Yavapaiite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Yavapaiite
Formula:
KFe3+(S6+O4)2
Colour:
Pale purplish pink
Lustre:
Sub-Adamantine, Vitreous
Hardness:
2½ - 3
Specific Gravity:
2.88
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named after the Yavapai people who first inhabited the area where the mineral was found.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
4355
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4355:3
IMA Classification of Yavapaiite
Approved
First published:
1959
Classification of Yavapaiite
7.AC.15
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
A : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, without H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
A : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, without H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
28.3.4.1
28 : ANHYDROUS ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
3 : AXO4
28 : ANHYDROUS ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
3 : AXO4
25.11.6
25 : Sulphates
11 : Sulphates of Fe and other metals
25 : Sulphates
11 : Sulphates of Fe and other metals
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Yav | 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 Yavapaiite
Sub-Adamantine, Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Pale purplish pink
Streak:
White to pale yellow
Hardness:
2½ - 3 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Very brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect on {001}, {110}, distinct on {110}
Perfect on {001}, {110}, distinct on {110}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Sub-Conchoidal
Density:
2.88 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.891 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Yavapaiite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.593(2) nβ = 1.684(2) nγ = 1.698(1)
2V:
Measured: 30° , Calculated: 40°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.105
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
Dispersion:
r > v strong
Chemistry of Yavapaiite
Mindat Formula:
KFe3+(S6+O4)2
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Yavapaiite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/m
Setting:
C2/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.152(2) Å, b = 5.153(4) Å, c = 7.877(5) Å
β = 94.9(7)°
β = 94.9(7)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.582 : 1 : 1.529
Unit Cell V:
329.68 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0000295 | Yavapaiite | Anthony J W, McLean W J, Laughon R B (1972) The crystal structure of yavapaiite: A discussion American Mineralogist 57 1546-1549 |  | 1972 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0000263 | Yavapaiite | Graeber E J, Rosenzweig A (1971) The crystal structures of yavapaiite, KFe(SO4)2, and goldichite, KFe(SO4)2.4H2O American Mineralogist 56 1917-1933 | | 1971 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 2.97 Å | (100) |
| 7.85 Å | (90) |
| 3.87 Å | (80) |
| 2.394 Å | (80) |
| 3.73 Å | (75) |
| 2.842 Å | (75) |
| 3.49 Å | (60) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45a : [Sulfates, arsenates, selenates, antimonates] | |
| 47b : [Sulfates and sulfites] | |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals |
Type Occurrence of Yavapaiite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
No designated type material.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Fire zone of a pyrite orebody. Fumarolic conditions.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Yavapaiite
Relationship of Yavapaiite to other Species
Common Associates
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.AC. | Aluminopyracmonite | (NH4)3Al(SO4)3 |
| 7.AC. | Amgaite | Tl+32Te6+O6 |
| 7.AC.05 | Vanthoffite | Na6Mg(SO4)4 |
| 7.AC.08 | Pyracmonite | (NH4)3Fe(SO4)3 |
| 7.AC.10 | Langbeinite | K2Mg2(SO4)3 |
| 7.AC.10 | Efremovite | (NH4)2Mg2(SO4)3 |
| 7.AC.10 | Ferroefremovite | (NH4)2Fe2+2(SO4)3 |
| 7.AC.10 | Manganolangbeinite | K2Mn2(SO4)3 |
| 7.AC.15 | Eldfellite | NaFe3+(SO4)2 |
