Voltaite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Voltaite
Formula:
K2Fe2+5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O
Colour:
Green to greenish-black; oil-green to pale green in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Resinous
Hardness:
3 - 3½
Specific Gravity:
2.645
Crystal System:
Isometric
Member of:
Name:
Named after Count Alessandro Giuseppe Antonio Anastasio Volta (18 February 1745, Como, Italy - 5 March 1827, Como, Italy), physicist and pioneer in electricity who invented the electric battery.
Type Locality:
Voltaite Group. The Fe2+ analogue of magnesiovoltaite, and K-Fe2+ analogue of ammoniomagnesiovoltaite.
Belongs to a group of ferrous-ferric sulfate minerals, together with bĂlinite, copiapite, römerite (purely Fe minerals), metavoltine, and pertlikite.
Some voltaites may be a sink of thallium (compare "monsmedite").
Belongs to a group of ferrous-ferric sulfate minerals, together with bĂlinite, copiapite, römerite (purely Fe minerals), metavoltine, and pertlikite.
Some voltaites may be a sink of thallium (compare "monsmedite").
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
4203
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4203:7
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
ee97486d-7d83-4484-aff3-ccafdc50a243
IMA Classification of Voltaite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
Classification of Voltaite
7.CC.25
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
C : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, with H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
C : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, with H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
29.9.1.1
29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
9 : Miscellaneous
29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
9 : Miscellaneous
25.11.10
25 : Sulphates
11 : Sulphates of Fe and other metals
25 : Sulphates
11 : Sulphates of Fe and other metals
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMAâCNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMAâCNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMAâCNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Symbol | Source | Reference |
---|---|---|
Vlt | IMAâCNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMAâCNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Vlt | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Physical Properties of Voltaite
Resinous
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Green to greenish-black; oil-green to pale green in transmitted light.
Streak:
Gray-green
Hardness:
3 - 3½ on Mohs scale
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
2.645 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.663 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Voltaite
RI values:
n = 1.593 - 1.608
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.000
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:
Moderate
Comments:
Anomalously biaxial sectors.
Chemistry of Voltaite
Mindat Formula:
K2Fe2+5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O
Crystallography of Voltaite
Crystal System:
Isometric
Class (H-M):
m3m (4/m 3 2/m) - Hexoctahedral
Space Group:
Fd3c
Setting:
Fd3c
Cell Parameters:
a = 27.254(8) Å
Unit Cell V:
20,243.74 Ă
Âł (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
16
Morphology:
Crystals (to 2 cm) are commonly octahedral and modified by the cube and dodecahedron. Other minor forms are rare. Granular, massive, and in efflorescences.(HoM)
Crystal Structure
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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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0015642 | Voltaite | Mereiter K (1972) Die kristallstruktur des voltaits, K2Fe2+5Fe3+3Al[SO4]12*18H2O Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen 18 185-202 | 1972 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
3.54 Ă | (10) |
3.41 Ă | (9) |
5.57 Ă | (7) |
3.04 Ă | (5) |
9.66 Ă | (3) |
6.79 Ă | (3) |
3.15 Ă | (3) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
45a : [Sulfates, arsenates, selenates, antimonates] | |
47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
47b : [Sulfates and sulfites] | |
Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals |
Geological Setting:
Fumaroles, solfataras, mud volcanoes and as an alteration product of pyrite-rich deposits in arid regions.
