Tunisite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Tunisite
Formula:
NaCa2Al4(CO3)4(OH)8Cl
Colour:
Colourless to white
Hardness:
4½
Specific Gravity:
2.51
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Name:
Named after Tunisia, the country in which it was discovered.
This page provides mineralogical data about Tunisite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
4056
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4056:9
Similar Names
| D'Ansite | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | Na21Mg(SO4)10Cl3 |
| D'Ansite-(Fe) | A valid IMA mineral species | Na21Fe2+(SO4)10Cl3 |
| D'Ansite-(Mn) | A valid IMA mineral species | Na21Mn2+(SO4)10Cl3 |
IMA Classification of Tunisite
Approved
Approval year:
1967
First published:
1969
Classification of Tunisite
5.BB.15
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
B : Carbonates with additional anions, without H2O
B : With alkalies, etc.
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
B : Carbonates with additional anions, without H2O
B : With alkalies, etc.
16a.5.2.1
16a : ANHYDROUS CARBONATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
5 : Miscellaneous
16a : ANHYDROUS CARBONATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
5 : Miscellaneous
11.7.9
11 : Carbonates
7 : Carbonates of Al
11 : Carbonates
7 : Carbonates of Al
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tun | 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 Tunisite
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless to white
Streak:
White
Hardness:
4½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
Basal and prismatic
Basal and prismatic
Density:
2.51(2) g/cm3 (Measured) 2.48 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Tunisite
Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 1.573(1) nε = 1.599(1)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.026
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.
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
Chemistry of Tunisite
Mindat Formula:
NaCa2Al4(CO3)4(OH)8Cl
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Tunisite
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Class (H-M):
4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) - Ditetragonal Dipyramidal
Space Group:
P4/nmm
Setting:
P4/nmm
Cell Parameters:
a = 11.22(1) Å, c = 6.582(1) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.587
Unit Cell V:
828.60 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0015681 | Tunisite | Effenberger H, Kluger F, Pertlik F, Zemann J (1981) Tunisit: kristallstruktur und revision der chemischen formel Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen 28 65-77 | 1981 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 5.615 Å | (10) |
| 2.592 Å | (9) |
| 3.551 Å | (8) |
| 3.288 Å | (7) |
| 2.s26 Å | (7) |
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) | |
| High-? alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 31 : Thermally altered carbonate, phosphate, and iron formations |
Type Occurrence of Tunisite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Fills cavities or a thin coating on calcite or small tabular crystals.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum in Prague (specimen No. 53823).
National School of Mines, Paris, France.
National School of Mines, Paris, France.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Latest hydrothermal stage of lead zinc deposit
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Tunisite
Other Language Names for Tunisite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.BB.05 | Barentsite | Na7Al(HCO3)2(CO3)2F4 |
| 5.BB.10 | Dawsonite | NaAlCO3(OH)2 |
| 5.BB.20 | Sabinaite | Na4Zr2TiO4(CO3)4 |
Other Information
Notes:
Easily soluble in concentrated inorganic acids, except nitric acid.
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 Tunisite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-4056.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Tunisite
Reference List:
Johan, Zdenek, Povondra, Pavel, Slinsky, Ervin (1969) Tunisite, a new carbonate from Tunisia. American Mineralogist, 54 (1-2) 1-13
Fleischer, M., Cabri, L. J., Chao, G. Y., Pabst, A. (1980) New mineral names. American Mineralogist, 65 (9-10). 1065-1070 p.1070
Localities for Tunisite
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.
France | |
| Haas (n.d.) +2 other references |
Saudi Arabia | |
| Faheha et al. (2012) |
Tunisia (TL) | |
| Johan et al. (1969) |
Ukraine | |
| Belous et al. (1984) |
USA | |
| Dunning |
Quick NavTopAbout TunisiteUnique IdentifiersSimilar NamesIMA 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
Condorcet, Nyons, Drôme, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France