Mindat Logo
Home Page Log In Message Board The Mindat Directory
Register Search Pages Mineral Chatroom The Mindat Store

Hercynite

This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
Big Photo

Laach lake volcanic complex, Eifel Mts, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
© Stephan Wolfsried

Show Hercynite Photos (37)



Formula:
Fe
2+
 
Al
 
2
O
 
4
System:IsometricColour:Dark blue-green, yellow, ...
Hardness:7½
Member of:Spinel Group
Name:From the Latin name for the Bohemian Forest, Silva Hercynia, where the species was first found.


Spinel Group, Al series. Chromite-Hercynite Series. Gahnite-Hercynite Series, Spinel-Hercynite Series.

Classification of Hercynite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:4/B.01-20
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:4.BB.05

4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
B : Metal: Oxygen = 3:4 and similar
B : With only medium-sized cations
Dana 8th edition ID:7.2.1.3

7 : MULTIPLE OXIDES
2 : AB2X4
Hey's CIM Ref.:7.20.14

7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
20 : Oxides of Fe
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-1875.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Type Occurrence of Hercynite

Type Locality:Poběžovice (Ronsperg; Ronsberg; Ronsperk), Plzeň Region, Bohemia (Böhmen; Boehmen), Czech Republic
Year of Discovery:1847

Physical Properties of Hercynite

Lustre:Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Translucent
Colour:Dark blue-green, yellow, brown
Streak:Dark greyish green to dark green
Hardness (Mohs):7½
Tenacity:Brittle
Fracture:Conchoidal
Density (calculated):4.39 g/cm3

Crystallography of Hercynite

Crystal System:Isometric
Class (H-M):m3m (4/m 3 2/m) - Hexoctahedral
Space Group:Fd3m {F41/d 3 2/m}
Cell Parameters:a = 8.119Å
Unit Cell Volume:V 535.19 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:Crystals usually octahedral.
Twinning:Common on {111}, (spinel law).

Optical Data of Hercynite

Type:Isotropic

Chemical Properties of Hercynite

Formula:
Fe
2+
 
Al
 
2
O
 
4
Essential elements:Al, Fe, O
All elements listed in formula:Al, Fe, O

Relationship of Hercynite to other Species

Series:Forms a series with Spinel (see here)
Forms a series with Gahnite (see here)
Forms a series with Chromite (see here)
Member of:Spinel Group
Other Members of Group:

- +
Chromite
FeCr
 
2
O
 
4
Franklinite
Zn
2+
 
Fe
3+
2
O
 
4
Gahnite
ZnAl
 
2
O
 
4
Galaxite
(Mn,Fe,Mg)(Al,Fe)
 
2
O
 
4
Jacobsite
Mn
2+
 
Fe
3+
2
O
 
4
Magnesiochromite
MgCr
 
2
O
 
4
Magnesioferrite
MgFe
3+
2
O
 
4
Magnetite
Fe
2+
 
Fe
3+
2
O
 
4
Qandilite
(Mg,Fe)
 
2
(Ti,Fe,Al)O
 
4
Spinel
MgAl
 
2
O
 
4
Trevorite
Ni
2+
 
Fe
3+
2
O
 
4
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
4.BB.05Brunogeierite
(Ge,Fe)Fe
 
2
O
 
4
4.BB.05Chromite
FeCr
 
2
O
 
4
4.BB.05Cochromite
(Co,Ni,Fe)(Cr,Al)
 
2
O
 
4
4.BB.05Coulsonite
Fe
2+
 
V
3+
2
O
 
4
4.BB.05Cuprospinel
Cu
2+
 
Fe
3+
2
O
 
4
4.BB.05Filipstadite
(Mn,Mg)
 
2
(Sb
 
.5
Fe
 
.5
)O
 
4
4.BB.05Franklinite
Zn
2+
 
Fe
3+
2
O
 
4
4.BB.05Gahnite
ZnAl
 
2
O
 
4
4.BB.05Galaxite
(Mn,Fe,Mg)(Al,Fe)
 
2
O
 
4
4.BB.05Jacobsite
Mn
2+
 
Fe
3+
2
O
 
4
4.BB.05Manganochromite
(Mn,Fe)(Cr,V)
 
2
O
 
4
4.BB.05Magnesiocoulsonite
MgV
 
2
O
 
4
4.BB.05Magnesiochromite
MgCr
 
2
O
 
4
4.BB.05Magnesioferrite
MgFe
3+
2
O
 
4
4.BB.05Magnetite
Fe
2+
 
Fe
3+
2
O
 
4
4.BB.05Nichromite
(Ni,Co,Fe)(Cr,Fe,Al)
 
2
O
 
4
4.BB.05Qandilite
(Mg,Fe)
 
2
(Ti,Fe,Al)O
 
4
4.BB.05Spinel
MgAl
 
2
O
 
4
4.BB.05Trevorite
Ni
2+
 
Fe
3+
2
O
 
4
4.BB.05Ulvöspinel
Fe
 
2
TiO
 
4
4.BB.05Vuorelainenite
(Mn,Fe)(V,Cr)
 
