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Putnisite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Putnisite
Christine and Andrew Putnis
Formula:
SrCa4Cr3+8(CO3)8SO4(OH)16 · 23H2O
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
1 - 2
Specific Gravity:
2.20
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named after Dr Christine Putnis and Prof Andrew Putnis, both University of Münster, Germany, for their outstanding contributions to mineralogy, especially phase transformations in minerals and mineral surface science (mainly crystal growth and dissolution processes).
Unique combination of elements. The first mineral combining strontium and chromium; also the first strontium-bearing carbonate-sulfate mineral.
Compare grguricite and 'Unnamed (Ca-analogue of Petterdite)'.
Not directly related to any natural or synthetic compound.
NOTE: "All specimens from the type locality are in museum collections. I am aware of at least five dealers who have sold Armstrong Mine specimens labelled Polar Bear peninsula. Anyone who has purchased putnisite specimens labelled Polar Bear peninsula should ask for a refund." (information Peter Elliott, Sept. 2019).
Crystal structure details/elements:
(1) Cr(OH)4O2 octahedra, that share edges to form an eight-membered ring;
(2) [10]Sr atoms are localized at centres the rings;
(3) carbonate group triangles surround the rings; each carbonate group share corners with two Cr-bearing octahedra;
(4) Ca(H2O)4O4 polyhedra link together to form a sheet || (100);
(5) adjacent sheets are linked along [100] by sulfate tetrahedra that share corners; (6) channels along [100] and inter-slab space hold water molecules;
(7) hydrogen bonds, moderate to weak, stand for an additional link for the slabs.
Compare grguricite and 'Unnamed (Ca-analogue of Petterdite)'.
Not directly related to any natural or synthetic compound.
NOTE: "All specimens from the type locality are in museum collections. I am aware of at least five dealers who have sold Armstrong Mine specimens labelled Polar Bear peninsula. Anyone who has purchased putnisite specimens labelled Polar Bear peninsula should ask for a refund." (information Peter Elliott, Sept. 2019).
Crystal structure details/elements:
(1) Cr(OH)4O2 octahedra, that share edges to form an eight-membered ring;
(2) [10]Sr atoms are localized at centres the rings;
(3) carbonate group triangles surround the rings; each carbonate group share corners with two Cr-bearing octahedra;
(4) Ca(H2O)4O4 polyhedra link together to form a sheet || (100);
(5) adjacent sheets are linked along [100] by sulfate tetrahedra that share corners; (6) channels along [100] and inter-slab space hold water molecules;
(7) hydrogen bonds, moderate to weak, stand for an additional link for the slabs.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
42732
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:42732:8
IMA Classification of Putnisite
Classification of Putnisite
5.DB.40
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
D : Carbonates with additional anions, with H2O
B : With large and medium-sized cations
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
D : Carbonates with additional anions, with H2O
B : With large and medium-sized cations
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Pni | 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 Putnisite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Translucent
Streak:
Pink
Hardness:
1 - 2 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
One excellent and two good cleavages parallel to {100}, {010} and {001}.
One excellent and two good cleavages parallel to {100}, {010} and {001}.
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
2.20 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.23 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Putnisite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.552(3) nβ = 1.583(3) nγ = 1.599(3)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.047
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 (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.
No measured or calculated 2V is on file for this mineral, so the value used here (70°) is estimated from its recorded refractive indices and optic sign, not from a direct 2V measurement.
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.
No measured or calculated 2V is on file for this mineral, so the value used here (70°) is estimated from its recorded refractive indices and optic sign, not from a direct 2V measurement.
