Mikasaite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Mikasaite
Mikasa City, Japan
Formula:
Fe2(SO4)3
Colour:
White to light brown
Lustre:
Dull
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
3.06 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Name:
Named for Mikasa City, Japan near the type locality.
A sublimation formed from coal-gas escape; gas temperature was 307°C (Mineral. Rec. 27, 203). The Fe analogue of millosevichite.
A monoclinic dimorph is known as a synthetic phase.
A monoclinic dimorph is known as a synthetic phase.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2709
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2709:6
IMA Classification of Mikasaite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Fe3+2(S6+O4)3
Approval year:
1992
First published:
1994
Classification of Mikasaite
7.AB.05
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
A : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, without H2O
B : With medium-sized cations
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
A : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, without H2O
B : With medium-sized cations
28.4.5.2
28 : ANHYDROUS ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
4 : Miscellaneous
28 : ANHYDROUS ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
4 : Miscellaneous
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mik | 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 Mikasaite
Dull
Comment:
Semitransparent
Colour:
White to light brown
Streak:
White to light brown
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Density:
3.06 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Mikasaite
Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 1.504(2) nε = 1.518(3)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.014
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:
Low (negative)
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 Mikasaite
Mindat Formula:
Fe2(SO4)3
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Mn
Crystallography of Mikasaite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3 - Rhombohedral
Space Group:
R3
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.14(1) Å, c = 21.99(8) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 2.701
Unit Cell V:
1,261.84 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
6
Crystal Structure
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CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
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Rotation
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0010786 | Mikasaite | Christidis P C, Rentzeperis P J (1976) The crystal structure of rhombohedral Fe2(SO4)3 Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 144 341-352 |  | 1976 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.56 Å | (100) |
| 5.99 Å | (28) |
| 4.35 Å | (23) |
| 2.97 Å | (20) |
| 2.72 Å | (20) |
| 2.64 Å | (11) |
| 2.35 Å | (7) |
Comments:
Ikushunbetsu, Japan. Data from the type description.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 54 : Coal and other mine fire minerals (see also #51 and #56) |
Type Occurrence of Mikasaite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Aggregates of porous spherical crystals.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Department of Geology and Mineralogy, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
From fracture near burning coal seam.
Synonyms of Mikasaite
Other Language Names for Mikasaite
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.AB. | Dravertite | CuMg(SO4)2 |
| 7.AB. | Andymcdonaldite | Fe2TeO6 |
| 7.AB. | Dagenaisite | Zn3Te6+O6 |
| 7.AB.05 | Millosevichite | Al2(SO4)3 |
| 7.AB.05 | Koryakite | NaKMg2Al2(SO4)6 |
| 7.AB.10 | Zinkosite | ZnSO4 |
| 7.AB.10 | Chalcocyanite | CuSO4 |
| 7.AB.15 | Hermannjahnite | CuZn(SO4)2 |
| 7.AB.25 | Ottoite | Pb2TeO5 |
| 7.AB.55 | Mcalpineite | Cu3(Te6+O6) |
Other Information
Notes:
Deliquescent, dissolving in adsorbed 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 Mikasaite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2709.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Mikasaite
Reference List:
Masse, René, Guitel, Jean-Claude, Perret, René (1973) Structure cristalline de la variété rhomboédrique du sulfate ferrique Fe2(SO4)3. Bulletin de Minéralogie, 96 (6) 346-349 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1973.6846
Christidis, P. C., Rentzeperis, P. J. (1976) The crystal structure of rhombohedral Fe2(SO4)3. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, 144 (1). 341-352 doi:10.1524/zkri.1976.144.1-6.341
Miura, Hiroyuki, Niida, Kiyoaki, Hirama, Tadao (1994) Mikasaite, (Fe3+, Al)2(SO4)3, a new ferric sulphate mineral from Mikasa city, Hokkaido, Japan. Mineralogical Magazine, 58 (393) 649-653 doi:10.1180/minmag.1994.058.393.15
Localities for Mikasaite
Showing 10 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.
Czech Republic | |
| Košek (2018) +1 other reference |
Germany | |
| Witzke et al. (1998) |
Hungary | |
| Geoda 2012/I. |
Japan (TL) | |
| Miura et al. (1994) |
Lebanon | |
| Kruszewski (2019) |
Poland | |
| Ciesielczukk |
| Kruszewski (2012) |
Russia | |
| Cesnokov et al. (1998) |
| Левочская et al. (2021) |
| Tamara Yu. Yakich * et al. (2024) +1 other reference |
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Ikushunbetsu, Mikasa City, Sorachi Subprefecture, Hokkaidō Prefecture, Japan