| 7.AC.20 | Sabieite | (NH4)Fe3+(SO4)2 |
| 7.AC.20 | Godovikovite | (NH4)Al(SO4)2 |
| 7.AC.20 | Steklite | KAl(SO4)2 |
| 7.AC.35 | Aphthitalite | K3Na(SO4)2 |
| 7.AC.35 | Belomarinaite | KNa(SO4) |
| 7.AC.35 | Natroaphthitalite | KNa3(SO4)2 |
| 7.AC.35 | Möhnite | (NH4)K2Na(SO4)2 |
| 7.AC.40 | Itelmenite | Na4Mg3Cu3(SO4)8 |
| 7.AC.45 | Saranchinaite | Na2Cu(SO4)2 |
| 7.AC.50 | Majzlanite | K2Na(ZnNa)Ca(SO4)4 |
| 7.AC.60 | Philoxenite | (K,Na,Pb)4(Na,Ca)2(Mg,Cu)3(Fe3+0.5Al0.5)(SO4)8 |
| 7.AC.75 | Petrovite | Na12Cu2(SO4)8 |
Radioactivity
Radioactivity:
| Element | % Content | Activity (Bq/kg) | Radiation Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uranium (U) | 0.0000% | 0 | α, β, γ |
| Thorium (Th) | 0.0000% | 0 | α, β, γ |
| Potassium (K) | 13.6199% | 4,222 | β, γ |
For comparison:
- Banana: ~15 Bq per fruit
- Granite: 1,000–3,000 Bq/kg
- EU exemption limit: 10,000 Bq/kg
Note: Risk is shown relative to daily recommended maximum exposure to non-background radiation of 1000 µSv/year. Note that natural background radiation averages around 2400 µSv/year so in reality these risks are probably extremely overstated! With infrequent handling and safe storage natural radioactive minerals do not usually pose much risk.
Interactive Simulator:
Note: The mass selector refers to the mass of radioactive mineral present, not the full specimen, also be aware that the matrix may also be radioactive, possibly more radioactive than this mineral!
Activity: –
| Distance | Dose rate | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cm | ||
| 10 cm | ||
| 1 m |
The external dose rate (D) from a radioactive mineral is estimated by summing the gamma radiation contributions from its Uranium, Thorium, and Potassium content, disregarding daughter-product which may have a significant effect in some cases (eg 'pitchblende'). This involves multiplying the activity (A, in Bq) of each element by its specific gamma ray constant (Γ), which accounts for its unique gamma emissions. The total unshielded dose at 1 cm is then scaled by the square of the distance (r, in cm) and multiplied by a shielding factor (μshield). This calculation provides a 'worst-case' or 'maximum risk' estimate because it assumes the sample is a point source and entirely neglects any self-shielding where radiation is absorbed within the mineral itself, meaning actual doses will typically be lower. The resulting dose rate (D) is expressed in microsieverts per hour (μSv/h).
D = ((AU × ΓU) + (ATh × ΓTh) + (AK × ΓK)) / r2 × μshield
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in water with seperation of Fe(OH)3 from weakly acid solution.
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 Yavapaiite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-4355.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Yavapaiite
Reference List:
Hutton, C. Osborne (1959) Yavapaiite, an anhydrous potassium ferric sulfate from Jerome, Arizona. American Mineralogist, 44 (11-12) 1105-1114
Graeber, Edward J., Rosenzweig, Abraham (1971) The crystal structures of yavapaiite, KFe(SO4)2, and goldichite, KFe(SO4)2·4H2O. American Mineralogist, 56 (11-12) 1917-1933
Localities for Yavapaiite
Showing 11 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.
Chile | |
| Samples analysed by Dr. Jochen Schluter +5 other references |
China | |
| Yingxia Xu et al. (2008) |
| Zhaoxin Han et al. (2004) +1 other reference |
Czech Republic | |
| Matýsek et al. (2022) |
Italy | |
| De Michele (1974) |
| Campostrini et al. (2010) |
Poland | |
| Kruszewski (2012) |
Russia | |
| Africano et al. (2003) |
USA (TL) | |
| Hutton (1959) +4 other references |
| Hower et al. (2022) |
| Paris (2011) |
Quick NavTopAbout YavapaiiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence Other LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatRadioactivityOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Grotta dell'Allume, Faraglione Nico, Faraglioni di Levante, Porto Levante, Vulcano Island, Lipari, Eolie Islands, Metropolitan City of Messina, Sicily, Italy