Molysite
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About Molysite
Formula:
FeCl3
Colour:
Yellow, brown-red, purple-red
Specific Gravity:
2.9
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Name:
From the Greek μόλυσις, a stain, in allusion to its staining the lavas of the volcanoes where it was found.
This page provides mineralogical data about Molysite.
Classification of Molysite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
3/A.09-10
3.AC.10
3 : HALIDES
A : Simple halides, without H2O
C : M:X = 1:3
3 : HALIDES
A : Simple halides, without H2O
C : M:X = 1:3
9.3.1.1
9 : NORMAL HALIDES
3 : AX3
9 : NORMAL HALIDES
3 : AX3
8.11.1
8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
11 : Halides of Fe and Ni
8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
11 : Halides of Fe and Ni
Physical Properties of Molysite
Colour:
Yellow, brown-red, purple-red
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {0001}.
On {0001}.
Density:
2.9 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.04 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Molysite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
Chemical Properties of Molysite
Formula:
FeCl3
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Molysite
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.69 Å
Unit Cell V:
0.00 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Crystals tabular {0001} with a hexagonal outline (artificial material). Massive, coatings.
Type Occurrence of Molysite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Coatings on lava.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Active volcanic fumaroles.
Synonyms of Molysite
Other Language Names for Molysite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
Hydrokenoralstonite | 1 photo of Molysite associated with Hydrokenoralstonite on mindat.org. |
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping
3.AC.05 | Zharchikhite | AlF(OH)2 | Mon. |
3.AC.15 | Fluocerite-(Ce) | (Ce,La)F3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3c1 |
3.AC.15 | Fluocerite-(La) | (La,Ce)F3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3c1 |
3.AC.20 | Gananite | BiF3 |
Related Minerals - Hey's Chemical Index of Minerals Grouping
8.11.2 | Hydromolysite | FeCl3 · 6H2O | |
8.11.3 | Rokühnite | FeCl2 · 2H2O | Mon. |
8.11.4 | Douglasite | K2[Fe2+Cl4(OH2)2] | Mon. |
8.11.5 | Erythrosiderite | K2[Fe3+Cl5(H2O)] | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma |
8.11.6 | Rinneite | K3Na[FeCl6] | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c |
8.11.7 | Kremersite | (NH4,K)2[Fe3+Cl5(H2O)] | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
8.11.8 | Iowaite | Mg6Fe3+2(OH)16Cl2 · 4H2O | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
8.11.9 | Nickelbischofite | NiCl2 · 6H2O | Mon. |
8.11.10 | Lawrencite | (Fe2+,Ni)Cl2 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:
Melting point = 282°.
Notes:
Very deliquescent. Readily hydrolyzed by water to hydrous iron oxide.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
References for Molysite
Reference List:
Sort by Year (asc) | by Year (desc) | by Author (A-Z) | by Author (Z-A)
Hausmann (1819) (as Eisenchlorid).
Hausmann, J.F.L. (1847) Handbuch der Mineralogie 3 volumes, Göttingen. Second edition: vol. 2, in two parts: 1463.
Dana, J.D. (1868) System of Mineralogy, 5th. Edition, New York: 118.
Daubrée (1877) Comptes rendu de l’Académie des sciences de Paris: 84: 69 (as stagmatite).
Biltz and Birk (1924) Zeitschrift für anorganische und allgemeine Chemie, Hamburg, Leipzig: 134: 125.
Wooster (1932) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 83: 35.
Palache, Charles, Harry Berman & Clifford Frondel (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: 47-48.
Journal of Applied Crystallography (1989): 22: 173.
Internet Links for Molysite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2749.html
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Localities for Molysite
Locality List




All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Antarctica | |
| Viramonte, J.G., Sureda, R.J., Bossi, G.E., Fourcade, N.H., Omarini, R.H., Geochemical and mineralogical study of the high temperature fumaroles from Decepcion Island, South Shetland, Antarctica. Inst. Assoc. of Volc. and chemistry of the erath interior. Symposium Andean and Antarctic Volcanology Problems. Chile (1974). |
Iceland | 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: 48. |
Italy (TL) | |
| 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: 48. |
| 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: 48; AA. VV., 1996. Collezionare minerali. Hobby & Work. |
| FOUQUÉ F.A. (1865) - Sur les phénomènes éruptifs de l'Italie Méridionale. - Comptes Rendus de Séances de l'Académie des Sciences de Paris - 41, 564-567 |
| http://www.mindat.org/photo-166443.html |
Morocco | |
| Cheilletz, C. (1984) Caractéristiques géochimiques et thermobarométriques des fluides associés à la scheelite et au quartz des minéralisations de tungstène du Jbel Aouam (Maroc Central). Bulletin de Minéralogie, 107:2, 255-272 (in French). |
Russia | |
| Cesnokov, B., Kotrly, M. and Nisanbajev, T. (1998): Brennende Abraumhalden und Aufschlüsse im Tscheljabinsker Kohlenbecken - eine reiche Mineralienküche. Mineralien-Welt, 9 (3), 54-63 (in German). |
| http://www.kscnet.ru/ivs/conferences/kasp/JKASP04_circular2.pdf |
Spain | |
| Bull. Minéral. , 1987, 110, pp. 603-611. |
USA | |
| Rocks & Minerals: 72(4): 252-264. |
Sasso Pisano, Castelnuovo Val di Cecina, Pisa Province, Tuscany, Italy