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Serpierite

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Serpieri Mine, Kamariza Mines (Kamareza Mines), Agios Konstantinos [St Constantine] (Kamariza), Lavrion District Mines, Lavrion (Laurion; Laurium) District, Attikí (Attica; Attika) Prefecture, Greece
© 2002 by A. Plante

Show Serpierite Photos (180)



Formula:
Ca(Cu,Zn)
 
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
 · 3H
 
2
O
System:MonoclinicColour:Dark sky-blue ...
Lustre:PearlyHardness:2
Name:Named for Giovanni Battista Serpieri (1832-1897), Italian mining entrepreneur, and a developer of mines in the Lavrion District, Attiki, Greece.
Isostructural with:Aldridgeite


Devilline Group. Ca-analogue of aldridgeite.

Platy varieties are visually indistinguishable from orthoserpierite.

Classification of Serpierite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:6/D.19-20
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:7.DD.30

7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
D : With only medium-sized cations; sheets of edge-sharing octahedra
Dana 7th edition ID:31.6.2.1
Dana 8th edition ID:31.6.2.1

31 : HYDRATED SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
6 : (AB)5(XO4)2Zq·xH2O
Hey's CIM Ref.:25.5.7

25 : Sulphates
5 : Sulphates of Zn and Hg
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Type Occurrence of Serpierite

Type Locality:Serpieri Mine, Kamariza Mines (Kamareza Mines), Agios Konstantinos [St Constantine] (Kamariza), Lavrion District Mines, Lavrion (Laurion; Laurium) District, Attikí (Attica; Attika) Prefecture, Greece
Year of Discovery:1881
Associated Minerals at type locality:
Smithsonite

Physical Properties of Serpierite

Lustre:Pearly
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Comment:Pearly on the cleavage.
Colour:Dark sky-blue ("linarite-blue") to medium sky-blue; greenish blue in transmitted light.
Streak:White or pale blue
Hardness (Mohs):2
Hardness Data:Measured
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Perfect
Perfect on {001}.
Fracture:Splintery
Density (measured):3.07 g/cm3
Density (calculated):3.08 g/cm3

Crystallography of Serpierite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Class (H-M):2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:B2/b {B1 1 2/b} {C2/c} {C1 2/c 1}
Cell Parameters:a = 22.186Å, b = 6.25Å, c = 21.853Å
β = 113.37°
Ratio:a:b:c = 3.55 : 1 : 3.496
Unit Cell Volume:V 2,781.60 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:8
Morphology:Typically occurs as clusters or sprays of lath-like to acicular micro-crystals, elongated on [100] and flattened on {001}; more rarely botryoidal.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
d-spacingIntensity
10.20(100)
5.09(80)
3.39(80)
2.71(60)
2.65(60)
2.44(60)
2.17(60)
1.57(60)

Optical Data of Serpierite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.583 nβ = 1.641 nγ = 1.648
2V:Measured: 33° to 37°, Calculated: 36°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.065

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Moderate
Dispersion:small
Pleochroism:Visible
Comments:X = c = Nearly colourless
Y = a = Deep greenish blue
Z = b = Deep greenish blue

Chemical Properties of Serpierite

Formula:
Ca(Cu,Zn)
 
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
 · 3H
 
2
O
Essential elements:Ca, Cu, H, O, S
All elements listed in formula:Ca, Cu, H, O, S, Zn

Relationship of Serpierite to other Species

Structurally related to group(s):
Devilline Group
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
7.DD.05Felsőbányaite
Al
 
4
(SO
 
4
)(OH)
 
10
 · 4H
 
2
O
7.DD.10Langite
Cu
 
4
(SO
 
4
)(OH)
 
6
 · 2H
 
2
O
7.DD.10Posnjakite
Cu
 
4
(SO
 
4
)(OH)
 
6
 · H
 
2
O
7.DD.10Wroewolfeite
Cu
 
4
(SO
 
4
)(OH)
 
6
 · 2H
 
2
O
7.DD.15Spangolite
Cu
 
6
Al(SO
 
4
)(OH)
 
