Claraite
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About Claraite

The entrance to the Clara mine, a truck leaving for the dumps
Clara Mine, Oberwolfach, Wolfach, Ortenaukreis, Freiburg Region, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Clara Mine, Oberwolfach, Wolfach, Ortenaukreis, Freiburg Region, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Formula:
(Cu,Zn)15(CO3)4(AsO4)2(SO4)(OH)14 · 7H2O
Formerly thought to be (Cu,Zn)3(CO3)(OH)4·4H2O.
Colour:
Turquoise blue
Specific Gravity:
3.34 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
For the type locality, the Clara mine.
First reported by Walenta (1975) as "unnamed copper carbonate" and subsequently approved with the formula (Cu,Zn)3CO3(OH)4.4H2O (Walenta, 1982). Several later studies showed, however, that claraite contains minor, but essential As and S (U. Kolitsch, 2007-2015, unpublished data; Putz, 2011; Kolitsch, 2012; Putz et al., 2012). Claraite was finally redefined, with the help of a crystal-structure determination, as (Cu,Zn)15(AsO4)2(CO3)4(SO4)(OH)14·7H2O (Biagioni & Orlandi, 2017). This makes claraite a species with unique element combination: it is currently the only known arsenate-sulfate-carbonate mineral.
Classification of Claraite
Approved
IMA status notes:
Redefined by the IMA
Approval history:
2016: Proposal IMA 16-L, redefined as a copper hydrated hydroxy-carbonate-arsenate-sulfate mineral having ideal chemical composition (Cu,Zn)15(CO3)4(AsO4)2(SO4)(OH)14·7H2O. Redefinition and crystal structure published by Biagioni & Orlandi (2017).
5/E.07-20
5.DA.30
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
D : Carbonates with additional anions, with H2O
A : With medium-sized cations
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
D : Carbonates with additional anions, with H2O
A : With medium-sized cations
16b.4.3.1
16b : HYDRATED CARBONATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
4 : AmBn(XO3)pZqxH2O & with (m+n):p = 3:1
16b : HYDRATED CARBONATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
4 : AmBn(XO3)pZq
11.6.6
11 : Carbonates
6 : Carbonates of Zn and Cd
11 : Carbonates
6 : Carbonates of Zn and Cd
Physical Properties of Claraite
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Turquoise blue
Density:
3.34 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Claraite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.751 nε = 1.645
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.106

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
Chemical Properties of Claraite
Formula:
(Cu,Zn)15(CO3)4(AsO4)2(SO4)(OH)14 · 7H2O
Formerly thought to be (Cu,Zn)3(CO3)(OH)4·4H2O.
Formerly thought to be (Cu,Zn)3(CO3)(OH)4·4H2O.
Common Impurities:
Zn
Crystallography of Claraite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Cell Parameters:
a = 14.28 Å, b = 8.03 Å, c = 7.27 Å
α = 79.16°, β = 107.90°, γ = 99.68°
α = 79.16°, β = 107.90°, γ = 99.68°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.778 : 1 : 0.905
Unit Cell V:
773.68 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Comment:
P1 or P-1 space group
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
13.47 Å | (10) |
7.84 Å | (9) |
3.65 Å | (8) |
5.17 Å | (6) |
2.96 Å | (6) |
3.24 Å | (5) |
2.72 Å | (4) |
Type Occurrence of Claraite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany.
National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian), Washington, D.C., USA, 148464.
National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian), Washington, D.C., USA, 148464.
Reference:
Walenta, K. (1982) Clarait, ein neues Karbonatmineral aus der Grube Clara (mittlerer Schwarzwald). Chemie der Erde: 41: 97-102.
