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Carnallite

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Merkers, Bad Salzungen, Thuringian Forest, Thuringia, Germany
© Frank de Wit

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Formula:
KMgCl
 
3
·6H
 
2
O
System:OrthorhombicColour:Yellow to white, ...
Hardness:2½
Name:After Rudolf von Carnall (1804-1874), Prussian mining engineer.
This page provides mineralogical data about Carnallite.

Classification of Carnallite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:3/C.08-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:3.BA.10

3 : HALIDES
B : Simple halides, with H2O
A : M:X = 1:1 and 2:3
Dana 8th edition ID:11.1.2.1

11 : HALIDE COMPLEXES
1 : AmBX3
Hey's CIM Ref.:8.4.5

8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
4 : Halides of the alkaline earths and Mg
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Type Occurrence of Carnallite

Type Locality:Stassfurt, Stassfurt Potash deposit, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
Year of Discovery:1856
Geological Setting of type material:Upper layers of saline deposits of the marine type.
Associated Minerals at type locality:
SylvitePolyhaliteKieseriteHalite

Occurrences of Carnallite

Geological Setting:Saline marine deposits by action of high potash fluids.

Physical Properties of Carnallite

Lustre:Greasy
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent, Translucent
Colour:Yellow to white, reddish, seldom white, colourless or blue.
Streak:White
Hardness (Mohs):2½
Cleavage:None Observed
Fracture:Conchoidal
Density (measured):1.602 g/cm3
Density (calculated):1.598 g/cm3

Crystallography of Carnallite

Crystal System:Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:Pnna (P2/n 21/n 2/a)
Cell Parameters:a = 16.119(3) Å, b = 22.472(4) Å, c = 9.551(2) Å
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.717 : 1 : 0.425
Unit Cell Volume:V 3,459.62 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:12
Morphology:Crystals pseudo-hexagonal, pyramidal in habit, due to the substantially equant development of pyramids and brachydomes. Thick tabular with large {0001} at times. Massive, granular.
Twinning:Secondary twinning lamellae. May exhibit polysynthetic twinning.

Epitaxial Relationships of Carnallite

Epitaxial Minerals:
Hematite
Epitaxi Comments:Hematite scales oriented with {0001} parallel to carnallite {001}, also parallel {110} or {100}.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
Image Loading

Radiation - Copper Kα
Data Set:
Horizontal Axis: ° to ° Vertical Axis: % Source Data: Filtered Data: Peaks:
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.

Optical Data of Carnallite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.465 - 1.466 nβ = 1.474 - 1.475 nγ = 1.494 - 1.496
2V:Measured: 70° , Calculated: 66°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.029 - 0.030

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

Chemical Properties of Carnallite

Formula:
KMgCl
 
3
·6H
 
2
O
Essential elements:Cl, H, K, Mg, O
All elements listed in formula:Cl, H, K, Mg, O
Common Impurities:Br,Rb,Cs,Tl,Fe

Relationship of Carnallite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):
3.BA.05Hydrohalite
NaCl·2H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:
8.4.1Sellaite
MgF
 
2
8.4.2Neighborite
NaMgF
 
3
8.4.3Bischofite
MgCl
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
8.4.4Korshunovskite
Mg
 
2
[(OH)
 
3
|Cl] · 4H
 
2
O
8.4.6Tachyhydrite
CaMg
 
2
Cl
 
6
·12H
 
2
O
8.4.7Fluorite
CaF
 
2
8.4.8Sinjarite
CaCl
 
2
·2H
 
2
O
8.4.9Antarcticite
CaCl
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
8.4.10Chlorocalcite
KCaCl
 
3
8.4.11Rorisite
CaFCl
8.4.12Jarlite
Na(Sr,Ca)
 
3
Al
 
3
F
 
16
8.4.13Calcjarlite
Na(Ca,Sr)
 
3
Al
 
3
(OH)
 
2
F
 
14
8.4.14Tikhonenkovite
Sr[AlF
 
4
(OH)(H
 
2
O)]
8.4.15Acuminite
Sr[AlF
 
4
(OH)(H
 
2
O)]
8.4.16Frankdicksonite
BaF
 
2
8.4.17Usovite
Ba
 
2
CaMgAl
 
2
F
 
14
8.4.18Bøgvadite
Na
 
2
SrBa
 
2
[Al
 
4
F
 
20
]

Other Names for Carnallite

German names:
CarnallitKalium Magnesium chlorid
Russian names:
Карналлит
Spanish names:
Carnallita
Varieties:
BromcarnalliteIodcarnallite

Other Information

Fluorescence in UV light:None.
Other Information:Deliquescent. Soluble in water. The evaporated solution yields sylvite and bischofite.
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 Carnallite

Reference List:Rose (1856) Annalen der Physik, Halle, Leipzig: 98: 161.

