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Paratooite-(La)
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Paratooite-(La)
Formula:
(La,Sr,Ca)4CuCa(Na,Ca)2(CO3)8
Colour:
Pale turquoise-blue to pale blue
Lustre:
Vitreous, Pearly
Hardness:
4
Specific Gravity:
3.68
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
For the type locality, the Paratoo copper mine, Australia. The suffix/modifier follows the IMA Levinson rule for minerals with essential REE, and denotes predominant lanthanum.
Unique combination of elements. In terms of atomic arrangement, paratooite-(La) is a 1 x 2 x 2 superstructure of carbocernaite. The mineral also shows an interesting carbonate-nitrate diadochy, as shown below.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
27579
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:27579:8
Similar Names
| Peretaite | A valid IMA mineral species | Ca(SbO)4(SO4)2(OH)2 · 2H2O |
IMA Classification of Paratooite-(La)
Approved
IMA Formula:
(La3+,Ca,Na,Sr)6Cu2+(CO3)8
Approval year:
2005
First published:
2006
Classification of Paratooite-(La)
5.AD.20
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
A : Carbonates without additional anions, without H2O
D : With rare-earth elements (REE)
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
A : Carbonates without additional anions, without H2O
D : With rare-earth elements (REE)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Pto-La | 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 Paratooite-(La)
Vitreous, Pearly
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Pale turquoise-blue to pale blue
Streak:
Pale blue
Hardness:
4 on Mohs scale
Comment:
Hardness estimated based on other REE carbonates. Aggregate hardness was 2.
Cleavage:
None Observed
TEM studies indicate a cleavage parallel to {100}
TEM studies indicate a cleavage parallel to {100}
Density:
3.68(3) g/cm3 (Measured) 3.78 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Measured using the suspension method, with Clerici solution diluted with water
Optical Data of Paratooite-(La)
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.605(3) nβ = 1.696(3) nγ = 1.752(2)
2V:
Calculated: 72.6°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.147
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:
Very High (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure
- the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using
this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points
where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the
field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are
isogyres.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
Medium strong; X = very pale bluish; Y = Z = bluish (with greenish tint).
Comments:
Absorption: Z ≈ Y >> X.
Chemistry of Paratooite-(La)
Mindat Formula:
(La,Sr,Ca)4CuCa(Na,Ca)2(CO3)8
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Paratooite-(La)
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pbam
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.2250(3) Å, b = 12.7626(5) Å, c = 10.0559(4) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.566 : 1 : 0.788
Unit Cell V:
927.25 ų
Comment:
Data from Krivovichev et al. (2019). Wallwork et al. (2006) gives the following unit-cell parameters, determined from synchrotron powder diffraction data (indexed on a primitive orthorhombic cell): a = 10.0862(5), b = 12.8088(6), c = 7.2360(4) Å, V = 934.8(1) Å3; they could not determine the crystal structure, but suggested several possible space groups.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 5.047 Å | (53) |
| 4.786 Å | (49) |
| 3.957 Å | (43) |
| 3.468 Å | (43) |
| 2.927 Å | (100) |
| 2.530 Å | (52) |
| 2.344 Å | (22) |
| 2.232 Å | (20) |
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) |
Type Occurrence of Paratooite-(La)
General Appearance of Type Material:
Sheaves and radiating sprays of blade-like to tabular pale blue crystals in thin fissures in a slaty country rock. Individual crystals are typically 50-200 µm in maximum dimension but <5 µm thick.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
South Australian Museum, Adelaide (G29614).
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Copper and REE deposit
From type description: Formation took place under conditions of intense weathering in an arid climate, probably at neutral or slightly basic pH and oxidizing conditions, with evaporation of saline groundwaters playing an important role.
From type description: Formation took place under conditions of intense weathering in an arid climate, probably at neutral or slightly basic pH and oxidizing conditions, with evaporation of saline groundwaters playing an important role.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Paratooite-(La)
Other Language Names for Paratooite-(La)
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 8 photos of Paratooite-(La) associated with Kamphaugite-(Y) | Ca(Y,REE)(CO3)2(OH) · H2O |
| 4 photos of Paratooite-(La) associated with Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 3 photos of Paratooite-(La) associated with Bastnäsite-(La) | La(CO3)F |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.AD.05 | Sahamalite-(Ce) | (Mg,Fe)(Ce,La,Nd)2(CO3)4 |
| 5.AD.15 | Rémondite-(La) | Na3(La,Ca,Na)3(CO3)5 |
| 5.AD.15 | Rémondite-(Ce) | Na3(Ce,Ca,Na)3(CO3)5 |
| 5.AD.15 | Petersenite-(Ce) | Na4(Ce,La,Nd)2(CO3)5 |
Fluorescence of Paratooite-(La)
No visible fluorescence
Other Information
Notes:
Quickly reacts with with effervescence in dilute HCl. Dissolves slowly in cold 10% HNO3, but reacts rapidly, with effervescence and discolouration, when the solution is heated.
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 Paratooite-(La)
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-27579.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Paratooite-(La)
Reference List:
Pring, A.; Wallwork, K.; Brugger, J.; Kolitsch, U. (2006) Paratooite-(La), a new lanthanum-dominant rare-earth copper carbonate from Paratoo, South Australia. Mineralogical Magazine, 70 (1). p.131-138. doi:10.1180/0026461067010319
Piilonen, P. C.; Rowe, R.; Ercit, T.S.; Locock, A.J. (2006) New Mineral Names. American Mineralogist, 91 (8). 1452-1457 doi:10.2138/am.2006.470
Pring, A.; Wallwork, K.; Brugger, J.; Kolitsch, U. (2006) Paratooite-(La), a new lanthanum-dominant rare-earth copper carbonate from Paratoo, South Australia. Mineralogical Magazine, 70 (1). p.131-138. doi:10.1180/0026461067010319
Krivovichev, Sergey V., Panikorovskii, Taras L., Zolotarev, Andrey A., Bocharov, Vladimir N., Kasatkin, Anatoly V., Škoda, Radek (2019) Jahn-Teller Distortion and Cation Ordering: The Crystal Structure of Paratooite-(La), a Superstructure of Carbocernaite. Minerals, 9 (6). 370 doi:10.3390/min9060370
Localities for Paratooite-(La)
Showing 1 localities.
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.
Australia (TL) | |
| Pring et al. (2006) +2 other references |
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Paratoo copper mine, Paratoo, District Council of Peterborough, South Australia, Australia