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Mendozite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Mendozite
Flag of Mendoza province, Argentina
Formula:
NaAl(SO4)2 · 11H2O
Colour:
Colourless (turns white upon exposure); colourless in transmitted light.
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
1.730
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named after the province of Mendoza, Argentina, that includes the supposed type locality of St. Juan.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2643
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2643:3
IMA Classification of Mendozite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
NaAl(S6+O4)2·11H2O
Type description reference:
Classification of Mendozite
7.CC.15
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
C : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, with H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
C : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, with H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
29.5.4.1
29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
5 : AB(XO4)2·xH2O
29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
5 : AB(XO4)2·xH2O
25.6.13
25 : Sulphates
6 : Sulphates of Al and Tl
25 : Sulphates
6 : Sulphates of Al and Tl
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 for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Mz | 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 Mendozite
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless (turns white upon exposure); colourless in transmitted light.
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
{100}, good; {001} and {010}, indistinct.
{100}, good; {001} and {010}, indistinct.
Density:
1.730 g/cm3 (Measured) 1.781 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Mendozite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.449(1) nβ = 1.461(3) nγ = 1.463(3)
2V:
Measured: 56° (1), Calculated: 44°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.014
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
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. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
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. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
r > v distinct
Chemistry of Mendozite
Mindat Formula:
NaAl(SO4)2 · 11H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Mendozite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/b
Setting:
C2/c
Cell Parameters:
a = 21.75(3) Å, b = 9.11(1) Å, c = 8.30(1) Å
β = 92.28(5)°
β = 92.28(5)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 2.387 : 1 : 0.911
Unit Cell V:
1,643.28 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Artificial crystals are prismatic [001] with large {100}; also pseudo-rhombohedral with {100} and {211}. Fibrous masses.
Crystal Structure
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0000289 | Mendozite | Fang J H, Robinson P D (1972) Crystal structures and mineral chemistry of double-salt hydrates: II. The crystal structure of mendozite, NaAl(SO4)2.11H2O American Mineralogist 57 1081-1088 |  | 1972 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.50 Å | (100) |
| 4.76 Å | (85) |
| 4.58 Å | (65) |
| 4.15 Å | (50) |
| 3.60 Å | (35) |
| 2.644 Å | (35) |
| 10.9 Å | (30) |
Comments:
synthetic
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45a : [Sulfates, arsenates, selenates, antimonates] | |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47b : [Sulfates and sulfites] | |
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 50 : Coal and/or oil shale minerals | <0.36 |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals | |
| 56 : Slag and smelter minerals (see also #51 and #55) |
Type Occurrence of Mendozite
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Mendozite
Other Language Names for Mendozite
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.CC. | Cobaltoblödite | Na2Co(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 7.CC. | Andychristyite | PbCu2+Te6+O5(H2O) |
| 7.CC. | Ammoniovoltaite | (NH4)2Fe2+5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12(H2O)18 |
| 7.CC.05 | Krausite | KFe(SO4)2 · H2O |
| 7.CC.10 | Tamarugite | NaAl(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.15 | Kalinite | KAl(SO4)2 · 11H2O |
| 7.CC.20 | Alum-(Na) | NaAl(SO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 7.CC.20 | Lonecreekite | (NH4)Fe3+(SO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 7.CC.20 | Alum-(K) | KAl(SO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 7.CC.20 | Tschermigite | (NH4)Al(SO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 7.CC.20 | Lanmuchangite | Tl+Al(SO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 7.CC.25 | Zincovoltaite | K2Zn5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O |
| 7.CC.25 | Voltaite | K2Fe2+5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O |
| 7.CC.25 | Magnesiovoltaite | K2Mg5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O |
| 7.CC.25 | Pertlikite | K2(Fe2+,Mg)2(Mg,Fe3+)4Fe3+2Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O |
| 7.CC.25 | Ammoniomagnesiovoltaite | (NH4)2Mg2+5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O |
| 7.CC.30 | Kröhnkite | Na2Cu(SO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 7.CC.35 | Ferrinatrite | Na3Fe(SO4)3 · 3H2O |
| 7.CC.40 | Goldichite | KFe(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 7.CC.45 | Löweite | Na12Mg7(SO4)13 · 15H2O |
| 7.CC.50 | Nickelblödite | Na2Ni(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 7.CC.50 |
Gold Bottom Mine, Slate Range Mining District, Slate Range, Inyo County, California, USA