Quintinite
A valid IMA mineral species
This page kindly sponsored in honor of Quintin Wight by the New York Mineralogical Club
About Quintinite
Formula:
Mg4Al2(OH)12(CO3) · 3H2O
Colour:
Yellow to colorless, orange-brown
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
2.14
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1997 by George Y. Chao and Robert A. Gault in honour of Quintin Wight (23 April 1935, Canada - ), of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, significant contributor to mineral studies at Mont Saint-Hilaire, and author of "The Complete Book of Micromounting" (1993).
Found as both 2H and 3T polytypes. Compare UM1987-05-OH:AlCMg and UM1996-25-OH:AlCMg.
Both polytypes were originally approved as separate species (IMA 1992-028 and IMA 1992-029, respectively), but polytypes are not considered as separate species anymore since 1998.
Both polytypes were originally approved as separate species (IMA 1992-028 and IMA 1992-029, respectively), but polytypes are not considered as separate species anymore since 1998.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
7265
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:7265:2
IMA Classification of Quintinite
Classification of Quintinite
5.DA.40
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
D : Carbonates with additional anions, with H2O
A : With medium-sized cations
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
D : Carbonates with additional anions, with H2O
A : With medium-sized cations
16b.7.16.3
16b : HYDRATED CARBONATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
7 : Miscellaneous
16b : HYDRATED CARBONATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
7 : Miscellaneous
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Qtn | 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 Quintinite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Yellow to colorless, orange-brown
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
{0001}
{0001}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
2.14(1) g/cm3 (Measured) 2.15 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Quintinite
Type:
Uniaxial
RI values:
nω = 1.533(1) nε = 1.533(1)
Surface Relief:
None to Very Low
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 Quintinite
Mindat Formula:
Mg4Al2(OH)12(CO3) · 3H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Quintinite
Polytype:
Formula:
Crystal System:
Class (H-M)
Space Group:
Space Group Setting:
Cell Parameters:
Ratio:
Unit Cell Volume (calc):
Z:
Comment:
| Quintinite-1M | Quintinite-2H | Quintinite-2T | Quintinite-3R | Quintinite-3T |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mg4Al2(OH)12(CO3) · 3H2O | Mg4Al2(OH)12(CO3) · 3H2O | Mg4Al2(OH)12(CO3) · 3H2O | Mg4Al2(OH)12(CO3) · 3H2O | Mg4Al2(OH)12CO3 · 4H2O |
| Monoclinic | Hexagonal | Trigonal | Trigonal | Trigonal |
| 2/m - Prismatic | 622 - Trapezohedral | 3m(32/m) - Hexagonal Scalenohedral | 3m(32/m) - Hexagonal Scalenohedral | 32 - Trapezohedral |
| B2/m | P6322 | P31c | R3m | |
| C2/m | P31c | |||
| a = 5.266 Å, b = 9.114 Å, c = 7.766 Å α = 90°, β = 103.17°, γ = 90° | a = 10.571 Å, c = 15.171 Å | a = 5.27(2) Å, c = 15.15(5) Å | a = 3.063(1) Å, c = 22.674(9) Å | a = 10.571 Å, c = 22.71 Å |
| a:b:c = 0.578 : 1 : 0.852 | a:c = 1 : 1.435 | a:c = 1 : 2.875 | a:c = 1 : 7.403 | a:c = 1 : 2.148 |
| V 362.9 ų | V 1,468.17 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell) | V 364.39 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell) | V 184.2 ų | V 2,197.76 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell) |
| 1 | 4 | 1 | 6 | |
| averages of two crystals | Space group P3112 or P3212. |
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
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Rotation
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Labels
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0012351 | Quintinite | Arakcheeva A V, Pushcharovsky D Y, Rastsvetaeva R K, Atencio D, Lubman G U (1996) Crystal structure and comparative crystal chemistry of Al2Mg4(OH)12(CO3)*3H2O, a new mineral from the hydrotalcite-manasseite group Note polytype 2H Crystallography Reports 41 972-981 | 1996 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| - Å | () |
Comments:
Powder XRD data is shown on the polytype pages.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks | |
| 36 : Carbonatites, kimberlites, and related igneous rocks | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] |
Type Occurrence of Quintinite
Co-Type Localities:
General Appearance of Type Material:
Equant and prismatic crystals. Hexagonal tabular crystals on {0001}, commonly forming rosettes.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, numbers CMNMI 81546, CMNMI 47266 and CMNMI 81548 (quintinite-2H) and CMNMI 81549 (quintinite-3T).
Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, numbers M46768, M46769, M46770
(quintinite-2H) and M46777 (quintinite-3T).
Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, numbers M46768, M46769, M46770
(quintinite-2H) and M46777 (quintinite-3T).
