Ashburtonite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Ashburtonite
Formula:
Pb4Cu4(Si4O12)(HCO3)4(OH)3Cl · H2O
Colour:
Blue
Lustre:
Vitreous
Specific Gravity:
4.69 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Name:
Named in 1991 by Joel Denison Grice, Ernest (Ernie) Henry Nickel, and Robert A. Gault for the type locality near the Ashburton Downs pastoral lease and homestead, Western Australia, Australia.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
388
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:388:1
IMA Classification of Ashburtonite
Approved
IMA Formula:
HPb2+4Cu2+4(Si4O12)(HCO3)4(OH)4Cl
Approval year:
1990
First published:
1991
Classification of Ashburtonite
9.CF.05
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
C : Cyclosilicates
F : [Si4O12]8- 4-membered single rings, with insular complex anions
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
C : Cyclosilicates
F : [Si4O12]8- 4-membered single rings, with insular complex anions
78.4.2.1
78 : Unclassified Silicates
4 :
78 : Unclassified Silicates
4 :
17.4.13
17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
4 : Silicates with carbonates
17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
4 : Silicates with carbonates
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ahb | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Ashburtonite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Ashburtonite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Blue
Streak:
Pale blue
Tenacity:
Very brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
4.69 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Ashburtonite
Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 1.786(3) nε = 1.800(4)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.014
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 uniaxial interference figure - the conoscopic
(convergent-light, Bertrand-lens-in) view, for a grain cut with the optic axis
centred and vertical. The coloured rings are isochromatics, computed with the
same physics as the Michel-Lévy bar above; the dark cross is the isogyre.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
Chemistry of Ashburtonite
Mindat Formula:
Pb4Cu4(Si4O12)(HCO3)4(OH)3Cl · H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Ashburtonite
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Cell Parameters:
a = 14.234(7) Å, c = 6.103(5) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.429
Unit Cell V:
1,236.51 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Comment:
I4/m, I4 and I4
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0001412 | Ashburtonite | Grice J D, Nickel E H, Gault R A (1991) Ashburtonite, a new bicarbonate-silicate mineral from Ashburton Downs, Western Australia: Description and structure determination American Mineralogist 76 1701-1707 |  | 1991 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 10.2 Å | (100) |
| 4.495 Å | (100) |
| 3.333 Å | (100) |
| 3.013 Å | (90) |
| 5.644 Å | (70) |
| 2.611 Å | (50) |
| 2.805 Å | (30) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 23 : Subaerial aqueous alteration by non-redox-sensitive fluids (see also #47) |
Type Occurrence of Ashburtonite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Clusters of clear blue, prismatic crystals up to 0.4 mm long.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Collection of the Canadian Museum of Nature under catalog no. CMN 58391 and in the Museum of Victoria, Melbourne, under catalog no. M40712.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
An assemblage of secondary minerals in a weathered shear zone that cuts a series of shales and graywackes.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Ashburtonite
Other Language Names for Ashburtonite
Dutch:Ashburtoniet
French:Ashburtonite
German:Ashburtonit
Norwegian:Ashburtonitt
Russian:Ашбуртонит
Spanish:Ashburtonita
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 7 photos of Ashburtonite associated with Caledonite | Pb5Cu2(SO4)3(CO3)(OH)6 |
| 4 photos of Ashburtonite associated with Botallackite | Cu2(OH)3Cl |
| 3 photos of Ashburtonite associated with Cerussite | PbCO3 |
| 2 photos of Ashburtonite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 1 photo of Ashburtonite associated with Clinoatacamite | Cu2(OH)3Cl |
| 1 photo of Ashburtonite associated with Diaboleite | Pb2CuCl2(OH)4 |
| 1 photo of Ashburtonite associated with Aurichalcite | (Zn,Cu)5(CO3)2(OH)6 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.CF. | Bobmeyerite | Pb4(Al3Cu)(Si4O12)(S0.5Si0.5O4)(OH)7Cl(H2O)3 |
| 9.CF.10 | Kainosite-(Y) | Ca2Y2(SiO3)4(CO3) · H2O |
| 9.CF.15 | Clinophosinaite | Na12(Ca,Sr)4(Si4O12)(PO4)4 |
| 9.CF.15 | Phosinaite-(Ce) | Na13Ca2(Ce,La,Th,Nd,Pr)(Si4O12)(PO4)4 |
| 9.CF.20 | Strakhovite | NaBa3Mn2+2Mn3+2Si6O19(OH)3 |
| 9.CF.25 | Cerchiaraite-(Al) | Ba4Al4O3(OH)3(Si4O12)[Si2O3(OH)4]Cl |
| 9.CF.25 | Cerchiaraite-(Fe) | Ba4Fe3+4O3(OH)3(Si4O12)[Si2O3(OH)4]Cl |
| 9.CF.25 | Cerchiaraite-(Mn) | Ba4Mn3+4(Si4O12)O2(OH)4Cl2[Si2O3(OH)4] |
Other Information
Notes:
Decomposes rapidly in concentrated HCl and slowly in 0.2 M HCl, 1:1 HNO3, and concentrated H2SO4.
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 Ashburtonite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-388.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Ashburtonite
Localities for Ashburtonite
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.
Australia | |
| Nickel et al. (1993) |
| Amer.Min. (1991) | |
Morocco | |
| Georges FAVREAU collection - EDX ... |
USA | |
| Collected by and in the collection of ... +1 other reference |
| PXRD analyzed by Tony Kampf. +1 other reference |
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Rowley Mine, Theba, Painted Rock Mining District, Painted Rock Mountains, Maricopa County, Arizona, USA