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

Humberstonite

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

Oficina Alemania, Santa Catalina, Antofagasta Province, Antofagasta Region, Chile
© 2008, JGW

Show Humberstonite Photos (2)



Formula:
Na
 
7
K
 
3
Mg
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
(NO
 
3
)
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
System:TrigonalHardness:2½
Name:For chemist James Thomas Humberstone (1850-1939).
This page provides mineralogical data about Humberstonite.

Classification of Humberstonite

IMA status:Approved 1967
Strunz 8th edition ID:6/D.16-40
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:7.DG.10

7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
G : With large and medium-sized cations; with NO3, CO3, B(OH)4, SiO4 or IO3
Dana 8th edition ID:32.2.2.1

32 : COMPOUND SULFATES
2 : Hydrated Compound Sulfates
Hey's CIM Ref.:13.10

13 : Nitrates
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-1944.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Type Occurrence of Humberstonite

Type Locality:Oficina Alemania, Santa Catalina, Antofagasta Province, Antofagasta Region, Chile
Year of Discovery:1967

Physical Properties of Humberstonite

Hardness (Mohs):2½

Crystallography of Humberstonite

Crystal System:Trigonal
Cell Parameters:a = 10.9Å, c = 24.39Å
Ratio:a:c = 1 : 2.238
Unit Cell Volume:V 2,509.55 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Optical Data of Humberstonite

Type:Uniaxial (-)
RI values: nω = 1.474 nε = 1.436
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.038

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

Chemical Properties of Humberstonite

Formula:
Na
 
7
K
 
3
Mg
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
(NO
 
3
)
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
Essential elements:H, K, Mg, N, Na, O, S
All elements listed in formula:H, K, Mg, N, Na, O, S

Relationship of Humberstonite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
7.DG.05Darapskite
Na
 
3
(SO
 
4
)(NO
 
3
) · H
 
2
O
7.DG.10Clinoungemachite
(Na, K, Fe, SO
 
4
)
7.DG.10Ungemachite
K
 
3
Na
 
8
Fe(SO
 
4
)
 
6
(NO
 
3
)
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
7.DG.15Bentorite
Ca
 
6
(Cr
3+
 
,Al)
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
12
 · 26H
 
2
O
7.DG.15Charlesite
Ca
 
6
(Al,Si)
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
[B(OH)
 
4
](OH,O)
 
12
 · 26H
 
2
O
7.DG.15Ettringite
Ca
 
6
Al
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
12
 · 26H
 
2
O
7.DG.15Jouravskite
Ca
 
6
Mn
3+
2
(SO
 
4
,CO
 
3
)
 
3
(OH)
 
12
 · 26H
 
2
O
7.DG.15Sturmanite
Ca
 
6
(Fe
3+
 
,Al,Mn
3+
 
)
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
[B(OH)
 
4
](OH)
 
12
 · 25H
 
2
O
7.DG.15Thaumasite
Ca
 
3
(SO
 
4
)[Si(OH)
 
6
](CO
 
3
) · 12H
 
2
O
7.DG.15Carraraite
Ca
 
3
(SO
 
4
)[Ge(OH)
 
6
](CO
 
3
) · 12H
 
2
O
7.DG.15Buryatite
Ca
 
3
(Si,Fe,Al)(SO
 
4
)[B(OH)
 
4
]O(OH)
 
5
 · 12H
 
2
O
7.DG.20Rapidcreekite
Ca
 
2
(SO
 
4
)(CO
 
3
) · 4H
 
2
O
7.DG.20Korkinoite
Ca
 
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(CO
 
3
)
 
2
 · 9(H
 
2
O)
7.DG.25Tatarskite
Ca
 
6
Mg
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(CO
 
3
)
 
2
(OH)
 
4
Cl
 
4
 · 7H
 
2
O
7.DG.30Nakauriite
Cu
 
8
(SO
 
4
)
 
4
(CO
 
3
)(OH)
 
6
 · 48H
 
2
O
7.DG.35Chessexite
(Na,K)
 
4
Ca
 
2
(Mg,Zn)
 
3
Al
 
8
(SO
 
4
)
 
10
(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 40H
 
2
O
7.DG.40Carlosruizite
K
 
6
(Na,K)
 
4
Na
 
6
Mg
 
10
(SeO
 
4
)
 
12
(IO
 
3
)
 
12
 · 12H
 
2
O
7.DG.40Fuenzalidaite
K
 
6
(Na,K)
 
4
Na
 
6
Mg
 
10
(SO
 
4
)
 
12
(IO
 
3
)
 
12
 · 12H
 
2
O
7.DG.45Chelyabinskite
(Ca,Mg)
 
3
(SO
 
4
,CO
 
3
)
 
2
[Si(OH)
 
