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Krausite

Formula:
KFe(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·H
 
2
O
System:MonoclinicColour:Pale lemon yellow, ...
Lustre:VitreousHardness:
Name:After Dr. Edward Henry Kraus (1875-1973), American Mineralogist, University of Michigan.
This page provides mineralogical data about Krausite.

Classification of Krausite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:6/C.15-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:7.CC.05

7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
C : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, with H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
Dana 8th edition ID:29.5.1.1

29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
5 : AB(XO4)2·xH2O
Hey's CIM Ref.:25.11.7

25 : Sulphates
11 : Sulphates of Fe and other metals
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Type Occurrence of Krausite

Type Locality:Sulphur Hole, Borate, Calico District, Calico Mts, San Bernardino Co., California, USA
Place of Conservation of Type Material:Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC
Year of Discovery:1931
Geological Setting of type material:Secondary mineral in sulfate bearing chert.
Associated Minerals at type locality:
CoquimbiteAlunite

Occurrences of Krausite

Geological Setting:Oxidation material on pyrite bearing dumps.

Physical Properties of Krausite

Lustre:Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Colour:Pale lemon yellow, yellowish green, gray; colourless to pale yellow in transmitted light.
Streak:White
Hardness (Mohs):
Cleavage:Perfect
Perfect on {001}; Good on {100}
Density (measured):2.84 g/cm3
Density (calculated):2.839 g/cm3

Crystallography of Krausite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Class (H-M):2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:P21/m (P1 1 21/m) [P21/m] {P1 21/m 1}
Cell Parameters:a = 7.91Å, b = 5.15Å, c = 8.99Å
β = 102.75°
Ratio:a:b:c = 1.536 : 1 : 1.746
Unit Cell Volume:V 357.19 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:2
Morphology:Commonly short prismatic [001]; also equant to tabular {001}. Larger crystals tend to be rough and opaque, smaller ones brilliant and clear.

Optical Data of Krausite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.588 nβ = 1.650 nγ = 1.722
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.134

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Moderate
Dispersion:relatively strong
Pleochroism:Visible
Comments:X = Colourless
Y = Pale yellow
Z = Pale yellow
Comments:2V large

Chemical Properties of Krausite

Formula:
KFe(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·H
 
2
O
Essential elements:Fe, H, K, O, S
All elements listed in formula:Fe, H, K, O, S
Analyical Data:Slowly decomposed by water. Yields acid water.
Empirical Formula:
KFe
3+
 
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·H
 
2
O

Relationship of Krausite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):
7.CC.10Amarillite
NaFe(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·6H
 
2
O
7.CC.10Tamarugite
NaAl(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·6H
 
2
O
7.CC.15Kalinite
KAl(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·11H
 
2
O Not confirmed
7.CC.15Mendozite
NaAl(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·11H
 
2
O
7.CC.20Lonecreekite
(NH
 
4
)Fe
3+
 
[SO
 
4
]
 
2
· 12H
 
2
O
7.CC.20Alum-(K)
KAl[SO
 
4
]
 
2
· 12H
 
2
O
7.CC.20Alum-(Na)
NaAl[SO
 
4
]
 
2
· 12H
 
2
O
7.CC.20Tschermigite
(NH
 
4
)Al[SO
 
4
]
 
2
· 12H
 
2
O
7.CC.20Lanmuchangite
Tl
+
 
Al[SO
 
4
]
 
2
· 12H
 
2
O
7.CC.25Voltaite
K
 
2
Fe
2+
5
Fe
3+
3
Al[SO
 
4
]
 
12
· 18H
 
2
O
7.CC.25Zincovoltaite
K
 
2
Zn
 
5
Fe
3+
3
Al[SO
 
4
]
 
12
· 18H
 
2
O
7.CC.30Kröhnkite
Na
 
2
Cu(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·2H
 
2
O
7.CC.35Ferrinatrite
Na
 
3
Fe(SO
 
4
)
 
3
·3H
 
2
O
7.CC.40Goldichite
KFe(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·4H
 
2
O
7.CC.45Löweite
Na
 
12
Mg
 
7
(SO
 
4
)
 
13
7.CC.50Blödite
Na
 
2
Mg(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·4H
 
2
O
7.CC.50Nickelblödite
Na
 
2
(Ni,Mg)(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·4H
 
2
O
7.CC.50Changoite
Na
 
2
Zn(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·4H
 
2
O
7.CC.50Zincblödite
7.CC.55Leonite
K
 
2
Mg(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·4H
 
2
O
7.CC.55Mereiterite
K
 
2
Fe(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·4H
 
2
O
7.CC.60Boussingaultite
(NH
 
4
)
 
2
Mg(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·6H
 
2
O
7.CC.60Cyanochroite
K
 
2
Cu(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·6H
 
2
O
7.CC.60Konyaite
Na
 
2
Mg(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·5H
 
2
O
7.CC.60Mohrite
(NH
 
4
)
 
2
Fe(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·6H
 
2
O
7.CC.60Nickelboussingaultite
(NH
 
4
)
 
2
Ni(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·6H
 
2
O
7.CC.60Picromerite
K
 
2
Mg(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·6H
 
2
O
7.CC.65Polyhalite
K
 
2
Ca
 
2
Mg(SO
 
4
)
 
4
·2H
 
2
O
7.CC.65Wattevilleite
Na
 
2
Ca(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·4H
 
2
O (?)
7.CC.70Leightonite
K
 
2
Ca
 
2
Cu(SO
 
4
)
 
4
·2H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:
25.11.1Natrojarosite
NaFe
 