12
Cl · 3H
 
2
O
7.DD.20Ktenasite
Zn(Cu,Zn)
 
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
 · 6H
 
2
O
7.DD.25Christelite
Cu
 
2
Zn
 
3
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
 · 4H
 
2
O
7.DD.30Campigliaite
Mn
2+
 
Cu
 
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
 · 4H
 
2
O
7.DD.30Devilline
CaCu
 
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
 · 3H
 
2
O
7.DD.30Orthoserpierite
Ca(Cu,Zn)
 
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
 · 3H
 
2
O
7.DD.30Niedermayrite
CdCu
 
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
 · 4H
 
2
O
7.DD.30Edwardsite
Cu
 
3
Cd
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
·4H
 
2
O
7.DD.35Carrboydite
(Ni,Cu)
 
14
Al
 
9
(SO
 
4
,CO
 
3
)
 
6
(OH)
 
43
 · 7H
 
2
O
7.DD.35Glaucocerinite
(Zn,Cu)
 
10
Al
 
6
(SO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
32
 · 18H
 
2
O
7.DD.35Honessite
Ni
 
6
Fe
3+
2
(SO
 
4
)(OH)
 
16
 · 4H
 
2
O
7.DD.35Hydrohonessite
Ni
 
6
Fe
3+
2
(SO
 
4
)(OH)
 
16
 · 7H
 
2
O
7.DD.35Motukoreaite
NaMg
 
19
Al
 
12
(SO
 
4
)
 
4
(CO
 
3
)
 
6.5
(OH)
 
54
 · 28H
 
2
O
7.DD.35Mountkeithite
(Mg,Ni)
 
11
(Fe
3+
 
,Cr
3+
 
,Al)
 
3
(SO
 
4
,CO
 
3
)
 
3.5
(OH)
 
24
 · 11H
 
2
O
7.DD.35Shigaite
Al
 
4
Mn
 
7
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
22
 · 8H
 
2
O
7.DD.35Wermlandite
Mg
 
7
(Ca,Mg)(Al,Fe)
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
18
 · 12H
 
2
O
7.DD.35Woodwardite
Cu
 
4
Al
 
2
(SO
 
4
)(OH)
 
12
 · 2-4H
 
2
O
7.DD.35Zincaluminite
Zn
 
6
Al
 
6
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
16
 · 5H
 
2
O
7.DD.35Hydrowoodwardite
(Cu,Al)
 
9
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
18
 · nH
 
2
O
7.DD.35Zincowoodwardite
Zn
 
1-x
Al
 
x
(SO
 
4
)
 
x/2
(OH)
 
2
 · nH
 
2
O (x=0.32-0.50)
7.DD.35Natroglaucocerinite
Na
 
x
Zn
 
8-y
Al
 
y
(SO
 
4
)
 
(x+y)/2
(OH)
 
16
 · 6H
 
2
O
7.DD.35Nikischerite
NaFe
2+
6
Al
 
3
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
18
 · 12H
 
2
O
7.DD.40Lawsonbauerite
(Mn
2+
 
,Mg)
 
9
Zn
 
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
22
 · 8H
 
2
O
7.DD.40Torreyite
(Mg,Mn
2+
 
)
 
9
Zn
 
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
22
 · 8H
 
2
O
7.DD.45Mooreite
(Mg,Zn,Mn
2+
 
)
 
15
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
26
 · 8H
 
2
O
7.DD.50Namuwite
(Zn,Cu)
 
4
(SO
 
4
)(OH)
 
6
 · 4H
 
2
O
7.DD.55Bechererite
(Zn,Cu)
 
6
Zn
 
2
(SO
 
4
,HSiO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
12
7.DD.60Ramsbeckite
(Cu,Zn)
 
15
(SO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
22
 · 6H
 
2
O
7.DD.65Vonbezingite
Ca
 
6
Cu
 
3
(SO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
12
 · 2H
 
2
O
7.DD.70Redgillite
Cu
 
6
(SO
 
4
)(OH)
 
10
 · H
 
2
O
7.DD.75Chalcoalumite
CuAl
 
4
(SO
 
4
)(OH)
 
12
 · 3H
 
2
O
7.DD.75Nickelalumite
(Ni,Cu)Al
 
4
(SO
 
4
,(NO
 
3
)
 
