Fibroferrite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Fibroferrite
Formula:
Fe3+(SO4)(OH) · 5H2O
Colour:
Light yellow, golden yellow, nearly white, greenish grey, yellowish green, light green; colourless to faint yellow in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Silky, Pearly
Hardness:
2 - 2½
Specific Gravity:
1.84 - 2.1
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Member of:
Name:
In allusion to its common FIBROus habit of aggregation and the composition, containing iron (Latin = FERRum).
Type Locality:
This page provides mineralogical data about Fibroferrite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1544
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1544:4
IMA Classification of Fibroferrite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Fe3+S6+O4(OH)·5H2O
Classification of Fibroferrite
7.DC.15
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
C : With only medium-sized cations; chains of edge-sharing octahedra
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
C : With only medium-sized cations; chains of edge-sharing octahedra
31.9.12.1
31 : HYDRATED SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
9 : (AB)(XO4)Zq·xH2O
31 : HYDRATED SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
9 : (AB)(XO4)Zq·xH2O
25.10.18
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ffr | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Fibroferrite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Fibroferrite
Silky, Pearly
Transparency:
Translucent
Comment:
Luster of aggregates.
Colour:
Light yellow, golden yellow, nearly white, greenish grey, yellowish green, light green; colourless to faint yellow in transmitted light.
Hardness:
2 - 2½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {001}, perfect.
On {001}, perfect.
Density:
1.84 - 2.1 g/cm3 (Measured) 1.996 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
2.52 (value on Valachov material).
Optical Data of Fibroferrite
Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 1.532 nε = 1.57
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.038
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:
None to Very Low
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized uniaxial interference figure - the conoscopic
(convergent-light, Bertrand-lens-in) view, for a grain cut with the optic axis
centred and vertical. The coloured rings are isochromatics, computed with the
same physics as the Michel-Lévy bar above; the dark cross is the isogyre.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X = Colourless
Y = Colourless
Z = c = Light golden yellow
Y = Colourless
Z = c = Light golden yellow
Chemistry of Fibroferrite
Mindat Formula:
Fe3+(SO4)(OH) · 5H2O
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Fibroferrite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3 - Rhombohedral
Space Group:
R3
Cell Parameters:
a = 24.153(6) Å, c = 7.637(2) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.316
Unit Cell V:
3,858.30 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
18
Morphology:
Occurs as fine-fibrous crusts and masses; botryoidal; radial-fibrous structured. Fibers elongated [001].
Twinning:
Repeated on {110}, as triplets elongated [001].
Crystal Structure
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Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
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View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
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Rotation
Stop | Start
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Labels
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0015680 | Fibroferrite | Scordari F (1981) Fibroferrite: A mineral with a {Fe(OH)(H2O)2SO4} spiral chain and its relationship to Fe(OH)SO4, butlerite and parabutlerite Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen 28 17-29 | 1981 | Saint Felix de Pailleres, France | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 12.10 Å | (100) |
| 6.98 Å | (42) |
| 4.57 Å | (53) |
| 4.07 Å | (35) |
| 3.346 Å | (33) |
| 2.989 Å | (25) |
| 2.784 Å | (30) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 25 : Evaporites (prebiotic) | |
| 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:
Areas experiencing the oxidation of pyrite.
Type Occurrence of Fibroferrite
Synonyms of Fibroferrite
Other Language Names for Fibroferrite
Dutch:Fibroferriet
German:Fibroferrit
Stypticit
Stypticit
Russian:Фиброферрит
Simplified Chinese:纤铁矾
Spanish:Fibroferrita
Relationship of Fibroferrite to other Species
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 7 photos of Fibroferrite associated with Copiapite | Fe2+Fe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O |
| 7 photos of Fibroferrite associated with Voltaite | K2Fe2+5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O |
| 5 photos of Fibroferrite associated with Pickeringite | MgAl2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| 4 photos of Fibroferrite associated with Magnesiocopiapite | MgFe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O |
| 2 photos of Fibroferrite associated with Turquoise | CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8 · 4H2O |
| 2 photos of Fibroferrite associated with Rozenite | FeSO4 · 4H2O |
| 2 photos of Fibroferrite associated with Amarantite | Fe3+2(SO4)2O · 7H2O |
| 2 photos of Fibroferrite associated with Metahohmannite | Fe3+2(SO4)2O · 4H2O |
| 2 photos of Fibroferrite associated with Butlerite | Fe3+(SO4)(OH) · 2H2O |
| 2 photos of Fibroferrite associated with Römerite | Fe2+Fe3+2(SO4)4 · 14H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.DC.05 | Meta-aluminite | Al2(SO4)(OH)4 · 5H2O |
| 7.DC.05 | Aluminite | Al2(SO4)(OH)4 · 7H2O |
| 7.DC.10 | Parabutlerite | Fe3+(SO4)(OH) · 2H2O |
| 7.DC.10 | Butlerite | Fe3+(SO4)(OH) · 2H2O |
| 7.DC.20 | Xitieshanite | Fe3+(SO4)Cl · 6H2O |
| 7.DC.25 | Zincobotryogen | (Zn,Mg,Mn2+)Fe3+(SO4)2(OH) · 7H2O |
| 7.DC.25 | Botryogen | MgFe3+(SO4)2(OH) · 7H2O |
| 7.DC.30 | Chaidamuite | ZnFe3+(SO4)2(OH) · 4H2O |
| 7.DC.30 | Guildite | CuFe3+(SO4)2(OH) · 4H2O |
| 7.DC.40 | Pauladamsite | Cu4(SeO3)(SO4)(OH)4 · 2H2O |
| 7.DC.45 | Riotintoite | Al(SO4)(OH) · 3H2O |
| 7.DC.50 | Thorneite | Pb6(Te6+2O10)(CO3)Cl2(H2O) |
| 7.DC.55 | Vendidaite | Al2(SO4)(OH)3Cl · 6H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
Decomposed by water, rendering an acidic solution and a brown precipitate of hydrated iron oxide. Raman bands [cm-1]: 3522, 3411, 3140 & some bands <1300
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 Fibroferrite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1544.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Fibroferrite
Reference List:
Rose, Heinrich (1833) Ueber einige in Südamerika vorkommende Eisenoxydsalze. Annalen der Physik und Chemie, 103. 309-319 doi:10.1002/andp.18331030209
Larsen, Esper S. (1921) The microscopic determination of the nonopaque minerals. Bulletin 679. US Geological Survey doi:10.3133/b679 p.75
Bandy, Mark C. (1938) Mineralogy of three sulphate deposits of northern Chile. American Mineralogist, 23 (11) 669-760 p.748
Scordari, F. (1981) Fibroferrite: a mineral with a {Fe(OH)(H2O)2SO4} spiral chain and its relationship to Fe(OH)SO4, butlerite and parabutlerite. TMPM Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen, 28 (1). 17-29 doi:10.1007/bf01081848
Ventruti, Gennaro, Della Ventura, Giancarlo, Bellatreccia, Fabio, Lacalamita, Maria, Schingaro, Emanuela (2016) Hydrogen bond system and vibrational spectroscopy of the iron sulfate fibroferrite, Fe(OH)SO4·5H2O. European Journal of Mineralogy, 28 (5) 943-952 doi:10.1127/ejm/2016/0028-2571
Ventruti, Gennaro, Ventura, Giancarlo Della, Corriero, Nicola, Malferrari, Daniele, Gualtieri, Alessandro F., Susta, Umberto, Lacalamita, Maria, Schingaro, Emanuela (2016) In situ high-temperature X-ray diffraction and spectroscopic study of fibroferrite, FeOH(SO4)·5H2O. Physics and Chemistry of Minerals, 43 (8) 587-595 doi:10.1007/s00269-016-0819-4
Majzlan, Juraj, Dachs, Edgar, Benisek, Artur, Plášil, Jakub, Sejkora, Jiří (2018) Thermodynamics, crystal chemistry and structural complexity of the Fe(SO4)(OH)(H2O) x phases: Fe(SO4)(OH), metahohmannite, butlerite, parabutlerite, amarantite, hohmannite, and fibroferrite. European Journal of Mineralogy, 30 (2) 259-275 doi:10.1127/ejm/2017/0029-2677
Localities for Fibroferrite
Showing 142 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.
