Starkeyite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Starkeyite
Formula:
MgSO4 · 4H2O
Colour:
White to very pale yellow or pale greenish white.
Lustre:
Dull, Earthy
Hardness:
2 - 3
Specific Gravity:
2
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1956 by Oliver Rudolph Grawe for the type locality, the Starkey Mine in Madison County, Missouri, USA.
Type Locality:
Rozenite Group.
Closely related to cranswickite.
This is a rare mineral, found at only a few localities, then it is usually found as white to very pale yellow or very pale greenish white powdery efflorescences. Good crystals are extremely rare, perhaps unheard of.
Closely related to cranswickite.
This is a rare mineral, found at only a few localities, then it is usually found as white to very pale yellow or very pale greenish white powdery efflorescences. Good crystals are extremely rare, perhaps unheard of.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3752
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3752:1
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
33ce150d-6399-42ba-bb33-88bcc923024b
IMA Classification of Starkeyite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Mg(SO4) · 4H2O
First published:
1945
Classification of Starkeyite
7.CB.15
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
C : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, with H2O
B : With only medium-sized cations
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
C : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, with H2O
B : With only medium-sized cations
Dana 7th ed.:
29.6.6.2
29.6.6.2
29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
6 : AXO4·xH2O
29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
6 : AXO4·xH2O
25.3.3
25 : Sulphates
3 : Sulphates of Mg
25 : Sulphates
3 : Sulphates of Mg
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ske | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Starkeyite
Dull, Earthy
Transparency:
Translucent, Opaque
Colour:
White to very pale yellow or pale greenish white.
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2 - 3 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
2 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.007 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Starkeyite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.490 nβ = 1.491 nγ = 1.497
2V:
Measured: 50° , Calculated: 46°
Birefringence:
0.007
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.007
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
none
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Starkeyite
Mindat Formula:
MgSO4 · 4H2O
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Starkeyite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/b
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.92 Å, b = 13.6 Å, c = 7.91 Å
β = 90.85°
β = 90.85°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.435 : 1 : 0.582
Unit Cell V:
636.78 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Forms not reported, typically found as powdery efflorescences.
Twinning:
Not reported.
Crystal Structure
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0009275 | Starkeyite | Baur W H (1962) Zur kristallchemie der salzhydrate. Die kristallstrukturen von MgSO4*4H2O (leonhardtit) und FeSO4*4H2O (rozenit) Acta Crystallographica 15 815-826 |  | 1962 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0009287 | Starkeyite | Baur W H (1964) On the crystal chemistry of salt hydrates. II. A neutron diffraction study of MgSO4*4H2O Acta Crystallographica 17 863-869 | | 1964 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 6.83 Å | (50) |
| 5.43 Å | (80) |
| 4.70 Å | (40) |
| 4.46 Å | (100) |
| 3.95 Å | (70) |
| 3.40 Å | (50) |
| 3.22 Å | (40) |
| 2.95 Å | (60) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 25 : Evaporites (prebiotic) | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45b : [Other oxidized fumarolic minerals] | |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47b : [Sulfates and sulfites] | |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals |
Geological Setting:
A secondary mineral sometimes found in the oxidized zone of sulfide mineral deposits, resulting from the decomposition of pyrite and marcasite. May form from the dehydration of hexahydrite (Chou, 2005).
Type Occurrence of Starkeyite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Dull white powdery efflorescence.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 105610.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Dump material from a pyrite deposit in dolomite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Grawe, O.R. (1945) Pyrite deposits of Missouri. Starkeyite [FeSO4·H2O], a new mineral. Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources, ser. 2: 30: 209-210.
