Agardite-(La)
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Agardite-(La)
Formula:
LaCu6(AsO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O
Colour:
Grass-green to dull green, yellowish green to intense bluish green, rarely nearly colourless.
Lustre:
Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Waxy
Hardness:
3 - 4
Specific Gravity:
3.65
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Member of:
Name:
Named by Peter J. Modreski in 1983 for its relationship to the other agardite series minerals, and for the predominance of lanthanum as the predominant REE.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
50
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:50:1
Similar Names
| Agardite | A synonym | |
| Agardite-(Ca) | A synonym of Zálesíite | |
| Agardite-(Ce) | A valid IMA mineral species | CeCu6(AsO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| Agardite-(Dy) | (Dy,La)Cu6(AsO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O | |
| Agardite-(Nd) | A valid IMA mineral species | NdCu6(AsO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| Agardite-(Y) | A valid IMA mineral species | YCu6(AsO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O |
IMA Classification of Agardite-(La)
Approved
IMA Formula:
Cu2+6La3+(As5+O4)3(OH)6·3H2O
Approval year:
1980
Classification of Agardite-(La)
8.DL.15
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
L : With large and medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 = 2:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
L : With large and medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 = 2:1
20.4.14
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
4 : Arsenates of Group III metals (Al, rare earths)
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
4 : Arsenates of Group III metals (Al, rare earths)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Agr-La | 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 Agardite-(La)
Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Waxy
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Grass-green to dull green, yellowish green to intense bluish green, rarely nearly colourless.
Streak:
Greenish white
Hardness:
3 - 4 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Density:
3.65(5) g/cm3 (Measured) 3.62(1) g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Agardite-(La)
Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 1.715(2) nε = 1.795(2)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.080
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.
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Agardite-(La)
Mindat Formula:
LaCu6(AsO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Agardite-(La)
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Class (H-M):
6/m - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
P63/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 13.586(4) Å, c = 5.931(5) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.437
Unit Cell V:
948.07 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Crystals acicular, prismatic, to 3 mm, in tufted groups, spherical rosettes.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| - Å | () |
Comments:
Presumably very similar to agardite-(Y).
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] |
Geological Setting:
In small amounts in the oxidised zone of hydrothermal mineralised breccia and polymetallic mineral deposits (Red Cloud mines, New Mexico, USA).
Type Occurrence of Agardite-(La)
Co-Type Localities:
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Mineralogical State Collection "Reich der Kristalle", Munich, Germany, numbers MSM 22482, MSM 22497 (type).
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, numbers 148987, 148988 (cotype).
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, numbers 148987, 148988 (cotype).
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Fluorite mine
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Agardite-(La)
Agardite (in part)
Other Language Names for Agardite-(La)
Dutch:Agardiet-(La)
French:Agardite-(La)
German:Agardit-(La)
Agardit-La
Agardit-La
Japanese:ランタンアガアド石
Norwegian:Agarditt-(La)
Russian:Агардит-(La)
Simplified Chinese:砷镧铜石
Traditional Chinese:砷鑭銅石
Relationship of Agardite-(La) to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Mixite Group:
| Agardite-(Ce) | CeCu6(AsO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Agardite-(Nd) | NdCu6(AsO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Agardite-(Y) | YCu6(AsO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Calciopetersite | CaCu6(PO4)2(PO3OH)(OH)6 · 3H2O | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Goudeyite | AlCu6(AsO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O | Hex. |
| Mixite | BiCu6(AsO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Petersite-(Ce) | CeCu6(PO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Petersite-(La) | LaCu6(PO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Petersite-(Y) | YCu6(PO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O | Hex. |
