Austinite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Austinite
Austin Flint Rogers 1877 1957
Formula:
CaZn(AsO4)(OH)
Colour:
Colorless to pale yellowish white or bright green; colourless in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Sub-Adamantine, Sub-Vitreous, Greasy, Silky
Hardness:
4 - 4½
Specific Gravity:
4.13
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
Named by Lloyd Williams Staples in 1935 in honor of Austin Flint Rogers (16 August 1877, Lathrop, Missouri, USA - 10 March 1957, Berkeley, California, USA), American mineralogist at Stanford University.
Adelite-Descloizite Group. Austinite-Conichalcite Series. The zinc analogue of Cobaltaustinite and Nickelaustinite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
432
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:432:1
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
ecb9adf4-8df5-4dbe-92c5-69f318f5b2bc
IMA Classification of Austinite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1935
Classification of Austinite
8.BH.35
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
H : With medium-sized and large cations, (OH,etc.):RO4 = 1:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
H : With medium-sized and large cations, (OH,etc.):RO4 = 1:1
Dana 7th ed.:
41.5.1.2
41.5.1.3
41 : ANHYDROUS PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
5 : (AB)2(XO4)Zq
41 : ANHYDROUS PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
5 : (AB)2(XO4)Zq
20.3.9
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
3 : Arsenates of Zn, Cd or Hg
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
3 : Arsenates of Zn, Cd or Hg
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aus | 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 Austinite
Sub-Adamantine, Sub-Vitreous, Greasy, Silky
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Comment:
Silky in aggregates.
Colour:
Colorless to pale yellowish white or bright green; colourless in transmitted light.
Streak:
White
Hardness:
4 - 4½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Good on {011}.
Good on {011}.
Density:
4.13 g/cm3 (Measured) 4.31 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Austinite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.759(3) nβ = 1.763(3) nγ = 1.783(3)
2V:
Measured: 47° , Calculated: 50°
Birefringence:
0.024
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.024
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
High
Dispersion:
r > v weak
Optical Extinction:
Parallel. X = a; Y = c; Z = b.
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Austinite
Mindat Formula:
CaZn(AsO4)(OH)
Crystallography of Austinite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
2 2 2 - Disphenoidal
Space Group:
P21 21 21
Setting:
P21 21 21
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.506(3) Å, b = 9.041(5) Å, c = 5.927(7) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.83 : 1 : 0.656
Unit Cell V:
403.01 ų
Z:
4
Morphology:
Enantiomorphous bladed crystals elongated [100], radial fibrous crusts and nodules.
Twinning:
Left and right hand individuals joined on (100) with (010) and (001) coincident.
Crystal Structure
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Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0014530 | Austinite | Clark L A, Pluth J J, Steele I M, Smith J V, Sutton S R (1997) Crystal structure of austinite, CaZn(AsO4)OH Mineralogical Magazine 61 677-683 |  | 1997 | Sonora, Mexico | 0 | 293 |
| 0014822 | Austinite | Giuseppetti G, Tadini C (1988) The crystal structure of austinite, CaZn(AsO4)(OH), from Kamareza, Laurion (Greece) Neues Jahrbuch fur Mineralogie, Monatshefte 1988 159-166 | 1988 | Kamareza, Laurion, Greece | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 5.781 Å | (50) |
| 3.171 Å | (100) |
| 2.801 Å | (100) |
| 2.637 Å | (100) |
| 2.529 Å | (60) |
| 1.616 Å | (90) |
| 1.509 Å | (70) |
Comments:
Also ICDD 37-455.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates] |
Geological Setting:
A rare mineral in the oxidation zone of arsenic bearing base metal deposits.
Type Occurrence of Austinite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Distinct, well developed, orthorhombic crystals of bladed or acicular habit.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
No designated type specimen.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Oxidized zone of metal deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Staples, L.W. (1935): Austinite, a new arsenate mineral, from Gold Hill, Utah. American Mineralogist, 20, 112-119.