Synonyms of Claraite
Other Language Names for Claraite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
33 photos of Claraite associated with Azurite | Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
22 photos of Claraite associated with Theisite | Cu5Zn5(AsO4,SbO4)2(OH)14 |
16 photos of Claraite associated with Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
8 photos of Claraite associated with Strashimirite | Cu8(AsO4)4(OH)4 · 5H2O |
6 photos of Claraite associated with Tyrolite | Ca2Cu9(AsO4)4(CO3)(OH)8 · 11H2O |
4 photos of Claraite associated with Fluorite | CaF2 |
4 photos of Claraite associated with Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
3 photos of Claraite associated with Zálesíite | CaCu6(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)(OH)6 · 3H2O |
2 photos of Claraite associated with Siderite | FeCO3 |
2 photos of Claraite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping
5.DA. | Alexkhomyakovite | K6(Ca2Na)(CO3)5Cl · 6H2O | Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P63/mcm |
5.DA.05 | Dypingite | Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2 · 5H2O | Mon. |
5.DA.05 | Giorgiosite | Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2 · 5-6H2O | |
5.DA.05 | Hydromagnesite | Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2 · 4H2O | Mon. |
5.DA.05 | Widgiemoolthalite | Ni5(CO3)4(OH)2 · 5H2O | Mon. |
5.DA.05 | UM1986-10-CO:ClHMgMnZn (also called Mineral F, Dunn, 1995) | Mg5(Zn,Mn)3(CO3)2(OH,Cl)12 · H2O | |
5.DA.05 | UM1987-01-CO:HMgS | Mg4(CO3)2(OH)4 · 6H2O ? | Mon. |
5.DA.10 | Artinite | Mg2(CO3)(OH)2 · 3H2O | Mon. |
5.DA.10 | Indigirite | Mg2Al2(CO3)4(OH)2 · 15H2O | |
5.DA.10 | Chlorartinite | Mg2(CO3)(OH)Cl · 2H2O | Trig. 3m : R3c |
5.DA.15 | Otwayite | Ni2(CO3)(OH)2 · H2O | Orth. |
5.DA.15 | Zaratite | Ni3(CO3)(OH)4 · 4H2O ? | Iso. |
5.DA.20 | Kambaldaite | NaNi4(CO3)3(OH)3 · 3H2O | Hex. |
5.DA.25 | Callaghanite | Cu2Mg2(CO3)(OH)6 · 2H2O | Mon. |
5.DA.35 | Hydroscarbroite | Al14(CO3)3(OH)36 · nH2O | Tric. |
5.DA.35 | Scarbroite | Al5(CO3)(OH)13 · 5H2O | Hex. |
5.DA.40 | Caresite | Fe2+4Al2(OH)12[CO3] · 3H2O | Trig. |
5.DA.40 | Quintinite | Mg4Al2(OH)12(CO3) · 3H2O | Hex. 6 2 2 : P63 2 2 |
5.DA.40 | Charmarite | Mn2+4Al2(OH)12[CO3] · 3H2O | Hex. |
5.DA.45 | Stichtite-2H | Mg6(Cr,Al)2(CO3)(OH)16 · 4H2O | Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P63/mmc |
5.DA.45 | Brugnatellite | Mg6Fe3+(CO3)(OH)13 · 4H2O | Hex. |
5.DA.45 | Chlormagaluminite | Mg4Al2(OH)12Cl2 · 3H2O | Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P63/mcm |
5.DA.45 | Hydrotalcite-2H | Mg6Al2(CO3)(OH)16 · 4H2O | Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P63/mmc |
5.DA.45 | Pyroaurite-2H | Mg6Fe3+2(OH)16(CO3) · 4H2O | Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P63/mmc |
5.DA.45 | Zaccagnaite | Zn4Al2(OH)12[CO3] · 3H2O | Hex. |
5.DA.50 | Comblainite | Ni4Co2(OH)12[CO3] · 3H2O | Trig. |
5.DA.50 | Desautelsite | Mg6Mn3+2(OH)16[CO3] · 4H2O | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) |
5.DA.50 | Hydrotalcite | Mg6Al2(CO3)(OH)16 · 4H2O | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
5.DA.50 | Pyroaurite | Mg6Fe3+2(OH)16[CO3] · 4H2O | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
5.DA.50 | Reevesite | Ni6Fe3+2(OH)16(CO3) · 4H2O | Trig. |
5.DA.50 | Stichtite | Mg6Cr3+2(OH)16[CO3] · 4H2O | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
5.DA.50 | Takovite | Ni6Al2(OH)16[CO3] · 4H2O | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
5.DA.50 | UM1998-10-CO:CoHNi | Ni6Co2(CO3)(OH)16 · 4H2O | |
5.DA.55 | Coalingite | Mg10Fe3+2(OH)24[CO3] · 2H2O | Trig. |
Related Minerals - Hey's Chemical Index of Minerals Grouping
11.6.1 | Smithsonite | ZnCO3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c |
11.6.2 | Hydrozincite | Zn5(CO3)2(OH)6 | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
11.6.3 | Rosasite | (Cu,Zn)2(CO3)(OH)2 | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
11.6.4 | Zincrosasite | (Zn,Cu)2(CO3)(OH)2 | Mon. |
11.6.5 | Aurichalcite | (Zn,Cu)5(CO3)2(OH)6 | Mon. 2/m : P21/m |
11.6.7 | Minrecordite | CaZn(CO3)2 | Trig. 3 : R3 |
11.6.8 | Loseyite | (Mn2+,Zn,Mg)4Zn3(CO3)2(OH)10 | Mon. 2/m |
11.6.9 | Sclarite | Zn7(CO3)2(OH)10 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
11.6.10 | Otavite | CdCO3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) |
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.
References for Claraite
Reference List:
Sort by Year (asc) | by Year (desc) | by Author (A-Z) | by Author (Z-A)
Walenta, K. (1975) The secondary minerals of the barite veins of the Clara Mine near Oberwolfach in the central Schwarzwald. Aufschluss: 26,: 369-411. (in German)
Fleischer, M., Mandarino, J.A. (1977): New mineral names. American Mineralogist: 62: 175
Walenta, K. (1982) Clarait, ein neues Karbonatmineral aus der Grube Clara (mittlerer Schwarzwald). Chemie der Erde: 41: 97-102. (in German). [with formula (Cu,Zn)3CO3(OH)4.4H2O]
Dunn, P.J., Fleischer, M., Burns, R.G., Pabst, A. (1983) New mineral names. American Mineralogist: 68: 471-475.
Walenta, K. (1999) Zu den Gitterkonstanten von Clarait [On the lattice constants of claraite]. Der Erzgräber: 13: 20-22 (in German).
Jambor, J.L., Roberts, A.C. (2003) New mineral names. American Mineralogist: 88: 251-255.
Schnorrer, G. (2000) Mineralogische Notizen VII. Der Aufschluss: 51: 281-293 (in German). [mentions minor As & S in the analysed claraite]
Putz, H. (2011) Neuigkeiten zur Landesmineralogie von Salzburg. Miner. Arch. Salzb.: 14: 304-308 (p. 305-306: Clarait aus dem Danielstollen, Leogang). [with EDS analysis]
Kolitsch, U., Brandstätter, F. (2012) 1743) Baryt, Chalkophyllit und Clarait vom Pengelstein bei Kitzbühel, Tirol. P. 149. in Niedermayr, G. et al. (2012): Neue Mineralfunde aus Österreich LX. Carinthia II, 202./122., 123-180 (in German).
Putz, H., Lechner, A., Poeverlein, R. (2012) Erythrin und Clarait vom Pichlerstollen am Silberberg bei Rattenberg, Nordtirol. Lapis: 37(1): 47-52; 62 (in German). [also on U184 = claraite and U130 = claraite]
Biagioni, C. & Orlandi, P. (2017): Claraite, (Cu,Zn)15(AsO4)2(CO3)4(SO4)(OH)14·7H2O: redefinition and crystal structure. European Journal of Mineralogy 29, 1031-1044.
Internet Links for Claraite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1057.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
Localities for Claraite
Locality List




All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Austria | |
| M. Puttner: Carinthia II 188./108.:193-199 (1998) |
| Pichler, A. (2009) Bergbau in Westkärnten, Eine Bestandsaufnahme der noch sichtbaren Merkmale der historischen Bergbaue in Westkärnten. Verlag des Naturwissenschaftlichen Vereins für Kärnten, Klagenfurt, Sonderheft 63, 416 pages [in German]. |
| Steir.Mineralog 25/2011, p.34-38. |
| G. Niedermayr, I. Praetzel: Mineralien Kärntens, 1995 |
[Der Aufschluss 1996,4 p.186-192] | |
| G. Niedermayr: Carinthia II 191./111.:97-102 (2001) |
| Putz, H. (2011): Neuigkeiten zur Landesmineralogie von Salzburg. Miner. Arch. Salzb., 14, 304-308 (p. 305-306: Clarait aus dem Danielstollen, Leogang). |
Poeverlein, R. (2008): Euchroit und seine Begleiter vom prähistorischen Bergbau, Leogang, Österreich. Lapis, 33 (5), 13-22. | |
| Kolitsch, U. & Brandstätter, F. (2012): 1743) Baryt, Chalkophyllit und Clarait vom Pengelstein bei Kitzbühel, Tirol. P. 149. in Niedermayr, G. et al. (2012): Neue Mineralfunde aus Österreich LXI. Carinthia II, 202./122., 123-180. |
| Schnorrer, G. and Poeverlein, R. (2002) Schwaz-Brixlegg-Fundstellen: 2. Die Minerale des Stockerstollens bei Brixlegg in Tirol. Aufschluss, 53, 209-228. |
