Vote for your favorite mineral in #MinCup26! - Azurite vs. Smithsonite
It's carbonate-vs-carbonate to kick off Mineral Cup 2026 with copper-rich Azurite against zinc-rich Smithsonite.
Log InRegister
Quick Links : The Mindat ManualThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryMindat Newsletter [Free Download]
Home PageAbout MindatThe Mindat ManualHistory of MindatCopyright StatusWho We AreContact UsAdvertise on Mindat
Donate to MindatCorporate SponsorshipSponsor a PageSponsored PagesMindat AdvertisersAdvertise on Mindat
Learning CenterWhat is a mineral?The most common minerals on earthInformation for EducatorsMindat ArticlesThe ElementsThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryGeologic TimeExplore Fossils
Minerals by PropertiesMinerals by ChemistryMineral Visual ExplorerAdvanced Locality SearchRandom MineralRandom LocalitySearch by minIDLocalities Near MeSearch ArticlesSearch GlossaryMore Search Options
Search For:
Mineral Name:
Locality Name:
Keyword(s):
 
The Mindat ManualAdd a New PhotoRate PhotosLocality Edit ReportCoordinate Completion ReportAdd Glossary Item
Mining CompaniesStatisticsUsersMineral MuseumsClubs & OrganizationsMineral Shows & EventsThe Mindat DirectoryDevice SettingsThe Mineral QuizTime Machine
Photo SearchPhoto GalleriesSearch by ColorPhoto Colour ExplorerNew Photos TodayNew Photos YesterdayMembers' Photo GalleriesPast Photo of the Day GalleryPhotography

Sanjuanite

A valid IMA mineral species
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
09103930017271926351117.jpg
Sanjuanite

Sierra Chica de Zonda, Pocito Department, San Juan Province, Argentina
09033950017271926383703.jpg
Sanjuanite

Sierra Chica de Zonda, Pocito Department, San Juan Province, Argentina
08732600017271926413873.jpg
Sanjuanite

Sierra Chica de Zonda, Pocito Department, San Juan Province, Argentina
09103930017271926351117.jpg
Sanjuanite

Sierra Chica de Zonda, Pocito Department, San Juan Province, Argentina
09033950017271926383703.jpg
Sanjuanite

Sierra Chica de Zonda, Pocito Department, San Juan Province, Argentina
08732600017271926413873.jpg
Sanjuanite

Sierra Chica de Zonda, Pocito Department, San Juan Province, Argentina
09103930017271926351117.jpg
Sanjuanite

Sierra Chica de Zonda, Pocito Department, San Juan Province, Argentina
09033950017271926383703.jpg
Sanjuanite

Sierra Chica de Zonda, Pocito Department, San Juan Province, Argentina
Hide all sections | Show all sections

About SanjuaniteHide

08115650017271926462576.jpg
Flag of San Juan, Argentina
Formula:
Al2(PO4)(SO4)(OH) · 9H2O
Colour:
White
Lustre:
Silky, Dull
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
1.94
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
Named after the Province of San Juan, Argentina, the discovery locality.
Sanjuanite-Destinezite Group.

Chemically related to kribergite, arangasite and mitryaevaite.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
3522
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3522:0

IMA Classification of SanjuaniteHide

Classification of SanjuaniteHide

Strunz-mindat (2026):
8.DB.30

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
B : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4< 1:1
Dana 8th ed.:
43.5.1.3

43 : COMPOUND PHOSPHATES, ETC.
5 : Hydrated Compound Phosphates, etc·, Containing Hydroxyl or Halogen
Hey's CIM Ref.:
22.3.11

22 : Phosphates, Arsenates or Vanadates with other Anions
3 : Phosphates, arsenates or vanadates with sulphates

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

Physical Properties of SanjuaniteHide

Lustre:
Silky, Dull
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
White
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
1.94 g/cm3 (Measured)    1.96 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of SanjuaniteHide

Type:
Biaxial
RI values:
nα = 1.484 nγ = 1.499
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.015
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.

Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
r > v to r < v strong

Chemistry of SanjuaniteHide

Mindat Formula:
Al2(PO4)(SO4)(OH) · 9H2O
Element Weights:
Element% weight
O67.899 %
Al12.723 %
S7.560 %
P7.303 %
H4.515 %

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

Crystallography of SanjuaniteHide

Crystal System:
Triclinic
Cell Parameters:
a = 11.314(11) Å, b = 9.018(9) Å, c = 7.376(7) Å
α = 93°, β = 95°, γ = 105°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.255 : 1 : 0.818
Unit Cell V:
721.96 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Comment:
Questionable

Crystal StructureHide

Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File    Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0018459SanjuaniteColombo F, Rius J, Pannunzio-Miner E V, Pedregosa J C, Cami G E, Carbonio R E (2011) Sanjuanite: Ab Initio crystal-structure solution from laboratory powder-diffraction data, complemented by FTIR spectroscopy and DT-TG analyses Pocito Department, San Juan Province, Argentina The Canadian Mineralogist 49 835-8472011Pensylvanian slates belonging to Los Jejenes Formation at the0293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
10.77 Å(100)
4.13 Å(55)
5.28 Å(38)
4.32 Å(36)
3.450 Å(35)
8.66 Å(30)
4.27 Å(30)
Comments:
Sierra Chica de Zonda, Argentina. The data are from the type description.

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event<2.4
47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals]
47b : [Sulfates and sulfites]
47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates]

Type Occurrence of SanjuaniteHide

Type Locality:
ⓘ Sierra Chica de Zonda, Pocito Department, San Juan Province, Argentina
General Appearance of Type Material:
Microscopic laths, parallel to divergent, fibrous, in chalk-like aggregates.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 149522.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Dark Carboniferous slate.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Gypsum'Limonite'Natrojarosite
Reference:
de Abeledo, M. E. J., Angelelli, V., de Benyacar, M. A. R., Gordillo, C. (1968) Sanjuanite, a new hydrated basic sulfate-phosphate of aluminum. American Mineralogist, 53 (1-2) 1-8

Synonyms of SanjuaniteHide

Other Language Names for SanjuaniteHide

German:Sanjuanit
Spanish:Sanjuanita

Relationship of Sanjuanite to other SpeciesHide

Member of:
Sanjuanite-Destinezite Group
Other Members of Sanjuanite-Destinezite Group:
DestineziteFe3+2(PO4)(SO4)(OH) · 6H2OTric. 1 : P1
SarmientiteFe3+2(AsO4)(SO4)(OH) · 5H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
ZýkaiteFe3+4(AsO4)3(SO4)(OH) · 15H2OOrth. 2 2 2 : P2 2 2

