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Whitecapsite

A valid IMA mineral species
This page kindly sponsored by Tony Nikischer
06886900017271951646468.jpg
Whitecapsite

White Caps Mine, Manhattan, Manhattan Mining District, Toquima Range, Nye County, Nevada, USA
01191570017271951667457.jpg
Whitecapsite

White Caps Mine, Manhattan, Manhattan Mining District, Toquima Range, Nye County, Nevada, USA
03441890017271951669709.jpg
Whitecapsite

White Caps Mine, Manhattan, Manhattan Mining District, Toquima Range, Nye County, Nevada, USA
06886900017271951646468.jpg
Whitecapsite

White Caps Mine, Manhattan, Manhattan Mining District, Toquima Range, Nye County, Nevada, USA
01191570017271951667457.jpg
Whitecapsite

White Caps Mine, Manhattan, Manhattan Mining District, Toquima Range, Nye County, Nevada, USA
03441890017271951669709.jpg
Whitecapsite

White Caps Mine, Manhattan, Manhattan Mining District, Toquima Range, Nye County, Nevada, USA
06886900017271951646468.jpg
Whitecapsite

White Caps Mine, Manhattan, Manhattan Mining District, Toquima Range, Nye County, Nevada, USA
01191570017271951667457.jpg
Whitecapsite

White Caps Mine, Manhattan, Manhattan Mining District, Toquima Range, Nye County, Nevada, USA
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About WhitecapsiteHide

05772310017271951669799.jpg
White Caps Mine and Mill

White Caps Mine, Manhattan, Manhattan Mining District, Toquima Range, Nye County, Nevada, USA
Formula:
H16Fe2+5Fe3+14Sb3+6(AsO4)18O16 · 120H2O
Colour:
Bright orange to golden-brownish orange
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2 - 2½
Specific Gravity:
2.30
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Name:
Named for the type locality, White Caps mine, Nye Co., Nevada
Unique combination of elements. Forms well-shaped hexagonal prismatic crystals terminated with bipyramidal faces.

The structure is based on the complex heteropolyhedral [(□,Fe2+)6Fe3+7Sb3O8(AsO4)9(H2O)30] cluster, which central part is the Fe3+O6 trigonal prism. The complex clusters are linked only via hydrogen bonds to water molecules residing in the interstitial space.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
43221
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:43221:4

IMA Classification of WhitecapsiteHide

IMA status:
Approved
IMA Formula:
H16Fe2+5Fe3+14Sb3+6(AsO4)18O16 · 120H2O
Approval year:
2012

Classification of WhitecapsiteHide

Strunz-mindat (2025):
8.DC.70

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
C : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 = 1:1 and < 2:1

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference
WcpIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of WhitecapsiteHide

Lustre:
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Bright orange to golden-brownish orange
Streak:
Yellowish
Hardness:
2 - 2½ on Mohs scale
Hardness Data:
Measured
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Parting:
none observed
Fracture:
None observed
Density:
2.30 g/cm3 (Measured)    2.297 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of WhitecapsiteHide

Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.590(2) nε = 1.603(3)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.013
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.

Surface Relief:
Moderate

Chemistry of WhitecapsiteHide

Mindat Formula:
H16Fe2+5Fe3+14Sb3+6(AsO4)18O16 · 120H2O
Element Weights:
Element% weight
O49.477 %
As20.050 %
Fe15.775 %
Sb10.862 %
H3.836 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
Elements listed:
As, Fe, H, O, Sb - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of WhitecapsiteHide

Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Class (H-M):
6/m - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
P63/m
Setting:
P63/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 16.0916(8) Å, c = 21.7127(9) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 1.349
Unit Cell V:
4869 ų
Z:
1
Morphology:
Hexagonal prismatic crystals terminated with bipyramidal faces (forms: {110} and {111})

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
13.99 Å(34)
11.73 Å(100)
5.267 Å(6)
3.644 Å(4)
2.999 Å(8)
2.757 Å(4)
2.648 Å(5)
Locality:
White Caps Mine, Manhattan, Manhattan Mining District, Toquima Range, Nye County, Nevada, USA

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event<2.4
47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals]
47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates]

Type Occurrence of WhitecapsiteHide

Type Locality:
ⓘ White Caps Mine, Manhattan, Manhattan Mining District, Toquima Range, Nye County, Nevada, USA
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Found in the oxidation zone of the White Caps gold deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
ArsenopyriteCalciteCinnabarGoethiteGuérinite
GypsumJarositeKaoliniteMetacinnabarMetastibnite
OrpimentPicropharmacolitePitticitePyriteQuartz
RealgarSphaleriteStibniteNative Sulphur

Synonyms of WhitecapsiteHide

Other Language Names for WhitecapsiteHide

Common AssociatesHide

Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
5 photos of Whitecapsite associated with StibniteSb2S3

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

8.DC.CésarferreiraiteFe2+ Fe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.FerrivauxiteFe3+Al2(PO4)2(OH)3 · 5H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.IanbruceiteZn2(AsO4)(OH) · 3H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DC.05NissoniteCu2Mg2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 5H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
8.DC.07EuchroiteCu2(AsO4)(OH) · 3H2OOrth. 2 2 2 : P21 21 21
8.DC.10LegranditeZn2(AsO4)(OH) · H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DC.12StrashimiriteCu8(AsO4)4(OH)4 · 5H2OMon.
8.DC.15EarlshannoniteMn2+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DC.15KunatiteCuFe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DC.15UM2006-27-PO:FeHZnZnFe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2OMon.
8.DC.15UKI-2006-(PO:AlCuFeH)Fe2+Al3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2O
8.DC.15CobaltarthuriteCoFe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DC.15ArthuriteCuFe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DC.15OjuelaiteZnFe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DC.15WhitmoreiteFe2+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DC.15BendadaiteFe2+Fe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DC.17KleemaniteZnAl2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 3H2OMon.
8.DC.20MagnesiobermaniteMgMn3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2OMon. 2 : P21
8.DC.20BermaniteMn2+Mn3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
8.DC.20CoralloiteMn2+Mn3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.22KovdorskiteMg2(PO4)(OH) · 3H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DC.25ZincostrunziteZnFe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 6.5H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.25MetavauxiteFe2+Al2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DC.25MetavivianiteFe2+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 6H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.25FerristrunziteFe3+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)3 · 5H2OTric.
8.DC.25StrunziteMn2+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 6H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.25FerrostrunziteFe2+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 6H2OTric.
8.DC.27BerauniteFe3+6(PO4)4O(OH)4 · 6H2OMon. m : Bb
8.DC.27TvrdýiteFe2+Fe3+2Al3(PO4)4(OH)5(H2O)4 · 2H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
8.DC.27ZincoberauniteZnFe3+5(PO4)4(OH)5 · 6H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
8.DC.30MaghrebiteMgAl2(AsO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30FerrolaueiteFe2+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30UshkoviteMgFe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30LaueiteMn2+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30ParavauxiteFe2+Al2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30SigloiteFe3+Al2(PO4)2(OH)3 · 7H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30NordgauiteMnAl2(PO4)2(F,OH)2 · 5H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30Kayrobertsonite[MnAl2(PO4)2(OH)2(H2O)4] · 2H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30KummeriteMn2+Fe3+Al(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30MangangordoniteMn2+Al2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30StewartiteMn2+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30GordoniteMgAl2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30Kastningite(Mn2+,Fe2+,Mg)Al2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30PseudolaueiteMn2+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DC.32KamarizaiteFe3+3(AsO4)2(OH)3 · 3H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.32TinticiteFe3+3(PO4)2(OH)3 · 3H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.35VauxiteFe2+Al2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 6H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.37VantasseliteAl4(PO4)3(OH)3 · 9H2OOrth.
8.DC.40CacoxeniteFe3+24AlO6(PO4)17(OH)12 · 75H2OHex. 6/m : P63/m
8.DC.45Souzalite(Mg,Fe2+)3(Al,Fe3+)4(PO4)4(OH)6 · 2H2OTric. 1
8.DC.45Gormanite(Fe2+,Mg)3(Al,Fe3+)4(PO4)4(OH)6 · 2H2OTric.
8.DC.47KingiteAl3(PO4)2F2(OH) · 7H2OTric.
8.DC.50AllanpringiteFe3+3(PO4)2(OH)3 · 5H2OMon. 2/m : P21/m
8.DC.50FluorwavelliteAl3(PO4)2(OH)2F · 5H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
8.DC.50WavelliteAl3(PO4)2(OH)3 · 5H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
8.DC.52KribergiteAl5(PO4)3(SO4)(OH)4 · 4H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.55MapimiteZn2Fe3+3(AsO4)3(OH)4 · 10H2OMon. m : Bm
8.DC.57OgdensburgiteCa2Fe3+4(Zn,Mn2+)(AsO4)4(OH)6 · 6H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Cmmm
8.DC.60CloncurryiteCu0.5(VO)0.5Al2(PO4)2F2 · 5H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DC.60Nevadaite(Cu2+,Al,V3+)6Al8(PO4)8F8(OH)2 · 22H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
8.DC.62KenngottiteMn2+3Fe3+4(PO4)4(OH)6(H2O)2 Mon. 2/m : P2/b
8.DC.67MolinelloiteCu(H2O)(OH)V4+O(V5+O4)Tric. 1 : P1
8.DC.75HeimitePbCu2(AsO4)(OH)3 · 2H2OMon. 2/m
8.DC.80LedneviteCu[PO3(OH)] · H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b

Other InformationHide

IR Spectrum:
confirms the presence of H+·nH2O complex cations and absence of OH groups (also confirmed by Raman spectroscopy)
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 WhitecapsiteHide

References for WhitecapsiteHide

Localities for WhitecapsiteHide

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.

Locality ListHide

- 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). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
USA (TL)
 
  • Nevada
    • Nye County
      • Toquima Range
        • Manhattan Mining District
          • Manhattan
Pekov (2012) +1 other reference
Quick NavTopAbout WhitecapsiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography X-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
 
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