Ceruleite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Ceruleite
Formula:
Cu2Al7(AsO4)4(OH)13 · 11.5H2O
Colour:
Turquoise-blue.
Hardness:
5 - 6
Specific Gravity:
2.70 - 2.803
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
From the Latin caeruleus, for "sky-blue" in allusion to its common colour.
Incorrect spelling is céruléite (Burke, 2008).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
933
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:933:5
Similar Names
| Cerolite | A synonym of 'Kerolite' | |
| Coralloite | A valid IMA mineral species | Mn2+Mn23+(AsO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2O |
IMA Classification of Ceruleite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Cu2+Al4(As5+O4)2(OH)8(H2O)4
First published:
1900
Classification of Ceruleite
8.DE.25
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
E : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 = 3:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
E : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 = 3:1
42.13.6.1
42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
13 : Miscellaneous
42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
13 : Miscellaneous
20.1.14
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
1 : Arsenates of Cu
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
1 : Arsenates 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cru | 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 Ceruleite
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Turquoise-blue.
Hardness:
5 - 6 on Mohs scale
Comment:
Hardness probably of massive concretions, not individual crystals.
Density:
2.70 - 2.803 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.734 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Measured density is based on multiple localities.
Optical Data of Ceruleite
Type:
Biaxial
Dispersion:
r < v weak
Comments:
n=1.60
Chemistry of Ceruleite
Mindat Formula:
Cu2Al7(AsO4)4(OH)13 · 11.5H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Ceruleite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.2000(14) Å, b = 11.345(2) Å, c = 9.856(2) Å
β = 105.57(3)°
β = 105.57(3)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.635 : 1 : 0.869
Unit Cell V:
775.6 ų
Z:
1
Morphology:
Massive, compact and clay-like. Composed of extremely minute rod-like crystals. Blades at Cap Garonne.
Comment:
P21/n
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 7.296 Å | (75) |
| 5.926 Å | (70) |
| 5.650 Å | (100) |
| 4.877 Å | (50) |
| 4.760 Å | (70) |
| 3.545 Å | (60) |
| 3.235 Å | (50) |
| 2.984 Å | (50) |
| 2.650 Å | (60) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates] |
Type Occurrence of Ceruleite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
The Natural History Museum, London, England.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
oxidized zone of arsenic-rich polymetallic mineral deposits
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Ceruleite
Other Language Names for Ceruleite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 21 photos of Ceruleite associated with Schlossmacherite | (H3O)Al3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 16 photos of Ceruleite associated with Olivenite | Cu2(AsO4)(OH) |
| 7 photos of Ceruleite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 3 photos of Ceruleite associated with Parnauite | Cu9(AsO4)2(SO4)(OH)10 · 7H2O |
| 3 photos of Ceruleite associated with Pharmacosiderite | KFe3+4(AsO4)3(OH)4 · 6-7H2O |
| 3 photos of Ceruleite associated with Pharmacoalumite | KAl4(AsO4)3(OH)4 · 6.5H2O |
| 2 photos of Ceruleite associated with Torbernite | Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 2 photos of Ceruleite associated with Wavellite | Al3(PO4)2(OH)3 · 5H2O |
| 2 photos of Ceruleite associated with Cassiterite | SnO2 |
| 1 photo of Ceruleite associated with Conichalcite | CaCu(AsO4)(OH) |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.DE. | Arsenoveszelyite | Cu2Zn(AsO4)(OH)3 · 2H2O |
| 8.DE. | Kipushite | (Cu,Zn)5Zn(PO4)2(OH)6 · H2O |
| 8.DE. | Goldhillite | Cu5Zn(AsO4)2(OH)6 · H2O |
| 8.DE.05 | Senegalite | Al2(PO4)(OH)(OH)2 · H2O |
| 8.DE.10 | Fluellite | Al2(PO4)F2(OH) · 7H2O |
| 8.DE.15 | Bulachite | Al6(AsO4)3(OH)9(H2O)4 · 2H2O |
| 8.DE.20 | Zapatalite | Cu3Al4(PO4)3(OH)9 · 4H2O |
| 8.DE.30 | Veszelyite | (Cu,Zn)2Zn(PO4)(OH)3 · 2H2O |
| 8.DE.35 | Philipsburgite | Cu5Zn(AsO4)(PO4)(OH)6 · H2O |
| 8.DE.40 | Juanitaite | (Cu,Ca,Fe)10Bi(AsO4)4(OH)11 · 2H2O |
| 8.DE.45 | Iangreyite | Ca2Al7(PO4)2(PO3OH)2(OH,F)15 · 8H2O |
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:
At 290C the material turns green and becomes amorphous. The DTA curve shows a sharp endothermic effect at 365C.
Notes:
Insoluble in water, but soluble in HCl, HNO3, and KOH.
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 Ceruleite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-933.html
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References for Ceruleite
Reference List:
Fleischer, Michael, Cabri, Louis J., Nickel, Ernest H., Pabst, Adolf (1977) New Mineral Names. American Mineralogist, 62 (5-6) 593-600 p.598
Schmetzer, K., Bank, H., Berdesinski, W., Kroužek, E. (1978) Ceruleite—A New Gemstone. The Journal of Gemmology, 16 (2) 86-90 doi:10.15506/jog.1978.16.2.86
Schmetzer, Karl, Bank, Hermann (1983) Stabilized Ceruleite. The Journal of Gemmology, 18 (8) 734-735 doi:10.15506/jog.1983.18.8.734
Braithwaite, R. S. W. (1987) Ceruleite: infrared spectroscopy and a new locality in Cornwall. Mineralogical Magazine, 51 (363) 738-741 doi:10.1180/minmag.1987.051.363.16
Burke, Ernst A. J. (2008) Tidying up mineral names: an IMA-CNMNC scheme for suffixes, hyphens and diacritical marks. The Mineralogical Record, 39 (2) 131-135
Localities for Ceruleite
Showing 24 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.
Australia | |
| Nickel et al. (1993) |
| Nickel et al. (1993) | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... | |
Chile | |
| maurizio dini collection - quantitative ... |
| Dufet (1900) +1 other reference |
| Kampf et al. (2013) +1 other reference |
| A.Molina & M. Dini collections |
France | |
| van den Berg (1987) +3 other references |
| Favreau et al. (2024) | |
| Favreau et al. (2024) | |
Greece | |
| Rieck et al. (2018) |
Namibia | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
Portugal | |
| Identified by Christian Rewitzer (unknow method) |
South Africa | |
| Rick Turner |
UK | |
| T Hardman Collection (visual identification) |
| |
| Foster (n.d.) |
| Golley et al. (1995) | |
| Lapis 11 (2) | |
| |
| Embrey et al. (1987) +1 other reference |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
USA | |
| Specimen acquired from SCMS. Probably ... |
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Wheal Gorland, St Day, Cornwall, England, UK