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Siderite

This page kindly sponsored by Joseph H. Diamond
Siderite, etc.

Panasqueira Mines, Covilhã, Castelo Branco District, Portugal
Siderite

Wheal Drea, Botallack, St Just, Cornwall, England, UK
Siderite, etc.

Herja Mine, Chiuzbaia, Baia Mare, Maramureș Co., Romania
Siderite, etc.

Panasqueira Mines, Covilhã, Castelo Branco District, Portugal
Siderite

Wheal Drea, Botallack, St Just, Cornwall, England, UK
Siderite, etc.

Herja Mine, Chiuzbaia, Baia Mare, Maramureș Co., Romania
Siderite, etc.

Panasqueira Mines, Covilhã, Castelo Branco District, Portugal
Siderite

Wheal Drea, Botallack, St Just, Cornwall, England, UK
Formula:
FeCO3
Colour:
Yellowish-brown to greyish-brown, pale yellow to tannish, grey, brown, green, red, black and sometimes nearly colourless; tarnished iridescent at times; colourless to yellow and yellow-brown in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Vitreous, Silky, Pearly
Hardness:
3½ - 4½
Specific Gravity:
3.96
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Member of:
Calcite Group
Name:
Named in 1845 by Wilhelm Karl von Haidinger from the Greek "σίδηρος" (sideros), "iron", in allusion to its composition.
Calcite Group. Magnesite-Siderite Series, Rhodochrosite-Siderite Series, Siderite-Smithsonite Series.

Crystals typically found as brown to tan rhombohedrons in clusters, faces often curved or composites; more often found as medium to dark brown massive fine-grained material or as massive crystalline material with exposed curved cleavage surfaces.

Fungi like Lichenothelia may oxidize iron to produce siderite, which is then a biomineral (e.g., Burford et al., 2003).

Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Siderite.


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Classification of SideriteHide

IMA status:
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
Strunz 8th ed.:
5/B.02-40
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) ed.:
5.AB.05

5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
A : Carbonates without additional anions, without H2O
B : Alkali-earth (and other M2+) carbonates
Dana 7th ed.:
14.1.1.3
Dana 8th ed.:
14.1.1.3

14 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL CARBONATES
1 : A(XO3)
Hey's CIM Ref.:
11.13.1

11 : Carbonates
13 : Carbonates of Fe

Pronounciation of SideriteHide

Pronounciation:
PlayRecorded byCountry
Jolyon & Katya RalphUnited Kingdom

Physical Properties of SideriteHide

Lustre:
Vitreous, Silky, Pearly
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Yellowish-brown to greyish-brown, pale yellow to tannish, grey, brown, green, red, black and sometimes nearly colourless; tarnished iridescent at times; colourless to yellow and yellow-brown in transmitted light.
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3½ - 4½ on Mohs scale
Hardness Data:
Measured
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect on {1011}.
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Conchoidal
Density:
3.96(1) g/cm3 (Measured)    3.932 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of SideriteHide

Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.875 nε = 1.633
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.242
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
High
Dispersion:
Strong

Chemical Properties of SideriteHide

Formula:
FeCO3
Elements listed:
C, Fe, O - search for minerals with similar chemistry
Common Impurities:
Mn,Mg,Ca,Zn,Co

Crystallography of SideriteHide

Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m (3 2/m) - Hexagonal Scalenohedral
Space Group:
R3c
Cell Parameters:
a = 4.6916 Å, c = 15.3796 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 3.278
Unit Cell V:
293.17 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
6
Morphology:
Crystals usually rhombohedral {1011} or {0112}, often curved or with composite faces; also more rarely thin to thick tabular {0001}, prismatic [0001] with {1120}, or scalenohedral; most often found as massive material, either fine-grained in sedimentary settings or massively crystalline in metamorphic settings; may also be botryoidal or globular with a fibrous internal structure.
Twinning:
On {0112}, lamellar, uncommon, with translation gliding on {0001} or {1011}. On {0001}, rare.

Crystallographic forms of SideriteHide

Crystal Atlas:
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Siderite no.27 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Siderite no.50 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
3d models and HTML5 code kindly provided by www.smorf.nl.

