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Bassanite

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Big Photo

Ronneburg U deposit, Gera, Thuringia, Germany
© Thomas Witzke

Show Bassanite Photos (8)



Formula:
CaSO
 
4
 · 0.5H
 
2
O
System:MonoclinicColour:White
Name:
After Professor Francesco Bassani (1853–1916), Professor of paleontology, University of Naples, Italy.


May occur as pseudomorphs after gypsum.
Very similar to omongwaite.

Classification of Bassanite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:6/C.22-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:7.CD.45

7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
C : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, with H2O
D : With only large cations
Dana 8th edition ID:29.6.1.1

29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
6 : AXO4·xH2O
Hey's CIM Ref.:25.4.2

25 : Sulphates
4 : Sulphates of Ca, Sr and Ba
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Type Occurrence of Bassanite

Type Locality:Mt Vesuvius, Somma-Vesuvius Complex, Naples Province, Campania, Italy
Year of Discovery:1910
Geological Setting of type material:In cavities of leucite-tephrite blocks ejected from an active volcano.
Associated Minerals at type locality:
Gibbsite

Physical Properties of Bassanite

Colour:White
Density (measured):2.69 - 2.76 g/cm3

Crystallography of Bassanite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Cell Parameters:a = 12.0317(4) Å, b = 6.9269(2) Å, c = 12.6712(3) Å
β = 90.27(1)°
Ratio:a:b:c = 1.737 : 1 : 1.829
Unit Cell Volume:V 1,056.04 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:12
Twinning:About [010], twin plane {101}, may be sectored.
Comment:Space group I2 (non-standard setting)
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
d-spacingIntensity
6.00 (70)
3.469 (54)
3.042 (15)
3.006 (100)
2.807 (86)
2.139 (22)
1.847 (56)

Optical Data of Bassanite

Type:Uniaxial (+)
RI values: nω = 1.550 nε = 1.570
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.020

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Low

Chemical Properties of Bassanite

Formula:
CaSO
 
4
 · 0.5H
 
2
O
Essential elements:Ca, H, O, S
All elements listed in formula:Ca, H, O, S
Analytical Data:Coverts to anhydrite when heated to redness.
Relationship of Bassanite to other Species
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- + 
7.CD.05Matteuccite
NaHSO
 
4
 · H
 
2
O
7.CD.10Mirabilite
Na
 
2
SO
 
4
 · 10H
 
2
O
7.CD.15Lecontite
(NH
 
4
,K)NaSO
 
4
 · 2H
 
2
O
7.CD.20Hydroglauberite
Na
 
10
Ca
 
3
(SO
 
4
)
 
8
 · 6H
 
2
O
7.CD.25Eugsterite
Na
 
4
Ca(SO
 
4
)
 
3
 · 2H
 
2
O
7.CD.30Görgeyite
K
 
2
Ca
 
5
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
 · H
 
2
O
7.CD.35Koktaite
(NH
 
4
)
 
2
Ca(SO
 
4
)
 
2
 · H
 
2
O
7.CD.35Syngenite
K
 
2
Ca(SO
 
4
)
 
2
 · H
 
2
O
7.CD.40Gypsum
CaSO
 
4
 · 2H
 
2
O
7.CD.50Zircosulfate
(Zr,Ti)(SO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
7.CD.55Schieffelinite
Pb
 
8
(TeO
 
4
)
 
5
(SO
 
4
)
 
3
 · 8H
 
2
O
7.CD.60Montanite
Bi
 
2
(TeO
 
6
) · 2H
 
2
O
7.CD.65Omongwaite
Na
 
2
Ca
 
5
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
 · 3H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- + 
25.4.1Anhydrite
CaSO
 
4
25.4.3Gypsum
CaSO
 
4
 · 2H
 
2
O
25.4.4Glauberite
Na
 
2
Ca(SO
 
4
)
 
2
25.4.5Cesanite
Na
 
3
Ca
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
25.4.6Eugsterite
Na
 
4
Ca(SO
 
4
)
 
3
 · 2H
 
2
O
25.4.7Hydroglauberite
Na
 
10
Ca
 
3
(SO
 
4
)
 
8
 · 6H
 
2
O
25.4.8Syngenite
K
 
2
Ca(SO
 
4
)
 
2
 · H
 
2
O
25.4.9Görgeyite
K
 
2
Ca
 
5
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
 · H
 
2
O
25.4.10Polyhalite
K
 
2
Ca
 
2
Mg(SO
 
4
)
 
4
 · 2H
 
2
O
25.4.11Koktaite
(NH
 
4
)
 
2
Ca(SO
 
4
)
 