2
O
 
4
4.BB.05Zincochromite
ZnCr
 
2
O
 
4
4.BB.10Hausmannite
MnMn
 
2
O
 
4
4.BB.10Hetaerolite
ZnMn
 
2
O
 
4
4.BB.10Hydrohetaerolite
ZnMn
 
2
O
 
4
 · H
 
2
O
4.BB.10Iwakiite
Mn(Fe,Mn)
 
2
O
 
4
4.BB.15Maghemite
Fe
3+
2
O
 
3
4.BB.15Titanomaghemite
Fe
3+
 
(Fe
3+
 
,Ti
4+
 
,Fe
2+
 
,◻)
 
2
O
 
4
4.BB.20Tegengrenite
(Mg,Mn
2+
 
)
 
2
Sb
5+
0.5
(Mn
3+
 
,Si,Ti)
 
0.5
O
 
4
4.BB.25Xieite
Fe
2+
 
Cr
 
2
O
 
4
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
7.20.1Wüstite
FeO
7.20.2Magnetite
Fe
2+
 
Fe
3+
2
O
 
4
7.20.3Maghemite
Fe
3+
2
O
 
3
7.20.4Hematite
Fe
 
2
O
 
3
7.20.5Goethite
α-Fe
3+
 
O(OH)
7.20.6Akaganeite
β-Fe
3+
 
O(OH,Cl)
7.20.7Feroxyhyte
Fe
3+
 
O(OH)
7.20.8Lepidocrocite
γ-Fe
3+
 
O(OH)
7.20.9Ferrihydrite
Fe
3+
5
O
 
3
(OH)
 
9
7.20.10Amakinite
(Fe
2+
 
,Mg)(OH)
 
2
7.20.11Magnesioferrite
MgFe
3+
2
O
 
4
7.20.12Muskoxite
Mg
 
7
Fe
 
4
O
 
13
 · 10H
 
2
O
7.20.13Srebrodolskite
Ca
 
2
Fe
3+
2
O
 
5
7.20.15Brownmillerite
Ca
 
2
(Al,Fe
3+
 
)
 
2
O
 
5

Other Names for Hercynite

Synonyms:
ChrysomelaneHercynite (of Zippe)Iron-magnesia Spinel (Synonym)Iron Spinel
Other Languages:
German:Hercynit
Russian:Герцинит
Simplified Chinese:铁尖晶石
Spanish:Hercynita
Varieties:
ChromohercyniteChrompicotiteCobaltochrompicotitePicotite

Other Information

Health Warning:No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

References for Hercynite

Reference List:

- +
Palache, Charles, Harry Berman & Clifford Frondel (1944), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana Yale University 1837-1892, Seventh edition, Volume I: 689-697.

Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Abhandlungen: 115: 120-122.

European Journal of Mineralogy: 6: 39-51.

Andreozzi, G.B. and Lucchesi, S. (2002) Intersite distribution of Fe 2+ and Mg in the spinel (sensu-stricto)-hercynite series by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. American Mineralogist: 87: 1113-1120.

Internet Links for Hercynite

Search Engines:
  • Look for Hercynite on Google
  • Look for Hercynite images on Google
    • External Links:
  • Look for Hercynite on Webmineral
  • Look for Hercynite on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Hercynite on Wikipedia
  • Look for Hercynite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Mineral Dealers:
  • Fabre Minerals - search for Hercynite specimens
  • webminerals
  • Buy fine minerals and gemstones from Pala International
  • Edwards Minerals - Fine Specimens
  • High-end worldwide specimens & outstanding customer service
  • Search for minerals at Heliodor
  • SpiriferMinerals.com - high quality low prices
  • Buy from David K Joyce minerals
  • DAKOTA MATRIX offers Cabinet and Rare Species from Worldwide Localities.
  • Rare and Unusual minerals at Mineralogical Research Company
  • Fine Minerals from Weinrich Minerals, Inc.
  • By minerals from YourMineralCollection
    • Specimens:The following Hercynite specimens are currently listed for sale on minfind.com.
    Jobs:
  • Mining & Geology Jobs

    • Localities for Hercynite

    The map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
    Show Locality List (292 Items)
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Search Google
     
    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2011. Site Map. Locality, mineral & photograph data are the copyright of the individuals who submitted them. Further information contact the Site hosted & developed by Jolyon Ralph. Mindat.org is an online information resource dedicated to providing free mineralogical information to all. Mindat relies on the contributions of hundreds of members and supporters. Mindat does not offer minerals for sale. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register.
    Current server date and time: 20th Sep 2011 19:25:13
    Mineral and Locality Search
    Mineral:
    and/or Locality:
    Options
    Fade toolbar when not in focusFix toolbar to bottom of page
    Hide Social Media Links
    Slideshow frame delay seconds
    New Locality Added: Jooste's pegmatite, Etiro Farm 50, Karibib District, Erongo Region, NamibiaFrom Debbie Woolf, 18th Feb 2012 02:40:55