Mixite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Mixite
Formula:
BiCu6(AsO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O
Colour:
pale green, blue-green, emerald-green, white; light green to colourless in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
3 - 4
Specific Gravity:
3.79 - 3.83
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Member of:
Name:
Named by Albrecht Schrauf in honor of Anton Mixa [November 23, 1838 Pribram, Czech Republic - July 21, 1906 Pribram, Czech Republic], a mining engineer and administrator in government service through the Austria-Hungary Empire and who was Czech mining director of Příbram at Jáchymov, Czech Republic.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2730
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2730:0
Similar Names
| Maxite | A synonym of Leadhillite | |
| Mieite-(Y) | A valid IMA mineral species | Y4Ti(SiO4)2O[F,(OH)]6 |
IMA Classification of Mixite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Cu6Bi(AsO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O
Classification of Mixite
8.DL.15
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
L : With large and medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 = 2:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
L : With large and medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 = 2:1
42.5.1.1
42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
5 : (AB)7(XO4)3Zq·xH2O
42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
5 : (AB)7(XO4)3Zq·xH2O
20.6.5
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
6 : Arsenates of Bi
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
6 : Arsenates of Bi
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mix | 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 Mixite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Comment:
Silky in aggregates.
Colour:
Pale green, blue-green, emerald-green, white; light green to colourless in transmitted light.
Streak:
Pale bluish green
Hardness:
3 - 4 on Mohs scale
Density:
3.79 - 3.83 g/cm3 (Measured) 4.04 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Mixite
Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 1.743 - 1.749 nε = 1.81 - 1.83
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.067 - 0.081
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.
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
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
O = Colourless
E = Bright green
E = Bright green
Chemistry of Mixite
Mindat Formula:
BiCu6(AsO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Mixite
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Class (H-M):
6/m - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
P63/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 13.646(2) Å, c = 5.92 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.434
Unit Cell V:
954.69 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Crystals acicular, elongated along [0001] and deeply striated vertically. Commonly occurs matted or as radial aggregates with a partial concentric fibrous structure or cross-fiber veinlets.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0012026 | Mixite | Mereiter K, Preisinger A (1986) Kristallstrukturdaten der wismutminerale atelestit, mixit und pucherit Anzeiger der Osterreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften 123 79-81 | 1986 | Tintic, Utah, USA | 0 | 293 | |
| 0008027 | Mixite | Miletich R, Zemann J, Nowak M (1997) Reversible hydration in synthetic mixite, BiCu6(OH)6(AsO4)3.nH2O(n<=3): hydration kinetics and crystal chemistry Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 24 411-422 | 1997 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0008026 | Mixite | Miletich R, Zemann J, Nowak M (1997) Reversible hydration in synthetic mixite, BiCu6(OH)6(AsO4)3.nH2O(n<=3): hydration kinetics and crystal chemistry Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 24 411-422 | 1997 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 12.03 Å | (100) |
| 2.46 Å | (90) |
| 3.57 Å | (80) |
| 2.95 Å | (70) |
| 2.86 Å | (60) |
| 2.70 Å | (60) |
| 2.57 Å | (60) |
Comments:
Anton mine, Germany.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates] |
Geological Setting:
Secondary mineral in oxidationn zone of copper-bismuth deposits.