6
] · 9H
 
2
O (?)
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
13.1Nitratine
NaNO
 
3
13.2Niter
KNO
 
3
13.3Gerhardtite
Cu
 
2
(NO
 
3
)(OH)
 
3
13.4Nitromagnesite
Mg(NO
 
3
)
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
13.5Nitrocalcite
Ca(NO
 
3
)
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
13.6Nitrobarite
Ba(NO
 
3
)
 
2
13.7Buttgenbachite
Cu
 
19
(NO
 
3
)
 
2
(OH)
 
32
Cl
 
4
 · 2H
 
2
O
13.8Sveite
KAl
 
7
(NO
 
3
)
 
4
(OH)
 
16
Cl
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
13.9Darapskite
Na
 
3
(SO
 
4
)(NO
 
3
) · H
 
2
O
13.11Mbobomkulite
(Ni,Cu)Al
 
4
((NO
 
3
)
 
2
,SO
 
4
)(OH)
 
12
 · 3H
 
2
O
13.12Hydrombobomkulite
(Ni,Cu)Al
 
4
((NO
 
3
)
 
2
,SO
 
4
)(OH)
 
12
 · 13-14H
 
2
O
13.13Nickelalumite
(Ni,Cu)Al
 
4
(SO
 
4
,(NO
 
3
)
 
2
)(OH)
 
12
 · 3H
 
2
O

Other Names for Humberstonite

Synonyms:
IMA1967-015
Other Languages:
German:Humberstonit
Russian:Хумберстонит
Simplified Chinese:水硝碱镁矾
Spanish:Humberstonita

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 Humberstonite

Reference List:

- +
American Mineralogist: 55: 1518-1533.

Canadian Mineralogist: 32: 381-385.

Internet Links for Humberstonite

Search Engines:
  • Look for Humberstonite on Google
  • Look for Humberstonite images on Google
    • External Links:
  • Look for Humberstonite on Webmineral
  • Look for Humberstonite on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Humberstonite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Humberstonite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
    • Mineral Dealers:
  • Buy from David K Joyce minerals
  • webminerals
  • High-end worldwide specimens & outstanding customer service
  • Mineral Classics - Worldwide Collector Quality Minerals and Gems
  • Buy RARE Minerals from Rocks of Africa
  • Search for Humberstonite on Well-Arranged Molecules
  • The Arkenstone - Fine Minerals
  • Buy fine minerals and gemstones from Pala International
  • Top quality minerals from Kristalle of California
  • Fabre Minerals - search for Humberstonite specimens
  • Wilensky Fine Minerals
  • Search for minerals at Heliodor
    • Jobs:
  • Mining & Geology Jobs

    • Localities for Humberstonite

    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.
    Chile
     
    • Antofagasta Region
      • Antofagasta Province
        • Santa Catalina
    		Geol.Soc.Amer., Progr. annual meeting (1967) p. 59
      • Tocopilla Province
        • Pedro de Valdivia
    		Pueyo, J. J., Chong, G. & Vega, M. (1998): Mineralogy and parental brine evolution in the Pedro de Valdivia nitrate deposit, Antofagasta, Chile. Revista Geologica de Chile 25, 3-15. (in Spanish)
    China
     
    • Xinjiang Autonomous Region
      • Akesu Prefecture (Aksu Prefecture; Aqsu Prefecture)
    		Akihiko Okada, Sadayo Yabuki, and Congqiang Liu (1994): RIKEN Review 5, 3-4
      • Aral Co. (Ala'er Co.)
    		Akihiko Okada, Sadayo Yabuki, and Congqiang Liu (1994): RIKEN Review 5, 3-4
      • Bayin'gholin Autonomous Prefecture (Bayingolin Autonomous Prefecture; Bayinguoleng Autonomous Prefecture)
        • Ruoqiang Co. (Qakilik Co.; Chaqiliq Co.)
    		Yanling Tang (2005): Non-metallic deposits of Xinjiang, China [Zhongguo Xinjiang Fei Jinshu Kuangchuang]. Geological Publishing House (Beijing), 289 pp.
    Keqin Cai, Jianhua Gao, Dejun Zhao, and Youku Yu (1992): Acta Mineralogica Sinica 12(2), 143-151
    Akihiko Okada, Sadayo Yabuki, and Congqiang Liu (1994): RIKEN Review 5, 3-4
      • Tulufan Prefecture (Turfan Prefecture; Turpan Prefecture)
        • Tulufan Co. (Turfan Co.; Turpan Co.)
    		Yanling Tang (2005): Non-metallic deposits of Xinjiang, China [Zhongguo Xinjiang Fei Jinshu Kuangchuang]. Geological Publishing House (Beijing), 289 pp.
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Search Google
     
    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2013. 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: 15th Apr 2013 08:30:13
    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