Hatertite

Chemical formula: NaNaCa(Cu²⁺Fe³⁺)(As⁵⁺O₄)₃

Hatertite is a very rare arsenate of the alluaudite group, distinguished by its honey-yellow color and occurrence in products of volcanic activity.

## Characteristics Hatertite is a complex sodium, calcium, copper, and iron arsenate belonging to the alluaudite group. It forms small, transparent crystals with an intense, honey-yellow color. It usually occurs as fine granular aggregates or as single, well-formed, but small crystals embedded in the host rock. ## Physical Properties The mineral is characterized by a vitreous luster. Its density is approximately 4.06 g/cm³. It is transparent, and its streak is yellow. The hardness has not been precisely determined, but for minerals of the alluaudite group, it is typically around 5 on the Mohs scale. ## Colors and Varieties Hatertite occurs in a characteristic honey-yellow color. No color varieties or commercial varieties are known. ## History and Name The mineral is named in honor of Manfred Hatert (born 1968), Professor of Mineralogy and Crystallography at the University of Liège, Belgium, for his contributions to the study of alluaudite-group minerals. It was approved as a new mineral by the IMA in 2014 (IMA2014-014). It was described by Igor V. Pekov and collaborators. ## Applications Due to its extreme rarity and small crystal size, hatertite has no industrial applications. It is solely an object of scientific and collecting interest for specialized micromineral collectors.

Properties

Luster
Vitreous
Streak
yellow
Density
4.060
Transparency
Transparent
Crystal system
Monoclinic

Diagnostic features

## Identification Characteristic features of hatertite include its honey-yellow color, vitreous luster, and occurrence in a specific environment – products of volcanic exhalations (fumaroles). Identification requires advanced analytical methods, such as chemical composition analysis (EDS/WDS). ## Distinguishing from Similar Minerals It can be confused with other arsenates occurring in the same environment, such as johillerite or arseniopleite. Definitive differentiation is almost exclusively possible based on chemical and crystallographic analysis. ## Crystal Forms Hatertite forms fine, granular aggregates and small, short, prismatic crystals, reaching sizes up to 0.2 x 0.1 mm.

Geological environment

## Genesis Hatertite is a mineral of volcanic origin, crystallizing in a fumarolic environment. It forms as a result of the reaction of arsenic-rich volcanic gases with existing minerals at high temperatures (around 600°C). ## Mineral Associations It co-occurs with other rare fumarolic minerals, such as hematite, tenorite, aphthitalite, johillerite, arseniopleite, svabite, calcio-langbeinite, and anhydrite. ## Localities The only confirmed locality of hatertite in the world is its type locality – fumaroles formed during the Great Fissure Eruption of Tolbachik volcano on the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia.

Rarity

Extremely rare

For collectors

## Quality Criteria As a micromineral, specimens with well-formed, sharp crystals of intense, honey-yellow color, set on a contrasting matrix, are most highly valued. Association with other rare minerals from this locality is also important. ## Popular Localities The only source of specimens is Tolbachik volcano in Kamchatka. Material from this locality is extremely difficult to obtain and is almost exclusively available through specialized channels.

Care and storage

## Cleaning Specimens should only be cleaned with compressed air to remove dust. Due to its reactivity and fragility, contact with water, and especially with acids and other chemicals, should be avoided. ## What to Avoid Contact with water, moisture, and chemical agents must be strictly avoided. The mineral is sensitive to temperature changes and mechanical shocks. It should not be exposed to direct sunlight. ## Storage Hatertite specimens, typically in the form of microminerals, should be stored in sealed, lidded "micromount" boxes, protecting them from dust, moisture, and mechanical damage.

External references

Sources

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