Synonyms of Austinite
Other Language Names for Austinite
Varieties of Austinite
| Cobalt-bearing Austinite | |
| Copper-bearing Austinite | A Cu-bearing variety of Austinite. Part of the Austinite-Conichalcite Series. Originally reported from Guchab prospect, Guchab-Rodgerberg area, Grootfontein District, Otjozondjupa Region, Namibia. |
Relationship of Austinite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
| Adelite | CaMg(AsO4)(OH) | Orth. 2 2 2 : P21 21 21 |
| Arsendescloizite | PbZn(AsO4)(OH) | Orth. 2 2 2 : P21 21 21 |
| Čechite | PbFe2+(VO4)(OH) | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
| Cobaltaustinite | CaCo(AsO4)(OH) | Orth. 2 2 2 : P21 21 21 |
| Conichalcite | CaCu(AsO4)(OH) | Orth. 2 2 2 : P21 21 21 |
| Descloizite | PbZn(VO4)(OH) | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma |
| Duftite | PbCu(AsO4)(OH) | Orth. 2 2 2 : P21 21 21 |
| Duftite-alpha | PbCu(AsO4)(OH) | |
| Gottlobite | CaMg(VO4)(OH) | Orth. 2 2 2 : P21 21 21 |
| Hermannroseite | CaCu(PO4)(OH) | Orth. 2 2 2 : P21 21 21 |
| Mottramite | PbCu(VO4)(OH) | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma |
| Nickelaustinite | CaNi(AsO4)(OH) | Orth. 2 2 2 : P21 21 21 |
| Pyrobelonite | PbMn2+(VO4)(OH) | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma |
| Tangeite | CaCu(VO4)(OH) | Orth. 2 2 2 : P21 21 21 |
| Unnamed (Pb-analogue of Nickelaustinite) | PbNi(AsO4)(OH) | |
| Vuagnatite | CaAl(SiO4)(OH) | Orth. 2 2 2 : P21 21 21 |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 80 photos of Austinite associated with Adamite | Zn2(AsO4)(OH) |
| 23 photos of Austinite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 22 photos of Austinite associated with Talmessite | Ca2Mg(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 17 photos of Austinite associated with Conichalcite | CaCu(AsO4)(OH) |
| 15 photos of Austinite associated with Copper-bearing Adamite | (Zn,Cu)2AsO4OH |
| 14 photos of Austinite associated with Goethite | α-Fe3+O(OH) |
| 12 photos of Austinite associated with Limonite | |
| 12 photos of Austinite associated with Hedyphane | Ca2Pb3(AsO4)3Cl |
| 8 photos of Austinite associated with Dolomite | CaMg(CO3)2 |
| 7 photos of Austinite associated with Arseniosiderite | Ca2Fe3+3(AsO4)3O2 · 3H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.BH. | Crimsonite | PbFe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BH. | Reznitskyite | CaMg(VO4)F |
| 8.BH. | Cuprozheshengite | Pb4CuZn2(AsO4)2(PO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BH. | Zheshengite | Pb4ZnZn2(AsO4)2(PO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BH. | Peterchinite | Zn3Zn2(OH)6As[O3(OH)3] |
| 8.BH.05 | Thadeuite | Ca(Mg,Fe2+)3(PO4)2(OH,F)2 |
| 8.BH.10 | Durangite | NaAl(AsO4)F |
| 8.BH.10 | Isokite | CaMg(PO4)F |
| 8.BH.10 | Lacroixite | NaAl(PO4)F |
| 8.BH.10 | Maxwellite | NaFe3+(AsO4)F |
| 8.BH.10 | Panasqueiraite | CaMg(PO4)(OH,F) |
| 8.BH.10 | Kononovite | NaMg(SO4)F |
| 8.BH.10 | Arsenatrotitanite | NaTi(AsO4)O |
| 8.BH.15 | Drugmanite | Pb2(Fe3+,Al)(PO4)(PO3OH)(OH)2 |
| 8.BH.20 | Bjarebyite | (Ba,Sr)(Mn2+,Fe2+,Mg)2Al2(PO4)3(OH)3 |
| 8.BH.20 | Cirrolite | Ca3Al2(PO4)3(OH)3 (?) |
