Torrecillasite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Torrecillasite
Formula:
Na(As,Sb)3+4O6Cl
Colour:
Colorless
Lustre:
Adamantine
Hardness:
2½
Specific Gravity:
4.056 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
Named after the Torrecillas mine, Chile, the type locality.
The Cl analogue of synthetic NaAs4O6Br. Structurally related to gajardoite (but different crystal system). Compare lucabindiite and russoite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
46055
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:46055:4
IMA Classification of Torrecillasite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Na(As3+,Sb3+)4O6Cl
Approval year:
2013
First published:
2014
Classification of Torrecillasite
3.DC.
3 : HALIDES
D : Oxyhalides, hydroxyhalides and related double halides
C : With Pb (As,Sb,Bi), without Cu
3 : HALIDES
D : Oxyhalides, hydroxyhalides and related double halides
C : With Pb (As,Sb,Bi), without Cu
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Trc | 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 Torrecillasite
Adamantine
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colorless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
4.056 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Torrecillasite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.800(5) nβ = 1.96(1) nγ = 2.03
2V:
Measured: 62.1° (5)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.230
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:
Moderate
Dispersion:
None observed
Pleochroism:
Not Visible
Chemistry of Torrecillasite
Mindat Formula:
Na(As,Sb)3+4O6Cl
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Torrecillasite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.2580(9) Å, b = 8.0620(13) Å, c = 18.654(3) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.652 : 1 : 2.314
Unit Cell V:
790.7 ų
Z:
4
Morphology:
Thin prisms elongated on [100] with diamond-shaped cross-section and irregular terminations.
Comment:
Pmcn
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0020486 | Torrecillasite | Kampf A R, Nash B P, Dini M, Molina Donoso A A (2014) Torrecillasite, Na(As,Sb)3+4O6Cl, a new mineral from the Torrecillas mine, Iquique Province, Chile: description and crystal structure Mineralogical Magazine 78 747-755 | 2014 | Torrecillas mine, Iquique Province, Chile | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 4.298 Å | (33) |
| 4.031 Å | (78) |
| 3.035 Å | (100) |
| 2.853 Å | (39) |
| 2.642 Å | (84) |
| 2.426 Å | (34) |
| 1.8963 Å | (32) |
| 1.8026 Å | (29) |
Reference:
Comments:
From Type Description.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates] | |
| 47g : [Halogen-bearing surface weathering minerals] | |
| 47h : [Near-surface oxidized, dehydrated minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Torrecillasite
General Appearance of Type Material:
As a secondary alteration phase forming , thin prisms up to 0.4 mm long in jack-straw aggregates, as very thin fibres in puff balls and as massive intergrowths of needles.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Type material is deposited in the collections of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, CA 90007, USA, catalogue numbers 64079, 64080, 64081 and 64082
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Torrecillasite
Other Language Names for Torrecillasite
Dutch:Torrecillasiet
German:Torrecillasit
Relationship of Torrecillasite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Lucabindiite Group:
| Cuatrocapaite-(K) | K3(NaMg◻)(As2O3)6Cl6 · 16H2O | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m |