| Plumboagardite | PbCu6(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)(OH)6 · 3H2O | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Zálesíite | CaCu6(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)(OH)6 · 3H2O | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 13 photos of Agardite-(La) associated with Conichalcite | CaCu(AsO4)(OH) |
| 12 photos of Agardite-(La) associated with Adamite | Zn2(AsO4)(OH) |
| 8 photos of Agardite-(La) associated with Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 8 photos of Agardite-(La) associated with Fluorite | CaF2 |
| 7 photos of Agardite-(La) associated with Cornwallite | Cu5(AsO4)2(OH)4 |
| 7 photos of Agardite-(La) associated with Bayldonite | PbCu3(AsO4)2(OH)2 |
| 5 photos of Agardite-(La) associated with Azurite | Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
| 4 photos of Agardite-(La) associated with Smithsonite | ZnCO3 |
| 4 photos of Agardite-(La) associated with Duftite | PbCu(AsO4)(OH) |
| 4 photos of Agardite-(La) associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.DL.05 | Foggite | CaAl(PO4)(OH)2 · H2O |
| 8.DL.10 | Fluorowardite | NaAl3(PO4)2F2(OH)2(H2O)2 |
| 8.DL.10 | Wardite | NaAl3(PO4)2(OH)4 · 2H2O |
| 8.DL.10 | Millisite | (Na,K)CaAl6(PO4)4(OH)9 · 3H2O |
| 8.DL.10 | Cyrilovite | NaFe3+3(PO4)2(OH)4 · 2H2O |
| 8.DL.15 | Petersite-(Ce) | CeCu6(PO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 8.DL.15 | Agardite-(Nd) | NdCu6(AsO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 8.DL.15 | Agardite-(Y) | YCu6(AsO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 8.DL.15 | Agardite-(Ce) | CeCu6(AsO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 8.DL.15 | 'Agardite-(Dy)' | (Dy,La)Cu6(AsO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 8.DL.15 | Petersite-(Y) | YCu6(PO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 8.DL.15 | Zálesíite | CaCu6(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 8.DL.15 | Mixite | BiCu6(AsO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 8.DL.15 | Petersite-(La) | LaCu6(PO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 8.DL.15 | Goudeyite | AlCu6(AsO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 8.DL.15 | Calciopetersite | CaCu6(PO4)2(PO3OH)(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 8.DL.15 | Plumboagardite | PbCu6(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 8.DL.20 | Dugganite | Pb3Zn3(AsO4)2(TeO6) |
| 8.DL.20 | Wallkilldellite | Ca2Mn2+3(AsO4)2(OH)4 · 9H2O |
| 8.DL.20 | Wallkilldellite-(Fe) | (Ca,Cu)4Fe2+6(AsO4,SiO4)4(OH,O)8 · 18H2O |
| 8.DL.20 | Cheremnykhite | Pb3Zn3(VO4)2(TeO6) |
| 8.DL.20 | Kuksite | Pb3Zn3(PO4)2(TeO6) |
| 8.DL.25 | Angastonite | CaMgAl2(PO4)2(OH)4 · 7H2O |
| 8.DL.30 | Långbanshyttanite | Pb2Mn2Mg(AsO4)2(OH)4 · 6H2O |
Fluorescence of Agardite-(La)
Not fluorescent
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 Agardite-(La)
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-50.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 Agardite-(La)
Reference List:
Dunn, Pete J., Fleischer, Michael, Langley, Richard H., Shigley, James E., Zilczer, Janet A. (1985) New mineral names. American Mineralogist, 70 (7-8) 871-881
Localities for Agardite-(La)
Showing 50 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.
Australia | |
| Sorrell (n.d.) |
Austria | |
| Kolitsch et al. (2010) |
Bulgaria | |
| Kunov +2 other references |
France | |
| Hohl (1994) |
| N. Meisser2001 and 2002 Analysis |
| Queneau (n.d.) |
| Favreau et al. (2010) |
| Queneau (n.d.) | |
| Jean Claude Dol |
| Queneau (n.d.) |
| Queneau (n.d.) |
| Queneau (n.d.) |
| Queneau (n.d.) |
Germany | |
| in Table 2 locality erroneously written ... +2 other references |
| Gröbner (2017) |
| Gröbner (2017) |
| Gröbner (2017) |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... +1 other reference |
| Gröbner (2017) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Gröbner (2017) | |
| Belendorff (2021) |
| |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Ließmann et al. (2020) |
Greece | |
| Hanke (1998) |
| Rieck et al. (1999) +1 other reference | |
| Schnorrer (1995) +3 other references |
| Gröbner (2001) | |
| |
Italy | |
| Anthony et al. (2000) |
| Lecca et al. (2024) |
| Ferretti et al. (2018) |
| Rocchetti I. (2012) |
| Gasparetto et al. (2026) |
| SEM-EDS (AMI UK Service) |
Japan | |
| Nishio–Hamane et al. (2020) |
Morocco | |
| Favreau (2026) |
Poland | |
| SiudaR. et al. (2006) |
Spain | |
| Abella i Creus (2018) |
Switzerland | |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
UK | |
| Anthony et al. (2000) |
| Betterton (2000) |
| Anthony et al. (2000) |
| Anthony et al. (2000) |
USA | |
| www.mineralsocal.org (1999) |
| Michael C. Michayluk ("collected by Ray Demark who had them analyzed") |
| Modresky (1983) +1 other reference |
| Modresky (1983) +1 other reference |
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Dorothea Mine, Freudenstadt, Freudenstadt, Karlsruhe Region, Baden-Württemberg, Germany