Ilesite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Ilesite
Formula:
Mn2+(SO4) · 4H2O
Colour:
Green
Hardness:
2 - 3
Specific Gravity:
2.25
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named in honor of Malvern Wells Iles (7 August 1852, Midway, Kentucky, USA - 9 January 1937, San Francisco, California, USA), a metallurgist active in Denver, Colorado, USA who first described the mineral.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2009
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2009:7
Similar Names
IMA Classification of Ilesite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Mn2+S6+O4·4H2O
First published:
1881
Type description reference:
Classification of Ilesite
7.CB.15
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
C : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, with H2O
B : With only medium-sized cations
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
C : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, with H2O
B : With only medium-sized cations
29.6.6.3
29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
6 : AXO4·xH2O
29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
6 : AXO4·xH2O
25.9.9
25 : Sulphates
9 : Sulphates of Mn
25 : Sulphates
9 : Sulphates of Mn
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ile | 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 Ilesite
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Green
Comment:
Turns white on dehydration.
Hardness:
2 - 3 on Mohs scale
Density:
2.25 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.26 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Measured on artificial material.
Optical Data of Ilesite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.511 nβ = 1.519 nγ = 1.521
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.010
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:
marked to extreme
Chemistry of Ilesite
Mindat Formula:
Mn2+(SO4) · 4H2O
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Ilesite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.94 Å, b = 13.76 Å, c = 8.01 Å
β = 90.8°
β = 90.8°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.432 : 1 : 0.582
Unit Cell V:
654.63 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Prismatic. Loosely adherent crystalline aggregates.
Comment:
On synthetic material
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0019608 | Ilesite | Anderson J L, Peterson R C, Swainson I (2012) The atomic structure of deuterated boyleite ZnSO4*4D2O, ilesite MnSO4*4D2O, and bianchite ZnSO4*6D2O American Mineralogist 97 1905-1914 | 2012 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0010394 | Ilesite | Held P, Bohaty L (2002) Manganese(II) sulfate tetrahydrate (ilesite) Acta Crystallographica E58 i121-i123 |  | 2002 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 4.55 Å | (100) |
| 5.5 Å | (90) |
| 4.01 Å | (90) |
| 2.99 Å | (90) |
| 3.46 Å | (80) |
| 3.28 Å | (80) |
| 3.01 Å | (70) |
Comments:
Synthetic. ICDD 32-651.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47e : [Vanadates, chromates, manganates] | |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals |
Geological Setting:
Secondary mineral in sulfide deposits.
Type Occurrence of Ilesite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Loosely-adhering, very friable, thick prisms, frequently terminated by truncated pyramids
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Oxidized zone of sulfide deposit
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Ilesite
Relationship of Ilesite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Rozenite Group:
| Aplowite | CoSO4 · 4H2O | Mon. 2/m |
| Boyleite | ZnSO4 · 4H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Drobecite | CdSO4 · 4H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/m |
| Rozenite | FeSO4 · 4H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Starkeyite | MgSO4 · 4H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
Common Associates
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.CB. | Sarvodaite | Al2(SO4)3 · 5H2O |
| 7.CB.02 | Voudourisite | CdSO4 · H2O |
| 7.CB.05 | Szmikite | MnSO4 · H2O |
| 7.CB.05 | Szomolnokite | FeSO4 · H2O |
| 7.CB.05 | Cobaltkieserite | CoSO4 · H2O |
| 7.CB.05 | Dwornikite | Ni(SO4) · H2O |
| 7.CB.05 | Kieserite | MgSO4 · H2O |
| 7.CB.05 | Poitevinite | (Cu,Fe)SO4 · H2O |