Type Occurrence of Mixite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
No designated type material.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Mixite
Relationship of Mixite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Mixite Group:
| Agardite-(Ce) | CeCu6(AsO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Agardite-(La) | LaCu6(AsO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Agardite-(Nd) | NdCu6(AsO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Agardite-(Y) | YCu6(AsO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Calciopetersite | CaCu6(PO4)2(PO3OH)(OH)6 · 3H2O | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Goudeyite | AlCu6(AsO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O | Hex. |
| Petersite-(Ce) | CeCu6(PO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Petersite-(La) | LaCu6(PO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Petersite-(Y) | YCu6(PO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O | Hex. |
| Plumboagardite | PbCu6(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)(OH)6 · 3H2O | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Zálesíite | CaCu6(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)(OH)6 · 3H2O | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 100 photos of Mixite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 75 photos of Mixite associated with Atelestite | Bi2(AsO4)O(OH) |
| 49 photos of Mixite associated with Olivenite | Cu2(AsO4)(OH) |
| 47 photos of Mixite associated with Baryte | BaSO4 |
| 46 photos of Mixite associated with Conichalcite | CaCu(AsO4)(OH) |
| 39 photos of Mixite associated with Goethite | Fe3+O(OH) |
| 26 photos of Mixite associated with Walpurgite | (BiO)4(UO2)(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 24 photos of Mixite associated with Eulytine | Bi4(SiO4)3 |
| 23 photos of Mixite associated with Bismutite | (BiO)2CO3 |
| 23 photos of Mixite associated with Chrysocolla | Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.DL.05 | Foggite | CaAl(PO4)(OH)2 · H2O |
| 8.DL.10 | Fluorowardite | NaAl3(PO4)2F2(OH)2(H2O)2 |
| 8.DL.10 | Wardite | NaAl3(PO4)2(OH)4 · 2H2O |
| 8.DL.10 | Millisite | (Na,K)CaAl6(PO4)4(OH)9 · 3H2O |
| 8.DL.10 | Cyrilovite | NaFe3+3(PO4)2(OH)4 · 2H2O |
| 8.DL.15 | Petersite-(Ce) | CeCu6(PO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 8.DL.15 | Agardite-(Nd) | NdCu6(AsO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 8.DL.15 | Agardite-(Y) | YCu6(AsO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 8.DL.15 | Agardite-(Ce) | CeCu6(AsO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 8.DL.15 | 'Agardite-(Dy)' | (Dy,La)Cu6(AsO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 8.DL.15 | Agardite-(La) | LaCu6(AsO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 8.DL.15 | Petersite-(Y) | YCu6(PO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 8.DL.15 | Zálesíite | CaCu6(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 8.DL.15 | Petersite-(La) | LaCu6(PO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 8.DL.15 | Goudeyite | AlCu6(AsO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 8.DL.15 | Calciopetersite | CaCu6(PO4)2(PO3OH)(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 8.DL.15 | Plumboagardite | PbCu6(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 8.DL.20 | Dugganite | Pb3Zn3(AsO4)2(TeO6) |
| 8.DL.20 | Wallkilldellite | Ca2Mn2+3(AsO4)2(OH)4 · 9H2O |
| 8.DL.20 | Wallkilldellite-(Fe) | (Ca,Cu)4Fe2+6(AsO4,SiO4)4(OH,O)8 · 18H2O |
| 8.DL.20 | Cheremnykhite | Pb3Zn3(VO4)2(TeO6) |
| 8.DL.20 | Kuksite | Pb3Zn3(PO4)2(TeO6) |
| 8.DL.25 | Angastonite | CaMgAl2(PO4)2(OH)4 · 7H2O |
| 8.DL.30 | Långbanshyttanite | Pb2Mn2Mg(AsO4)2(OH)4 · 6H2O |
Other Information
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 Mixite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2730.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Mixite
Reference List:
Schrauf, A. (1880) Ueber Arsenate von Joachimsthal. 1. Mixit, ein neues Kupferwismuthhydroarsenat. 2. Wapplerit. 3. Pharmakolith. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, 4 (1). 277-285 doi:10.1524/zkri.1880.4.1.277
Hillebrand, W. F., Washington, H. S. (1888) Notes on certain rare copper minerals from Utah. American Journal of Science, s3-35 (208). 298-307 doi:10.2475/ajs.s3-35.208.298
Larsen, Esper S. (1921) The microscopic determination of the nonopaque minerals. Bulletin 679. US Geological Survey doi:10.3133/b679 p.111
Kokkoros, P. (1952) Röntgensymmetrie von Mixit. Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen, 3 (1). 56-60 doi:10.1007/bf01123186
Ondruš, P., Veselovský, F., Hloušek, J., Skála, R., Vavřín, I., Frýda, J., Čejka, J., Gabašová, A. (1997) Secondary minerals of the Jáchymov (Joachimsthal) ore district. Journal of the Czech Geological Society, 42 (4). 3-69 p.37
Miletich, R., Zemann, J., Nowak, M. (1997) Reversible hydration in synthetic mixite, BiCu6(OH)6(AsO4)3·nH2O (n≤3): hydration kinetics and crystal chemistry. Physics and Chemistry of Minerals, 24 (6). 411-422 doi:10.1007/s002690050055
Frost, R. L., Weier, M., Martens, W., Duong, L. (2005) Identification of mixite minerals – an SEM and Raman spectroscopic analysis. Mineralogical Magazine, 69 (2) 169-177 doi:10.1180/0026461056920244
Frost, Ray L., Weier, Matt, Martens, Wayde (2006) Using Raman spectroscopy to identify mixite minerals. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 63 (1) 60-65 doi:10.1016/j.saa.2005.04.037
Čejka, Jiří, Sejkora, Jiří, Plášil, Jakub, Keeffe, Eloise C., Bahfenne, Silmarilly, Palmer, Sara J., Frost, Ray L. (2011) A Raman and infrared spectroscopic study of Ca2+dominant members of the mixite group from the Czech Republic. Journal of Raman Spectroscopy, 42 (5). 1154-1159 doi:10.1002/jrs.2817
Golubev, Aleksandr, Brücher, Eva, Schulz, Armin, Kremer, Reinhard K., Schmidt, Franz X., Gordon, Elija E., Whangbo, Myung-Hwan (2018) Low-Dimensional Magnetic Properties of Natural and Synthetic Mixite (Bi,Ca)Cu6(OH)6(AsO4)3·nH2O (n ≈ 3) and Goudeyite YCu6(OH)6(AsO4)3·nH2O (n ≈ 3). Zeitschrift für anorganische und allgemeine Chemie, 644. 1782-1790 doi:10.1002/zaac.201800344
Localities for Mixite
Showing 208 localities.
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.
Argentina | |
| Bedlivy et al. (1972) +1 other reference |
| Bedlivy et al. (1972) | |
Australia | |
| Kolitsch et al. (1999) |
| Personal Collection of Mark Willoughby +1 other reference |
| Munro-Smith (2006) |
| Downes et al. (2006) |
| Downes et al. (2006) | |
Austria | |
| Blass et al. (2001) +2 other references |
Canada | |
| Sabina (2015) |
Chile | |
| V. Sapienza collection |
| collected and analysed by french ... |
Czech Republic | |
| P.Pauliš |
| Sejkora et al. (2021) | |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference | |
| Hloušek et al. (2002) | |
| Škácha et al. (2014) | |
| Sejkora et al. (1997) |
| Petr Pauliš (2000) +1 other reference |
| Gramblička (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| Sejkora (1998) |
| Sejkora et al. (2013) | |
| Sejkora (1998) |
| Sejkora (1994) +1 other reference |
DR Congo | |
| Wilson (2018) |
Europe | |
| Jansa et al. (1998) +3 other references |
France | |
| Bruno Ducluzaux Collection |
| Pierrot et al. (1973) |
| Wittern et al. (1997) |
| Wittern et al. (1997) |
| Thierry Brunsperger |
| Wittern et al. (1997) |
| Bari (1982) | |
| Thierry Brunsperger collection |
| T. Brunsperger observations | |
| Hohl (1994) |
| Wittern et al. (1997) |
| Hohl (1994) |
| Wittern et al. (1997) | |
| Escande et al. (1973) |
| Berbain (1985) |
| Lheur (2023) |
| Favreau et al. (2010) |
| Queneau (n.d.) |
| Inventaire Minéralogique de la France ... | |
| Caubel (1997) |
| Dubru. M (1986) |
| Berbain et al. (2005) +1 other reference | |
| Queneau (n.d.) |
| |
| van den Berg (1987) +1 other reference |
| CLAUDE Jean Marie Collection and ... | |
Germany | |
| [Wittern (1995) |
| |
| Jambor et al. (1998) +1 other reference |
| Schrenk (2000) |
| Walenta (1992) |
| Walenta (1992) |
| Walenta (1991) |
| Walenta (1992) |
| Walenta (1989) |
| Wittern (2001) | |
| Slotta (2004) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Walenta (1992) |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Walenta (1992) +1 other reference | |
| Information from Carsten Slotta. |
| Aufschluss 1981 (5) | |
| Markl (1992) |
| Walenta (1992) |
| Haas (n.d.) |
| Aufschluss 1986 (11) |
| Walenta (1992) |
| Walenta (1989) |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Gröbner (2017) |
| Joachim et al. (1993) |
| PETITJEAN collection |
| |
| Krause et al. (1993) +1 other reference |
| Collection of Steffen Michalski |
| Collection of Steffen Michalski | |
| Collection of Steffen Michalski | |
| [MinRech 27:465] | |
| Collection of Steffen Michalski |
| Collection of Steffen Michalski | |
| Petitjean et al. (2000) | |
| Belendorff et al. (1987) | |
| Collection of Steffen Michalski |
| Schnorrer et al. (1998) |
| Schnorrer et al. (2000) | |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Martin et al. (1994) |
| Schlegel (1991) |
| Gröbner et al. (2006) | |
| Kleeberg et al. (1992) |
| www.dergraul.de (2001) |
| Mineralienatlas | |
| Massanek et al. (2005) +1 other reference |
| Frenzel (1874) | |
| Massanek et al. (2005) | |
| Massanek et al. (2005) | |
| Massanek et al. (2005) | |
| Massanek et al. (2005) |
| Witzke (2023) |
| Matthies (2009) |
| Gröbner et al. (2007) +1 other reference | |
