Zincaluminite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered - questionable
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About Zincaluminite
Formula:
(Zn1-xAlx)(SO4)x/2(OH)2 · nH2O
(x < 0.5, n > 3x/2)
Also given as Zn6Al6(SO4)2(OH)16 · 5H2O.
Also given as Zn6Al6(SO4)2(OH)16 · 5H2O.
Colour:
White, bluish-white, pale blue; colourless in transmitted light.
Hardness:
2½ - 3
Specific Gravity:
2.26
Member of:
Name:
From its composition, containing ZINC plus ALUM (aluminium sulfate) and its similarity to aluminite.
A questionable mineral with undetermined X-ray powder pattern and unknown crystallography. Compare also zincowoodwardite.
Note: a SEM-EDS analysis of a typical "zincaluminite" specimen from the Genna zinc smelter slag locality, Letmathe (there are several photos of similar looking specimens on Mindat) clearly conforms to brianyoungite (Christian Auer, written comm. to Uwe Kolitsch, July 2021).
As part of the recent re-evaluation of the nomenclature of the hydrotalcite supergroup (Mills et al., 2012), zincaluminite was confirmed to be a questionable species which needs further investigation.
Note: a SEM-EDS analysis of a typical "zincaluminite" specimen from the Genna zinc smelter slag locality, Letmathe (there are several photos of similar looking specimens on Mindat) clearly conforms to brianyoungite (Christian Auer, written comm. to Uwe Kolitsch, July 2021).
As part of the recent re-evaluation of the nomenclature of the hydrotalcite supergroup (Mills et al., 2012), zincaluminite was confirmed to be a questionable species which needs further investigation.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
4409
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4409:3
IMA Classification of Zincaluminite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959), Questionable
IMA Formula:
(Zn1-xAlx)(SO4)x/2(OH)2 · nH2O (x 3x/2)
First published:
2012
Classification of Zincaluminite
7.DD.35
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
D : With only medium-sized cations; sheets of edge-sharing octahedra
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
D : With only medium-sized cations; sheets of edge-sharing octahedra
31.2.3.1
31 : HYDRATED SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
2 : (AB)6(XO4)Zq·xH2O
31 : HYDRATED SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
2 : (AB)6(XO4)Zq·xH2O
25.5.9
25 : Sulphates
5 : Sulphates of Zn and Hg
25 : Sulphates
5 : Sulphates of Zn and Hg
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Zna | 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 Zincaluminite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Zincaluminite
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
White, bluish-white, pale blue; colourless in transmitted light.
Hardness:
2½ - 3 on Mohs scale
Density:
2.26 g/cm3 (Measured)
Optical Data of Zincaluminite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.534 nε = 1.514
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.020
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.
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.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Comments:
Biaaxial + at times, with a small 2V.
Chemistry of Zincaluminite
Mindat Formula:
(Zn1-xAlx)(SO4)x/2(OH)2 · nH2O
(x < 0.5, n > 3x/2)
Also given as Zn6Al6(SO4)2(OH)16 · 5H2O.
(x < 0.5, n > 3x/2)
Also given as Zn6Al6(SO4)2(OH)16 · 5H2O.
Crystallography of Zincaluminite
Morphology:
Minute crystals as very thin hexagonal plates, forming crusts; tufts.
Comment:
Hexagonal or orthorhombic
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47b : [Sulfates and sulfites] | |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 56 : Slag and smelter minerals (see also #51 and #55) |
Type Occurrence of Zincaluminite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Minute thin hexagonal crystals, in tufts and crusts
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Zincaluminite
German:Zinkaluminit
Zincaluminit
Zincaluminit
Spanish:Zincaluminita
Relationship of Zincaluminite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Glaucocerinite Group:
| Carrboydite | (Ni1-xAlx)(SO4)x/2(OH)2 · nH2O | Hex. |
| Glaucocerinite | (Zn1-xAlx)(OH)2(SO4)x/2 · nH2O | Hex. |
| Hydrohonessite | (Ni1-xFe3+x)(OH)2(SO4)x/2 · nH2O | Hex. |
| Hydrowoodwardite | (Cu1-xAlx)(OH)2[SO4]x/2 · nH2O | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
| Mountkeithite | [(Mg1-xFe3+x)(OH)2][SO4]x/2 · nH2O | Hex. |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 14 photos of Zincaluminite associated with Serpierite | Ca(Cu,Zn)4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 7 photos of Zincaluminite associated with Aluminium-bearing Adamite | (Zn,Al)2AsO4(OH,O) |
| 7 photos of Zincaluminite associated with Zincite | ZnO |
| 2 photos of Zincaluminite associated with Allophane | (Al2O3)(SiO2)1.3-2 · 2.5-3H2O |
| 2 photos of Zincaluminite associated with Copper-bearing Adamite | (Zn,Cu)2AsO4OH |
| 1 photo of Zincaluminite associated with Slag | |
| 1 photo of Zincaluminite associated with Rosasite | (Cu,Zn)2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 1 photo of Zincaluminite associated with Aurichalcite | (Zn,Cu)5(CO3)2(OH)6 |
| 1 photo of Zincaluminite associated with Agardite | |
| 1 photo of Zincaluminite associated with Willemite | Zn2SiO4 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.DD. | Asagiite | NiCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 6H2O |
| 7.DD.05 | Felsőbányaite | Al4(SO4)(OH)10 · 4H2O |
| 7.DD.07 | Llantenesite | Cu6Al[SeO4](OH)12Cl · 3H2O |
| 7.DD.10 | Langite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 · 2H2O |
| 7.DD.10 | Fehrite | MgCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 6H2O |
| 7.DD.10 | Posnjakite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 · H2O |
| 7.DD.10 | Wroewolfeite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 · 2H2O |
| 7.DD.10 | Gobelinite | CoCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 6H2O |
| 7.DD.15 | Kobyashevite | Cu5(SO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2O |
| 7.DD.15 | Spangolite | Cu6Al(SO4)(OH)12Cl · 3H2O |
| 7.DD.15 | Unnamed (Dimorph of Devilline) | CaCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 7.DD.20 | Ktenasite | ZnCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 6H2O |
| 7.DD.25 | Christelite | Cu2Zn3(SO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2O |
| 7.DD.30 | Edwardsite | Cu3Cd2(SO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2O |
| 7.DD.30 | Niedermayrite | CdCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2O |
| 7.DD.30 | Serpierite | Ca(Cu,Zn)4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 7.DD.30 | Campigliaite | Mn2+Cu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2O |
| 7.DD.30 | Orthoserpierite | Ca(Cu,Zn)4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 7.DD.30 | Devilline | CaCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Shigaite | Mn6Al3(OH)18[Na(H2O)6](SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Zincowoodwardite | Zn1-xAlx(OH)2[SO4]x/2 · nH2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Natroglaucocerinite | Zn6Al3(OH)18[Na(H2O)6](SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Hydrowoodwardite | (Cu1-xAlx)(OH)2[SO4]x/2 · nH2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Honessite | (Ni1-xFe3+x)(OH)2[SO4]x/2 · nH2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Carrboydite | (Ni1-xAlx)(SO4)x/2(OH)2 · nH2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Glaucocerinite | (Zn1-xAlx)(OH)2(SO4)x/2 · nH2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Wermlandite | Mg7Al2(OH)18[Ca(H2O)6][SO4]2 · 6H2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Nikischerite | Fe2+6Al3(OH)18[Na(H2O)6](SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Hydrohonessite | (Ni1-xFe3+x)(OH)2(SO4)x/2 · nH2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Woodwardite | Cu1-xAlx(OH)2(SO4)x/2 · nH2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Motukoreaite | Mg6Al3(OH)18[Na(H2O)6][SO4]2 · 6H2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Mountkeithite | [(Mg1-xFe3+x)(OH)2][SO4]x/2 · nH2O |
| 7.DD.40 | Lawsonbauerite | (Mn2+,Mg)9Zn4(SO4)2(OH)22 · 8H2O |
| 7.DD.40 | Torreyite | (Mg,Mn2+)7◻2Mn2+2Zn4(SO4)2(OH)22 · 8H2O |
| 7.DD.40 | Isselite | Cu6(SO4)(OH)10(H2O)4 · H2O |
| 7.DD.45 | Mooreite | Mg9◻2Mn2Zn4(SO4)2(OH)26 · 8H2O |
| 7.DD.45 | Hodgesmithite | (Cu,Zn)6Zn(SO4)2(OH)10 · 3H2O |
| 7.DD.47 | Lahnsteinite | Zn4(SO4)(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 7.DD.50 | Namuwite | Zn4(SO4)(OH)6 · 4H2O |
| 7.DD.50 | Minohlite | (Cu,Zn)7(SO4)2(OH)10 · 8H2O |
| 7.DD.52 | Lauraniite | Cu6Cd2(SO4)2(OH)12 · 5H2O |
| 7.DD.55 | Bechererite | Zn7Cu(OH)13[(SiO(OH)3(SO4)] |
| 7.DD.60 | Ramsbeckite | (Cu,Zn)15(SO4)4(OH)22 · 6H2O |
| 7.DD.65 | Vonbezingite | Ca6Cu3(SO4)3(OH)12 · 2H2O |
| 7.DD.70 | Redgillite | Cu6(SO4)(OH)10 · H2O |
| 7.DD.75 | Nickelalumite | NiAl4(SO4)(OH)12(H2O)3 |
| 7.DD.75 | Kyrgyzstanite | ZnAl4(SO4)(OH)12 · 3H2O |
| 7.DD.75 | Chalcoalumite | CuAl4(SO4)(OH)12 · 3H2O |
| 7.DD.80 | Schulenbergite | (Cu,Zn)7(SO4)2(OH)10 · 3H2O |
| 7.DD.80 | UM1992-30-SO:CCuHZn | (Zn,Cu)7(SO4,CO3)2(OH)10 · 3H2O |
| 7.DD.80 | Thérèsemagnanite | NaCo4(SO4)(OH)6Cl · 6H2O |
| 7.DD.80 | Guarinoite | Zn6(SO4)(OH)10 · 5H2O |
| 7.DD.85 | Montetrisaite | Cu6(SO4)(OH)10 · 2H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in acids and alkalies.
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 Zincaluminite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-4409.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
References for Zincaluminite
Reference List:
Bertrand, Émile (1881) Sur un nouveau minéral du Laurium. Bulletin de Minéralogie, 4 (5). 135-136 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1881.1642 [as unnamed mineral (directly followed by the Damour (1881) article that gives chemical-analytical data)]
Damour, Augustin-Alexis (1881) Essais chimiques et analyse d'un sulfate basique d'Alumine et de Zinc hydraté, nouvelle espèce minérale. Bulletin de Minéralogie, 4 (5). 136-138 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1881.2946[proposes the name "zinc-aluminite"]
Localities for Zincaluminite
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 | |
| Verein der Hegauer Mineralienfreunde (1983) +3 other references |
| Neschen (n.d.) |
| Neschen (n.d.) | |
Greece (TL) | |
| Bertrand (1881) +2 other references |
| LAPIS 24 (7/8) +1 other reference |
| Heymann (1982) | |
| Fritz Schreiber collection |
USA | |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
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Hilarion Mine, Kamariza Mines, Agios Konstantinos, Lavreotiki, East Attica, Attica, Greece