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Leonite

A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About LeoniteHide

Formula:
K2Mg(SO4)2 · 4H2O
Colour:
Colourless, pale yellow; colourless (transmitted light)
Lustre:
Vitreous, Waxy
Hardness:
2½ - 3
Specific Gravity:
2.20
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named in honor of Leo Balthasar Leberecht Strippelmann (26 July 1826, Kassel, Germany - 17 June 1892, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany), Director of the salt works at Westeregeln, Germany.
The magnesium analogue of Mereiterite.
May occur as a dehydration product of Picromerite.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
2377
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2377:7
GUID
(UUID V4):
e5465015-90d2-423e-96d1-4ce1c3e14cef

IMA Classification of LeoniteHide

Classification of LeoniteHide

7.CC.55

7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
C : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, with H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
29.3.3.3

29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
3 : A2B(XO4)2·xH2O
25.3.14

25 : Sulphates
3 : Sulphates of Mg

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference
LeoIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of LeoniteHide

Vitreous, Waxy
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless, pale yellow; colourless (transmitted light)
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2½ - 3 on Mohs scale
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
2.20 g/cm3 (Measured)    2.20 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of LeoniteHide

Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.479 - 1.480 nβ = 1.482 - 1.483 nγ = 1.486 - 1.487
2V:
Measured: 90° , Calculated: 76°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.007
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
none
Optical Extinction:
Y = b; Z ∧ a = small.

Chemistry of LeoniteHide

Mindat Formula:
K2Mg(SO4)2 · 4H2O

Crystallography of LeoniteHide

Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/m
Setting:
C2/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 11.769(2) Å, b = 9.539(3) Å, c = 9.889(3) Å
β = 95.31(2)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.234 : 1 : 1.037
Unit Cell V:
1,105.42 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Crystals tabular {100} and elongated [001]. Usually anhedral.
Twinning:
On {100} - artificial crystals. Lamellar twinning observable under magnification.

Crystal StructureHide

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0002727LeoniteHertweck B, Giester G, Libowitzky E (2001) The crystal structures of the low-temperature phases of leonite-type compounds, K2Me(SO4)2.4H2O (Me=Mg,Mn,Fe) American Mineralogist 86 1282-129220010100
0002728LeoniteHertweck B, Giester G, Libowitzky E (2001) The crystal structures of the low-temperature phases of leonite-type compounds, K2Me(SO4)2.4H2O (Me=Mg,Mn,Fe) American Mineralogist 86 1282-129220010170
0002729LeoniteHertweck B, Giester G, Libowitzky E (2001) The crystal structures of the low-temperature phases of leonite-type compounds, K2Me(SO4)2.4H2O (Me=Mg,Mn,Fe) American Mineralogist 86 1282-129220010293
0002730LeoniteHertweck B, Giester G, Libowitzky E (2001) The crystal structures of the low-temperature phases of leonite-type compounds, K2Me(SO4)2.4H2O (Me=Mg,Mn,Fe) American Mineralogist 86 1282-129220010110
0002731LeoniteHertweck B, Giester G, Libowitzky E (2001) The crystal structures of the low-temperature phases of leonite-type compounds, K2Me(SO4)2.4H2O (Me=Mg,Mn,Fe) American Mineralogist 86 1282-129220010185
0002732LeoniteHertweck B, Giester G, Libowitzky E (2001) The crystal structures of the low-temperature phases of leonite-type compounds, K2Me(SO4)2.4H2O (Me=Mg,Mn,Fe) American Mineralogist 86 1282-129220010293
0017943LeoniteAnspach H (1939) Die Struktur des Mn-Leonit _cod_database_code 1011041 Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 101 39-7719390293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
3.42 Å(100)
3.04 Å(48)
2.38 Å(47)
3.49 Å(41)
3.31 Å(36)
2.88 Å(27)
5.88 Å(22)

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Near-surface Processes
25 : Evaporites (prebiotic)
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event<2.4
45a : [Sulfates, arsenates, selenates, antimonates]
Geological Setting:
Oceanic potash deposits.