| Der Aufschluß (2006) |
| Putz, H., Lechner, A. & Poeverlein, R. (2012): Erythrin und Clarait vom Pichlerstollen am Silberberg bei Rattenberg, Nordtirol. Lapis, 37 (1), 47-52; 62 (in German). [also on U184 = claraite and U130 = claraite] |
| C.Auer (2021) |
| Schnorrer, G. & Poeverlein, R. (2010): Schwaz-Brixlegger Fundstellen: 7. Die Minerale des Bergbaus Hofer Tratte bei Brixlegg in Tirol. Aufschluss 61, 147-156. |
Schnorrer, G. & Poeverlein, R. (2005): Schwaz-Brixlegger-Fundstellen: 3. Die Minerale vom Bergbau Maukenötz bei Brixlegg, Tirol. Der Aufschluss, 56, 223-234. | |
Schnorrer+Poeverlein (2005) | |
C.Auer (2016) | |
J.Metzger (2012) | |
Marco E. Ciriotti 15/10/2005 | |
| Putz, H. & Poeverlein, R. (2007): Die Mineralien des Gertraudstollens und seiner Halde in St. Gertraudi, Tirol. Lapis 32 (6), 58-63. |
| C.Auer (2015) |
| Arlt, T., Martinek, K.-P. (1994): Die Mineralvorkommen des Bergbaugebietes Schwaz-Brixlegg. In: Katalog der 31. Münchner Mineralientage, Chapter: "aller Perckwerch muater", Schwaz und Brixlegg in Tirol: Historisches Bergbaurevier für Silber und Kupfer in den Alpen, pp.70-71, 73 |
| Schnorrer, G., Poeverlein, R. (2007): Die Minerale des Martinstollens am Weißen Schrofen, Der Aufschluss, Vol. 58, 27-40 |
France | |
| Le Règne Minéral, Hors série (3), 36-54 |
| Deliens, M., Berbain, C. & Favreau, G. (1993): Les Anciennes mines de Padern-Montgaillard (Aude). Géologie, Histoire et Minéralogie. Association Française de Microminéralogie, 84 pp. |
Christian Berbain collection | |
| Berbain, C., Iob, S., Favreau, G. (2019): Des nouvelles de Padern. Le Cahier des Micromonteurs, 144 (2), 8-23. |
| http://www.mine-capgaronne.fr/site/Mineraux/ListeMineraux.html |
Germany (TL) | |
| Chemie der Erde,(1982) 41, 97-102 |
| Schnorrer, G. (2000): Mineralogische Notizen VII. Der Aufschluss, 51, 281-293.; Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", 2001 |
Schnorrer, G. & Tetzer, G. (2006): Clinotyrolite, cupro-allophane, chrysokolla, partzite and claraite from the former fluorite mine Flossberg in greater Andreas valley in Bad Lauterberg in the Southern Harz Mountains. Aufschluss 57, 39-42. (in German) | |
| Bender, D. and Krimmelbein, W. (1994) Aktuelle Übersicht: Mineralien der Zinkhütte Genna/Sauerland. Stand Juni 1994. Mineralien-Welt, 4/94, 10. |
| Henrich, J.M., Reinhardt, M., Frenz, G. (2019): Die Grube Schöne Ausicht bei Burbach im Siegerland: Fundort vieler seltener Mineralien. Mineralien-Welt, 30 (6), 12-39 (in German). |
| Blaß, G. & Graf, H. W. (1995): Neufunde von Schlackenhalden in der nördlichen Eifel (II). Mineralien-Welt, 6 (3), 28-31. |
Hungary | |
| Sánoor Szakáll, Mária Foldvári, Gábor Papp, Péter Kovács-pálffy, Árpád Kovács (1997) Secondary Sulphate Minerals From Hungary. Acta Mineralogica-petrographica, Szeged, Xxxviii, Supplementum, 7-63. |
Italy | |
| Bortolozzi, G.M., Bracco, R., De Tuoni, F., Vidus, L., Bittarello, E., Marengo, A., Ciriotti, M.E., Zorzi, F. (2018) Antiche miniere e affioramenti metalliferi a Comeglians (Val Degano, Friuli-Venezia Giulia): recenti ritrovamenti. Micro, 16, 1-2018, 2-36. |