3
[(OH)
 
3
|SO
 
4
]
 
2
25.11.2Sideronatrite
Na
 
2
Fe(SO
 
4
)
 
2
OH·3H
 
2
O
25.11.3Metasideronatrite
Na
 
4
Fe
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
2
·2H
 
2
O
25.11.4Ferrinatrite
Na
 
3
Fe(SO
 
4
)
 
3
·3H
 
2
O
25.11.5Amarillite
NaFe(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·6H
 
2
O
25.11.6Yavapaiite
KFe(SO
 
4
)
 
2
25.11.8Goldichite
KFe(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·4H
 
2
O
25.11.9Jarosite
KFe
3+
 
 
3
[(OH)
 
3
|SO
 
4
]
 
2
25.11.10Voltaite
K
 
2
Fe
2+
5
Fe
3+
3
Al[SO
 
4
]
 
12
· 18H
 
2
O
25.11.11Ungemachite
K
 
3
Na
 
8
Fe(SO
 
4
)
 
6
(NO
 
3
)
 
2
·6H
 
2
O
25.11.12Metavoltine
Na
 
6
K
 
2
FeFe
 
6
(SO
 
4
)
 
12
O
 
2
·18H
 
2
O
25.11.13Sabieite
NH
 
4
Fe(SO
 
4
)
 
2
25.11.14Ammoniojarosite
(NH
 
4
)Fe
3+
3
[(OH)
 
3
|SO
 
4
]
 
2
25.11.15Clairite
(NH
 
4
)
 
2
Fe
 
3
(SO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
3
·3H
 
2
O
25.11.16Mohrite
(NH
 
4
)
 
2
Fe(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·6H
 
2
O
25.11.17Lonecreekite
(NH
 
4
)Fe
3+
 
[SO
 
4
]
 
2
· 12H
 
2
O
25.11.18Godovikovite
NH
 
4
(Al,Fe)(SO
 
4
)
 
2
25.11.19Botryogen
MgFe
3+
 
[OH|(SO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 7H
 
2
O
25.11.21Slavíkite
NaMg
 
2
Fe
 
5
(SO
 
4
)
 
7
(OH)
 
6
·33H
 
2
O
25.11.23Sturmanite
Ca
 
6
(Fe
3+
 
,Al,Mn
3+
 
)
 
2
[(OH)
 
12
|B(OH)
 
4
|(SO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 25H
 
2
O
25.11.24Millosevichite
(Al,Fe)
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
3
25.11.25Aluminocopiapite
Al
 
2/3
Fe
3+
4
[OH|(SO
 
4
)
 
3
]
 
2
· 20H
 
2
O
25.11.26Halotrichite
FeAl
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
4
·22H
 
2
O
25.11.27Idrizite
(Mg,Fe)(Al,Fe)
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
2
·15H
 
2
O or near
25.11.28Lishizhenite
ZnFe
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
4
·14H
 
2
O
25.11.29Zincovoltaite
K
 
2
Zn
 
5
Fe
3+
3
Al[SO
 
4
]
 
12
· 18H
 
2
O

Other Names for Krausite

German names:
Krausit
Russian names:
Краузит
Spanish names:
Krausita

Other Information

Other Information:Slowly decomposed by water leaving ferric oxide.
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 Krausite

Reference List:Foshag, W.F. (1931), Krausite, a new sulphate from California, American Mineralogist: 16: 352-360.

Graeber, E.J. & A. Rosenzweig (1965), The unit cell of Krausite: American Mineralogist: 50: 504-507.

Graeber, E.J., B. Morosin & A. Rosenzweig (1965), The crystal structure of Krausite, KFe(SO4)2•H2O: American Mineralogist: 50: 1929-1936.

American Mineralogist (1986): 71: 202-205.

Internet Links for Krausite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
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    Localities for Krausite

    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.
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    (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
     
    • Jujuy
      • El Palmar District
    http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/doclib/hom/krausite.pdf.
    Chile
     
    • Antofagasta Region
      • El Loa Province
        • Calama
    Natural History Museum Vienna collection (Uwe Kolitsch SXRD on Arturo Molina material)
    China
     
    • Xinjiang (Xinjiang-Uygur) Autonomous Region
      • Hami (Kumul; Qumul) Prefecture
        • Hami (Kumul; Qumul) Co.
    Xu Ying-xia, Ding Kui-shou, Qin Ke-zhang, Miao Yu, Fang Tong-hui, Xu Xing-wang, and Sun He (2006): Geology in China 33(3), 605-616.
    Germany
     
    • Saxony
      • Dresden
    Thalheim, K.; Reichel, W. & Witzke, T. (1991): Die Minerale des Döhlener Beckens.- Schriften des Staatlichen Museums für Mineralogie und Geologie zu Dresden, Nr. 3
    Italy
     
    • Campania
      • Naples Province
    http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/doclib/hom/krausite.pdf.
          • Pozzuoli
    De Michele, V. (1974). Guida mineralogica d'Italia. Istituto Geografico De Agostini, Novara, 2 vol
    Mexico
     
    • Durango
      • Mun. de Cuencamé
        • Velardeña District
          • Velardeña
    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: 463; Handbook of Mineralogy - Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols.
    USA
     
    • California
      • San Bernardino Co.
        • Calico District
    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: 616.
        • Calico Mts
          • Calico District
            • Borate
    [Nickel & Nichols, 1991]
    • Utah
      • Wayne Co.
    http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/doclib/hom/krausite.pdf.
    Mineral and/or Locality
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