Nickelblödite
A valid IMA mineral species
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Formula:
Na2Ni(SO4)2 · 4H2O
Colour:
Pale yellowish green to pale green
Specific Gravity:
2.43
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named for its nickel content and otherwise chemical similarity to blödite.
This page provides mineralogical data about Nickelblödite.
Name Encoding
ASCII-7:
Nickelblodite
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2890
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2890:1
IMA Classification of Nickelblödite
Classification of Nickelblödite
7.CC.50
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
29.3.3.2
29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
3 : A2B(XO4)2·xH2O
29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
3 : A2B(XO4)2·xH2O
25.12.7
25 : Sulphates
12 : Sulphates of Co and Ni
25 : Sulphates
12 : Sulphates of Co 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nblö | 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 Nickelblödite
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Pale yellowish green to pale green
Comment:
In transmitted light, colorless to pale green.
Hardness:
VHN5=104 - 139 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Density:
2.43 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.443(11) g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Nickelblödite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.513 nβ = 1.518 nγ = 1.52
2V:
Measured: 60° to 70°, Calculated: 64°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.007
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 biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure
- the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using
this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points
where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the
field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are
isogyres.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Dispersion:
strong
Chemistry of Nickelblödite
Mindat Formula:
Na2Ni(SO4)2 · 4H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Nickelblödite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/b
Setting:
P21/a
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.87 Å, b = 8.07 Å, c = 5.46 Å
β = 100.72°
β = 100.72°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.347 : 1 : 0.677
Unit Cell V:
470.60 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Comment:
Space group by analogy to bloedite
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.223 Å | (100) |
| 4.466 Å | (90) |
| 3.190 Å | (80) |
| 4.193 Å | (70) |
| 3.720 Å | (60) |
| 2.589 Å | (60) |
| 3.920 Å | (50) |
Comments:
Kambalda, Australia. Data from the type description.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 25 : Evaporites (prebiotic) | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47b : [Sulfates and sulfites] |
Type Occurrence of Nickelblödite
Co-Type Localities:
General Appearance of Type Material:
As flat crystallites, to 150 µm; with smooth forms, perhaps rounded by solution, in efflorescences
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Western Australian Museum, Perth, Australia, M.63.1991, M.64.1991, MDC5657; The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1976,378; National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 136207.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Nickelblödite
Other Language Names for Nickelblödite
Relationship of Nickelblödite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Blödite Group:
| Blödite | Na2Mg(SO4)2 · 4H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Changoite | Na2Zn(SO4)2 · 4H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Cobaltoblödite | Na2Co(SO4)2 · 4H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Manganoblödite | Na2Mn(SO4)2 · 4H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
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.45 | Löweite | Na12Mg7(SO4)13 · 15H2O |
| 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
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 Nickelblödite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2890.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Nickelblödite
Reference List:
Fleischer, Michael, Pabst, Adolf, Mandarino, J. A., Chao, George Y. (1977) New mineral names. American Mineralogist, 62 (9-10) 1057-1061
Nickel, E. H., Bridge, P. J. (1977) Nickelblödite, Na2Ni(SO4)2·4H2O, a new mineral from Western Australia. Mineralogical Magazine, 41 (317) 37-41 doi:10.1180/minmag.1977.041.317.06
Díaz de Vivar, M. Enriqueta; Baggio, Sergio; Garland, María Teresa; Baggio, Ricardo (2006) Disodium nickel bis(sulfate) tetrahydrate: a nickel astrakanite. Acta Crystallographica Section E Structure Reports Online, 62 (9). i196-i198 doi:10.1107/s1600536806033022
Marinova, Delyana M., Zhecheva, Ekaterina N., Kukeva, Rositsa R., Markov, Pavel V., Nihtianova, Diana D., Stoyanova, Radostina K. (2017) Mixed sodium nickel-manganese sulfates: Crystal structure relationships between hydrates and anhydrous salts. Journal of Solid State Chemistry, 250. 49-59 doi:10.1016/j.jssc.2017.03.015
Localities for Nickelblödite
Showing 4 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 (TL) | |
| Nickel et al. (1977) |
| Nickel et al. (1977) +2 other references |
Germany | |
| Frenzel (2009) |
Greece | |
| Erik Vercammen collection (purchased; re-analysis by Uwe Kolitsch showed that ID was wrong - PXRD showed the material to be a member of the pyromorphite-mimetite series) |
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