Aldridgeite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Aldridgeite
Edward W. Aldridge
Formula:
(Cd2+,Ca)(Cu2+,Zn2+)4(S6+O4)2(OH)6 · 3H2O
Colour:
Pale blue
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
3.25
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named in honor of Edward William 'Teddy' Aldridge (1850/1 - 22 July 1908, Adelaide, Australia), famous collector of minerals from Broken Hill. He operated a hotel and bar and bought directly from the miners, building a collection that patrons could view. It became quite well known to the general public throughout Australia and at the time of his death numbered about 8000 specimens.
Type Locality:
Isostructural with:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
40398
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:40398:4
IMA Classification of Aldridgeite
Approved
IMA Formula:
(Cd2+,Ca)(Cu2+,Zn2+)4(S6+O4)2(OH)6·3H2O
Approval year:
2010
First published:
2015
Classification of Aldridgeite
7.00.
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
0 :
0 :
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
0 :
0 :
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Adg | 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 Aldridgeite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Aldridgeite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Pale blue
Streak:
Pale blue
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Comment:
Estimated
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect cleavage. Parallel to {100}, bу analogy with serpierite.
Perfect cleavage. Parallel to {100}, bу analogy with serpierite.
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
3.25 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.33 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Aldridgeite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.596(3) nβ = 1.636(3) nγ = 1.643(3)
2V:
Calculated: 44.5°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.047
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.
Optical Extinction:
Positive elongation and inclined extinction.
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
X = pale yellowish blue; Y = pale blue; Z = pale greenish blue.
Comments:
Optical orientation uncertain.
Chemistry of Aldridgeite
Mindat Formula:
(Cd2+,Ca)(Cu2+,Zn2+)4(S6+O4)2(OH)6 · 3H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Aldridgeite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/b
Setting:
C2/c
Cell Parameters:
a = 22.049(2) Å, b = 6.212(2) Å, c = 21.839(2) Å
β = 113.19(3)°
β = 113.19(3)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 3.549 : 1 : 3.516
Unit Cell V:
2749.8 ų
Z:
8
Morphology:
Forming sprays of acicular crystals to 0.8 mm across
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 10.167 Å | (100) |
| 5.076 Å | (55) |
| 3.380 Å | (35) |
| 2.704 Å | (30) |
| 2.645 Å | (60) |
| 2.612 Å | (30) |
| 2.439 Å | (50) |
| 2.167 Å | (35) |
Locality:
Comments:
Block 14 opencut, Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia. Data from the type description.
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 |
| 55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals | |
| 56 : Slag and smelter minerals (see also #51 and #55) |
Type Occurrence of Aldridgeite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Sprays of acicular crystals up to 0.8 mm across. Crystals are up to 0.4 x 0.005 mm in size and often form subparallel intergrowths. Found in cavities in a quartz-garnet-smithsonite matrix.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Type material is deposited in the collections of the South Australian Museum, Adelaide, South Australia, registration number G33030.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Secondary mineral formed under late stage supergene low-temperature conditions.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Aldridgeite
Other Language Names for Aldridgeite
Relationship of Aldridgeite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Devilline Group:
| Campigliaite | Mn2+Cu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2O | Mon. 2 : B2 |
| Devilline | CaCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 3H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Kobyashevite | Cu5(SO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Lautenthalite | PbCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 3H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Orthoserpierite | Ca(Cu,Zn)4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 3H2O | Orth. mm2 : Pca21 |
| Serpierite | Ca(Cu2+,Zn2+)4(S6+O4)2(OH)6 · 3H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| 'Unnamed (Dimorph of Devilline)' | CaCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 3H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 3 photos of Aldridgeite associated with Ktenasite | ZnCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 6H2O |
| 2 photos of Aldridgeite associated with Niedermayrite | CdCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2O |
| 2 photos of Aldridgeite associated with Smithsonite | ZnCO3 |
| 1 photo of Aldridgeite associated with Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.00. | Manganoblödite | Na2Mn(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
Other Information
IR Spectrum:
IR spectrum: Bands due to OH stretching (broad approx 3640 to 2805 cm-1, centered at 3358 cm-1), and v1 amd v3 vibrations of SO4 tetrahedra (985 and 1120 cm-1, respectively.
Notes:
Readily soluble in cold 10% 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 Aldridgeite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-40398.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Aldridgeite
Localities for Aldridgeite
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.
Australia (TL) | |
| Williams et al. (2010) +1 other reference |
Bolivia | |
| Biagioni et al. (2022) |
Greece | |
| Rieck et al. (2018) |
USA | |
| pxrd & eds by Dr. Tony Kampf +1 other reference |
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Kelly Mine, Magdalena Mining District, Socorro County, New Mexico, USA