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Polyhalite

Big Photo

Salt mine, Hallstatt, Upper Austria, Austria
© Jakub Jirásek

Show Polyhalite Photos (7)
Formula:
K
 
2
Ca
 
2
Mg(SO
 
4
)
 
4
·2H
 
2
O
System:TriclinicColour:Colourless, white, pink, ...
Hardness:2½ - 3½
Name:Named from the Greek words meaning "many" and "salt".
This page provides mineralogical data about Polyhalite.

Classification of Polyhalite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:6/C.20-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:7.CC.65

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:29.4.5.1

29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
4 : AmBn(XO4)p·xH2O, with (m+n):p < 3:2 and > 1:1
Hey's CIM Ref.:25.4.10

25 : Sulphates
4 : Sulphates of Ca, Sr and Ba
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Type Occurrence of Polyhalite

Type Locality:Ischler Salzberg, Perneck, Bad Ischl, Upper Austria, Austria
Year of Discovery:1818

Occurrences of Polyhalite

Geological Setting:Oceanic salt deposits; rarely as a volcanic product.

Physical Properties of Polyhalite

Lustre:Vitreous, Resinous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Colour:Colourless, white, pink, red, grey; colourless in transmitted light.
Comment:salmon-pink to brick-red due to iron oxide inclusions.
Hardness (Mohs):2½ - 3½
Cleavage:Perfect
{10_1}, perfect
Parting:On {010} (foliated varities).
Density (measured):2.78 g/cm3

Crystallography of Polyhalite

Crystal System:Triclinic
Class (H-M):1 - Pinacoidal
Cell Parameters:a = 6.95Å, b = 8.88Å, c = 6.95Å
α = 104.06°, β = 113.94°, γ = 101.15°
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.783 : 1 : 0.783
Unit Cell Volume:V 359.07 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:Crystals small and rare; tabular {010} or elongated [001] and exhibiting numerous forms. Commonly massive, fibrous to foliated.
Twinning:On {010} and {100}, very common and often polysynthetic.
Structure
  Reference
Bindi L (2005) Reinvestigation of the crystal structure of polyhalite, K2Ca2Mg(SO4)4*2H2O. Acta Crystallographica, Section E 61:i135-i136.

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More Crystal Structures
Click here to view more crystal structures at the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database

Optical Data of Polyhalite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.546 - 1.548 nβ = 1.558 - 1.562 nγ = 1.567
2V:Measured: 60° to 62°, Calculated: 60° to 80°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.021

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Low
Dispersion:none

Chemical Properties of Polyhalite

Formula:
K
 
2
Ca
 
2
Mg(SO
 
4
)
 
4
·2H
 
2
O
Essential elements:Ca, H, K, Mg, O, S
All elements listed in formula:Ca, H, K, Mg, O, S

Relationship of Polyhalite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):
7.CC.05Krausite
KFe(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·H
 
2
O
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.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:
25.4.1Anhydrite
CaSO
 
4
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
25.4.11Koktaite
(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 Polyhalite

Synonyms:
IschelitePolygalitePolyhallite
German names:
IschelitMamanitMamanitePolygalitPolyhalit
Polyhallit
Russian names:
Полигалит
Spanish names:
IschelitaMamanitaPolygalitaPolyhalitaPolyhallita

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.
Industrial Uses:Most common potassium mineral in Carlsbad, New Mexico deposits.

References for Polyhalite

Reference List:Stromeyer, F. (1818) Kön. Ges. Wiss. Göttingen, Gel. Anz., Teil 3, 2081.

Stromeyer (1820) Journal für Chemie und Physik, Nuremberg: 29: 389.

Goebel (1866) Bulletin of the Academy of St. Petersburg: 9: 1 (as Mamanite).

van't Hoff and Voerman (1904) Akademie der Wissenschaften, Berlin (Sitzungsberichte der), Ber.: 984 (re: Mamanite = Polyhalite).

Görgey (1910) Mineralogische und petrographische Mitteilungen, Vienna: 29: 209.

Görgey (1915) Mineralogische und petrographische Mitteilungen, Vienna: 33: 48.

Hintze, Carl (1930) Handbuch der Mineralogie: 1[3]: 4485.

Schaller and Henderson (1932) USGS Bull. 833: 73.

Larsen, E.P. and Berman (1934): 159.

Ramsdell (1935) American Mineralogist: 20: 569.

Peacock (1938) American Mineralogist: 23: 38.

Lepeshkov and Bodaleva (1940) Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Comptes rendus: 27: 978.

Ladame (1942) Schweizerische mineralogische und petrographische Mitteilungen, Frauenfeld: 22: 242.

Palache, Charles, Harry Berman & Clifford Frondel (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana Yale University 1837-1892, Seventh edition, Volume II: 458-460.

Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry: 10 (2000): 1-112.

Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen: 14: 75-86.

Periodico di Mineralogia: 54: 35.

