Lausenite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Lausenite
Formula:
Fe2(SO4)3 · 5H2O
Formerly thought to be Fe2(SO4)3·6H2O.
Colour:
White; colourless in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Silky
Specific Gravity:
2.49 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named by Gurdon Montague Butler in 1928 in honor of Carl B. Lausen (1889 - ?), Mining Engineer, United Verde Mining Company, Arizona, who first discovered the mineral. He described it as rogersite, but that name was previously used elsewhere, so the species was quickly renamed to lausenite (Butler 1928).
The only "natural" occurrences of this species are mine fires; therefore, by the current rules, it would not be eligible for consideration as a species in view of its anthropogenic origin (05.03.2020 edit: no longer a case due to new IMA proposal approved). Although the environment is man-made, this is not necessarily true for the mineral-forming processes.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2345
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2345:6
Similar Names
| Larsenite | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | PbZnSiO4 |
| Lawsonite | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | CaAl2(Si2O7)(OH)2 · H2O |
| Lazionite | A synonym of Wavellite | |
| Lisanite | A valid IMA mineral species - pending publication | CaNiP2O7 |
| Lossenite | A discredited species name | |
| Lucinite | A synonym of Variscite | |
| Luzonite | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | Cu3AsS4 |
IMA Classification of Lausenite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Fe3+2(S6+O4)3(H2O)5
First published:
1928
Classification of Lausenite
7.CB.70
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
29.8.1.1
29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
8 : A2(XO4)3·H2O
29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
8 : A2(XO4)3·H2O
25.10.7
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lse | 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 Lausenite
Silky
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
White; colourless in transmitted light.
Streak:
White
Density:
2.49 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Lausenite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.548 - 1.598 nβ = 1.628(5) nγ = 1.6 - 1.654
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.052 - 0.056
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 weak
Chemistry of Lausenite
Mindat Formula:
Fe2(SO4)3 · 5H2O
Formerly thought to be Fe2(SO4)3·6H2O.
Formerly thought to be Fe2(SO4)3·6H2O.
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Lausenite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.679(2) Å, b = 11.053(3) Å, c = 5.567(1) Å
β = 98.89(1)°
β = 98.89(1)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.966 : 1 : 0.504
Unit Cell V:
654 ų
Z:
2
Morphology:
Lumpy aggregates of minute fibers. Fibers elongated parallel to c.
Forms include {111}, {211}, {311}, {301}, {053}, {100}, {010}, {110}, and {210}.
Forms include {111}, {211}, {311}, {301}, {053}, {100}, {010}, {110}, and {210}.
Comment:
Data for type specimen. Synthetic material gives similar values.
Crystal Structure
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2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0003736 | Lausenite | Majzlan J, Botez C, Stephens P W (2005) The crystal structures of synthetics Fe2(SO4)3(H2O)5 and the type specimen of lausenite American Mineralogist 90 411-416 |  | 2005 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.52 Å | (100) |
| 3.38 Å | (100) |
| 2.065 Å | (60) |
| 3.03 Å | (50) |
| 2.85 Å | (50) |
| 5.555 Å | (40) |
| 4.82 Å | (30) |
Comments:
Velikomostov-2 mine, Ukraine.
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 |
| 50 : Coal and/or oil shale minerals | <0.36 |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 54 : Coal and other mine fire minerals (see also #51 and #56) |
Type Occurrence of Lausenite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Crusts lining cavities of crushed rocks and also as small tufts of radiating crystals. Crystals are slender prisms elongated parallel to the c axis and rich in forms.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA, number M53.
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, number 90537.
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, number 90537.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Burning pyritic ore body.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Lausenite
Other Language Names for Lausenite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 1 photo of Lausenite associated with Römerite | Fe2+Fe3+2(SO4)4 · 14H2O |
| 1 photo of Lausenite associated with Copiapite | Fe2+Fe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O |
| 1 photo of Lausenite associated with Hohmannite | Fe3+2(SO4)2O · 8H2O |
| 1 photo of Lausenite associated with Guildite | CuFe3+(SO4)2(OH) · 4H2O |
| 1 photo of Lausenite associated with Ransomite | CuFe2(SO4)4 · 6H2O |
| 1 photo of Lausenite associated with Paracoquimbite | Fe4(SO4)6(H2O)12 · 6H2O |
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 | Ilesite | Mn2+(SO4) · 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.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:
May be 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 Lausenite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2345.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Lausenite
Reference List:
Posnjak, E.; Merwin, H. E. (1922) The system, Fe2O3—SO3—H2O. Journal Of The American Chemical Society, 44 (9). 1965-1994 doi:10.1021/ja01430a016(artificial compound)
Localities for Lausenite
Showing 9 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.
Chile | |
| XRD and Wet Chemical by Gerhard Möhn |
Costa Rica | |
| Ulloa et al. (2018) |
Germany | |
| |
Italy | |
| Fernando Caboni et al. (2024) |
| Fernando Caboni et al. (2024) | |
Romania | |
| Ł. Kruszewski & M. Cegiełka PXRD data +2 other references |
Russia | |
| Cesnokov et al. (1998) |
Ukraine | |
| Srebrodol’skii (1974) +1 other reference |
USA (TL) | |
| Palache et al. (1951) +2 other references |
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Slate quarries, Lehesten, Saalfeld-Rudolstadt District, Thuringia, Germany