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Rhomboclase

Big Photo

Rio Tinto Mines, Huelva, Andalusia, Spain
© Martins da Pedra

Show Rhomboclase Photos (4)
Formula:
HFe(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·4H
 
2
O
System:OrthorhombicColour:Blue, colourless, white, ...
Hardness:2
Name:From the Latin, rhombus, rhomb, plus Greek klasis, to break, in allusion to the basal cleavage and crystal form.


A common alteration product of pyrite, frequently found as crusts and powders associated with halloysite and other iron sulphates.

Classification of Rhomboclase

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:6/C.08-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:7.CB.55

7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
C : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, with H2O
B : With only medium-sized cations
Dana 8th edition ID:29.1.1.1

29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
1 : Hydrated Acid Sulfates
Hey's CIM Ref.:25.10.6

25 : Sulphates
10 : Sulphates of Fe alone
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Type Occurrence of Rhomboclase

Type Locality:Smolnik Mine (Szomolnok Mine; Schmolnitz Mine; Schmölnitz), Smolnik Mining District, Eastern Slovenské Rudohorie Mts, Košice Region, Slovakia
Year of Discovery:1888
Geological Setting of type material:Pyritic ore body
Associated Minerals at type locality:
SzomolnokiteCopiapite

Occurrences of Rhomboclase

Geological Setting:Weathering of pyrite rich orebodies, especially in arid climates.

Physical Properties of Rhomboclase

Lustre:Sub-Vitreous, Pearly
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Colour:Blue, colourless, white, yellow, light green, grey; colourless in transmitted light
Streak:White
Hardness (Mohs):2
Tenacity:Elastic
Cleavage:Perfect
On {001} perfect; on {110} good.
Fracture:Conchoidal, Fibrous
Density (measured):2.23 g/cm3
Density (calculated):2.21 g/cm3

Crystallography of Rhomboclase

Crystal System:Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:Pnma (P21/n 21/m 21/a)
Cell Parameters:a = 9.72Å, b = 18.33Å, c = 5.42Å
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.53 : 1 : 0.296
Unit Cell Volume:V 965.67 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:Crystals thin tabular {001}. Also forms stalactites with a radiating bladed structure.

Optical Data of Rhomboclase

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.534 nβ = 1.553 nγ = 1.638
2V:Measured: 27° , Calculated: 54°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.104

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

Chemical Properties of Rhomboclase

Formula:
HFe(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·4H
 
2
O
Essential elements:Fe, H, O, S
All elements listed in formula:Fe, H, O, S
Analyical Data:Slowly soluble in water.
Empirical Formula:
HFe
3+
 
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·4H
 
2
O
Relationship of Rhomboclase to other Species
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- + 
7.CB.05Dwornikite
(Ni,Fe)SO
 
4
·H
 
2
O
7.CB.05Gunningite
(Zn,Mn)SO
 
4
·H
 
2
O
7.CB.05Kieserite
MgSO
 
4
·H
 
2
O
7.CB.05Poitevinite
(Cu,Fe,Zn)SO
 
4
·H
 
2
O
7.CB.05Szmikite
MnSO
 
4
·H
 
2
O
7.CB.05Szomolnokite
FeSO
 
4
·H
 
2
O
7.CB.05Cobaltkieserite
CoSO
 
4
·H
 
2
O
7.CB.10Bonattite
CuSO
 
4
·3H
 
2
O
7.CB.15Aplowite
(Co,Mn,Ni)SO
 
4
·4H
 
2
O
7.CB.15Boyleite
(Zn,Mg)SO
 
4
·4H
 
2
O
7.CB.15Ilesite
(Mn,Zn,Fe)SO
 
4
·4H
 
2
O
7.CB.15Rozenite
FeSO
 
4
·4H
 
2
O
7.CB.15Starkeyite
MgSO
 
4
·4H
 
2
O
7.CB.15IMA2002-034
CdSO
 
4
·4H
 
2
O
7.CB.20Chalcanthite
CuSO
 
4
·5H
 
2
O
7.CB.20Jôkokuite
MnSO
 
4
·5H
 
2
O
7.CB.20Pentahydrite
MgSO
 
4
·5H
 
2
O
7.CB.20Sanderite
MgSO
 
4
·2H
 
2
O
7.CB.20Siderotil
FeSO
 
4
·5H
 
2
O
7.CB.25Bianchite
(Zn,Fe)SO
 
4
·6H
 
2
O
7.CB.25Chvaleticeite
(Mn,Mg)SO
 
4
·6H
 
2
O
7.CB.25Ferrohexahydrite
FeSO
 
4
·6H
 
2
O
7.CB.25Hexahydrite
MgSO
 
4
·6H
 
2
O
7.CB.25Moorhouseite
(Co,Ni,Mn)SO
 
4
·6H
 
2
O
7.CB.25Nickelhexahydrite
(Ni,Mg,Fe)SO
 
4
·6H
 
2
O
7.CB.30Retgersite
NiSO
 
4
·6H
 
2
O
7.CB.35Bieberite
CoSO
 
4
·7H
 
2
O
7.CB.35Boothite
CuSO
 
4
·7H
 
2
O
7.CB.35Mallardite
MnSO
 
4
·7H
 
2
O
7.CB.35Melanterite
FeSO
 
4
·7H
 
2
O
7.CB.35Zincmelanterite
(Zn,Cu,Fe)SO
 
4
·7H
 
2
O
7.CB.35Alpersite
(Mg,Cu)[SO
 
4
] · 7H
 
2
O
7.CB.40Epsomite
MgSO
 
4
·7H
 
2
O
7.CB.40Goslarite
ZnSO
 
4
·7H
 
2
O
7.CB.40Morenosite
NiSO
 
4
·7H
 
2
O
7.CB.45Alunogen
Al
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
3
·17H
 
2
O
7.CB.45Meta-alunogen
Al
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
3
·12H
 
2
O
7.CB.55Coquimbite
Fe
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
3
·9H
 
2
O
7.CB.55Paracoquimbite
Fe
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
3
·9H
 
2
O
7.CB.60Kornelite
Fe
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
3
·7H
 
2
O
7.CB.65Quenstedtite
Fe
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
3
·10H
 
2
O
7.CB.70Lausenite
Fe
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
3
·6H
 
2
O
7.CB.75Lishizhenite
ZnFe
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
4
·14H
 
2
O
7.CB.75Römerite
Fe
2+
 
Fe
3+
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
4
·14H
 
2
O
7.CB.80Ransomite
CuFe
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
4
·6H
 
2
O
7.CB.85Apjohnite
Mn
2+
 
Al
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
4
·22H
 
2
O
7.CB.85Bílinite
Fe
2+
 
Fe
3+
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
4
·22H
 
2
O
7.CB.85Dietrichite
(Zn,Fe
2+
 
,Mn
2+
 
)Al
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
4
·22H
 
2
O
7.CB.85Halotrichite
FeAl
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
4
·22H
 
2
O
7.CB.85Pickeringite
MgAl
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
4
·22H
 
2
O
7.CB.85Redingtonite
(Fe
2+
 
,Mg,Ni)(Cr,Al)
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
4
·22H
 
2
O
7.CB.85Wupatkiite
(Co,Mg,Ni)Al
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
4
·22H
 
2
O
7.CB.90Meridianiite
MgSO
 
4
·11H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- + 
25.10.1Szomolnokite
FeSO
 
4
·H
 
2
O
25.10.2Rozenite
FeSO
 
4
·4H
 
2
O
25.10.3Siderotil
FeSO
 
4
·5H
 
2
O
25.10.4Ferrohexahydrite
FeSO
 
4
·6H
 
2
O
25.10.5Melanterite
FeSO
 
4
·7H
 
2
O
25.10.7Lausenite
Fe
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
3
·6H
 
2
O
25.10.8Kornelite
Fe
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
3
·7H
 
2
O
25.10.9Coquimbite
Fe
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
3
·9H
 
2
O
25.10.10Paracoquimbite
Fe
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
3
·9H
 
2
O
25.10.11Quenstedtite
Fe
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
3
·10H
 
2
O
25.10.12Ferricopiapite
Fe
 
5
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
O(OH)·20H
 
2
O
25.10.13Metahohmannite
Fe
3+
2
[O|(SO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 4H
 
2
O
25.10.14Hohmannite
Fe
3+
2
[O|(SO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 8H
 
2
O
25.10.15Butlerite
Fe
3+
 
[OH|SO
 
4
] · 2H
 
2
O
25.10.16Parabutlerite
Fe
3+
 
[OH|SO
 
4
] · 2H
 
2
O
25.10.17Amarantite
Fe
3+
2
[O|(SO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 7H
 
2
O
25.10.18Fibroferrite
Fe
3+
 
[OH|SO
 
4
] · 5H
 
2
O
25.10.19Hydroniumjarosite
(H
 
3
O)Fe
3+
3
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
25.10.20Römerite
Fe
2+
 
Fe
3+
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
4
·14H
 
2
O
25.10.21Bílinite
Fe
2+
 
Fe
3+
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
4
·22H
 
2
O
25.10.22Copiapite
Fe
2+
 
Fe
3+
4
[OH|(SO
 
4
)
 
3
]
 
2
 · 20H
 
2
O
Other Names for Rhomboclase
Other Languages:
German:Rhomboklas
Russian:Ромбоклаз
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 Rhomboclase
Reference List:Krenner (1891) Ak. Értes., Budapest: 2: 96 (as Rhomboklas).



Scharizer (1901) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 35: 345 (as Saures Ferrisulfate).



Krenner (1907) Földtani Közlöny, Budapest (Magyarhone Földtani Torsulat): 37: 204. 



Scharizer (1907) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 43: 113.



Scharizer (1921) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 56: 353.



Posnjak and Merwin (1922) Journal of the American Chemical Society: 44: 1983.



Scharizer (1927) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 65: 335.



Krenner (1928) Centralblatt für Mineralogie, Geologie und Paleontologie, Stuttgart: 265.



Bandy (1938) American Mineralogist: 23: 740.



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: 436-437.



Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen: 21: 216-232.



Mineralogical Magazne (1974): 39: 611.



