Clairite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Clairite
Formula:
(NH4)2Fe3(SO4)4(OH)3 · 3H2O
Colour:
Orange-Yellow
Specific Gravity:
2.31
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
Named for Claire Zingg Martini (b. 1936), wife of Dr. Jacques E. J. Martini, who first described the mineral. She assisted her husband in cave exploration and mineral collecting.
Very slowly soluble in water. Chemically related to Unnamed (Fe analogue of huizingite-(Al)), the second both basic and hydrated NH4-Fe sulphate mineral after clairite. Compare also, e.g., carlsonite, lonecreekite; mohrite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1056
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1056:2
Similar Names
| Claraite | A valid IMA mineral species | (Cu,Zn)15(CO3)4(AsO4)2(SO4)(OH)14 · 7H2O |
| Clarite (of Sandberger) | A synonym of Enargite | |
| Clerite | A valid IMA mineral species | MnSb2S4 |
| Kolarite | A valid IMA mineral species | PbTeCl2 |
| Kularite | A variety of Monazite-(Ce) | (Ce,Nd,La,Eu)[PO4] |
IMA Classification of Clairite
Approved
IMA Formula:
(N3-H4)2Fe3+3(S6+O4)4(OH)3·3H2O
Approval year:
1982
First published:
1984
Classification of Clairite
7.DF.55
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
F : With large and medium-sized cations
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
F : With large and medium-sized cations
31.10.8.1
31 : HYDRATED SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
10 : Miscellaneous
31 : HYDRATED SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
10 : Miscellaneous
25.11.15
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 IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Clai | 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 Clairite
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Orange-Yellow
Density:
2.31 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.32 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Clairite
Type:
Biaxial
RI values:
nα = 1.595 nγ = 1.607
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.012
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
r > v or r < v
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
X= pale yellow
Z'= dark yellow
Z'= dark yellow
Chemistry of Clairite
Mindat Formula:
(NH4)2Fe3(SO4)4(OH)3 · 3H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Clairite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.36 Å, b = 9.15 Å, c = 52.61 Å
α = 88.15°, β = 90°, γ = 118.36°
α = 88.15°, β = 90°, γ = 118.36°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.023 : 1 : 5.75
Unit Cell V:
3,962.29 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Powdery aggregates of pseudo-hexagonal plates.
Comment:
point group 1 or 1; space group P1 or P1
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 17.5 Å | (100) |
| 8.78 Å | (100) |
| 8.23 Å | (20) |
| 4.743 Å | (15) |
| 3.424 Å | (20) |
| 3.279 Å | (25) |
| 3.041 Å | (20) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47b : [Sulfates and sulfites] | |
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 53 : Other minerals with taphonomic origins | <0.4 |
Type Occurrence of Clairite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Museum of the Geological Survey of South Africa (now the Council for Geoscience), Pretoria, South Africa
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Alteration of pyrite and decaying organic material (Hyrex excreta).
Synonyms of Clairite
Other Language Names for Clairite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 4 photos of Clairite associated with Anhydrite | CaSO4 |
| 2 photos of Clairite associated with Native Sulphur | S8 |
| 2 photos of Clairite associated with Metavoltine | K2Na6Fe2+Fe3+6O2(SO4)12 · 18H2O |
| 2 photos of Clairite associated with Rostite | Al(SO4)(OH) · 5H2O |
| 2 photos of Clairite associated with Boussingaultite | (NH4)2Mg(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 1 photo of Clairite associated with Voltaite | K2Fe2+5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O |
| 1 photo of Clairite associated with Ammoniomagnesiovoltaite | (NH4)2Mg2+5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O |
| 1 photo of Clairite associated with Tschermigite | (NH4)Al(SO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 1 photo of Clairite associated with 'Jarosite-Natrojarosite Series' | |
| 1 photo of Clairite associated with Hexahydrite | Mg(H2O)6(SO4) |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.DF. | Siligiite | [Pb(H2O)5(SO4)][Zn9(OH)18] |
| 7.DF. | Alcaparrosaite | K3Ti4+Fe3+(SO4)4O(H2O)2 |
| 7.DF. | Flaggite | Pb4Cu2+4Te6+2(SO4)2O11(OH)2(H2O) |
| 7.DF. | Bairdite | Pb2Cu2+4Te6+2O10(OH)2(SO4) · H2O |
| 7.DF. | Tzeferisite | CaZn8(SO4)2(OH)12Cl2(H2O)9 |
| 7.DF. | Cherokeeite | [Pb2Zn(OH)4](SO4) · H2O |
| 7.DF. | Ammoniomathesiusite | (NH4)5(UO2)4(SO4)4(VO5) · 4H2O |
| 7.DF. | Sigogglinite | [Pb6Zn(OH)8]2(SO4)6 · (H2O)8-x |
| 7.DF.X | Blueridgeite | [Pb8Zn3Cu2+(OH)16](SO4)2(S2O3)2 · 2H2O |
| 7.DF. | Erssonite | Mg7Fe3+2(OH)18[Ca(H2O)6](SO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 7.DF. | Poellmannite | Ca6Al3(OH)18[Na(H2O)6](SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.DF. | Carlsonite | (NH4)5Fe3+3O(SO4)6 · 7H2O |
| 7.DF. | Cuprocherokeeite | [Pb8Zn3Cu2+(OH)16](SO4)4 · 4H2O |
| 7.DF. | Haywoodite | [Pb(H2O)10][Zn12(OH)20(H2O)(SO4)3] |
| 7.DF. | Chromschieffelinite | Pb10Te6+6O20(OH)14(CrO4)(H2O)5 |
| 7.DF.05 | Uklonskovite | NaMg(SO4)F · 2H2O |
| 7.DF.10 | Kainite | KMg(SO4)Cl · 3H2O |
| 7.DF.10 | Kaliochalcite | KCu2(SO4)2[(OH)(H2O)] |
| 7.DF.15 | Natrochalcite | NaCu2(SO4)2(OH) · 2H2O |
| 7.DF.17 | Genplesite | Ca3Sn(SO4)2(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 7.DF.17 | 'Unnamed (Ba-Sb Silicate-Sulphate-Hydroxide-Hydrate)' | Ba3Sb5+[(Si,S)O3(OH)]2(OH,O)6 · 3H2O |
| 7.DF.20 | Sideronatrite | Na2Fe(SO4)2(OH) · 3H2O |
| 7.DF.20 | Metasideronatrite | Na2Fe(SO4)2(OH) · H2O |
| 7.DF.25 | Fleischerite | Pb3Ge(SO4)2(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 7.DF.25 | Mallestigite | Pb3Sb5+(SO4)(AsO4)(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 7.DF.25 | Schaurteite | Ca3Ge(SO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2O |
| 7.DF.25 | Despujolsite | Ca3Mn4+(SO4)2(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 7.DF.30 | Slavíkite | (H3O+)3Mg6Fe15(SO4)21(OH)18 · 98H2O |
| 7.DF.35 | Metavoltine | K2Na6Fe2+Fe3+6O2(SO4)12 · 18H2O |
| 7.DF.40 | Lannonite | Mg2Ca4Al4(SO4)8F8 · 24H2O |
| 7.DF.40 | Vlodavetsite | AlCa2(SO4)2F2Cl · 4H2O |
| 7.DF.45 | Peretaite | Ca(SbO)4(SO4)2(OH)2 · 2H2O |
| 7.DF.50 | Gordaite | NaZn4(SO4)(OH)6Cl · 6H2O |
| 7.DF.50 | Calamaite | Na2TiO(SO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 7.DF.52 | Huizingite-(Al) | [(NH4)9(SO4)2][(Al,Fe3+)3(OH)2(H2O)4(SO4)6] |
| 7.DF.52 | Scordariite | K8(Fe3+0.67◻0.33)[Fe3+3O(SO4)6]2 · 14H2O |
| 7.DF.55 | Giacovazzoite | K5Fe3+3O(SO4)6 · 10H2O |
| 7.DF.57 | Magnanelliite | K3Fe3+2(SO4)4(OH)(H2O)2 |
| 7.DF.60 | Arzrunite | Cu4Pb2(SO4)(OH)4Cl6 · 2H2O (?) |
| 7.DF.60 | Evdokimovite | Tl4(VO)3(SO4)5(H2O)5 |
| 7.DF.62 | Bridgesite-(Ce) | CaCe2Cu6(SO4)4(OH)12 · 8H2O |
| 7.DF.65 | Elyite | Pb4Cu(SO4)O2(OH)4 · H2O |
| 7.DF.70 | Yecoraite | Fe3+3Bi5(Te6+O4)2(Te4+O3)O9 · 9H2O |
| 7.DF.70 | Lautenthalite | PbCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 7.DF.75 | Riomarinaite | Bi(SO4)(OH) · H2O |
| 7.DF.80 | Dukeite | Bi3+24Cr6+8O57(OH)6 · 3H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
Very slowly 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.
Internet Links for Clairite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1056.html
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References for Clairite
Localities for Clairite
Showing 12 localities.
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.
Czech Republic | |
| Matýsek et al. (2022) |
| Košek (2018) +1 other reference | |
Germany | |
| Walenta (1992) +1 other reference |
| Witzke et al. (2015) |
| Košek (2018) | |
Greece | |
| lavrion.gr (2026) |
Hungary | |
| Sándor et al. (2005) |
| Szakáll et al. (2008) |
Italy | |
| Russo et al. (2017) |
Poland | |
| Parafiniuk et al. (2009) |
South Africa (TL) | |
| Martini (1983) +1 other reference |
USA | |
| Richards et al. (2017) |
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Anna mine, Alsdorf, Aachen, Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany