Wickenburgite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Wickenburgite
Wickenburg, Arizona, USA
Formula:
CaPb3Al2Si10O24(OH)6
Colour:
Colorless, white, pink
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
5
Specific Gravity:
3.85
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Name:
Named after the town of Wickenburg, Arizona, USA, near the discovery locality - the Potter-Cramer claim.
Monteregianite-(Y)-Wickenburgite Series (as such, probably belongs to rhodesite group). Chemically similar to maricopaite and 'UM1985-25-SiO:AlCaMgPb'.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
4282
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4282:2
IMA Classification of Wickenburgite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Pb2+3CaAl2Si10O27·4H2O
Approval year:
1968
First published:
1968
Classification of Wickenburgite
9.EG.55
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
G : Double nets with 6-membered and larger rings
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
G : Double nets with 6-membered and larger rings
Dana 7th ed.:
74.2.1.1
74.2.1.1
74 : PHYLLOSILICATES Modulated Layers
2 : Modulated Layers
74 : PHYLLOSILICATES Modulated Layers
2 : Modulated Layers
16.14.14
16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
14 : Aluminosilicates of Ti, Zr, Sn and Pb
16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
14 : Aluminosilicates of Ti, Zr, Sn and Pb
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Wbu | 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 Wickenburgite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colorless, white, pink
Streak:
White
Hardness:
5 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Distinct on the {0001}
Distinct on the {0001}
Density:
3.85 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.84 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Wickenburgite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.6918 nε = 1.648
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.044
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 Wickenburgite
Mindat Formula:
CaPb3Al2Si10O24(OH)6
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Wickenburgite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m - Ditrigonal Pyramidal
Space Group:
P31c
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.555(2) Å, c = 20.190(5) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 2.36
Unit Cell V:
1,279.70 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Type material:
Most crystals exhibit only {0001} and {1011} with traces of {1010}. Rare forms include {3032}, {1124}, {6.1.7.12}, {1012}, {3144}, {4150}.
Most crystals exhibit only {0001} and {1011} with traces of {1010}. Rare forms include {3032}, {1124}, {6.1.7.12}, {1012}, {3144}, {4150}.
Twinning:
None observed
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0005382 | Wickenburgite | Lam A E, Groat L A (1994) The crystal structure of wickenburgite, Pb3CaAl[AlSi10O27](H2O)3, a sheet structure The Canadian Mineralogist 32 525-532 |  | 1994 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0005381 | Wickenburgite | Lam A E, Groat L A (1994) The crystal structure of wickenburgite, Pb3CaAl[AlSi10O27](H2O)3, a sheet structure The Canadian Mineralogist 32 525-532 | | 1994 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 10.1 Å | (100) |
| 3.26 Å | (80) |
| 3.93 Å | (60) |
| 3.36 Å | (40) |
| 2.639 Å | (40) |
| 5.96 Å | (30) |
| 5.04 Å | (30) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Wickenburgite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Well crystallized to granular and massive. Crystals from 0.2 - 1.5 mm in diameter.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, 119099.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 122875.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 122875.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Oxide zone mineral derived from lead ores.
Synonyms of Wickenburgite
Other Language Names for Wickenburgite
Relationship of Wickenburgite to other Species
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 58 photos of Wickenburgite associated with Mimetite | Pb5(AsO4)3Cl |
| 32 photos of Wickenburgite associated with Fluorite | CaF2 |
| 31 photos of Wickenburgite associated with Willemite | Zn2SiO4 |
| 18 photos of Wickenburgite associated with Fornacite | Pb2Cu(CrO4)(AsO4)(OH) |
| 10 photos of Wickenburgite associated with Cerussite | PbCO3 |
| 9 photos of Wickenburgite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 8 photos of Wickenburgite associated with Phoenicochroite | Pb2(CrO4)O |
| 8 photos of Wickenburgite associated with Murdochite | Cu12Pb2O15Cl2 |
| 8 photos of Wickenburgite associated with Creaseyite | Pb2Cu2Fe3+2(Si4.67Al0.33)O15.33(OH)3 · H2O |
| 8 photos of Wickenburgite associated with Duftite | PbCu(AsO4)(OH) |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.EG.05 | Cymrite | BaAl2Si2(O,OH)8 · H2O |
| 9.EG.10 | Naujakasite | (Na,K)6(Fe2+,Mn2+,Ca)(Al,Fe)4Si8O26 |
| 9.EG.10 | Manganonaujakasite | Na6(Mn2+,Fe2+)Al4Si8O26 |
| 9.EG.15 | Dmisteinbergite | Ca(Al2Si2O8) |
| 9.EG.20 | Kampfite | Ba12(Si11Al5)O31(CO3)8Cl5 |
| 9.EG.25 | Vertumnite | Ca4Al4Si4O6(OH)24 · 3H2O |
| 9.EG.25 | Strätlingite | Ca2Al2SiO7 · 8H2O |
| 9.EG.30 | Eggletonite | (Na,K,Ca)xMn6(Si,Al)10O24(OH)4 · nH2O (x = 1-2; n = 7-11) |
| 9.EG.30 | Ganophyllite | (K,Na)xMn2+6(Si,Al)10O24(OH)4 · nH2O (x = 1-2; n = 7-11) |
| 9.EG.30 | Tamaite | (Ca,K,Na)xMn6(Si,Al)10O24(OH)4 · nH2O (x = 1-2; n = 7-11) |
| 9.EG.35 | Zussmanite | K(Fe,Mg,Mn)13(Si,Al)18O42(OH)14 |
| 9.EG.35 | Coombsite | KMn2+13(Si,Al)18O42(OH)14 |
| 9.EG.40 | 'Chalcodite' | K(Fe3+,Mg,Fe2+)8(Si,Al)12(O,OH)27 |
| 9.EG.40 | Parsettensite | (K,Na,Ca)7.5(Mn,Mg)49Si72O168(OH)50 · nH2O |
| 9.EG.40 | Lennilenapeite | K4Mn2+48[Si64Al8]O164(OH)52 · nH2O |
| 9.EG.40 | Stilpnomelane | K4Fe2+48[Si64Al8]O164(OH)52 · nH2O |
| 9.EG.45 | Latiumite | (Ca,K)4(Si,Al)5O11(SO4,CO3) |
| 9.EG.45 | Levantite | KCa3Al2(SiO4)(Si2O7)(PO4) |
| 9.EG.45 | Tuscanite | KCa6(Si,Al)10O22(SO4,CO3)2(OH) · H2O |
| 9.EG.50 | Jagoite | Pb18Fe3+4[Si4(Si,Fe3+)6][Pb4Si16(Si,Fe)4]O82Cl6 |
| 9.EG.50 | Friisite | Pb8Al3Si8O27Cl3 |
| 9.EG.60 | Hyttsjöite | Pb18Ba2Ca5Mn2+2Fe3+2Si30O90Cl · 6H2O |
| 9.EG.65 | Armbrusterite | K5Na7Mn15[(Si9O22)4](OH)10 · 4H2O |
| 9.EG.70 | Roymillerite | Pb24Mg9(Si10O28)(CO3)10(BO3)(SiO4)(OH)13O5 |
| 9.EG.70 | Britvinite | [Pb7(OH)3F(BO3)2(CO3)][Mg4.5(OH)3(Si5O14)] |
| 9.EG.75 | Kayupovaite | Na2Mn10[(Si14Al2)O38(OH)8] · 7H2O |
| 9.EG.75 | 'UM1989-30-SiO:AlBaCaFeHKMgMn' | (Ba,Ca)(Mn,Fe,Mg)22(Si,Al)32O76(OH)16 · 12H2O |
| 9.EG.75 | Bannisterite | (Ca,K,Na)(Mn2+,Fe2+)10(Si,Al)16O38(OH)8 · nH2O |
Fluorescence of Wickenburgite
Dull orange under SW UV
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 Wickenburgite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-4282.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Wickenburgite
Reference List:
Williams, Sidney A. (1968) Wickenburgite, a new mineral from Arizona. American Mineralogist, 53 (9-10) 1433-1438
Lam, A. E., Groat, L. A., Cooper, M. A., Hawthorne, F. C. (1994) The crystal structure of wickenburgite, Pb3CaAl[AlSi10O27](H2O)3, a sheet structure. The Canadian Mineralogist, 32 (3) 525-532
Jambor, John L., Pertsev, Nikolai N., Roberts, Andrew C. (1995) New Mineral Names. American Mineralogist, 80 (7-8). 845-850
Shannon, Robert D., Shannon, Ruth C., Medenbach, Olaf, Fischer, Reinhard X. (2002) Refractive Index and Dispersion of Fluorides and Oxides. Journal of Physical and Chemical Reference Data, 31 (4) 931-970 doi:10.1063/1.1497384
Localities for Wickenburgite
Showing 16 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.
Germany | |
| Schnorrer (1993) |
USA | |
| Bancroft et al. (1990) +1 other reference |
| Bancroft et al. (1990) +2 other references | |
| Southern California Micromounters ... | |
| Williams (1968) |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
| Richard Dale Collection +1 other reference |
| Yang et al. (2013) | |
| Minerals identified by the mine owners (2024) |
| Williams (1968) +2 other references |
| - (1970) |
| Williams (1982) |
| Joan Rosell (2019) |
| Williams (1982) +1 other reference |
| Anthony et al. (1995) | |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
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Moon Anchor Mine, Hummingbird Springs, Osborn Mining District, Maricopa County, Arizona, USA