Woodhouseite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Woodhouseite
Charles D. Woodhouse
Formula:
CaAl3(PO4)(SO4)(OH)6
Colour:
White, flesh-pink, colourless
Lustre:
Vitreous, Pearly
Hardness:
4½
Specific Gravity:
3.01
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Member of:
Name:
Named in honour of Charles Douglas Woodhouse (1 May 1888, Burlington, Vermont, USA - 5 August 1975, Santa Barbara, California, USA), mineralogist, mineral collector, and professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara, California, USA, who discovered the mineral.
The Ca analogue of svanbergite.
Forms a solid-solution series with crandallite.
A secondary mineral found where sulphatic argillic wall rock alteration occurred in hydrothermal and disseminated ore deposits; rare in cave deposits.
Forms a solid-solution series with crandallite.
A secondary mineral found where sulphatic argillic wall rock alteration occurred in hydrothermal and disseminated ore deposits; rare in cave deposits.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
4311
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4311:9
IMA Classification of Woodhouseite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
CaAl3(S6+O4)(PO4)(OH)6
First published:
1937
Classification of Woodhouseite
8.BL.05
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
L : With medium-sized and large cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 = 3:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
L : With medium-sized and large cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 = 3:1
43.4.1.8
43 : COMPOUND PHOSPHATES, ETC.
4 : Anhydrous Compound Phosphates, etc·, Containing Hydroxyl or Halogen
43 : COMPOUND PHOSPHATES, ETC.
4 : Anhydrous Compound Phosphates, etc·, Containing Hydroxyl or Halogen
22.3.7
22 : Phosphates, Arsenates or Vanadates with other Anions
3 : Phosphates, arsenates or vanadates with sulphates
22 : Phosphates, Arsenates or Vanadates with other Anions
3 : Phosphates, arsenates or vanadates with sulphates
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Wdh | 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 Woodhouseite
Vitreous, Pearly
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Comment:
Lustre pearly on {0001}.
Colour:
White, flesh-pink, colourless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
4½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Very Good
On {0001}, excellent.
On {0001}, excellent.
Density:
3.01 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.00 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Woodhouseite
Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 1.636(3) nε = 1.647(3)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.011
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 uniaxial interference figure - the conoscopic
(convergent-light, Bertrand-lens-in) view, for a grain cut with the optic axis
centred and vertical. The coloured rings are isochromatics, computed with the
same physics as the Michel-Lévy bar above; the dark cross is the isogyre.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
Comments:
May exhibit anomalous biaxial sectors. Basal sections of larger crystals exhibit six radial biaxial sectors. May exhibit zonal banding.
Chemistry of Woodhouseite
Mindat Formula:
CaAl3(PO4)(SO4)(OH)6
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Woodhouseite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m(32/m) - Hexagonal Scalenohedral
Space Group:
R3m
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.993(2) Å, c = 16.386(6) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 2.343
Unit Cell V:
693.95 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
3
Morphology:
Crystals small, pseudocubic rhombohedral {1012}; tabular at times {0001}, with curved and striated faces.
Comment:
Pseudocubic
Crystal Structure
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0014741 | Woodhouseite | Kato T (1971) The crystal structures of goyazite and woodhousite Neues Jahrbuch fur Mineralogie, Monatshefte 1971 241-247 | 1971 | Andalusite mine, Mono Co., California, USA | 0 | 293 | |
| 0000036 | Woodhouseite | Pabst A (1947) Some computations on svanbergite, woodhouseite and alunite American Mineralogist 32 16-30 |  | 1947 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 2.932 Å | (100) |
| 2.163 Å | (45) |
| 4.847 Å | (35) |
| 2.971 Å | (35) |
| 3.488 Å | (30) |
| 2.704 Å | (25) |
| 5.658 Å | (20) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 21 : Chemically precipitated carbonate, phosphate, iron formations | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 46 : Near-surface hydrothermal alteration of minerals (see also #22) | |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47b : [Sulfates and sulfites] | |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] |
Geological Setting:
Altered wall rock in hydrothermal and disseminated ore deposits; cave deposits.