| 8.BH.20 | Kulanite | Ba(Fe2+,Mn2+,Mg)2(Al,Fe3+)2(PO4)3(OH)3 |
| 8.BH.20 | Penikisite | Ba(Mg,Fe2+,Ca)2Al2(PO4)3(OH)3 |
| 8.BH.20 | Perloffite | Ba(Mn2+,Fe2+)2Fe3+2(PO4)3(OH)3 |
| 8.BH.20 | Johntomaite | BaFe2+2Fe3+2(PO4)3(OH)3 |
| 8.BH.20 | Bjarebyite Group | |
| 8.BH.20 | Strontioperloffite | SrMn2+2Fe3+2(PO4)3(OH)3 |
| 8.BH.20 | Plumboperloffite | PbMn2+2Fe3+2(PO4)3(OH)3 |
| 8.BH.25 | Bertossaite | (Li,Na)2(Ca,Fe2+,Mn2+)Al4(PO4)4(OH,F)4 |
| 8.BH.25 | Palermoite | (Li,Na)2(Sr,Ca)Al4(PO4)4(OH)4 |
| 8.BH.25 | Natropalermoite | Na2SrAl4(PO4)4(OH)4 |
| 8.BH.30 | Carminite | PbFe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BH.30 | Sewardite | CaFe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BH.35 | Adelite | CaMg(AsO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.35 | Arsendescloizite | PbZn(AsO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.35 | Cobaltaustinite | CaCo(AsO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.35 | Conichalcite | CaCu(AsO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.35 | Duftite | PbCu(AsO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.35 | Gabrielsonite | PbFe3+(As3+O3)O |
| 8.BH.35 | Nickelaustinite | CaNi(AsO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.35 | Tangeite | CaCu(VO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.35 | Duftite-alpha | PbCu(AsO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.35 | Gottlobite | CaMg(VO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.35 | Hermannroseite | CaCu(PO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.40 | Čechite | PbFe2+(VO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.40 | Descloizite | PbZn(VO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.40 | Mottramite | PbCu(VO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.40 | Pyrobelonite | PbMn2+(VO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.40 | Khorixasite | (Bi0.67◻0.33)Cu(VO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.45 | Bayldonite | PbCu3(AsO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BH.45 | Vésigniéite | BaCu3(VO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BH.50 | Paganoite | NiBi(AsO4)O |
| 8.BH.55 | Harrisonite | Ca(Fe2+,Mg)6(PO4)2(SiO4)2 |
| 8.BH.55 | Jagowerite | BaAl2(PO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BH.60 | Attakolite | CaMn2+Al4(SiO3OH)(PO4)3(OH)4 |
| 8.BH.65 | Leningradite | PbCu3(VO4)2Cl |
| 8.BH.70 | Katiarsite | KTiO(AsO4) |
| 8.BH.70 | Yurgensonite | K2SnTiO2(AsO4)2 |
| 8.BH.75 | Melanarsite | K3Cu7Fe3+O4(AsO4)4 |
| 8.BH.80 | Moraskoite | Na2Mg(PO4)F |
| 8.BH.80 | Evseevite | Na2Mg(AsO4)F |
| 8.BH.85 | Piccoliite | NaCaMn3+2(AsO4)2O(OH) |
Fluorescence of Austinite
Not fluorescent.
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 Austinite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-432.html
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Mineral Dealers:
References for Austinite
Reference List:
Staples, Lloyd W. (1935) Austinite, a new arsenate mineral, from Gold Hill Utah. American Mineralogist, 20 (2) 112-119
Brendler, W. (1938) The identity of austinite and brickerite. American Mineralogist, 23(5), 347-348.