Comments:
Distinct: X pale bluish grey, Y pale purple, Z pale purple
Chemistry of Putnisite
Mindat Formula:
SrCa4Cr3+8(CO3)8SO4(OH)16 · 23H2O
Element Weights:
Common Impurities:
Na,Cl,Cu
Crystallography of Putnisite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pnma
Setting:
Pnma
Cell Parameters:
a = 15.351(3) Å, b = 20.421(4) Å, c = 18.270(4) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.752 : 1 : 0.895
Unit Cell V:
5727 ų
Z:
4
Morphology:
Pseudocubic crystals
Comment:
New structure type
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0020044 | Putnisite | Elliott P, Giester G, Rowe R, Pring A (2014) Putnisite, SrCa4Cr3+8(CO3)8SO4(OH)16*25H2O, a new mineral from Western Australia: description and crystal structure Mineralogical Magazine 78 131-144 | 2014 | Polar Bear peninsula, Southern Lake Cowan, Western Australia, Australia | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 13.577 Å | (100) |
| 7.659 Å | (80) |
| 7.095 Å | (10) |
| 5.084 Å | (19) |
| 4.901 Å | (13) |
| 3.385 Å | (7) |
| 3.689 Å | (16) |
| 3.594 Å | (7) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47b : [Sulfates and sulfites] | |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] |
Type Occurrence of Putnisite
General Appearance of Type Material:
isolated pseudocubic crystals up to 0.5 mm in size in a matrix composed of quartz and a near amorphous Cr silicate
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
South Australian Museum, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, registration number G33429
Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, Canada, catalogue number CMNMC 86133
Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, Canada, catalogue number CMNMC 86133
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Putnisite
Other Language Names for Putnisite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.DB. | Rigrahamite | Na2Ca2Th2(CO3)4(HCO3)2(OH)4(H2O)7 |
| 5.DB. | Grguricite | CaCr2(CO3)2(OH)4 · 4H2O |
| 5.DB.05 | Para-alumohydrocalcite | CaAl2(CO3)2(OH)4 · 6H2O |
| 5.DB.05 | Nasledovite | PbMn3Al4(CO3)4(SO4)O5 · 5H2O |
| 5.DB.05 | 'UM1977-02-CO:AlCaH' | Ca6Al2(CO3)3O6 · 32H2O |
| 5.DB.05 | Alumohydrocalcite | CaAl2(CO3)2(OH)4 · 4H2O |
| 5.DB.10 | Kochsándorite | CaAl2(CO3)2(OH)4 · H2O |
| 5.DB.10 | Dresserite | BaAl2(CO3)2(OH)4 · H2O |
| 5.DB.10 | Dundasite | PbAl2(CO3)2(OH)4 · H2O |
| 5.DB.10 | 'Unnamed (Ca-analogue of Petterdite)' | CaCr3+2(CO3)2(OH)4 · H2O |
| 5.DB.10 | Petterdite | PbCr3+2(CO3)2(OH)4 · H2O |
| 5.DB.10 | Strontiodresserite | SrAl2(CO3)2(OH)4 · H2O |
| 5.DB.10 | Montroyalite | Sr4Al8(CO3)3(OH,F)26 · 10-11H2O |
| 5.DB.15 | Hydrodresserite | BaAl2(CO3)2(OH)4 · 3H2O |
| 5.DB.20 | Schuilingite-(Nd) | PbCu(Nd,Gd,Sm,Y)(CO3)3(OH) · 1.5H2O |
| 5.DB.25 | Sergeevite | Ca2Mg11(CO3)9(HCO3)4(OH)4 · 6H2O |
| 5.DB.30 | Szymańskiite | [H3O]+8[Hg2]2+8(Ni,Mg)6[CO3]12(OH)12 · 3H2O |
| 5.DB.35 | Lusernaite-(Y) | Y4Al(CO3)2(OH)10F · 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 Putnisite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-42732.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 Putnisite
Reference List:
Williams, P. A., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2012) New minerals and nomenclature modifications approved in 2012. CNMNC Newsletter No 13. Mineralogical Magazine, 76 (3) 807-817 doi:10.1180/minmag.2012.076.3.26
Localities for Putnisite
Showing 2 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 | |
| Sorrell (n.d.) |
| Williams et al. (2012) +2 other references |
Quick NavTopAbout PutnisiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Armstrong Ni Mine, Widgiemooltha, Coolgardie Shire, Western Australia, Australia