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

Pharmacosiderite

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

Burdell Gill, Coombe Height, Caldbeck Fells, North and Western Region (Cumberland), Cumbria, England, UK
© C.Thomson.2003

Show Pharmacosiderite Photos (251)



Formula:
KFe
3+
4
(AsO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
4
 · 6-7H
 
2
O
System:IsometricColour:Green, emerald-green, ...
Hardness:2½
Member of:Pharmacosiderite Group > Pharmacosiderite Supergroup
Name:From the Greek φάρμăκου for "poison," in allusion to the arsenic, and σίδηρος "sideros" for "iron" in its composition.


Pharmacosiderite Group.

A secondary mineral occurring in the oxidized zones of iron-bearing sulfide deposits or in hydrothermal deposits.

Classification of Pharmacosiderite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:7/D.47-20
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:8.DK.10

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
K : With large and medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 > 1:1 and < 2:1
Dana 8th edition ID:42.8.1a.1

42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
8 : (AB)5(XO4)3Zq·xH2O
Hey's CIM Ref.:20.9.9

20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
9 : Arsenates of Fe
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-3185.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Type Occurrence of Pharmacosiderite

Co-type Localities:Carharrack Mine, St Day United Mines (Poldice Mines), Gwennap, Camborne - Redruth - St Day District, Cornwall, England, UK
Tincroft Mine, Carn Brea and Tincroft United Mine, Illogan, Camborne - Redruth - St Day District, Cornwall, England, UK
Year of Discovery:1813

Occurrences of Pharmacosiderite

Geological Setting:Oxidation zones of arsenic-bearing sulfide deposits; also in hydrothermal deposits.

Physical Properties of Pharmacosiderite

Lustre:Adamantine, Greasy
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent, Translucent
Colour:Green, emerald-green, dark brown, honey-yellow to yellow-brown, brownish red, hyacinth-red; green, yellow, light brown in transmitted light (biaxially sectored).
Hardness (Mohs):2½
Tenacity:Sectile
Cleavage:Imperfect/Fair
Imperfect to good on {001}.
Fracture:Irregular/Uneven
Density (measured):2.797 g/cm3
Density (calculated):2.9 g/cm3

Crystallography of Pharmacosiderite

Crystal System:Isometric
Class (H-M):4 3m - Hextetrahedral
Space Group:P4 3m
Cell Parameters:a = 7.96(2) Å
Unit Cell Volume:V 504.36 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:1
Morphology:Cubic crystals, striated diagonally or replaced by a vicinal trapezohedron near {1.1.40}; and exhibiting minor {111}, {111}, {011}, and {122}; also tetrahedral. Granular, earthy.
Twinning:Lamellar, rarely as twinned tetrahedra.
Crystal Atlas:
Image Loading
Click on an icon to view
Pharmacosiderite no.8 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Pharmacosiderite no.12 - 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

Optical Data of Pharmacosiderite

Type:Isotropic
RI values: nα = 1.660 - 1.697 nβ = 1.661 - 1.700 nγ = 1.663 - 1.704 n = 1.687 - 1.704
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.003 - 0.007 - Isotropic minerals have no birefringence
Surface Relief:High
Comments:Virtually always anomalously biaxial + or - of tensional origin, with weak birefringence, possibly exhibiting six biaxial sectors based on the faces of {001}. Measured 2V = large.

Chemical Properties of Pharmacosiderite

Formula:
KFe
3+
4
(AsO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
4
 · 6-7H
 
2
O
Essential elements:As, Fe, H, K, O
All elements listed in formula:As, Fe, H, K, O
Common Impurities:P

Relationship of Pharmacosiderite to other Species

Member of:Pharmacosiderite Group > Pharmacosiderite Supergroup
Other Members of Group:

- +
Bariopharmacosiderite
Ba
 
0.5
Fe
3+
4
(AsO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
4
 · 5H
 
2
O
Hydroniumpharmacosiderite
(H
 
3
O)Fe
 
4
(AsO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
4
 · 4H
 
2
O
Natropharmacosiderite
(Na,K)Fe
3+
4
(AsO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
4
 · 6-7H
 
2
O
Strontiopharmacosiderite
Sr, Fe, As, O, H
Common Associates:
SymplesiteScoroditePitticiteLimoniteJarosite
ErythriteCarminiteBeudantiteArseniosiderite
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
8.DK.Richelsdorfite
Ca
 
