Cave Minerals Database

This section discusses the development of a database of cave minerals.

Introduction
Proposed database definitions for information interchange
Tables of Cave Minerals
Tables of Crystal Classifications


Introduction

At the ASF 2000 Bathurst conference, I gave a short talk on possibly creating a database of cave mineral samples, which I needed as part of my aragonite work. The paper is entitled Sharing Information on Cave Minerals". In that paper, I described some of the database field definitions for minerals. Those concepts are extended here.

Tables of Cave Minerals

The minerals are listed here in the same order as Hill & Forti, who in turn use Dana's System of Mineralogy. Note that Hill & Forti only include in the list secondary minerals, not primary minerals or placer deposits. I am following those rules here.

The number listed in "Code" column is the value stored for that mineral class in the minerals database.
In the (html) cave mineral tables, the crystal system is listed however in the database, the crystal system would be stored as a number which in turn would be looked up (eg 1="cubic") - see Crystal Systems.

Table 0:Mineral Chemical Classes after Dana
CodeChemical Class
1Native Elements
2Sulfides
3Oxides and Hydroxides
4Halides
5Arsenates
6Borates
7Carbonates
8Nitrates
9Phosphates
10Silicates
11Sulfates
12Vanadates
13Organic Minerals

Chemical Class 1: Native Elements

Table 2 lists the native elements found in caves (after Hill & Forti). The number listed in "Code" column is the value stored for that mineral name in the minerals database.
Table 1:Chemical Class 1: Native Elements
CodeElement NameFormulaCrystal System
1SulfurSOrthorhombic

Chemical Class 2: Sulfides

Table 2:Chemical Class 2: Sulfides
CodeSulfide Name Formula Crystal System
1 Chalcocite Cu2S monoclinic
2 ChalcopyriteCuFeS2 tetragonal
3 Cinnabar HgS trigonal
4 Galena PbS cubic
5 Marcasite FeS2 orthorhombic
6 MetacinnabarHgS cubic
7 Pyrite FeS2 cubic
8 Pyrrhotite Fe1-xS monoclinic
9 Realgar AsS monoclinic
10Sphalerite (Zn, Fe)S cubic
11Stibnite Sb2S3orthorhombic

Chemical Class 3: Oxides and Hydroxides

Oxides are listed first, followed by hydroxides.
Table 3:Chemical Class 3: Oxides and Hydroxides
CodeMineral Name Formula Crystal System
1 Goethite Fe3+O(OH) orthorhombic
2 Ice H2O hexagonal
3 Asbolane (Co, Ni)(Mn4+O2)2(OH).nH2Ohexagonal
4 Birnessite Na4Mn14O27.9H2Omonoclinic
5 Braunite Mn2+Mn63+SiO12tetragonal
6 Chalcophanite(Zn, Fe2+, Mn2+)Mn34+O7.3H2Otriclinic
7 Cryptomelane K(Mn4+, Mn2+)8O16monoclinic
8 Cuprite Cu2O cubic
9 Hausmannite Mn2+Mn23+O4tetragonal
10Hematite Fe2O3trigonal
11Maghemite Fe2O3cubic
12Magnetite Fe2+Fe23+O4cubic
13Monteponite CdO cubic
14Periclase MgO cubic
15Plattnerite PbO2 tetragonal
16Pyrolusite MnO2 tetragonal
17Rancieite (Ca, Mn2+)Mn44+O9.3H2Ohexagonal
18Romanechite (Ba, H2O)(Mn4+, Mn3+)5O10monoclinic
19Tenorite CuO monoclinic
20Todorokite (Mn2+, Ca, Mg)Mn34+O7.H2Omonoclinic
21Vernadite (Mn4+, Fe3+, Ca, Na)(O, OH)2.nH2Ohexagonal
22Böhmite AlO(OH) orthorhombic
23Gibbsite Al(OH)3 monoclinic
24LepidocrociteFe3+O(OH) orthorhombic
25Lithiophorite(Al, Li)Mn4+O2(OH)2trigonal
26Manganite Mn3+O(OH) monoclinic
27Portlandite Ca(OH)2 hexagonal
28Ralstonite NaxMgxAl2-x(F, OH)6.H2Ocubic

