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Ferricopiapite

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Big Photo

MIM underground - Upper lead-zinc levels (orebodies 4; 5; 6; 7; 8), Mount Isa Mines, Mount Isa district, Mount Isa - Cloncurry area, Queensland, Australia
© Judy Rowe

Show Ferricopiapite Photos (6)



Formula:
Fe
 
5
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
O(OH) · 20H
 
2
O
System:TriclinicColour:Yellow, yellow-orange
Hardness:2½ - 3
Member of:Copiapite Group
Name:In allusion to its composition as the ferric iron dominant member of the copiapite group.


Copiapite Group.

Difficult to distinguish from copiapite or other members of the copiapite group.

Classification of Ferricopiapite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:6/0.0-90
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:7.DB.35

7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
B : With only medium-sized cations; insular octahedra and finite units
Dana 8th edition ID:31.10.5.4

31 : HYDRATED SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
10 : Miscellaneous
Hey's CIM Ref.:25.10.12

25 : Sulphates
10 : Sulphates of Fe alone
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Type Occurrence of Ferricopiapite

Type Locality:Atacama Region, Chile
Place of Conservation of Type Material:Smithsonian Museum, Washington DC 80516
Year of Discovery:1938

Occurrences of Ferricopiapite

Geological Setting:Oxidation zone of pyrite deposits in arid environments.

Physical Properties of Ferricopiapite

Colour:Yellow, yellow-orange
Hardness (Mohs):2½ - 3
Cleavage:Perfect
Perfect on {010}
Density (measured):2.14 g/cm3
Density (calculated):2.14 g/cm3

Crystallography of Ferricopiapite

Crystal System:Triclinic
Class (H-M):1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:P1
Cell Parameters:a = 7.394(5) Å, b = 18.36(2) Å, c = 7.324(8) Å
α = 93.8(1)°, β = 102.2(1)°, γ = 98.9(1)°
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.403 : 1 : 0.399
Unit Cell Volume:V 955.05 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:1
Morphology:Pseudo orthorhombic plates, scaly, granular aggregates.

Optical Data of Ferricopiapite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.496 - 1.530 nβ = 1.531 - 1.550 nγ = 1.579 - 1.592
2V:Measured: 69° to 80°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.083

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Low
Dispersion:relatively strong r > v
Pleochroism:Visible
Comments:Shades of yellow

Chemical Properties of Ferricopiapite

Formula:
Fe
 
5
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
O(OH) · 20H
 
2
O
Essential elements:Fe, H, O, S
All elements listed in formula:Fe, H, O, S
Empirical Formula:
Fe
3+
5
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
O(OH) · 20H
 
2
O

Relationship of Ferricopiapite to other Species

Member of:Copiapite Group
Other Members of Group:

- +
Aluminocopiapite
Al
 
2/3
Fe
3+
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
(OH)
 
2
 · 20H
 
2
O
Calciocopiapite
CaFe
 
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
(OH)
 
2
 · 10H
 
2
O
Copiapite
Fe
2+
 
Fe
3+
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
(OH)
 
2
 · 20H
 
2
O
Cuprocopiapite
CuFe
 
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
(OH)
 
2
 · 20H
 
2
O
Magnesiocopiapite
MgFe
3+
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
(OH)
 
2
 · 20H
 
2
O
Zincocopiapite
ZnFe
3+
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
(OH)
 
2
 · 18H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
7.DB.05Aubertite
CuAl(SO
 
4
)
 
2
Cl · 14H
 
2
O
7.DB.05Magnesioaubertite
(Mg,Cu)Al(SO
 
4
)
 
2
Cl · 14H
 
2
O
7.DB.05Svyazhinite
(Mg,Mn
2+
 
,Ca)(Al,Fe
3+
 
)(SO
 
4
)
 
2
F · 14H
 
2
O
7.DB.10Khademite
Al(SO
 
4
)F · 5H
 
2
O
7.DB.10Rostite
Al(SO
 
4
)(OH) · 5H
 
2
O
7.DB.15Jurbanite
Al(SO
 
4
)(OH) · 5H
 
2
O
7.DB.20Minasragrite
(V
4+
 
O)(SO
 
4
) · 5H
 
2
O
7.DB.20Orthominasragrite
(V
4+
 
O)(SO
 
4
) · 5H
 
2
O
7.DB.20Anorthominasragrite
(V
4+
 
O)(SO
 
4
) · 5H
 
2
O
7.DB.25Bobjonesite
(V
4+
 
O)(SO
 
4
) · 3H
 
2
O
7.DB.30Amarantite
Fe
3+
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
O · 7H
 
2
O
7.DB.30Hohmannite
Fe
3+
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
O · 8H
 
2
O
7.DB.30Metahohmannite
Fe
3+
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
O · 4H
 
2
O
7.DB.35Aluminocopiapite
Al
 
2/3
Fe
3+
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
(OH)
 
2
 · 20H
 
2
O
7.DB.35Calciocopiapite
CaFe
 
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
(OH)
 
2
 · 10H
 
2
O
7.DB.35Copiapite
Fe
2+
 
Fe
3+
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
(OH)
 
2
 · 20H
 
2
O
7.DB.35Cuprocopiapite
CuFe
 
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
(OH)
 
2
 · 20H
 
2
O
7.DB.35Magnesiocopiapite
MgFe
3+
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
(OH)
 
2
 · 20H
 
2
O
7.DB.35Zincocopiapite
ZnFe
3+
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
(OH)
 
2
 · 18H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
25.10.1Szomolnokite
FeSO
 
4
 · H
 
2
O
25.10.2Rozenite
FeSO
 
4
 · 4H
 
2
O
25.10.3Siderotil
FeSO
 
4
 · 5H
 
2
O
25.10.4Ferrohexahydrite
FeSO
 
4
 · 6H
 
2
O
25.10.5Melanterite
FeSO
 
4
 · 7H
 
2
O
25.10.6Rhomboclase
(H
 
5
O
 
2
)Fe
3+
 
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
25.10.7Lausenite
Fe
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
3
·6H
 
2
O
25.10.8Kornelite
Fe
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
3
 · 7H
 
2
O
25.10.9Coquimbite
Fe
 
2-x
Al
 
x
(SO
 
4
)
 
3
 · 9H
 
2
O, x ~0.5
25.10.10Paracoquimbite
Fe
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
3
 · 9H
 
2
O
25.10.11Quenstedtite
Fe
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
3
 · 10H
 
2
O
25.10.13Metahohmannite
Fe
3+
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
O · 4H
 
2
O
25.10.14Hohmannite
Fe
3+
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
O · 8H
 
2
O
25.10.15Butlerite
Fe
3+
 
(SO
 
4
)(OH) · 2H
 
2
O
25.10.16Parabutlerite
Fe
3+
 
(SO
 
4
)(OH) · 2H
 
2
O
25.10.17Amarantite
Fe
3+
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
O · 7H
 
2
O
25.10.18Fibroferrite
Fe
3+
 
(SO
 
4
)(OH) · 5H
 
2
O
25.10.19Hydroniumjarosite
(H
 
3
O)Fe
3+
3
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
25.10.20Römerite
Fe
2+
 
Fe
3+
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
4
 · 14H
 
2
O
25.10.21Bílinite
Fe
2+
 
Fe
3+
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
4
 · 22H
 
2
O
25.10.22Copiapite
Fe
2+
 
Fe
3+
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
(OH)
 
2
 · 20H
 
2
O

Other Names for Ferricopiapite

Synonyms:
Ferrocopiapite
Other Languages:
German:Ferricopiapit
Russian:Феррикопиапит
Simplified Chinese:高铁叶绿矾
Spanish:Ferricopiapita
Ferrocopiapita

Other Information

Other Information:Soluble in water.
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 Ferricopiapite

Reference List:

- +
Berry (1938) American Mineralogist: 23, pt 2(12): 3.