2
 · H
 
2
O
25.4.12Ye'elimite
Ca
 
4
Al
 
6
(SO
 
4
)O
 
12
25.4.13Ettringite
Ca
 
6
Al
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
12
 · 26H
 
2
O
25.4.14Bentorite
Ca
 
6
(Cr
3+
 
,Al)
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
12
 · 26H
 
2
O
25.4.15Celestine
SrSO
 
4
25.4.16Kalistrontite
K
 
2
Sr(SO
 
4
)
 
2
25.4.17Baryte
BaSO
 
4
Other Names for Bassanite
Synonyms:
HemihydrateMiltoniteMirupolskitePlaster of ParisPolyhydrate
Soluble AnhydriteVibertite
Other Languages:
German:Bassanit
Miltonit
Mirupolskit
Vibertit
Russian:Бассанит
Simplified Chinese:半水石膏
Spanish:Bassanita
Miltonita
Mirupolskita
Vibertita
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 Bassanite
Reference List:

- + 
Zambonini (1910) Min. Vesuviana: 327.



Gaubert (1933) Comptes rendus de l’Académie des sciences de Paris: 197: 72.



Caspari (1936) Proceedings of the Royal Society of London: 155A: 41.



Zeitschrift für Kristallographie: 205: 99-113.



Berg and Sveshnikova (1946) Bulletin de Académy des sciences de l'Union des Républiques Soviétiques Socialistes, Cl. sc. mat. nat., Ser. chim.: No. 1: 19.



Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged, 1124 pp.: 476.


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    • Localities for Bassanite
    






    


    

    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.

    

    

    
Hide Locality List
     		

    (TL) indicates type locality.  ? indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. All other localities listed without reference should be considered as uncertain and unproven until references can be found.

    Australia
     
    

    • South Australia
    

      • Eyre Peninsula
    
    		Steve Sorrell Collection
    Austria
     
    

    • Burgenland
    

      • Mattersburg
    
    		R. Exel: Die Mineralien und Erzlagerstätten Österreichs (1993)
    

    • Salzburg
    

      • Abtenau
    

        • Webing
    
    		A. Strasser: Die Minerale Salzburgs (1989)
    


      • Golling
    

        • Grubach
    

          • Moosegg
    
    		A. Strasser: Die Minerale Salzburgs (1989)
    Bolivia
     
    

    • Cochabamba Department
    

      • Tapacari Province
    
    		Alfredo Petrov collection
    Chile
     
    

    • Antofagasta Region
    

      • Antofagasta Province
    

        • Taltal
    
    		Tornos, F., Velasco, F, Barra, F. and Morata, D. (2010): The Tropezón Cu-Mo-(Au) deposit: the missing link between IOCG and porphyry copper systems? Mineralium Deposita 45, 313-321.
    

    • Tarapacá Region
    

      • Iquique Province
    

        • Salar Grande
    
    		Schlüter, J. & Malcherek, T. Haydeeite, Cu3Mg(OH)6Cl2, a new mineral from the Haydee mine, Salar Grande, Atacama desert, Chile. NJMA 184, 39-42 (2007)
    China
     
    

    • Qinghai (Chinghai) Province
    

      • Haixi Autonomous Prefecture
    

        • Dulan Co.
    
    		Mily Wang and Lihe Guo (1988): Acta Geoscientica Sinica 10(1), 187-193
    

    • Xinjiang (Xinjiang-Uygur) Autonomous Region
    

      • Bayin'gholin (Bayingolin; Bayinguoleng) Autonomous Prefecture
    

        • Ruoqiang (Qakilik; Chaqiliq) Co.
    
    		Yanling Tang (2005): Non-metallic deposits of Xinjiang, China [Zhongguo Xinjiang Fei Jinshu Kuangchuang]. Geological Publishing House (Beijing), 289 pp.
    Czech Republic
     
    

    • Bohemia (Böhmen; Boehmen)
    

      • Central Bohemia Region
    

        • Kladno
    

          • Libušin
    
    		Diederik Visser List #39, July 2006
    


Zacek, V., Oplustil, S., Mayova, A. & Meyer, F. R. (1995): Die Mineralien von Kladno in Mittelböhmen, Tschechische Republik. Mineralien-Welt 6 (1), 13-30 (in German).      
    


      • Hradec Králové Region
    

        • Trutnov (Trautenau)
    

          • Radvanice
    
    		Jirásek, J.: Thermal Changes of the Rocks in the Dump Pile of the Kateřina Colliery in Radvanice (Eastern Bohemia). Ostrava: VSB – Technical University of  Ostrava, Institute of Geological Engineering - 541, 2001. 69 p.    
    

