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Picromerite

Big Photo

Ilchagh Salt mine, Dandy to Mahneshan road, Zanjan Province, Iran
© Maziar Nazari

Show Picromerite Photos (4)
Formula:
K
 
2
Mg(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·6H
 
2
O
System:MonoclinicColour:Colourless, white, ...
Hardness:2½
Name:From the Greek for "bitter" and "part" in allusion to the presence of magnesium and was originally applied to material crystallized from an aqueous solution of mixed salts from Vesuvius fumaroles.


Picromerite Group.
Fresh picromerite is colorless. Specimens may dehydrate in collections within days to years (according to the conditions) to white, opaque leonite.

Picromerite-type compounds are labeled Tutton salts in chemistry.

Classification of Picromerite

IMA status:Approved
Strunz 8th edition ID:6/C.19-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:7.CC.60

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:29.3.6.1

29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
3 : A2B(XO4)2·xH2O
Hey's CIM Ref.:25.3.15

25 : Sulphates
3 : Sulphates of Mg
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Occurrences of Picromerite

Geological Setting:In kainite zones of some oceanic salt deposits.

Physical Properties of Picromerite

Lustre:Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Colour:Colourless, white, reddish, yellowish, grayish; colourless in transmitted light.
Comment:Tints due to admixed materials
Streak:White
Hardness (Mohs):2½
Cleavage:Perfect
On {_201}, perfect.
Density (measured):2.028 g/cm3
Density (calculated):2.039 g/cm3
Comment:Measured on artificial material.

Crystallography of Picromerite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Class (H-M):2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:a = 9.06Å, b = 12.25Å, c = 6.12Å
β = 104.78°
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.74 : 1 : 0.5
Unit Cell Volume:V 656.75 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:Short prismatic [001]. Crusts on other salts; also massive.

Optical Data of Picromerite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.461 nβ = 1.463 nγ = 1.476
2V:Measured: 47° , Calculated: 46°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.015

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Moderate
Dispersion:r > v strong

Chemical Properties of Picromerite

Formula:
K
 
2
Mg(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·6H
 
2
O
Essential elements:H, K, Mg, O, S
All elements listed in formula:H, K, Mg, O, S
Analytical Data:Soluble in cold water.
Relationship of Picromerite to other Species
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- + 
7.CC.05Krausite
KFe(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·H
 
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.25Pertlikite
K
 
2
(Fe
2+
 
,Mg)
 
2
Mg
 
4
Fe
3+
2
Al(SO
 
4
)
 
12
·4H
 
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.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.65Polyhalite
K
 
2
Ca
 
2
Mg(SO
 
4
)
 
4
·2H
 
2
O
7.CC.70Leightonite
K
 
2
Ca
 
2
Cu(SO
 
4
)
 
4
·2H
 
2
O
7.CC.75Amarillite
NaFe(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·6H
 
2
O
7.CC.80Konyaite
Na
 
2
Mg(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·5H
 
2
O
7.CC.85Wattevilleite
Na
 
2
Ca(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·4H
 
2
O (?)
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- + 
25.3.1Kieserite
MgSO
 
4
·H
 
2
O
25.3.2Sanderite
MgSO
 
4
·2H
 
2
O
25.3.3Starkeyite
MgSO
 
4
·4H
 
2
O
25.3.4Pentahydrite
MgSO
 
4
·5H
 
2
O
25.3.5Hexahydrite
MgSO
 
4
·6H
 
2
O
25.3.6Epsomite
MgSO
 
4
·7H
 
2
O
25.3.7Caminite
Mg
 
7
[(OH)
 
4
|(SO
 
4
)
 
5
] · H
 
2
O
25.3.8Vanthoffite
Na
 
6
Mg(SO
 
4
)
 
4
25.3.9Blödite
Na
 
2
Mg(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·4H
 
2
O
25.3.10Konyaite
Na
 
2
Mg(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·5H
 
2
O
25.3.11Löweite
Na
 
12
Mg
 
7
(SO
 
4
)
 
13
25.3.12Uklonskovite
NaMg[F|SO
 
4
] · 2H
 
2
O
25.3.13Langbeinite
K
 
2
Mg
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
3
25.3.14Leonite
K
 
2
Mg(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·4H
 
2
O
25.3.16Efremovite
(NH
 
4
)
 
2
Mg
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
3
25.3.17Boussingaultite
(NH
 
4
)
 
2
Mg(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·6H
 
2
O
25.3.18Pickeringite
MgAl
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
4
·22H
 
2
O
Other Names for Picromerite
Other Languages:
German:Picromerit
Pikromerit
Schoenite
Schönite
Italian:Picromeride
Russian:Пикромерит
Spanish:Picromerita
Other Information
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 Picromerite
Reference List:Scacchi (1855) Mem. sullo Incendio Vesuvio: 191.



