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Bassanite

Formula:
Ca[SO
 
4
] · 0.5H
 
2
O
System:MonoclinicColour:White
Name:After Professor Francesco Bassani, University of Naples, Italy.


Occurred as pseudomorphs after gypsum.
Very similar to omongwaite.

Classification of Bassanite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:6/C.22-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:7.CD.45

7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
C : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, with H2O
D : With only large cations
Dana 8th edition ID:29.6.1.1

29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
6 : AXO4·xH2O
Hey's CIM Ref.:25.4.2

25 : Sulphates
4 : Sulphates of Ca, Sr and Ba
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Physical Properties of Bassanite

Colour:White
Density (measured):2.69 - 2.76 g/cm3

Crystallography of Bassanite

Crystal System:Monoclinic

Optical Data of Bassanite

Type:Uniaxial (+)
RI values: nω = 1.550 nε = 1.570
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.020

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

Chemical Properties of Bassanite

Formula:
Ca[SO
 
4
] · 0.5H
 
2
O
Essential elements:Ca, H, O, S
All elements listed in formula:Ca, H, O, S
Analytical Data:Coverts to anhydrite when heated to redness.

Relationship of Bassanite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
7.CD.05Matteuccite
NaHSO
 
4
·H
 
2
O
7.CD.10Mirabilite
Na
 
2
SO
 
4
·10H
 
2
O
7.CD.15Lecontite
(NH
 
4
,K)Na(SO
 
4
)·2H
 
2
O
7.CD.20Hydroglauberite
Na
 
10
Ca
 
3
(SO
 
4
)
 
8
·6H
 
2
O
7.CD.25Eugsterite
Na
 
4
Ca(SO
 
4
)
 
3
·2H
 
2
O
7.CD.30Görgeyite
K
 
2
Ca
 
5
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
·H
 
2
O
7.CD.35Koktaite
(NH
 
4
)
 
2
Ca(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·H
 
2
O
7.CD.35Syngenite
K
 
2
Ca(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·H
 
2
O
7.CD.40Gypsum
Ca[SO
 
4
] · 2H
 
2
O
7.CD.50Zircosulfate
(Zr,Ti)(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·4H
 
2
O
7.CD.55Schieffelinite
Pb
 
8
(TeO
 
4
)
 
5
(SO
 
4
)
 
3
·8H
 
2
O
7.CD.60Montanite
Bi
 
2
[TeO
 
6
] · 2H
 
2
O
7.CD.65Omongwaite
Na
 
2
Ca
 
5
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
·3H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
25.4.1Anhydrite
CaSO
 
4
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
25.4.10Polyhalite
K
 
2
Ca
 
2
Mg(SO
 
4
)
 
4
·2H
 
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 Bassanite

Synonyms:
HemihydrateMiltoniteMirupolskitePlaster of ParisPolyhydrate
Soluble AnhydriteVibertite
Other Languages:
German:Bassanit
Miltonit
Mirupolskit
Vibertit
Russian:Бассанит
Spanish:Bassanita
Miltonita
Mirupolskita
Vibertita

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 Bassanite

Reference List:Zambonini (1910) Min. Vesuviana: 327.

Gaubert (1933) Comptes rendu de l’Académie des sciences de Paris: 197: 72.

Caspari (1936) Proceedings of the Royal Society of London: 155A: 41.

Zeitschrift für Kristallographie: 205: 99-113.

Berg and Sveshnikova (1946) Bulletin de Académy des sciences de l'Union des Républiques Soviétiques Socialistes, Cl. sc. mat. nat., Ser. chim.: No. 1: 19.

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.: 476.

Internet Links for Bassanite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
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    Localities for Bassanite

    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.
    (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
     
    • Burgenland
      • Mattersburg
    R. Exel: Die Mineralien und Erzlagerstätten Österreichs (1993)
    • Salzburg
      • Abtenau
        • Webing
    A. Strasser: Die Minerale Salzburgs (1989)
      • Golling
        • Moosegg (Grubach)
    A. Strasser: Die Minerale Salzburgs (1989)
    Bolivia
     
    • Cochabamba Department
      • Tapacari Province
    Alfredo Petrov collection
    Chile
     
    • Tarapacá Region
      • Iquique Province
        • Salar Grande
    Schlüter, J. & Malcherek, T. Haydeeite, Cu3Mg(OH)6Cl2, a new mineral from the Haydee mine, Salar Grande, Atacama desert, Chile. NJMA 184, 39-42 (2007)
    Czech Republic
     
    • Bohemia (Böhmen; Boehmen)
      • Central Bohemia Region
        • Kladno
          • Libušin
    No reference listed
    Diederik Visser List #39, July 2006
      • Hradec Králové Region
        • Trutnov (Trautenau)
          • Radvanice
    Jirásek, J.: Thermal Changes of the Rocks in the Dump Pile of the Kateřina Colliery in Radvanice (Eastern Bohemia). Ostrava: VSB – Technical University of Ostrava, Institute of Geological Engineering - 541, 2001. 69 p.
    • Moravia (Mähren; Maehren)
      • South Moravia Region
    David Parfitt collection
    Germany
     
    • Thuringia
      • Gera
        • Ronneburg U deposit
    T. Witzke & F. Rüger: Lapis 1998(7/8), 26-64
    Hungary
     
    • Fejér Co.
      • Bakony Mts.
    Szakáll & Jánosi: Minerals of Hungary, 1995
      • Vértes Mts.
    ACTA MIN. PETR. Suppl. Tomus XXXVIII., 1997
    • Veszprém Co.
      • Bakony Mts.
        • Nyirád
    ACTA MIN. PETR. Suppl. Tomus XXXVIII., 1997
        • Úrkút
          • Csárda Hill
    Szakáll & Jánosi (1996) The Minerals of Hungary
    Iceland
     
    • Vestmannaeyjar archipelago (Westman islands)
      • Heimaey island
        • Heimaey
    Mitolo, D., Garavelli, A., Pedersen, L., Balić-Žunić, T., Jakobsson, S.P., Vurro, F. (2008): Mineralogy of actually forming sublimates at Eldfell Volcano, Heimaey (Vestmannaeyjar archipelago), Iceland. Plinius, 34, 322.
    Italy
     
    • Campania
      • Naples Province
        • Somma-Vesuvius Complex
    Russo, M., 2006: I minerali di formazione fumarolica della grande eruzione vesuviana del 1906
    • Tuscany
      • Grosseto Province
        • Montieri
    Bazzoni C. et al., 2003. Il "Filone di Boccheggiano": miniere e minerali. Riv. Miner. Ital., 1: 78-89
      • Livorno Province
        • Elba Island
          • Campo nell'Elba
            • San Piero in Campo
    Orlandi, P., & Pezzotta, F. (1997). Minerali dell'Isola d'Elba. Edizioni Novecento Grafico, Bergamo, 249 pp.
    Poland
     
    • Upper Silesia (Śląskie)
      • Upper Silesian Coal Basin
        • Katowice area
          • Łaziska
    Lukasz Kruszewski 2005: Minerals arising in cause of underground fires of "Skalny" coal mine dump in Laziska (Upper Silesia, Poland). Mag. Thesis (unpublished)
    Russia
     
    • Far-Eastern Region
      • Kamchatka Oblast'
    Slovakia
     
    • Banská Bystrica Region
      • Western Slovenské Rudohorie Mts
        • Podrečany
    Koděra et all.,1990: Topografická mineralógia Slovenska, I-III, 1590p
    • Prešov Region
      • Northern Slanské Mts
    Ďuďa,R., et al., 1981: Mineralógia severnej časti Slanských vrchov. Min.Slovaca, Monografia 2, 98s
    Switzerland
     
    • Ticino (Tessin)
      • Leventina
        • Bedretto Valley
          • Ronco
    Stalder, H. A., Wagner, A., Graeser, S. and Stuker, P. (1998): "Mineralienlexikon der Schweiz", Verlag Wepf & Co. (Basel), p. 66
    UK
     
    • England
      • Dorset
        • Charmouth
    [BMS]
        • Lyme Regis
    BMS Database
    [BMS]
    Ukraine
     
    • Crimea Oblast'
      • Crimea peninsula
        • Sudak area
    Alexander I. Tischenko (1996. Minerals of the Crimea - World of stones, 1996, #9, p. 9-18
    USA
     
    • Arizona
      • La Paz Co.
        • Plomosa Mts
          • Plomosa District
            • Bouse
              • Bouse area
    Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 130.
      • Pima Co.
        • Sierrita Mts
          • Pima District (Olive District; Mineral Hill District; Twin Buttes District)
            • Batamote Hills
    Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 130.
    • California
      • Fresno Co.
      • Inyo Co.
        • Argus Mts (Argus Range)
          • Lookout District (Modoc District)
    Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 285.
        • Death Valley
    Econ Geol (1996) 91:622-635
      • San Bernardino Co.
        • Calico Mts
          • Calico District (Daggett District)
            • Calico-Daggett Borate area
    [Murdoch, J & Webb, R (1966) Minerals of California, California Division of Mines and Geology Bulletin 189]
    • Massachusetts
      • Franklin Co.
        • Rowe
    Cerato, A.. 2003: Mineralogical Study of Davis Mine, Rowe, MA, Using X-Ray Diffraction Techniques
    • Nevada
      • Elko Co.
        • Bootstrap District
    • New Jersey
      • Sussex Co.
        • Franklin Mining District
          • Ogdensburg
            • Sterling Hill
    The Picking Table:17(2):4; Dunn(1995):Pt5:630.
    • New Mexico
      • Otero Co.
    2008 New Mexico Mineral Symposium abstracts
    • Utah
      • Duchesne Co.
    UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
    Venezuela
     
    • Aragua
    Urbani, 1997. Bol. Soc. Venezolana de Espeleología, no.30.
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
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