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Late-stage hydrothermal mineral in miarolitic cavities and in pegmatitic bodies within nepheline syenite (quintinite-3T). Vugs in dolomitic carbonatite (quintinite-2H).
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Quintinite
Relationship of Quintinite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Quintinite Group:
| Caresite | Fe2+4Al2(OH)12[CO3] · 3H2O | Trig. 32 : P3112 |
| Charmarite | Mn2+4Al2(OH)12[CO3] · 3H2O | Hex. |
| Chlormagaluminite | Mg4Al2(OH)12Cl2 · 3H2O | Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P63/mcm |
| Comblainite | Ni4Co2(OH)12[CO3] · 3H2O | Trig. |
| Liudongshengite | Zn4Cr2(OH)12(CO3) · 3H2O | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m |
| 'Unnamed (Zn-analogue of Chlormagaluminite)' | Zn4Al2(OH)12Cl2 · 2H2O | |
| Zaccagnaite | Zn4Al2(OH)12[CO3] · 3H2O | Hex. |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 6 photos of Quintinite associated with Hydrotalcite | Mg6Al2(CO3)(OH)16 · 4H2O |
| 4 photos of Quintinite associated with Lizardite | Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| 4 photos of Quintinite associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
| 1 photo of Quintinite associated with Gorceixite | BaAl3(PO4)(PO3OH)(OH)6 |
| 1 photo of Quintinite associated with Pyroaurite | Mg6Fe3+2(OH)16[CO3] · 4H2O |
| 1 photo of Quintinite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 1 photo of Quintinite associated with Magnesioferrite | MgFe3+2O4 |
| 1 photo of Quintinite associated with Parisite-(Ce) | CaCe2(CO3)3F2 |
| 1 photo of Quintinite associated with 'Quintinite-2H' | Mg4Al2(OH)12(CO3) · 3H2O |
| 1 photo of Quintinite associated with Gibbsite | Al(OH)3 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.DA. | Alexkhomyakovite | K6(Ca2Na)(CO3)5Cl · 6H2O |
| 5.DA. | Amoraite | Ca12Al6(OH)36(CO3)2(SO3) · 15H2O |
| 5.DA.05 | Dypingite | Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2 · 5H2O |
| 5.DA.05 | 'UM1986-10-CO:ClHMgMnZn (also called Mineral F, Dunn, 1995)' | Mg5(Zn,Mn)3(CO3)2(OH,Cl)12 · H2O |
| 5.DA.05 | 'UM1987-01-CO:HMgS' | Mg4(CO3)2(OH)4 · 6H2O ? |
| 5.DA.05 | Giorgiosite | Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2 · 5-6H2O |
| 5.DA.05 | Hydromagnesite | Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.05 | Widgiemoolthalite | Ni5(CO3)4(OH)2 · 5H2O |
| 5.DA.10 | Artinite | Mg2(CO3)(OH)2 · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.10 | Chlorartinite | Mg2(CO3)(OH)Cl · 2H2O |
| 5.DA.10 | Indigirite | Mg2Al2(CO3)4(OH)2 · 15H2O |
| 5.DA.15 | Zaratite | Ni3(CO3)(OH)4 · 4H2O ? |
| 5.DA.15 | Otwayite | Ni2(CO3)(OH)2 · H2O |
| 5.DA.20 | Kambaldaite | NaNi4(CO3)3(OH)3 · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.25 | Callaghanite | Cu2Mg2(CO3)(OH)6 · 2H2O |
| 5.DA.30 | Claraite | (Cu,Zn)15(CO3)4(AsO4)2(SO4)(OH)14 · 7H2O |
| 5.DA.35 | Hydroscarbroite | Al14(CO3)3(OH)36 · nH2O |
| 5.DA.35 | Scarbroite | Al5(CO3)(OH)13 · 5H2O |
| 5.DA.40 | Karchevskyite | Mg18Al9(OH)54Sr2(CO3)9(H2O)6(H3O)5 |
| 5.DA.40 | 'UM1987-05-OH:AlCMg' | Mg4Al2(OH)12(CO3,SO4) · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.40 | Charmarite | Mn2+4Al2(OH)12[CO3] · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.40 | Caresite | Fe2+4Al2(OH)12[CO3] · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.45 | 'Hydrotalcite-2H' | Mg6Al2(CO3)(OH)16 · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.45 | 'Stichtite-2H' | Mg6(Cr,Al)2(CO3)(OH)16 · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.45 | Brugnatellite | Mg6Fe3+(CO3)(OH)13 · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.45 | Zaccagnaite | Zn4Al2(OH)12[CO3] · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.45 | 'Pyroaurite-2H' | Mg6Fe3+2(OH)16(CO3) · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.45 | Liudongshengite | Zn4Cr2(OH)12(CO3) · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.45 | Chlormagaluminite | Mg4Al2(OH)12Cl2 · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.50 | Pyroaurite | Mg6Fe3+2(OH)16[CO3] · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.50 | Takovite | Ni6Al2(OH)16[CO3] · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.50 | Reevesite | Ni6Fe3+2(OH)16(CO3) · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.50 | Kaznakhtite | Ni6Co3+2(CO3)(OH)16 · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.50 | Comblainite | Ni4Co2(OH)12[CO3] · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.50 | Marioantofilliite | [Cu4Al2(OH)12](CO3) · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.50 | Hydrotalcite | Mg6Al2(CO3)(OH)16 · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.50 | Stichtite | Mg6Cr3+2(OH)16[CO3] · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.50 | Desautelsite | Mg6Mn3+2(OH)16[CO3] · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.55 | Coalingite | Mg10Fe3+2(OH)24[CO3] · 2H2O |
| 5.DA.55 | Akopovaite | Al4Li2(OH)12(CO3)(H2O)3 |
| 5.DA.60 | Šlikite | Zn2Mg(CO3)2(OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.65 | Marklite | Cu5(CO3)2(OH)6 · 6H2O |
Fluorescence of Quintinite
Not fluorescent.