Reichardt (1866) Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Geologie und Paleontologie, Heidelberg, Stuttgart: 340.



Tutton (1893) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 21: 491.



Tutton (1897) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 27: 113.



Hofmann (1931) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 78: 279



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, 1124 pp.: 453.



Zeitschrift für Kristallographie (1965): 122: 161-174.


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    Localities for Picromerite
    






    


    

    
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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.

    Austria
     
    

    • Tyrol
    

      • North Tyrol
    

        • Inn valley
    

          • Innsbruck
    

            • Hall
    
    		R. Exel: Die Mineralien und Erzlagerstätten Österreichs (1993)
    

    • Upper Austria
    

      • Bad Ischl
    

        • Perneck
    
    		R. Exel: Die Mineralien und Erzlagerstätten Österreichs (1993)
    


      • Hallstatt
    
    		R. Exel: Die Mineralien und Erzlagerstätten Österreichs (1993)
    Chile
     
    

    • Antofagasta Region
    

      • El Loa Province
    

        • Calama
    

          • Chuquicamata 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: 614.
    China
     
    

    • Qinghai (Chinghai) Province
    

      • Hainan Autonomous Prefecture
    
    		Sun Da-peng, Li Bing-xiao, Ma Yua-hua, and Lin Qun-zhu (2002): Journal of Salt Lake Research 10(4), 1-12.
    


      • Haixi Autonomous Prefecture
    

        • Mangnai (Mangya) Co.
    
    		Xiying Zhang, Haizhou Ma, Donglin Gao, Minggang Zhang, and Tao Wang (2007): Journal of Salt Lake Research 15(2), 12-20.
    Czech Republic
     
    

    • Moravia (Mähren; Maehren)
    

      • South Moravia Region
    

        • Oslavany
    
    		Dokoupilova P., Sulovsky P., Losos Z. 2006: Hematite, hexahydrite and picromerite group from the mine waste of the coal mine Kukla in Oslavany. Mineralogia Polonica - Special Papers, vol. 28, 57-59
    Germany
     
    

    • Hesse
    

      • North Hesse
    

        • Werra Valley
    

          • Heringen
    
    		Weiss: "Mineralfundstellen, Deutschland West", Weise (Munich), 1990
    




          • Phillippsthal
    
    		Weiss: "Mineralfundstellen, Deutschland West", Weise (Munich), 1990
    

    • Lower Saxony
    

      • Celle
    

        • Hänigsen
    
    		Bode "Mineralien und Fundstellen BRD" from 1989  ISBN 3-925094-24-5 Pg.9
    



        • Wathlingen
    
    		Weiss: "Mineralfundstellen, Deutschland West", Weise (Munich), 1990
    


      • Harz Mts
    

        • Goslar
    

          • Astfeld
    
    		No reference listed
    

    • Saxony-Anhalt
    
    		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, 1124 pp.: 453.
    


      • Querfurt
    

        • Roßleben
    
    		http://www.minrec.org/pdfs/MR25-General-P_small.pdf
    


      • Stassfurt Potash deposit
    

        • Stassfurt
    
    		Naumann, Zirkel: "Elemente der Mineralogie", 13th Ed., 1898
    



        • Tarthun
    
    		No reference listed
    

    • Thuringia
    

      • Gera
    

        • Ronneburg U deposit
    
    		T. Witzke & F. Rüger: Lapis 1998(7/8), 26-64
    Iran
     
    

    • Zanjan Province
    

      • Dandy to Mahneshan road
    
    		Mr. Maziar Nazari
    Italy
     
    

    • Campania
    

      • Naples Province
    

        • Somma-Vesuvius Complex
    
    		Russo, M., 2006: I minerali di formazione fumarolica della grande eruzione vesuviana del 1906
    

    • Piedmont
    

      • Verbano-Cusio-Ossola Province
    

        • Ossola Valley
    

          • Antrona Valley
    

            • Montescheno
    
    		Piccoli, G.C., Maletto, G., Bosio, P., Lombardo, B. (2007). Minerali del Piemonte e della Valle d'Aosta. Associazione Amici del Museo "F. Eusebio" Alba, Ed., Alba (Cuneo) 607 pp.
    

    • Sicily
    

      • Catania Province
    

        • Etna Volcanic Complex
    

          • Mt Etna
    
    		www.cse.speleo.it
    Ukraine
     
    

    • Ivanovo-Frankovsk Oblast'
    
    		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, 1124 pp.: 402, 453.
    


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: 595.
    

    • L'viv Oblast' (Lviv Oblast'; Lwiw Oblast')
    

      • Drohobych
    
    		rruff.geo.arizona.edu/doclib/hom/picromerite.pdf 
    USA
     
    

    • New Mexico
    

      • Eddy Co.
    
    		Northrop, Minerals of New Mexico, 3rd. rev. ed. (1996)
    

    


    

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