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⇱ Bulachite: Mineral information, data and localities.

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Bulachite

A valid IMA mineral species
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About BulachiteHide

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Formula:
Al6(AsO4)3(OH)9(H2O)4 · 2H2O
Originally assumed be Al2(AsO4)(OH)3 · 3H2O.
Colour:
White to blue-green
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
2.60
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named for the type locality at Neubulach, Baden Württemberg, Germany.
A rare secondary Al arsenate hydrate.

Grey et al. (2020) show that bulachite from Cap Garonne has the formula Al6(AsO4)3(OH)9(H2O)4⋅2H2O and is intergrown with a higher hydrate with composition Al6(AsO4)3(OH)9(H2O)4⋅8H2O. The latter was later named galeaclolusite.


Unique IdentifiersHide

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Mindat ID:
799
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:799:3

IMA Classification of BulachiteHide

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Approved
Approval year:
1982
First published:
1983

Classification of BulachiteHide

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8.DE.15

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
E : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 = 3:1
42.6.7.2

42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
6 : A2(XO4)Zq·xH2O
20.4.2

20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
4 : Arsenates of Group III metals (Al, rare earths)

Mineral SymbolsHide

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As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference for Standard
BuhIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of BulachiteHide

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Transparency:
Translucent
Comment:
Lustre is Satiny
Colour:
White to blue-green
Streak:
White
Hardness:
Cleavage:
None Observed
Density:
2.60 g/cm3 (Measured)    2.55 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of BulachiteHide

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Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.54 nβ = 1.546 nγ = 1.548
2V:
Measured: 66° , Calculated: 58°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.008
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.

Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
r > v

Chemistry of BulachiteHide

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Mindat Formula:
Al6(AsO4)3(OH)9(H2O)4 · 2H2O

Originally assumed be Al2(AsO4)(OH)3 · 3H2O.
Element Weights:
Element% weight
O51.439 %
As26.764 %
Al19.277 %
H2.520 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.

Crystallography of BulachiteHide

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Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pnma
Cell Parameters:
a = 15.3994(3) Å, b = 17.6598(3) Å, c = 7.8083(1) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.872 : 1 : 0.442
Unit Cell V:
2,123.47 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Comment:
Cell from Grey et al. (2020). Cell of type material: a = 15.53, b = 17.78, c = 7.03 Å.

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

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Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
7.78 Å(100)
3.49 Å(80)
8.97 Å(70)
6.55 Å(70)
5.92 Å(70)
3.75 Å(70)
2.73 Å(60)

Geological EnvironmentHide

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Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event<2.4
47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals]
47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates]
Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals<10 Ka
55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals

Type Occurrence of BulachiteHide

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General Appearance of Type Material:
Exceedingly fine-grained needles in radial
aggregates encrusting quartz
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Institut für Mineralogie und Kristallchemie, Universität Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany, numbers BU1,27.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Synonyms of BulachiteHide

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Other Language Names for BulachiteHide

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Dutch:Bulachiet
German:Bulachit
Spanish:Bulachita

Common AssociatesHide

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Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
2 photos of Bulachite associated with GoethiteFe3+O(OH)
1 photo of Bulachite associated with MansfielditeAlAsO4 · 2H2O
1 photo of Bulachite associated with AzuriteCu3(CO3)2(OH)2
1 photo of Bulachite associated with MalachiteCu2(CO3)(OH)2
1 photo of Bulachite associated with BariopharmacoalumiteBa0.5Al4(AsO4)3(OH)4 · 4H2O

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

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8.DE.ArsenoveszelyiteCu2Zn(AsO4)(OH)3 · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DE.Kipushite(Cu,Zn)5Zn(PO4)2(OH)6 · H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DE.GoldhilliteCu5Zn(AsO4)2(OH)6 · H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DE.05SenegaliteAl2(PO4)(OH)(OH)2 · H2OOrth. mm2
8.DE.10FluelliteAl2(PO4)F2(OH) · 7H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Fddd
8.DE.20ZapataliteCu3Al4(PO4)3(OH)9 · 4H2OTet.
8.DE.25CeruleiteCu2Al7(AsO4)4(OH)13 · 11.5H2OMon. 2/m
8.DE.30Veszelyite(Cu,Zn)2Zn(PO4)(OH)3 · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DE.35PhilipsburgiteCu5Zn(AsO4)(PO4)(OH)6 · H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DE.40Juanitaite(Cu,Ca,Fe)10Bi(AsO4)4(OH)11 · 2H2OTet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : P42/nnm
8.DE.45IangreyiteCa2Al7(PO4)2(PO3OH)2(OH,F)15 · 8H2OTrig. 32 : P321

Other InformationHide

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Notes:
Easily soluble in HCl (1:1),less easily in HNO3 (1:1)
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 BulachiteHide

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mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-799.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

References for BulachiteHide

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Reference List:

Localities for BulachiteHide

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Showing 7 localities.

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the 👁 Image
symbol to view information about a locality. The 👁 Image
symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.

Locality ListHide

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👁 Image
- This locality has map coordinates listed. 👁 Image
- This locality has estimated coordinates. ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence. ? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. 👁 Image
- Good crystals or important locality for species. 👁 Image
- World class for species or very significant. (TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species. (FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
France
  • Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
    • Var
      • Toulon
        • Le Pradet
Favreau et al. (2014) +2 other references
Favreau et al. (2024)
Germany (TL)
  • Baden-Württemberg
    • Karlsruhe Region
      • Calw
Walenta (1983) +1 other reference
  • Hesse
    • Kassel Region
      • Hersfeld-Rotenburg
        • Nentershausen
          • Süß
            • Richelsdorf Smelter
Weiß (1990)
Greece
  • Attica
    • East Attica
      • Lavreotiki
Schusser et al. (2022)
Italy
  • Sardinia
    • Metropolitan City of Cagliari
      • Sarroch
        • Sa Bidda Beccia
Frau et al. (2001)
UK
  • England
    • Cornwall
      • St Hilary
collections.museumvictoria.com.au (n.d.) +1 other reference
Quick NavTopAbout BulachiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography X-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
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