteAnkinovichiteCalciteCrandallite
KyrgyzstaniteQuartz

Other Language Names for NickelalumiteHide

Relationship of Nickelalumite to other SpeciesHide

Member of:
Chalcoalumite Group
Other Members of Chalcoalumite Group:
ChalcoalumiteCuAl4(SO4)(OH)12 · 3H2OMon. 2 : P21
KyrgyzstaniteZnAl4(SO4)(OH)12 · 3H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
Mbobomkulite(Ni,Cu)Al4((NO3)2,SO4)(OH)12 · 3H2OMon. 2 : P21

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

7.DD.AsagiiteNiCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 6H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.DD.05FelsőbányaiteAl4(SO4)(OH)10 · 4H2OMon. 2 : P21
7.DD.07LlantenesiteCu6Al[SeO4](OH)12Cl · 3H2OTrig. 3m : P31c
7.DD.10LangiteCu4(SO4)(OH)6 · 2H2OMon. m
7.DD.10FehriteMgCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 6H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.DD.10PosnjakiteCu4(SO4)(OH)6 · H2OMon. m : Pm
7.DD.10WroewolfeiteCu4(SO4)(OH)6 · 2H2OMon. m : Pm
7.DD.10GobeliniteCoCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 6H2OMon. 2/m : P21/m
7.DD.15KobyasheviteCu5(SO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2OTric. 1 : P1
7.DD.15SpangoliteCu6Al(SO4)(OH)12Cl · 3H2OTrig. 3m : P31c
7.DD.15'Unnamed (Dimorph of Devilline)'CaCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 3H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.DD.20KtenasiteZnCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 6H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.DD.25ChristeliteCu2Zn3(SO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2OTric. 1 : P1
7.DD.30EdwardsiteCu3Cd2(SO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2O Mon. 2/m : P21/b
7.DD.30NiedermayriteCdCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/m
7.DD.30SerpieriteCa(Cu2+,Zn2+)4(S6+O4)2(OH)6 · 3H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
7.DD.30CampigliaiteMn2+Cu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2OMon. 2 : B2
7.DD.30OrthoserpieriteCa(Cu,Zn)4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 3H2OOrth. mm2 : Pca21
7.DD.30DevillineCaCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 3H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.DD.35ShigaiteMn6Al3(OH)18[Na(H2O)6](SO4)2 · 6H2OTrig. 3 : R3
7.DD.35Zincaluminite(Zn1-xAlx)(SO4)x/2(OH)2 · nH2O
7.DD.35ZincowoodwarditeZn1-xAlx(OH)2[SO4]x/2 · nH2OTrig.
7.DD.35NatroglaucoceriniteZn6Al3(OH)18[Na(H2O)6](SO4)2 · 6H2OHex.
7.DD.35Hydrowoodwardite(Cu1-xAlx)(OH)2[SO4]x/2 · nH2OTrig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
7.DD.35Honessite(Ni1-xFe3+x)(OH)2[SO4]x/2 · nH2OTrig.
7.DD.35Carrboydite(Ni1-xAlx)(SO4)x/2(OH)2 · nH2OHex.
7.DD.35Glaucocerinite(Zn1-xAlx)(OH)2(SO4)x/2 · nH2OHex.
7.DD.35WermlanditeMg7Al2(OH)18[Ca(H2O)6][SO4]2 · 6H2OTrig. 3m(32/m) : P3c1
7.DD.35NikischeriteFe2+6Al3(OH)18[Na(H2O)6](SO4)2 · 6H2OTrig. 3 : R3
7.DD.35Hydrohonessite(Ni1-xFe3+x)(OH)2(SO4)x/2 · nH2OHex.
7.DD.35WoodwarditeCu1-xAlx(OH)2(SO4)x/2 · nH2OTrig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
7.DD.35MotukoreaiteMg6Al3(OH)18[Na(H2O)6][SO4]2 · 6H2OTrig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
7.DD.35Mountkeithite[(Mg1-xFe3+x)(OH)2][SO4]x/2 · nH2OHex.
7.DD.40Lawsonbauerite(Mn2+,Mg)9Zn4(SO4)2(OH)22 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.DD.40Torreyite(Mg,Mn2+)7◻2Mn2+2Zn4(SO4)2(OH)22 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.DD.40IsseliteCu6(SO4)(OH)10(H2O)4 · H2OOrth. mm2 : Pmn21
7.DD.45MooreiteMg9◻2Mn2Zn4(SO4)2(OH)26 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
7.DD.45Hodgesmithite(Cu,Zn)6Zn(SO4)2(OH)10 · 3H2OTrig. 3 : P3
7.DD.47LahnsteiniteZn4(SO4)(OH)6 · 3H2OTric. 1 : P1
7.DD.50NamuwiteZn4(SO4)(OH)6 · 4H2OTrig. 3 : P3
7.DD.50Minohlite(Cu,Zn)7(SO4)2(OH)10 · 8H2OHex.
7.DD.52LauraniiteCu6Cd2(SO4)2(OH)12 · 5H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.DD.55BechereriteZn7Cu(OH)13[(SiO(OH)3(SO4)]Trig. 3 : P3
7.DD.60Ramsbeckite(Cu,Zn)15(SO4)4(OH)22 · 6H2OMon. 2/m
7.DD.65VonbezingiteCa6Cu3(SO4)3(OH)12 · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.DD.70RedgilliteCu6(SO4)(OH)10 · H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.DD.75KyrgyzstaniteZnAl4(SO4)(OH)12 · 3H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.DD.75ChalcoalumiteCuAl4(SO4)(OH)12 · 3H2OMon. 2 : P21
7.DD.80Schulenbergite(Cu,Zn)7(SO4)2(OH)10 · 3H2OTrig. 3
7.DD.80'UM1992-30-SO:CCuHZn'(Zn,Cu)7(SO4,CO3)2(OH)10 · 3H2OTrig. 3 : P3
7.DD.80ThérèsemagnaniteNaCo4(SO4)(OH)6Cl · 6H2OTrig. 3 : P3
7.DD.80GuarinoiteZn6(SO4)(OH)10 · 5H2OHex.
7.DD.85MontetrisaiteCu6(SO4)(OH)10 · 2H2OOrth. mm2 : Cmc21

Fluorescence of NickelalumiteHide

In UV light:
Not fluorescent.

Other InformationHide

Notes:
Soluble in hot (1:1) 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 NickelalumiteHide

References for NickelalumiteHide

Localities for NickelalumiteHide

Showing 6 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.
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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.
Australia
 
  • Tasmania
    • West Coast municipality
      • Zeehan mining district
Kyrgyzstan
 
  • Batken Region
    • Kadamjay District
Karpenko et al. (2004) +2 other references
Uvarova et al. (2005) +4 other references
South Africa
 
  • Mpumalanga
    • Ehlanzeni District Municipality
      • Mbombela Local Municipality
        • Mbombela
Ann.Geol.Surv.S.Africa (1980) +1 other reference
Switzerland
 
  • Valais
    • Goms
      • Obergoms
        • Oberwald
          • Furka pass area
            • Gletsch
Stalder et al. (1998)
USA
 
  • Utah
    • San Juan County
      • White Canyon Mining District
Desor (11/2020)
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