Type Occurrence of Woodhouseite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
n.d
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Quartz veins in an andalusite deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Woodhouseite
Relationship of Woodhouseite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Beudantite Group:
| Beudantite | PbFe3+3(AsO4)(SO4)(OH)6 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m |
| Cloudite | BaFe3+3(PO4)(SO4)(OH)6 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m |
| Corkite | PbFe3+3(PO4)(SO4)(OH)6 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m |
| Gallobeudantite | PbGa3(AsO4)(SO4)(OH)6 | Trig. 3m : R3m |
| Hidalgoite | PbAl3(AsO4)(SO4)(OH)6 | Trig. 3m : R3m |
| Hinsdalite | PbAl3(PO4)(SO4)(OH)6 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m |
| Kemmlitzite | SrAl3(AsO4)(SO4)(OH)6 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m |
| Oberwolfachite | SrFe3+3(AsO4)(SO4)(OH)6 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m |
| Slottaite | SrFe3+3(PO4)(SO4)(OH)6 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m |
| Svanbergite | SrAl3(PO4)(SO4)(OH)6 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m |
| 'UM2011-07-POSO:AlBaH' | BaAl3(PO4)(SO4)(OH)6 | |
| 'Unnamed (Fe-analogue of Weilerite and Ba-analogue of Oberwolfachite)' | BaFe3(AsO4)(SO4)(OH)6 | |
| Weilerite | BaAl3(AsO4)(SO4)(OH)6 | Hex. |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 50 photos of Woodhouseite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 6 photos of Woodhouseite associated with Magnesite | MgCO3 |
| 4 photos of Woodhouseite associated with Rutile | TiO2 |
| 2 photos of Woodhouseite associated with Uvite | CaMg3(Al5Mg)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH) |
| 2 photos of Woodhouseite associated with Aluminocopiapite | Al2/3Fe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O |
| 1 photo of Woodhouseite associated with 'Achroite' | |
| 1 photo of Woodhouseite associated with 'Fluor-uvite-Uvite Series' | |
| 1 photo of Woodhouseite associated with Rhodostannite | Cu+(Fe2+0.5Sn4+1.5)S4 |
| 1 photo of Woodhouseite associated with 'Andorite' | AgPbSb3S6 |
| 1 photo of Woodhouseite associated with Strengite | FePO4 · 2H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.BL. | Kiryuite | NaMnAl(PO4)F3 |
| 8.BL. | Metaheimite | PbCu2(AsO4)(OH)3 |
| 8.BL. | Graulichite-(La) | LaFe3+3(AsO4)2(OH)6 |
| 8.BL. | Cloudite | BaFe3+3(PO4)(SO4)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL. | Oberwolfachite | SrFe3+3(AsO4)(SO4)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL. | Arsenobenauite | SrFe3+3(AsO4)(AsO3OH)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.05 | Gallobeudantite | PbGa3(AsO4)(SO4)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.05 | Slottaite | SrFe3+3(PO4)(SO4)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.05 | Corkite | PbFe3+3(PO4)(SO4)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.05 | Hidalgoite | PbAl3(AsO4)(SO4)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.05 | Hinsdalite | PbAl3(PO4)(SO4)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.05 | 'UM2011-07-POSO:AlBaH' | BaAl3(PO4)(SO4)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.05 | Kemmlitzite | SrAl3(AsO4)(SO4)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.05 | Beudantite | PbFe3+3(AsO4)(SO4)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.05 | Weilerite | BaAl3(AsO4)(SO4)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.05 | Svanbergite | SrAl3(PO4)(SO4)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.10 | Segnitite | PbFe3+3AsO4(AsO3OH)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.10 | Arsenogoyazite | SrAl3(AsO4)(AsO3OH)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.10 | Arsenogorceixite | BaAl3(AsO4)(AsO3OH)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.10 | Dussertite | BaFe3+3(AsO4)(AsO3OH)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.10 | Galloplumbogummite | Pb(Ga,Al,Ge)3(PO4)2(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.10 | Stibiosegnitite | Pb(Fe3+2.5Sb5+0.5)(AsO4)2(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.10 va | 'Viséite' | |
| 8.BL.10 | Arsenocrandallite | CaAl3(AsO4)(AsO3OH)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.10 | Benauite | SrFe3+3(PO4)(PO3OH)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.10 | Philipsbornite | PbAl3(AsO4)(AsO3OH)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.10 | Crandallite | CaAl3(PO4)(PO3OH)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.10 | Springcreekite | BaV3+3(PO4)2(OH,H2O)6 |
| 8.BL.10 | Eylettersite | Th0.75Al3(PO4)2(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.10 | Kintoreite | PbFe3(PO4)(PO3OH)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.10 | Plumbogummite | PbAl3(PO4)(PO3OH)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.10 | Gorceixite | BaAl3(PO4)(PO3OH)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.10 | Goyazite | SrAl3(PO4)(PO3OH)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.13 | Florencite-(Ce) | CeAl3(PO4)2(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.13 | Florencite-(La) | LaAl3(PO4)2(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.13 | Florencite-(Nd) | NdAl3(PO4)2(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.13 | Zaïrite | BiFe3+3(PO4)2(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.13 | Arsenoflorencite-(La) | LaAl3(AsO4)2(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.13 | 'Arsenoflorencite-(Nd)' | NdAl3(AsO4)2(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.13 | 'Unnamed (As-analogue of Zaïrite)' | (Bi,Pb)Fe3+3(AsO4)2(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.13 | Arsenoflorencite-(Ce) | CeAl3(AsO4)2(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.13 | Graulichite-(Ce) | CeFe3+3(AsO4)2(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.13 | 'Arsenowaylandite' | BiAl3(AsO4)2(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.13 | Waylandite | BiAl3(PO4)2(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.13 | Florencite-(Sm) | SmAl3(PO4)2(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.15 | Viitaniemiite | Na(Ca,Mn2+)Al(PO4)(F,OH)3 |
| 8.BL.25 | Pattersonite | PbFe3+3(PO4)2(OH)5 · H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in acids only after driving off the water in a closed tube.