Chemical Class 4: Halides

Table 4:Chemical Class 4: Halides
CodeMineral Name FormulaCrystal System
1 Halite NaClcubic
2 Atacamite Cu22+Cl(OH)3orthorhombic
3 Bromargyite AgBrcubic
4 Carnallite KMgCl3.6H2Oorthorhombic
5 ChloromagnesiteMgCl2hexagonal
6 Fluorite CaF2cubic
7 Galeite Na15(SO4)5F4Cltrigonal
8 Kainite MgSO4.KCl.3H2Omonoclinic
9 Sal Ammoniac NH4Clcubic
10Sylvite KClcubic

Chemical Class 5: Arsenates

Table 5:Chemical Class 5: Arsenates
CodeMineral Name Formula Crystal System
1 Arseniosiderite Ca2Fe33+(AsO4)3O2.3H2Omonoclinic
2 Beudantite PbFe33+(AsO4)(SO4)(OH)6trigonal
3 Conichalcite CaCu2+(AsO4)(OH)orthorhombic
4 Manganberzeliite(Ca, Na)3(Mn2+, Mg)2(AsO4)3cubic
5 Mimetite Pb5(AsO4)3Clhexagonal
6 Olivenite Cu22+(AsO4)(OH)orthorhombic
7 Strashimirite Cu82+(AsO4)(OH)4.5H2Omonoclinic
8 Talmessite Ca2Mg(AsO4)2.2H2Otriclinic

Chemical Class 6: Borates

Table 6:Chemical Class 6: Borates
CodeMineral Name Formula Crystal System
1 TincalconiteNa2B4O5(OH)4.3H2Otrigonal
2 Carboborite Ca2Mg(CO3)2B2(OH)8.4H2O?

Chemical Class 7: Carbonates

Table 7:Chemical Class 7: Carbonates
CodeMineral Name Formula Crystal System
1 Calcite CaCO3trigonal
2 Aragonite CaCO3orthorhombic
3 Ankerite Ca(Fe2+, Mg, Mn)(CO3)2trigonal
4 Artinite Mg2(CO3)(OH)2.3H2Omonoclinic
5 Aurichalcite (Zn, Cu2+)5(CO3)2(OH)6orthorhombic
6 Azurite Cu32+(CO3)2(OH)2monoclinic
7 Baylissite K2Mg(CO3)2.4H2Omonoclinic
8 Cerussite PbCO3orthorhombic
9 Dolomite CaMg(CO3)2trigonal
10Huntite CaMg3(CO3)4trigonal
11Hydromagnesite Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2.4H2Omonoclinic
12Hydrozincite Zn5(CO3)2(OH)6monoclinic
13Kutnohorite Ca(Mn2+, Mg, Fe2+)(CO3)2trigonal
14Magnesite MgCO3trigonal
15Malachite Cu22+(CO3)(OH)2monoclinic
16MonohydrocalciteCaCO3.H2Ohexagonal
17Natron Na2CO3.10H2Omonoclinic
18Nesquehonite Mg(HCO3)(OH).2H2Omonoclinic
19Rhodochrosite Mn2+CO3trigonal
20Rosasite (Cu2+, Zn)2(CO3)(OH)2monoclinic
21Siderite Fe2+CO3trigonal 3, 4
22Smithsonite ZnCO3trigonal 3, 4, 7
23Strontianite SrCO3orthorhombic
24Thermonatrite Na2CO3.H2Oorthorhombic
25Trona Na3(CO3)(HCO3).2H2Omonoclinic
26Vaterite CaCO3hexagonal
27Witherite BaCO3orthorhombic

Chemical Class 8: Nitrates

Table 8:Chemical Class 8: Nitrates
CodeMineral Name Formula Crystal System
1 Darapskite Na3(SO4)(NO3).H2Omonoclinic
2 Gcwihabaite (NH4, K)NO3orthorhombic
3 Hydrombombomkulite(Ni, Cu2+)Al4[(NO3)2, SO4](OH)12.13-14H2Omonoclinic
4 Mbombomkulite (Ni, Cu2+)Al4(NO3, SO4)2(OH)12.3H2Omonoclinic
5 Nickelalumite (NiCu2+)Al4[(SO4), (NO3)2](OH)12.3H2Omonoclinic
6 Niter KNO3orthorhombic
7 Nitrammite NH4NO3orthorhombic
8 Nitratite NaNO3trigonal
9 Nitrocalcite Ca(NO3)2.4H2Omonoclinic
10Nitromagnesite Mg(NO3)2.6H2Omonoclinic
11Sveite KAl7(NO3)4Cl2(OH)16.8H2Omonoclinic

