Callaghanite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Callaghanite
Eugene "Pat" Callaghan
Formula:
Cu2Mg2(CO3)(OH)6 · 2H2O
Colour:
Azure-blue
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
3 - 3½
Specific Gravity:
2.71
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named in honor of Dr. Eugene "Pat" Callaghan (1904, Snohomish, Washington, USA – 8 January 1990), Director of the New Mexico Bureau of Mines, Socorro, New Mexico, USA, for his work on magnesite deposits. The mineral both contains magnesium and has a type locality in a magnesium deposit.
This page provides mineralogical data about Callaghanite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
868
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:868:2
Similar Names
| Collophanite | A synonym of 'Collophane' |
IMA Classification of Callaghanite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Cu2+2Mg2CO3(OH)6·2H2O
First published:
1954
Type description reference:
Classification of Callaghanite
5.DA.25
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.5.1.1
16b : HYDRATED CARBONATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
5 : AmBn(XO3)pZqxH2O & with (m+n):p = 4:1
16b : HYDRATED CARBONATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
5 : AmBn(XO3)pZq
11.2.5
11 : Carbonates
2 : Carbonates of Cu
11 : Carbonates
2 : Carbonates of Cu
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cgh | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Callaghanite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Callaghanite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Azure-blue
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3 - 3½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
{111}, {111}
{111}, {111}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
2.71 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.78 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Callaghanite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.559 nβ = 1.653 nγ = 1.680
2V:
Measured: 55° , Calculated: 52°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.121
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:
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 biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure
- the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using
this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points
where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the
field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are
isogyres.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Dispersion:
r < v moderate
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
In shades of blue.
Chemistry of Callaghanite
Mindat Formula:
Cu2Mg2(CO3)(OH)6 · 2H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Callaghanite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/b
Setting:
C2/c
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.24 Å, b = 11.8 Å, c = 10.06 Å
β = 107.3°
β = 107.3°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.698 : 1 : 0.853
Unit Cell V:
933.90 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Pyramidal, showing {111}, {111}, {221}, {221}
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
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Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
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Display Options
Black Background | White Background
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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
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Rotation
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0000388 | Callaghanite | Brunton G D (1973) Refinement of the callaghanite structure American Mineralogist 58 965-965 |  | 1973 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 7.45 Å | (10) |
| 6.17 Å | (10) |
| 3.87 Å | (9) |
| 3.18 Å | (9) |
| 2.30 Å | (7) |
| 4.80 Å | (6) |
| 3.72 Å | (6) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 23 : Subaerial aqueous alteration by non-redox-sensitive fluids (see also #47) | |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 56 : Slag and smelter minerals (see also #51 and #55) |
Type Occurrence of Callaghanite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Small azure-blue crystals disseminated through magnesite and dolomite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, R9406.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Near peridotite dikes intrusive into magnesite and dolomite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Callaghanite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 27 photos of Callaghanite associated with Hydromagnesite | Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 7 photos of Callaghanite associated with Magnesite | MgCO3 |
| 6 photos of Callaghanite associated with Brucite | Mg(OH)2 |
| 6 photos of Callaghanite associated with Mcguinnessite | (Mg,Cu)2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 3 photos of Callaghanite associated with Serpentine Subgroup | D3[Si2O5](OH)4 |
| 2 photos of Callaghanite associated with Native Copper | Cu |
| 2 photos of Callaghanite associated with Nakauriite | Cu8(SO4)4(CO3)(OH)6 · 48H2O |
| 2 photos of Callaghanite associated with Monohydrocalcite | CaCO3 · H2O |
| 1 photo of Callaghanite associated with Artinite | Mg2(CO3)(OH)2 · 3H2O |
| 1 photo of Callaghanite associated with Cuprite | Cu2O |
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.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 | Quintinite | Mg4Al2(OH)12(CO3) · 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 |
Other Information
Notes:
Effervesces slowly in dilute HCl
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 Callaghanite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-868.html
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References for Callaghanite
Reference List:
Beck, Carl W., Burris, John H. (1954) Callaghanite, a new mineral. American Mineralogist, 39 (7-8) 630-635
Brunton, G., Steinfink, H., Beck, C. W. (1958) The crystal structure of callaghanite, Cu8Mg8(CO3)4(OH)24.8H2O. Acta Crystallographica, 11 (3) 169-174 doi:10.1107/s0365110x58000451
Brunton, George (1973) Refinement of the callaghanite structure. American Mineralogist, 58 (5-6) 551
Čejka, Jiří, Sejkora, Jiří, Jebavá, Ivana, Xi, Yunfei, Couperthwaite, Sara J., Frost, Ray L. (2013) A Raman spectroscopic study of the basic carbonate mineral callaghanite Cu2Mg2(CO3)(OH)6⋅2H2O. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 108. 171-176 doi:10.1016/j.saa.2013.01.033
Localities for Callaghanite
Showing 10 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.
Austria | |
| Moser (1986) +2 other references |
| Kolitsch (2013) |
Germany | |
| H. Knoll +1 other reference |
| Gerhard Möhn Collection Analyzed by ... |
Italy | |
| Palenzona et al. (2005) |
| Rivista Mineralogica Italiana (3) |
USA | |
| Rocks & Min: 91:269 |
| |
| Beck et al. (1954) +1 other reference |
| Rocks & Min. vol. 72 (1997) |
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Sierra Magnesite Mine, Gabbs, Gabbs Mining District, Nye County, Nevada, USA