Reinerite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Reinerite
Formula:
Zn3(AsO3)2
Colour:
Originally blue toyellow green; also colorless to white
Lustre:
Adamantine, Vitreous
Hardness:
5 - 5½
Specific Gravity:
4.270
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named in 1958 by Bruno H. Geier and K. Weber in honor of Willy Reiner [1895–1965], Senior Chemist, Tsumeb Corporation, Tsumeb, Namibia, who analyzed the type material.
A synthetic polymorph has been reported by Harrison (2010).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3386
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3386:8
Similar Names
| Greinerite | A variety of Dolomite | CaMg(CO3)2 |
| Renierite | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | (Cu+,Zn)11Fe4(Ge4+,As5+)2S16 |
IMA Classification of Reinerite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Zn2+3(As3+O3)2
First published:
1958
Classification of Reinerite
4.JA.10
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
A : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites; without additional anions, without H2O
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
A : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites; without additional anions, without H2O
45.1.1.1
45 : ACID AND NORMAL ANTIMONITES AND ARSENITES
1 : Miscellaneous
45 : ACID AND NORMAL ANTIMONITES AND ARSENITES
1 : Miscellaneous
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Rnr | 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 Reinerite
Adamantine, Vitreous
Comment:
Vitreous to adamantine on fracture surfaces.
Colour:
Originally blue toyellow green; also colorless to white
Comment:
Light yellow-green, changing to sea-blue on exposure.
Hardness:
5 - 5½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
{110}, {011}, {111}, good
{110}, {011}, {111}, good
Density:
4.270 g/cm3 (Measured) 4.283 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Reinerite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.749 nβ = 1.790 nγ = 1.821
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.072
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.
No measured or calculated 2V is on file for this mineral, so the value used here (80°) 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 (80°) is estimated from its recorded refractive indices and optic sign, not from a direct 2V measurement.
Dispersion:
r > v moderate
Chemistry of Reinerite
Mindat Formula:
Zn3(AsO3)2
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Reinerite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pbam
Setting:
Pbam
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.0883(2) Å, b = 14.3941(5) Å, c = 7.8022(2) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.423 : 1 : 0.542
Unit Cell V:
683.75 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Crystal Structure
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Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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Display Options
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View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
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Rotation
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Labels
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0000602 | Reinerite | Ghose S, Boving P, LaChapelle W A, Wan C (1977) Reinerite, Zn3(AsO3)2: an arsenite with a novel type of Zn-tetrahedral double chain American Mineralogist 62 1129-1134 |  | 1977 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.9954 Å | (1000) |
| 2.6455 Å | (290) |
| 1.5488 Å | (191) |
| 3.2025 Å | (187) |
| 2.7826 Å | (176) |
| 2.6023 Å | (145) |
| 3.3942 Å | (143) |
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 |
| 56 : Slag and smelter minerals (see also #51 and #55) |
Type Occurrence of Reinerite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Crystals are rough, pseudohexagonal.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
ENSM, Paris, France, number 50963.
IMK-TU, Berlin, Germany, 94/32, 86/70, 86/71.
IMK-TU, Berlin, Germany, 94/32, 86/70, 86/71.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Reinerite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 6 photos of Reinerite associated with Legrandite | Zn2(AsO4)(OH) · H2O |
| 4 photos of Reinerite associated with Germanite | Cu13Fe2Ge2S16 |
| 1 photo of Reinerite associated with Tennantite Subgroup | Cu6(Cu4C2+2)As4S12S |
| 1 photo of Reinerite associated with Adamite | Zn2(AsO4)(OH) |
| 1 photo of Reinerite associated with Leiteite | Zn(As2O4) |
| 1 photo of Reinerite associated with Gallite | CuGaS2 |
| 1 photo of Reinerite associated with Smithsonite | ZnCO3 |
| 1 photo of Reinerite associated with Chalcocite | Cu2S |
| 1 photo of Reinerite associated with Schaurteite | Ca3Ge(SO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2O |
| 1 photo of Reinerite associated with Ludlockite | PbFe3+4As3+10O22 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.JA.05 | Leiteite | Zn(As2O4) |
| 4.JA.15 | Karibibite | Fe3+3(As3+O2)4(As3+2O5)(OH) |
| 4.JA.20 | Manganoschafarzikite | MnSb2O4 |
| 4.JA.20 | Trippkeite | Cu2+As3+2O4 |
| 4.JA.20 | Schafarzikite | Fe2+Sb3+2O4 |
| 4.JA.20 | Kusachiite | CuBi2O4 |
| 4.JA.20 | Igelströmite | Fe3+(Sb3+Pb2+)O4 |
| 4.JA.25 | Apuanite | Fe2+Fe3+4Sb3+4O12S |
| 4.JA.30 | Versiliaite | Fe2Fe4Sb6O16S |
| 4.JA.35 | Schneiderhöhnite | Fe2+Fe3+3As3+5O13 |
| 4.JA.40 | Zimbabweite | (Na,K)2PbAs4(Ta,Nb,Ti)4O18 |
| 4.JA.45 | Ludlockite | PbFe3+4As3+10O22 |
| 4.JA.50 | Paulmooreite | Pb2[As2O5] |
| 4.JA.55 | Stibivanite | Sb2VO5 |
| 4.JA.60 | Chadwickite | (UO2)[HAsO3] |
Fluorescence of Reinerite
Fluoresces medium olive-green
Other Information
Special Storage/
Display Requirements:
Display Requirements:
Light yellow-green, changing to sea-blue on exposure.
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 Reinerite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3386.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Reinerite
Reference List:
Ghose, Subrata, Boving, Paul, LaChapelle, William A., Wan, Che'ng (1977) Reinerite, Zn3(AsO3)2: an arsenite with a novel type of Zn-tetrahedral double chain. American Mineralogist, 62 (11-12) 1129-1134
Frost, Ray L., Bahfenne, Silmarilly (2009) Raman spectroscopic study of the arsenite minerals leiteite ZnAs2O4, reinerite Zn3(AsO3)2 and cafarsite Ca5(Ti,Fe,Mn)7(AsO3)12·4H2O. Journal of Raman Spectroscopy, 41 (3). 325-328 doi:10.1002/jrs.2325
Harrison, William T. A. (2010) β-Zn3(AsO3)2. Acta Crystallographica Section C Crystal Structure Communications, 66 (6). i64-i66 doi:10.1107/s0108270110017403
Localities for Reinerite
Showing 5 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.
China | |
| Yingchao Liu et al. (2013) |
Germany | |
| Schnorrer-Köhler (1991) |
Namibia (TL) | |
| Geier +1 other reference |
Russia | |
| Kiseleva et al. (2024) |
USA | |
| Bostwick et al. (2017) +1 other reference |
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Sterling Mine, Sterling Hill, Ogdensburg, Sussex County, New Jersey, USA