Erdmann (1862) Journal für praktische Chemie, Leipzig: 86: 377.

Hammerbacher (1875) Ann. Chem. Pharm.: 172: 82.

Kleinfeldt analysis in: Bücking (1901) Ak. Berlin, Sitzber.: 539.

Przibylla (1904) Centralblatt für Mineralogie, Geologie und Paleontologie, Stuttgart: 236.

Busz (1907) Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Geologie und Paleontologie, Heidelberg, Stuttgart, Festband: 126.

Johnsen (1907) Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Geologie und Paleontologie, Heidelberg, Stuttgart, Beil. Bd., 23: 252.

Boeke (1908) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 45: 369, 384.

Ruff (1908) Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Geologie und Paleontologie, Heidelberg, Stuttgart: II: 9.

Biltz and Marcus (1909) Zeitschrift für anorganische und allgemeine Chemie, Hamburg, Leipzig: 62: 184.

Johnsen (1909) Centralblatt für Mineralogie, Geologie und Paleontologie, Stuttgart: 169.

Boeke (1911) Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Geologie und Paleontologie, Heidelberg, Stuttgart: I: 52.

Goldschmidt, V. (1913) Atlas der Krystallformen: 2: 105.

Doelter, C. (1928) Handbuch der Mineral-chemie: 4(2): 1187, 1191.

Leonhardt (1928) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 66: 506.

Jander and Busch (1930) Zeitschrift für anorganische und allgemeine Chemie, Hamburg, Leipzig: 194: 38.

Schaller and Henderson (1932), USGS Bull. 833: 22.

Andress and Saffe (1939) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 101: 451.

King (1946) Journal of Sedimentary Petrology: 16: 14.

Lindberg (1946) American Mineralogist: 31: 486.

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: Halides, Nitrates, Borates, Carbonates, Sulfates, Phosphates, Arsenates, Tungstates, Molybdates, Etc. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged: 92-94.

American Mineralogist (1985): 70: 1309-1313.

Anthony, J.W., Bideaux, R.A., Bladh, K.W., and Nichols, M.C. (1997) Handbook of Mineralogy, Volume III. Halides, Hydroxides, Oxides. Mineral Data Publishing, Tucson, AZ, 628pp.: 102.

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    Localities for Carnallite

    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.
    Brazil
     
    • Northeast Region
    Canada
     
    • New Brunswick
      • Kings Co.
    		Canadian Mineralogist: 43: 1469-1487.
    • Saskatchewan
      • Rocanville
    		No reference listed
    China
     
    • Qinghai (Chinghai) Province
      • Hainan Autonomous Prefecture
    		Sun Da-peng, Li Bing-xiao, Ma Yua-hua, and Lin Qun-zhu (2002): Journal of Salt Lake Research 10(4), 1-12.
      • Haixi Autonomous Prefecture
        • Dulan Co.
    		Pui-Kwan Tse (1997): USGS Minerals Information: Asia and the Pacific.
        • Mangnai (Mangya) Co.
    		Xiying Zhang, Haizhou Ma, Donglin Gao, Minggang Zhang, and Tao Wang (2007): Journal of Salt Lake Research 15(2), 12-20.
    Ethiopia
     
    • Afar
      • Danakil depression
    		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: 94.
    Germany
     
