A lot of white crystal aggregates or granules of the very rare Al mineral meta-aluminite from the TL in Temple Mountain, Utah (Temple Mountain, San Rafael, Emery County, Utah, United States of America). Ex Vandenbroucke Museum collection from Waregem, Belgium. — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY 4.0
Meta-aluminite
Meta-aluminite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the sulfate class, with the chemical formula Al₂(SO₄)(OH)₄·5H₂O.
It is a member of the Aluminite structural group.
Key properties: specific gravity 2.18; Somewhat silky luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Ma, IMA status: approved, named in 1967.
A rare secondary mineral formed by reaction of acid sulfate solutions from oxidizing pyrite reacting with clay minerals (Fuemrole mine, Utah, USA).
It is found associated with Gypsum, basaluminite (Fuemrole mine, Utah, USA).
The prefix, from the Greek meta, indicates a lower hydrate than aluminite.