Rauenthalite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Rauenthalite
Formula:
Ca3(AsO4)2 · 10H2O
Colour:
Colorless, white
Lustre:
Sub-Vitreous, Waxy
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
2.36
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
Named by Roland Pierrot in 1964 for the Rauenthal Valley, France near the original locality Ste Marie-aux-Mines.
Often associated with the chemically nearly identical phaunouxite, but phaunouxite easily dehydrates to rauenthalite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3371
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3371:4
IMA Classification of Rauenthalite
Classification of Rauenthalite
8.CJ.40
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
J : With only large cations
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
J : With only large cations
40.3.11.1
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
3 : A3(XO4)2·xH2O
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
3 : A3(XO4)2·xH2O
20.2.13
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
2 : Arsenates of Be, Mg, Ca or Ba
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
2 : Arsenates of Be, Mg, Ca or Ba
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Rth | 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 Rauenthalite
Sub-Vitreous, Waxy
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colorless, white
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
2.36 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.362 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Rauenthalite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.540 - 1.546 nβ = 1.552 nγ = 1.570 - 1.576
2V:
Measured: 85° , Calculated: 80°
Birefringence:
0.030
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.030
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:
Moderate
Dispersion:
weak
Optical Extinction:
Inclined
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Rauenthalite
Mindat Formula:
Ca3(AsO4)2 · 10H2O
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Rauenthalite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Setting:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 12.564(8) Å, b = 12.169(7) Å, c = 6.195(4) Å
α = 89.09(3)°, β = 79.69(3)°, γ = 118.58(4)°
α = 89.09(3)°, β = 79.69(3)°, γ = 118.58(4)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.032 : 1 : 0.509
Unit Cell V:
812.65 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Bladed crystals, often in somewhat radial arrangement.
Comment:
Non-standard setting.
Crystal Structure
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0009786 | Rauenthalite | Catti M, Ivaldi G (1983) On the topotactic dehydration Ca3(AsO4)2*11H2O (phaunouxite) -> Ca3(AsO4)2*10H2O (rauenthalite), and the structures of both minerals Acta Crystallographica B39 4-10 |  | 1983 | Sainte Marie-aux-Mines, Alsace, France | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 10.8 Å | (very very strong) |
| 3.36 Å | (very strong) |
| 2.44 Å | (strong) |
| 6.2 Å | (medium strong) |
| 2.58 Å | (medium strong) |
| 2.06 Å | (medium strong) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates] | |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals |
Type Occurrence of Rauenthalite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Colorless to cloudy white bladed crystals.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Muséum Nationale d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France, numbers 50960, 50961 (holotype).
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Post-mine efflorescence on mine tunnel walls.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Rauenthalite
Other Language Names for Rauenthalite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 37 photos of Rauenthalite associated with Phaunouxite | Ca3(AsO4)2 · 11H2O |
| 9 photos of Rauenthalite associated with Picropharmacolite | Ca4Mg(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 11H2O |
| 5 photos of Rauenthalite associated with Guérinite | Ca6(HAsO4)3(AsO4)2 · 10.5H2O |
| 4 photos of Rauenthalite associated with Sainfeldite | Ca5(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 2 photos of Rauenthalite associated with Pharmacosiderite | KFe3+4(AsO4)3(OH)4 · 6-7H2O |
| 2 photos of Rauenthalite associated with Pharmacolite | Ca(HAsO4) · 2H2O |
| 1 photo of Rauenthalite associated with Dolomite | CaMg(CO3)2 |
