Pharmazincite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Pharmazincite
Formula:
KZnAsO4
Colour:
Colorless to white
Lustre:
Vitreous
Specific Gravity:
4.75 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Name:
Named for the Greek φάρμăκου "pharmakou" for "poison or drug" in allusion to the arsenic content, and also for containing zinc.
Known synthetic analogue.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
46137
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:46137:7
IMA Classification of Pharmazincite
Approved
IMA Formula:
KZn(AsO4)
Approval year:
2014
First published:
2017
Type description reference:
Pekov, Igor V., Yapaskurt, Vasiliy O., Belakovskiy, Dmitry I., Vigasina, Marina F., Zubkova, Natalia V., Sidorov, Evgeny G. (2017) New arsenate minerals from the Arsenatnaya fumarole, Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia. VII. Pharmazincite, KZnAsO4. Mineralogical Magazine, 81 (4) 1001-1008 doi:10.1180/minmag.2016.080.146
Classification of Pharmazincite
8.AC.55
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
A : Phosphates, etc. without additional anions, without H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
A : Phosphates, etc. without additional anions, without H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Pznc | 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 Pharmazincite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colorless to white
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
Parallel to [001].
Parallel to [001].
Fracture:
Step-Like
Density:
4.75 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Pharmazincite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.649(2) nε = 1.642(2)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.007
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:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Pharmazincite
Mindat Formula:
KZnAsO4
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Pharmazincite
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Class (H-M):
6 - Pyramidal
Space Group:
P63
Cell Parameters:
a = 18.501(4) Å, c = 8.7114(9) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.471
Unit Cell V:
2582.4 ų
Z:
24
Morphology:
Prismatic to acicular crystals up to 1 mm long and up to 0.03 mm thick typically combined in near-parallel, radial or chaotic intergrowths, open-work aggregates or crusts up to 2 mm across.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 6.36 Å | (28) |
| 4.64 Å | (45) |
| 4.35 Å | (48) |
| 3.260 Å | (36) |
| 3.179 Å | (100) |
| 2.770 Å | (26) |
| 2.676 Å | (77) |
| 2.278 Å | (15) |
Reference:
Pekov, Igor V., Yapaskurt, Vasiliy O., Belakovskiy, Dmitry I., Vigasina, Marina F., Zubkova, Natalia V., Sidorov, Evgeny G. (2017) New arsenate minerals from the Arsenatnaya fumarole, Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia. VII. Pharmazincite, KZnAsO4. Mineralogical Magazine, 81 (4) 1001-1008 doi:10.1180/minmag.2016.080.146
Comments:
From Type Description.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45a : [Sulfates, arsenates, selenates, antimonates] |
Type Occurrence of Pharmazincite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Prismatic to acicular crystals up to 1 mm long and up to 0.03 mm
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Type material is deposited in the collections of the Fersman Mineralogical Museum of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, registration number 4539/1
Empirical Formula of Type Material:
(K0.97Ca0.01)Σ0.98(Zn0.82Cu0.13Mg0.07Fe3+0.01)Σ1.03(As0.98P0.02)Σ1.00O4
Chemical Analysis of Type Material:
| K2O | 18.98 % |
|---|---|
| CaO | 0.14 % |
| MgO | 1.20 % |
| CuO | 4.41 % |
| ZnO | 27.58 % |
| Fe2O3 | 0.15 % |
| P2O5 | 0.50 % |
| As2O5 | 46.67 % |
| Total: | 99.63 % |
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Fumarole, temperature at the time of collecting 360–380°C
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Pekov, Igor V., Yapaskurt, Vasiliy O., Belakovskiy, Dmitry I., Vigasina, Marina F., Zubkova, Natalia V., Sidorov, Evgeny G. (2017) New arsenate minerals from the Arsenatnaya fumarole, Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia. VII. Pharmazincite, KZnAsO4. Mineralogical Magazine, 81 (4) 1001-1008 doi:10.1180/minmag.2016.080.146
Synonyms of Pharmazincite
Other Language Names for Pharmazincite
Dutch:Pharmazinciet
German:Pharmazincit
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.AC. | Crocobelonite-1M | CaFe3+2O(PO4)2 |
| 8.AC. | Magnesioqingheiite | Na2Mg(MgAl)(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC. | Manganobadalovite | NaNaMn(MgFe3+)(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC. | Changesite-(Y) | (Ca8Y)◻Fe2+(PO4)7 |
| 8.AC. | Babunaite-(Nd) | NdAsO4 |
| 8.AC. | Crocobelonite | CaFe3+2O(PO4)2 |
| 8.AC. | Wopmayite | Ca6Na3◻Mn(PO4)3(PO3OH)4 |
| 8.AC. | Beershevaite | CaFe3+3(PO4)3O |
| 8.AC. | Epiebnerite | (NH4)Zn(PO4) |
| 8.AC. | Ebnerite | (NH4)Zn(PO4) |
| 8.AC.X | Dyrnaesite-(La) | Na8Ce4+(La,REE)2(PO4)6 |
| 8.AC. | Edtollite | K2NaCu5Fe3+O2(AsO4)4 |
| 8.AC. | Angarfite | NaFe3+5(PO4)4(OH)4 · 4H2O |
| 8.AC. | Kabalovite | Fe2+3Fe3+4(PO4)6 |
| 8.AC. | Nazarchukite | Ca2NiFe3+2(PO4)4 |
| 8.AC. | Calciohatertite | NaNaCa(CaFe3+)(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC. | Alumoedtollite | K2NaCu5AlO2(AsO4)4 |
| 8.AC.02 | Grigorievite | Cu3Fe3+2Al2(VO4)6 |
| 8.AC.02 | Koksharovite | CaMg2Fe3+4(VO4)6 |
| 8.AC.02 | Ziminaite | Fe3+ 6 (VO4)6 |
| 8.AC.05 | Hatertite | Na2(Ca,Na)(Fe3+,Cu)2(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.05 | Erikapohlite | Cu3(Zn,Cu,Mg)4Ca2(AsO4)6 · 2H2O |
| 8.AC.05 | Unnamed (Na-Mg Arsenate Hydroxyarsenate) | NaMg3(AsO4)(AsO3OH)2 |
| 8.AC.05 | Unnamed (Na-Zn-H Arsenate Hydroxyarsenate) | Na(Na0.6Zn0.4)Zn2(H0.6AsO4)(AsO3OH)2 |
| 8.AC.05 | Calciojohillerite | NaCaMg3(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.05 | Magnesiohatertite | (Na,Ca)2Ca(Mg,Fe3+)2(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.05 va | Alluaudite-Na[] | ◻4Na4Mn2+4Fe3+8(PO4)12 |
| 8.AC.05 va | Alluaudite-Ca[] | ◻4Ca4Mn2+4Fe3+8(PO4)12 |
| 8.AC.05 va | Ferroalluaudite-NaNa | Na4Na4Fe2+4Fe3+8(PO4)12 |
| 8.AC.05 | Hagendorfite-NaNa | NaNaFe2+(Mn2+,Mn3+)(PO4)3 (?) |
| 8.AC.05 | O'Danielite | Na(Zn,Mg)3(AsO4)(AsO3OH)2 |
| 8.AC.05 | Howardevansite | NaCuFe2(VO4)3 |
| 8.AC.05 | Khrenovite | Na3Fe3+2(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.05 | Zincobradaczekite | NaZn2Cu2(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.05 | Paraberzeliite | NaCa2Mg2(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.05 | Badalovite | Na2Mg2Fe(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.05 | Magnesiocanutite | NaMnMg2[AsO4]2[AsO2(OH)2] |
| 8.AC.05 | Manganohatertite | NaNaCa(MnFe3+)(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.05 | Camanchacaite | NaCaMg2[AsO4][AsO3(OH)]2 |
| 8.AC.07 | Zhanghuifenite | Na3Mn4Mg2Al(PO4)6 |
| 8.AC.07 | Ferrobobfergusonite | Na2Fe2+5Fe3+Al(PO4)6 |
| 8.AC.10 | Hagendorfite | NaCaMn2+Fe2+2(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC.10 | Ferrohagendorfite | NaCaFe2+Fe2+2(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC.10 | Johillerite | Na(Mg,Zn)3Cu(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.10 | Varulite | NaCaMn2+Mn2+2(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC.10 | Nickenichite | Na0.8Ca0.4Cu0.4(Mg,Fe)3(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.10 | Arseniopleite | NaCaMnMn2(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.10 | Groatite | NaCaMn2(PO4)[PO3(OH)]2 |
| 8.AC.10 | Alluaudite | (Na,Ca)Mn2+(Fe3+,Mn2+,Fe2+,Mg)2(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC.10 | Bradaczekite | NaCu4(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.10 | Caryinite | (Na,Pb)(Ca,Na)CaMn2+2(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.10 | Ferroalluaudite | (Na,Ca)Fe2+(Fe3+,Mn2+,Fe2+)2(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC.10 | Maghagendorfite | (Na,◻)MgMn2+(Fe2+,Fe3+)2(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC.15 | Ferrowyllieite | (Na,Ca,Mn)(Fe,Mn)(Fe,Fe,Mg)Al(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC.15 | Qingheiite | NaNaMn2+(MgAl)(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC.15 | Rosemaryite | (Na,Ca,Mn)(Mn,Fe2+)(Fe3+,Mg)Al(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC.15 | Ferroqingheiite | NaNaFe2+(MgAl)(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC.15 | Ferrorosemaryite | ◻NaFe2+Fe3+Al(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC.15 | Bobfergusonite | Na2Mn5FeAl(PO4)6 |
| 8.AC.15 | Wyllieite | (Na,Ca,Mn)(Mn,Fe)(Fe,Mg)Al(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC.17 | Czochralskiite | Na4Ca3Mg(PO4)4 |
| 8.AC.18 | Manitobaite | Na16Mn2+ 25Al8(PO4)30 |
| 8.AC.20 | Marićite | NaFe2+(PO4) |
| 8.AC.25 | Schäferite | (NaCa2)Mg2(VO4)3 |
| 8.AC.25 | Berzeliite | (NaCa2)Mg2(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.25 | Matyhite | Ca18(Ca,◻)2Fe2+2(PO4)14 |
| 8.AC.25 | Hedegaardite | (Ca,Na)9(Ca,Na)Mg(PO4)6(PO3OH) |
| 8.AC.25 | Manganberzeliite | (NaCa2)Mn2+2(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.25 | Palenzonaite | (NaCa2)Mn2+2(VO4)3 |
| 8.AC.30 | Brianite | Na2CaMg(PO4)2 |
| 8.AC.35 | Vitusite-(Ce) | Na3(Ce,La,Nd)(PO4)2 |
| 8.AC.40 | Bario-olgite | (Ba,Sr)(Na,Sr,REE)2Na(PO4)2 · |
| 8.AC.40 | Olgite | (Sr,Ba)(Na,Sr,REE)2Na(PO4)2 |
| 8.AC.45 | Tuite | Ca3(PO4)2 |
| 8.AC.45 | Ferromerrillite | Ca9NaFe2+(PO4)7 |
| 8.AC.45 | Strontiowhitlockite | Sr9Mg(PO4)6(PO3OH) |
| 8.AC.45 | Merrillite | Ca9NaMg(PO4)7 |
| 8.AC.45 | Whitlockite | Ca9Mg(PO4)6(PO3OH) |
| 8.AC.47 | Iwateite | Na2BaMn(PO4)2 |
| 8.AC.47 | Ozerovaite | Na2KAl3(AsO4)4 |
| 8.AC.47 | Yurmarinite | Na7(Fe3+,Mg,Cu)4(AsO4)6 |
| 8.AC.47 | Pansnerite | K3Na3(Fe3+,Al)6(AsO4)8 |
| 8.AC.47 | Anatolyite | Na6(Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe3+)3Al(AsO4)6 |
| 8.AC.50 | Fillowite | Na3CaMn2+11(PO4)9 |
| 8.AC.50 | Galileiite | Na3Fe2+Fe2+11(PO4)9 |
| 8.AC.50 | Johnsomervilleite | Na3CaFe11(PO4)9 |
| 8.AC.50 | Xenophyllite | Na4Fe2+7(PO4)6 |
| 8.AC.50 | Udinaite | NaMg4(VO4)3 |
| 8.AC.50 | Arsenudinaite | NaMg4(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.50 | Chladniite | Na3CaMg11(PO4)9 |
| 8.AC.52 | Lasnierite | (Ca,Sr)(Mg,Fe2+)2Al(P[O,F]4)3 |
| 8.AC.57 | Zubkovaite | Ca3Cu3(AsO4)4 |
| 8.AC.60 | Kosnarite | KZr2(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC.65 | Panethite | (Na,Ca)2(Mg,Fe2+)2(PO4)2 |
| 8.AC.70 | Stanfieldite | Ca4Mg5(PO4)6 |
| 8.AC.75 | Ronneburgite | K2MnV4O12 |
| 8.AC.80 | Tillmannsite | Ag3Hg[(V,As)O4] |
| 8.AC.85 | Filatovite | K(Al,Zn)2(As,Si)2O8 |
Radioactivity
Radioactivity:
| Element | % Content | Activity (Bq/kg) | Radiation Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uranium (U) | 0.0000% | 0 | α, β, γ |
| Thorium (Th) | 0.0000% | 0 | α, β, γ |
| Potassium (K) | 16.0636% | 4,980 | β, γ |
For comparison:
- Banana: ~15 Bq per fruit
- Granite: 1,000–3,000 Bq/kg
- EU exemption limit: 10,000 Bq/kg
Note: Risk is shown relative to daily recommended maximum exposure to non-background radiation of 1000 µSv/year. Note that natural background radiation averages around 2400 µSv/year so in reality these risks are probably extremely overstated! With infrequent handling and safe storage natural radioactive minerals do not usually pose much risk.
Interactive Simulator:
Note: The mass selector refers to the mass of radioactive mineral present, not the full specimen, also be aware that the matrix may also be radioactive, possibly more radioactive than this mineral!
Activity: –
| Distance | Dose rate | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cm | ||
| 10 cm | ||
| 1 m |
The external dose rate (D) from a radioactive mineral is estimated by summing the gamma radiation contributions from its Uranium, Thorium, and Potassium content, disregarding daughter-product which may have a significant effect in some cases (eg 'pitchblende'). This involves multiplying the activity (A, in Bq) of each element by its specific gamma ray constant (Γ), which accounts for its unique gamma emissions. The total unshielded dose at 1 cm is then scaled by the square of the distance (r, in cm) and multiplied by a shielding factor (μshield). This calculation provides a 'worst-case' or 'maximum risk' estimate because it assumes the sample is a point source and entirely neglects any self-shielding where radiation is absorbed within the mineral itself, meaning actual doses will typically be lower. The resulting dose rate (D) is expressed in microsieverts per hour (μSv/h).
D = ((AU × ΓU) + (ATh × ΓTh) + (AK × ΓK)) / r2 × μshield
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 Pharmazincite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-46137.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
References for Pharmazincite
Reference List:
Williams, P. A., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2014) New minerals and nomenclature modifications approved in 2014, CNMNC Newsletter No 21. Mineralogical Magazine, 78 (4) 797-804 doi:10.1180/minmag.2014.078.4.03
Pekov, Igor V., Yapaskurt, Vasiliy O., Belakovskiy, Dmitry I., Vigasina, Marina F., Zubkova, Natalia V., Sidorov, Evgeny G. (2017) New arsenate minerals from the Arsenatnaya fumarole, Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia. VII. Pharmazincite, KZnAsO4. Mineralogical Magazine, 81 (4) 1001-1008 doi:10.1180/minmag.2016.080.146
Localities for Pharmazincite
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.
Russia (TL) | |
| Mineralogical Magazine +1 other reference |
Quick NavTopAbout PharmazinciteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography X-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesStrunz-MindatRadioactivityOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Arsenatnaya fumarole, Second scoria cone, Northern Breakthrough, Great Fissure eruption, Tolbachik Volcanic field, Milkovsky District, Kamchatka Krai, Russia