Löweite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Löweite
Formula:
Na12Mg7(SO4)13 · 15H2O
Colour:
Colourless, reddish-yellow, orange; colourless in transmitted light
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2½ - 3
Specific Gravity:
2.374 - 2.423
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Name:
Named in 1846 by Wilhelm Karl von Haidinger in honour of Alexander Löwe (24 December 1808, St. Petersburg, Russia - 29 March 1895, Vienna, Austria-Hungary), chemist and Chief Assayer at the Mint, Vienna, Austria and later director of the Porcelain Works. He was the first to efficiently extract tellurium from Nagyág ores. He also described gersdorffite. The mineral name also appears as loeweite in English texts, but the löweite spelling was confirmed in 2008.
A (copyright-protected) image of Alexander Löwe can be found at https://www.liechtensteincollections.at/sammlungen-online/alexander-loewe-1808-1895
A (copyright-protected) image of Alexander Löwe can be found at https://www.liechtensteincollections.at/sammlungen-online/alexander-loewe-1808-1895
This page provides mineralogical data about Löweite.
Name Encoding
ASCII-7:
Loweite
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2463
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2463:7
Similar Names
| Roweite | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | Ca2Mn22+B4O7(OH)6 |
IMA Classification of Löweite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Na12Mg7(S6+O4)13(H2O)15
First published:
1847
Classification of Löweite
7.CC.45
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
C : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, with H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
C : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, with H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
29.4.3.1
29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
4 : AmBn(XO4)p·xH2O, with (m+n):p < 3:2 and > 1:1
29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
4 : AmBn(XO4)p·xH2O, with (m+n):p < 3:2 and > 1:1
25.3.11
25 : Sulphates
3 : Sulphates of Mg
25 : Sulphates
3 : Sulphates of Mg
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Löw | 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 Löweite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless, reddish-yellow, orange; colourless in transmitted light
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2½ - 3 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
2.374 - 2.423 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.35 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Löweite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.490 nε = 1.471
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.019
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
Chemistry of Löweite
Mindat Formula:
Na12Mg7(SO4)13 · 15H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Löweite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3 - Rhombohedral
Space Group:
R3
Cell Parameters:
a = 18.866(2) Å, c = 13.434(2) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.712
Unit Cell V:
4,140.91 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
3
Comment:
Point Group: 3 2/m?
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 10.37 Å | (100) |
| 4.294 Å | (65) |
| 4.046 Å | (60) |
| 2.458 Å | (50) |
| 3.277 Å | (45) |
| 2.698 Å | (45) |
| 3.175 Å | (40) |
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] |
Type Occurrence of Löweite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Natural History Museum, Vienna, Austria, A.x.583–A.x.585.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Oceanic salt deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Löweite
Other Language Names for Löweite
Varieties of Löweite
| Chile-Loeweite | A provisional name for a inadequately studied material allegedly differing to a degree from Löweite in composition. |
| Chromlöweite | A variety of Löweite containing Chromium |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.CC. | Cobaltoblödite | Na2Co(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 7.CC. | Andychristyite | PbCu2+Te6+O5(H2O) |
| 7.CC. | Ammoniovoltaite | (NH4)2Fe2+5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12(H2O)18 |
| 7.CC.05 | Krausite | KFe(SO4)2 · H2O |
| 7.CC.10 | Tamarugite | NaAl(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.15 | Mendozite | NaAl(SO4)2 · 11H2O |
| 7.CC.15 | Kalinite | KAl(SO4)2 · 11H2O |
| 7.CC.20 | Alum-(Na) | NaAl(SO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 7.CC.20 | Lonecreekite | (NH4)Fe3+(SO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 7.CC.20 | Alum-(K) | KAl(SO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 7.CC.20 | Tschermigite | (NH4)Al(SO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 7.CC.20 | Lanmuchangite | Tl+Al(SO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 7.CC.25 | Zincovoltaite | K2Zn5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O |
| 7.CC.25 | Voltaite | K2Fe2+5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O |
| 7.CC.25 | Magnesiovoltaite | K2Mg5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O |
| 7.CC.25 | Pertlikite | K2(Fe2+,Mg)2(Mg,Fe3+)4Fe3+2Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O |
| 7.CC.25 | Ammoniomagnesiovoltaite | (NH4)2Mg2+5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O |
| 7.CC.30 | Kröhnkite | Na2Cu(SO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 7.CC.35 | Ferrinatrite | Na3Fe(SO4)3 · 3H2O |
| 7.CC.40 | Goldichite | KFe(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 7.CC.50 | Nickelblödite | Na2Ni(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 7.CC.50 | Blödite | Na2Mg(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 7.CC.50 | Changoite | Na2Zn(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 7.CC.55 | Leonite | K2Mg(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 7.CC.55 | Mereiterite | K2Fe(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 7.CC.60 | Nickelpicromerite | K2Ni(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.60 | Nickelboussingaultite | (NH4)2Ni(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.60 | Katerinopoulosite | (NH4)2Zn(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.60 | Picromerite | K2Mg(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.60 | Cyanochroite | K2Cu(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.60 | Mohrite | (NH4)2Fe(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.60 | Boussingaultite | (NH4)2Mg(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.65 | Polyhalite | K2Ca2Mg(SO4)4 · 2H2O |
| 7.CC.70 | Leightonite | K2Ca2Cu(SO4)4 · 2H2O |
| 7.CC.75 | Amarillite | NaFe(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.80 | Konyaite | Na2Mg(SO4)2 · 5H2O |
| 7.CC.85 | Wattevilleite | Na2Ca(SO4)2 · 4H2O (?) |
| 7.CC.85 | Xocolatlite | Ca2Mn4+2(Te6+O6)2 · H2O |
| 7.CC.90 | Eckhardite | (Ca,Pb)Cu2+Te6+O5(H2O) |
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in H2O, slightly bitter taste.
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 Löweite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2463.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 Löweite
Reference List:
Blasdale, Walter C., Robson, Homer L. (1928) The system water and the sulfates of sodium and magnesium. Journal Of The American Chemical Society, 50 (1). 35-46 doi:10.1021/ja01388a006
Froehlich, W. (1929) Neuere Forschungsergebnisse über das System MgSO4-Na2SO4-H2O. Zeitschrift für Angewandte Chemie, 42 (24). p.660-662. doi:10.1002/ange.19290422403
Fang, J. H., Robinson, Paul D. (1970) Crystal structures and mineral chemistry of double-salt hydrates: II. The crystal structure of loeweite. American Mineralogist, 55 (3-4) 378-386
Burke, Ernst A. J. (2008) Tidying up mineral names: an IMA-CNMNC scheme for suffixes, hyphens and diacritical marks. The Mineralogical Record, 39 (2) 131-135
Balić-Žunić, Tonči, Birkedal, Renie, Katerinopoulou, Anna, Comodi, Paola (2016) Dehydration of blödite, Na2Mg(SO4)2(H2O)4, and leonite, K2Mg(SO4)2(H2O)4. European Journal of Mineralogy, 28 (1) 33-42 doi:10.1127/ejm/2015/0027-2487
Localities for Löweite
Showing 37 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 | |
| Wilson et al. (2014) |
Austria | |
| Strasser (1989) |
| Meixner (1977) +1 other reference |
| Exel (1993) |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
Chile | |
| Collao et al. (2002) |
| Marta et al. (1996) |
| Pueyo et al. (2021) |
China | |
| Anthony |
| Mily Wang et al. (1993) |
| Wang Mili et al. (2000) +1 other reference |
| Bingxiao (1992) |
Germany | |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Krah et al. (1988) | |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Fang et al. (1970) +1 other reference |
| Dana 6:A3:14 +2 other references |
| W.I. Borrisenkow (1968) |
Greenland | |
| Donner et al. (2023) |
Iceland | |
| Balić-Žunić et al. (2016) |
| Balić-Žunić et al. (2025) |
| Jakobsson et al. (1992) |
Japan | |
| Seki et al. (1987) |
Kazakhstan | |
| Pekov et al. (1993) |
Poland | |
| Jirásek +7 other references |
| Kruszewski (2013) |
| Ł. Kruszewski PXRD data (to be published soon) +1 other reference |
Russia | |
| Gerhard Möhn collection |
| Novoselov +6 other references |
Turkey | |
| Karakaya et al. (1984) |
| van Doesburg et al. (1982) |
USA | |
| M. K. Eghbal (1988) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Zielinski et al. (2001) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
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Bad Ischler Salzberg, Perneck, Bad Ischl, Gmunden District, Upper Austria, Austria