Type Occurrence of Voltaite
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Solfatara
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Voltaite
Other Language Names for Voltaite
Varieties of Voltaite
Thallian Voltaite | Two varieties are recognized (Biagioni et al., 2020): (1) (K1.94Tl0.28)Σ2.22(Fe2+3.57Mg0.94Mn0.55)Σ5.06Fe3+3.06Al0.98S11.92O48·18H2O; (2) (K2.04Tl0.32)Σ2.36(Fe2+3.83Mg0.91Mn0.29)Σ5.03Fe3+3.05Al0.97S11.92O48·18H2O |
Relationship of Voltaite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
Ammoniomagnesiovoltaite | (NH4)2Mg2+5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fd3c |
Ammoniovoltaite | (NH4)2Fe2+5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12(H2O)18 | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fd3c |
Magnesiovoltaite | K2Mg5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fd3c |
Pertlikite | K2(Fe2+,Mg)2Mg4Fe3+2Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : I41/acd |
Zincovoltaite | K2Zn5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fd3c |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
73 photos of Voltaite associated with Halotrichite | FeAl2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
42 photos of Voltaite associated with Coquimbite | AlFe3(SO4)6(H2O)12 · 6H2O |
39 photos of Voltaite associated with Römerite | Fe2+Fe3+2(SO4)4 · 14H2O |
16 photos of Voltaite associated with Copiapite | Fe2+Fe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O |
9 photos of Voltaite associated with Goldichite | KFe(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
9 photos of Voltaite associated with Khademite | Al(SO4)F · 5H2O |
8 photos of Voltaite associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
7 photos of Voltaite associated with Fibroferrite | Fe3+(SO4)(OH) · 5H2O |
6 photos of Voltaite associated with Melanterite | Fe2+(H2O)6SO4 · H2O |
5 photos of Voltaite associated with Alunogen | Al2(SO4)3 · 17H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
7.CC. | Cobaltoblödite | Na2Co(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
7.CC. | Andychristyite | PbCu2+Te6+O5(H2O) |
7.CC. | Ammoniovoltaite | (NH4)2Fe2+5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12(H2O)18 |
7.CC.05 | Krausite | KFe(SO4)2 · H2O |
7.CC.10 | Tamarugite | NaAl(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
7.CC.15 | Kalinite | KAl(SO4)2 · 11H2O |
7.CC.15 | Mendozite | NaAl(SO4)2 · 11H2O |
7.CC.20 | Lonecreekite | (NH4)Fe3+(SO4)2 · 12H2O |
7.CC.20 | Alum-(K) | KAl(SO4)2 · 12H2O |
7.CC.20 | Alum-(Na) | NaAl(SO4)2 · 12H2O |
7.CC.20 | Tschermigite | (NH4)Al(SO4)2 · 12H2O |
7.CC.20 | Lanmuchangite | Tl+Al(SO4)2 · 12H2O |
7.CC.25 | Zincovoltaite | K2Zn5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O |
7.CC.25 | Pertlikite | K2(Fe2+,Mg)2Mg4Fe3+2Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O |
7.CC.25 | Ammoniomagnesiovoltaite | (NH4)2Mg2+5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O |
7.CC.25 | Magnesiovoltaite | K2Mg5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O |
7.CC.30 | Kröhnkite | Na2Cu(SO4)2 · 2H2O |
7.CC.35 | Ferrinatrite | Na3Fe(SO4)3 · 3H2O |
7.CC.40 | Goldichite | KFe(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
7.CC.45 | Löweite | Na12Mg7(SO4)13 · 15H2O |
7.CC.50 | Blödite | Na2Mg(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
7.CC.50 | Nickelblödite | Na2(Ni,Mg)(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
7.CC.50 | Changoite | Na2Zn(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
7.CC.55 | Leonite | K2Mg(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
7.CC.55 | Mereiterite | K2Fe(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
7.CC.60 | Boussingaultite | (NH4)2Mg(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
7.CC.60 | Cyanochroite | K2Cu(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
