Alum-(Na)
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Alum-(Na)
Formula:
NaAl(SO4)2 · 12H2O
Colour:
Colourless
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
1.64
Crystal System:
Isometric
Member of:
Name:
The name reflects its sodium content and alum, a hydrous aluminium sulfate. Renamed from sodium alum to alum-(Na) in 2008.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3703
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3703:3
Similar Names
| Alm | A synonym of 'Chalk' | |
| Alum-(K) | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | KAl(SO4)2 · 12H2O |
| Alun | A synonym of Alum Group | |
| K-alum | ||
| Ólom | A synonym of Native Lead |
IMA Classification of Alum-(Na)
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
NaAl(S6+O4)2·12H2O
Classification of Alum-(Na)
7.CC.20
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
29.5.5.2
29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
5 : AB(XO4)2·xH2O
29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
5 : AB(XO4)2·xH2O
25.6.14
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aum-Na | 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 Alum-(Na)
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Density:
1.64 g/cm3 (Measured) 1.67 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Synthetic
Optical Data of Alum-(Na)
Type:
Isotropic
RI values:
n = 1.4388
Birefringence:
Isotropic minerals have no birefringence
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Chemistry of Alum-(Na)
Mindat Formula:
NaAl(SO4)2 · 12H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Alum-(Na)
Crystal System:
Isometric
Class (H-M):
m3(2/m3) - Diploidal
Space Group:
Pa3
Setting:
Pa3
Cell Parameters:
a = 12.214(1) Å
Unit Cell V:
1,822.11 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Comment:
Synthetic material
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0019047 | Alum-(Na) | Larson A C, Cromer D T (1967) Refinement of the alum structures. III. X-ray study of the a alums, K, Rb and NH4Al(SO4)2*12H2O Acta Crystallographica 22 793-800 |  | 1967 | Synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0009307 | Alum-(Na) | Cromer D T, Kay M I, Larson A C (1967) Refinement of the alum structures. II. X-ray and neutron diffraction of NaAl(SO4)2*12H2O, gamma alum Acta Crystallographica 22 182-187 | | 1967 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 3b: Earth’s earliest hydrosphere | >4.45 |
| 14 : Hot springs, geysers, and other subaerial geothermal minerals | |
| 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 |
| 54 : Coal and other mine fire minerals (see also #51 and #56) |
Synonyms of Alum-(Na)
Other Language Names for Alum-(Na)
Relationship of Alum-(Na) to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Alum Group:
| Alum-(K) | KAl(SO4)2 · 12H2O | Iso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3 |
| Lanmuchangite | Tl+Al(SO4)2 · 12H2O | Iso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3 |
| Tschermigite | (NH4)Al(SO4)2 · 12H2O | Iso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3 |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 1 photo of Alum-(Na) associated with Chalcanthite | CuSO4 · 5H2O |
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 | Mendozite | NaAl(SO4)2 · 11H2O |
| 7.CC.15 | Kalinite | KAl(SO4)2 · 11H2O |
| 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 | Blödite | Na2Mg(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 7.CC.50 | Changoite | Na2Zn(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 7.CC.55 | Leonite | K2Mg(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 7.CC.55 | Mereiterite | K2Fe(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 7.CC.60 | Nickelpicromerite | K2Ni(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.60 | Nickelboussingaultite | (NH4)2Ni(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.60 | Katerinopoulosite | (NH4)2Zn(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.60 | Picromerite | K2Mg(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.60 | Cyanochroite | K2Cu(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.60 | Mohrite | (NH4)2Fe(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.60 | Boussingaultite | (NH4)2Mg(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.65 | Polyhalite | K2Ca2Mg(SO4)4 · 2H2O |
| 7.CC.70 | Leightonite | K2Ca2Cu(SO4)4 · 2H2O |
| 7.CC.75 | Amarillite | NaFe(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.80 | Konyaite | Na2Mg(SO4)2 · 5H2O |
| 7.CC.85 | Wattevilleite | Na2Ca(SO4)2 · 4H2O (?) |
| 7.CC.85 | Xocolatlite | Ca2Mn4+2(Te6+O6)2 · H2O |
| 7.CC.90 | Eckhardite | (Ca,Pb)Cu2+Te6+O5(H2O) |
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:
Loses 6H2O at about 50°C, forming tamarugite.
Notes:
Soluble in water.
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 Alum-(Na)
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3703.html
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References for Alum-(Na)
Localities for Alum-(Na)
Showing 19 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.
Cape Verde | |
| Silva et al. (2019) |
Chile | |
| Chukanov et al. (2016) |
Germany | |
| |
| King (n.d.) |
Guatemala | |
| www.excaliburmineral.com |
Hungary | |
| Mecsek-Oko |
| Szakáll et al. (1997) |
Italy | |
| Cossa (1881) |
| Campostrini et al. (2011) |
Lebanon | |
| Kruszewski (2019) |
Nicaragua | |
| Stoiber et al. (1974) |
Poland | |
| Ciesielczukk |
| Kruszewski (2012) |
Romania | |
| Januszewska et al. (2023) |
Russia | |
| Okrugin (2004) |
USA | |
| Hanson et al. (2008) |
| RRUFF database- specimen I.D R110204 |
| Coskren et al. (2000) |
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Wayne County, Utah, USA