Alicewilsonite-(YLa)
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Alicewilsonite-(YLa)
Formula:
Na2Sr2YLa(CO3)6 · 3H2O
Colour:
pale pink to colourless
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
3.37 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named for being the La analogue of alicewilsonite-(YCe). The suffix follows the Levinson rule for rare-earth elements. The root name is for Alice Evelyn Wilson (26 August 1881, Cobourg, Ontario, Canada - 15 April 1964, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada), geologist and paleontologist with the Geological Survey of Canada. She was Canada’s first female geologist and the recognized authority on the fossils and rock of the Ottawa-St. Lawrence Valley. She became the first female Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 1938.
The La analogue of alicewilsonite-(YCe). Unique combination of elements (at the upload time). Another interesting (aberrant) example of REE (rare earth elements) separation into different structural sites. Previously described as donnayite-(Y) at the type locality.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
55597
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:55597:7
Similar Names
| Alicewilsonite-(YCe) | A valid IMA mineral species | Na2Sr2YCe(CO3)6 · 3H2O |
IMA Classification of Alicewilsonite-(YLa)
Approved
IMA Formula:
Na2Sr2YLa3+(CO3)6·3H2O
Approval year:
2021
Approval history:
IMA No. 2021-047
Type description reference:
Lykova, Inna; Rowe, Ralph; Poirier, Glenn; Friis, Henrik; Helwig, Kate (2024) Mckelveyite group minerals – Part 4: Alicewilsonite-(YLa), Na2Sr2YLa(CO3)6 · 3H2O, a new lanthanum-dominant species from the Paratoo mine, Australia. European Journal of Mineralogy, 36 (2). p.301-310. doi:10.5194/ejm-36-301-2024
Classification of Alicewilsonite-(YLa)
5.CC.05
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
C : Carbonates without additional anions, with H2O
C : With rare earth elements (REE)
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
C : Carbonates without additional anions, with H2O
C : 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aws-YLa | 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 Alicewilsonite-(YLa)
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Pale pink to colourless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Comment:
comparable to other group members
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
3.37 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Alicewilsonite-(YLa)
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.556(2) nβ = 1.582(2) nγ = 1.592(2)
2V:
Measured: 60° (2), Calculated: 63°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.036
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.
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:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Alicewilsonite-(YLa)
Mindat Formula:
Na2Sr2YLa(CO3)6 · 3H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Alicewilsonite-(YLa)
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pedial
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.9793(3) Å, b = 8.9734(2) Å, c = 6.7404(2) Å
α = 102.829(2)°, β = 116.382(3)°, γ = 60.109(3)°
α = 102.829(2)°, β = 116.382(3)°, γ = 60.109(3)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.001 : 1 : 0.751
Unit Cell V:
421.82 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 6.03 Å | (43) |
| 4.355 Å | (100) |
| 4.020 Å | (30) |
| 2.819 Å | (96) |
| 2.592 Å | (40) |
| 2.228 Å | (33) |
| 2.011 Å | (36) |
| 1.967 Å | (32) |
Reference:
Lykova, Inna; Rowe, Ralph; Poirier, Glenn; Friis, Henrik; Helwig, Kate (2024) Mckelveyite group minerals – Part 4: Alicewilsonite-(YLa), Na2Sr2YLa(CO3)6 · 3H2O, a new lanthanum-dominant species from the Paratoo mine, Australia. European Journal of Mineralogy, 36 (2). p.301-310. doi:10.5194/ejm-36-301-2024
Type Occurrence of Alicewilsonite-(YLa)
General Appearance of Type Material:
pseudohexagonal tabular crystals up to 150 µm in size
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
mineralogical collections of (1) the Canadian Museum of Nature, PO Box 3443, Station "D", Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, catalogue no. CMNMC 89063, and (2) the Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, PO Box 1172, Blindern, Oslo, Norway, catalogue no. KNR 44330
Geological Setting of Type Material:
dolomites, sandstones, and shales of the Torrensian Burra Group were disrupted by several dolerite bodies and were brecciated forming the “Paratoo Diapir”. At its surface, the bulk of the copper mineralisation occurs in the quartz–magnetite veins, and as impregnations and fissure fillings of secondary copper minerals in sedimentary rocks. The secondary Cu-REE mineralisation, including alicewilsonite-(YLa), associated with the intensely weathered base metal and magnetite ores, occurs as thin coatings along bedding joints and fractures and is most abundant near the surface (< 3 m)
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Lykova, Inna; Rowe, Ralph; Poirier, Glenn; Friis, Henrik; Helwig, Kate (2024) Mckelveyite group minerals – Part 4: Alicewilsonite-(YLa), Na2Sr2YLa(CO3)6 · 3H2O, a new lanthanum-dominant species from the Paratoo mine, Australia. European Journal of Mineralogy, 36 (2). p.301-310. doi:10.5194/ejm-36-301-2024
Synonyms of Alicewilsonite-(YLa)
Other Language Names for Alicewilsonite-(YLa)
Dutch:Alicewilsoniet-(YLa)
French:Alicewilsonite-(YLa)
German:Alicewilsonit-(YLa)
Norwegian:Alicewilsonitt-(YLa)
Relationship of Alicewilsonite-(YLa) to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Mckelveyite Group:
| Alicewilsonite-(YCe) | Na2Sr2YCe(CO3)6 · 3H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Bainbridgeite-(NdCe) | Na2Ba2NdCe(CO3)6 · 3H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Bainbridgeite-(YCe) | Na2Ba2YCe(CO3)6 · 3H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Donnayite-(Y) | NaCaSr3Y(CO3)6 · 3H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Ewaldite | Ba(Na,Ca,Y,Ce,K)(CO3)2 · 2.6H2O | Hex. 6mm : P63mc |
| Mckelveyite-(Nd) | NaCaBa3Nd(CO3)6 · 3H2O | Mon. m : Bb |
| Mckelveyite-(Y) | NaCaBa3Y(CO3)6 · 3H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Weloganite | Na2Sr3Zr(CO3)6 · 3H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 2 photos of Alicewilsonite-(YLa) associated with Decrespignyite-(Y) | Cu(Y,REE)4(CO3)4(OH)5Cl · 2H2O |
| 1 photo of Alicewilsonite-(YLa) associated with Kamphaugite-(Y) | Ca(Y,REE)(CO3)2(OH) · H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.CC. | Bainbridgeite-(NdCe) | Na2Ba2NdCe(CO3)6 · 3H2O |
| 5.CC. | Yuchuanite-(Y) | Y2(CO3)3 · H2O |
| 5.CC. | Alicewilsonite-(YCe) | Na2Sr2YCe(CO3)6 · 3H2O |
| 5.CC.05 | Donnayite-(Y) | NaCaSr3Y(CO3)6 · 3H2O |
| 5.CC.05 | Mckelveyite-(Nd) | NaCaBa3Nd(CO3)6 · 3H2O |
| 5.CC.05 | Mckelveyite-(Y) | NaCaBa3Y(CO3)6 · 3H2O |
| 5.CC.05 | Ewaldite | Ba(Na,Ca,Y,Ce,K)(CO3)2 · 2.6H2O |
| 5.CC.05 | 'UM1992-05-CO:CaCeLaNaSr' | (Sr,Na,Y,REE,Ca,Ba)2(CO3)2 · H2O |
| 5.CC.05 | Weloganite | Na2Sr3Zr(CO3)6 · 3H2O |
| 5.CC.05 | Mckelveyite Group | A3B3(CO3)6 · 3H2O |
| 5.CC.05 | Bainbridgeite-(YCe) | Na2Ba2YCe(CO3)6 · 3H2O |
| 5.CC.05 | 'Unnamed (MSH UK-37A)' | Sr3NaCaY(CO3)6 · 3H2O |
| 5.CC.10 | Tengerite-(Y) | Y2(CO3)3 · 2-3H2O |
| 5.CC.15 | Lokkaite-(Y) | Ca(Y,Gd,Nd,Dy)4(CO3)7 · 9H2O |
| 5.CC.15 | Kimuraite-(Y) | Ca(Y,Nd)2(CO3)4 · 6H2O |
| 5.CC.15 | Hizenite-(Y) | Ca2Y6(CO3)11 · 14H2O |
| 5.CC.20 | Shomiokite-(Y) | Na3Y[CO3]3 · 3H2O |
| 5.CC.25 | Lanthanite-(Ce) | Ce2(CO3)3 · 8H2O |
| 5.CC.25 | Lanthanite-(La) | La2(CO3)3 · 8H2O |
| 5.CC.25 | Lanthanite-(Nd) | Nd2(CO3)3 · 8H2O |
| 5.CC.25 | Calkinsite-(Ce) | (Ce,La)2(CO3)3 · 4H2O |
| 5.CC.30 | Adamsite-(Y) | NaY[CO3]2 · 6H2O |
| 5.CC.35 | Decrespignyite-(Y) | Cu(Y,REE)4(CO3)4(OH)5Cl · 2H2O |
| 5.CC.40 | Galgenbergite-(Ce) | Ca(Ce,La,Nd)2(CO3)4 · H2O |
| 5.CC.45 | Lecoqite-(Y) | Na3Y(CO3)3 · 6H2O |
Fluorescence of Alicewilsonite-(YLa)
non-fluorescent under ultraviolet light
Other Information
Notes:
dissolves in an aqueous HCl solution at room temperature with strong effervescence.
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 Alicewilsonite-(YLa)
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-55597.html
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References for Alicewilsonite-(YLa)
Reference List:
Miyawaki, Ritsuro, Hatert, Frédéric, Pasero, Marco, Mills, Stuart J. (2021) IMA Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification (CNMNC) CNMNC Newsletter No 63. Mineralogical Magazine, 85 (6) 910-915 doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.74
Lykova, Inna; Rowe, Ralph; Poirier, Glenn; Friis, Henrik; Helwig, Kate (2024) Mckelveyite group minerals – Part 4: Alicewilsonite-(YLa), Na2Sr2YLa(CO3)6 · 3H2O, a new lanthanum-dominant species from the Paratoo mine, Australia. European Journal of Mineralogy, 36 (2). p.301-310. doi:10.5194/ejm-36-301-2024
Localities for Alicewilsonite-(YLa)
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) | |
| Kolitsch et al. (2026) +3 other references |
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Paratoo copper mine, Paratoo, District Council of Peterborough, South Australia, Australia