Nakauriite
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About Nakauriite
Formula:
Cu8(SO4)4(CO3)(OH)6 · 48H2O
May contain minor Mg, Ni.
Colour:
Translucent blue
Specific Gravity:
2.39
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named for the type locality.
Type Locality:
The originally reported sulphate content appears to be questionable according to several literature sources; the crystal structure is unknown. Palenzona & Martinelli (2007) suggest a formula (Mg,Cu)x(CO3)y(OH)z•nH2O (x, y, z unknown).
Classification of Nakauriite
Approved
First published:
1976
6/D.03-90
7.DG.30
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
G : With large and medium-sized cations; with NO3, CO3, B(OH)4, SiO4 or IO3
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
G : With large and medium-sized cations; with NO3, CO3, B(OH)4, SiO4 or IO3
32.4.1.1
32 : COMPOUND SULFATES
4 : Hydrated Compound Sulfates containing Hydroxyl or Halogen
32 : COMPOUND SULFATES
4 : Hydrated Compound Sulfates containing Hydroxyl or Halogen
12.2.6
12 : Carbonates with other anions
2 : Carbonates with sulphate
12 : Carbonates with other anions
2 : Carbonates with sulphate
Physical Properties of Nakauriite
Colour:
Translucent blue
Density:
2.39(2) g/cm3 (Measured) 2.30 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Nakauriite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.585 nβ = 1.604 nγ = 1.612
2V:
Measured: 65° , Calculated: 64°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.027

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:
Moderate
Dispersion:
small
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X = colorless, Y = very light greenish blue,Z = pale sky-blue to very light blue.
Chemical Properties of Nakauriite
Formula:
Cu8(SO4)4(CO3)(OH)6 · 48H2O
May contain minor Mg, Ni.
May contain minor Mg, Ni.
Crystallography of Nakauriite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Cell Parameters:
a = 14.58 Å, b = 11.47 Å, c = 16.22 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.271 : 1 : 1.414
Unit Cell V:
2,712.51 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Type Occurrence of Nakauriite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Bundled aggregates of very small slender to fibrous crystals, whose sizes are less than about 0.2 mm in length, 0.006 mm in width.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Fissure-fillings in serpentinite
Reference:
Suzuki, J., Ito, M., Sugiura, T. (1976) A new copper sulfate-carbonate hydroxide hydrate mineral, (Mn,Ni,Cu)8(SO4)4(CO3)(OH)6·48H2O, from Nakauri, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Journal of Mineralogy, Petrology and Economic Geology: 71: 183-192.
Synonyms of Nakauriite
Other Language Names for Nakauriite
German:Nakauriit
Spanish:Nakauriita
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
3 photos of Nakauriite associated with Serpentine Subgroup | D3[Si2O5](OH)4 D = Mg, Fe, Ni, Mn, Al, Zn |
3 photos of Nakauriite associated with Tremolite | ◻{Ca2}{Mg5}(Si8O22)(OH)2 |
3 photos of Nakauriite associated with Talc | Mg3Si4O10(OH)2 |
1 photo of Nakauriite associated with Hydromagnesite | Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2 · 4H2O |
1 photo of Nakauriite associated with Huntite | CaMg3(CO3)4 |
1 photo of Nakauriite associated with Aragonite | CaCO3 |
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping
7.DG. | Mathesiusite | K5(UO2)4(SO4)4(VO5) · 4H2O | Tet. 4/m : P4/n |
7.DG.05 | Darapskite | Na3(SO4)(NO3) · H2O | Mon. 2/m |
7.DG.10 | Clinoungemachite | (Na, K, Fe, SO4) | Mon. 2/m |
7.DG.10 | Humberstonite | Na7K3Mg2(SO4)6(NO3)2 · 6H2O | Trig. 3 : R3 |
7.DG.10 | Ungemachite | K3Na8Fe(SO4)6(NO3)2 · 6H2O | Trig. 3 : R3 |