| Witzke et al. (2001) |
Greece | |
| Voudouris et al. (2003) |
| Solomos et al. (2004) | |
| Rieck (n.d.) +1 other reference | |
| Heymann (1982) | |
| Wendel et al. (1999) |
Hungary | |
| Geoda 2012/I. |
Iran | |
| Bariand et al. (1993) |
Italy | |
| Giuseppe Finello collection +1 other reference |
| Giuseppe Finello find & collection (SEM- EDS) | |
| Boscardin M. et al. (1994) |
| Ciriotti et al. (2010) |
| Caboni et al. (2018) |
| Vecchi et al. (2013) |
| Bortolozzi et al. (2021) |
| Erica Bittarello +3 other references |
| Orlandi et al. (2009) |
| Orlandi et al. (2009) | |
| Bellé et al. (1997) +2 other references |
Japan | |
| Matsubara et al (1992) |
Mexico | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Panczner (1987) |
Namibia | |
| Gebhard (1999) |
Norway | |
| Husdal (2020) |
Poland | |
| Domań +2 other references |
| Siuda et al. (2003) |
| Siuda et al. (2003) |
Portugal | |
| Alves (n.d.) |
South Africa | |
| Atanasova et al. (2016) |
Spain | |
| Viñals et al. (2004) |
| Rewitzer et al. (2018) |
| CARMONA RUIZ et al. (2025) |
| Jimenez R. et al. (2004) |
| Sainz de Baranda Graf (2013) |
| Weiß (2002) |
| issuu.com (n.d.) +1 other reference |
Switzerland | |
| Meisser (2012) |
| Ansermet (2012) |
| Stalder et al. (1998) +1 other reference |
UK | |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| Lapis 11 (2) |
| Golley et al. (1995) +1 other reference |
| Embrey (1978) |
| Peter Trebilcock |
| |
| |
| Golley et al. (1995) | |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| Embrey (1978) +1 other reference |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| BMS Collection +1 other reference |
| Braithwaite et al. (1990) |
| R. S. W. Braithwaite and J. R. Knight (1990) +1 other reference |
USA | |
| Grant et al. (2005) |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
| Bideaux (1980) +1 other reference |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
| Calif. Div. of Mines & Geology Bull. #189 et al. (1966) +1 other reference |
| Murdoch (1966) |
| Walstrom (n.d.) | |
| Pemberton (1983) +1 other reference |
| MarekC pers. coll. 2017-2018 |
| Kampf et al. (2018) |
| In the collection of Brent Thorne. ... | |
| www.mineralsocal.org (1999) |
| MarekC Collection May 2016 |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Dr. William S. Wise presentation to ... |
| Collection of Alex Earl | |
| Rocks and Minerals Volume 74 Number 6 |
| Rocks & Minerals. Nov. 1999. +1 other reference |
| Jensen (1985) +1 other reference |
| Jensen (1993) | |
| R&M 77:5 p298-305 |
| Dana 6:1092 +2 other references |
| Dana 6:1092. | |
| Thorne (n.d.) | |
| 66. [p. 49] +1 other reference | |
| Dana 6: 1092 +2 other references | |
| Robert O. Meyer collection | |
| Collected by and in the collection of ... | |
| Thorne (n.d.) | |
| Bullock (1981) |
| Roberts et al. (1997) |
| Thorne (n.d.) |
| Kokinos et al. (1993) |
| Kokinos et al. (1993) | |
| Kokinos et al. (1993) | |
| Thorne (n.d.) | |
| Kokinos et al. (1993) | |
| Kokinos et al. (1993) | |
| Collected by and in the collection of ... +1 other reference | |
| R&M 68:6 p381-393 |
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The
Hilarion Mine, Kamariza Mines, Agios Konstantinos, Lavreotiki, East Attica, Attica, Greece