Ilesite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Ilesite
Formula:
(Mn,Zn,Fe)SO4 · 4H2O
Colour:
Green
Hardness:
2 - 3
Specific Gravity:
2.25
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named in honor of Malvern Wells Iles (7 August 1852, Midway, Kentucky, USA - 9 January 1937, San Francisco, California, USA), a metallurgist active in Denver, Colorado, USA who first described the mineral.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2009
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2009:7
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
8f9af930-6184-44be-9ddb-4190f26fbebd
IMA Classification of Ilesite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Mn2+(SO4) · 4H2O
First published:
1881
Type description reference:
Classification of Ilesite
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
29.6.6.3
29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
6 : AXO4·xH2O
29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
6 : AXO4·xH2O
25.9.9
25 : Sulphates
9 : Sulphates of Mn
25 : Sulphates
9 : Sulphates of Mn
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 |
---|---|---|
Ile | 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 Ilesite
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Green
Comment:
Turns white on dehydration.
Hardness:
2 - 3 on Mohs scale
Density:
2.25 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.26 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Measured on artificial material.
Optical Data of Ilesite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.511 nβ = 1.519 nγ = 1.521
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.010
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:
Low
Dispersion:
marked to extreme
Chemistry of Ilesite
Mindat Formula:
(Mn,Zn,Fe)SO4 · 4H2O
Crystallography of Ilesite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.94 Å, b = 13.76 Å, c = 8.01 Å
β = 90.8°
β = 90.8°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.432 : 1 : 0.582
Unit Cell V:
654.63 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Prismatic. Loosely adherent crystalline aggregates.
Comment:
On synthetic material
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0019608 | Ilesite | Anderson J L, Peterson R C, Swainson I (2012) The atomic structure of deuterated boyleite ZnSO4*4D2O, ilesite MnSO4*4D2O, and bianchite ZnSO4*6D2O American Mineralogist 97 1905-1914 | 2012 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
0010394 | Ilesite | Held P, Bohaty L (2002) Manganese(II) sulfate tetrahydrate (ilesite) Acta Crystallographica E58 i121-i123 | 2002 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
4.55 Å | (100) |
5.5 Å | (90) |
4.01 Å | (90) |
2.99 Å | (90) |
3.46 Å | (80) |
3.28 Å | (80) |
3.01 Å | (70) |
Comments:
Synthetic. ICDD 32-651.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
47e : [Vanadates, chromates, manganates] | |
Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals |
Geological Setting:
Secondary mineral in sulfide deposits.
Type Occurrence of Ilesite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Loosely-adhering, very friable, thick prisms, frequently terminated by truncated pyramids
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Oxidized zone of sulfide deposit
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Iles, M.W. (1881) A new manganese mineral. American Chemical Journal: 3: 420-422.
Other Language Names for Ilesite
Relationship of Ilesite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
Aplowite | (Co,Mn,Ni)SO4 · 4H2O | Mon. 2/m |
Boyleite | (Zn,Mg)SO4 · 4H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
Drobecite | CdSO4 · 4H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/m |
Rozenite | FeSO4 · 4H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
Starkeyite | MgSO4 · 4H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
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 | Rozenite | FeSO4 · 4H2O |
7.CB.15 | Starkeyite | MgSO4 · 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:
Bitter, astringent taste. Very readily soluble even in cold water. The aqueous solution effervesces with sodium carbonate and reddens blue litmus paper.
Special Storage/
Display Requirements:
Display Requirements:
Becomes white on dehydration.
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 Ilesite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2009.html
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References for Ilesite
Localities for Ilesite
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).
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.
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Australia | |
| A suite of hydrated manganese sulfates ... +1 other reference |
Canada | |
| Jambor et al. (1962) |
Watson et al. (1996) | |
Czech Republic | |
| |
Japan | |
| Nambu et al (1977) |
| Dr. Matsuo Nambu collection (curated at Geological Survey of Japan) |
Spain | |
| |
Switzerland | |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
USA | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Iles (1881) +1 other reference |
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Chvaletice, Pardubice District, Pardubice Region, Czech Republic