    • Hesse
      • North Hesse
        • Werra Valley
          • Heringen
    		Weiss: "Mineralfundstellen, Deutschland West", Weise (Munich), 1990
          • Phillippsthal
    		No reference listed
    • 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
      • Göttingen
        • Reyershausen
      • Hanover
        • Lehrte
    Weiss: "Mineralienfundstellen, Deutschland West", Weise (Munich), 1990
      • Hildesheim
        • Groß Giesen
    		Aufschluss 1987(4), 114
    Weiss: "Mineralfundstellen, Deutschland West", Weise (Munich), 1990
      • Solling Mts
        • Volpriehausen
    		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: 87.
      • Vienenburg
    		Weiss: "Mineralfundstellen, Deutschland West", Weise (Munich), 1990
    • Saxony-Anhalt
    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: 434.
      • Halle
    		No reference listed
      • Stassfurt Potash deposit
    		Palache, Berman & Frondel (1951) Dana's System of Mineralogy, 7th ed., vol. II: 94; Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", 2001
    Naumann, Zirkel: "Elemente der Mineralogie", 13th Ed., 1898; 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: 94, 380.
        • Tarthun
    		No reference listed
    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: 94, 388.
    • Thuringia
      • Bleicherode
    		B. Hendriksen collection
    BOEKE, H.E. (1909): Rinneit, ein neugefundenes eisenchlorürhaltiges Salzmineral.- Centralblatt für Mineralogie, Geologie und Paläontologie, 72-75
      • Thuringian Forest
        • Bad Salzungen
    Italy
     
    • Sicily
      • Agrigento Province
        • Racalmuto
    		AA. VV., 1996. Collezionare minerali. Hobby & Work.
      • Caltanissetta Province
    		AA. VV., 1996. Collezionare minerali. Hobby & Work.
      • Enna Province
    		AA. VV., 1996. Collezionare minerali. Hobby & Work.
    Kazakhstan
     
    • Aqtöbe Oblysy (Aktubinsk [Aktyubinsk; Aktubinskaya] Oblast')
      • Aksai Valley
    New Zealand
     
    • North Island
      • Tongariro
        • Mt Ruapehu
    		Railton, G.L. & Watters, W.A., Minerals of New Zealand, New Zealand Geological Survey Bull. #104 (1990).
    Poland
     
    • Kujawsko-Pomorskie
    		Eligiusz Szełęg collection
    • 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
     
    • Eastern-Siberian Region
      • Transbaikalia (Zabaykalye)
        • Irkutskaya Oblast'
          • Lena-Angara salt Basin
    • Povolzhsky Region
      • Saratov 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: 94.
    • Urals Region
      • Middle Urals
        • Permskaya Oblast'
          • Kama river
            • Solikamsk
    		P.M. Kartashov data
    Spain
     
    • Catalonia
      • Barcelona
        • Bages
          • Cardona
    UK
     
    • England
      • Cleveland
        • Loftus
    		No reference listed
      • Humberside
        • Offshore
          • Block 47/3
    Ukraine
     
    • Ivanovo-Frankovsk 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: 94, 478.
    USA
     
    • Arizona
      • Apache & Navajo Cos.
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 155; Peirce, H.W. (1969), Salines, in Mineral and water resources of AZ, AZ Bur. of Mines Bull. 180: 417-424.
    • Colorado
      • Park Co.
        • South Park
          • Antero Junction
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
    • Michigan
      • Newaygo Co.
    		Mineralogy of Michigan (2004) Heinrich & Robinson
      • Wayne Co.
        • Detroit
    		Mineralogy of Michigan (2004) Heinrich & Robinson
    • New Mexico
      • Eddy Co.
    		Northrop, Minerals of New Mexico, 3rd. rev. ed. (1996)
    • Utah
      • Emery Co.
        • San Rafael District (San Rafael Swell)
    		U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
      • Grand Co.
    		U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
    U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
        • Crescent Eagle
    		U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
    UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
        • Interriver District
    		U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
    UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
    UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
        • Mineral Canyon Area
    		U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
    UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
    UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
        • Seven Mile District
    		U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
    U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
    U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
        • Thompsons District (S. E. Thomsons)
    		UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
      • San Juan Co.
        • Moab District
    		U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
    UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
        • Paradox Valley
    		UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
      • Tooele Co.
        • Bonneville Salt Flats
    		U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
    U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
        • Great Salt Lake Desert
    		U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
        • Leppy Range
    		U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
    UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
        • Salt Flats
    		U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
    U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
    U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
    U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
        • Silver Island Mts
          • Silver Island District (Silver Islet District)
    		U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
    U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
    U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
    UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
    Mineral and/or Locality
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