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X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

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Radiation - Copper Kα
Data Set:
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
3.59(30)
2.80(100)
2.35(20)
2.13(20)
1.965(20)
1.738(30)
1.732(40)
1.506(10)

Synonyms of SideriteHide

Other Language Names for SideriteHide

Varieties of SideriteHide

Ca-rich SideriteA calcian siderite, with up to 20 mol% of calcite.
Originally reported from Radstadt, Salzburg, Austria.
Kobalt-oligonspathA cobalt-bearing siderite.
Kolloid-sideriteA collodial variety of Siderite
Lady's SlipperAn epimorph of Siderite after Barite collected in reasonable numbers in the 19th century from the Virtuous Lady mine in Devon and widely distributed in collections worldwide. How the Siderite managed to remain unaltered while the Barite was subsequently d...
Manganoan Siderite
Manganosphaerite
Mg-rich SideriteA magnesian variety of siderite
OligoniteA manganoan variety of Siderite, with up to 40% MnCO3 [Clark, 1993 - "Hey's Mineral Index"]
PistomesiteObsolete name for a magnesian variety of siderite with the Fe:Mg atomic ratio ranging from 70:30 to 50:50.
Originally reported from Thurnberg Mt., Flachau, Radstadt, Salzburg, Austria.
SideroplesiteObsolete name for a magnesian variety of siderite with the Fe : Mg atomic ratio ranging from 70 : 30 to 90 : 10.
SphärosideriteA microcrystalline, botryoidal variety of siderite
Zincian SideriteA zinc-bearing variety of siderite.

Relationship of Siderite to other SpeciesHide

Member of:
Calcite Group
Other Members of this group:
CalciteCaCO3Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c
Cobaltoan calcite-spherocobaltiteCobaltoan dolomite and cobaltoan calcite are frequently mislabeled as spherocobaltite.
GaspéiteNi(CO3)Hex.
MagnesiteMgCO3Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c
OtaviteCdCO3Trig. 3m (3 2/m)
RhodochrositeMnCO3Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c
SmithsoniteZnCO3Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c
SpherocobaltiteCoCO3Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c
Forms a series with:
RhodochrositeRhodochrosite-Siderite Series
MagnesiteMagnesite-Siderite Series
SmithsoniteSiderite-Smithsonite Series

Common AssociatesHide

ClaysA group of minerals, common in soils.
CoalAn organic-rich-rock with less than 50% ash (by weight air dried) or more than 50% organic matter.
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
Quartz2,693 photos of Siderite associated with Quartz on mindat.org.
Calcite1,607 photos of Siderite associated with Calcite on mindat.org.
Pyrite1,355 photos of Siderite associated with Pyrite on mindat.org.
Sphalerite1,184 photos of Siderite associated with Sphalerite on mindat.org.
Galena832 photos of Siderite associated with Galena on mindat.org.
Chalcopyrite565 photos of Siderite associated with Chalcopyrite on mindat.org.
Fluorapatite448 photos of Siderite associated with Fluorapatite on mindat.org.
Fluorite363 photos of Siderite associated with Fluorite on mindat.org.
Baryte359 photos of Siderite associated with Baryte on mindat.org.
Dolomite347 photos of Siderite associated with Dolomite on mindat.org.

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz GroupingHide

5.AB.05CalciteCaCO3Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c
5.AB.05GaspéiteNi(CO3)Hex.
5.AB.05MagnesiteMgCO3Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c
5.AB.05OtaviteCdCO3Trig. 3m (3 2/m)
5.AB.05RhodochrositeMnCO3Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c
5.AB.05SmithsoniteZnCO3Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c
5.AB.05SpherocobaltiteCoCO3Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c
5.AB.10AnkeriteCa(Fe2+,Mg)(CO3)2Trig. 3 : R3
5.AB.10DolomiteCaMg(CO3)2Trig. 3 : R3
5.AB.10KutnohoriteCa(Mn,Mg,Fe)(CO3)2Trig. 3 : R3
5.AB.10MinrecorditeCaZn(CO3)2Trig. 3 : R3
5.AB.15AragoniteCaCO3Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
5.AB.15CerussitePbCO3Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
5.AB.15StrontianiteSrCO3Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
5.AB.15WitheriteBaCO3Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
5.AB.20VateriteCaCO3Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P63/mmc
5.AB.25HuntiteCaMg3(CO3)4Trig. 3 2 : R3 2
5.AB.30NorsethiteBaMg(CO3)2Trig. 3 2 : R3 2
5.AB.35AlstoniteBaCa(CO3)2Tric.
5.AB.40OlekminskiteSr(Sr,Ca,Ba)(CO3)2Trig.
5.AB.40ParalstoniteBaCa(CO3)2Trig.
5.AB.45BarytocalciteBaCa(CO3)2Mon. 2/m : P21/m
5.AB.50Carbocernaite(Ca,Na)(Sr,Ce,Ba)(CO3)2Orth. mm2
5.AB.55BenstoniteBa6Ca6Mg(CO3)13Trig. 3 : R3
5.AB.60JuangodoyiteNa2Cu(CO3)2Mon. 2/m : P21/b

Related Minerals - Dana Grouping (8th Ed.)Hide

14.1.1.1CalciteCaCO3Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c
14.1.1.2MagnesiteMgCO3Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c
14.1.1.4RhodochrositeMnCO3Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c
14.1.1.5SpherocobaltiteCoCO3Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c
14.1.1.6SmithsoniteZnCO3Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c
14.1.1.7OtaviteCdCO3Trig. 3m (3 2/m)
14.1.1.8GaspéiteNi(CO3)Hex.

Related Minerals - Hey's Chemical Index of Minerals GroupingHide

11.13.2PyroauriteMg6Fe3+2(OH)16[CO3] · 4H2OTrig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m
11.13.3Pyroaurite-2HMg6Fe3+2(OH)16(CO3) · 4H2OHex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P63/mmc
11.13.4BrugnatelliteMg6Fe3+(CO3)(OH)13 · 4H2OHex.
11.13.5CoalingiteMg10Fe3+2(OH)24[CO3] · 2H2OTrig.
11.13.6AnkeriteCa(Fe2+,Mg)(CO3)2Trig. 3 : R3

Other InformationHide

Magnetism:
Paramagnetic
Notes:
Slighty soluble in water.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Industrial Uses:
An ore of iron when found in sufficient volumes to be economically recoverable.

Siderite in petrologyHide

An essential component of (items highlighted in red)
Common component of (items highlighted in red)

References for SideriteHide

Reference List:
Sort by Year (asc) | by Year (desc) | by Author (A-Z) | by Author (Z-A)
Gesner, C. (1565) De omni rerum fossilium genere, gemmis, lapidibus, metallis, etc. Tiguri (as Stahelreich Eisen).
Wallerius, J.G (1747) Mineralogia, eller Mineralriket. Stockholm (as Spatformig Jernmalm).
Cronstedt, A. (1758) Mineralogie; eller Mineral-Rikets Upstallning. Stockholm: 29 (as Stahlstein).
de Lisle, R. (1783) Cristallographie, ou description des formes propres à tous les corps du regne minéral. 4 volumes, Paris: 3: 281 (as Fer spatique).
Wollaston (1812) Phil. Trans.: 159.
Hausmann, J.F.L. (1813) Handbuch der Mineralogie 3 volumes, Göttingen. Second edition: 951, 952 (as Eisenspath).
Glocker, E.F. (1847) Generum et specierum mineralien secundum ordines naturals digestorum synopsis. Halle: 241.
Johnsen (1902) Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Geologie und Paleontologie, Heidelberg, Stuttgart: II: 133.
Hutchinson (1903) Mineralogical Magazine: 13: 209.
Kreutz (1909) Mineralogical Magazine: 15: 232.
Goldschmidt, V. (1916) Atlas der Krystallformen. 9 volumes, atlas, and text: vol. 3: 107.
Honess (1918) American Journal of Science: 45: 201.
Wyckoff (1920) American Journal of Science: 50: 317.
Niggli (1921) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 56: 224.
Klerk (1926) Beiträge zur Krystallographie und Mineralogie, Heidelberg: 3: 85.
Schoklitsch (1935) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 90: 433.
Fornaseri (1941) Rendus soc. min. ital. (1941): 1: 60.
Wayland, R.G. (1942) Composition, specific gravity and refractive indices of rhodochrosite; rhodochrosite from Butte, Montana. American Mineralogist: 27: 614.
Rowland, R.A. and Jonas, E.C. (1949) Variations in differential thermal analysis curves of siderite. American Mineralogist: 34: 550.
Palache, C., Berman, H., and Frondel, C. (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: 166-171.
Henderson, E.P. and Perry, S.H. (1958) Studies of seven siderites: Proceedings of the U.S. National Museum: 107: 339-403.
Goldsmith, J.R., Graf, D.L., Witters, J., and Northrop, D.A. (1962) Studies in the system CaCO3•MgCO3•FeCO3: (1) Phase relations; (2) A method for major element spectrochemical analyses; and (3) Composition of some ferroan dolomites. Journal of Geology: 70: 659-688.
Effenberger, H., Mereiter, K., Zemann, J. (1981): Crystal structure refinements of magnesite, calcite, rhodochrosite, siderite, smithonite [sic], and dolomite, with discussion of some aspects of the stereochemistry of calcite type carbonates. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie 156, 233-243.
Gaines, R.V., Skinner, H.C.W., Foord, E.E., Mason, B., and Rosenzweig, A. (1997) Dana's New Mineralogy: The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana: 435.
Reviews in Mineralogy, Mineralogical Society of America: 11.
Anthony, J.W., Bideaux, R.A., Bladh, K.W., and Nichols, M.C. (2003) Handbook of Mineralogy, Volume V. Borates, Carbonates, Sulfates. Mineral Data Publishing, Tucson, AZ, 813pp.: 644.
Burford, E.P., Kierans, M., and Gadd, G.M. (2003) Geomycology: fungi in mineral substrata. Mycologist: 17(3): 98-107; DOI: 10.1017/S0269915X03003112
E. Boulard, F. Guyot, and G. Fiquet (2012) The influence on Fe content on Raman spectra and unit cell parameters of magnesite–siderite solid solutions. Physics and Chemistry of Minerals: 39: 239-246.

Internet Links for SideriteHide

Localities for SideriteHide

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 ListShow