Ferricopiapite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Ferricopiapite
Formula:
Fe3+0.67Fe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O
Colour:
Yellow, yellow-orange
Hardness:
2½ - 3
Specific Gravity:
2.14
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Member of:
Name:
In allusion to its composition as the ferric iron dominant member of the copiapite group.
Type Locality:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1490
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1490:4
Similar Names
| Ferrocopiapit | A synonym of Copiapite |
IMA Classification of Ferricopiapite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Fe3+2/3Fe3+4(S6+O4)6(OH)2·20H2O
Classification of Ferricopiapite
7.DB.35
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
B : With only medium-sized cations; insular octahedra and finite units
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
B : With only medium-sized cations; insular octahedra and finite units
31.10.5.4
31 : HYDRATED SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
10 : Miscellaneous
31 : HYDRATED SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
10 : Miscellaneous
25.10.12
25 : Sulphates
10 : Sulphates of Fe alone
25 : Sulphates
10 : Sulphates of Fe alone
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Fcpi | 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 Ferricopiapite
Colour:
Yellow, yellow-orange
Hardness:
2½ - 3 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect on {010}
Perfect on {010}
Density:
2.14 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.14 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Ferricopiapite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.496 - 1.53 nβ = 1.531 - 1.55 nγ = 1.579 - 1.592
2V:
Measured: 69° to 80°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.062 - 0.083
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:
relatively strong r > v
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
Shades of yellow
Chemistry of Ferricopiapite
Mindat Formula:
Fe3+0.67Fe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Ferricopiapite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.394(5) Å, b = 18.36(2) Å, c = 7.324(8) Å
α = 93.8(1)°, β = 102.2(1)°, γ = 98.9(1)°
α = 93.8(1)°, β = 102.2(1)°, γ = 98.9(1)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.403 : 1 : 0.399
Unit Cell V:
955.05 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1
Morphology:
Pseudo-orthorhombic plates; scaly, granular aggregates.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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Display Options
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CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
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Rotation
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Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0007143 | Ferricopiapite | Majzlan J, Navrotsky A, McCleskey R B, Alpers C N (2006) Thermodynamic properties and crystal structure refinement of ferricopiapite, coquimbite, rhomboclase, and Fe2(SO4)3(H2O)5 European Journal of Mineralogy 18 175-186 | 2006 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0006121 | Ferricopiapite | Majzlan J, Kiefer B (2006) An X-ray and neutron-diffraction study of synthetic ferricopiapite, Fe14/3(SO4)6(OD,OH)2(D2O,H2O)20, and ab-initio calculations on the structure of magnesiocopiapite MgFe4(SO4)6(OH)2(H2O)20 The Canadian Mineralogist 44 1227-1237 |  | 2006 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0000315 | Ferricopiapite | Fanfani L, Nunzi A, Zanazzi P F, Zanzari A R (1973) The copiapite problem: The crystal structure of a ferrian copiapite American Mineralogist 58 314-322 | | 1973 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
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] |
Geological Setting:
Oxidation zone of pyrite deposits in arid environments.
Type Occurrence of Ferricopiapite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 80516.
Synonyms of Ferricopiapite
Other Language Names for Ferricopiapite
Dutch:Ferricopiapiet
German:Ferricopiapit
Russian:Феррикопиапит
Simplified Chinese:高铁叶绿矾
Spanish:Ferricopiapita
Ferrocopiapita
Ferrocopiapita
Traditional Chinese:高鐵葉綠礬
Relationship of Ferricopiapite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Copiapite Group:
| Aluminocopiapite | Al2/3Fe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Calciocopiapite | CaFe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Copiapite | Fe2+Fe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Cuprocopiapite | Cu2+Fe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Magnesiocopiapite | MgFe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Zincocopiapite | ZnFe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 18H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 7 photos of Ferricopiapite associated with Coquimbite | AlFe3(SO4)6(H2O)12 · 6H2O |
| 4 photos of Ferricopiapite associated with Römerite | Fe2+Fe3+2(SO4)4 · 14H2O |
| 4 photos of Ferricopiapite associated with Melanterite | Fe2+(H2O)6(SO4) · H2O |
| 4 photos of Ferricopiapite associated with Native Sulphur | S8 |
