Arhbarite
A valid IMA mineral species
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About Arhbarite
Overview of the Aghbar mine
Aghbar Mine, Aghbar, Tansifte Caïdat, Agdz Cercle, Zagora Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco
Aghbar Mine, Aghbar, Tansifte Caïdat, Agdz Cercle, Zagora Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco
Formula:
Cu2Mg(AsO4)(OH)3
Colour:
Dark blue to medium blue
Lustre:
Sub-Vitreous, Waxy
Specific Gravity:
3.71
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
Named by K. Schmetzer, Gerd Tremmel, and Olaf Medenbach in 1982 after the type locality, the Arhbar mine, Bou Azzer, Morocco.
This page provides mineralogical data about Arhbarite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
333
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:333:1
IMA Classification of Arhbarite
Approved
IMA status notes:
Redefined by the IMA
IMA Formula:
Cu2+2MgAs5+O4(OH)3
First published:
19982
Approval history:
Redefined IMA 2002-B (as triclinic): Krause et al (2003); Grice et al. (2003).
Classification of Arhbarite
8.BE.25
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
E : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 > 2:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
E : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 > 2:1
42.6.5.2
42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
6 : A2(XO4)Zq·xH2O
42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
6 : A2(XO4)Zq·xH2O
20.1.10
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
1 : Arsenates of Cu
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
1 : Arsenates of Cu
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Arh | 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 Arhbarite
Sub-Vitreous, Waxy
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Dark blue to medium blue
Streak:
Light blue, sky-blue
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Density:
3.71 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.99(4) g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Dcalc 3.96, Moroccan sample, and 4.03, Chilean sample.
Optical Data of Arhbarite
Type:
Biaxial
RI values:
nα = 1.720 nγ = 1.740
2V:
Measured: 90°
Birefringence:
0.020
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.020
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:
relatively strong
Optical Extinction:
45° to fiber axis.
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X' = turquoise-blue; Z' = dark turquoise-blue.
Chemistry of Arhbarite
Mindat Formula:
Cu2Mg(AsO4)(OH)3
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Arhbarite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pedial
Space Group:
P1
Setting:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.315 Å, b = 5.978 Å, c = 5.03 Å
α = 113.58°, β = 97.14°, γ = 89.31°
α = 113.58°, β = 97.14°, γ = 89.31°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.889 : 1 : 0.841
Unit Cell V:
145.21 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Found in botryoidal clusters of tightly radially grown crystals.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 4.57 Å | (100) |
| 4.51 Å | (90) |
| 3.72 Å | (60) |
| 3.25 Å | (40) |
| 2.63 Å | (40) |
| 2.60 Å | (50) |
| 2.47 Å | (50) |
Comments:
ICDD 35-562.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| High-? alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 33 : Minerals deposited by hydrothermal metal-rich fluids (see also [#12]) |
Geological Setting:
Oxidized zone of a hydrothermal polymetallic ore deposit.