2
)(OH)
 
12
 · 3H
 
2
O
7.DD.75Kyrgyzstanite
ZnAl
 
4
(SO
 
4
)(OH)
 
12
·3H
 
2
O
7.DD.80Guarinoite
(Zn,Co,Ni)
 
6
(SO
 
4
)(OH,Cl)
 
10
 · 5H
 
2
O
7.DD.80Schulenbergite
(Cu,Zn)
 
7
(SO
 
4
,CO
 
3
)
 
2
(OH)
 
10
 · 3H
 
2
O
7.DD.80Thérèsemagnanite
(Co,Zn,Ni)
 
6
(SO
 
4
)(OH,Cl)
 
10
 · 8H
 
2
O
7.DD.80UM1992-30-SO:CCuHZn
(Zn,Cu)
 
7
(SO
 
4
,CO
 
3
)
 
2
(OH)
 
10
 · 3H
 
2
O
7.DD.85Montetrisaite
Cu
 
6
(SO
 
4
)(OH)
 
10
 · 2H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
25.5.1Zinkosite
ZnSO
 
4
25.5.2Goslarite
ZnSO
 
4
 · 7H
 
2
O
25.5.3Namuwite
(Zn,Cu)
 
4
(SO
 
4
)(OH)
 
6
 · 4H
 
2
O
25.5.4Ktenasite
Zn(Cu,Zn)
 
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
 · 6H
 
2
O
25.5.5Ramsbeckite
(Cu,Zn)
 
15
(SO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
22
 · 6H
 
2
O
25.5.6Boyleite
(Zn,Mg)SO
 
4
 · 4H
 
2
O
25.5.8Orthoserpierite
Ca(Cu,Zn)
 
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
 · 3H
 
2
O
25.5.9Zincaluminite
Zn
 
6
Al
 
6
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
16
 · 5H
 
2
O
25.5.10Glaucocerinite
(Zn,Cu)
 
10
Al
 
6
(SO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
32
 · 18H
 
2
O
25.5.11Gunningite
ZnSO
 
4
 · H
 
2
O
25.5.12Chaidamuite
ZnFe
3+
 
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH) · 4H
 
2
O
25.5.13Bianchite
(Zn,Fe)SO
 
4
 · 6H
 
2
O
25.5.15Zincmelanterite
(Zn,Cu,Fe)SO
 
4
 · 7H
 
2
O
25.5.16Zincobotryogen
(Zn,Mg,Mn
2+
 
)Fe
3+
 
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH) · 7H
 
2
O
25.5.17Schuetteite
Hg
2+
3
(SO
 
4
)O
 
2
25.5.18Gianellaite
(Hg
 
2
N)
 
2
SO
 
4

Other Names for Serpierite

Other Languages:
German:Serpierit
Japanese:サーピエリ石
Russian:Серпьерит
Spanish:Serpierita

Other Information

Other Information:Readily soluble in acids.
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 Serpierite

Reference List:

- +
Des Cloizeaux (1881) Bulletin de la Société française de Minéralogie: 4: 89.

Frenzel (1894) Mineralogische und petrographische Mitteilungen, Vienna: 14: 121.

Larsen, E.S. (1921) The Microscopic Determination of the Nonopaque Minerals, First edition, USGS Bulletin 679: 133.

Goldschmidt, V. (1922) Atlas der Krystallformen. 9 volumes, atlas, and text: vol. 8: 37.

Russell (1927) Mineralogical Magazine: 21: 386.

Chukhrov (1945) Comptes rendus de l’académie des sciences de l’U.R.S.S., n.s.: 45: 370.

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.: 592-593.

American Mineralogist (1969): 54: 328.

Doklady Akademii Nauk SSSR (1981): 256: 1222.

Krause, W. & Täuber, H. (1992): Zum Kenntnisstand der Minerale Serpierit, Orthoserpierit und Devillin. Aufschluss 43, 1-25. (in German)

Gaines, Richard V., H. Catherine, W. Skinner, Eugene E. Foord, Brian Mason, Abraham Rosenzweig (1997), Dana's New Mineralogy : The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana: 647.

Acta Crystallographica: B24: 1214-1222.

Internet Links for Serpierite

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