Spangolite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Spangolite
Norman Spang
Formula:
Cu6Al(SO4)(OH)12Cl · 3H2O
Colour:
Dark to emerald green, blue-green; light green in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
3.135 - 3.141
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Name:
Named in 1890 by Samuel Lewis Penfield in honor of Norman Spang (12 November 1841 (not 1842), Etna, Pennsylvania, USA - December 1922, Paris, France), iron manufacturer and mineral collector of Etna, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, USA. He contributed the type specimen for study.
A secondary mineral commonly occurring with other secondary copper minerals in oxidized zones of copper-bearing ore bodies.
Note: The exact type locality is uncertain; the original specimen found “within a radius of 200 miles of Tombstone” (probably from Bisbee).
Thin tabular spangolite may be confused with chalcophyllite.
Note: The exact type locality is uncertain; the original specimen found “within a radius of 200 miles of Tombstone” (probably from Bisbee).
Thin tabular spangolite may be confused with chalcophyllite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3721
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3721:7
IMA Classification of Spangolite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1890
Classification of Spangolite
7.DD.15
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
31.1.5.1
31 : HYDRATED SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
1 : (AB)m(XO4)pZq·xH2O, where m:p > 6:1
31 : HYDRATED SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
1 : (AB)m(XO4)pZq·xH2O, where m:p > 6:1
26.8
26 : Sulphates with Halide
26 : Sulphates with Halide
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Spg | 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 Spangolite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Spangolite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Dark to emerald green, blue-green; light green in transmitted light.
Streak:
Pale green
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Comment:
About 2 on {0001} and about 3 on the inclined faces.
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {0001}, perfect.
On {1011}, {0111}: distinct.
On {0001}, perfect.
On {1011}, {0111}: distinct.
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
3.135 - 3.141 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.14 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Spangolite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.680 - 1.687 nε = 1.627 - 1.641
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.046 - 0.053
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
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
Dichroic:
O = Green
E = Bluish green
O = Green
E = Bluish green
Chemistry of Spangolite
Mindat Formula:
Cu6Al(SO4)(OH)12Cl · 3H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Spangolite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m - Ditrigonal Pyramidal
Space Group:
P3 1c
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.24 Å, c = 14.34 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 1.74
Unit Cell V:
843.21 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Crystals frequently holohedral in aspect; either short prismatic [0001] or, more commonly, tabular {0001}. Less commonly hemimorphic with large {0001} and tapering toward the antilogous pole. The prism and trigonal pyramid faces are horizontally striated with series of trigonal pyramids and prisms in oscillatory combination. The geometrically equivalent positive and negative trigonal pyramids are seemingly always equally developed, rendering a hexagonal appearance to the crystal.
Twinning:
On {0001}, rare, with the acute (antilogous) poles of the two individuals joined together.
Comment:
Cell parameters are variable: a = 8.245-8.278 A, c = 14.32-14.53 A
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0001585 | Spangolite | Hawthorne F C, Kimata M, Eby R K (1993) The crystal structure of spangolite, a complex copper sulfate sheet mineral American Mineralogist 78 649-652 |  | 1993 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Loading XRD data...
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 7.07 Å | (100) |
| 3.59 Å | (80) |
| 2.66 Å | (40) |
| 2.54 Å | (70) |
| 2.36 Å | (50) |
| 1.98 Å | (60) |
| 1.80 Å | (70) |
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] | |
| 47g : [Halogen-bearing surface weathering minerals] |
Geological Setting:
Oxidized zones of copper-bearing ore bodies.
Other Language Names for Spangolite
Dutch:Spangoliet
German:Spangolith
Spangolit
Spangolit
Russian:Спанголит
Simplified Chinese:氯铜铝矾
Spanish:Spangolita
Traditional Chinese:氯銅鋁礬
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 133 photos of Spangolite associated with Brochantite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 |
| 55 photos of Spangolite associated with Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 44 photos of Spangolite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 43 photos of Spangolite associated with Cyanotrichite | Cu4Al2(SO4)(OH)12 · 2H2O |
| 41 photos of Spangolite associated with Connellite | Cu19(SO4)(OH)32Cl4 · 3H2O |
| 19 photos of Spangolite associated with Azurite | Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
| 19 photos of Spangolite associated with Cuprite | Cu2O |
| 18 photos of Spangolite associated with Linarite | PbCu(SO4)(OH)2 |
| 14 photos of Spangolite associated with Fluorite | CaF2 |
| 10 photos of Spangolite associated with Baryte | BaSO4 |
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 | 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 | Zincaluminite | (Zn1-xAlx)(SO4)x/2(OH)2 · nH2O |
| 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
Electrical:
Pyroelectric.
Notes:
Insoluble in water. Readily soluble in acids.
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 Spangolite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3721.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
References for Spangolite
Reference List:
Miers, H. A. (1893) Spangolite, a Remarkable Cornish Mineral. Nature, 48 (1244) 426-427 doi:10.1038/048426b0
Miers, H. A. (1894) Spangolite. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 10 (48) 273-277 doi:10.1180/minmag.1894.010.48.02
Localities for Spangolite
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 | |
| Birch et al. (1997) |
| Day (1998) | |
| Sorrell (n.d.) |
| - (2001) | |
| Munro-Smith et al. (2015) |
| The identification was made by Dr Peter ... | |
| Ron & Betty Wallace collection | |
| Harris et al. (2003) |
| Bottrill |
| Sciberras et al. (2013) |
Austria | |
| Kolitsch et al. (2013) |
| Schnorrer et al. (2000) |
| POSTL et al. (1983) +2 other references |
| - (1994, July) |
| - (1994, July) |
| - (1994, July) |
| Arlt et al. (1994) | |
Canada | |
| Personal collection of John Dagenais |
| Sabina (2015) |
Chile | |
| maurizio dini collection - analysed ... |
| Maurizio Dini - analysis by Dr. Robert ... |
| Samples analysed by Dr. Jochen Schlüter (Hamburg University) |
DR Congo | |
| Lhoest (1992) +1 other reference |
France | |
| Vernay (1997) +1 other reference |
| MOUREY Y. (2017) |
| OLLIC Pascal Collection | |
| M. Arliguie collection |
| Lheur (2023) |
| Queneau (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| Patrice Queneau Collection and ... +1 other reference |
| Pierrot et al. (1976) |
| van den Berg (1987) +1 other reference |
| CLAUDE Jean-Marie trouvaille (08/1980) | |
| Favreau (n.d.) | |
Germany | |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Kolitsch et al. (2019) |
| Schnorrer-Köhler (1988) +1 other reference |
| Wittern (2001) |
| "Lithothek" collection of the ... | |
| van den Berg et al. (1990) |
| Ko Jansen |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Schnorrer (1995) | |
| Schnorrer (1995) +1 other reference |
| Der Aufschluss 2000 (2) |
| Schnorrer (1995) +2 other references |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Neschen (n.d.) |
| Neschen (n.d.) |
| Witzke (1993) +2 other references |
| Markus Gerstmann - Collection |
Greece | |
| Niedermayr (1982) |
| Wendel (2000) +1 other reference |
| Colleen Thomson collection | |
| |
| Gröbner (2001) | |
| Fritz Schreiber collection +1 other reference |
| |
| Lapis et al. (1999) |
| Uwe Kolitsch (unpublished SEM-EDS analyses) |
| Lapis et al. (1999) |
| Fritz Schreiber collection (analysed by U. Kolitsch) |
Indonesia | |
| Abidin (2008) |
Italy | |
| Bortolozzi et al. (2018) |
| Rivista Mineralogica Italiana (Avril/Juin) |
| Pagano et al. (2001) | |
| Redazionale (2005) | |
| Stara et al. (1993) |
| Stara et al. (1999) |
| Stara et al. (1996) |
| O'Donoghue (1976) |
| Fernando Caboni et al. (2024) | |
| Fernando Caboni et al. (2024) | |
| //doi.org/10.57635/MICRO.2025.23.17 |
| Stara et al. (1996) |
| Campostrini et al. (1999) +1 other reference |
| Bardi et al. (2017) +1 other reference |
| "Lithothek der Münchener Micromounter" ... |
| Jansen et al. (1998) | |
| Luigi Chiappino collection |
| www.comune.pisa.it (2000) | |
| Gianni Porcellini collection +1 other reference | |
| Franzini et al. (1992) +3 other references |
| Jansen et al. (1998) |
| Luigi Chiappino data |
Japan | |
| Takada & Matsuuchi (1981) +1 other reference |
Kazakhstan | |
| Evseev (1995) |
| Pekov (1998) |
Mexico | |
| Jones et al. (2021) +1 other reference |
| Identified visually by Marshall Sussman |
Portugal | |
| Marques de Sá et al. (2010) |
Russia | |
| Pekov et al. (2025) |
Spain | |
| Frias +2 other references |
| Martinez Frias et al. (1992) |
| Pesudo Verde Collection +1 other reference |
| Calvo Rebollar (2014) |
| FMF Forum |
UK | |
| |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| Day (1999) | |
| Miers (1894) +1 other reference |
| Norman Wilson collection |
| |
| Hubbard et al. (2005) |
| S. Rust collection |
USA | |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
| Bruce J. Murophy specimen | |
| Graeme (1993) +2 other references |
| Ford (1914) +1 other reference |
| Dana 7:II:573. +2 other references | |
| Luetcke (n.d.) |
| Palache et al. (1951) | |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
| Dr. Marcus Origlieri |
| Dana 7:II:578 +2 other references |
| Merritt Stephen Enders (2000) | |
| Housley R. |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| T. Kennedy collection |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Dr. William S. Wise presentation to ... |
| Collected by Sugar White. |
| Pullman et al. (1999) |
| Ameican Mineralogist +2 other references |
| Sigurd Stordal collection | |
| Jenkins et al. (1) +1 other reference |
| NMBMGMR Open-file Report - 532 +1 other reference |
| Northrop et al. (1996) | |
| Jay Penn collection |
| O'Donoghue (1976) |
| Jason B. Smith specimen | |
| Jerry Cone Collection | |
| Tiny Minerals | |
| Min News 21:8 p 8 | |
| Ray Demark Collection | |
| M Massis collection | |
| GF Loughlin (1942) +1 other reference | |
| GF Loughlin (1942) | |
| Dana 7:II:573 & 578. |
| Bullock (1981) |
| Collected by and in the collection of ... |
| In the collection of Richard D. Green |
| Rocks & Minerals 83:1 pp 52-62 +1 other reference |
| Thorne (n.d.) +1 other reference |
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Aranzazú Mine, Concepción del Oro, Concepción del Oro Municipality, Zacatecas, Mexico