Callaghanite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Callaghanite
Eugene "Pat" Callaghan
Formula:
Cu2Mg2(CO3)(OH)6 · 2H2O
Colour:
Azure-blue
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
3 - 3½
Specific Gravity:
2.71
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named in honor of Dr. Eugene "Pat" Callaghan (1904, Snohomish, Washington, USA – 8 January 1990), Director of the New Mexico Bureau of Mines, Socorro, New Mexico, USA, for his work on magnesite deposits. The mineral both contains magnesium and has a type locality in a magnesium deposit.
This page provides mineralogical data about Callaghanite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
868
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:868:2
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
57acd01f-9350-437d-af2b-d7d66ffc0239
IMA Classification of Callaghanite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1954
Type description reference:
Classification of Callaghanite
5.DA.25
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.5.1.1
16b : HYDRATED CARBONATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
5 : AmBn(XO3)pZqxH2O & with (m+n):p = 4:1
16b : HYDRATED CARBONATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
5 : AmBn(XO3)pZq
11.2.5
11 : Carbonates
2 : Carbonates of Cu
11 : Carbonates
2 : Carbonates of Cu
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cgh | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Callaghanite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Callaghanite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Azure-blue
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3 - 3½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
{111}, {111}
{111}, {111}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
2.71 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.78 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Callaghanite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.559 nβ = 1.653 nγ = 1.680
2V:
Measured: 55° , Calculated: 52°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.121
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:
r < v moderate
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
In shades of blue.
Chemistry of Callaghanite
Mindat Formula:
Cu2Mg2(CO3)(OH)6 · 2H2O
Crystallography of Callaghanite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/b
Setting:
C2/c
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.24 Å, b = 11.8 Å, c = 10.06 Å
β = 107.3°
β = 107.3°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.698 : 1 : 0.853
Unit Cell V:
933.90 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Pyramidal, showing {111}, {111}, {221}, {221}
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
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Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0000388 | Callaghanite | Brunton G D (1973) Refinement of the callaghanite structure American Mineralogist 58 965-965 |  | 1973 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 7.45 Å | (10) |
| 6.17 Å | (10) |
| 3.87 Å | (9) |
| 3.18 Å | (9) |
| 2.30 Å | (7) |
| 4.80 Å | (6) |
| 3.72 Å | (6) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 23 : Subaerial aqueous alteration by non-redox-sensitive fluids (see also #47) | |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 56 : Slag and smelter minerals (see also #51 and #55) |
Type Occurrence of Callaghanite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Small azure-blue crystals disseminated through magnesite and dolomite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, R9406.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Near peridotite dikes intrusive into magnesite and dolomite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Beck, C.W., Burns, J.H. (1954) Callaghanite, a new mineral. American Mineralogist: 39: 630-635.
Other Language Names for Callaghanite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 23 photos of Callaghanite associated with Hydromagnesite | Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 5 photos of Callaghanite associated with Mcguinnessite | (Mg,Cu)2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 4 photos of Callaghanite associated with Magnesite | MgCO3 |
| 2 photos of Callaghanite associated with Monohydrocalcite | CaCO3 · H2O |
| 2 photos of Callaghanite associated with Brucite | Mg(OH)2 |