Type Occurrence of LeoniteHide

Place of Conservation of Type Material:
No designated type specimen.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Rock salt deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Tenne, C.A. (1896) Ueber die krystallform des leonit aus den steinsalzlagern von Leopoldshall. Zeitschrift der Deutschen Geologischen Gesellschaft, 48, 632-637.

Synonyms of LeoniteHide

Other Language Names for LeoniteHide

Relationship of Leonite to other SpeciesHide

Member of:
Other Members of this group:
MereiteriteK2Fe(SO4)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : B2/m

Common AssociatesHide

Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
33 photos of Leonite associated with HaliteNaCl
3 photos of Leonite associated with PicromeriteK2Mg(SO4)2 · 6H2O
1 photo of Leonite associated with SylviteKCl

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

7.CC.CobaltoblöditeNa2Co(SO4)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.CC.AndychristyitePbCu2+Te6+O5(H2O)Tric. 1 : P1
7.CC.Ammoniovoltaite(NH4)2Fe2+5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12(H2O)18Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fd3c
7.CC.05KrausiteKFe(SO4)2 · H2OMon. 2/m : P21/m
7.CC.10TamarugiteNaAl(SO4)2 · 6H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.CC.15KaliniteKAl(SO4)2 · 11H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
7.CC.15MendoziteNaAl(SO4)2 · 11H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
7.CC.20Lonecreekite(NH4)Fe3+(SO4)2 · 12H2OIso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3
7.CC.20Alum-(K)KAl(SO4)2 · 12H2OIso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3
7.CC.20Alum-(Na)NaAl(SO4)2 · 12H2OIso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3
7.CC.20Tschermigite(NH4)Al(SO4)2 · 12H2OIso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3
7.CC.20LanmuchangiteTl+Al(SO4)2 · 12H2OIso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3
7.CC.25VoltaiteK2Fe2+5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2OIso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fd3c
7.CC.25ZincovoltaiteK2Zn5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2OIso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fd3c
7.CC.25PertlikiteK2(Fe2+,Mg)2Mg4Fe3+2Al(SO4)12 · 18H2OTet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : I41/acd
7.CC.25Ammoniomagnesiovoltaite(NH4)2Mg2+5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2OIso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fd3c
7.CC.25MagnesiovoltaiteK2Mg5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2OIso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fd3c
7.CC.30KröhnkiteNa2Cu(SO4)2 · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.CC.35FerrinatriteNa3Fe(SO4)3 · 3H2OTrig. 3 : P3
7.CC.40GoldichiteKFe(SO4)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.CC.45LöweiteNa12Mg7(SO4)13 · 15H2OTrig. 3 : R3
7.CC.50BlöditeNa2Mg(SO4)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.CC.50NickelblöditeNa2(Ni,Mg)(SO4)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.CC.50ChangoiteNa2Zn(SO4)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.CC.55MereiteriteK2Fe(SO4)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : B2/m
7.CC.60Boussingaultite(NH4)2Mg(SO4)2 · 6H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.CC.60CyanochroiteK2Cu(SO4)2 · 6H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.CC.60Mohrite(NH4)2Fe(SO4)2 · 6H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.CC.60Nickelboussingaultite(NH4)2Ni(SO4)2 · 6H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.CC.60PicromeriteK2Mg(SO4)2 · 6H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
7.CC.60NickelpicromeriteK2Ni(SO4)2 · 6H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.CC.60Katerinopoulosite(NH4)2Zn(SO4)2 · 6H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.CC.65PolyhaliteK2Ca2Mg(SO4)4 · 2H2OTric. 1
7.CC.70LeightoniteK2Ca2Cu(SO4)4 · 2H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
7.CC.75AmarilliteNaFe(SO4)2 · 6H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
7.CC.80KonyaiteNa2Mg(SO4)2 · 5H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.CC.85WattevilleiteNa2Ca(SO4)2 · 4H2O (?)Orth.
7.CC.85XocolatliteCa2Mn4+2(Te6+O6)2 · H2OMon. 2/m : P2/m
7.CC.90Eckhardite(Ca,Pb)Cu2+Te6+O5(H2O)Mon. 2/m