Andorra | |
| Valenti Turu and Michels (1992) |
Antarctica | |
| Gore et al. (2000) |
| Vennum +1 other reference |
| Vennum +1 other reference | |
| Vennum (1986) |
Argentina | |
| Brotkorb (2002) |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
Australia | |
| |
| Prider (1944) +1 other reference |
Austria | |
| Meixner (1950) |
| Niedermayr (1998) |
| Löffler et al. (1997) +2 other references | |
| Kolitsch (2018) | |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
| |
Belgium | |
| Mélon et al. (1976) +1 other reference |
| Van Tassel (1956) +2 other references | |
| Van Tassel (1956) +2 other references |
Bolivia | |
| Wilson (2001) +1 other reference |
Brazil | |
| ATENCIO +2 other references |
Canada | |
| Lombardo (2010) |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Peatfield (n.d.) |
| Battler et al. (2013) |
| Zodrow et al. (1978) |
| Zodrow et al. (1978) |
| Lombardo (2010) |
| Osinski et al. (2005) +1 other reference |
| Sabina (1983) |
Chile | |
| Kampf +4 other references |
| Uwe Kolitsch (single-crystal X-ray diffraction + SEM-EDS) | |
| Bandy (1938) +1 other reference |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
China | |
| Bingbin Yang (1979) |
| Bingbin Yang (1979) | |
| Liu et al. (2018) |
| Zhao +4 other references |
| Zhaolong Li et al. (1981) |
| Qingtong Ye (1983) |
| Minghua Zheng et al. (2002) +1 other reference |
| Huaqin Li and Fuwen Chen (2003) |
Cyprus | |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
Czech Republic | |
| Duda +1 other reference |
| Matýsek et al. (2023) |
| Žáček |
| Matýsek et al. (2024) |
| Prachař +6 other references |
| Kouřimský +1 other reference |
France | |
| Wittern et al. (1997) |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Lombardo (2010) | |
Germany | |
| Witzke et al. (1998) |
| Liebeskind et al. (1992) |
Greece | |
| Meixner (1978) |
| Rieck et al. (2018) | |
| Rieck (n.d.) |
| Rieck (n.d.) |
| Uwe Kolitsch (PXRD-analysed) |
| Rieck (n.d.) | |
| Rieck (n.d.) |
| Rieck (n.d.) +1 other reference | |
Greenland | |
| Jakobsen (1989) |
Hungary | |
| Szakáll: Minerals of Rudabánya |
| Szakáll et al. (1997) | |
| KOVÁCS-PÁLFFY (2005) |
Italy | |
| Russo et al. (2017) |
| Barrese et al. (1994) |
| Balestra C. (2013) |
| P. Mattias- M. Guerra (2008) |
| Nannoni R. |
| Brizzi G. et al. (GR) | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Barsotti et al. (2006) | |
| E. Manasse (Isola d'Elba) |
| E. Manasse +1 other reference |
| Biagioni et al. (2011) +1 other reference |
| Mauro D. (2016) | |
| Palache et al. (1951) +3 other references |
| Forti P. (1988) |
Japan | |
| Sakurai & Ashizawa (1954) |
Nicaragua | |
| Hynek et al. (2013) |
| Hynek et al. (2013, March) +1 other reference |
North Macedonia | |
| Rieck (1993) +1 other reference |
| Boev et al. (2015) | |
Norway | |
| Raade (1971) +1 other reference |
| Neumann (1985) |
Peru | |
| Uwe Kolitsch (powder X-ray diffraction and SEM-EDS) |
| Smuda +4 other references |
Poland | |
| Siuda (2004) +2 other references |
| Balcerzak et al. (1992) | |
| Mochnacka et al. (2015) | |
Portugal | |
| Miguel Rocha's mineral collection +1 other reference |
| Alves (n.d.) | |
Romania | |
| Edited by Szakáll-Kristály (2010) |
| Ł. Kruszewski & M. Cegiełka PXRD data +1 other reference |
Russia | |
| webmineral.ru (2016) |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Zhdanov Yu.Ya. (1998) |
Slovakia | |
| Ďuďa R. et al. (1993) |
| Koděra et al. (1986) |
| Koděra (1990) | |
| Koděra et al. (1986) |
| Duda et al. (1992) |
| Koděra et al. (1986) | |
Spain | |
| Calvo Rebollar et al. (2022) |
| Bareche (2005) |
| Mingueza et al. (Min. Catalunya/Paragénesis, 2025) |
| Crespo et al. (2017) |
Switzerland | |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
| Stalder et al. (1998) +1 other reference |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
UK | |
| BMS Collection |
Ukraine | |
| Alexander I. Tischenko (1996) |
| Möckel et al. (1992) |
USA | |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
| Anthony et al. (1995) | |
| Yale Peabody Museum |
| Lombardo (2010) |
| Rogers (1931) +3 other references |
| www.mineralsocal.org (1999) |
| Palache et al. (1951) | |
| Forrest Cureton specimens |
| part 2 +4 other references | |
| Landon (1927) +5 other references |
| Dana 6:1089. |
| Eckel et al. (1997) | |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) | |
| Bullock (1981) +1 other reference |
| Rosenzweig et al. (1955) | |
| Bullock (1981) | |
| Dietrich (1990) |
Mars | |
| Johnson et al. (2007) +1 other reference |
| Johnson et al. (2007) +1 other reference |
| Johnson et al. (2007) +1 other reference |
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Alcaparrosa Mine, Sierra Gorda, Antofagasta Province, Antofagasta, Chile