| 2 photos of Callaghanite associated with Serpentine Subgroup | D3[Si2O5](OH)4 |
| 1 photo of Callaghanite associated with Dolomite | CaMg(CO3)2 |
| 1 photo of Callaghanite associated with Artinite | Mg2(CO3)(OH)2 · 3H2O |
| 1 photo of Callaghanite associated with Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 1 photo of Callaghanite associated with Cuprite | Cu2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.DA. | Alexkhomyakovite | K6(Ca2Na)(CO3)5Cl · 6H2O |
| 5.DA. | Amoraite | Ca12Al6(OH)36(CO3)2(SO3) · 15H2O |
| 5.DA.05 | Dypingite | Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2 · 5H2O |
| 5.DA.05 | Giorgiosite | Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2 · 5-6H2O |
| 5.DA.05 | Hydromagnesite | Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.05 | Widgiemoolthalite | Ni5(CO3)4(OH)2 · 5H2O |
| 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 ? |
| 5.DA.10 | Artinite | Mg2(CO3)(OH)2 · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.10 | Indigirite | Mg2Al2(CO3)4(OH)2 · 15H2O |
| 5.DA.10 | Chlorartinite | Mg2(CO3)(OH)Cl · 2H2O |
| 5.DA.15 | Otwayite | Ni2(CO3)(OH)2 · H2O |
| 5.DA.15 | Zaratite | Ni3(CO3)(OH)4 · 4H2O ? |
| 5.DA.20 | Kambaldaite | NaNi4(CO3)3(OH)3 · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.30 | Claraite | (Cu,Zn)15(CO3)4(AsO4)2(SO4)(OH)14 · 7H2O |
| 5.DA.35 | Hydroscarbroite | Al14(CO3)3(OH)36 · nH2O |
| 5.DA.35 | Scarbroite | Al5(CO3)(OH)13 · 5H2O |
| 5.DA.40 | Caresite | Fe2+4Al2(OH)12[CO3] · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.40 | Quintinite | Mg4Al2(OH)12(CO3) · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.40 | Charmarite | Mn2+4Al2(OH)12[CO3] · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.40 | Karchevskyite | Mg18Al9(OH)54Sr2(CO3)9(H2O)6 (H3O)5 |
| 5.DA.40 | UM1987-05-OH:AlCMg | Mg4Al2(OH)12(CO3,SO4) · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.45 | Stichtite-2H | Mg6(Cr,Al)2(CO3)(OH)16 · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.45 | Brugnatellite | Mg6Fe3+(CO3)(OH)13 · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.45 | Chlormagaluminite | Mg4Al2(OH)12Cl2 · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.45 | Hydrotalcite-2H | Mg6Al2(CO3)(OH)16 · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.45 | Pyroaurite-2H | Mg6Fe3+2(OH)16(CO3) · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.45 | Zaccagnaite | Zn4Al2(OH)12[CO3] · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.45 | Liudongshengite | Zn4Cr2(OH)12(CO3) · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.50 | Comblainite | Ni4Co2(OH)12[CO3] · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.50 | Desautelsite | Mg6Mn3+2(OH)16[CO3] · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.50 | Hydrotalcite | Mg6Al2(CO3)(OH)16 · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.50 | Pyroaurite | Mg6Fe3+2(OH)16[CO3] · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.50 | Reevesite | Ni6Fe3+2(OH)16(CO3) · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.50 | Stichtite | Mg6Cr3+2(OH)16[CO3] · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.50 | Takovite | Ni6Al2(OH)16[CO3] · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.50 | Kaznakhtite | Ni6Co3+2(CO3)(OH)16 · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.55 | Coalingite | Mg10Fe3+2(OH)24[CO3] · 2H2O |
| 5.DA.55 | Akopovaite | Al4Li2(OH)12(CO3)(H2O)3 |
| 5.DA.60 | Šlikite | Zn2Mg(CO3)2(OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.65 | Marklite | Cu5(CO3)2(OH)6 · 6H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
Effervesces slowly in dilute HCl
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 Callaghanite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-868.html
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References for Callaghanite
Reference List:
Localities for Callaghanite
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.
Austria | |
| Moser (1986) +2 other references |
| Kolitsch (2013) |
Germany | |
| H. Knoll +1 other reference |
| Mineralien Welt 15 Jg Heft 2-2004and 19 ... |
Italy | |
| Palenzona et al. (2005) |
| Rivista Mineralogica Italiana (3) |
USA | |
| Rocks & Min: 91:269 |
| |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Rocks & Min. vol. 72 (1997) |
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Sierra Magnesite Mine, Gabbs, Gabbs Mining District, Nye County, Nevada, USA