University of Toronto Stud., Geol. Series, no. 51 (1947): 21.

American Mineralogist (1939): 24: 182.

Palache, Charles, Harry Berman & Clifford Frondel (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana Yale University 1837-1892, Seventh edition, Volume II: 623, 625.

Fanfani, L.A., A. Nunzi, P.F. Zanazzi & A.R. Zanzari (1973), The Copiapite problem; the crystal structure of ferrian Copiapite: American Mineralogist: 58: 314-322.

Canadian Mineralogist (1985): 23: 53.

Internet Links for Ferricopiapite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Ferricopiapite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    • Localities for Ferricopiapite

    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.
    Argentina
     
    • Catamarca
      • Andalgalá Department
    		Handbook of Mineralogy - Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols; Milka K. de Brodtkorb (2002) Las Especies Minerales de la Republica Argentina. Vol. 1 (elements, sulphides and sulphosalts). (Asociacion Mineralogica Argentina)
    MARQUEZ-ZAVALIA, M.F.. The As-rich end-member of the jordanite-geocronite series of the Capillitas Mine, Catamarca. Rev. Asoc. Geol. Argent. [online]. 2006, vol.61, n.2, pp. 231-235.
    Australia
     
    • Queensland
    		[MinRec 19 p469-490 - "Sielecki, R: The Mount Isa-Cloncurry mineral field"]
        • Mount Isa district
          • Mount Isa Mines
    		Sielecki, R. (1985) in Australian Mineralogist, vol. 1, p. 287
    Bulgaria
     
    • Plovdiv Oblast
      • Plovdiv
    		Atanassova, R. & Kerestedjian, T. (2009): Efflorescent minerals from the metallurgical waste heaps of the KCM non-ferrous metal smelter, Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Petrology, 47, 51-63.
    Chile
     
    Handbook of Mineralogy - Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols
    China
     
    • Xinjiang Autonomous Region
      • Hami Prefecture (Kumul Prefecture; Qumul Prefecture)
        • Hami Co. (Kumul Co.; Qumul Co.)
    		Ying-Xia Xu, Ke-Zhang Qin, Kui-Shou Ding, Yu Miao, Tong-Hui Fang, Xing-Wang Xu, and He Sun (2007): Mineral Deposits [Kuangchuang Dizhi] 26(1), 58-69.
    Cuba
     
    • Isla de la Juventud special municipality
      • Isla de la Juventud (Isle of Pines; Island of Youth)
    		Zwahr, H. & Gonzales, R. (1999): Secondary sulfate mineralization of the kaolin deposit of Rio del Callejon, Cuba. Zeitschrift für Geologische Wissenschaften 27, 219-233.
    Germany
     
    • North Rhine-Westphalia
      • Niederberg area
        • Wülfrath
          • Rohdenhaus
    		Lapis 1988(1), 16-35
    Lapis 1988(1), 16-35
      • Sauerland
        • Meschede
    		Schnorrer-Köhler, G., (1988): Mineralogische Notizen IV, Der Aufschluss, Vol. 39, 153-168
    • Saxony
      • Oberlausitz
        • Niesky
          • Horscha
    		Witzke, T. & Giesler, T. (2007): Der Schieferabbau Pansberg bei Horscha in der Lausitz, Sachsen. Lapis 32 (7-8), 68-73; 86.
    Hungary
     
    • Baranya Co.
      • Mecsek Mts.
        • Pécs
    		Koller G.Own found.
    Italy
     
