Parnauite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Parnauite
Jack Parnau
Formula:
Cu9(AsO4)2(SO4)(OH)10 · 7H2O
May contain minor Ni, Cl.
Colour:
Pale blue, green, dark green, blue-green, yellow-green
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
3.09
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named in honor of John "Jack" L. Parnau (31 May 1906, Stockton, California, USA - 16 July 1990, Campbell, California, USA), a mineral collector who made significant contributions to the knowledge of the type locality.
An uncommon secondary Cu-sulphate-arsenate. Fibrous varieties and crusts may be confused with strashimirite.
Can be distinguished from visually similar tyrolite and tangdanite by optical methods.
Can be distinguished from visually similar tyrolite and tangdanite by optical methods.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3124
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3124:6
Similar Names
| Paranite-(Y) | A synonym of Paraniite-(Y) |
| Parianite | A synonym of 'Bitumen' |
IMA Classification of Parnauite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Cu2+9(As5+O4)2(S6+O4)(OH)10(H2O)4·3H2O
Approval year:
1978
First published:
1978
Classification of Parnauite
8.DF.35
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
F : With only medium-sized cations, (OH,etc.):RO4 > 3:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
F : With only medium-sized cations, (OH,etc.):RO4 > 3:1
43.5.13.1
43 : COMPOUND PHOSPHATES, ETC.
5 : Hydrated Compound Phosphates, etc·, Containing Hydroxyl or Halogen
43 : COMPOUND PHOSPHATES, ETC.
5 : Hydrated Compound Phosphates, etc·, Containing Hydroxyl or Halogen
22.3.1
22 : Phosphates, Arsenates or Vanadates with other Anions
3 : Phosphates, arsenates or vanadates with sulphates
22 : Phosphates, Arsenates or Vanadates with other Anions
3 : Phosphates, arsenates or vanadates with sulphates
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Pna | 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 Parnauite
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Pale blue, green, dark green, blue-green, yellow-green
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Density:
3.09(4) g/cm3 (Measured) 3.09 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Parnauite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.680(3) nβ = 1.704(3) nγ = 1.712(3)
2V:
Measured: 60° (5), Calculated: 58°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.032
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 strong
Optical Extinction:
Optic plane is parallel to {100}.
X = b, Y = a, and Z = c.
X = b, Y = a, and Z = c.
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
X= pale green
Y= yellow-green
Z= blue-green
Y= yellow-green
Z= blue-green
Chemistry of Parnauite
Mindat Formula:
Cu9(AsO4)2(SO4)(OH)10 · 7H2O
May contain minor Ni, Cl.
May contain minor Ni, Cl.
Element Weights:
Common Impurities:
P,C,Al
Crystallography of Parnauite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mm2 - Pyramidal
Space Group:
Pmn21
Cell Parameters:
a = 3.0113(4) Å, b = 14.259(3) Å, c = 14.932(2) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.211 : 1 : 1.047
Unit Cell V:
641.15 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1
Morphology:
Lath-like crystals (subparallel), bowties, rosettes, scales, compact crusts.
Comment:
Cell of 3 Å substructure (Mills et al. 2013). Originally assumed cell: 14.98, 14.22, 6.01 Å.
Crystal Structure
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CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0020148 | Parnauite | Mills S J, Kampf A R, McDonald A M, Bindi L, Christy A G, Kolitsch U, Favreau G (2013) The crystal structure of parnauite: a copper arsenate-sulphate with translational disorder of structural rods European Journal of Mineralogy 25 693-704 | 2013 | Cap Garonne, Var, France | 0 | 293 | |
| 0020147 | Parnauite | Mills S J, Kampf A R, McDonald A M, Bindi L, Christy A G, Kolitsch U, Favreau G (2013) The crystal structure of parnauite: a copper arsenate-sulphate with translational disorder of structural rods European Journal of Mineralogy 25 693-704 | 2013 | Majuba Hill, Nevada, USA | 0 | 293 | |
| 0020149 | Parnauite | Mills S J, Kampf A R, McDonald A M, Bindi L, Christy A G, Kolitsch U, Favreau G (2013) The crystal structure of parnauite: a copper arsenate-sulphate with translational disorder of structural rods European Journal of Mineralogy 25 693-704 | 2013 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 14.3 Å | (100) |
| 4.52 Å | (60) |
| 10.38 Å | (24) |
| 4.00 Å | (21) |
| 2.849 Å | (19) |
| 7.14 Å | (10) |
| 6.42 Å | (8) |
Type Occurrence of Parnauite
General Appearance of Type Material:
As pale-blue fans and rosettes of lath-like crystals up to 1 mm in length, as green scales and crusts, and drusy surface coatings.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
University of California, Santa Barbara, California, USA, 8090.
National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian), Washington, D.C., USA, 144004.
