Nickelbischofite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Nickelbischofite
Formula:
NiCl2 · 6H2O
Hardness:
1½
Specific Gravity:
1.932 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
The name reflects its composition as the nickel-dominant analogue of bischofite.
Compare droninoite, muonionalustaite; akaganeite and paratacamite-(Ni).
Deliquescent and soluble in water.
Deliquescent and soluble in water.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2892
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2892:5
IMA Classification of Nickelbischofite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Ni2+Cl2·6H2O
Approval year:
1978
Classification of Nickelbischofite
3.BB.20
3 : HALIDES
B : Simple halides, with H2O
B : M:X = 1:2
3 : HALIDES
B : Simple halides, with H2O
B : M:X = 1:2
9.2.9.2
9 : NORMAL HALIDES
2 : AX2
9 : NORMAL HALIDES
2 : AX2
8.11.9
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nbsf | 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 Nickelbischofite
Optical Data of Nickelbischofite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.590 nβ = 1.620 nγ = 1.648
2V:
Measured: 87° , Calculated: 86°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.058
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:
High (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 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:
r > v distinct
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
X = greenish yellow; Z = green
Chemistry of Nickelbischofite
Mindat Formula:
NiCl2 · 6H2O
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Nickelbischofite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.560(2) Å, b = 7.020(2) Å, c = 8.731(2) Å
β = 96.71(1)°
β = 96.71(1)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.934 : 1 : 1.244
Unit Cell V:
399.32 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Comment:
Space Group: I2/m (synthetic).
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 5.59 Å | (100) |
| 5.50 Å | (40) |
| 4.82 Å | (35) |
| 2.926 Å | (35) |
| 2.747 Å | (30) |
| 2.689 Å | (20) |
| 2.178 Å | (20) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 3b: Earth’s earliest hydrosphere | >4.45 |
| 13 : Hadean serpentinization | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47g : [Halogen-bearing surface weathering 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) | |
| 57 : Other minerals formed by human processes |
Type Occurrence of Nickelbischofite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Canadian Geological Survey, Ottawa, Canada, 17980.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Nickelbischofite
Other Language Names for Nickelbischofite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 1 photo of Nickelbischofite associated with Salammoniac | NH4Cl |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 3.BB. | Králíkite | BaCl2 · 2H2O |
| 3.BB.05 | Eriochalcite | CuCl2 · 2H2O |
| 3.BB.10 | Rokühnite | FeCl2 · 2H2O |
| 3.BB.15 | Bischofite | MgCl2 · 6H2O |
| 3.BB.25 | Sinjarite | CaCl2 · 2H2O |
| 3.BB.30 | Antarcticite | CaCl2 · 6H2O |
| 3.BB.35 | Tachyhydrite | CaMg2Cl6 · 12H2O |
| 3.BB.35 | Aravaipaite | Pb3AlF9 · H2O |
| 3.BB.40 | Ghiaraite | CaCl2 · 4H2O |
Other Information
Special Storage/
Display Requirements:
Display Requirements:
Deliquescent and 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 Nickelbischofite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2892.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 Nickelbischofite
Reference List:
Kleinberg, Robert (1969) Crystal Structure of NiCl2·6H2O at Room Temperature and 4.2°K by Neutron Diffraction. The Journal of Chemical Physics, 50 (11) 4690-4696 doi:10.1063/1.1670957
Crook III, W.W. & Jambor, J.L. (1979) Nickelbischofite, a new nickel chloride hydrate. Canadian Mineralogist 17, 107-109.[Abstracted: American Mineralogist (1980): 65: 207-208.]
Localities for Nickelbischofite
Showing 7 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.
Canada (TL) | |
| Crook III et al. (1979) |
Germany | |
| Sorrell (n.d.) |
Italy | |
| Bonifazi (2020) |
| Marco Bonifazi find & collection +1 other reference |
Poland | |
| Patryk Kosałka Collection |
Russia | |
| Chukanov et al. (2009) |
USA | |
| Peacor D.R. et al. (1982) +1 other reference |
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Rydułtowy heap, ROW Ruch Rydułtowy Mine, Rydułtowy, Wodzisław County, Silesian Voivodeship, Poland