    • Moravia (Mähren; Maehren)
    

      • South Moravia Region
    
    		David Parfitt collection
    Egypt
     
    

    • Western Desert
    
    		Marchesini, M. & Barresi, A. (2009): I minerali di Wadi natrun, Deserto Occidentale, Egitto, Rivista Mineralogica Italiana, 4/2009, 228-258.
    Germany
     
    

    • North Rhine-Westphalia
    

      • Aachen
    

        • Alsdorf
    
    		Blaß, G. and Strehler, H. (1993): Mineralbildungen in einer durch Selbstentzündung brennenden Bergehalde des Aachener Steinkohlenreviers. Mineralien-Welt 4 (4), 35-42. (in German) 
    

    • Thuringia
    

      • Gera
    

        • Ronneburg U deposit
    
    		T. Witzke & F. Rüger: Lapis 1998(7/8), 26-64
    Hungary
     
    

    • Baranya Co.
    

      • Mecsek Mts.
    

        • Pécs
    
    		Koller G. Own found.
    

    • Fejér Co.
    

      • Bakony Mts.
    
    		Szakáll & Jánosi: Minerals of Hungary, 1995
    


      • Vértes Mts.
    
    		ACTA MIN. PETR. Suppl. Tomus XXXVIII., 1997
    

    • Veszprém Co.
    

      • Bakony Mts.
    

        • Nyirád
    
    		ACTA MIN. PETR. Suppl. Tomus XXXVIII., 1997
    



        • Úrkút
    

          • Csárda Hill
    
    		Szakáll & Jánosi (1996) The Minerals of Hungary
    Iceland
     
    

    • Vestmannaeyjar archipelago (Westman islands)
    

      • Heimaey island
    

        • Heimaey
    
    		Mitolo, D., Garavelli, A., Pedersen, L., Balić-Žunić, T., Jakobsson, S.P., Vurro, F. (2008): Mineralogy of actually forming sublimates at Eldfell Volcano, Heimaey (Vestmannaeyjar archipelago), Iceland. Plinius, 34, 322.
    Italy
     
    

    • Campania
    

      • Naples Province
    

        • Somma-Vesuvius Complex
    
    		Russo, M., 2006: I minerali di formazione fumarolica della grande eruzione vesuviana del 1906
    

    • Sicily
    

      • Messina Province
    

        • Lipari
    

          • Eolie Islands (Aeolian Islands)
    

            • Vulcano Island
    

              • Porto Levante
    
    		P.Forti, M.Panzica La Manna and A.Rossi (1994) The peculiar mineralogic site of the Alum cave (Vulcano, Sicily). Proceedings of the 7th International Symposium on Vulcanospeleology November 1994 p.35-44. 
    

    • Tuscany
    

      • Grosseto Province
    

        • Montieri
    
    		Bazzoni C. et al., 2003. Il "Filone di Boccheggiano": miniere e minerali. Riv. Miner. Ital., 1: 78-89
    


      • Livorno Province
    

        • Elba Island
    

          • Campo nell'Elba
    

            • San Piero in Campo
    
    		Orlandi, P., & Pezzotta, F. (1997). Minerali dell'Isola d'Elba. Edizioni Novecento Grafico, Bergamo, 249 pp. 
    Poland
     
    

    • Upper Silesia (Śląskie)
    

      • Upper Silesian Coal Basin
    

        • Katowice area
    

          • Łaziska
    
    		Lukasz Kruszewski 2005: Minerals arising in cause of underground fires of "Skalny" coal mine dump in Laziska (Upper Silesia, Poland). Mag. Thesis (unpublished)
    Qatar
     
    
Al-Yousef , M. 2003. Mineralogy, Geochemistry and Origin of Quaternary Sabkhas in the Qatar Peninsula, Arabian Gulf. Unpublished Ph.D. Thesis, School of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, Southampton University. By Mariam Al-Yousef of Qatar University. 
    Romania
     
    

    • Hunedoara Co.
    

      • Hunedoara
    
    		Dumitras, D.-G., Constantinescu, E., Marincea, S., and Bourgier, V. (2005): Proceedings of the Annual Scientific Session of The Geological Society of Romania, Rosia Montana, 20-21 May 2005, 31-36.
    Russia
     
    

    • Far-Eastern Region
    

      • Kamchatka Oblast'
    

    

    • Urals Region
    

      • Southern Urals
    

        • Chelyabinsk Oblast'
    
    		Cesnokov, B., Kotrly, M. and Nisanbajev, T. (1998): Brennende Abraumhalden und Aufschlüsse im Tscheljabinsker Kohlenbecken - eine reiche Mineralienküche. Mineralien-Welt, 9 (3), 54-63 (in German).
    