National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian), Washington, D.C., USA, 144004.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Secondary mineral in the oxidation zone of a copper deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Parnauite
Other Language Names for Parnauite
Varieties of Parnauite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 61 photos of Parnauite associated with Cyanotrichite | Cu4Al2(SO4)(OH)12 · 2H2O |
| 37 photos of Parnauite associated with Brochantite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 |
| 35 photos of Parnauite associated with Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 30 photos of Parnauite associated with Azurite | Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
| 27 photos of Parnauite associated with Olivenite | Cu2(AsO4)(OH) |
| 23 photos of Parnauite associated with Strashimirite | Cu8(AsO4)4(OH)4 · 5H2O |
| 20 photos of Parnauite associated with Chalcophyllite | Cu18Al2(AsO4)4(SO4)3(OH)24 · 36H2O |
| 19 photos of Parnauite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 16 photos of Parnauite associated with Goethite | Fe3+O(OH) |
| 15 photos of Parnauite associated with Cornwallite | Cu5(AsO4)2(OH)4 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.DF. | Wiperamingaite | NaCaFe3+Al(PO4)F5(OH) · H2O |
| 8.DF. | Kernowite | Cu2Fe(AsO4)(OH)4 · 4H2O |
| 8.DF.05 | Hotsonite | Al11(SO4)3(PO4)2(OH)21 · 16H2O |
| 8.DF.10 | Liskeardite | [(Al,Fe)32(AsO4)18(OH)42(H2O)22] · 52H2O |
| 8.DF.10 | Rosièresite | (Pb, Cu, Al, P, O, H) |
| 8.DF.10 | Evansite | Al3(PO4)(OH)6 · 6H2O |
| 8.DF.10 | Bolivarite | Al2(PO4)(OH)3 · 4-5H2O |
| 8.DF.15 | Rusakovite | (Fe3+,Al)5(VO4,PO4)2(OH)9 · 3H2O |
| 8.DF.20 | Liroconite | Cu2Al(AsO4)(OH)4 · 4H2O |
| 8.DF.25 | Sieleckiite | Cu3Al4(PO4)2(OH)12 · 2H2O |
| 8.DF.30 | Chalcophyllite | Cu18Al2(AsO4)4(SO4)3(OH)24 · 36H2O |
| 8.DF.40 | Gladiusite | Fe2(Fe,Mg)4(PO4)(OH)11(H2O) |
| 8.DF.50 | Forêtite | Cu2Al2(AsO4)(OH,O,H2O)6 |
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 Parnauite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3124.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Parnauite
Reference List:
Wise, William S. (1978) Parnauite and goudeyite, two new copper arsenate minerals from the Majuba Hill Mine, Pershing County, Nevada. American Mineralogist, 63 (7-8) 704-708
Frost, Ray L., Sejkora, Jiří, Čejka, Jiří, Keeffe, Eloise C. (2009) Raman spectroscopic study of the mixed anion sulphate–arsenate mineral parnauite Cu9[(OH)10|SO4|(AsO4)2]·7H2O. Journal of Raman Spectroscopy, 40 (11). 1546-1550 doi:10.1002/jrs.2238
Frost, Ray L., Keeffe, Eloise C. (2011) The mixed anion mineral parnauite Cu9[(OH)10|SO4|(AsO4)2]·7H2O — A Raman spectroscopic study. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 81 (1) 111-116 doi:10.1016/j.saa.2011.05.059
Mills, Stuart J., Kampf, Anthony R., McDonald, Andrew M., Bindi, Luca, Christy, Andrew G., Kolitsch, Uwe, Favreau, Georges (2013) The crystal structure of parnauite: a copper arsenate-sulphate with translational disorder of structural rods. European Journal of Mineralogy, 25 (4). 693-704 doi:10.1127/0935-1221/2013/0025-2329
Localities for Parnauite
Showing 149 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 | |
| Brodtkorb (2002) |
Austria | |
| Puttner (1996) |
| Niedermayr (2001) |
| Blaß et al. (1999) +1 other reference |
| Kirchner et al. (2004) |
| R.Poeverlein (2016) |
| Kirchner et al. (2004) | |
| Neschen (n.d.) | |
| Strasser (1989) | |
| Poeverlein (2008) | |
| Postl (1990) +1 other reference |
| Auer (2024) |
| C.Auer (2015) |
| Auer & Postl (2016) |
| Schnorrer et al. (2010) |
| Schnorrer et al. (2005) | |
| Schnorrer+Poeverlein (2005) | |
| Schnorrer et al. (2008) | |
| - (2004) |
| Schnorrer et al. (2002) |
| Poeverlein et al. (2007) |
| Der Aufschluß (2006) | |
| 58. +1 other reference |
| Bauer (1997) |
| Arlt et al. (1994) | |
| Schnorrer et al. (2007) |
Brazil | |
| Lapis 32 (12) |
Bulgaria | |