Synonyms of Starkeyite
Other Language Names for Starkeyite
Varieties of Starkeyite
Relationship of Starkeyite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 1 photo of Starkeyite associated with Niahite | (NH4)(Mn2+,Mg)(PO4) · H2O |
| 1 photo of Starkeyite associated with Mcallisterite | Mg2[B6O7(OH)6]2 · 9H2O |
| 1 photo of Starkeyite associated with Hexahydrite | MgSO4 · 6H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.CB. | Sarvodaite | Al2(SO4)3 · 5H2O |
| 7.CB.02 | Voudourisite | CdSO4 · H2O |
| 7.CB.05 | Dwornikite | Ni(SO4) · H2O |
| 7.CB.05 | Gunningite | ZnSO4 · H2O |
| 7.CB.05 | Kieserite | MgSO4 · H2O |
| 7.CB.05 | Poitevinite | (Cu,Fe)SO4 · H2O |
| 7.CB.05 | Szmikite | MnSO4 · H2O |
| 7.CB.05 | Szomolnokite | FeSO4 · H2O |
| 7.CB.05 | Cobaltkieserite | CoSO4 · H2O |
| 7.CB.07 | Sanderite | MgSO4 · 2H2O |
| 7.CB.10 | Bonattite | CuSO4 · 3H2O |
| 7.CB.12 | Belogubite | CuZn(SO4)2 · 10H2O |
| 7.CB.15 | Aplowite | (Co,Mn,Ni)SO4 · 4H2O |
| 7.CB.15 | Boyleite | (Zn,Mg)SO4 · 4H2O |
| 7.CB.15 | Ilesite | (Mn,Zn,Fe)SO4 · 4H2O |
| 7.CB.15 | Rozenite | FeSO4 · 4H2O |
| 7.CB.15 | Drobecite | CdSO4 · 4H2O |
| 7.CB.15 | Cranswickite | MgSO4 · 4H2O |
| 7.CB.20 | Chalcanthite | CuSO4 · 5H2O |
| 7.CB.20 | Jôkokuite | MnSO4 · 5H2O |
| 7.CB.20 | Pentahydrite | MgSO4 · 5H2O |
| 7.CB.20 | Siderotil | FeSO4 · 5H2O |
| 7.CB.25 | Bianchite | Zn(SO4) · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.25 | Chvaleticeite | Mn(SO4) · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.25 | Ferrohexahydrite | FeSO4 · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.25 | Hexahydrite | MgSO4 · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.25 | Moorhouseite | Co(SO4) · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.25 | Nickelhexahydrite | Ni(SO4) · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.30 | Retgersite | NiSO4 · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.35 | Bieberite | CoSO4 · 7H2O |
| 7.CB.35 | Boothite | CuSO4 · 7H2O |
| 7.CB.35 | Mallardite | MnSO4 · 7H2O |
| 7.CB.35 | Melanterite | Fe2+(H2O)6SO4 · H2O |
| 7.CB.35 | Zincmelanterite | (Zn,Cu,Fe)SO4 · 7H2O |
| 7.CB.35 | Alpersite | (Mg,Cu)(SO4) · 7H2O |
| 7.CB.40 | Epsomite | MgSO4 · 7H2O |
| 7.CB.40 | Goslarite | ZnSO4 · 7H2O |
| 7.CB.40 | Morenosite | NiSO4 · 7H2O |
| 7.CB.45 | Alunogen | Al2(SO4)3 · 17H2O |
| 7.CB.45 | Meta-alunogen | Al2(SO4)3 · 12H2O |
| 7.CB.50 | Aluminocoquimbite | Al2Fe2(SO4)6(H2O)12 · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.50 | Lazaridisite | 3CdSO4 · 8H2O |
| 7.CB.52 | Pararaisaite | CuMg[Te6+O4(OH)2] · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.55 | Coquimbite | AlFe3(SO4)6(H2O)12 · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.55 | Paracoquimbite | Fe4(SO4)6(H2O)12 · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.55 | Rhomboclase | (H5O2)Fe3+(SO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 7.CB.55 | Raisaite | CuMg[Te6+O4(OH)2] · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.57 | Caichengyunite | Fe2+3Al2(SO4)6 · 30H2O |
| 7.CB.60 | Kornelite | Fe2(SO4)3 · 7H2O |
| 7.CB.65 | Quenstedtite | Fe2(SO4)3 · 11H2O |
| 7.CB.70 | Lausenite | Fe2(SO4)3 · 5H2O |
| 7.CB.75 | Lishizhenite | ZnFe2(SO4)4 · 14H2O |
| 7.CB.75 | Römerite | Fe2+Fe3+2(SO4)4 · 14H2O |
