Kuzelite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Kuzelite
Formula:
Ca4Al2(OH)12[SO4] · 6H2O
Colour:
white
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
1½ - 2
Specific Gravity:
1.99
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Member of:
Name:
For Prof. Hans Jürgen Kuzel (1932–1997), University of Erlangen, Germany, who first synthesized the compound.
This page provides mineralogical data about Kuzelite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
7147
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:7147:1
Similar Names
| Cuselite | A rock subtype | |
| Kasolite | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | Pb(UO2)(SiO4) · H2O |
| Kozulit | A synonym of Mangano-ferri-eckermannite |
IMA Classification of Kuzelite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Ca4Al2(OH)12(S6+O4)·6H2O
Approval year:
1996
Classification of Kuzelite
4.FL.15
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
F : Hydroxides (without V or U)
L : Hydroxides with H2O +- (OH); sheets of edge-sharing octahedra
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
F : Hydroxides (without V or U)
L : Hydroxides with H2O +- (OH); sheets of edge-sharing octahedra
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kuz | 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 Kuzelite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
White
Streak:
White
Hardness:
1½ - 2 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
{0001}
{0001}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
1.99(5) g/cm3 (Measured) 2.014 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Kuzelite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.504(5) nε = 1.485(5)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.019
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 (negative)
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 Kuzelite
Mindat Formula:
Ca4Al2(OH)12[SO4] · 6H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Kuzelite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.76(1) Å, c = 53.66(2) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 9.316
Unit Cell V:
1,541.79 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
3
Morphology:
Platy hexagonal to rhomboidal crystals, to 2 mm
Comment:
Point Group: 3 or 3.; Space Group: R3 or R3.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
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Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
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2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0014757 | Kuzelite | Allmann R (1977) Refinement of the hybrid layer structure [Ca2Al(OH)6]+*[1/2SO4*3H2O]- Neues Jahrbuch fur Mineralogie, Monatshefte 1977 136-144 | 1977 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 8.972 Å | (100) |
| 4.476 Å | (70) |
| 2.362 Å | (40) |
| 2.190 Å | (40) |
| 2.071 Å | (35) |
| 4.004 Å | (30) |
| 2.882 Å | (30) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 3a: Earth’s earliest Hadean crust | >4.50 |
| 9 : Lava/xenolith minerals (hornfels, sanidinite facies) | |
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 25 : Evaporites (prebiotic) |
Type Occurrence of Kuzelite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Martin Luther University, Halle, Germany.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
carbonaceous xenoliths in basalt
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Kuzelite
Other Language Names for Kuzelite
Relationship of Kuzelite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Hydrocalumite Group:
| Hydrocalumite | Ca4Al2(OH)12(Cl,CO3,OH)2 · 4H2O | Mon. 2/m : P2/b |
| Mampsisite | Ca4Al2(CO3)(OH)12 · 5H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Mariakrite | [Ca4Al2(OH)12(H2O)4][Fe2S4] | Tric. 1 : P1 |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 1 photo of Kuzelite associated with Hydrocalumite | Ca4Al2(OH)12(Cl,CO3,OH)2 · 4H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.FL. | Trébeurdenite | Fe2+2Fe3+4O2(OH)10CO3 · 3H2O |
| 4.FL. | Mariakrite | [Ca4Al2(OH)12(H2O)4][Fe2S4] |
| 4.FL.05 | Muskoxite | Mg7Fe4O13 · 10H2O |
| 4.FL.05 | Jamborite | Ni2+1-xCo3+x(OH)2-x(SO4)x · nH2O |
| 4.FL.05 | Mössbauerite | Fe3+6O4(OH)8[CO3] · 3H2O |
| 4.FL.05 | Meixnerite | Mg6Al2(OH)16(OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 4.FL.05 | Woodallite | Mg6Cr2(OH)16Cl2 · 4H2O |
| 4.FL.05 | Fougèrite | Fe2+4Fe3+2(OH)12[CO3] · 3H2O |
| 4.FL.05 | Dritsite | Li2Al4(OH)12Cl2 · 3H2O |
| 4.FL.05 | Rotemite | Ca4Cr2(OH)12Cl2 · 4H2O |
| 4.FL.05 | Iowaite | Mg6Fe3+2(OH)16Cl2 · 4H2O |
| 4.FL.10 | Hydrocalumite | Ca4Al2(OH)12(Cl,CO3,OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 4.FL.20 | Jianshuiite | (Mg,Mn,Ca)Mn3O7 · 3H2O |
| 4.FL.20 | Ernienickelite | NiMn3O7 · 3H2O |
| 4.FL.20 | Aurorite | Mn2+Mn4+3O7 · 3H2O |
| 4.FL.20 | Chalcophanite | ZnMn4+3O7 · 3H2O |
| 4.FL.25 | Woodruffite | Zn2+x/2(Mn4+1-xMn3+x)O2 · yH2O |
| 4.FL.30 | Asbolane | (Ni,Co)2-xMn4+(O,OH)4 · nH2O |
| 4.FL.30 va | 'Lampadite' | Cu, Mn, O, H |
| 4.FL.35 | Buserite | Na4Mn14O27 · 21H2O |
| 4.FL.40 | Takanelite | (Mn,Ca)Mn4O9 · H2O |
| 4.FL.40 | Ranciéite | (Ca,Mn2+)0.2(Mn4+,Mn3+)O2 · 0.6H2O |
| 4.FL.45 | Birnessite | (Na,Ca)0.5(Mn4+,Mn3+)2O4 · 1.5H2O |
| 4.FL.55 | Cianciulliite | Mn(Mg,Mn)2Zn2(OH)10 · 2-4H2O |
| 4.FL.60 | Jensenite | Cu3[TeO6] · 2H2O |
| 4.FL.65 | Leisingite | Cu2MgTe6+O6 · 6H2O |
| 4.FL.70 | Magnesiohongruiite-(Fe3+) | (Mg2Fe3+)Fe3+NbO7(OH) |
| 4.FL.70 | Akdalaite | Al10O14(OH)2 |
| 4.FL.75 | Cafetite | CaTi2O5 · H2O |
| 4.FL.80 | Mourite | UMo5O12(OH)10 |
| 4.FL.85 | Deloryite | Cu4(UO2)(MoO4)2(OH)6 |
| 4.FL.90 | Lagalyite | Ca2xMn1-xO2 · 1.5-2H2O |
| 4.FL.95 | 'Tunnerite' | |
| 4.FL.100 | Carbocalumite | Ca4Al2(OH)12(CO3) · 6H2O |
| 4.FL.100 | Mampsisite | Ca4Al2(CO3)(OH)12 · 5H2O |
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 Kuzelite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-7147.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Kuzelite
Localities for Kuzelite
Showing 7 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 (TL) | |
| Pöllmann et al. (1997) |
| Blaß et al. (2001) |
| Blaß et al. (2003) |
| Blaß et al. (2003) |
| Marko Burkhardt |
Israel | |
| Britvin et al. (2026) |
| Murashko et al. (2025) |
Quick NavTopAbout KuzeliteUnique IdentifiersSimilar NamesIMA 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
Caspar quarry, Ettringen, Vordereifel, Mayen-Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany