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

Lawrencite

Big Photo

Nantan meteorites (Nandan meteorites), Lihu - Yaochai area, Nandan Co., Hechi Prefecture, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
© 2007, JGW

Formula:
(Fe
2+
 
,Ni)Cl
 
2
System:TrigonalColour:White (unoxidized), ...
Name:
After J. Lawrence Smith (1818-1883), American chemist, mineralogist, and student of meteorites.
Isostructural with:Chloromagnesite, Scacchite


Lawrencite Group.

Classification of Lawrencite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:3/A.07-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:3.AB.20

3 : HALIDES
A : Simple halides, without H2O
B : M:X = 1:2
Dana 8th edition ID:9.2.3.1

9 : NORMAL HALIDES
2 : AX2
Hey's CIM Ref.:8.11.10

8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
11 : Halides of Fe and Ni
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-2351.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Type Occurrence of Lawrencite

Type Locality:Tazewell meteorite, Claiborne Co., Tennessee, USA
Year of Discovery:1877

Occurrences of Lawrencite

Geological Setting:Fissures in iron meteorites; sublimation product in volcanic fumaroles.

Physical Properties of Lawrencite

Lustre:Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Translucent
Colour:White (unoxidized), green to brown (oxidized)
Comment:Soft
Cleavage:Perfect
On {0001} ?
Density (measured):3.16 g/cm3
Density (calculated):3.26 g/cm3
Comment:Measured on synthetic material

Crystallography of Lawrencite

Crystal System:Trigonal
Class (H-M):3m (3 2/m) - Hexagonal Scalenohedral
Space Group:R3m {R3 2/m}
Space Group Setting:R3m
Cell Parameters:a = 3.58Å, c = 17.57Å
Ratio:a:c = 1 : 4.908
Unit Cell Volume:V 195.02 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:3
Morphology:Crystals are thin hexagonal plates {0001} (artificial). Massive only in natural material.

Optical Data of Lawrencite

Type:Uniaxial (-)
RI values: nω = 1.576 nε = 1.576
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.000

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

Chemical Properties of Lawrencite

Formula:
(Fe
2+
 
,Ni)Cl
 
2
Essential elements:Cl, Fe
All elements listed in formula:Cl, Fe, Ni
Analytical Data:Deliquescent.
Relationship of Lawrencite to other Species
Member of Group:
Lawrencite Group:
AX
 
2
 where A = Fe, Mn, Mg, Cu and X = Cl
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- + 
3.AB.05Tolbachite
CuCl
 
2
3.AB.10Coccinite
HgI
 
2
3.AB.15Sellaite
MgF
 
2
3.AB.20Chloromagnesite
MgCl
 
2
3.AB.20Scacchite
MnCl
 
2
3.AB.25Fluorite
CaF
 
2
3.AB.25Frankdicksonite
BaF
 
2
3.AB.25IMA2009-014
SrF
 
2
3.AB.30Tveitite-(Y)
(Y, Na)
 
6
Ca
 
6
Ca
 
6
F
 
42
3.AB.35Gagarinite-(Y)
NaCaY(F,Cl)
 
6
3.AB.35Zajacite-(Ce)
Na(REE
 
x
Ca
 
1-x
)(REE
 
y
Ca
 
1-y
)F
 
6
3.AB.35IMA2009-015
NaSrCeF
 
6
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- + 
8.11.1Molysite
FeCl
 
3
8.11.2
Hydromolysite
FeCl
 
3
·6H
 
2
O
8.11.3Rokühnite
FeCl
 
2
·2H
 
2
O
8.11.4Douglasite
K
 
2
[Fe
2+
 
Cl
 
4
(OH
 
2
)
 
2
]
8.11.5Erythrosiderite
K
 
2
[Fe
3+
 
Cl
 
5
(OH
 
2
)]
8.11.6Rinneite
K
 
3
Na[FeCl
 
6
]
8.11.7Kremersite
(NH
 
4
,K)
 
2
[Fe
3+
 
Cl
 
5
(H
 
2
O)]
8.11.8Iowaite
Mg
 
4
Fe(OH)
 
8
OCl·4H
 
2
O
8.11.9Nickelbischofite
NiCl
 
2
·6H
 
2
O
Other Names for Lawrencite
Other Languages:
French:Chlorure de fer
German:Eisenchlorür
Lawrencit
Italian:Ferro muriato
Russian:Лавренсит
Spanish:Lawrencita
Other Information
Other Information:Extremely hygroscopic; readily soluble in water.



Gains water and oxidizes to ferric chloride (molysite).
Special Storage/
Display Requirements:		Extremely hygroscopic
Health Warning:No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Industrial Uses:None.
References for Lawrencite
Reference List:Hayes (1845) American Journal of Science: 48: 153.



Jackson (1845) American Journal of Science: 48: 146.



Smith (1855) American Journal of Science: 19: 159.



Smith (1877) American Journal of Science: 13: 214.



Daubrée (1877) Comptes rendu de l’Académie des sciences de Paris: 84: 69.



Biltz and Birk (1924) Zeitschrift für anorganische und allgemeine Chemie, Hamburg, Leipzig: 134: 125.



Ferrari, Celeri, and Giorgio (1929) Rend., Reale accademia nazionale dei Lincei, Rome: 9: 782.



Pauling (1929) Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Washington: 15: 709.



Zambonini, Ferruccio (1935) Mineralogia Vesuviana. second edition with Quercigh, 463 pp., Naples: 84.



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: Halides, Nitrates, Borates, Carbonates, Sulfates, Phosphates, Arsenates, Tungstates, Molybdates, Etc. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged: 40.



Acta Crystallographica (1963): 846.


Internet Links for Lawrencite
Search Engines:












  • Look for Lawrencite on Google
    • 


  • Look for Lawrencite images on Google
    • External Links:
  • Look for Lawrencite on Webmineral
  • Look for Lawrencite on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Lawrencite on Wikipedia
  • Look for Lawrencite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Lawrencite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Lawrencite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
    • Mineral Dealers:
  • Buy fine minerals and gemstones from Pala International
  • Top quality minerals from Kristalle of California
  • Buy from David K Joyce minerals
  • Buy Fine Minerals from mineralsweb.com
  • The Arkenstone - Fine Minerals
  • Find Lawrencite on www.crystalclassics.co.uk
  • High-end worldwide specimens & outstanding customer service
  • Wright's Rock Shop - excellent mineral specimens since 1970
  • Edwards Minerals - Fine Specimens
  • Wilensky Fine Minerals
  • rare and unusual minerals mainly crystallized
  • Lapis Mineral Magazin
    • Jobs:
  • Mining & Geology Jobs
    • Page Sponsor
    Sponsorship:This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
    Localities for Lawrencite
    






    


    

    
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.

    China
     
    

    • Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region
    

      • Hechi Prefecture
    

        • Nandan Co.
    

          • Lihu - Yaochai area
    
    		No reference listed
    Greenland
     
    

    • Kitaa (West Greenland) Province
    

      • Qeqertarsuaq Island (Disko Island)
    
    		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: 40.
    Hungary
     
    

    • Veszprém Co.
    

      • Bakony Mts.
    

        • Nagyvázsony
    
    		Szakáll & Gatter: Hun. Min. Spec., 1993
    Italy
     
    

    • Campania
    

      • Naples Province
    

        • Somma-Vesuvius Complex
    
    		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: 40.
    Russia
     
    

    • Far-Eastern Region
    

      • Kamchatka Oblast'
    

    Slovakia
     
    

    • Žilina Region
    

      • Oravská Magura Mts
    

        • Námestovo
    

          • Slanica
    
    		Koděra,  M.  et al., 1986 a  1990 : Topografická mineralógia Slovenska, diel  1- 3, Veda – Vydavateľstvo SAV, Bratislava, 1990, 1 – 1590k
    USA
     
    

    • Alabama
    

      • Blount Co.
    

        • Summit
    
    		Mineralogy of Alabama Geol Surv Ala. Bull 120
    


      • Monroe Co.
    
    		Mineralogy of Alabama Geol Surv Ala. Bull 120
    

    • Arizona
    

      • Coconino Co.
    

        • Flagstaff
    

          • Elden Mountain area
    
    		Galbraith, F.W. (1947), Minerals of AZ, AZ Bur. Mines Bull. 153: 10.
    



        • Winslow
    

          • Meteor Crater and vicinity
    
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 129, 273.
    

    • Georgia
    

      • Jenkins Co.
    
    		Minerals of Georgia: Their properties and occurrences. Robert Cook GGWRD Bull 92
    


      • Whitfield Co.
    

        • Dalton
    
    		Wirt Tassin (1902) Descriptive catalogue of the meteorite collection in the United States National Museum to January 1, 1902
    
Leonard S.Wiener and Sigrid Ballew,1995, Updated by Kenny Gay,2006, A Listing Of North Carolina Minerals,Geologic Note No.4
    

Dana,E.S,1892,A System of Mineralogy,6th edition
    

    • Tennessee
    

      • Claiborne Co.
    
    		C. R. Acad. Sci. 84 (1877), 69
    

    • Texas
    

      • Ector Co.
    

        • Odessa
    

    

    • Virginia
    

      • Henry Co.
    
    		Minerals of Virginia 1990 by R. V. Dietrich
    

    • Wisconsin
    

      • Walworth Co.
    

        • Zenda
    
    		Berquist, Goodwin F., Jr. (ed.) / Transactions of the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters volume LII (1963) Read, William F. The Zenda meteorite,   pp. 153-158 
    

    


    

    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: 29th Oct 2009 11:09:52