7.DG.15 | Bentorite | Ca6(Cr3+,Al)2(SO4)3(OH)12 · 26H2O | Trig. 3m : P3 1c |
7.DG.15 | Charlesite | Ca6(Al,Si)2(SO4)2[B(OH)4](OH,O)12 · 26H2O | Trig. 3m : P3 1c |
7.DG.15 | Ettringite | Ca6Al2(SO4)3(OH)12 · 26H2O | Trig. 3m : P3 1c |
7.DG.15 | Jouravskite | Ca3Mn4+(SO4)(CO3)(OH)6 · 12H2O | Hex. 6 : P63 |
7.DG.15 | Sturmanite | Ca6(Fe3+,Al,Mn3+)2(SO4)2[B(OH)4](OH)12 · 25H2O | Trig. 3m : P3 1c |
7.DG.15 | Thaumasite | Ca3(SO4)[Si(OH)6](CO3) · 12H2O | Hex. 6 : P63 |
7.DG.15 | Carraraite | Ca3(SO4)[Ge(OH)6](CO3) · 12H2O | Hex. |
7.DG.15 | Buryatite | Ca3(Si,Fe,Al)(SO4)[B(OH)4]O(OH)5 · 12H2O | Trig. 3m : P3 1c |
7.DG.20 | Rapidcreekite | Ca2(SO4)(CO3) · 4H2O | Orth. |
7.DG.20 | Korkinoite | Ca4(SO4)2(CO3)2 · 9(H2O) | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pmmm |
7.DG.25 | Tatarskite | Ca6Mg2(SO4)2(CO3)2(OH)4Cl4 · 7H2O | Orth. |
7.DG.35 | Chessexite | (Na,K)4Ca2(Mg,Zn)3Al8(SO4)10(SiO4)2 · 40H2O | Orth. |
7.DG.40 | Carlosruizite | K6(Na,K)4Na6Mg10(SeO4)12(IO3)12 · 12H2O | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3c1 |
7.DG.40 | Fuenzalidaite | K6(Na,K)4Na6Mg10(SO4)12(IO3)12 · 12H2O | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3c1 |
7.DG.45 | Chelyabinskite | (Ca,Mg)3(SO4,CO3)2[Si(OH)6] · 9H2O (?) | Orth. |
Related Minerals - Hey's Chemical Index of Minerals Grouping
12.2.1 | Burkeite | Na6(CO3)(SO4)2 | Orth. |
12.2.2 | Hanksite | Na22K(SO4)9(CO3)2Cl | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
12.2.3 | Tychite | Na6Mg2(CO3)4(SO4) | Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Fd3 |
12.2.4 | Motukoreaite | Mg6Al3(OH)18[Na(H2O)6][SO4]2 · 6H2O | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
12.2.5 | Ferrotychite | Na6(Fe,Mn,Mg)2(CO3)4(SO4) | Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Fd3 |
12.2.7 | Carbonatecyanotrichite | Cu4Al2(CO3,SO4)(OH)12 · 2H2O | Orth. |
12.2.8 | Rapidcreekite | Ca2(SO4)(CO3) · 4H2O | Orth. |
12.2.9 | Tatarskite | Ca6Mg2(SO4)2(CO3)2(OH)4Cl4 · 7H2O | Orth. |
12.2.10 | Schulenbergite | (Cu,Zn)7(SO4)2(OH)10 · 3H2O | Trig. |
12.2.11 | Leadhillite | Pb4(CO3)2(SO4)(OH)2 | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
12.2.12 | Macphersonite | Pb4(CO3)2(SO4)(OH)2 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
12.2.13 | Susannite | Pb4(CO3)2(SO4)(OH)2 | Trig. 3 : P3 |
12.2.14 | Wherryite | Pb7Cu2(SO4)4(SiO4)2(OH)2 | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
12.2.15 | Caledonite | Pb5Cu2(SO4)3(CO3)(OH)6 | Orth. mm2 : Pmn21 |
12.2.16 | Nasledovite | PbMn3Al4(CO3)4(SO4)O5 · 5H2O | |
12.2.17 | Jouravskite | Ca3Mn4+(SO4)(CO3)(OH)6 · 12H2O | Hex. 6 : P63 |
12.2.18 | Schröckingerite | NaCa3(UO2)(CO3)3(SO4)F · 10H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
12.2.19 | Manganotychite | Na6Mn2(CO3)4(SO4) | Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Fd3 |
12.2.20 | Hauckite | Fe3+3(Mg,Mn2+)24Zn18(SO4)4(CO3)2(OH)81 | Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P6/mmm |
12.2.21 | Paraotwayite | Ni(OH)2-x(SO4,CO3)0.5x | Mon. |
12.2.22 | Carrboydite | (Ni1-xAlx)(SO4)x/2(OH)2 · nH2O | Hex. |
12.2.23 | Mountkeithite | [(Mg1-xFe3+x)(OH)2][SO4]x/2 · nH2O | Hex. |
12.2.24 | Camérolaite | Cu6Al3(OH)18(H2O)2[Sb(OH)6](SO4) | Tric. 1 : P1 |
Other Information
Notes:
Effervescent in HCl, H2SO4, and HNO3
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 Nakauriite
Reference List:
Sort by Year (asc) | by Year (desc) | by Author (A-Z) | by Author (Z-A)
Suzuki, J., Ito, M., Sugiura, T. (1976) A new copper sulfate-carbonate hydroxide hydrate mineral, (Mn,Ni,Cu)8(SO4)4(CO3)(OH)6·48H2O, from Nakauri, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Journal of Mineralogy, Petrology and Economic Geology: 71: 183-192.