Richmond, Wallace E. (1940) Crystal chemistry of the phosphates, arsenates and vanadates of the type A2XO4(Z) American Mineralogist, 25 (7) 441-479
Williams, Sidney A., de Azevedo, Julie (1967) Austinite from Gold Hill, Utah. American Mineralogist, 52 (7-8) 1224-1226
Jambor, J. L., Owens, D. R., Dutrizac, J. E. (1980) Solid solution in the adelite group of arsenates. The Canadian Mineralogist, 18 (2) 191-195
Localities for Austinite
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 | |
| Personal collection of M. Willoughby. ... |
Austria | |
| Kolitsch et al. (2017) |
| Strasser (1989) |
| Niedermayr et al. (2009) | |
| Schebesta (Autoren) +1 other reference | |
Bolivia | |
| Ahlfeld and Mosebach (1936) +1 other reference |
Bulgaria | |
| Minceva-Stefanova (2001) |
Chile | |
| Ruiz Fuller C.-Peebles F. +1 other reference |
| T. Kampf analysis |
| M. Dini collection |
China | |
| Dianhao Huang and Baolin Wang (1997) +1 other reference |
France | |
| R.PIERROT et al. (1973) |
| Berbain et al. (2005) +1 other reference |
Germany | |
| Wittern (1995) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Der Aufschluss Vol.55 |
| 81-82. +1 other reference |
Greece | |
| 62. +1 other reference |
| Kolitsch et al. (2014) | |
| Kolitsch et al. (2014) | |
| LAPIS 24 (7/8) +1 other reference | |
| |
| Samouhos et al. (2024) | |
| Fritz Schreiber collection |
| |
Hungary | |
| Szakáll: Minerals of Rudabánya +1 other reference |
Mexico | |
| Megaw (2023) |
| Wilson (2004) |
| Wilson (2004) | |
| Thomas P. Moore (2008) |
| Rocks & Min.: 56:247. +2 other references | |
| Moore et al. (2003) | |
| Thomas P. Moore (2008) | |
| Thomas P. Moore (2008) | |
Morocco | |
| Favreau et al. (2006) |
| JP Barral collection | |
| Favreau et al. (2007) | |
| Favreau et al. (2006) | |
| Favreau et al. (2006) |
Namibia | |
| Gebhard (1999) |
| von Bezing et al. (2016) | |
| von Bezing (2007) |
| Anthony et al. (2000) | |
North Macedonia | |
| Ermolaeva et al. (2019) |
Poland | |
| Bzowska et al. (2003) |
Slovakia | |
| Radková P. et al. (2019) |
Spain | |
| Fernando de ls Heras y Maraver (1956) +1 other reference |
| Calvo (2015) |
| Joan Abella i Creus (2008) |
USA | |
| Raman analysis by Bob Jenkins on ... |
| Keith (1972) |
| Bideaux et al. (1960) +2 other references |
| Adams (2017) |
| Adams (2010) |
| [Mineralien Welt 1/93:44] |
| Anthony et al. (2000) |
| Leavens et al. (1980) | |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Rocks & Minerals |
| Dr. William S. Wise presentation to ... |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) +1 other reference |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Dunn +1 other reference |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| R&M 77:5 p298-305 +1 other reference | |
| Twenty-fourth Annual New Mexico Mineral ... | |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| 2 +1 other reference |
| Collected by John Dagenais |
| Collected by John Dagenais and in the ... |
| Collected by and analyzed by Chris ... | |
| Staples (1935) +3 other references |
| Kokinos et al. (1993) | |
| Kokinos et al. (1993) | |
| Kokinos et al. (1993) | |
| Kokinos et al. (1993) | |
| Kokinos et al. (1993) | |
| Cannon (1975) |
Zambia | |
| - (n.d.) |
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Gold Hill Mine, Gold Hill, Gold Hill Mining District, Tooele County, Utah, USA