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Butlerite

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Copiapó Province, Atacama Region, Chile
© 2005 - MMI

Show Butlerite Photos (4)
Formula:
Fe
3+
 
[OH|SO
 
4
] · 2H
 
2
O
System:MonoclinicColour:Dark orange; light ...
Hardness:2½
Name:After Gurdon Montague Butler (1881-1961), mining geologist, University of Arizona.
This page provides mineralogical data about Butlerite.

Classification of Butlerite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:6/D.01-20
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:7.DC.10

7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
C : With only medium-sized cations; chains of edge-sharing octahedra
Dana 8th edition ID:31.9.1.1

31 : HYDRATED SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
9 : (AB)(XO4)Zq·xH2O
Hey's CIM Ref.:25.10.15

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

Type Locality:United Verde Mine (The Big Hole; Big Hole property; Hull Mine; Hopewell tunnel; Patented claim 3480; Patented claim 2812; Patented claims 3348), Jerome, Verde District, Black Hills (Black Hill Range), Yavapai Co., Arizona, USA
Year of Discovery:1928

Occurrences of Butlerite

Geological Setting:Oxidation of pyritic ore; may be formed under fumarolic
conditions from mine fires.

Physical Properties of Butlerite

Lustre:Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Translucent
Colour:Dark orange; light yellow-orange in transmitted light.
Streak:Pale yellow
Hardness (Mohs):2½
Cleavage:Perfect
On {100}, perfect.
Density (measured):2.55 g/cm3
Density (calculated):2.53 g/cm3

Crystallography of Butlerite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Class (H-M):2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:P21/m {P1 1 21/m} {P21/m} {P1 21/m 1}
Cell Parameters:a = 6.51Å, b = 7.37Å, c = 5.85Å
β = 108.87°
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.883 : 1 : 0.794
Unit Cell Volume:V 265.59 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:Crystals commonly tabular {001} or {100} with a propensity for elongation [010]; also octahedral (anthropogenic).
Twinning:Very common on {105}.

Epitaxial Relationships of Butlerite

Epitaxial Minerals:
Parabutlerite
Epitaxi Comments:Oriented growths.

Optical Data of Butlerite

Type:Biaxial (+/-)
RI values: nα = 1.593 - 1.604 nβ = 1.665 - 1.674 nγ = 1.731 - 1.741
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.138

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:High
Dispersion:r < v weak
Pleochroism:Visible
Comments:X ^c - 18° = Colourless
Y = Faint yellow
Z = b = Light yellow
Comments:2V large.

Chemical Properties of Butlerite

Formula:
Fe
3+
 
[OH|SO
 
4
] · 2H
 
2
O
Essential elements:Fe, H, O, S
All elements listed in formula:Fe, H, O, S

Relationship of Butlerite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
7.DC.05Aluminite
Al
 
2
[(OH)
 
4
|SO
 
4
] · 7H
 
2
O
7.DC.05Meta-aluminite
Al
 
2
[(OH)
 
4
|SO
 
4
] · 5H
 
2
O
7.DC.10Parabutlerite
Fe
3+
 
[OH|SO
 
4
] · 2H
 
2
O
7.DC.15Fibroferrite
Fe
3+
 
[OH|SO
 
4
] · 5H
 
2
O
7.DC.20Xitieshanite
Fe
3+
 
[Cl|SO
 
4
] · 6H
 
2
O
7.DC.25Botryogen
MgFe
3+
 
[OH|(SO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 7H
 
2
O
7.DC.25Zincobotryogen
(Zn,Mg,Mn
2+
 
)Fe
3+
 
[OH|(SO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 7H
 
2
O
7.DC.30Chaidamuite
ZnFe(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)·4H
 
2
O
7.DC.30Guildite
CuFe
3+
 
[OH|(SO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 4H
 
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
25.10.6Rhomboclase
(H
 
5
O
 
2
)Fe
3+
 
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
·2H
 
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
25.10.16Parabutlerite
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 Butlerite

Other Languages:
German:Butlerit
Russian:Бутлерит
Spanish:Butlerita

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 Butlerite

Reference List:Posnjak and Merwin (1912) Journal of the American Chemical Society: 44: 1978.

Lausen (1928) American Mineralogist: 13: 203-229.

Bandy (1938) American Mineralogist: 23: 742.

Gordon (1941) Academy of Sciences, Philadelphia, Not. Nat., no. 89.

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.: 608-609.

American Mineralogist (1971): 56: 751-757.

Internet Links for Butlerite

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

    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.
    (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.
    Argentina
     
    • San Juan
      • La Alcaparrosa
    		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: 480, 609, 1014.
    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: 609.
    • Tarapacá Region
      • Iquique Province
        • Pampa del Tamarugal
    		Peter G. Seroka collection
    China
     
    • Qinghai (Chinghai) Province
      • Haixi Autonomous Prefecture
        • Da Qaidam (Dachaidan) Co.
    		Am Min 73:11-12 p 1493
    Germany
     
    • Lower Saxony
      • Harz Mts
        • Goslar
          • Astfeld
    		No reference listed
    Hungary
     
    • Baranya Co.
      • Mecsek Mts.
        • Pécs
    		Szakáll,2008
    Morocco
     
    • Marrakech-Tensift-El Haouz Region
      • Marrakech Prefecture
        • Marrakech
    		Rachid Hakkou, Mostafa Benzaazoua and Bruno Bussière (2008): Acid Mine Drainage at the Abandoned Kettara Mine (Morocco): 1. Environmental Characterization. Mine Water and the Environment, 27, 145-159.
    Russia
     
    • Far-Eastern Region
      • Sakhalinskaya Oblast'
        • Kuril Islands
          • Iturup Island
    		http://maurice.strahlen.org/kurilles/kurilles.htm
    USA
     
    • Arizona
      • Yavapai Co.
        • Black Hills (Black Hill Range)
          • Verde District
            • Jerome
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 149; Lausen, C. (1928), Hydrous sulphates formed under fumerolic conditions at the United Verde mine, AmMin: 13: 203-229; Cesbron, F. (1964), Contribution à la minéralogie des sulfates de fer hydraté, Bull. Soc. Franc. Min. Crist: 87:125-143; Fanfani, L.A., et al (1971), The crystal structure of butlerite, Am.Min.: 56: 751-757; Galbraith, F.W. & Brennan (1959), Minerals of AZ: 66.
    • California
      • Inyo Co.
        • Death Valley
    		www.mineralsocal.org
    • Colorado
      • Gunnison Co.
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
    • Nevada
      • Washoe Co.
        • Steamboat Springs District
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    • New Mexico
      • Santa Fe Co.
        • La Bajada District
    		Northrup, Minerals of New Mexico, 3rd Rev. Ed., 1996
    • Utah
      • Emery Co.
        • San Rafael District (San Rafael Swell)
          • Calf Mesa
    		UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
    Am.Min.40:469
    Mineral and/or Locality
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    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2009. Site Map. Locality, mineral & photograph data are the copyright of the individuals who submitted them.Further information contact the Site hosted & developed by Jolyon Ralph. Mindat.org is an online information resource dedicated to providing free mineralogical information to all. Mindat relies on the contributions of hundreds of members and supporters. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register. Current server date and time: 5th Nov 2009 21:06:44