| 1 photo of Rauenthalite associated with Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
| 1 photo of Rauenthalite associated with Lavendulan | NaCaCu5(AsO4)4Cl · 5H2O |
| 1 photo of Rauenthalite associated with Haidingerite | CaHAsO4 · H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.CJ. | Airdite | Sr(V4+O)2(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ. | Dobšináite | Ca2Ca(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CJ. | Sainfeldite | Ca5(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ. | Caesiumpharmacosiderite | CsFe3+4[(AsO4)3(OH)4] · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ. | Jeankempite | Ca5(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 7H2O |
| 8.CJ.05 | Stercorite | (NH4)Na(PO3OH) · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ.10 | Swaknoite | (NH4)2Ca(PO3OH)2 · H2O |
| 8.CJ.10 | Mundrabillaite | (NH4)2Ca(PO3OH)2 · H2O |
| 8.CJ.15 | Nabaphite | NaBaPO4 · 9H2O |
| 8.CJ.15 | Nastrophite | Na(Sr,Ba)PO4 · 9H2O |
| 8.CJ.20 | Haidingerite | CaHAsO4 · H2O |
| 8.CJ.25 | Rhabdophane-(Y) | YPO4 · H2O |
| 8.CJ.25 | Vladimirite | Ca4(AsO4)2(AsO3OH) · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ.27 | 'Churchite-(Dy)' | (Dy,Sm,Gd,Nd)PO4 · 2H2O |
| 8.CJ.30 | Ferrarisite | Ca5(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 9H2O |
| 8.CJ.35 | Fulbrightite | Ca(V4+O)2(As5+O4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ.35 | Machatschkiite | (Ca,Na)6(AsO4)(HAsO4)3(PO4,SO4) · 15H2O |
| 8.CJ.40 | Phaunouxite | Ca3(AsO4)2 · 11H2O |
| 8.CJ.45 | Brockite | (Ca,Th,Ce)PO4 · H2O |
| 8.CJ.45 | Smirnovskite | (Th,Ca)PO4 · nH2O |
| 8.CJ.45 | Rhabdophane-(Ce) | Ce(PO4) · 0.6H2O |
| 8.CJ.45 | Rhabdophane-(La) | La(PO4) · H2O |
| 8.CJ.45 | Rhabdophane-(Nd) | Nd(PO4) · H2O |
| 8.CJ.45 | Tristramite | (Ca,U4+,Fe3+)(PO4,SO4) · 2H2O |
| 8.CJ.45 | Grayite | (Th,Pb,Ca)(PO4) · H2O |
| 8.CJ.45 | Štěpite | U(AsO3OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ.47 | Vysokýite | U4+[AsO2(OH)2]4 · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ.50 | Churchite-(Y) | Y(PO4) · 2H2O |
| 8.CJ.50 | Brushite | Ca(PO3OH) · 2H2O |
| 8.CJ.50 | Ardealite | Ca2(PO3OH)(SO4) · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ.50 | Pharmacolite | Ca(HAsO4) · 2H2O |
| 8.CJ.50 | 'Churchite-(Nd)' | Nd(PO4) · 2H2O |
| 8.CJ.55 | Mcnearite | NaCa5(AsO4)(HAsO4)4 · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ.60 | Dorfmanite | Na2(PO3OH) · 2H2O |
| 8.CJ.65 | Sincosite | Ca(V4+O)2(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ.65 | Bariosincosite | Ba(V4+O)2(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ.70 | Catalanoite | Na2(PO3OH) · 8H2O |
| 8.CJ.75 | Guérinite | Ca6(HAsO4)3(AsO4)2 · 10.5H2O |
| 8.CJ.85 | Ningyoite | (U,Ca,Ce)2(PO4)2 · 1-2H2O |
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 Rauenthalite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3371.html
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References for Rauenthalite
Reference List:
Pierrot, Roland (1964) Contribution à la minéralogie des arséniates calciques et calcomagnésiens naturels. Bulletin de Minéralogie, 87 (2) 169-211 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1964.5727
Localities for Rauenthalite
Showing 30 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.
Austria | |
| Taucher et al. (1994) |
Czech Republic | |
| Hloušek et al. (2002) |
| Tvrdý +1 other reference |
France | |
| Bari (1982) |
| Wittern et al. (1997) | |
| Pierre et Terre 1982 | |
| De Bondt (n.d.) | |
| Pierrot (1964) |
| Bari (1982) | |
| in the collection of Joachim Esche +3 other references | |
| Anthony et al. (2000) |
| Favreaux (1997) |
Germany | |
| Kolitsch (1995) +2 other references |
| Anthony et al. (2000) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Weiß (1990) | |
| |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Witzke (1992) |
| Hajek (2010) |
| Massanek et al. (2005) |
Greece | |
| Rieck et al. (2020) |
| Liebhart et al. (2021) |
| Rieck et al. (2020) | |
Ireland | |
| S. MORETON et al. (1999) |
Slovakia | |
| Martin Števko-unpublished |
| Martin Števko-unpublished +1 other reference | |
UK | |
| Braithwaite et al. (1996) |
USA | |
| Wilson et al. (1992) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
Quick NavTopAbout RauenthaliteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Giftgrube mine, Saint Jacques vein, Neuenberg, Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines, Colmar-Ribeauvillé, Haut-Rhin, Grand Est, France