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 Woodhouseite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-4311.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Woodhouseite
Reference List:
Lemmon, Dwight M. (1937) Woodhouseite, a new mineral of the beudantite group. American Mineralogist, 22 (9) 939-948
Pabst, A. (1947) Some computations on svanbergite, woodhouseite and alunite. American Mineralogist, 32 (1-2) 16-30
Schwab, R.G., Pimpl, T., Schukow, H., Stolle, A., Breitinger, D.K. (2004) Compounds of the crandallite-type: Synthesis, properties and thermodynamic data of pure crandallite and woodhouseite. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie - Monatshefte, 2004 (9) 385-409 doi:10.1127/0028-3649/2004/2004-0385
Schwab, R. G., Pimpl, T., Schukow, H., Stolle, A., Breitinger, D. K. (2005) Compounds of the crandallite-type: Synthesis, properties and thermodynamic data of Ca – Sr – Ba – Pb-(arseno)-woodhouseites. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie - Abhandlungen, 181 (3) 207-218 doi:10.1127/0077-7757/2005/0018
Localities for Woodhouseite
Showing 89 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.
Argentina | |
| FRANCHINI (27º26'S-66º16'O) |
| López et al. (2018) |
Australia | |
| Henderson (1981) |
| Habibi et al. (2026) |
| Habibi et al. (2025) |
| Bottrill (2000) |
| Bottrill et al. (2008) | |
| AGSO Research Newsletter May 2000 | |
Austria | |
| Exel (1993) |
| Strasser (1989) |
| Taucher (2013) |
| Spötl (1990) |
Belgium | |
| 1./ A.M. Fransolet |
Bolivia | |
| Frank Keutsch EDS analysis |
| Alfredo Petrov collection (PXRD by Jaroslav Hyrsl) |
Brazil | |
| Barbosa et al. (2000) |
| Moroni et al. (2001) +1 other reference |
Bulgaria | |
| Hikov et al. (2011) |
| Hikov et al. (2010) +1 other reference |
| Hikov (2004) |
| Sabeva et al. (2017) |
| HIKOV et al. (APS) +1 other reference |
| Georgieva |
Canada | |
| Febbo et al. (2019) |
| Sabina (1967) |
| SAGE (1981) |
| Reid et al. (2016) |
Chile | |
| Stoffregen et al. (1987) |
| Codelco |
| Singer et al. (2008) |
| Deyell et al. (2005) |
| Deyell et al. (2005) |
China | |
| Zijin Mining Group Company Limited |
| Xunyi Wang (1982) |
| Anthony |
| Keqin Wang et al. (1994) |
| Keqin Wang et al. (1994) |
| Zhenrong Shi (2008) |
| Zhang et al. (2002) |
| Keqin Wang et al. (1994) +1 other reference |
| Zhenrong Shi and Keqin Cai (2008) |
Costa Rica | |
| Rodríguez et al. (2017) |
Czech Republic | |
| Scharm +7 other references |
| Dolníček et al. (2023) |
Dominican Republic | |
| Torró et al. (2017) |
| Barrick Gold Corporation |
Greece | |
| Stergiou et al. (2021) |
| Voudouris et al. (2011) |
| Voudouris et al. (2012) |
| - (n.d.) |
| Michael (2004) | |
| C. Mavrogonatos et al. (2018) | |
| Κίλιας et al. (2013) +1 other reference | |
| Voudouris (2005) | |
Hungary | |
| Sándor et al. (2005) |
| Alwani et al. (2025) |
Indonesia | |
| DILL et al. (1995) +1 other reference |
Italy | |
| Demartin et al. (1996) |
| Di Bella et al. (2026) |
Japan | |
| Aoki (1985) +2 other references |
Kyrgyzstan | |
| Karpenko et al. (2009) |
Mongolia | |
| Khashgerel et al. (2008) |
Norway | |
| Morton (1961) +1 other reference |
Peru | |
| Stoffregen et al. (1987) |
| Bendezu et al. (2009) |
Philippines | |
| Manalo et al. (2022) |
Romania | |
| Milu et al. (2004) +1 other reference |
Russia | |
| Jambor et al. (2001) +2 other references |
| Tamara Yu. Yakich * et al. (2024) +1 other reference |
| Zhitova et al. (2019) |
Serbia | |
| Buttinger-Kreuzhuber et al. (2015) +1 other reference |
Slovakia | |
| Juraj ŽItňan (2011) |
Spain | |
| A. Arribas et al. (2005) |
| Bauluz et al. (2014) |
Sudan | |
| Abdelmajid et al. (2014) |
Sweden | |
| Wilke (1997) |
| Ek et al. (1990) |
USA | |
| Hehnke et al. (2012) |
| Lemmon (1937) +7 other references |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Stoffregen et al. (1987) +1 other reference | |
| Barwood (1999) +1 other reference |
| Gobla (2012) |
| Freeport-McMoRan |
| U.S. Geological Survey/ U.s. Department ... |
| Desor (03/21) |
| Dietrich (1990) |
Uzbekistan | |
| Kovalenker et al. (1997) |
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White Mountains, Mono County, California, USA