Tapiaite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Tapiaite
Formula:
Ca5Al2(AsO4)4(OH)4 · 12H2O
Colour:
colorless
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2 - 3
Specific Gravity:
2.681 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
For Enrique Tapia (1955-2008), a well known Chilean mineral collector. Enrique was one of the first and most influential individuals to promote mineral collecting in northern Chile and the Atacama Desert, in particular.
This page provides mineralogical data about Tapiaite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
46151
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:46151:7
IMA Classification of Tapiaite
Classification of Tapiaite
8.DM.55
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
M : With large and medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 > 2:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
M : With large and medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 > 2:1
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tpi | 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 Tapiaite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colorless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2 - 3 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
two perfect cleavages on {101} and
{101}
two perfect cleavages on {101} and
{101}
Fracture:
Splintery
Density:
2.681 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Tapiaite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.579(1) nβ = 1.588(1) nγ = 1.610(1)
2V:
Measured: 66° (2), Calculated: 66°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.031
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
Dispersion:
none
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Tapiaite
Mindat Formula:
Ca5Al2(AsO4)4(OH)4 · 12H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Tapiaite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Cell Parameters:
a = 16.016(1) Å, b = 5.7781(3) Å, c = 16.341(1) Å
β = 116.704(8)°
β = 116.704(8)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 2.772 : 1 : 2.828
Unit Cell V:
1,350.94 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Comment:
P21/n
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0020697 | Tapiaite | Kampf A R, Mills S J, Nash B P, Dini M, Donoso A A M (2015) Tapiaite, Ca5Al2(AsO4)4(OH)4*12H2O, a new mineral from the Jote mine, Tierra Amarilla, Chile Mineralogical Magazine 79 345-354 | 2015 | Jote mine, Tierra Amarilla, Chile | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 13.91 Å | (100) |
| 7.23 Å | (17) |
| 5.39 Å | (22) |
| 4.64 Å | (33) |
| 3.952 Å | (42) |
| 3.290 Å | (35) |
| 2.823 Å | (39) |
| 2.753 Å | (15) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates] |
Type Occurrence of Tapiaite
General Appearance of Type Material:
blades, flattened on {101¯} and elongated
and striated along [010], up to ~0.5 mm long, and exhibiting the forms {101¯}, {101} and {111}. The blades are commonly intergrown in subparallel bundles and less commonly in sprays.
and striated along [010], up to ~0.5 mm long, and exhibiting the forms {101¯}, {101} and {111}. The blades are commonly intergrown in subparallel bundles and less commonly in sprays.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Cotype material is deposited in the collections of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, California, USA, catalogue numbers 63594, 64123, 64124 and 6412
Geological Setting of Type Material:
The mineral is a late-stage, low-temperature, secondary mineral occurring in narrow seams and vughs in the oxidized upper portion of a hydrothermal sulfide vein hosted by volcanoclastic rocks.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Tapiaite
Other Language Names for Tapiaite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 7 photos of Tapiaite associated with Joteite | Ca2CuAl(AsO4)[AsO3(OH)]2(OH)2 · 5H2O |
| 2 photos of Tapiaite associated with Mansfieldite | AlAsO4 · 2H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.DM. | Tomsquarryite | NaMgAl3(PO4)2(OH)6 · 8H2O |
| 8.DM. | Elliottite | NaMgAl3(PO4)2F6 · 9H2O |
| 8.DM. | Betpakdalite-FeFe | [Fe3+2 (H2O)15(OH)2Fe3+(H2O)6][Mo8As2Fe3+3O37] |
| 8.DM. | Penriceite | [Mg(H2O)6][Na(H2O)2Al3(PO4)2F6] · H2O |
| 8.DM. | Betpakdalite-CaMg | [Ca2(H2O)17Mg(H2O)6][Mo8As2Fe3+3O36(OH)] |
| 8.DM. | Chinnerite | [Mg(H2O)6]Na(H2O)2Al3(PO4)2F6 |
| 8.DM. | Sarrochite | [Ca4(H2O)38][Mo8P2Fe3+3O37(OH)] |
| 8.DM.05 | Esperanzaite | NaCa2Al2(AsO4)2(OH)F4 · 2H2O |
| 8.DM.05 | Morinite | NaCa2Al2(PO4)2(OH)F4 · 2H2O |
| 8.DM.10 | Alexshubnikovite | Ca2Cu9(AsO4)4(OH)9Cl(H2O)8 · 2H2O |
| 8.DM.10 | Tangdanite | Ca2Cu9(AsO4)4(SO4)0.5(OH)9 · 9H2O |
| 8.DM.10 | Tyrolite | Ca2Cu9(AsO4)4(CO3)(OH)8 · 11H2O |
| 8.DM.15 | Melkovite | [Ca2(H2O)15Ca(H2O)6][Mo8P2Fe3+3O36(OH)] |
| 8.DM.15 | Betpakdalite-NaCa | [Na2(H2O)17Ca(H2O)6][Mo6+8As5+2Fe3+3O34(OH)3] |
| 8.DM.15 | Betpakdalite-CaCa | [Ca2(H2O)17Ca(H2O)6][Mo6+8As5+2Fe3+3O36(OH)] |
| 8.DM.20 | Phosphovanadylite-Ba | Ba[V4+4P2O8(OH)8] · 12H2O |
| 8.DM.20 | Phosphovanadylite-Ca | Ca[V4+4P2O12(OH)4] · 12H2O |
| 8.DM.25 | Yukonite | Ca3Fe3+(AsO4)2(OH)3 · 5H2O |
| 8.DM.30 | Uduminelite | Ca3Al8(PO4)2O12 · 2H2O |
| 8.DM.35 | Aldermanite | [Mg(H2O)6][Na(H2O)2Al3(PO4)2(OH,F)6] · H2O |
| 8.DM.35 | 'Azovskite' | Fe3+3(PO4)(OH)6 or near |
| 8.DM.35 | Delvauxite | CaFe4(PO4,SO4)2(OH)8 · 4-6H2O not confirmed |
| 8.DM.40 | Santafeite | (Na,Ca,Sr)12(Mn2+,Fe3+,Al,Mg)8Mn4+8(VO4)16(OH,O)20 · 8H2O |
| 8.DM.60 | Alcantarillaite | [Fe3+0.5(H2O)4][CaAs3+2(Fe3+2.5W6+0.5)(AsO4)2O7] |
Other Information
Notes:
is easily soluble in room temperature dilute HCl and slowly soluble in H2O.
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 Tapiaite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-46151.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Tapiaite
Reference List:
Williams, P. A., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2014) New minerals and nomenclature modifications approved in 2014, CNMNC Newsletter No 21. Mineralogical Magazine, 78 (4) 797-804 doi:10.1180/minmag.2014.078.4.03
Localities for Tapiaite
Showing 4 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) | |
| Kampf et al. (2015) |
Kyrgyzstan | |
| Karpenko V.Yu. et al. (2022) |
| Karpenko et al. (2025) |
Morocco | |
| Georges FAVREAU collection & EDX ... |
Quick NavTopAbout TapiaiteUnique IdentifiersIMA 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
Jote Mine, Pampa Larga mining district, Tierra Amarilla, Copiapó Province, Atacama, Chile