| Cuatrocapaite-(NH4) | (NH4)3(NaMg◻)(As2O3)6Cl6 · 16H2O | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m |
| Ermakovite | (NH4)(As2O3)2Br | Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mmm |
| Gajardoite | KCa0.5As3+4O6Cl2 · 5H2O | Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mmm |
| Gajardoite-(NH4) | (NH4)As3+4O6Cl2(Ca0.5◻0.5)(H2O)5 | Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mmm |
| Lucabindiite | (K,NH4)As4O6(Cl,Br) | Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mmm |
| Mauriziodiniite | (NH4)(As2O3)2I | Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mmm |
| Russoite | (NH4)ClAs2O3(H2O)0.5 | Hex. 622 : P622 |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 3 photos of Torrecillasite associated with Magnesiokoritnigite | Mg(AsO3OH) · H2O |
| 2 photos of Torrecillasite associated with Tamarugite | NaAl(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 2 photos of Torrecillasite associated with Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
| 1 photo of Torrecillasite associated with Canutite | NaMn3[AsO4][AsO3(OH)]2 |
| 1 photo of Torrecillasite associated with Lavendulan | NaCaCu5(AsO4)4Cl · 5H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 3.DC. | Gajardoite | KCa0.5As3+4O6Cl2 · 5H2O |
| 3.DC. | Lucabindiite | (K,NH4)As4O6(Cl,Br) |
| 3.DC. | Cuatrocapaite-(NH4) | (NH4)3(NaMg◻)(As2O3)6Cl6 · 16H2O |
| 3.DC. | Cuatrocapaite-(K) | K3(NaMg◻)(As2O3)6Cl6 · 16H2O |
| 3.DC. | Napoliite | Pb2OFCl |
| 3.DC.05 | Paralaurionite | PbCl(OH) |
| 3.DC.05 | Laurionite | PbCl(OH) |
| 3.DC.05 | Mauriziodiniite | (NH4)(As2O3)2I |
| 3.DC.05 | Russoite | (NH4)ClAs2O3(H2O)0.5 |
| 3.DC.10 | Fiedlerite | Pb3FCl4(OH) · H2O |
| 3.DC.15 | Penfieldite | Pb2Cl3(OH) |
| 3.DC.15 | Telluroperite | Pb3TeO4Cl2 |
| 3.DC.20 | Laurelite | Pb7F12Cl2 |
| 3.DC.25 | Zhangpeishanite | BaFCl |
| 3.DC.25 | Matlockite | PbFCl |
| 3.DC.25 | Zavaritskite | (BiO)F |
| 3.DC.25 | Rorisite | CaFCl |
| 3.DC.25 | Bismoclite | BiOCl |
| 3.DC.25 | Vegrandisite | BaCl2 |
| 3.DC.30 | Nadorite | PbSbClO2 |
| 3.DC.30 | Perite | PbBiClO2 |
| 3.DC.40 | Thorikosite | Pb3Cl2(OH)(SbO3,AsO3) |
| 3.DC.45 | Mereheadite | Pb47Cl25(OH)13O24(CO3)(BO3)2 |
| 3.DC.50 | Blixite | Pb8O5(OH)2Cl4 |
| 3.DC.52 | Rumseyite | Pb2OClF |
| 3.DC.55 | Vladkrivovichevite | [Pb32O18][Pb4Mn2O]Cl14(BO3)8 · 2H2O |
| 3.DC.55 | Pinalite | Pb3WO5Cl2 |
| 3.DC.57 | Yeomanite | Pb2O(OH)Cl |
| 3.DC.60 | Symesite | Pb10(SO4)O7Cl4 · H2O |
| 3.DC.60 | 'Lorettoite' | Pb7O6Cl2 |
| 3.DC.62 | 'Sarawakite (of Frenzel)' | Sb, O, Cl (?) |
| 3.DC.65 | Ecdemite | Pb6As3+2O7Cl4 |
| 3.DC.70 | Mendipite | Pb3Cl2O2 |
| 3.DC.75 | Damaraite | Pb3Cl(OH)O2 |
| 3.DC.80 | Onoratoite | Sb8Cl2O11 |
| 3.DC.95 | Barstowite | Pb4Cl6(CO3) · H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
Very slowly soluble in H2O, slowly soluble in dilute HCl and rapidly soluble in concentrated HCl.
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 Torrecillasite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-46055.html
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References for Torrecillasite
Reference List:
Williams, P. A., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2014) New minerals and nomenclature modifications approved in 2014, CNMNC Newsletter No 19. Mineralogical Magazine, 78 (1) 165-170 doi:10.1180/minmag.2014.078.1.12
Localities for Torrecillasite
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.
Chile (TL) | |
| Williams et al. (2014) +3 other references |
Quick NavTopAbout TorrecillasiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Torrecillas mine, Iquique, Iquique Province, Tarapacá, Chile