Cesnokov, B., M. Kotrly, and T. Nisanbajev (1998): Brennende Abraumhalden und Aufschlüsse im Tscheljabinsker Kohlenbecken - eine reiche Mineralienküche. Mineralien-Welt, 9 (3), 54-63 (in German). 
    Slovakia
     
    

    • Banská Bystrica Region
    

      • Lučenec Co.
    

        • Podrečany
    
    		Koděra et all.,1990: Topografická mineralógia Slovenska, I-III, 1590p
    

    • Prešov Region
    

      • Vranov nad Topľou Co.
    
    		Ďuďa,R., et al., 1981: Mineralógia severnej časti Slanských vrchov. Min.Slovaca, Monografia 2, 98s
    Switzerland
     
    

    • Ticino (Tessin)
    

      • Leventina
    

        • Bedretto Valley
    

          • Ronco
    
    		Stalder, H. A., Wagner, A., Graeser, S. and Stuker, P. (1998): "Mineralienlexikon der Schweiz", Verlag Wepf & Co. (Basel), p. 66
    UK
     
    

    • England
    

      • Dorset
    

        • Charmouth
    
    		[BMS]
    



        • Lyme Regis
    
    		BMS Database
    



[BMS]
    Ukraine
     
    

    • Crimea Oblast'
    

      • Crimea peninsula
    

        • Sudak area
    
    		Alexander I. Tischenko (1996. Minerals of the Crimea - World of stones, 1996, #9, p. 9-18
    USA
     
    

    • Arizona
    

      • La Paz Co.
    

        • Plomosa Mts
    

          • Plomosa District
    

            • Bouse
    

              • Bouse area
    
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 130.
    


      • Pima Co.
    

        • Sierrita Mts
    

          • Pima District (Olive District; Mineral Hill District; Twin Buttes District)
    

            • Batamote Hills
    
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 130.
    

    • California
    

      • Fresno Co.
    

        • Escarpado Canyon
    
    		Gulbrandsen, Robert Allen, D.L. Jones, K. McQ. Tagg & D.W. Reeser (1963), Apatitized wood and leucophosphite in nodules in the Moreno formation, California: USGS PP 475-C: 100-104; Murdoch, Joseph & Robert W. Webb (1966), Minerals of California, Centennial Volume (1866-1966): California Division Mines & Geology Bulletin 189: 99.
    


Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 285.
    


      • Inyo Co.
    

        • Argus Mts (Argus Range)
    

          • Lookout District (Modoc District)
    
    		Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 285.
    






              • Ballarat
    
    		Allen, Robert D. & Henry C. Kramer (1953), Occurrence of bassanite in two desert areas in southeastern California: American Mineralogist: 38: 1266-1268; Murdoch, Joseph & Robert W. Webb (1966), Minerals of California, Centennial Volume (1866-1966): California Division Mines & Geology Bulletin 189: 99.
    



        • Death Valley National Park
    

          • Death Valley
    
    		Econ Geol (1996) 91:622-635
    


      • San Bernardino Co.
    

        • Calico Mts (Calico Hills)
    

          • Calico District (Daggett District)
    

            • Borate
    
    		[Murdoch, J & Webb, R (1966) Minerals of California, California Division of Mines and Geology Bulletin 189]
    


Allen, Robert D. & Henry C. Kramer (1953), Occurrence of bassanite in two desert areas in southeastern California: American Mineralogist: 38: 1266; Ver Planck, Wm. E., Jr. (1952), Gypsum in California: California Division Mines Bulletin 163: 48; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 287.
    

    • Massachusetts
    

      • Franklin Co.
    

        • Rowe
    
    		Cerato, A.. 2003: Mineralogical Study of Davis Mine, Rowe, MA, Using X-Ray Diffraction Techniques
    

    • Nevada
    

      • Elko Co.
    

        • Bootstrap District
    

    

    • New Jersey
    

      • Sussex Co.
    

        • Franklin Mining District
    

          • Ogdensburg
    

            • Sterling Hill
    
    		The Picking Table:17(2):4; Dunn(1995):Pt5:630.
    

    • New Mexico
    

      • Otero Co.
    
    		2008 New Mexico Mineral Symposium abstracts
    

    • Utah
    

      • Duchesne Co.
    
    		UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
    Venezuela
     
    

    • Aragua
    
    		Urbani, 1997. Bol. Soc. Venezolana de Espeleología, no.30.
    

    


    

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