Dongchuanite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Dongchuanite
Formula:
Pb4ZnZn2(PO4)4(OH)2
Colour:
Turquoise–greenish blue; pale blue to light blue in transmitted light
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2 - 2½
Specific Gravity:
6.06 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named for the type locality
The Zn analogue of cuprodongchuanite. New structure type. Unique combination of elements (at the upload time).
Both dongchuanite and cuprodongchuanite occurs in similar parageneses in the Dongchuan district, China. Cuprodongchuanite is the most common of these two minerals, and the green color can be diagnostic. Nevertheless, these two minerals form a continuous series, and may in many cases be difficult to distinguish without a chemical analysis. Therefore, all photos not specifying how the mineral was identified has been put in the dongchuanite group gallery.
The new, layered structure details:
* corner-sharing [PO4] & [ZnO4] tetrahedra -> double chains,
* other [PO4] tetrahedra corner-sharing with [ZnO4(OH)2] octahedra -> tetrahedra-octahedra chains, || a;
*the two-type chains connected via corner-sharing between the [ZnO4] and [PO4] -> wrinkled layer || (011);
* interlayer Pb atoms.
Both dongchuanite and cuprodongchuanite occurs in similar parageneses in the Dongchuan district, China. Cuprodongchuanite is the most common of these two minerals, and the green color can be diagnostic. Nevertheless, these two minerals form a continuous series, and may in many cases be difficult to distinguish without a chemical analysis. Therefore, all photos not specifying how the mineral was identified has been put in the dongchuanite group gallery.
The new, layered structure details:
* corner-sharing [PO4] & [ZnO4] tetrahedra -> double chains,
* other [PO4] tetrahedra corner-sharing with [ZnO4(OH)2] octahedra -> tetrahedra-octahedra chains, || a;
*the two-type chains connected via corner-sharing between the [ZnO4] and [PO4] -> wrinkled layer || (011);
* interlayer Pb atoms.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
55609
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:55609:1
IMA Classification of Dongchuanite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Pb2+4Zn2+Zn2+2(PO4)4(OH)2
Approval year:
2021
Approval history:
IMA No. 2021-058
Classification of Dongchuanite
8.BG.
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
G : With medium-sized and large cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 = 0.5:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
G : With medium-sized and large cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 = 0.5:1
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Dc | 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 Dongchuanite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Turquoise–greenish blue; pale blue to light blue in transmitted light
Comment:
Green-blue colours due to minor amounts of Cu.
Streak:
Colourless
Hardness:
2 - 2½ on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN10=91.3 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
on {011}
on {011}
Parting:
insignificant
Comment:
fracture: even
Density:
6.06 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Dongchuanite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
n = 1.9
2V:
Measured: 70°
Birefringence:
δmax = 0.010
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
Dispersion:
very weak, r
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
very weak
Chemistry of Dongchuanite
Mindat Formula:
Pb4ZnZn2(PO4)4(OH)2
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Dongchuanite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 4.762(1) Å, b = 8.507(2) Å, c = 10.364(2) Å
α = 97.11(2)°, β = 101.46(2)°, γ = 92.27(2)°
α = 97.11(2)°, β = 101.46(2)°, γ = 92.27(2)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.56 : 1 : 1.218