Chemical Class 9: Phosphates

Table 9:Chemical Class 9: Phosphates
CodeMineral Name Formula Crystal System
1 Archerite (K, NH4)H2PO4tetragonal
2 Ardealite Ca2(SO4)(HPO4).4H2Omonoclinic
3 Biphosphammite (NH4, K)H2PO4tetragonal
4 Bobierrite Mg3(PO4)2.8H2Omonoclinic
5 Brushite CaHPO4.2H2Omonoclinic
6 Carbonate-fluorapatite Ca5(PO4, CO3)3Fhexagonal
7 Carbonate-hydroxylapatiteCa5(PO4, CO3)3(OH)hexagonal
8 Chlorapatite Ca5(PO4)3Clmonoclinic
9 Collinsite Ca2(Mg, Fe2+)(PO4)2.2H2Otriclinic
10Crandallite CaAl3(PO4)2(OH)5.H2Otrigonal
11Diadochite Fe23+(PO4)(SO4)(OH).5H2Otriclinic
12Dittmarite (NH4)Mg(PO4).H2Oorthorhombic
13Evansite Al3(PO4)(OH)6.6H2O (?)amorphous
14Fluorapatite Ca5(PO4)3Fhexagonal
15Francoanellite H6(K, Na)3(Al, Fe3+)5(PO4)8.13H2Otrigonal
16Gordonite MgAl2(PO4)2(OH)2.H2Otriclinic
17Hannayite (NH4)2Mg3H4(PO4)4.8H2Otriclinic
18Hopeite Zn3(PO4)2.4H2Oorthorhombic
19Hydroxylapatite Ca5(PO4)3(OH)hexagonal
20Koninckite Fe3+PO4.3H2Otetrahedral
21Leucophosphite KFe23+(PO4)2(OH).2H2Omonoclinic
22Lipscombite (Fe2+, Mn2+)Fe23+(PO4)2(OH)2tetragonal
23Minyulite KAl2(PO4)2(OH, F).4H2Oorthorhombic
24Mitridatite Ca2Fe33+(PO4)3O2.3H2Omonoclinic
25Monetite CaHPO4triclinic
26Montgomeryite Ca4MgAl4(PO4)6(OH)4.12H2Omonoclinic
27Mundrabillaite (NH4)2Ca(HPO4)2.H2Omonoclinic
28Newberyite MgHPO4.3H2Oorthorhombic
29Niahite NH4(Mn2+, Mg ,Ca)PO4.H2Oorthorhombic
30Parahopeite Zn3(PO4)2.4H2Otriclinic
31Phosphammite (NH4)2HPO4monoclinic
32Phosphosiderite Fe3+PO4.2H2Omonoclinic
33Purpurite Mn3+PO4orthorhombic
34Pyromorphite Pb5(PO4)3Clhexagonal
35Sampleite NaCaCu52+(PO4)4Cl.5H2Oorthorhombic
36Sasaite (Al, Fe3+)14(PO4)11(SO4)(OH)7.83H2O (?)orthorhombic
37Schertelite (NH4)2MgH2(PO4)2.4H2Oorthorhombic
38Scholzite CaZn2(PO4)2.2H2Omonoclinic
39Spencerite Zn4(PO4)2(OH)2.3H2Omonoclinic
40Stercorite H(NH4)Na(PO4).4H2Otriclinic
41Strengite Fe3+PO4.2H2Oorthorhombic
42Struvite (NH4)MgPO4.6H2Oorthorhombic
43Swaknoite Ca(NH4)2(HPO4)2.H2Oorthorhombic
44Taranakite (K, NH4)Al3(PO4)3(OH).9H2Otrigonal
45Tarbuttite Zn2(PO4)(OH)triclinic
46Tinticite Fe43+(PO4)3(OH)3.5H2Omonoclinic
47Variscite AlPO4.2H2Oorthorhombic
48Vashegyite Al11(PO4)9(OH)6.38H2O (?)orthorhombic
49Vivianite Fe32+(PO4)2.8H2Omonoclinic
50Wavellite Al3(PO4)2(OH, F)3.5H2Oorthorhombic
51Whitlockite Ca9(Mg, Fe2+)H(PO4)7trigonal
52Woodhouseite CaAl3(PO4)(SO4)(OH)6trigonal

Chemical Class 10: Silicates

Table 10:Chemical Class 10: Silicates
CodeMineral Name Formula Crystal System
1 Opal SiO2.nH2Oamorphous
2 Allophane Hydrous aluminium silicatesamorphous
3 Benitoite BaTiSi3O9hexagonal
4 Boltwoodite HK(UO2)SiO4.1½H2Omonoclinic
5 Chrysocolla (Cu2+, Al)2H2Si2O5(OH)4.nH2Omonoclinic
6 Clinochlore (Mg, Fe2+)5Al(Si3Al)O10(OH)8 monoclinic
7 Cristobalite SiO2 tetragonal
8 Dickite Al2Si2O5(OH)4 monoclinic
9 Endellite Al2Si2O5(OH)4.2H2O monoclinic
10Epidote Ca2(Fe3+,Al)3(SiO4)3(OH) monoclinic
11Fraipontite (Zn, Al)3(Si, Al)2O5(OH)4 monoclinic
12Halloysite Al2Si2O5(OH)4 monoclinic
13Hemimorphite Zn4Si2O7(OH)2.H2O orthorhombic
14Illite (K, H2O)(Al, Mg, Fe)2(Si, Al)4O10[(OH)2, H2O] monoclinic
15Ilvaite CaFe22+Fe3+Si2O7O(OH) orthorhombic
16Kaolinite Al2Si2O5(OH)4 triclinic
17Montmorillonite(Na, Ca)0.3(Al, Mg)2Si4O10(OH)2.nH2O monoclinic
18Nontronite Na0.3Fe23+(Si, Al)4O10(OH)2.nH2O monoclinic
19Palygorskite (Mg, Al)2Si4O10(OH).4H2O monoclinic
20Quartz SiO2 trigonal
21Rectorite 1:1 interstratification of Mica and Smectite monoclinic
22Saponite (Ca, Na)0.3(Mg, Fe2+)3(Si Al)4O10(OH)2.4H2Omonoclinic
23Sauconite Na0.3Zn3(Si Al)4O10(OH)2.4H2O monoclinic
24Sepiolite Mg4Si6O15(OH)2.6H2O orthorhombic
25Shattuckite Cu52+(SiO3)4(OH)2 orthorhombic
26Silhydrite 3SiO2.H2O orthorhombic
26Tridymite SiO2 monoclinic

