Nickelboussingaultite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Nickelboussingaultite
Jean-Baptiste Joseph Dieudonne Boussingault
Formula:
(NH4)2Ni(SO4)2 · 6H2O
Colour:
Greenish blue to emerald-green
Hardness:
2½
Specific Gravity:
1.85 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1976 by L. K. Yakhontova, G. A. Siderenko, T. I. Stolyarova, I. I. Plyusnina, and T. L. Ivanova in honor of Jean-Baptiste Joseph Dieudonne Boussingault [1802-1887] and for being the nickel analog of the root-name mineral.
This page provides mineralogical data about Nickelboussingaultite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2896
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2896:3
IMA Classification of Nickelboussingaultite
Classification of Nickelboussingaultite
7.CC.60
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
29.3.7.3
29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
3 : A2B(XO4)2·xH2O
29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
3 : A2B(XO4)2·xH2O
25.12.8
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nbsg | 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 Nickelboussingaultite
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Greenish blue to emerald-green
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Imperfect/Fair
Density:
1.85 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Nickelboussingaultite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.49 nβ = 1.494 nγ = 1.501
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.011
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 (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.
No measured or calculated 2V is on file for this mineral, so the value used here (74°) is estimated from its recorded refractive indices and optic sign, not from a direct 2V measurement.
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.
No measured or calculated 2V is on file for this mineral, so the value used here (74°) is estimated from its recorded refractive indices and optic sign, not from a direct 2V measurement.
Dispersion:
none
Optical Extinction:
X ∧ c = 0°–4°.
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X = pale blue; Z = yellow.
Chemistry of Nickelboussingaultite
Mindat Formula:
(NH4)2Ni(SO4)2 · 6H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Nickelboussingaultite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/b
Setting:
P21/b
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.21(2) Å, b = 12.46(2) Å, c = 12.50(3) Å
β = 106.87°
β = 106.87°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.739 : 1 : 1.003
Unit Cell V:
1,372.73 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Comment:
by analogy to synthetic (NH4)2Ni(SO4)2 • 6H2O
Crystal Structure
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0015578 | Nickelboussingaultite | Treushnikov E N, Kuskov V I, Soboleva L V, Belov N V (1978) Distribution of electron density in nickel ammonium sulphate hexahydrate [Ni*6H2O](NH4)2(SO4)2 from x-ray diffraction data Soviet Physics Crystallography 23 30-41 | 1978 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0020239 | Nickelboussingaultite | Montgomery H, Lingafelter E C (1964) The crystal structure of Tutton's salts. II. Magnesium ammonium sulfate hexahydrate and nickel ammonium sulfate hexahydrate Acta Crystallographica 17 1478-1479 |  | 1964 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 4.153 Å | (100) |
| 3.759 Å | (80) |
| 11.7 Å | (70) |
| 2.119 Å | (70) |
| 3.022 Å | (60) |
| 2.793 Å | (60) |
| 1.806 Å | (60) |
Comments:
Noril’sk, Russia. Data from the type description.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47b : [Sulfates and sulfites] | |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals |
Type Occurrence of Nickelboussingaultite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Films resembling sinter on pentlandite-chalcopyrite ore.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
A.E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, 83553.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Nickelboussingaultite
Dutch:Nickelboussingaultiet
German:Nickelboussingaultit
Relationship of Nickelboussingaultite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Picromerite Group:
| Boussingaultite | (NH4)2Mg(SO4)2 · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Cyanochroite | K2Cu(SO4)2 · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Katerinopoulosite | (NH4)2Zn(SO4)2 · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Mohrite | (NH4)2Fe(SO4)2 · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Nickelpicromerite | K2Ni(SO4)2 · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Picromerite | K2Mg(SO4)2 · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : P2/b |
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.45 | Löweite | Na12Mg7(SO4)13 · 15H2O |
| 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 | 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
IR Spectrum:
Displays features in the ranges 3300-2900, 1700-1600, and 1480-1430 cm-1 characteristic of tetrahedral NH4.
Thermal Behaviour:
The DTA curve shows endothermic effects at l80, 270, 340, and 400°C, due to dehydration; another at 500°C due to melting with no weight loss; and another near 850°C due to disassociation of the sulfate.
Notes:
Soluble in H2O.
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 Nickelboussingaultite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2896.html
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References for Nickelboussingaultite
Reference List:
Grimes, N. W., Kay, H. F., Webb, M. W. (1963) The crystal structure of ammonium nickel sulphate hexahydrate (NH4)2Ni(SO4)2.6H2O. Acta Crystallographica, 16 (8) 823-829 doi:10.1107/s0365110x63002097
Montgomery, H., Lingafelter, E. C. (1964) The crystal structure of Tutton's salts. II. Magnesium ammonium sulfate hexahydrate and nickel ammonium sulfate hexahydrate. Acta Crystallographica, 17 (11) 1478-1479 doi:10.1107/s0365110x6400367x
Localities for Nickelboussingaultite
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.
France | |
| Pascal Chollet collection - SEM-EDS ... |
Germany | |
| Schnorrer-Köhler (1991) |
| Witzke et al. (2015) |
Greece | |
| Rieck et al. (2018) |
Russia (TL) | |
| Pekov (1998) |
USA | |
| Excalibur Mineral Company Data +1 other reference |
| Williams et al. (1995) +1 other reference |
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Les Vieux Travaux mine, Montdardier, Le Vigan, Gard, Occitanie, France