Walthierite
A valid IMA mineral species
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Formula:
Ba0.5Al3(SO4)2(OH)6
Colour:
White, light yellow
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
3 - 4
Specific Gravity:
3.02 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Member of:
Name:
Named in honor of Thomas Nash Walthier (1922/23 - 1990), geologist with St. Joseph Minerals Co., who played a significant role in the exploration of the El Indio and Tambo mining districts, Coquimbo region, Chile.
Not to be confused with waltherite (now walpurgite).
Not to be confused with waltherite (now walpurgite).
This page provides mineralogical data about Walthierite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
4240
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4240:2
IMA Classification of Walthierite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Ba0.5Al3(SO4)2(OH)6
Approval year:
1991
First published:
1992
Type description reference:
Classification of Walthierite
7.BC.10
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
B : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, without H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
B : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, without H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
30.2.4.7
30 : ANHYDROUS SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
2 : (AB)2(XO4)Zq
30 : ANHYDROUS SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
2 : (AB)2(XO4)Zq
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Wtr | 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 Walthierite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
White, light yellow
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3 - 4 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
{001}
{001}
Density:
3.02 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Walthierite
Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 1.588(2) nε = 1.604(2)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.016
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
Chemistry of Walthierite
Mindat Formula:
Ba0.5Al3(SO4)2(OH)6
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Walthierite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.992(4) Å, c = 34.443(8) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 4.926
Unit Cell V:
1,458.26 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
6
Comment:
Point Group: 3 2/m or 3m.; Space Group: [R3m or R3m] (by analogy to alunite)
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 2.98 Å | (100) |
| 2.283 Å | (80) |
| 1.909 Å | (70) |
| 1.747 Å | (60) |
| 3.49 Å | (55) |
| 5.73 Å | (50) |
| 4.97 Å | (45) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| High-? alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 32 : Ba/Mn/Pb/Zn deposits, including metamorphic deposits |
Type Occurrence of Walthierite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 170208, 170209.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Walthierite
Other Language Names for Walthierite
German:Walthierit
Spanish:Walthierita
Relationship of Walthierite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Alunite Group:
| Alunite | KAl3(SO4)2(OH)6 | Trig. 3m : R3m |
| Ammonioalunite | (NH4)Al3(SO4)2(OH)6 | Trig. |
| Ammoniojarosite | (NH4)Fe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6 | Trig. 3m : R3m |
| Argentojarosite | AgFe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6 | Trig. 3m : R3m |
| Beaverite-(Cu) | Pb(Fe3+2Cu)(SO4)2(OH)6 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
| Beaverite-(Zn) | Pb(Fe3+2Zn)(SO4)2(OH)6 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
| Dorallcharite | TlFe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
| Huangite | Ca0.5Al3(SO4)2(OH)6 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
| Hydroniumjarosite | (H3O)Fe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
| Jarosite | KFe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
| Natroalunite | NaAl3(SO4)2(OH)6 | Trig. 3m : R3m |
| Natroalunite-2c | (Na,Ca0.5,K)Al3(SO4)2(OH)6 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
| Natrojarosite | NaFe3(SO4)2(OH)6 | Trig. 3m : R3m |
| Osarizawaite | Pb(Al2Cu2+)(SO4)2(OH)6 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
| Plumbojarosite | Pb0.5Fe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
| Schlossmacherite | (H3O)Al3(SO4)2(OH)6 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.BC. | Viskontite | Pb5Cu2(SO4)3(SeO3)(OH)6 |
| 7.BC. | Zincochenite | Pb4Zn(OH)6(SO4)2 |
| 7.BC. | D'Ansite-(Mn) | Na21Mn2+(SO4)10Cl3 |
| 7.BC. | D'Ansite-(Fe) | Na21Fe2+(SO4)10Cl3 |
| 7.BC. | Acmonidesite | (NH4,K,Pb)8NaFe2+4(SO4)5Cl8 |
| 7.BC. | Adranosite | (NH4)4NaAl2(SO4)4Cl(OH)2 |
| 7.BC. | Chromviskontite | Pb5Cu2(CrO4)3(SeO3)(OH)6 |
| 7.BC. | Backite | Pb2AlTeO6Cl |
| 7.BC. | Adranosite-(Fe) | (NH4)4NaFe3+2(SO4)4Cl(OH)2 |
| 7.BC. | Agaite | Pb3CuTeO5(OH)2(CO3) |
| 7.BC. | Wildcatite | CaFe3+Te6+O5(OH) |
| 7.BC. | Hagstromite | Pb8Cu2+(Te6+O6)2(CO3)Cl4 |
| 7.BC.05 | D'Ansite | Na21Mg(SO4)10Cl3 |
| 7.BC.07 | Apatelite | Fe3(SO4)2(OH)5 · 0.5H2O |
| 7.BC.07 | Unnamed (Ba-Fe Vanadate) | Ba, Fe, V, O, H |
| 7.BC.10 | Jarosite | KFe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Dorallcharite | TlFe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Argentojarosite | AgFe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Natroalunite | NaAl3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Natrojarosite | NaFe3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Beaverite-(Cu) | Pb(Fe3+2Cu)(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Beaverite-(Zn) | Pb(Fe3+2Zn)(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Huangite | Ca0.5Al3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Natroalunite-2c | (Na,Ca0.5,K)Al3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Alunite | KAl3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Plumbojarosite | Pb0.5Fe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Karlseifertite | Pb(Ga2Ge)(AsO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Hydroniumjarosite | (H3O)Fe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Ammonioalunite | (NH4)Al3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Ammoniojarosite | (NH4)Fe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Osarizawaite | Pb(Al2Cu2+)(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.10 | Schlossmacherite | (H3O)Al3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.15 | Ye'elimite | Ca4Al6(SO4)O12 |
| 7.BC.20 | Nabokoite | KCu7(SO4)5(Te4+O3)OCl |
| 7.BC.20 | Puninite | Na2Cu3O(SO4)3 |
| 7.BC.20 | Atlasovite | K(BiO)Cu6Fe3+(SO4)5O3Cl |
| 7.BC.25 | Chlorothionite | K2Cu(SO4)Cl2 |
| 7.BC.30 | Euchlorine | KNaCu3(SO4)3O |
| 7.BC.30 | Fedotovite | K2Cu3(SO4)3O |
| 7.BC.35 | Kamchatkite | KCu3(SO4)2OCl |
| 7.BC.40 | Piypite | K4Cu4O2(SO4)4 · (Na,Cu)Cl |
| 7.BC.45 | Alumoklyuchevskite | K3Cu3(Al,Fe3+)(SO4)4O2 |
| 7.BC.45 | Belousovite | KZn(SO4)Cl |
| 7.BC.45 | Klyuchevskite | K3Cu3(Fe3+,Al)(SO4)4O2 |
| 7.BC.47 | Müllerite | Pb2Fe3+(Te6+O6)Cl |
| 7.BC.50 | Caledonite | Pb5Cu2(SO4)3(CO3)(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.50 | Elasmochloite | Na3Cu6BiO4(SO4)5 |
| 7.BC.52 | Eleomelanite | (K2Pb)Cu4O2(SO4)4 |
| 7.BC.55 | Falgarite | K4(VO)3(SO4)5 |
| 7.BC.55 | Wherryite | Pb7Cu2(SO4)4(SiO4)2(OH)2 |
| 7.BC.57 | Krasheninnikovite | KNa2CaMg(SO4)3F |
| 7.BC.60 | Wulffite | K3NaCu4O2(SO4)4 |
| 7.BC.60 | Parawulffite | K5Na3Cu8O4(SO4)8 |
| 7.BC.60 | Mammothite | Pb6Cu4AlSb5+O2(OH)16Cl4(SO4)2 |
| 7.BC.62 | Shuvalovite | K2(Ca2Na)(SO4)3F |
| 7.BC.65 | Saccoite | Ca2Mn3+2F(OH)8 · 0.5(SO4) |
| 7.BC.65 | Linarite | PbCu(SO4)(OH)2 |
| 7.BC.65 | Therasiaite | (NH4)3KNa2Fe2+Fe3+(SO4)3Cl5 |
| 7.BC.65 | Franksousaite | PbCu(Se6+O4)(OH)2 |
| 7.BC.65 | Munakataite | Pb2Cu2(Se4+O3)(SO4)(OH)4 |
| 7.BC.65 | Schmiederite | Pb2Cu2(Se6+O4)(Se4+O3)(OH)4 |
| 7.BC.70 | Chenite | Pb4Cu(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 7.BC.75 | Krivovichevite | Pb3Al(OH)6(SO4)(OH) |
| 7.BC.80 | Anhydrokainite | KMg(SO4)Cl |
Other Information
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 Walthierite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-4240.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
References for Walthierite
Reference List:
Peacor, Gejing Lib Donald R., Essene, Eric J., Brosnahan, David R., Beane, Richard E. (1992) Walthierite, Ba0.5[]0.5Al3(SO4)2(OH)6,and huangite, Ca0.5[]0.5Al3(SO4)2(OH)6, two new minerals of the alunite group from the Coquimbo region, Chile. American Mineralogist, 77 (11-12) 1275-1284
Localities for Walthierite
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.
Chile | |
| Deyell et al. (2005) |
| Deyell et al. (2005) |
| Amer.Min. (1992) |
| www.lrz-muenchen.de (n.d.) | |
Italy | |
| Baldoni et al. (2013) +1 other reference |
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