Type Occurrence of Arhbarite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Blue, spherulitic aggregates on massive dolomite.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 160383.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Oxidized zone of a hydrothermal polymetallic ore deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Arhbarite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 38 photos of Arhbarite associated with Conichalcite | CaCu(AsO4)(OH) |
| 17 photos of Arhbarite associated with Guanacoite | MgCu2Mg2(AsO4)2(OH)4(H2O)4 |
| 14 photos of Arhbarite associated with Gilmarite | Cu3(AsO4)(OH)3 |
| 7 photos of Arhbarite associated with Enargite | Cu3AsS4 |
| 3 photos of Arhbarite associated with Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 1 photo of Arhbarite associated with Dolomite | CaMg(CO3)2 |
| 1 photo of Arhbarite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 1 photo of Arhbarite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.BE.05 | Augelite | Al2(PO4)(OH)3 |
| 8.BE.10 | Grattarolaite | Fe3+3(PO4)O3 |
| 8.BE.15 | Cornetite | Cu3(PO4)(OH)3 |
| 8.BE.20 | Clinoclase | Cu3(AsO4)(OH)3 |
| 8.BE.25 | Gilmarite | Cu3(AsO4)(OH)3 |
| 8.BE.30 | Flinkite | Mn2+2Mn3+(AsO4)(OH)4 |
| 8.BE.30 | Argandite | Mn7(VO4)2(OH)8 |
| 8.BE.30 | Raadeite | Mg7(PO4)2(OH)8 |
| 8.BE.30 | Allactite | Mn2+7(AsO4)2(OH)8 |
| 8.BE.35 | 'Mineral E (of Dunn, et. al., 1982)' | |
| 8.BE.35 | Chlorophoenicite | (Mn,Mg)3Zn2(AsO4)(OH,O)6 |
| 8.BE.35 | Magnesiochlorophoenicite | (Mg,Mn)3Zn2(AsO4)(OH,O)6 |
| 8.BE.40 | Gerdtremmelite | (Zn,Fe)(Al,Fe)2(AsO4)(OH)5 |
| 8.BE.45 | Dixenite | CuMn2+14Fe2+(SiO4)2(As5+O4)(As3+O3)5(OH)6 |
| 8.BE.45 | Mcgovernite | Mn19Zn3(AsO4)3(AsO3)(SiO4)3(OH)21 |
| 8.BE.45 | Hematolite | (Mn,Mg,Al,Fe3+)15(As5+O4)2(As3+O3)(OH)23 |
| 8.BE.45 | Turtmannite | (Mn,Mg)22.5Mg3-3x((V5+,As5+)O4)3(As3+O3)x(SiO4)3O5-5x(OH)20+x |
| 8.BE.45 | Carlfrancisite | Mn2+3(Mn2+,Mg,Fe3+,Al)42[As3+O3]2(As5+O4)4[(Si,As5+)O4]6[(As5+,Si)O4]2(OH)42 |
| 8.BE.45 | Arakiite | (Zn,Mn2+)(Mn2+,Mg)12(Fe3+,Al)2(As5+O4)2(As3+O3)(OH)23 |
| 8.BE.45 | Kraisslite | Zn3(Mn,Mg)25(Fe3+,Al)(As3+O3)2[(Si,As5+)O4]10(OH)16 |
| 8.BE.50 | Synadelphite | Mn2+9(As5+O4)2(As3+O3)(OH)9 · 2H2O |
| 8.BE.55 | Holdenite | (Mn2+,Mg)6Zn3(AsO4)2(SiO4)(OH)8 |
| 8.BE.60 | Kolicite | Mn2+7Zn4(AsO4)2(SiO4)2(OH)8 |
| 8.BE.65 | Sabelliite | (Cu,Zn)2Zn(AsO4,SbO4)(OH)3 |
| 8.BE.70 | Jarosewichite | Mn2+3Mn3+(AsO4)(OH)6 |
| 8.BE.75 | Theisite | Cu5Zn5(AsO4,SbO4)2(OH)14 |
| 8.BE.80 | Coparsite | Cu4(AsO4,VO4)O2Cl |
| 8.BE.85 | Waterhouseite | Mn2+7(PO4)2(OH)8 |
| 8.BE.90 | Vasilseverginite | Cu9O4(AsO4)2(SO4)2 |
Fluorescence of Arhbarite
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 Arhbarite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-333.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 Arhbarite
Reference List:
Dunn, P.J.; Grice, J.D.; Fleischer, M.; Pabst, A. (1983) New mineral names. American Mineralogist, 68 (9-10). 1038-1041
Grice, J. D.; Ferraris, G. (2003) New minerals approved in 2002 and nomenclature modifications approved in 1998-2002 by the Commission on the New Minerals and Mineral Names, International Mineralogical Association. The Canadian Mineralogist, 41 (3). 795-802 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.41.3.795
Localities for Arhbarite
Showing 3 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.
Chile | |
| Färber et al. (1998) +1 other reference |
Morocco (TL) | |
| Schmetzer et al. (1982) +1 other reference |
Quick NavTopAbout ArhbariteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography X-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence Other LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Guanaco Mine, Taltal, Antofagasta Province, Antofagasta, Chile