7.CC.60 | Mohrite | (NH4)2Fe(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
7.CC.60 | Nickelboussingaultite | (NH4)2Ni(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
7.CC.60 | Picromerite | K2Mg(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
7.CC.60 | Nickelpicromerite | K2Ni(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
7.CC.60 | Katerinopoulosite | (NH4)2Zn(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
7.CC.65 | Polyhalite | K2Ca2Mg(SO4)4 · 2H2O |
7.CC.70 | Leightonite | K2Ca2Cu(SO4)4 · 2H2O |
7.CC.75 | Amarillite | NaFe(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
7.CC.80 | Konyaite | Na2Mg(SO4)2 · 5H2O |
7.CC.85 | Wattevilleite | Na2Ca(SO4)2 · 4H2O (?) |
7.CC.85 | Xocolatlite | Ca2Mn4+2(Te6+O6)2 · H2O |
7.CC.90 | Eckhardite | (Ca,Pb)Cu2+Te6+O5(H2O) |
Other Information
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 Voltaite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-4203.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
References for Voltaite
Reference List:
GoĂner, B., Arm, M. (1930) VIII. Chemische und röntgenographische Untersuchungen an Stoffen und Kristallen von komplexer Bauart. Zeitschrift fĂŒr Kristallographie - Crystalline Materials, 72 (1) 202-236 doi:10.1524/zkri.1930.72.1.202pp.208-218
Bandy, Mark C. (1938) Mineralogy of three sulphate deposits of northern Chile. American Mineralogist, 23 (11) 669-760 p.749
Mereiter, K. (1972) Die Kristallstruktur des Voltaits, K2Fe2+5Fe3+3Al[SO4]12·18H2O. TMPM Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen, 18 (3) 185-202 doi:10.1007/bf01134207
Biagioni, Cristian, Mauro, Daniela, Pasero, Marco, Bonaccorsi, Elena, Lepore, Giovanni Orazio, Zaccarini, Federica, Skogby, Henrik (2020) Crystal-chemistry of sulfates from the Apuan Alps (Tuscany, Italy). VI. Tl-bearing alum-(K) and voltaite from the Fornovolasco mining complex. American Mineralogist, 105 (7). 1088-1098 doi:10.2138/am-2020-7320
Zhitova, Elena S., Sheveleva, Rezeda M., Kupchinenko, Anastasia N., Zolotarev, Andrey A., Pekov, Igor V., Nuzhdaev, Anton A., Davydova, Vesta O., Vlasenko, Natalia S., Plutakhina, Ekaterina Y., Yapaskurt, Vasiliy O., Schweigert, Peter E., Semenova, Tatiana F. (2023) The Crystal Chemistry of Voltaite-Group Minerals from Post-Volcanic and Anthropogenic Occurrences. Symmetry, 15 (12) 2126 doi:10.3390/sym15122126
Localities for Voltaite
Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
â - 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.
Argentina | |
| Milka K. de Brodtkorb (2002) |
MARQUEZ-ZAVALIA +1 other reference | |
| Zavalia et al. (1995) +1 other reference |
Australia | |
| Sielecki (1988) |
Sielecki (1985) | |
Austria | |
| Taucher (1997) |
| Exel (1993) |
Walter et al. (1983) | |
Belgium | |
| Richard de Nul communication |
Bolivia | |
| Lindgren et al. (1928) +2 other references |
Bulgaria | |
| Dimitrova +3 other references |
Canada | |
| Zodrow (1989) |
| Sabina (1991) |
Ann P.Sabina (1991) | |
Ann P.Sabina (1991) | |
Ann P.Sabina (1991) | |
| Sabina (1991) |
Chile | |
| identified by Gerhard Möhn |
| Kampf +4 other references |
Malcherek et al. (2010) | |
Singer et al. (2008) | |
| Werthessen (2016) |
| Anthony et al. (2003) |
| Natural History Museum Vienna collection (Uwe Kolitsch SXRD on Arturo Molina material) |
| Chouinard et al. (2005) |
China | |
| Geological Society of America Abstracts ... |
Stracher et al. (2005) | |
| Yingxia Xu et al. (2007) +1 other reference |
| Wen et al. (2020) |
Costa Rica | |
| RodrĂguez et al. (2017) |
| Ulloa et al. (2018) |
Cyprus | |
| Dana 7:II: 465 |
Czech Republic | |
| David Parfitt collection |
France | |
| Chollet Pascal Collection |
| Bourgoin et al. (2011) |
Germany | |
| Walenta (1992) |
| Rank (1985) |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| |
| Collection Elmar Lackner |
| Rösler (1984) |
| XRD analysis (T. Witzke) +3 other references |
| WeiĂ (1990) |
| Lapis 2003 (2) |
| Thalheim +1 other reference |
| Thalheim +1 other reference |
| T. Witzke & F. RĂŒger: Lapis 1998 (7/8) |
| T. Witzke & F. RĂŒger: Lapis 1998 (7/8) |
Greece | |
| Katerinopoulos et al. (1994) |
62. +2 other references | |
Branko Rieck collection | |
Rieck et al. (2018) | |
| Branko Rieck collection |
Hungary | |
| SzakĂĄll et al. (2008) |
| SzakĂĄll: Minerals of RudabĂĄnya |
| ACTA MIN. PETR. Suppl. Tomus XXXVIII. |
| collector: GĂĄbor Koller +1 other reference |
| ACTA MIN. PETR. Suppl. Tomus XXXVIII. |
SĂĄnoor SzakĂĄll et al. (1997) | |
SĂĄnoor SzakĂĄll et al. (1997) | |
| ACTA MIN. PETR. Suppl. Tomus XXXVIII. |
| ACTA MIN. PETR. Suppl. Tomus XXXVIII. |
Iran | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Bariand et al. (1977) |
Italy | |
| Francesco Civero collection +1 other reference |
| Russo et al. (2017) |
Russo et al. (2017) | |
| De Michele (1974) |
| Russo |
Russo et al. (2004) | |
Pelloux (1927) +1 other reference | |
| I. Campostrini et al. (1924) |
PANICHI U. (1924) | |
PANICHI U. (1924) | |
| Brizzi G. |
| Brizzi et al. (1995) |
| J. Göske et al. (1997) |
| Biagioni et al. (2019) +1 other reference |
| Mauro (2020) |
Biagioni et al. (2008) +2 other references | |
Japan | |
| Okamoto collection (curated at the Geological Survey museum, Japan) +1 other reference |
| Shimobayashi et al. (2011) |
| Alfredo Petrov collection. |
Lebanon | |
| Kruszewski et al. (South Lebanon) |
Mexico | |
| Am Min (1931) +2 other references |
Peru | |
| Ciesielczuk et al. (2013) |
Poland | |
| Parafiniuk et al. (2009) |
| Kruszewski et al. (2019) |
Portugal | |
| Miguel Rocha's mineral collection |
Pedro Alves collection and analytical ... | |
| Oliveira et al. (2024) |
Romania | |
| Buzatu et al. (2012) |
Russia | |
| Zhitova et al. (2023) |
Slovakia | |
| |
| ÄuÄa (1993) |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
Spain | |
| Calvo (1999) |
| Joan Garcia (2013) |
| Joan Abella i Creus (Joanabellacreus@gmail.com) |
Switzerland | |
| Perroud et al. (1987) +2 other references |
| Meisser (2012) |
Tajikistan | |
| PXRD (Lukasz Kruszewski) |
UK | |
| Livingstone et al. (1983) |
| Livingstone et al. (1983) |
USA | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... +1 other reference |
Anthony et al. (1995) +1 other reference | |
Anthony et al. (1995) | |
| Merwin et al. (1937) +3 other references |
| Hanson et al. (2008) |
| Anthony et al. (1995) +1 other reference |
| Anderson (1927) +4 other references |
| Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 278. +2 other references |
| Adams et al. (2014) |
| |
www.mineralsocal.org | |
| Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 278. +2 other references |
| Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 278 +2 other references |
| part 2 +6 other references |
| Mineralogical Record 22:381-382 +2 other references |
Jamieson et al. (2005) | |
| [âŠVolcano Letter o. 293: 1-3 1930]: ... +3 other references |
| Allen (1927) +2 other references |
| Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 278. +3 other references |
| MinRec 28 (5) |
Goldstein (2006) | |
| Sherwood et al. (1998) |
| The Mineralogy of The Butte District +1 other reference |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) +1 other reference |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| Richards et al. (2017) |
| STRACHER et al. (2007) |
| Travis A. Paris (2011) |
| Mike Scott S101981 fm Cureton #FUO |
| Bullock (1981) |
| Bullock (1981) |
Min Rec 19:331-338 +1 other reference | |
| In the collection of Alex Earl +1 other reference |
| Bullock (1981) |
| Dietrich (1990) |
Dietrich (1990) |
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Måtraszentimre, Gyöngyös District, Heves County, Hungary