Molysite
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Formula:
FeCl3
System:
Hexagonal
Colour:
Yellow, brown-red, ...
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
IMA Formula:
Fe3+Cl3
Elements listed in formula:
Crystallography of Molysite
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.69 Å
Unit Cell Volume:
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.
Relationship of Molysite to other Species
| 3.AC.05 | Zharchikhite | AlF(OH)2 |
| 3.AC.15 | Fluocerite-(Ce) | (Ce,La)F3 |
| 3.AC.15 | Fluocerite-(La) | (La,Ce)F3 |
| 3.AC.20 | Gananite | BiF3 |
| 8.11.2 | Hydromolysite | FeCl3 · 6H2O |
| 8.11.3 | Rokühnite | FeCl2 · 2H2O |
| 8.11.4 | Douglasite | K2[Fe2+Cl4(OH2)2] |
| 8.11.5 | Erythrosiderite | K2[Fe3+Cl5(H2O)] |
| 8.11.6 | Rinneite | K3Na[FeCl6] |
| 8.11.7 | Kremersite | (NH4,K)2[Fe3+Cl5(H2O)] |
| 8.11.8 | Iowaite | Mg6Fe23+(OH)16Cl2 · 4H2O |
| 8.11.9 | Nickelbischofite | NiCl2 · 6H2O |
| 8.11.10 | Lawrencite | (Fe2+,Ni)Cl2 |
Other Names for Molysite
Name in Other Languages:
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:
Melting point = 282°.
Other Information:
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:
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.
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
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
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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.
(TL) indicates type locality for a valid mineral species. (FRL) indicates first recorded locality for everything else. ? 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.
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 | |
| Bull. Minéral. , 1984, 107, pp. 255-272. |
Russia | |
| http://www.kscnet.ru/ivs/conferences/kasp/JKASP04_circular2.pdf |
| 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). |
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