Ambrinoite
A valid IMA mineral species
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About Ambrinoite
Formula:
[K,(NH4)]2(As,Sb)6(Sb,As)2S13 · H2O
Colour:
Cinnabar-red
Lustre:
Vitreous, Resinous
Specific Gravity:
3.305 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
After Pierluigi Ambrino (b. 1947), a mineral collector, specializing in Piedmont and manganese deposits, who kindly provided the specimen studied.
Compare gerstleyite and gillulyite (homeotypic). Unique combination of elements: ambrinoite is the only currently known potassium thioarsenite (and thioantimonite); this is also the only known sulphide/sulphosalt containing important amounts of ammonium.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
39789
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:39789:6
IMA Classification of Ambrinoite
Approved
IMA Formula:
[K,(N3-H4)]2(As3+,Sb3+)6(Sb3+,As3+)2S2-13·H2O
Approval year:
2009
First published:
2011
Type description reference:
Biagioni, C., Bonaccorsi, E., Pasero, M., Moëlo, Y., Ciriotti, M. E., Bersani, D., Callegari, A. M., Boiocchi, M. (2011) Ambrinoite, (K,NH4)2(As,Sb)8S13·H2O, a new mineral from Upper Susa Valley, Piedmont, Italy: The first natural (K,NH4)-hydrated sulfosalt. American Mineralogist, 96 (5). 878-887 doi:10.2138/am.2011.3723
Classification of Ambrinoite
2.HE.10
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
H : Sulfosalts of SnS archetype
E : With alkalies, H2O
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
H : Sulfosalts of SnS archetype
E : With alkalies, H2O
3.8.8.2
3 : SULFOSALTS
8 : 1 < ø < 2
3 : SULFOSALTS
8 : 1 < ø < 2
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Amb | 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 Ambrinoite
Vitreous, Resinous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Cinnabar-red
Streak:
Red
Hardness Data:
Could not be measured
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect on {001} and {010}; poor on {100}.
Perfect on {001} and {010}; poor on {100}.
Parting:
Not observed
Fracture:
Splintery
Density:
3.305 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Could not be measured due to lack of material.
Chemistry of Ambrinoite
Mindat Formula:
[K,(NH4)]2(As,Sb)6(Sb,As)2S13 · H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Ambrinoite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.704(1) Å, b = 11.579(1) Å, c = 12.102(1) Å
α = 112.82(1)°, β = 103.44(1)°, γ = 90.40(1)°
α = 112.82(1)°, β = 103.44(1)°, γ = 90.40(1)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.838 : 1 : 1.045
Unit Cell V:
1211.6 ų
Z:
2
Morphology:
Masses and groups of lamellae, elongated on [100] and flattened on (001).
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 10.78 Å | (100) |
| 5.79 Å | (55) |
| 5.39 Å | (32) |
| 5.31 Å | (34) |
| 4.23 Å | (35) |
| 3.747 Å | (31) |
| 3.157 Å | (30) |
| 2.876 Å | (30) |
Reference:
Biagioni, C., Bonaccorsi, E., Pasero, M., Moëlo, Y., Ciriotti, M. E., Bersani, D., Callegari, A. M., Boiocchi, M. (2011) Ambrinoite, (K,NH4)2(As,Sb)8S13·H2O, a new mineral from Upper Susa Valley, Piedmont, Italy: The first natural (K,NH4)-hydrated sulfosalt. American Mineralogist, 96 (5). 878-887 doi:10.2138/am.2011.3723
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]) | |
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 53 : Other minerals with taphonomic origins | <0.4 |
Type Occurrence of Ambrinoite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Aggregates of tabular crystals up to 1 mm in length.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Natural History Museum, University of Pisa, Italy (19500).
The Natural Science Museum, Turin, Italy (M/15824).
The Natural Science Museum, Turin, Italy (M/15824).
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Evaporite deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Biagioni, C., Bonaccorsi, E., Pasero, M., Moëlo, Y., Ciriotti, M. E., Bersani, D., Callegari, A. M., Boiocchi, M. (2011) Ambrinoite, (K,NH4)2(As,Sb)8S13·H2O, a new mineral from Upper Susa Valley, Piedmont, Italy: The first natural (K,NH4)-hydrated sulfosalt. American Mineralogist, 96 (5). 878-887 doi:10.2138/am.2011.3723
Synonyms of Ambrinoite
Other Language Names for Ambrinoite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 2.HE.05 | Gerstleyite | Na2(Sb,As)8S13 · 2H2O |
Radioactivity
Radioactivity:
| Element | % Content | Activity (Bq/kg) | Radiation Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uranium (U) | 0.0000% | 0 | α, β, γ |
| Thorium (Th) | 0.0000% | 0 | α, β, γ |
| Potassium (K) | 6.2951% | 1,951 | β, γ |
For comparison:
- Banana: ~15 Bq per fruit
- Granite: 1,000–3,000 Bq/kg
- EU exemption limit: 10,000 Bq/kg
Note: Risk is shown relative to daily recommended maximum exposure to non-background radiation of 1000 µSv/year. Note that natural background radiation averages around 2400 µSv/year so in reality these risks are probably extremely overstated! With infrequent handling and safe storage natural radioactive minerals do not usually pose much risk.
Interactive Simulator:
Note: The mass selector refers to the mass of radioactive mineral present, not the full specimen, also be aware that the matrix may also be radioactive, possibly more radioactive than this mineral!
Activity: –
| Distance | Dose rate | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cm | ||
| 10 cm | ||
| 1 m |
The external dose rate (D) from a radioactive mineral is estimated by summing the gamma radiation contributions from its Uranium, Thorium, and Potassium content, disregarding daughter-product which may have a significant effect in some cases (eg 'pitchblende'). This involves multiplying the activity (A, in Bq) of each element by its specific gamma ray constant (Γ), which accounts for its unique gamma emissions. The total unshielded dose at 1 cm is then scaled by the square of the distance (r, in cm) and multiplied by a shielding factor (μshield). This calculation provides a 'worst-case' or 'maximum risk' estimate because it assumes the sample is a point source and entirely neglects any self-shielding where radiation is absorbed within the mineral itself, meaning actual doses will typically be lower. The resulting dose rate (D) is expressed in microsieverts per hour (μSv/h).
D = ((AU × ΓU) + (ATh × ΓTh) + (AK × ΓK)) / r2 × μshield
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 Ambrinoite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-39789.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 Ambrinoite
Reference List:
Biagioni, C., Bonaccorsi, E., Pasero, M., Moëlo, Y., Ciriotti, M. E., Bersani, D., Callegari, A. M., Boiocchi, M. (2011) Ambrinoite, (K,NH4)2(As,Sb)8S13·H2O, a new mineral from Upper Susa Valley, Piedmont, Italy: The first natural (K,NH4)-hydrated sulfosalt. American Mineralogist, 96 (5). 878-887 doi:10.2138/am.2011.3723
Localities for Ambrinoite
Showing 1 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.
Italy (TL) | |
| - (n.d.) +1 other reference |
Quick NavTopAbout AmbrinoiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Chemistry Crystallography X-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatRadioactivityOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Signols Quarries, Signols, Oulx, Metropolitan City of Turin, Piedmont, Italy