Unit Cell V:
407.42 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 4.634 Å | (50) |
| 3.428 Å | (100) |
| 3.122 Å | (50) |
| 3.052 Å | (60) |
| 2.918 Å | (45) |
| 2.816 Å | (50) |
| 2.381 Å | (65) |
| 1.853 Å | (50) |
Type Occurrence of Dongchuanite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Spherical aggregates of microscopic, lamellar crystals
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Mineralogical collections of (1) the Geological Museum of China, Xisi, Yangrou Hutong no. 15, Xisi, Beijing 100031, People's Republic of China, catalogue no. M16123 (holotype), and (2) the Crystal Structure Laboratory, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, People's Republic of China, catalogue no. DC-1 (cotype)
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Oxidation zone of layered super-large sediment-hosted stratiform copper deposits.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Dongchuanite
Other Language Names for Dongchuanite
Dutch:Dongchuaniet
German:Dongchuanit
Relationship of Dongchuanite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Dongchuanite Group:
| Cuprodongchuanite | Pb4CuZn2(PO4)4(OH)2 | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Cuprozheshengite | Pb4CuZn2(AsO4)2(PO4)2(OH)2 | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Zheshengite | Pb4ZnZn2(AsO4)2(PO4)2(OH)2 | Tric. 1 : P1 |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 20 photos of Dongchuanite associated with Veszelyite | (Cu,Zn)2Zn(PO4)(OH)3 · 2H2O |
| 15 photos of Dongchuanite associated with Hemimorphite | Zn4Si2O7(OH)2 · H2O |
| 5 photos of Dongchuanite associated with Molybdenite | MoS2 |
| 4 photos of Dongchuanite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 3 photos of Dongchuanite associated with Chrysocolla | Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1 |
| 1 photo of Dongchuanite associated with Cuprodongchuanite | Pb4CuZn2(PO4)4(OH)2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.BG. | Aldomarinoite | Sr2Mn3+(AsO4)2(OH) |
| 8.BG. | Cuprodongchuanite | Pb4CuZn2(PO4)4(OH)2 |
| 8.BG. | Canosioite | Ba2Fe3+(AsO4)2(OH) |
| 8.BG.05 | Feinglosite | Pb2Zn(AsO4)2 · H2O |
| 8.BG.05 | Tokyoite | Ba2Mn3+(VO4)2(OH) |
| 8.BG.05 | Lombardoite | Ba2Mn3+(AsO4)2(OH) |
| 8.BG.05 | Bearthite | Ca2Al(PO4)2(OH) |
| 8.BG.05 | 'Unnamed (possible ordered As-analogue of Tokyoite)' | Ba2Mn[(As,V)O4]2(OH) |
| 8.BG.05 | Gamagarite | Ba2Fe3+(VO4)2(OH) |
| 8.BG.05 | Arsentsumebite | Pb2Cu(AsO4)(SO4)(OH) |
| 8.BG.05 | 'UM1994-19-PO:CuHMoPb' | Pb2Cu(PO4)(MoO4,AsO4,CrO4,GaO4)(OH) |
| 8.BG.05 | Ferribushmakinite | Pb2Fe3+(PO4)(VO4)(OH) |
| 8.BG.05 | Arsenbrackebuschite | Pb2Fe3+(AsO4)2(OH) |
| 8.BG.05 | Goedkenite | Sr2Al(PO4)2(OH) |
| 8.BG.05 | Tsumebite | Pb2Cu(PO4)(SO4)(OH) |
| 8.BG.05 | Brackebuschite | Pb2Mn3+(VO4)2(OH) |
| 8.BG.05 | Bushmakinite | Pb2Al(PO4)(VO4)(OH) |
| 8.BG.05 | Calderónite | Pb2Fe3+(VO4)2(OH) |
| 8.BG.10 | Mélonjosephite | CaFe2+Fe3+(PO4)2(OH) |
| 8.BG.15 | Tancoite | LiNa2Al(PO4)(PO3OH)(OH) |
| 8.BG.20 | Dmisokolovite | K3Cu5AlO2(AsO4)4 |
| 8.BG.25 | Shchurovskyite | K2CaCu6O2(AsO4)4 |
| 8.BG.30 | Wrightite | K2Al2O(AsO4)2 |
| 8.BG.35 | Polyarsite | Na7CaMgCu2(AsO4)4F2Cl |
Fluorescence of Dongchuanite
none
Other Information
Notes:
dissolved easily in dilute hydrochloric acid and without gas evolution.
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 Dongchuanite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-55609.html
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References for Dongchuanite
Localities for Dongchuanite
Showing 3 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.
China | |
| boyuan zhang Collection |
| Miyawaki et al. (2021) |
| www.mindat.org (n.d.) +1 other reference |
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Dongchuan Cu Mine, Sanguozhuang, Shizhuang Village, Tangdan Town, Dongchuan District, Kunming, Yunnan, China