| Minceva-Stefanova (2001) |
| Minceva-Stefanova (2001) |
Chile | |
| collected and analysed by french ... |
| maurizio dini collection - quantitative ... |
| Samples analysed by Dr. Jochen Schluter et al. (Salzburg Department of Mineralogy) |
China | |
| [var: Debaoite] Lairen Lai et al. (1997) |
Czech Republic | |
| Hloušek et al. (2002) |
Europe | |
| Minceva-Stefanova (2001) | |
France | |
| Favreau G. et al. (1996) |
| Escande et al. (1973) +6 other references |
| Escande et al. (1973) +6 other references | |
| Queneau (n.d.) |
| La minéralogie. Béryl Limousin +1 other reference | |
| Forner et al. (1997) |
| www.zampano.com (n.d.) |
| Queneau (n.d.) |
| Lheur (2023) |
| Favreau et al. (2010) |
| Christian BERBAIN collection - Georges ... |
| Ref: Boisson J.M. |
| Mari et al. (1997) |
| Sarp et al. (1978) +4 other references |
| trouvaille 1980 _ collection personnelle | |
| Galéa-Clolus et al. (2025) +1 other reference | |
| Stephane Maury Collection | |
Germany | |
| Walenta (1989) +1 other reference |
| Walenta (1992) +1 other reference |
| Walenta (1992) |
| |
| |
| Walenta (1992) | |
| American Mineralogist: 67: 854. +1 other reference |
| Slotta (2016) |
| Walenta (1994) +1 other reference |
| 54 +2 other references |
| Wittern (2001) +1 other reference |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Heinrich et al. (2011) |
| Schnorrer et al. (1998) |
| Schnorrer et al. (2000) | |
| 58. +1 other reference |
| Martin et al. (1994) |
| www.dergraul.de (2001) |
Greece | |
| Schreiber et al. (2003) |
| Karl Heinz Fabritz collection +1 other reference | |
| Rieck et al. (1999) +1 other reference | |
| 62 +2 other references |
Hungary | |
| collection: Gábor Koller |
| HOM Collection-Szakáll S.-2010 |
Ireland | |
| de Haller |
Italy | |
| Bortolozzi et al. (2017) |
| Bortolozzi et al. (2015) +1 other reference |
| Pagano et al. (2001) |
| Marchesini M. (1999) |
| Palenzona et al. (2002) |
| Carmagnola et al. (2019) |
| Vergani (2019) +1 other reference |
| Fernando Caboni et al. (2024) |
| Fernando Caboni et al. (2024) | |
| Stara et al. (1993) |
| Ferretti et al. (2019) |
| Orlandi et al. (2009) |
| Orlandi (2004) +1 other reference |
| Orlandi et al. (2009) | |
| Orlandi et al. (2000) +1 other reference |
| Saccardo D. et al. (Torrebelvicino, Vicenza) |
| Domenico Saccardo et al. (2019) +1 other reference |
Japan | |
| Matsubara (2002) |
| Nagashima et al. (2016) |
Morocco | |
| Favreau et al. (2006) |
| Georges FAVREAU collection & EDX ... |
| Jean-Pierre Barral collection (EDS-analysed) |
| Favreau (2026) | |
| Favreau (n.d.) +1 other reference | |
Namibia | |
| Gebhard (1999) |
Portugal | |
| Alves (n.d.) |
Slovakia | |
| Sejkora (1993) |
| Števko et al. (2011) |
Spain | |
| Georges FAVREAU collection & EDX ... |
| Viñals et al. (2004) |
| Calvo (2015) |
| Calvo Rebollar (2015) |
| Joan Abella i Creus (Joanabellacreus@gmail.com) |
| Joan Abella i Creus (Joanabellacreus@gmail.com) |
| Calvo (2015) |
| Mineralogía de la concesión San Rafael | |
| issuu.com (n.d.) +1 other reference |
Switzerland | |
| |
| Malcherek et al. (2024) +1 other reference |
| Meisser (1999) | |
| Cuchet et al. (2019) |
| Ansermet (2012) |
| Ansermet (2012) |
| Ansermet et al. (2021) |
| Cuchet et al. (2002) |
Thailand | |
| Queneau (n.d.) |
UK | |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| [Ian Bruce collected material +1 other reference |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| |
| Golley et al. (1995) | |
| - (2006) |
| Hubbard et al. (2005) |
| Rust et al. (1994) |
USA | |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Wise (1978) +2 other references |
| Jensen (1993) | |
| Rocks & Minerals. Nov. 1999. |
| Thorne (n.d.) |
| Thorne (n.d.) | |
| Collected by and in the collection of ... |
| Kokinos et al. (1993) |
| Kokinos et al. (1993) | |
| Kokinos et al. (1993) | |
| ... |
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Clara Mine, Oberwolfach, Ortenaukreis, Freiburg Region, Baden-Württemberg, Germany