Mindat Logo
Home Page Log In Message Board The Mindat Directory
Register Search Pages Chat Now! (2 online) Mindat Auctions

Humboldtine

Big Photo

Santa Maria de Itabira, Minas Gerais, Southeast Region, Brazil
© Bruno Gioia

Show Humboldtine Photos (5)
Formula:
Fe[C
 
2
O
 
4
] · 2H
 
2
O
System:MonoclinicColour:Yellow to amber-yellow
Hardness:1½ - 2
Name:
Named after Friedrich Heinrich Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859), German naturalist, explorer and scientist.


The Fe analogue of lindbergite.

A rare authigenic organic mineral occurring on fracture surfaces in coal deposits and rarely in granitic pegmatites and hydrothermal mineral deposits.

Classification of Humboldtine

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:9/A.01-50
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:10.AB.05

10 : ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
A : Salts of organic acids
B : Oxalates
Dana 8th edition ID:50.1.3.1

50 : ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
1 : Oxalates
Hey's CIM Ref.:31.1.7

31 : Oxalates, Citrates, Mellitates and Acetates
1 : Oxalates
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-1946.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Type Occurrence of Humboldtine

Type Locality:Korozluky (Kolosoruk), Most, Ústí Region, Bohemia (Böhmen; Boehmen), Czech Republic
Year of Discovery:1821

Occurrences of Humboldtine

Geological Setting:Coal deposits; granitic pegmatites and hydrothermal mineral deposits (rare).

Physical Properties of Humboldtine

Lustre:Resinous, Dull
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent, Translucent
Colour:Yellow to amber-yellow
Hardness (Mohs):1½ - 2
Cleavage:Perfect
On {110},perfect; on {100} and {010}, imperfect.
Density (measured):2.28 g/cm3
Density (calculated):2.307 g/cm3

Crystallography of Humboldtine

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Class (H-M):2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:a = 12.011(11) Å, b = 5.557(5) Å, c = 9.920(9) Å
β = 128.53(3)°
Ratio:a:b:c = 2.161 : 1 : 1.785
Unit Cell Volume:V 517.96 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:4
Morphology:Crystals small, rare, prismatic [001], or platy, exhibiting forms {100},{001},{110}, and {101}; commonly botryoidal incrusting masses with a fibrous to earthy internal structure; fine-granular to earthy and compact.
Comment:Space group C2/c. Reduced cell: 9.707, 5.556, 9.921 A, 104.5°

Optical Data of Humboldtine

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.494 nβ = 1.561 nγ = 1.692
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.198

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Low
Dispersion:weak
Pleochroism:Visible
Comments:X = Very pale yellowish green
Y = Pale greenish yellow
Z = Intense yellow
Comments:2V = Large.

Chemical Properties of Humboldtine

Formula:
Fe[C
 
2
O
 
4
] · 2H
 
2
O
Essential elements:C, Fe, H, O
All elements listed in formula:C, Fe, H, O

Relationship of Humboldtine to other Species

Common Associates:
TschermigiteTourmalineQuartzGypsumCassiterite
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
10.AB.05Lindbergite
Mn
2+
 
[C
 
2
O
 
4
] · 2H
 
2
O
10.AB.10Glushinskite
Mg[C
 
2
O
 
4
] · 2H
 
2
O
10.AB.15Moolooite
Cu[C
 
2
O
 
4
]·0.4H
 
2
O
10.AB.20Stepanovite
NaMgFe
3+
 
[C
 
2
O
 
4
]
 
3
 · 8-9H
 
2
O
10.AB.25Minguzzite
K
 
3
Fe
3+
 
[C
 
2
O
 
4
]
 
3
 · 3H
 
2
O
10.AB.30Wheatleyite
Na
 
2
Cu[C
 
2
O
 
4
]
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
10.AB.35Zhemchuzhnikovite
NaMg(Fe
3+
 
,Al)[C
 
2
O
 
4
]
 