    • Emilia-Romagna
      • Parma Province
        • Berceto
          • Corchia mine
    		Adorni F., Guelfi F. (1997) - La miniera di Fe e Cu di Corchia, Berceto, Appennino Parmense. - Riv. Min. It. N 3, 217-250.
    Adorni F., Guelfi F. (1997) - La miniera di Fe e Cu di Corchia, Berceto, Appennino Parmense. - Riv. Min. It. N 3, 217-250.
    • Sardinia
      • Carbonia-Iglesias Province
        • Fluminimaggiore
    		• Stara, P. Rizzo, R., Tanca, G., Vinci A. (1994): Su Zurfuru. 1° parte. Rivista Mineralogica Italiana, 4/1993, 215-236.
    Japan
     
    • Hokkaido
      • Hidaka Province
        • Monbetsu (Mombetsu)
    		Van King
      • Kameda Peninsula
        • Nanae
    		Y. Okazaki collection
    • Honshu Island
      • Tohoku Region
        • Akita Prefecture
          • Kazuno City
    		Nambu et al (1974) Koubutsu-Gakkai Kou'en-Youshi, 57.
    Portugal
     
    • Aveiro District
      • Albergaria-a-Velha
        • Branca/Ribeira de Fráguas
    		- J. Marques de Sá & C. Leal Gomes (2010): LES MINES DE CUIVRE ET NICKEL DE PALHAL ET TELHADELA, PORTUGAL. Le Regne Mineral, nº92, xx-xx.
    • Beja District
      • Mértola
    		Pedro Alves collection and photo.
    South Africa
     
    • KwaZulu-Natal Province
      • Durban
        • Cato Manor
          • Umbilo Valley
    		Cairncross, B. & Dixon, R. (1995). Minerals of South Africa. Geological Society of South Africa: Linden.
        • Umhlatuzana valley
    		Cairncross, B. & Dixon, R. (1995). Minerals of South Africa. Geological Society of South Africa: Linden; Heron, H.D.C. (1994). Siderite assemblages from Clairwood Quarries, Durban, Natal. Micro News and Views, 20(2): 3-7.
      • Westville
    		Minerals of South Africa
    Spain
     
    • Andalusia
      • Huelva
        • Minas de Riotinto
    		Bocamina, (4), (1999) 50-86.
    UK
     
    • England
      • Co. Durham
        • North Pennines
          • Weardale
            • Rookhope District
    		Bridges TF and Young B. Supergene Minerals of the Northern Pennine Orefield - A Review. Journal of the Russell Soc. 7(1). 3-14(1998)
    USA
     
    • Arizona
      • Cochise Co.
        • Mule Mts
          • Warren District
    		[MinRec 24:421]
    Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 220; Graeme, R. (1993), Bisbee revisited, Min.Rec.: 24: 421-436.
    • California
      • Inyo Co.
        • Coso Mts (Coso Range)
          • Coso District (New Coso District)
            • China Lake Naval Ordnance Test Station
              • Coso Hot Springs
    		Fanfani, L., A. Nunzi, P.F. Zanazzi, and A.R. Zanzari (1973) The copiapite problem; the crystal structure of ferrian copiapite. American Mineralogist: 58: 314-322; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 274.
    • Connecticut
      • Fairfield Co.
        • Trumbull
          • Long Hill
    		Jeremy Zolan
    • Georgia
      • Lincoln Co.
    		Collected by Julian Gray 21 September 2010. Confirmed by XRD at the University of Georgia.
    • South Dakota
      • Lawrence Co.
        • Galena District
          • Galena
    • Utah
      • Emery Co.
        • San Rafael District (San Rafael Swell)
          • Calf Mesa
    		Min Rec 19:331-338
    M. Schindler et al. (2003) Can. Mineral. 41, 83-90
    Min News 6:8 p3
      • San Juan Co.
        • White Canyon District
          • Red Canyon
    		Patrick Haynes. IDs by the late Howard Evans, Jr.
    • Virginia
      • Louisa Co.
        • Gold-Pyrite Belt
          • Mineral
    		Minerals of Virginia, 1990 by R. V. Dietrich
    Mineral and/or Locality
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