| 7.CB.80 | Ransomite | CuFe2(SO4)4 · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.85 | Apjohnite | Mn2+Al2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| 7.CB.85 | Bílinite | Fe2+Fe3+2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| 7.CB.85 | Dietrichite | (Zn,Fe2+,Mn2+)Al2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| 7.CB.85 | Halotrichite | FeAl2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| 7.CB.85 | Pickeringite | MgAl2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| 7.CB.85 | Redingtonite | (Fe2+,Mg,Ni)(Cr,Al)2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| 7.CB.85 | Wupatkiite | (Co,Mg,Ni)Al2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| 7.CB.90 | Meridianiite | MgSO4 · 11H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in H2O.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Starkeyite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3752.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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Mineral Dealers:
References for Starkeyite
Reference List:
Localities for Starkeyite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Antarctica | |
| Li et al. (2003) |
Argentina | |
| Peterson (2011) |
Australia | |
| Wilson et al. (2014) |
Austria | |
| Exel (1993) |
Canada | |
| Sabina (1972) |
| Kirkland Lake - Rouyn-Noranda - Val d'Or +1 other reference |
| Shang (2000) |
Chile | |
| Anthony (1997) |
| Marta et al. (1996) |
| Cabestrero et al. (2022) |
China | |
| Shaoxiu Yang (1991) |
| Yanling Tang (2005) |
Costa Rica | |
| Ulloa et al. (2018) |
Czech Republic | |
| Matýsek D. |
| Matýsek D. |
| Hršelová et al. (2013) |
Greece | |
| Blaß et al. (1998) |
| Lapis et al. (1999) | |
| Skarpelis et al. (2004) |
Hungary | |
| |
| Szakáll: Minerals of Rudabánya +1 other reference |
| Szakáll: Minerals of Rudabánya +1 other reference | |
| Szakáll: Minerals of Rudabánya +1 other reference | |
| Mineral Species of Hungary |
| ACTA MIN. PETR. Suppl. Tomus XXXVIII. |
| |
Iceland | |
| Carson (2015) |
India | |
| Sinha et al. (2003) |
Italy | |
| Del Caldo et al. (1973) |
| C.L. Garavelli (1957) |
Japan | |
| Seki et al. (1987) |
| Dr. Matsuo Nambu collection (curated by the Geological Survey of Japan) |
Lebanon | |
| Kruszewski et al. (South Lebanon) |
Mexico | |
| Gazquez et al. (1) |
| Yta et al. (2005) |
Morocco | |
| Rachid Hakkou (2008) |
Namibia | |
| Dill et al. (2002) |
North Macedonia | |
| Rieck (1993) +1 other reference |
| Boev et al. (2015) | |
Pakistan | |
| M. Qasim Jan et al. (1985) |
Peru | |
| Smuda +4 other references |
Poland | |
| Cabała et al. (2008) |
| Ciesielczukk |
| Parafiniuk et al. (2009) |
| Kruszewski et al. (2019) |
Romania | |
| A. Januszewska PXRD data / Januszewska et al. (in preparation) |
Russia | |
| Cesnokov et al. (1998) |
| Okrugin (2004) |
| N.V. et al. (2019) |
| Kasatkin et al. (2021) |
Senegal | |
| Montoroi (1995) |
Slovakia | |
| Koděra (1986) |
| Ďuďa |
| Koděra (1986) |
Spain | |
| Romero et al. (2006) +1 other reference |
| FMF Forum |
Sweden | |
| The Sulfur Problem. Proceedings 8th ... +1 other reference |
Switzerland | |
| Romani (2000) |
| Romani (2000) | |
| Romani (2000) | |
| Romani (2000) +1 other reference |
| Analyses Nicolas Meisser (15/11/2017) |
Tunisia | |
| Smykatz-Kloss et al. (2010) |
Turkey | |
| Helvaci (1998) |
| van Doesburg et al. (1982) |
UK | |
| Smith et al. (2014) |
Ukraine | |
| Dobrovolskaya T.I. (2004) |
USA | |
| Wenrich (1988) +1 other reference |
| Anthony et al. (1976) +1 other reference |
| Gail E. Dunning and Joseph F. Cooper (2002) |
| Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 266. +3 other references |
| California Geology: 48 (5) | |
| Adams et al. (2014) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| MILTON (1977) | |
| Heinrich et al. (2004) |
| Am Min 41:662 +3 other references |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Dunn (1995) |
| Flohr et al. (1995) |
| Rocks & Min. | |
| Dietrich (1990) |
| Dietrich (1990) | |
| Dietrich (1990) | |
| Dietrich (1985) |
| Dietrich (1990) | |
| Dietrich (1990) |
| Kilburn et al. (1996) |
Zimbabwe | |
| Frei (2005) |
Mars | |
| Chipera et al. (2023) |
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Sterling Mine, Sterling Hill, Ogdensburg, Sussex County, New Jersey, USA