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

8.DB.ArangasiteAl2F(PO4)(SO4) · 9H2O Mon. 2/m : P2/b
8.DB.HösliteFe3+3(VO4)2(SO4)(OH)(H2O)4 · 3H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DB.Camaronesite[Fe3+(H2O)2(PO3OH)]2(SO4) · 1-2H2OTrig. 3 2 : R3 2
8.DB.05DestineziteFe3+2(PO4)(SO4)(OH) · 6H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DB.05Pitticite(Fe, AsO4, H2O) (?)Amor.
8.DB.05DiadochiteFe3+2(PO4)(SO4)(OH) · 6H2OAmor.
8.DB.07WilhelmgümbeliteZnFe2+Fe3+3(PO4)3(OH)4(H2O)5 · 2H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
8.DB.07Schmidite[Zn2(Fe3+,Mn2+)2Fe3+(PO4)3(OH)3(H2O)6] · 2H2OOrth.
8.DB.07WildenaueriteZn(Fe3+,Mn2+)2MnFe3+(PO4)3(OH)3(H2O)6 · 2H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbam
8.DB.10VashegyiteAl11(PO4)9(OH)6 · 38H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
8.DB.15SchooneriteZnMn2+Fe2+2Fe3+(PO4)3(OH)2 · 9H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbam
8.DB.20SinkankasiteMn2+Al(PO3OH)2(OH) · 6H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DB.25MitryaevaiteAl6(PO4)((P,S)O3(OH,O))2F2(OH)2 · 14.5H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DB.35SarmientiteFe3+2(AsO4)(SO4)(OH) · 5H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DB.40BukovskýiteFe3+2(AsO4)(SO4)(OH) · 9H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DB.40ManganflurliteZnMn2+3Fe3+(PO4)3(OH)2(H2O)7 · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P21/m
8.DB.40FlurliteZn3Mn2+Fe3+(PO4)3(OH)2 · 9H2OMon. 2/m : P21/m
8.DB.42BohuslaviteFe3+4(PO4)3(SO4)(OH) · nH2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DB.45ZýkaiteFe3+4(AsO4)3(SO4)(OH) · 15H2OOrth. 2 2 2 : P2 2 2
8.DB.47LapeyreiteCu3O[AsO3(OH)]2 · 0.75H2OMon. 2/m : B2/m
8.DB.50RossiantoniteAl3(PO4)(SO4)2(OH)2(H2O)14Tric. 1 : P1
8.DB.50GiniiteFe2+Fe3+4(PO4)3(OH)5 · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
8.DB.52'Arctowskite'Al9(PO4)8(OH)3 · 27H2OOrth.
8.DB.55Sasaite(Al,Fe3+)14(PO4)11(SO4)(OH)7 · 83H2OOrth.
8.DB.60McauslaniteFe3Al2(PO4)3(PO3OH)F · 18H2OTric.
8.DB.65GoldquarryiteCuCd2Al3(PO4)4F2(H2O,F)2 · 10H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DB.70BirchiteCd2Cu2(PO4)2(SO4) · 5H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma
8.DB.75BraithwaiteiteNaCu5(Ti4+Sb5+)(AsO4)4(HAsO4)2O2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1

Other InformationHide

Thermal Behaviour:
Heated in a closed tube, it gives of a high proportion of acid water.
Notes:
Readily soluble in warm mineral acids.
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 SanjuaniteHide

References for SanjuaniteHide

Localities for SanjuaniteHide

Showing 4 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.
Hide all sections | Show all sections

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.
Argentina (TL)
 
  • San Juan Province
    • Pocito Department
de Abeledo et al. (1968) +2 other references
Poland
 
  • Silesian Voivodeship
    • Wodzisław County
      • Radlin
Cu +2 other references
Venezuela
 
  • Bolívar
    • Gran Sabana Municipality
      • Auyán-tepui (Auyán-tepuy; Ayan Tepui)
Sauro et al. (2013)
      • Chimantá Massif (Chimantha Massif)
Galli et al. (2013)
Quick NavTopAbout SanjuaniteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesRelationshipsStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
 
and/or  
Mindat.org® is an outreach project of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Mindat® and mindat.org® are registered trademarks of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy.
Copyright © mindat.org and the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy 1993-2026, except where stated. Most political location boundaries are © OpenStreetMap contributors. Mindat.org relies on the contributions of thousands of members and supporters. Founded in 2000 by Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau.
Content on this site may not be used to train, fine-tune, or otherwise develop artificial intelligence or machine learning models without prior written permission - see our Terms & Conditions.
To cite: Ralph, J., Von Bargen, D., Martynov, P., Zhang, J., Que, X., Prabhu, A., Morrison, S. M., Li, W., Chen, W., & Ma, X. (2025). Mindat.org: The open access mineralogy database to accelerate data-intensive geoscience research. American Mineralogist, 110(6), 833–844. doi:10.2138/am-2024-9486.
Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Contact Us / DMCA issues - Report a bug/vulnerability Current server date and time: September 1, 2026 07:40:47 Page updated: June 5, 2026 20:12:01
Go to top of page