2
Cu
 
5
Sb(AsO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
6
Cl · 6H
 
2
O
8.DK.10Bariopharmacosiderite
Ba
 
0.5
Fe
3+
4
(AsO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
4
 · 5H
 
2
O
8.DK.10Natropharmacosiderite
(Na,K)Fe
3+
4
(AsO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
4
 · 6-7H
 
2
O
8.DK.10Hydroniumpharmacosiderite
(H
 
3
O)Fe
 
4
(AsO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
4
 · 4H
 
2
O
8.DK.12Pharmacoalumite
KAl
 
4
(AsO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
4
 · 6.5H
 
2
O
8.DK.12Natropharmacoalumite
NaAl
 
4
(AsO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
4
 · 4H
 
2
O
8.DK.12Bariopharmacoalumite
Ba
 
0.5
Al
 
4
(AsO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
4
 · 4H
 
2
O
8.DK.15Burangaite
NaFe
2+
 
Al
 
5
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
6
 · 2H
 
2
O
8.DK.15Dufrénite
Ca
 
0.5
Fe
2+
 
Fe
3+
5
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
6
 · 2H
 
2
O
8.DK.15Natrodufrénite
NaFe
2+
 
Fe
3+5(PO4)4(OH)6.2H2O
 
8.DK.15Matioliite
NaMgAl
 
5
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
6
 · 2H
 
2
O
8.DK.15Gayite
NaMn
2+
 
Fe
3+
5
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
6
 · 2H
 
2
O
8.DK.20Kidwellite
NaFe
3+
9
(PO
 
4
)
 
6
(OH)
 
11
 · 3H
 
2
O
8.DK.25Bleasdaleite
(Ca,Fe
3+
 
)
 
2
Cu
 
5
(Bi,Cu)(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(H
 
2
O,OH,Cl)
 
13
8.DK.30Matulaite
(Fe
3+
 
,Al)Al
 
7
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(PO
 
3
OH)
 
2
(OH)
 
8
(H
 
2
O)
 
8
 · 8H
 
2
O
8.DK.35Krasnovite
Ba(Al,Mg)(PO
 
4
,CO
 
3
)(OH)
 
2
 · H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
20.9.1Angelellite
Fe
3+
4
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
O
 
3
20.9.2Scorodite
FeAsO
 
4
 · 2H
 
2
O
20.9.3Kaňkite
FeAsO
 
4
 · 3.5H
 
2
O
20.9.4Ferrisymplesite
Fe
3+
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
3
 · 5H
 
2
O
20.9.5Kaatialaite
Fe(H
 
2
AsO
 
4
)
 
3
 · 5H
 
2
O
20.9.6Symplesite
Fe
2+
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
20.9.7Parasymplesite
Fe
2+
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
20.9.8Natropharmacosiderite
(Na,K)Fe
3+
4
(AsO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
4
 · 6-7H
 
2
O
20.9.10Kolfanite
Ca
 
2
Fe
3+
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
3
O
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
20.9.11Arseniosiderite
Ca
 
2
Fe
3+
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
3
O
 
2
 · 3H
 
2
O
20.9.12Yukonite
Ca
 
3
Fe
3+
 
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
3
 · 5H
 
2
O
20.9.13Dussertite
BaFe
3+
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
5
20.9.14Liskeardite
(Al,Fe
3+
 
)
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)(OH)
 
6
 · 5H
 
2
O
20.9.15Mapimite
Zn
 
2
Fe
3+
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
4
 · 10H
 
2
O
20.9.16Ogdensburgite
Ca
 
2
Fe
3+
4
(Zn,Mn
2+
 
)(AsO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
6
 · 6H
 
2
O
20.9.17Walentaite
H(Ca,Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
)Fe
3+
3
(AsO
 
4
,PO
 
4
)
 
4
 · 7H
 
2
O

Other Names for Pharmacosiderite

Synonyms:
Arsenate-zeoliteArsenicated Iron OreCube OreHexaedrischer LiroconmalachitPharmakosidrite
Siderite (of Bergmann)
Other Languages:
Catalan:Farmacosiderita
Dutch:Farmacosideriet
French:Fer arseniaté
German:Pharmakosiderit
Arseniksaures Eisen im Würfeln kryst.
Pharmacosiderit
Pharmakosidrit
Würfelerz
Italian:Farmacosiderite
Russian:Фармакосидерит
Simplified Chinese:毒铁石
Spanish:Farmacosiderita

Other Information

Electrical:Weakly piezoelectric and pyroelectric.
Other Information:Soluble in HCl. Crystals immersed in ammonia turn red and revert to the original green colour when reimmersed in dilute HCl.

Alters to Limonite and Wad. Forms pseudomorphs after Siderite.
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 Pharmacosiderite

Reference List:

- +
Klaproth (1786) Schriften der Gesellschaft naturforschender Freunde in Berlin, Schr.: 1: 161 (as Arseniksaures Eisen im Würfeln kryst.).