Other InformationHide

Thermal Behaviour:
Dehydration occurs at 410-420 K and leads to langeinite and arcanite.
Notes:
Soluble in H2O, taste slightly bitter. Turns white upon alteration/dehydration to picromerite if left exposed.
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 LeoniteHide

References for LeoniteHide

Reference List:

Localities for LeoniteHide

This 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.

Locality ListHide

- 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). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Australia
 
  • South Australia
    • Flinders Ranges
      • North Flinders Ranges
        • Wooltana homestead area
Snow et al. (2014)
Austria
 
  • Upper Austria
    • Gmunden District
      • Hallstatt
Exel (1993)
Chile
 
  • Antofagasta
    • El Loa Province
      • San Pedro de Atacama
        • Cordillera de la Sal
De Waele et al. (2017)
De Waele et al. (2017)
China
 
  • Qinghai
    • Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture
      • Mangnai City (Mangya Co.)
Mily Wang et al. (1993)
  • Xinjiang
    • Bayin'gholin Autonomous Prefecture (Bayingolin Autonomous Prefecture; Bayinguoleng Autonomous Prefecture)
      • Ruoqiang Co. (Qakilik Co.; Chaqiliq Co.)
Xiaohong Sun et al. (2010)
    • Turpan
      • Gaochang District
        • Turfan basin (Turpan basin)
Bingxiao Li (1992)
Germany
 
  • Hesse
    • Kassel Region
      • Fulda
        • Neuhof
Krah et al. (1988)
      • Hersfeld-Rotenburg
        • Heringen
Weiß (1990)
        • Phillippsthal
Weiß (1990)
  • Lower Saxony
    • Celle District
      • Wathlingen
Weiß (1990)
    • Hanover Region
      • Uetze
        • Hänigsen
Bode "Mineralien und Fundstellen BRD" ...
      • Wunstorf
according information from old germany ...
    • Heidekreis
      • Schwarmstedt
        • Lindwedel
  • Saxony-Anhalt
    • Salzlandkreis
      • Börde-Hakel
        • Westeregeln
Wittern (2001)
      • Bördeaue
        • Tarthun
Palache et al. (1951)
Palache et al. (1951)
...
  • Thuringia
    • Wartburg District
      • Krayenberggemeinde
W.I. Borrisenkow (1968)
Iran
 
  • Kerman Province
    • Sirjan County
      • Pariz
Khorasanipour (2015)
Italy
 
  • Campania
    • Naples
      • Somma-Vesuvius Complex
        • Mount Vesuvius
Russo et al. (2004)
  • Sicily
    • Enna Province
      • Enna
Mariani et al. (1978)
Kazakhstan
 
  • Atyrau Region
    • Inder District
Pekov et al. (1993)
Namibia
 
  • Hardap Region
    • Daweb
Bowell et al. (2017)
Pakistan
 
  • Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province
    • Swabi District
M. Qasim Jan et al. (1985)
Romania
 
  • Bistrița-Năsăud County
Mineralogical Magazine: 65 (1)
Russia
 
  • Kamchatka Krai
    • Milkovsky District
      • Tolbachik Volcanic field
        • Plosky Tolbachik Volcano
          • 2012-2013 Fissure Tolbachik Eruption site
Shablinskii et al. (2022)
Ukraine
 
  • Lviv Oblast
    • Drohobych Raion
      • Drohobych
BILONIZHKA (2003)
USA
 
  • New Mexico
Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference
    • Eddy County
Hawley +5 other references
SIMMONS (2013)
Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference
 
Mineral and/or Locality  
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