Fleischer, M., Cabri, L.J., Nickel, E.H., Pabst, A. (1977) New mineral names. American Mineralogist: 62: 593-600.
American Mineralogist (1982): 67: 167.
Braithwaite, R.S.W. Pritchard, R. (1983) Nakauriite from Unst, Shetland. Mineralogical Magazine: 47: 84-85.
Postl, W., Moser, B. (1988) Mineralogische Notizen aus der Steiermark. Mitt. Abt. Miner. Landesmuseum Joanneum: 56: 5-47. [nakauriite from Lobminggraben]
Palenzona, A., Martinelli, A. (2007) La nakauriite del Monte Ramazzo, Genova. Rivista Mineralogica Italiana: 31(1): 48-51.
Kolitsch, U., Rieck, B., Brandstätter, F., Schreiber, F., Fabritz, K., Blaß, G., Gröbner, J. (2014) Neufunde aus dem alten Bergbau und den Schlacken von Lavrion (I). Mineralien Welt: 1: 60-75.
Internet Links for Nakauriite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2948.html
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Localities for Nakauriite
Locality List




All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Austria | |
| Postl, W. & Moser, B. (1988): Mineralogische Notizen aus der Steiermark. Mitt. Abt. Miner. Landesmuseum Joanneum, 56, 5-47.; R. Exel: Die Mineralien und Erzlagerstätten Österreichs (1993) |
| Postl, W. & Moser, B. (1988): Mineralogische Notizen aus der Steiermark. Mitt. Abt. Miner. Landesmuseum Joanneum, 56, 5-47.; R. Exel: Die Mineralien und Erzlagerstätten Österreichs (1993) |
Germany | |
| Habel, B. (2006): Die Mineralien der Kupferschlacken der Grube „Virneberg“ bei Rheinbreitbach, Rhein. Mineralien-Welt, 17, (1), 38-49; Heinrich, M., Reinhardt, M. (2017): Virneberg, Rheinbreibach, Siebengebirge, Germania. I minerali delle scorie. Micro, 15, 2-2017, 104-107. |
Greece | |
| Kolitsch, U., Rieck, B., Brandstätter, F., Schreiber, F., Fabritz, K. H., Blaß, G. & Gröbner, J. (2014): Neufunde aus dem altem Bergbau und den Schlacken von Lavrion (I). Mineralien-Welt 25 (1), 60-75 (in German). |
Italy | |
| Palenzona, A., & Martinelli, A. (2007). La nakauriite del Monte Ramazzo, Genova. Rivista Mineralogica Italiana, 31 (1), 48-51. |
| Bedognè, F., Montrasio, A., Sciesa, E. (1993) I minerali della provincia di Sondrio: Valmalenco. Bettini, Sondrio, 275 pp. AA. VV., 1996. Collezionare minerali. Hobby & Work |
Japan (TL) | |
| Suzuki, J., Ito, M., Sugiura, T. (1976) A new copper sulfate-carbonate hydroxide hydrate mineral, (Mn,Ni,Cu)8(SO4)4(CO3)(OH)6·48H2O, from Nakauri, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Journal of Mineralogy, Petrology and Economic Geology: 71: 183-192.; Matsubara, S., Kato, A. (1979) The Occurrence of Heazlewoodite and Cobaltpentlandite from the NakauriMine, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Mem. National Science Museum, Tokyo: 12. |
| Kosuge, Y. et al (1997) 10, #1, 6-9. |
Russia | |
| V.A. Popov analytical data (2012) |
UK | |
| Braithwaite, R.S.W. & Pritchard, R. (1983) Nakauriite from Unst, Shetland. Mineralogical Magazine, vol. 47, n° 342, p. 84–85. |
USA | |
| American Mineralogist, Volume 67, pages 156-169, 1982 |
NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada | |
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Personally Collected 4/12/2008, Mark J. Sigouin, Pennsylvania Licenced Professional Geologist |
Lobminggraben, Sankt Stefan ob Leoben, Leoben District, Styria, Austria