Lenz, D.G. (1794) Versuch einer vollständigen Anleitung zur Kenntniss der Mineralien. 2 volumes, Leipzig: 2: 18, 151 (as Würfelerz).

Kirwan, R. (1796) Elements of Mineralogy. second edition: 2: 189 (as Arsenicated Iron Ore).

Klaproth (1802) Beitr.: 3: 194 (as Arseniksaures Eisen im Würfeln kryst.).

Karsten, D.L.G. (1808) Mineralogische Tabellen, Berlin. second edition: 66: 1808 (as Würfelerz).

Hausmann, J.F.L. (1813) Handbuch der Mineralogie 3 volumes, Göttingen: 1065 (as Pharmakosiderit).

Brauns, R.A. (1891): 349.

Hartley (1899) Mineralogical Magazine: 12: 152.

Gaubert (1907) Bulletin de la Société française de Minéralogie: 30: 108.

Lacroix, A. (1910) Minéralogie de la France et des ses colonies, Paris. 5 volumes: vol. 4: 520.

Goldschmidt, V. (1920) Atlas der Krystallformen. 9 volumes, atlas, and text: vol. 6: 137.

Larsen, E.S. (1921) The Microscopic Determination of the Nonopaque Minerals, First edition, USGS Bulletin 679: 118.

Heide (1928) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 67: 60.

Hocart (1934) Bulletin de la Société française de Minéralogie: 57: 5.

Hägele and Machatschki (1937) Forschritte der Mineralogie, Kristallographie und Petrographie, Jena: 21: 77.

Zemann, J. (1948): Formula and structural type of pharmacosiderite. Mineralog. u. petrog. Mitt. 1, 1-13.

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.: 995-997.

Zemann, J. (1959): Isotypes between pharmacosiderite and zeolitic germanates. Acta Cryst. 12, 252. (in German.)

Buerger, M.J., W.A. Dollase, and I. Garaycochea-Wittke (1967) The structure and composition of the mineral pharmacosiderite. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie: 125: 92-108.

Greis, O., G. Mutter, and W. Eysel (1981) Pulverröntgenographische Untersuchungen an A[Fe4(OH)4(AsO4)3]•(5−7)H2O. Zeits. Krist., 156, 48–49 (in German).

Mutter, G., Greis, O., and Eysel, W. (1982): Strukturvarianten und Eigenschaften von Pharmakosideriten. Fortschr. Mineral., 60, Beiheft 1, 151-152.

Mutter, G., W. Eysel, O. Greis, and K. Schmetzer (1984) Crystal chemistry of natural and ion-exchanged pharmacosiderites. Neues Jahrb. Mineral., Monatsh., 183–192.

Anthony, J.W., Bideaux, R.A., Bladh, K.W., and Nichols, M.C. (2000) Handbook of Mineralogy, Volume IV. Arsenates, Phosphates, Vanadates. Mineral Data Publishing, Tucson, AZ, 680pp.: 452.

Mills, S. J., Hager, S. L., Leverett, P., Williams, P. A. & Raudsepp, M. (2010) The crystal structure of H3O+-exchanged pharmacosiderite. Mineralogical Magazine, 74(3), 487–492.

Internet Links for Pharmacosiderite

Search Engines:
  • Look for Pharmacosiderite on Google
  • Look for Pharmacosiderite images on Google
    • External Links:
  • Look for Pharmacosiderite on Webmineral
  • Look for Pharmacosiderite on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Pharmacosiderite on Wikipedia
  • Look for Pharmacosiderite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
    • Mineral Dealers:
  • Fine and rare minerals from mintreasure.com
  • Buy RARE Minerals from Rocks of Africa
  • Buy fine minerals and gemstones from Pala International
  • rare and unusual minerals mainly crystallized
  • Search for Pharmacosiderite on Well-Arranged Molecules
  • Pharmacosiderite specimens for sale - minfind.com
  • Rare and Unusual minerals at Mineralogical Research Company
  • Mineral Classics - Worldwide Collector Quality Minerals and Gems
  • webminerals
  • Search for minerals at Heliodor
  • SpiriferMinerals.com - high quality low prices
  • DAKOTA MATRIX offers Cabinet and Rare Species from Worldwide Localities.
    • Specimens:The following Pharmacosiderite specimens are currently listed for sale on minfind.com.
    Jobs:
  • Mining & Geology Jobs

    • Localities for Pharmacosiderite

    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.
    Show Locality List (383 Items)
    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. 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 thousands 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: June 20, 2013 02:33:30
    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
    Locality Updated: Aragón, SpainFrom Gascon Cuello Fernando, 20th Jun 2013 06:37:45