Other Information
Notes:
Quintinite-2H is attacked slightly by 1:1 HCl, more strongly by 1:1 HNO3, and very strongly by 1:1 H2SO4, all with effervescence. Quintinite-3T is attacked slightly by 1:1 HCl, strongly by HNO3, and dissolves in 1:1 H2SO4.
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 Quintinite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-7265.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Quintinite
Reference List:
Chao, G. Y., Gault, R. A. (1997) Quintinite-2H, quintinite-3T, charmarite-2H, charmarite-3T and caresite-3T, a new group of carbonate minerals related to the hydrotalcite-manasseite group. The Canadian Mineralogist, 35 (6) 1541-1549
Frost, Ray L., Dickfos, Marilla (2007) Hydrated double carbonates – A Raman and infrared spectroscopic study. Polyhedron, 26 (15). 4503-4508 doi:10.1016/j.poly.2007.06.003
Krivovichev, S. V., Yakovenchuk, V. N., Zhitova, E. S., Zolotarev, A. A., Pakhomovsky, Y. A., Ivanyuk, G. Yu. (2010) Crystal chemistry of natural layered double hydroxides. 2. Quintinite-1M: first evidence of a monoclinic polytype in M2+-M3+ layered double hydroxides. Mineralogical Magazine, 74 (5) 833-840 doi:10.1180/minmag.2010.074.5.833
Krivovichev, S. V., Yakovenchuk, V. N., Zhitova, E. S., Zolotarev, A. A., Pakhomovsky, Y. A., Ivanyuk, G. Yu. (2010) Crystal chemistry of natural layered double hydroxides. I. Quintinite-2H-3c from the Kovdor alkaline massif, Kola peninsula, Russia. Mineralogical Magazine, 74 (5) 821-832 doi:10.1180/minmag.2010.074.5.821
Zhitova, E. S., Yakovenchuk, V. N., Krivovichev, S. V., Zolotarev, A. A., Pakhomovsky, Y. A., Ivanyuk, G. Yu. (2010) Crystal chemistry of natural layered double hydroxides. 3. The crystal structure of Mg,Al-disordered quintinite-2H. Mineralogical Magazine, 74 (5) 841-848 doi:10.1180/minmag.2010.074.5.841
Localities for Quintinite
Showing 24 localities.
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.
Austria | |
| Kolitsch et al. (2019) |
Bolivia | |
| [Quintinite-1M] A.R. Kampf |
Brazil | |
| Oliveira et al. (2020) |
| [Quintinite-2H, Quintinite-2T] Chao et al. (1997) |
Canada | |
| Piilonen et al. (2022) +1 other reference |
| [Quintinite-3T] Chao et al. (1997) |
Italy | |
| Marchesini et al. (2025) |
| A. Kampf +1 other reference | |
Norway | |
| Raade (2013) |
Russia | |
| [Quintinite-2H] Lapis 37 (2) |
| [Quintinite-1M, Quintinite-2T] Ivanyuk et al. (2017) |
| [Quintinite-2H, Quintinite-3R, Quintinite-3T] maurice.strahlen.org (2003) +2 other references | |
| [Quintinite-1M] Zhitova et al. (2017) |
Sweden | |
| [Quintinite-2H] Strand (2016) |
USA | |
| MarekC pers. coll. 2015 |
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symbol to view information about a locality.
The
Poudrette quarry, Mont Saint-Hilaire, La Vallée-du-Richelieu RCM, Montérégie, Québec, Canada