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

Anhydrite

Big Photo

Naica, Mun. de Saucillo, Chihuahua, Mexico
© Rob Lavinsky

Show Anhydrite Photos (67)
Formula:
CaSO
 
4
System:OrthorhombicColour:Colourless, bluish, ...
Lustre:Vitreous, Greasy, PearlyHardness:3 - 3½
Name:Named from the Greek άυ-νδρος meaning "without" and "water", in alluson to the lack of water in the composition.


Isostructural with Ferruccite; isostructural and isomorphous with α-BaSO4 and α-SrSO4.

Classification of Anhydrite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:6/A.08-50
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:7.AD.30

7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
A : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, without H2O
D : With only large cations
Dana 8th edition ID:28.3.2.1

28 : ANHYDROUS ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
3 : AXO4
Hey's CIM Ref.:25.4.1

25 : Sulphates
4 : Sulphates of Ca, Sr and Ba
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-234.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Type Occurrence of Anhydrite

Type Locality:Salt mine, Hall, Innsbruck, Inn valley, North Tyrol, Tyrol, Austria
Place of Conservation of Type Material:Mining Academy, Freiberg, Germany 16538
Year of Discovery:1804

Occurrences of Anhydrite

Geological Setting:Sedimentary evaporite deposits, cap rock of salt domes.

Physical Properties of Anhydrite

Lustre:Vitreous, Greasy, Pearly
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent, Translucent
Comment:Pearly on {010}
Colour:Colourless, bluish, blue-grey, violet, burgundy-red, white, rose-pink, brownish, reddish, grey, dark grey; colourless in transmitted light
Streak:White, off-white, greyish
Hardness (Mohs):3 - 3½
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Perfect
On {010} perfect; on {100} nearly perfect; on {001} good to imperfect.
Fracture:Irregular/Uneven, Splintery
Density (measured):2.98(1) g/cm3
Density (calculated):2.95 g/cm3

Crystallography of Anhydrite

Crystal System:Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Cell Parameters:a = 6.245(1) Å, b = 6.995(2) Å, c = 6.993(2) Å
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.893 : 1 : 1
Unit Cell Volume:V 305.48 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:4
Morphology:Crystals equant, or nearly so, with large pinacoidal faces. Also Thick tabular on {010}, {100}, or {001}; elongated [100] or [001]. Massive. Fine granular to scaly; fibrous (either parallel, radiated or plumose) and frequently curved. Contorted concretionary forms (bowel stone).
Twinning:1.) On {011} as contact twins and polysynthetic lamellae (may be produced by heating or pressure); 2.) On {120} as contact twins, rare.
Crystal Atlas:
Image Loading
Click on an icon to view
Anhydrite no.1 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Anhydrite no.6 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Anhydrite no.19 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Anhydrite no.28 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Anhydrite no.32 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Anhydrite no.37 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)

About Crystal Atlas

You may need to scroll this box using your mouse to view the full instructions.

The mindat.org Crystal Atlas allows you to view a selection of crystal drawings of real and idealised crystal forms for this mineral and, in certain cases, 3d rotating crystal objects. You need Java to see these. You can download Java for free - click here to download Java

The 3d models and java code are kindly provided by www.smorf.nl. You can control the movement of the models by holding down the left mouse-button over the 3d model and moving your mouse. Keyboard controls are:

: default positions
t/T: decrease/increase transparency x/X: next/previous texture
b/B: next/previous background w: toggle wireframe
s: toggle sticks m: toggle miller indices
k: toggle crystallographic axes =/-: zoom in/out
r: stop/start rotation 1/2/3


Note: You will not be able to switch between different crystal models using the Opera 8.5x web browser due to a bug in Opera - you need to use either Firefox or Internet Explorer 6/7 or Opera 9.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
Image Loading

Radiation - Copper Kα
Data Set:
Horizontal Axis: ° to ° Vertical Axis: % Source Data: Filtered Data: Peaks:
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.

Optical Data of Anhydrite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.567 - 1.574 nβ = 1.574 - 1.579 nγ = 1.609 - 1.618
2V:Measured: 36° to 45°, Calculated: 44°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.042 - 0.044

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Low
Dispersion:Strong r < v
Pleochroism:Visible
Comments:Violet coloured material: X = colourless to very light yellow or rose; Y = light violet or rose; Z = violet.

Chemical Properties of Anhydrite

Formula:
CaSO
 
4
Essential elements:Ca, O, S
All elements listed in formula:Ca, O, S
Common Impurities:Sr,Ba,H2O

Relationship of Anhydrite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):
7.AD.05Arcanite
K
 
2
SO
 
4
7.AD.05Mascagnite
(NH
 
4
)
 
2
SO
 
4
7.AD.10Mercallite
KHSO
 
4
7.AD.15Misenite
K
 
8
H
 
6
(SO
 
4
)
 
7
7.AD.20Letovicite
(NH
 
4
)
 
3
H(SO
 
4
)
 
2
7.AD.25Glauberite
Na
 
2
Ca(SO
 
4
)
 
2
7.AD.35Anglesite
PbSO
 
4
7.AD.35Baryte
BaSO
 
4
7.AD.35Celestine
SrSO
 
4
7.AD.35Olsacherite
Pb
 
2
SO
 
4
SeO
 
4
7.AD.35Kerstenite
7.AD.40Kalistrontite
K
 
2
Sr(SO
 
4
)
 
2
7.AD.40Palmierite
(K,Na)
 
2
Pb(SO
 
4
)
 
2
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:
25.4.2Bassanite
Ca[SO
 
4
] · 0.5H
 
2
O
25.4.3Gypsum
Ca[SO
 
4
] · 2H
 
2
O
25.4.4Glauberite
Na
 
2
Ca(SO
 
4
)
 
2
25.4.5Cesanite
Na
 
3
Ca
 
2
[OH|(SO
 
4
)
 
3
]
25.4.6Eugsterite
Na
 
4
Ca(SO
 
4
)
 
3
·2H
 
2
O
25.4.7Hydroglauberite
Na
 
10
Ca
 
3
(SO
 
4
)
 
8
·6H
 
2
O
25.4.8Syngenite
K
 
2
Ca(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·H
 
2
O
25.4.9Görgeyite
K
 
2
Ca
 
5
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
·H
 
2
O
25.4.10Polyhalite
K
 
2
Ca
 
2
Mg(SO
 
4
)
 
4
·2H
 
2
O
25.4.11Koktaite
(NH
 
4
)
 
2
Ca(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·H
 
2
O
25.4.12Ye'elimite
Ca
 
4
Al
 
6
[O
 
12
|SO
 
4
]
25.4.13Ettringite
Ca
 
6
Al
 
2
[(OH)
 
4
|SO
 
4
]
 
3
 · 26H
 
2
O
25.4.14Bentorite
Ca
 
6
(Cr
3+
 
,Al)
 
2
[(OH)
 
4
|SO
 
4
]
 
3
 · 26H
 
2
O
25.4.15Celestine
SrSO
 
4
25.4.16Kalistrontite
K
 
2
Sr(SO
 
4
)
 
2
25.4.17Baryte
BaSO
 
4

Other Names for Anhydrite

Synonyms:
Anhydrous GypsumAnhydrous Sulfate of LimeAnidriteCube SparKarstenite
MuriaciteSiliceous Anhydrous Gypsum
French names:
Chaux sulfatée anhydreChaux sulfatée quartzifèreSoude muriatée gypsifère
German names:
AnchydritAnhydritAnidritGekrössteinKarstenit
MetanhydritMuriacitMuriazitSalzsaurer KalkWürfelgips
WürfelgypsWürfelspat
Italian names:
BardiglioneMarmor Bardiglio di Bergamo
Russian names:
Ангидрит
Spanish names:
AnhydritaAnidritaMuriacita
Traditional Chinese names:
硬石膏
Varieties:
AngeliteBowel StoneVulpinite

Other Information

Thermal Behaviour:Inverts to α-CaSO4 at 1193°. Melting Point = ~ 1450°.
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 Anhydrite

Reference List:Abbé Nicolaus Poda von Neuhaus, in: Fichtel, Johann Ehrenreich von (1794) Mineralogische Aufsätze, Wien: 228 (as Muriazit; Salzsaurer Kalk).

Werner (1800) (as Würfelspath).

Haüy, R.J. (1801) Traité de minéralogie. First edition: in 4 volumes with atlas in fol.: 2 (as Soude muriatée gypsifère (of Hall) [from Klaproth's analysis in Beiträge: 1: 307 (1795)].

Haüy, R.J. (1801) Traité de minéralogie. First edition: in 4 volumes with atlas in fol.: 4 [as Chaux sulfatée anhydre (from Bex) Vauquelin].

Ludwig, C.F. (1803) Handbuch der Mineralogie nach A.G. Werner. 2 volumes, Leipzig: 1: 51, 166 (as Cube Spar).

Ludwig, C.F. (1804) Handbuch der Mineralogie nach A.G. Werner. 2 volumes, Leipzig: 2: 170 (as Kieselgyps; Vulpinit).

Werner (1803) (as Anhydrit).

Ludwig, C.F. (1804) Handbuch der Mineralogie nach A.G. Werner. 2 volumes, Leipzig: 2: 169 (as Würfelgyps).

Klaproth, M.H. (1807) Beiträge zur chemischen Kenntniss der Mineralkörpers, vol. 4: 231 (as Anhydrit; Pierre de tripes).

Hausmann, J.F.L. (1813) Handbuch der Mineralogie 3 volumes, Göttingen. Second edition: 880 (as Karstenit).

Schrauf (1860) Konigliche Akademie der Wissenschaften, Sitzber. Vienna: 39: 887.

Hessenberg (1872) Senck. Ges. Frankfurt, Abh.: 8: 1.

Mügge (1883) Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Geologie und Paleontologie, Heidelberg, Stuttgart: II: 258.

Danker (1886) Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Geologie und Paleontologie, Beil.-Bd., Heidelberg, Stuttgart: 4: 272.

Goldschmidt, V. (1886) Index der Krystallformen der Mineralien. 3 volumes: vol. 1, 601pp.: 211.

Mülheims (1888) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 14: 228.

Dana, E.S. (1892) System of Mineralogy, 6th. Edition, New York: 910.

Zimányi (1893) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 22: 341.

Mügge (1898) Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Geologie und Paleontologie, Heidelberg, Stuttgart: I: 71.

Vater (1899) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 31: 571.

Sommerfeldt (1907) Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Geologie und Paleontologie, Heidelberg, Stuttgart: I: 139 (as Metanhydrit).

Sommerfeldt (1909) Centralblatt für Mineralogie, Geologie und Paleontologie, Stuttgart: 22: 189 (as Metanhydrit).

Kolb (1911) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 49: 14, 25.

Goldschmidt, V. (1913) Atlas der Krystallformen. 9 volumes, atlas, and text: vol. 1: 56.

Emerson (1916) American Journal of Science: 42: 233.

Butler (1919) Economic Geology: 14: 581.

Veit (1922) Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Geologie und Paleontologie, Heidelberg, Beil.-Bd., Stuttgart: 45: 133.

Kinoshita (1925) Journal of the Geological Society of Tokyo: 32: 9.

Basche and Mark (1926) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 64: 22.

Dickson and Binks (1926) Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science: 2: 114.

Hintze, Carl (1929) Handbuch der Mineralogie. Berlin and Leipzig. 6 volumes: 1 (3B): 3735, 3780.

Schaller (1932) USGS Bulletin 832.

Berek and Strieder (1933) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 86: 212.

Tertsch (1934) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 87: 326.

Przibram (1936) Kali: 30: 61.

Posnjak (1940) American Journal of Science: 238: 559.

Engelhardt (1945) Chemie der Erde, Jena: 15: 424.

Zimmer (1947) American Mineralogist: 32: 647.

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. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged: 407, 424-428.

Groves, A.W. (1958), Gypsum and Anhydrite, 108 p. Overseas Geological Surveys, London.

Hardie, L.A. (1967), The gypsum-anhydrite equilibrium at one atmosphere pressure: American Mineralogist: 52: 171-200.

Canadian Mineralogist (1975): 13: 289-292.

Majzlan, J., Navrotsky, A., and Neil, J.M. (2002) Energetics of anhydrite, barite, celestine, and anglesite: a high-temperature and differential scanning calorimetry study. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta: 66: 1839-1850.

Anthony, J.W., Bideaux, R.A., Bladh, K.W., and Nichols, M.C. (2003) Handbook of Mineralogy, Volume V. Borates, Carbonates, Sulfates. Mineral Data Publishing, Tucson, AZ, 813pp.: 25.

Internet Links for Anhydrite

Search Engines:
  • Look for Anhydrite on Google
  • Look for Anhydrite images on Google
    • External Links:
  • Look for Anhydrite on Webmineral
  • Look for Anhydrite on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Anhydrite on Wikipedia
  • Look for Anhydrite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Anhydrite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Anhydrite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
    • Mineral Dealers:
  • Top quality minerals from Kristalle of California
  • Fabre Minerals - search for Anhydrite specimens
  • Buy from David K Joyce minerals
  • Wendel Minerals - Auktion & Shop
  • Buy fine minerals and gemstones from Pala International
  • Lapis Mineral Magazin
  • Wright's Rock Shop - excellent mineral specimens since 1970
  • The Arkenstone - Fine Minerals
  • Mineral Classics - Worldwide Collector Quality Minerals and Gems
  • Fine Minerals from Dan Weinrich Minerals
  • e-Rocks - Mineral Auctions and Sales
  • Buy Fine Minerals from mineralsweb.com
    • Jobs:
  • Mining & Geology Jobs

    • Page Sponsor

    Sponsorship:This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to find out how you can sponsor this page.

    Localities for Anhydrite

    Show Locality List (765 Items)
    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.
    These maps work faster with Firefox!
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
    www.mindat.org Web
    Copyright © Jolyon & Ida Ralph 1993-2008. 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. Mineral Specimens available here.