| 4 photos of Ferricopiapite associated with Goldichite | KFe(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 4 photos of Ferricopiapite associated with Halotrichite | Fe2+Al2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| 3 photos of Ferricopiapite associated with Marcasite | FeS2 |
| 3 photos of Ferricopiapite associated with Baryte | BaSO4 |
| 2 photos of Ferricopiapite associated with Rietveldite | Fe(UO2)(SO4)2(H2O)5 |
| 1 photo of Ferricopiapite associated with Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.DB.05 | Svyazhinite | (Mg,Mn2+,Ca)(Al,Fe3+)(SO4)2F · 14H2O |
| 7.DB.05 | Aubertite | CuAl(SO4)2Cl · 14H2O |
| 7.DB.05 | Magnesioaubertite | (Mg,Cu)Al(SO4)2Cl · 14H2O |
| 7.DB.10 | Rostite | Al(SO4)(OH) · 5H2O |
| 7.DB.10 | Khademite | Al(SO4)F · 5H2O |
| 7.DB.15 | Jurbanite | Al(SO4)(OH) · 5H2O |
| 7.DB.20 | Minasragrite | (V4+O)(SO4) · 5H2O |
| 7.DB.20 | Anorthominasragrite | (V4+O)(SO4) · 5H2O |
| 7.DB.20 | Orthominasragrite | (V4+O)(SO4) · 5H2O |
| 7.DB.25 | Bobjonesite | (V4+O)(SO4) · 3H2O |
| 7.DB.27 | Karpovite | Tl2VO(SO4)2(H2O) |
| 7.DB.30 | Metahohmannite | Fe3+2(SO4)2O · 4H2O |
| 7.DB.30 | Hohmannite | Fe3+2(SO4)2O · 8H2O |
| 7.DB.30 | Amarantite | Fe3+2(SO4)2O · 7H2O |
| 7.DB.35 | Calciocopiapite | CaFe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O |
| 7.DB.35 | Zincocopiapite | ZnFe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 18H2O |
| 7.DB.35 | Aluminocopiapite | Al2/3Fe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O |
| 7.DB.35 | Copiapite | Fe2+Fe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O |
| 7.DB.35 | Cuprocopiapite | Cu2+Fe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O |
| 7.DB.35 | Magnesiocopiapite | MgFe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
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 Ferricopiapite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1490.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Ferricopiapite
Reference List:
Fanfani, Luca, Nunzi, Antonio, Zanazzi, Pier Francesco, Zanzari, and Anna Rosa (1973) The copiapite problem: The crystal structure of a ferrian copiapite. American Mineralogist, 58 (3-4) 314-322
Bayliss, P., Atencio, D. (1985) X-ray powder-diffraction data and cell parameters for copiapite-group minerals. The Canadian Mineralogist, 23 (1) 53-56 [as challantite]
Majzlan, J.; Kiefer, B. (2006) An X-ray and neutron-diffraction study of synthetic ferricopiapite, Fe14/3(SO4)6(OD,OH)2(D2O,H2O)20, and ab initio calculations on the structure of magnesiocopiapite, MgFe4(SO4)6(OH)2(H2O)20. The Canadian Mineralogist, 44 (5). 1227-1237 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.44.5.1227
Localities for Ferricopiapite
Showing 66 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.
Argentina | |
| Brodtkorb (2002) +1 other reference |
| MARQUEZ-ZAVALIA | |
Atlantic Ocean | |
| Gablina et al. (2018) |
Australia | |
| Sielecki (1988) |
| Sielecki (1985) +1 other reference | |
| Sielecki (1988) | |
| R Bottrill |
Austria | |
| Arthofer et al. (2025) +1 other reference |
Bulgaria | |
| Atanassova et al. (2009) |
Canada | |
| Canadian Museum of Nature specimen 49498 |
Chile | |
| samples analysed by Gerhard Moehn and ... |
| Demetrius Pohl identified AMNH 1985 +1 other reference | |
| Anthony et al. (2016) | |
China | |
| Liu et al. (2018) |
| Yingxia Xu et al. (2007) |
Costa Rica | |
| Ulloa et al. (2018) |
Cuba | |
| Zwahr et al. (1999) |
Czech Republic | |
| Matýsek et al. (2014) |
Germany | |
| Schnorrer-Köhler (1988) |
| Schnorrer-Köhler (1988) |
| Schnorrer-Köhler (1988) |
| 86. +1 other reference |
Greece | |
| Rieck et al. (2022) |
| Rieck (n.d.) |
| |
| Rieck et al. (2018) |
Hungary | |
| Koller G.Own found. |
Iceland | |
| Carson III (2015) |
| Carson et al. (2023) |
Italy | |
| Adorni F. (1997) |
| Adorni F. (1997) | |
| Stara et al. (1994) |
| Fernando Caboni et al. (2024) | |
| Fernando Caboni et al. (2024) | |
Japan | |
| Nambu et al (1974) |
| King (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| Y. Okazaki collection |
Morocco | |
| Verhaert et al. (2018) |
Portugal | |
| Marques de Sá et al. (2010) |
| Alves (n.d.) |
| Pedro Alves collection and photo. |
| Oliveira et al. (2024) |
| Ko Jansen collection |
Romania | |
| Romanian Journal of Mineral Deposits +2 other references |
South Africa | |
| Petra Diamonds Ltd |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) |
| Heron (1994) +1 other reference |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) |
Spain | |
| Bocamina (4) |
| Rosell-Riba et al. (2022) |
| Mingueza et al. (Min. Catalunya/Paragénesis, 2025) |
UK | |
| Smith (1973) +2 other references |
USA | |
| Graeme (1993) |
| Graeme (1993) +1 other reference | |
| Fanfani et al. (1973) +2 other references |
| Jeremy Zolan |
| Collected by Julian Gray 21 September ... |
| |
| King et al. (1988) |
| Min News 6:8 p3 | |
| Schindler et al. (2003) | |
| Travis Olds collection |
| Patrick Haynes. IDs by the late Howard ... | |
| Dietrich (1990) |
Mars | |
| Johnson et al. (2007) +1 other reference |
| Lane et al. (2008) |
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