American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database

Additional Information


  • Reference: Downs, R.T. and Hall-Wallace, M. (2003) The American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. American Mineralogist 88, 247-250. (pdf file)
  • Hit Highlights: 1,000 hits per month first achieved Sept 2001. 10,000 hits per month first achieved April 2003. 50,000 hits per month first achieved July 2005. These numbers includes both direct and indirect hits. 100,000 total hits achieved 3 May 2003. 200,000 total hits achieved April 2004. 400,000 total hits achieved July 2005. 1/2 million total hits achieved Oct 2005. 4 million file downloads achieved 31 March 2004. 15 million file downloads achieved May 2005. 100 million file downloads achieved Feb 2009. 320 million file downloads achieved Jul 2013.
  • XtalDraw: Free Win95/98/2000/NT software is provided that can be used to draw interactive images of the crystal structures, and compute bond lengths, angles, volumes, etc. Latest version released 23 Jan, 2004. More....

  • XPow: Free Win95/98/2000/NT software is provided that can be used to generate theoretical powder diffraction patterns generated by X-ray, neutron or energy dispersive sources. More....

  • FORTRAN code is available that reads the *.amc files into arrays for your own software. The current version is dated May 7, 2003, that reads data from most of the standard journals. DOWNLOAD THE CODE.

  • Associations: The database files have a default extension of *.amc. If you configure Windows or your browser to associate an executable file with the *.amc filetype, then this executable file will open the data automatically when you click on the hyperlink associated with each selected data set. For instance, XtalDraw, Xpow and ATOMS can be launched in this fashion. Freeware is available if you need help to make the association.

  • CIF: There is an option to display or download the crystal structure files with the *.cif format. A large collection of freeware is available at the IUCr Website that can be used to read cif files.

  • Zipped Data Files: The data files used to create the most current version of the database are available here.

  • Remote Queries: To aid other internet applications, you can also pull up datafiles without going through our search pages. Any of the parameters below can be combined into a single query.

    Keyword Searches by Sample Query
    mineral By mineral name http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/AMS/result.php?mineral=heulandite

    Returns all the datafiles for the mineral heulandite.

    Alternately, you may also search for minerals using this form:

    http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/AMS/minerals/heulandite

    author By author name http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/AMS/result.php?author=Downs R T

    Returns all the datafiles for the author Downs R T.

    Alternately, you may also search for authors using this form:

    http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/AMS/authors/Downs

    chemistry By element http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/AMS/result.php?chemistry=Mg,Si,O

    Returns all files containing the elements Mg,Si,O.

    CellValues By cell parameters http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/AMS/result.php?CellValues=sg=A2_122

    Returns all files with the space group A2_122.

    key By keyword http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/AMS/result.php?key=Arizona

    Returns all the datafiles containing the Search Term "Arizona".

    diff Diffraction Values http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/AMS/result.php?diff=vals(9.4401,6.6713),opt(),type(d-spacing),tolerance(.001)

    Returns all records with d-spacing values of 9.4401 and 6.6713 with a tolerance of .001.

    http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/AMS/result.php?diff=vals(6.6713,9.4401),opt(Cu),type(2-Theta),tolerance(.5)

    Returns records with 2-theta values using a wavelength of copper and a tolerance of .5.

    viewing Sets viewing format http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/AMS/result.php?author=Downs R T&viewing=dif

    Would return all records by author "Downs R T" and sets viewing format to diffraction values. Available options are "amc" (the default), "cif," or "dif", which will create a download file with diffraction data. A special option "rawcif" is available that returns a raw text dump of the cif data results.

    download Sets download format http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/AMS/result.php?author=Downs R T&download=dif

    Would return all records by author "Downs R T" and sets download format to diffraction values. Available options are "amc" (the default), "cif," or "dif", which will create a download file with diffraction data.

    logic Sets matching logic format http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/AMS/result.php?author=Downs R T&mineral=Hazenite&download=dif

    Would return all records by author "Downs R T" AND matching mineral name "Hazenite". Default is "AND".

  • Crystallography Open Database: The COD is a sister to the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. COD contains all the data that is in AMCSD as well as data that has been deposited by individuals and laboratories. It offers a different interface for the search and retrieval of data. Visit the site.

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