Internet Links for Polyhalite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Polyhalite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Polyhalite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    Localities for Polyhalite

    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.
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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
     
    • Salzburg
      • Abtenau
    		A. Strasser: Die Minerale Salzburgs (1989)
        • Webing
    		A. Strasser: Die Minerale Salzburgs (1989)
      • Hallein
        • Dürrnberg
    		A. Strasser: Die Minerale Salzburgs, 1989
    • Styria
      • Bad Aussee
        • Altaussee
    		R. Exel: Die Mineralien und Erzlagerstätten Österreichs (1993)
    • 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
      • Tocopilla Province
        • Oficina Maria Elena
    		Arturo Molina collection
        • Pedro de Valdivia
    		Pueyo, J. J., Chong, G. & Vega, M. (1998): Mineralogy and parental brine evolution in the Pedro de Valdivia nitrate deposit, Antofagasta, Chile. Revista Geologica de Chile 25, 3-15. (in Spanish)
    China
     
    • Sichuan Province
      • Dazhou Prefecture
        • Qu Co.
    		Xuanzhen Huan (2004): Hydrogeology & Engineering Geology [Shuiwen Dizhi Gongcheng Dizhi] 31(4), 111-114.
    • Xinjiang (Xinjiang-Uygur) Autonomous Region
      • Bayin'gholin (Bayingolin; Bayinguoleng) Autonomous Prefecture
        • Ruoqiang (Qakilik; Chaqiliq) Co.
    		Wang Mili, Pu Qingyu, Liu Chenglin, and Chen Yongzhi (2000): Acta Geologica Sinica 74(2), 273-278.
    France
     
    • Lorraine
      • Meurthe-et-Moselle
        • Nancy
    		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: 460.
    Germany
     
    • Bavaria
      • Upper Bavaria
        • Bad Reichenhall
          • Berchtesgaden
            • Berchtesgadener Salzberg Mt.
    • Hesse
      • Fulda
        • Neuhof
          • Giesel
    		S. Weiß: "Mineralfundstellen, Deutschland West", Weise (Munich), 1990
    Krah, O., (1988): Beobachtungen beim Durchbruch eines Basaltganges durch das Kalilager vom Werk Neuhof-Ellers, Der Aufschluss Vol. 39 (2), 103-113
      • 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
      • Lüneburg
    		Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", 2001
    • Saxony-Anhalt
      • Stassfurt Potash deposit
        • Stassfurt
    		C. Zinken (1865) Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Geologie und Paläontologie, 310
        • Tarthun
    		No reference listed
    • Thuringia
      • Gera
        • Ronneburg U deposit
    		T. Witzke & F. Rüger: Lapis 1998(7/8), 26-64
      • Thuringian Forest
        • Bad Salzungen
    		W.I. Borrisenkow (1968) Zeitschr. für angewandte Geologie 14, 7-10
    Greece
     
    • Attikí (Attica; Attika) Prefecture
      • Lavrion (Laurion; Laurium) District
        • Lavrion District Mines
          • Plaka
            • Plaka Mines
    		No reference listed
    Iran
     
    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: 460.
    Italy
     
    • Campania
      • Naples Province
        • Somma-Vesuvius Complex
    		Russo, M., Punzo, I. (2004): I minerali del Somma-Vesuvio, AMI
    • Sicily
      • Catania Province
        • Etna Volcanic Complex
          • Mt Etna
    		www.cse.speleo.it
    Kazakhstan
     
    • Atyrau Oblysy (Atyrau Oblast')
      • Atyrau (Gur'yev)
    • Batys Qazaqstan Oblysy (Western-Kazakhstan Oblast')
      • Uralsk Rayon
    		Handbook of Mineralogy
    Mexico
     
    • Baja California Sur
    		American Mineralogist (1966): 51: 99-110.
    Poland
     
    • Wielkopolskie
    		Jirásek, J.: Solný důl Kłodawa (Polsko). Minerál, 2004, roč. 12, č. 2, s. 98-102. ISSN 1213-0710 (excerpted from unpublished thesis Hanczke, T.: Mineralogia i petrografia soli czechstyńskich kopalni "Kłodawa". Doktroská práce, Uniwersytet Jagiellonski, Instytut nauk geologicznych, 1967.)
    Russia
     
    • Urals Region
      • Orensburgskaya 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: 432.
    Spain
     
    • La Rioja
    		No reference listed
    Turkey
     
    • Central Anatolia Region
    		rruff.geo.arizona.edu/doclib/hom/polyhalite.pdf.
    UK
     
    • England
      • Cleveland
        • Loftus
    		http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/doclib/hom/polyhalite.pdf.
      • Humberside
        • Offshore
          • Block 47/3
      • North Yorkshire
    		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: 460.
    Ukraine
     
    • L'viv Oblast' (Lviv Oblast'; Lwiw Oblast')
      • Drohobych
    		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: 460.
    USA
     
    • Arizona
      • Apache & Navajo Cos.
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 333; Peirce, H.W. (1969), Salines, in Mineral and water resources of AZ, AZ Bur. of Mines Bull. 180: 417-424.
    • Michigan
      • Newaygo Co.
    		Mineralogy of Michigan (2004) Heinrich & Robinson
      • Wayne Co.
        • Detroit
    		Mineralogy of Michigan (2004) Heinrich & Robinson
    • Nevada
      • Esmeralda Co.
        • Alum District
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    • New Mexico
    		Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.
      • Eddy Co.
    		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: 385; Northrop, Minerals of New Mexico, 3rd. rev. ed. (1996)
    Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.
    • Utah
      • Grand Co.
        • Interriver District
    		UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
    UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
    UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
    UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
        • Thompsons District (S. E. Thomsons)
    		UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
      • San Juan Co.
    		UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
      • Tooele Co.
    		UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
    UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
    Uzbekistan
     
    • Karakalpakstan (Qaraqalpog'iston) Respublikasi
      • Lower Amu Darya (Amydar'ya) River
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
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