Agardite-(Y)

TSNB5
Mineral

Mineral Species

Agardite-(Y)

Type Locality

No

Composition

(Y,Ca)Cu2+6(AsO4)3(OH)6∙3H2O

Crystal System

Hexagonal

Status at Tsumeb

Doubtful

Entry Number

Species; TSNB5

General Notes

In describing agardite from Tsumeb, Key (1996) noted the composition as "calcium yttrium copper arsenate hydroxide hydrate", and "agardite-(Y)" from Tsumeb was listed by Gebhard (1999). However, both these references pre-date the formal description of agardite-(Ce) (Walenta and Theye 2004).


Gebhard’s (1999) tabulation of Tsumeb minerals includes "agardite-(Y)", despite his assertion that Tsumeb agardite is cerium-bearing and his prediction that further work would eventually lead to the description of agardite-(Ce) as a new mineral.


The implication that agardite-(Y) sensu stricto occurs at Tsumeb is almost certainly unintentional. For these reasons the occurrence of agardite-(Y) at Tsumeb is considered doubtful.