Lawrencite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Lawrencite
John Lawrence Smith
Formula:
(Fe2+,Ni)Cl2
Colour:
White (unoxidized), green to brown (oxidized)
Lustre:
Vitreous
Specific Gravity:
3.16
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1845 by Charles Thomas Jackson in honor of John Lawrence Smith (17 December 1818, near Charleston, South Carolina, USA - 12 October 1883, Louisville, Kentucky, USA), chemist, mineralogist, and student of meteorites. He discovered the mineral. He also invented the inverted microscope.
Type Locality:
Isostructural with:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2351
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2351:7
Similar Names
| Lorenzite | A synonym of Lorenzenite |
IMA Classification of Lawrencite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Fe2+Cl2
Classification of Lawrencite
3.AB.20
3 : HALIDES
A : Simple halides, without H2O
B : M:X = 1:2
3 : HALIDES
A : Simple halides, without H2O
B : M:X = 1:2
9.2.3.1
9 : NORMAL HALIDES
2 : AX2
9 : NORMAL HALIDES
2 : AX2
8.11.10
8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
11 : Halides of Fe and Ni
8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
11 : Halides of Fe and Ni
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Law | 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 Lawrencite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
White (unoxidized), green to brown (oxidized)
Comment:
Soft
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {0001} ?
On {0001} ?
Density:
3.16 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.26 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Measured on synthetic material
Optical Data of Lawrencite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.576 nε = 1.576
Surface Relief:
Moderate (positive)
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.
Chemistry of Lawrencite
Mindat Formula:
(Fe2+,Ni)Cl2
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Lawrencite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m(32/m) - Hexagonal Scalenohedral
Space Group:
R3m
Setting:
R3m
Cell Parameters:
a = 3.58 Å, c = 17.57 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 4.908
Unit Cell V:
195.02 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
3
Morphology:
Crystals are thin hexagonal plates {0001} (artificial). Massive only in natural material.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
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Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
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Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
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Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0018640 | Lawrencite | Wilkinson M K, Cable J W, Wollan E O, Koehler W C (1959) Neutron diffraction investigations of the magnetic ordering in FeBr2, CoBr2, FeCl2, and CoCl2 Physical Review 113 497-507 | 1959 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0018471 | Lawrencite | Herpin A, Meriel P (1957) Etude par diffraction de neutrons a 4.2 K de la structure antiferromagnetique de Cl2Fe Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Seances de l'Academie des Sciences 245 650-653 | 1957 | synthetic | 0 | 4.2 | |
| 0011807 | Lawrencite | Wyckoff R W G (1963) Second edition. Interscience Publishers, New York, New York Crystal Structures 1 239-444 | 1963 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0018598 | Lawrencite | Vettier C, Yelon W B (1975) The structure of FeCl2 at high pressures Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids 36 401-405 | 1975 | 0.104 | 293 | ||
| 0018599 | Lawrencite | Vettier C, Yelon W B (1975) The structure of FeCl2 at high pressures Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids 36 401-405 | 1975 | 0.315 | 293 | ||
| 0018600 | Lawrencite | Vettier C, Yelon W B (1975) The structure of FeCl2 at high pressures Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids 36 401-405 | 1975 | 0.57 | 293 | ||
| 0018601 | Lawrencite | Vettier C, Yelon W B (1975) The structure of FeCl2 at high pressures Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids 36 401-405 | 1975 | 0.597 | 293 | ||
| 0018602 | Lawrencite | Vettier C, Yelon W B (1975) The structure of FeCl2 at high pressures Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids 36 401-405 | 1975 | 0.64 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 5.9 Å | (63) |
| 3.07 Å | (30) |
| 2.54 Å | (100) |
| 1.953 Å | (13) |
| 1.800 Å | (63) |
| 1.467 Å | (20) |
| 1.138 Å | (18) |
Comments:
Synthetic. ICDD 1-1106.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45b : [Other oxidized fumarolic minerals] | |
| 47i : [Terrestrial weathering of meteorites] | |
| 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) |
Geological Setting:
Fissures in iron meteorites; sublimation product in volcanic fumaroles.
Type Occurrence of Lawrencite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
No designated type material.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Iron meteorite.
Other Language Names for Lawrencite
Dutch:Lawrenciet
French:Chlorure de fer
Fer muriaté (in part)
Fer muriaté (in part)
German:Lawrencit
Eisenchlorür
Eisenchlorür
Italian:Ferro muriato
Russian:Лавренсит
Spanish:Lawrencita
Relationship of Lawrencite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Lawrencite Group:
| Chloromagnesite | MgCl2 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m |
| Scacchite | MnCl2 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m |
| Tolbachite | CuCl2 | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 5 photos of Lawrencite associated with 'Plessite' | |
| 5 photos of Lawrencite associated with Akaganeite | (Fe3+,Ni2+)8(OH,O)16Cl1.25 · nH2O |
| 4 photos of Lawrencite associated with Schreibersite | (Fe,Ni)3P |
| 4 photos of Lawrencite associated with 'Limonite' | |
| 3 photos of Lawrencite associated with 'Kamacite' | (Fe,Ni) |
| 3 photos of Lawrencite associated with Taenite | (Ni,Fe) |
| 1 photo of Lawrencite associated with Talnakhite | Cu9(Fe,Ni)8S16 |
| 1 photo of Lawrencite associated with Cubanite | CuFe2S3 |
| 1 photo of Lawrencite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 3.AB. | Manuelarossiite | PbCaAlF7 |
| 3.AB. | Fluorocronite | PbF2 |
| 3.AB.05 | Tolbachite | CuCl2 |
| 3.AB.10 | Coccinite | HgI2 |
| 3.AB.15 | Sellaite | MgF2 |
| 3.AB.20 | Scacchite | MnCl2 |
| 3.AB.20 | Chloromagnesite | MgCl2 |
| 3.AB.25 | Fluorite | CaF2 |
| 3.AB.25 | Frankdicksonite | BaF2 |
| 3.AB.25 | Strontiofluorite | SrF2 |
| 3.AB.30 | Tveitite-(Y) | (Y, Na)6Ca6Ca6(Ca,Na)F42 |
| 3.AB.35 | Gagarinite-(Y) | NaCaYF6 |
| 3.AB.35 | Polezhaevaite-(Ce) | NaSrCeF6 |
| 3.AB.35 | Gagarinite-(Ce) | Na(REExCa1-x)(REEyCa1-y)F6 |
| 3.AB.37 | Calcioaravaipaite | PbCa2AlF9 |
| 3.AB.85 | Cotunnite | PbCl2 |
Other Information
Notes:
Extremely hygroscopic; readily soluble in water.
Gains water and oxidizes to ferric chloride (molysite).
Gains water and oxidizes to ferric chloride (molysite).
Special Storage/
Display Requirements:
Display Requirements:
Extremely hygroscopic
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Industrial Uses:
None.
Internet Links for Lawrencite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2351.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Lawrencite
Reference List:
Localities for Lawrencite
Showing 41 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 | |
| Kurat et al. (2009) |
Australia | |
| Madigan (1940) |
| Madigan (1939) |
| Alderman (1940) |
Belarus | |
| Bakhtin et al. (2017) |
Burkina Faso | |
| Alfredo Petrov collection |
Canada | |
| Ames et al. (2003) |
China | |
| |
Czech Republic | |
| Skála R. |
Greenland | |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
Hungary | |
| Szakáll & Gatter: Hun. Min. Spec. |
Italy | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Pelloux (1927) +1 other reference | |
| D'Orazio et al. (2004) |
Mexico | |
| Cohen (1903) |
| Buchwald (1975) |
Philippines | |
| Hill Jr. (1974) |
Russia | |
| Cesnokov et al. (1998) |
| Sharygin et al. (2013) | |
| www.kscnet.ru (2019) |
| Vergasova et al. (1977) +1 other reference |
Slovakia | |
| Koděra et al. (1986) |
USA | |
| Cook et al. (1982) |
| Cook et al. (1982) |
| Galbraith (1947) |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
| Howard (2007) |
| Cook (1978) |
| Henderson et al. (1951) |
| Wirt Tassin (1902) |
| Buchwald (1975) |
| Tassin (1905) |
| Dana et al. (1892) | |
| Venable (1890) |
| C. R. Acad. Sci. 84 (1877) |
| Kunz (1887) +1 other reference |
| Paris (2011) |
| Beck et al. (1951) |
| Dietrich (1990) |
| Berquist et al. (ed.) |
Quick NavTopAbout LawrenciteUnique IdentifiersSimilar NamesIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence Other LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Nandan meteorite, Lihu - Yaochai area, Nandan County, Hechi, Guangxi, China