Chemical Class 11: Sulfates

Table 11:Chemical Class 11: Sulfates
CodeMineral Name Formula Crystal System
1 Gypsum CaSO4.2H2Omonoclinic
2 Epsomite MgSO4.7H2Oorthorhombic
3 Mirabilite Na2SO4.10H2Omonoclinic
4 Aluminite Al2SO4(OH)4.7H2Omonoclinic
5 AluminocopiapiteAlFe43+(SO4)6(OH)2.20H2Otriclinic
6 Alunite KAl3(SO4)2(OH)6trigonal
7 Alunogen Al2(SO4)3.17H2Otriclinic
8 Ammoniojarosite (NH4)2F63+(SO4)4(OH)12trigonal
9 Anglesite PbSO4orthorhombic
10Anhydrite CaSO4monoclinic
11Aphthitalite (K, Na)3Na(SO4)2trigonal
12Arcanite K2SO4orthorhombic
13Aubertite Cu2+Al(SO4)2Cl.14H2Otriclinic
14Barite BaSO4orthorhombic
15Basaluminite Al4(SO4)(OH)10.5H2Ohexagonal (?)
16Bassanite 2CaSO4.H2Otrigonal
17Blödite Na2Mg(SO4)2.4H2Omonoclinic
18Boussingaultite (NH4)2Mg(SO4)2.6H2Omonoclinic
19Brochantite Cu4(SO4)(OH)6monoclinic
20Burkeite Na6(CO3)(SO4)2orthorhombic
21Celestite SrSO4orthorhombic
22Chalcanthite CuSO4.5H20triclinic
23Chalcoalumite CuAl4(SO4)(OH)12.3H20triclinic
24Clairite Fe33+(NH4)2(SO4)4(OH)3.3H20triclinic
25Copiapite Fe2+Fe43+(SO4)6(OH)2.20H20triclinic
26Coquimbite Fe23+(SO4)3.9H20trigonal
27Cyanotrichite Cu42+Al2(SO4)(OH)12.2H20orthorhombic
28Despujolsite Ca3Mn4+(SO4)2(OH)6.3H20hexagonal
29Devilline CaCu42+(SO4)2(OH)6.3H20monoclinic
30FerrohexahydrateFe2+SO4.6H20monoclinic
31Fibroferrite Fe3+(SO4)(OH).5H20monoclinic
32Glauberite Na2(SO4)2monoclinic
33Halotrichite Fe2+Al2(SO4)4.22H20monoclinic
34Hexahydrite MgSO4.6H2Omonoclinic
35HydrobasaluminiteAl4(SO4)(OH)10.12-36H2Omonoclinic
36Hydroglauberite Na10Ca3(SO4)8.6H2Omonoclinic
37Jarosite K2Fe63+(SO4)4(OH)12trigonal
38Kalinite KAl(SO4)2.11H2Omonoclinic (?)
39Kieserite MgSO4.H2Omonoclinic
40Koktaite (NH4)2Ca(SO4)2.H2Omonoclinic
41Lecontite (NH4, K)Na(SO4).2H2Oorthorhombic
42Lonecreekite (NH4)(Fe3+, Al)(SO4)2.12H2Ocubic
43Löweite Na12Mg7(SO4)13.15H2Otrigonal
44Melanterite Fe2+SO4.7H2Omonoclinic
45Metavoltine K2Na6Fe2+Fe63+(SO4)12O2.18H2Ohexagonal
46Millosevichite (Al, Fe3+)2(SO4)3triclinic
47Misenite K2SO4.6KHSO4 (?)monoclinic
48Natroalunite Na2Al6(SO4)4(OH)12trigonal
49Natrojarosite Na2Fe3+(SO4)4(OH)12trigonal
50Pickeringite MgAl2(SO4)4.22H2Omonoclinic
51Picromerite K2Mg(SO4)2.6H2Omonoclinic
52Polyhalite K2Ca2Mg(SO4)4.2H2Otriclinic
53Potassium Alum KAl(SO4)2.12H2Ocubic
54Römerite Fe2+Fe23+(SO4)4.14H2Otriclinic
55Rozenite Fe2+SO4.4H2Omonoclinic
56Sabeite (NH4)Fe3+(SO4)2trigonal
57Sodium Alum NaAl(SO4)2.12H2Ocubic
58Spangolite Cu62+Al(SO4)(OH)12Cl.3H2Otrigonal
59Syngenite K2Ca(SO4)2.H2Omonoclinic
60Tamarugite NaAl(SO4)2.6H2Omonoclinic
61Thenardite Na2SO4orthorhombic
62Tschermigite (NH4)Al(SO4)2.12H2Ocubic
63Voltaite K2Fe52+Fe43+(SO4)12.18H2Ocubic
64Zaherite Al12(SO4)5(OH)26.20H2Otriclinic

Chemical Class 12: Vanadates

Table 12:Chemical Class 12: Vanadates
CodeMineral Name Formula Crystal System
1 CalciovolborthiteCaCu(VO4)(OH)orthorhombic
2 Carnotite K2(UO2)2V2O8.3H2Omonoclinic
3 Descloizite PbZn(VO4)(OH)orthorhombic
4 Metatyuyamunite Ca(U2O2)2(V25+O8)2.3H2Oorthorhombic
5 Tyuyamunite Ca(UO2)2V2O8.5-8H2Oorthorhombic
6 Vanadinite Pb5(VO4)3Clhexagonal

Chemical Class 13: Organic Minerals

Table 13:Chemical Class 13: Organic Minerals
CodeMineral Name Formula Crystal System
1 Acetamide CH3CONH2trigonal
2 Glushkinite Mg(C2O4).2H2Omonoclinic
3 Guanine C5H3(NH2)N4Omonoclinic
4 Mellite Al2[C6(COO)6].18H2O?
5 Oxammite (NH4)2C2O4.H2Oorthorhombic
6 Urea CO(NH2)2tetragonal
7 Uricite C5H4N4O3monoclinic
8 Weddellite Ca(C2O4).2H2Otetragonal
9 Whewellite CaC2O4.H2Omonoclinic

Cosmetic update, January 2006. Content updated 1st April 2001.

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Cave Minerals

Iron or organic? Manganese Lublinite Aragonite Cave Minerals Database