3
 · 8H
 
2
O
10.AB.40Weddellite
Ca[C
 
2
O
 
4
] · 2H
 
2
O
10.AB.45Whewellite
Ca[C
 
2
O
 
4
] · H
 
2
O
10.AB.50Caoxite
Ca[C
 
2
O
 
4
] · 3H
 
2
O
10.AB.55Oxammite
(NH
 
4
)
 
2
[C
 
2
O
 
4
] · H
 
2
O
10.AB.60Natroxalate
Na
 
2
[C
 
2
O
 
4
]
10.AB.65Coskrenite-(Ce)
(Ce,Nd,La)
 
2
[(SO
 
4
)
 
2
|C
 
2
O
 
4
] · 12H
 
2
O
10.AB.70Levinsonite-(Y)
(Y,Nd,La)Al(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(C
 
2
O
 
4
)·12H
 
2
O
10.AB.75Zugshunstite-(Ce)
(Ce,Nd,La)Al(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(C
 
2
O
 
4
)·12H
 
2
O
10.AB.80Novgorodovaite
Ca
 
2
[Cl
 
2
|C
 
2
O
 
4
] · 2H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
31.1.1Oxammite
(NH
 
4
)
 
2
[C
 
2
O
 
4
] · H
 
2
O
31.1.2Moolooite
Cu[C
 
2
O
 
4
]·0.4H
 
2
O
31.1.3Wheatleyite
Na
 
2
Cu[C
 
2
O
 
4
]
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
31.1.4Glushinskite
Mg[C
 
2
O
 
4
] · 2H
 
2
O
31.1.5Whewellite
Ca[C
 
2
O
 
4
] · H
 
2
O
31.1.6Weddellite
Ca[C
 
2
O
 
4
] · 2H
 
2
O
31.1.8Stepanovite
NaMgFe
3+
 
[C
 
2
O
 
4
]
 
3
 · 8-9H
 
2
O
31.1.9Zhemchuzhnikovite
NaMg(Fe
3+
 
,Al)[C
 
2
O
 
4
]
 
3
 · 8H
 
2
O
31.1.10Minguzzite
K
 
3
Fe
3+
 
[C
 
2
O
 
4
]
 
3
 · 3H
 
2
O

Other Names for Humboldtine

Synonyms:
HumboldtinaOxalite
Other Languages:
German:Eisen-Resin
Faserresin
Humboldtin
Oxalit
Oxalsaures Eisen
Italian:Oxalite

Other Information

Other Information:Soluble in acids.
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 Humboldtine

Reference List:Breithaupt, A. (1820) Kurze Charakteristik des Mineral-System’s. 8vo, Freiberg: 75 (as Faserresin).

de Rivero (1821) Annales de chimie et de physique, Paris: 18: 207 (as Humboldtine and Oxalsaures Eisen).

Breithaupt, A. (1822) Annalen der Physik, Halle, Leipzig: 70: 426 (as Eisen-Resin).

Breithaupt, A. (1823) Vollständige Characteristik etc., 1st. ed. (as Oxalit).

Leonhard, K.C. (1826) Handbuch der Oryktognosie. Heidelberg. second edition: 789 (as Humboldtit).

Manasse (1910) Reale accademia nazionale dei Lincei, Rend., Rome: 19: 138.

Manasse (1912) Mem. Soc. Tosc.: 28: 118.

Hintze, Carl (1933) Handbuch der Mineralogie. Berlin and Leipzig. 6 volumes: 1 [4B]: 1346.

Palache, Charles, Harry Berman & Clifford Frondel (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.: 1102-1103.

Mazzi, F. and C. Garavelli (1957) La struttura della oxalite: FeC2O4 •2H2O. Periodico di Mineralogia: 26: 269-303. (in Italian with English abstract).

Bulletin de la Société française de Minéralogie et de Cristallographie (1959): 50.

National Bureau of Standards Mono. (1972): 25, 10, 24.

Echigo, T. & Kimata, M. (2008): Single-crystal X-ray diffraction and spectroscopic studies on humboldtine and lindbergite: weak Jahn–Teller effect of Fe2+ ion. Physics and Chemistry of Minerals, 35, 467-475.

Internet Links for Humboldtine

Search Engines:
  • Look for Humboldtine on Google
  • Look for Humboldtine images on Google
    • External Links:
  • Look for Humboldtine on Webmineral
  • Look for Humboldtine on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Humboldtine on Wikipedia
  • Look for Humboldtine on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Humboldtine in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
    • Mineral Dealers:
  • rare and unusual minerals mainly crystallized
  • Buy fine minerals and gemstones from Pala International
  • Search for - Humboldtine - on e-Rocks Mineral Sales & Auctions
  • Fabre Minerals - search for Humboldtine specimens
  • High-end worldwide specimens & outstanding customer service
  • Buy Minerals and Crystals from Crystalarium.com
  • Top quality minerals from Kristalle of California
  • Rare and Unusual minerals at Mineralogical Research Company
  • Mineral Classics - Worldwide Collector Quality Minerals and Gems
  • Wendel Minerals - Auktion & Shop
  • Fine Minerals from Dan Weinrich Minerals
  • Edwards Minerals - Fine Specimens
    • Jobs:
  • Mining & Geology Jobs

    • Page Sponsor

    Sponsorship:This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.

    Localities for Humboldtine

    Hide Locality List
    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.
    Brazil
     
    • Southeast Region
      • Minas Gerais
    		Rolando and Bruno Gioia collection
    Canada
     
    • Ontario
      • Lambton Co.
        • Lambton Township (Bosanquet Township)
    		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: 1103.
    • Québec
      • Montréal
    		Mineralogical Record (2006): 37: 5-60.
    Czech Republic
     
    • Bohemia (Böhmen; Boehmen)
      • Karlovy Vary Region
        • Sokolov (Falkenau an der Eger)
      • Ústí Region
        • Bílina (Bilin)
    		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: 1103.
        • Kadaň (Kaaden)
    		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: 1103; Bouška, V., Dvořák, Z.: Nerosty severočeské hěndouhelné pánve. Praha: Severočeské doly, a.s., 160 s.
        • Most
    		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: 1103; NBS Mon. 10 (1972), 24.
    Germany
     
    • Baden-Württemberg
      • Black Forest
        • Offenburg
    		Walenta, K. (2003): Oxalatmineralien aus dem Schwarzwald. Erzgräber 17, 9-16. (in German)
    • Bavaria
      • Franconia
        • Spessart Mts
          • Hösbach
            • Sailauf
              • Hartkoppe Mt.
    		No reference listed
              • Rehberg Mt.
    		Lorenz, J. (2006): Die Achate aus dem Rhyolith vom Rehberg bei Sailauf im Spessart. Lapis 31 (6), 13-20; 70.
    • Hesse
      • North Hesse
        • Großalmerode
    		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: 1103; S. Weiss: Mineralfundstellen Deutschland West, Weise (Munich), 1990
    • Saxony
      • Dresden
    		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: 1103.
    • Thuringia
      • Gera
    		T. Witzke & F. Rüger: Lapis 1998(7/8), 26-64
    Hungary
     
    • Fejér Co.
      • Bicske-Zsámbéki Basin
        • Bicske-Csordakút
    		Szakáll & Jánosi: Minerals of Hungary, 1995
    Italy
     
    • Tuscany
      • Livorno Province
        • Elba Island
          • Capoliveri
            • Cape Calamita Mine (Calamita Mine)
    		C.L. Garavelli (1955) – Ritrovamento di oxalite tra i minerali secondari del giacimento di Capo Calamita – Rend. Soc. Min. It., 11: 175-181.
          • Porto Azzurro
    		E. Manasse, 1910 - Oxalite di Capo d'Arco (Isola d'Elba) - Atti R. Acc. Lincei, Rend., v.19, s.5, f.3: 138-146.
    UK
     
    • England
      • Cornwall
        • Camborne - Redruth - St Day District
          • Carn Brea area
            • Killivose
    		No reference listed
    USA
     
    • California
      • Kern Co.
    • Michigan
      • Keweenaw Co.
        • Ahmeek
    		Mineralogy of Michigan (2004) Heinrich & Robinson
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
    www.mindat.org Web
    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: 5th Nov 2009 15:59:31