American Mineralogist (1995): 80: 408.


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    Localities for Rhomboclase
    






    


    

    
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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.

    Australia
     
    

    • Queensland
    
    		No reference listed
    Austria
     
    

    • Styria
    

      • Leutschach
    
    		Taucher, J. (1997)
    Bolivia
     
    

    • Oruro Department
    

      • Cercado Province
    
    		[MinRec 32:476]
    



[MinRec 32:479]
    Chile
     
    

    • Antofagasta Region
    

      • El Loa Province
    

        • Calama
    

          • Cerritos Bayos
    
    		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: 437, 480.
    China
     
    

    • Xinjiang (Xinjiang-Uygur) Autonomous Region
    

      • Hami (Kumul; Qumul) Prefecture
    

        • Hami (Kumul; Qumul) Co.
    
    		Xu Ying-xia, Ding Kui-shou, Qin Ke-zhang, Miao Yu, Fang Tong-hui, Xu Xing-wang, and Sun He (2006): Geology in China 33(3), 605-616.
    Czech Republic
     
    

    • Bohemia (Böhmen; Boehmen)
    

      • Karlovy Vary Region
    

        • Krušné Hory Mts (Erzgebirge)
    

          • Ostrov
    
    		Lapis 2002(7/8), 63-65
    Germany
     
    

    • Baden-Württemberg
    

      • Black Forest
    

        • Wolfach
    

          • Oberwolfach
    

            • Rankach valley
    
    		Walenta, K. (1992): Die Mineralien des Schwarzwaldes. Chr. Weise Verlag, München, 336 pp. (in German)
    

    • Hesse
    

      • North Hesse
    

        • Richelsdorf District
    

          • Süss
    

            • Richelsdorf Smelter
    
    		S. Weiß: "Mineralfundstellen, Deutschland West", Weise (Munich), 1992
    

    • Thuringia
    

      • Gera
    

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



T. Witzke & F. Rüger: Lapis 1998(7/8), 26-64
    Hungary
     
    

    • Veszprém Co.
    

      • Tapolcai Basin
    

        • Lesenceistvánd
    
    		Handbook of Mineralogy - Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols
    Italy
     
    

    • Tuscany
    

      • Livorno Province
    

        • Elba Island
    

          • Capoliveri
    
    		J. Göske, T. Witzke, H. Pöllmann, S. Stöber (1997) - Neufunde von Sekundarmineralen in der Lagerstatte Calamita/Insel Elba - Der Aufschluss, 48: 305-313.
    Peru
     
    

    • Pasco Department
    

      • Daniel Alcides Carrión Province
    

        • Cerro de Pasco
    
    		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: 437, 515.
    Slovakia
     
    

    • Košice Region
    

      • Eastern Slovenské Rudohorie Mts
    

        • Smolnik Mining 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: 437; Mineralogical Magazine (1974): 39: 610.
    Spain
     
    

    • Andalusia
    

      • Huelva
    
    		MinMag 67(2):263-278
    Switzerland
     
    

    • Wallis (Valais)
    

      • Anniviers Valley
    

        • Saint-Luc
    
    		Stalder, H. A., Wagner, A., Graeser, S. und Stuker, P. (1998): Mineralienlexikon der Schweiz. Wepf Verlag, Basel, 579 pp.
    Tajikistan
     
    

    • Viloyati Sogd (Viloyati Sughd; Viloyati Khodzhent; Viloyati Leninabad)
    

      • Gissar Range
    

        • Fan-Yagnob Basin
    
    		PXRD
    USA
     
    

    • Arizona
    

      • Cochise Co.
    

        • Mule Mts
    

          • Warren District
    
    		No reference listed
    






              • Calumet and Arizona group of claims (Calumet and Arizona Mining Company group of claims)
    
    		Grant, Raymond W., Richard A. Bideaux & Sidney A. Williams (2006), Minerals Added to the Arizona List 1995 to 2005: 3.
    





Grant, Raymond W., Bideaux, R.A., and Williams, S.A. (2006) Minerals Added to the Arizona List 1995-2005: 7.
    






              • Queen Hill
    
    		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: 531; Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 354, 415; Merwin, H.E. & E. Posnjak (1937), Sulphate encrustations in the Copper Queen mine, Bisbee, AZ, Am.Min.: 22: 567-571; Galbraith, F.W. & D.J. Brennan (1959), Minerals of AZ: 59.
    







MinRec 12:311
    


      • Pinal Co.
    

        • Pinal Mts
    

          • Pioneer District
    

            • Superior
    
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 354, 388.
    

    • California
    

      • Inyo Co.
    

        • Coso Hot Springs
    

    


      • Shasta Co.
    

        • Iron Mountain
    
    		MinRec 22:382
    

    • Nevada
    

      • Lander Co.
    

        • Lewis District
    
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    

    • Utah
    

      • Utah Co.
    

        • East Tintic Mts
    
    		UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
    

    • Virginia
    

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


Minerals of Virginia 1990 by R. V. Dietrich
    


      • Rockbridge Co.
    

        • Lyndhurst-Vesuvius District
    
    		Minerals of Virginia 1990 by R. V. Dietrich
    

    


    

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