Aiolosite

aiolosite

demicheleite-(Br)

demicheleite-(Cl)

panichiite

Named for the Greek god Aiolos, the ruler of the winds, for whom the volcanic Aeolian Islands are also named. Vulcano is the island where aiolosite was found, but Stromboli, with its active volcano, is said to be the home of the god Aiolos.

Images

Formula: Na₂(Na₂Bi)(SO₄)₃Cl
Sulphate, hedyphane group, apatite supergroup, bismuth-bearing mineral
Crystal System: Hexagonal
Specific gravity: 3.589 calculated
Streak: White
Colour: Colourless to white
Luminescence: No fluorescence observed under short wave or long wave UV
Environments

Fumeroles

Aiolosite is a relatively new mineral, approved in 2008 and to date (July 2023) reported only from the type locality.

Localities

At the type locality, La Fossa crater, Vulcano Island, Lipari, Eolie Islands, Metropolitan City of Messina, Sicily, Italy, aiolosite occurs in a fumarole, at temperature 250°C, as acicular to slender prismatic translucent, vitreous crystals, up to 0.5 mm long, on altered pyroclastic breccia. Associated minerals include alunite, anhydrite, bismuthinite, demicheleite-(Br), demicheleite-(Cl) and panichiite (AM 95.382-385.

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