| Bortolozzi G,M., Ciriotti M.E., Bittarello E. and Moeckel S. (2015): Monte Avanza, Forni Avoltri; Carnia (Udine, Friuli-Venezia Giulia): conferme e nuovi ritrovamenti. Micro,1-2015, 2-39. |
| Balestra, C., Ciriotti, M.E., Bracco, R. (2011): Su alcune novità mineralogiche liguri caratterizzate dal SIUK dell'AMI. Micro, 2/2011, 46-53 |
| Vergani F. (2019) – Le mineralizzazioni filoniane a solfuri della Valsassina: studio giacimentologico preliminare. Tesi di laurea inedita, Milano State University. Vergani F., Gentile P., Guastoni A., Possenti L. (2020) – La mineralizzazione ad arseniati e i minerali di antimonio di Passo Camisolo, Introbio (LC) e Valtorta (BG), Rivista Mineralogica Italiana, n. 1 2020, pp. 44-62. |
| Orlandi, P., and Criscuolo, A. (2009) Minerali del marmo delle Alpi Apuane. Parco delle Alpi Apuane - Pacini Editore, Ospedaletto-Pisa, 180 pp. |
| Orlandi, P., and Criscuolo, A. (2009) Minerali del marmo delle Alpi Apuane. Parco delle Alpi Apuane - Pacini Editore, Ospedaletto-Pisa, Pisa, 180 pp.; Biagioni, C., Orlandi, P., Camarda, S., Chinellato, M., Appiani, R., Del Chiaro, L., and Sanguineti, G. (2019) Minerals from marbles of Carrara and the Apuan Alps. LoGisma editore, Vicchio (Firenze) - Musumeci S.p.A., Quart (Aosta), 144 pp. |
| Museum of Natural History of the Pisa University |
| Orlandi, P. (1999) Zibaldone di mineralogia italiana 1999. Rivista Mineralogica Italiana, 23, 3 (3-1999), 170-175; Orlandi, P., and Criscuolo, A. (2009) Minerali del marmo delle Alpi Apuane. Parco delle Alpi Apuane - Pacini Editore, Ospedaletto-Pisa, 180 pp. |
Spain | |
| Garrido, J.L., Rosell, J., Viñals, J., Bártulos, V., Mingueza, P., Ortiz, X and Vinyoles, J. (2013): "Mineralogy of Les Ferreres mine, Rocabruna, Camprodon, Catalonia". Mineral Up, Vol.3, Nr.4, 6-23. Rosell, J., Garrido, J.L., Viñals, J., Bártulos, V., Vinyoles, J., Ortiz, X., Mingueza, P., Masons, G., Bobi, F. (2014): Rocabruna i el seu entorn. La mina de les Ferreres. Edited by the authors and Grup Mineralògic Català. 128 pages (with the mineralogy chapters in Spanish and English). |
| Mineralogía de la concesión San Rafael, Villahermosa del Río, Castellón, España |
| - Cócera, H., Menor-Salván, C. and Muñoz-Alvarado, R. (2010): Mineralogía de la concesión San Rafael, Villahermosa del Río, Castellón, España. Acopios, 1, 1-51. [http://mti-acopios.blogspot.com/ ; http://issuu.com/malacate/docs/acopios-1-1?mode=a_p] |
Switzerland | |
| Cuchet, S., Ansermet, S. & Meisser, N. (2012): Die kupferhaltige Mineralisierung am Six Blanc im Wallis. Schweizer Strahler 46 (4), 2-16 (in German and French). |
| |
Stalder, H. A., Wagner, A., Graeser, S. and Stuker, P. (1998): Mineralienlexikon der Schweiz. Wepf (Basel), p. 115. | |
| Ansermet, S. (2012): Mines et minéraux du Valais - II. Anniviers et Tourtemagne. With contributions by N. Meisser, Ed. Porte-plumes (Ayer) |
Ansermet, S. (2012): Mines et minéraux du Valais - II. Anniviers et Tourtemagne. With contributions by N. Meisser, Ed. Porte-plumes (Ayer) | |
| Le Règne Minéral, 44, p15-21 |
USA | |
| MarekC (2019) pers. collection, Raman, EDS & PXRD verified. |
Clara Mine, Oberwolfach, Wolfach, Ortenaukreis, Freiburg Region, Baden-Württemberg, Germany