| 7.CB.05 | Gunningite | ZnSO4 · H2O |
| 7.CB.07 | Sanderite | MgSO4 · 2H2O |
| 7.CB.10 | Bonattite | CuSO4 · 3H2O |
| 7.CB.12 | Belogubite | CuZn(SO4)2 · 10H2O |
| 7.CB.15 | Drobecite | CdSO4 · 4H2O |
| 7.CB.15 | Aplowite | CoSO4 · 4H2O |
| 7.CB.15 | Cranswickite | MgSO4 · 4H2O |
| 7.CB.15 | Rozenite | FeSO4 · 4H2O |
| 7.CB.15 | Starkeyite | MgSO4 · 4H2O |
| 7.CB.15 | Boyleite | ZnSO4 · 4H2O |
| 7.CB.20 | Siderotil | FeSO4 · 5H2O |
| 7.CB.20 | Jôkokuite | MnSO4 · 5H2O |
| 7.CB.20 | Pentahydrite | MgSO4 · 5H2O |
| 7.CB.20 | Chalcanthite | CuSO4 · 5H2O |
| 7.CB.25 | Chvaleticeite | Mn2+(H2O)6(SO4) |
| 7.CB.25 | Nickelhexahydrite | Ni2+(H2O)6(SO4) |
| 7.CB.25 | Hexahydrite | Mg(H2O)6(SO4) |
| 7.CB.25 | Bianchite | Zn(H2O)6(SO4) |
| 7.CB.25 | Moorhouseite | Co2+(H2O)6(SO4) |
| 7.CB.25 | Ferrohexahydrite | Fe2+(H2O)6(SO4) |
| 7.CB.30 | Retgersite | NiSO4 · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.35 | Zincmelanterite | Zn(H2O)6(SO4) · H2O |
| 7.CB.35 | Melanterite | Fe2+(H2O)6(SO4) · H2O |
| 7.CB.35 | Alpersite | (Mg,Cu2+)(H2O)6(SO4) · H2O |
| 7.CB.35 | Bieberite | Co2+(H2O)6(SO4) · H2O |
| 7.CB.35 | Boothite | Cu2+(H2O)6(SO4) · H2O |
| 7.CB.35 | Mallardite | Mn2+(H2O)6(SO4) · H2O |
| 7.CB.40 | Epsomite | MgSO4 · 7H2O |
| 7.CB.40 | Goslarite | ZnSO4 · 7H2O |
| 7.CB.40 | Morenosite | NiSO4 · 7H2O |
| 7.CB.45 | Meta-alunogen | Al2(SO4)3 · 12H2O |
| 7.CB.45 | Alunogen | Al2(SO4)3 · 17H2O |
| 7.CB.50 | Aluminocoquimbite | Al2Fe2(SO4)6(H2O)12 · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.50 | Lazaridisite | Cd3(SO4)3 · 8H2O |
| 7.CB.52 | Pararaisaite | CuMg[Te6+O4(OH)2] · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.55 | Paracoquimbite | Fe4(SO4)6(H2O)12 · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.55 | Rhomboclase | (H5O2)Fe3+(SO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 7.CB.55 | Raisaite | CuMg[Te6+O4(OH)2] · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.55 | Coquimbite | AlFe3(SO4)6(H2O)12 · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.57 | 'Caichengyunite' | Fe2+3Al2(SO4)6 · 30H2O |
| 7.CB.60 | Kornelite | Fe2(SO4)3 · 7H2O |
| 7.CB.65 | Quenstedtite | Fe2(SO4)3 · 11H2O |
| 7.CB.70 | Lausenite | Fe2(SO4)3 · 5H2O |
| 7.CB.75 | Römerite | Fe2+Fe3+2(SO4)4 · 14H2O |
| 7.CB.75 | Lishizhenite | ZnFe2(SO4)4 · 14H2O |
| 7.CB.80 | Ransomite | CuFe2(SO4)4 · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.85 | Dietrichite | ZnAl2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| 7.CB.85 | Halotrichite | Fe2+Al2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| 7.CB.85 | Apjohnite | Mn2+Al2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| 7.CB.85 | Redingtonite | Fe2+Cr3+2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| 7.CB.85 | Pickeringite | MgAl2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| 7.CB.85 | Bílinite | Fe2+Fe3+2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| 7.CB.85 | Wupatkiite | Co2+Al2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| 7.CB.90 | Meridianiite | MgSO4 · 11H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
Bitter, astringent taste. Very readily soluble even in cold water. The aqueous solution effervesces with sodium carbonate and reddens blue litmus paper.
Special Storage/
Display Requirements:
Display Requirements:
Becomes white on dehydration.
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 Ilesite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2009.html
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References for Ilesite
Reference List:
Baur, W. H. (1962) Zur Kristallchemie der Salzhydrate. Die Kristallstrukturen von MgSO4.4H2O (Leonhardtit) und FeSO4.4H2O (Rozenit). Acta Crystallographica, 15 (9). 815-826 doi:10.1107/s0365110x62002200
Localities for Ilesite
Showing 11 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.
Australia | |
| Birch (2013) +1 other reference |
Canada | |
| Jambor et al. (1962) |
| Watson et al. (1996) | |
Czech Republic | |
| |
Japan | |
| Nambu et al (1977) |
| - (n.d.) |
Russia | |
| Kasatkin et al. (2014) |
Spain | |
| |
Switzerland | |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
USA | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Iles (1881) +1 other reference |
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Santa Ana Mine, San Cristóbal Hill, Mazarrón, Murcia, Spain