Caminite
A valid IMA mineral species
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About Caminite
Formula:
Mg7(SO4)5(OH)4 · H2O
Colour:
Colourless, white
Hardness:
2½
Specific Gravity:
2.58 - 2.79
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Name:
The name is from the Latin caminus, for chimney, since the mineral occurs in undersea black-smoker chimneys.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
875
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:875:2
Similar Names
IMA Classification of Caminite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Mg7(S6+O4)5(OH)4·H2O
Approval year:
1983
First published:
1986
Classification of Caminite
7.D0.05
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
0 :
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
0 :
31.10.9.1
31 : HYDRATED SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
10 : Miscellaneous
31 : HYDRATED SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
10 : Miscellaneous
25.3.7
25 : Sulphates
3 : Sulphates of Mg
25 : Sulphates
3 : Sulphates of Mg
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cmi | 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 Caminite
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless, white
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
{001}, good
{001}, good
Density:
2.58 - 2.79 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.14 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Caminite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.534 nε = 1.532
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.002
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
Chemistry of Caminite
Mindat Formula:
Mg7(SO4)5(OH)4 · H2O
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Caminite
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Class (H-M):
4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) - Ditetragonal Dipyramidal
Space Group:
I41/amd
Setting:
I41/amd
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.242(1) Å, c = 12.995(3) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 2.479
Unit Cell V:
357.08 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Comment:
synthetic
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
Remove metal-metal sticks
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
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
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
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0019045 | Caminite | Yamnova N A, Pushcharovskii D Y, Apollonov V N (1989) Crystalline structure of a new natural Mg-sulfate Mg3[SO4]2(OH)2 Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta Geologiya 44 76-78 | 1989 | Nepa deposit of potassium salts, Eastern Siberia, Russia | 0 | 293 | |
| 0018250 | Caminite | Keefer K D, Hochella M F, de Jong B H W S (1981) The structure of the magnesium hydroxide sulfate hydrate MgSO4.1/3Mg(OH)2.1/3H2O _cod_database_code 1100075 Acta Crystallographica B37 1003-1006 |  | 1981 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.345 Å | (100) |
| 3.220 Å | (80) |
| 1.871 Å | (50) |
| 1.620 Å | (25) |
| 2.062 Å | (20) |
| 2.041 Å | (20) |
| 1.854 Å | (20) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 3b: Earth’s earliest hydrosphere | >4.45 |
| 15 : Black/white smoker minerals and other seafloor hydrothermal minerals | |
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 50 : Coal and/or oil shale minerals | <0.36 |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 54 : Coal and other mine fire minerals (see also #51 and #56) |
Type Occurrence of Caminite
General Appearance of Type Material:
As imperfect dipyramidal crystals, to 500 µm.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
No defined type material.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Reaction of sea water with hydrothermal fluids in a midocean ridge submarine chimney vent.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Caminite
Other Language Names for Caminite
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 Caminite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-875.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 Caminite
Localities for Caminite
Showing 4 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.
India | |
| Deepthi et al. (2015) |
Pacific Ocean (TL) | |
| Haymon et al. (1986) |
Poland | |
| Kruszewski et al. (2020) |
Russia | |
| Fersman Museum |
Quick NavTopAbout CaminiteUnique IdentifiersSimilar NamesIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Nepskoe K salt deposit, Nepa River basin, Lower Tunguska, Irkutsk Oblast, Russia