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Ferricopiapite

Formula:
Fe
 
5
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
O(OH)·20H
 
2
O
System:TriclinicColour:Yellow, yellow-orange
Hardness:2½ - 3
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 Group:
Copiapite Group:
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
7.DB.05Aubertite
CuAl[Cl|(SO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 14H
 
2
O
7.DB.05Magnesioaubertite
(Mg,Cu)Al[Cl|(SO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 14H
 
2
O
7.DB.05Svyazhinite
(Mg,Mn
2+
 
,Ca)(Al,Fe
3+
 
)[F|(SO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 14H
 
2
O
7.DB.10Khademite
Al[F|SO
 
4
] · 5H
 
2
O
7.DB.10Rostite
Al[OH|SO
 
4
] · 5H
 
2
O
7.DB.15Jurbanite
Al[OH|SO
 
4
] · 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
[O|(SO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 7H
 
2
O
7.DB.30Hohmannite
Fe
3+
2
[O|(SO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 8H
 
2
O
7.DB.30Metahohmannite
Fe
3+
2
[O|(SO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 4H
 
2
O
7.DB.35Aluminocopiapite
Al
 
2/3
Fe
3+
4
[OH|(SO
 
4
)
 
3
]
 
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
[OH|(SO
 
4
)
 
3
]
 
2
· 20H
 
2
O
7.DB.35Cuprocopiapite
CuFe
 
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
(OH)
 
2
·20H
 
2
O
7.DB.35Magnesiocopiapite
MgFe
3+
4
[OH|(SO
 
4
)
 
3
]
 
2
· 20H
 
2
O
7.DB.35Zincocopiapite
ZnFe
3+
4
[OH|(SO
 
4
)
 
3
]
 
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
(SO
 
4
)
 
3
·9H
 
2
O
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
[O|(SO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 4H
 
2
O
25.10.14Hohmannite
Fe
3+
2
[O|(SO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 8H
 
2
O
25.10.15Butlerite
Fe
3+
 
[OH|SO
 
4
] · 2H
 
2
O
25.10.16Parabutlerite
Fe
3+
 
[OH|SO
 
4
] · 2H
 
2
O
25.10.17Amarantite
Fe
3+
2
[O|(SO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 7H
 
2
O
25.10.18Fibroferrite
Fe
3+
 
[OH|SO
 
4
] · 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
[OH|(SO
 
4
)
 
3
]
 
2
· 20H
 
2
O

Other Names for Ferricopiapite

Synonyms:
Ferrocopiapite
Other Languages:
German:Ferricopiapit
Russian:Феррикопиапит
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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  • Look for Ferricopiapite on Wikipedia
  • Look for Ferricopiapite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Ferricopiapite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Ferricopiapite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
  • Mineral Dealers:
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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.
    (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
    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)
    Australia
     
    • Queensland
    [MinRec 19 p469-490 - "Sielecki, R: The Mount Isa-Cloncurry mineral field"]
    Chile
     
    Handbook of Mineralogy - Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols
    China
     
    • Xinjiang (Xinjiang-Uygur) Autonomous Region
      • Hami (Kumul; Qumul) Prefecture
        • Hami (Kumul; 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.
    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.
    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
     
    • Honshu Island
      • Tohoku Region
        • Akita Prefecture
          • Kazuno City
    Nambu et al (1974) Koubutsu-Gakkai Kou'en-Youshi, 57.
    Portugal
     
    • Beja District
      • Mértola
    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.
      • Pinetown
        • 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.
    • Connecticut
      • Fairfield Co.
        • Trumbull
    Jeremy Zolan
    • 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
    • Virginia
      • Louisa Co.
        • Gold-Pyrite Belt
          • Mineral
    Minerals of Virginia, 1990 by R. V. Dietrich
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
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    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2009. 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. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register. Current server date and time: 17th Nov 2009 00:12:11