Siderotil

Siderotil
General
Category Sulfate minerals
Formula
(repeating unit)
Fe2+SO4·5H2O
Strunz classification 7.CB.20
Crystal system Triclinic
Crystal class Pinacoidal (1)
(same H-M symbol)
Space group P1
Unit cell a = 6.26 Å, b = 10.63 Å
c = 6.06 Å; α = 97.25°
β = 109.67°, γ = 75°; Z = 2
Identification
Color Pale green, yellowish, white
Crystal habit Fibrous to powdery, rarely as acicular crystals
Mohs scale hardness 2.5
Luster Vitreous or silky
Diaphaneity Transparent to translucent
Specific gravity 2.1 - 2.2
Optical properties Biaxial (-)
Refractive index nα = 1.513 - 1.515 nβ = 1.525 - 1.526 nγ = 1.534 - 1.536
Birefringence δ = 0.021
2V angle Measured: 50°, calculated: 80° to 86°
Solubility Soluble in water
References [1][2][3]

Siderotil is an iron(II) sulfate hydrate mineral with formula: FeSO4·5H2O which forms by the dehydration of melanterite.[1] Copper commonly occurs substituting for iron in the structure. It typically occurs as fibrous or powdery encrustations, but may also occur as acicular triclinic crystals.[2]

It was first described in 1891 for an occurrence in the Idrija Mine, Idrija, Slovenia. Its name derives from the Greek sideros (iron) and tilos (fiber) in reference to its iron content and typical fibrous form.[1] However, the material at the Idrija location may not be siderotil, but the mineral has been authenticated from a wide variety of worldwide locations.[2]

References


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