Söhngeite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Söhngeite
A. P. Gerhard Söhnge
Formula:
Ga(OH)3
Colour:
Brown, white,pale yellow, pale brown, pale greenish yellow
Hardness:
4 - 4½
Specific Gravity:
3.84
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Name:
Named in 1965 by H. Strunz in honor of Adolf Paul Gerhard Söhnge (10 November 1913, Saron, Western Cape, South Africa - 14 July 2006), chief geologist, Tsumeb corporation, Tsumeb, Namibia, who discovered the mineral. He was also a professor at the Stellenbosch University (1968-1978).
Söhngeite Group. The Ga analogue of bernalite and dzhalindite. One of a very few approved minerals with species-defining gallium; compare gallite, tsumgallite, gallobeudantite and galloplumbogummite.
Structurally a hydroxide perovskite. The structure has 5 independent OH groups and is based on Ga(OH)6 octahedra.
Structurally a hydroxide perovskite. The structure has 5 independent OH groups and is based on Ga(OH)6 octahedra.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3709
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3709:5
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
d11edfcd-095c-498f-bb57-5813b3d70019
Classification of Söhngeite
Approved
Approval year:
1965
4.FC.05
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
F : Hydroxides (without V or U)
C : Hydroxides with OH, without H2O; corner-sharing octahedra
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
F : Hydroxides (without V or U)
C : Hydroxides with OH, without H2O; corner-sharing octahedra
6.3.5.2
6 : HYDROXIDES AND OXIDES CONTAINING HYDROXYL
3 : X(OH)3
6 : HYDROXIDES AND OXIDES CONTAINING HYDROXYL
3 : X(OH)3
7.7.1
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
7 : Oxides of Group III metals other than Al
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
7 : Oxides of Group III metals other than Al
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Söh | 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 Söhngeite
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Brown, white,pale yellow, pale brown, pale greenish yellow
Comment:
Semitransparent
Hardness:
4 - 4½ on Mohs scale
Density:
3.84 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.847 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Söhngeite
Type:
Isotropic
RI values:
n = 1.736
Birefringence:
Isotropic minerals have no birefringence
Surface Relief:
High
Chemical Properties of Söhngeite
Formula:
Ga(OH)3
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Söhngeite
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.4546 Å, c = 7.3915 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.992
Unit Cell V:
410.75 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Twinning:
Trillings of composite flattened, curved crystals; interpenetrant at right angles according to an unknown law.
Comment:
P42/nmc or P42/n (both refinements give good results); previously thought to be orthorhombic (pseudocubic), Pmn21, but this was shown to be unlikely for a hydroxide perovskite
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.74 Å | (100) |
| 1.669 Å | (70) |
| 2.63 Å | (60) |
| 1.525 Å | (60) |
| 1.867 Å | (40) |
| 2.15 Å | (35) |
| 2.36 Å | (30) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Söhngeite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Crystalline, twinned groups and aggregates, up to 1 cm; single crystals are very rare.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Institut für Mineralogie und Kristallographie, Technische Universität, Berlin, Germany, numbers 86/68, 89/122.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
The oxidation product of gallite-bearing germanite ore, within an oxidation zone of a hydrothermal polymetallic deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Söhngeite
Other Language Names for Söhngeite
Relationship of Söhngeite to other Species
Other Members of this group:
| Bernalite | Fe(OH)3 · nH2O (n = 0.0 to 0.25) | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pmmn |
| Dzhalindite | In(OH)3 | Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Im3 |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.FC.05 | Bernalite | Fe(OH)3 · nH2O (n = 0.0 to 0.25) | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pmmn |
| 4.FC.05 | Dzhalindite | In(OH)3 | Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Im3 |
| 4.FC.10 | Burtite | Ca[Sn(OH)6] | Hex. |
| 4.FC.10 | Mushistonite | (Cu,Zn,Fe2+)[Sn(OH)6] | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Pn3m |
| 4.FC.10 | Natanite | Fe2+[Sn(OH)6] | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Pn3m |
| 4.FC.10 | Schoenfliesite | Mg[Sn(OH)6] | Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pn3 |
| 4.FC.10 | Vismirnovite | Zn[Sn(OH)6] | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Pn3m |
| 4.FC.10 | Wickmanite | Mn2+[Sn(OH)6] | Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pn3 |
| 4.FC.15 | Jeanbandyite | Fe3+xFe2+1-xSn(OH)6-xOx | Tet. 4/m : P42/n |
| 4.FC.15 | Mopungite | Na[Sb5+(OH)6] | Tet. 4/m : P42/n |
| 4.FC.15 | Stottite | Fe2+[Ge4+(OH)6] | Tet. 4/m : P42/n |
| 4.FC.15 | Tetrawickmanite | Mn2+[Sn4+(OH)6] | Tet. 4/m : P42/n |
| 4.FC.20 | Ferronigerite-2N1S | (Al,Fe,Zn)2(Al,Sn)6O11(OH) | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1 |
| 4.FC.20 | Magnesionigerite-6N6S | (Mg,Al,Zn)3(Al,Sn,Fe)8O15(OH) | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
| 4.FC.20 | Magnesionigerite-2N1S | (Mg,Al,Zn)2(Al,Sn)6O11(OH) | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1 |
| 4.FC.20 | Ferronigerite-6N6S | (Al,Fe,Zn)3(Al,Sn,Fe)8O15(OH) | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
| 4.FC.20 | Zinconigerite-2N1S | (Zn,Al,Mg)2(Al,Sn)6O11(OH) | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1 |
| 4.FC.20 | Zinconigerite-6N6S | Zn3Sn2Al16O30(OH)2 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
| 4.FC.25 | Magnesiotaaffeite-6N’3S | Mg2BeAl6O12 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
| 4.FC.25 | Magnesiotaaffeite-2N’2S | Mg3Al8BeO16 | Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) |
| 4.FC.25 | Ferrotaaffeite-2N’2S | Be(Fe,Mg,Zn)3Al8O16 | Hex. 6mm : P63mc |
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 Söhngeite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3709.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Söhngeite
Reference List:
Localities for Söhngeite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The 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).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Namibia (TL) | |
|
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Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia