Ferrosaponite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Ferrosaponite
Formula:
Ca0.3(Fe2+,Mg,Fe3+)3((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2 · 4H2O
Colour:
Dark green
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
2.49
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named for being the ferrous-iron analogue of saponite.
This page provides mineralogical data about Ferrosaponite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
29079
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:29079:7
IMA Classification of Ferrosaponite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Ca0.3(Fe2+,Mg,Fe3+)3(Si,Al)4O10(OH)2·4H2O
Approval year:
2002
Classification of Ferrosaponite
9.EC.45
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
C : Phyllosilicates with mica sheets, composed of tetrahedral and octahedral nets
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
C : Phyllosilicates with mica sheets, composed of tetrahedral and octahedral nets
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Fsap | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Fsap | Warr (2020) | Warr, L.N. (2020) Recommended abbreviations for the names of clay minerals and associated phases. Clay Minerals, 55, 261–264 doi:10.1180/clm.2020.30 |
Physical Properties of Ferrosaponite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Dark green
Streak:
Green
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
(001)
(001)
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
2.49(5) g/cm3 (Measured) 2.435 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Ferrosaponite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.448 nβ = 1.641(2) nγ = 1.642(2)
2V:
Measured: -5° (2), Calculated: -7.5°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.194
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
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
Brown
Comments:
Alpha index calculated from Gladstone-Dale
Chemistry of Ferrosaponite
Mindat Formula:
Ca0.3(Fe2+,Mg,Fe3+)3((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2 · 4H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Ferrosaponite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.365(2) Å, b = 9.337(4) Å, c = 14.65(2) Å
β = 94.9(1)°
β = 94.9(1)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.575 : 1 : 1.569
Unit Cell V:
731.18 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Comment:
Point Group: n.d.; Space Group: n.d.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.03 Å | (100) |
| 7.37 Å | (90) |
| 4.72 Å | (90) |
| 2.585 Å | (90) |
| 2.429 Å | (90) |
| 1.549 Å | (90) |
| 3.80 Å | (80) |
| 14.61 Å | (40) |
Comments:
14.61 (40) - (expands to 17.9 after glycolation).
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 3b: Earth’s earliest hydrosphere | >4.45 |
| 13 : Hadean serpentinization | |
| 16 : Low-? aqueous alteration of Hadean subaerial lithologies (see also #23) | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Ferrosaponite
General Appearance of Type Material:
spherulites, up to 2 тmm diameter, ог radiating/columnar aggregates included into calcite crystals.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Geoscientific Collections of Freiberg University of Mining and
Technology, Germany (the inventory number 80252).
Technology, Germany (the inventory number 80252).
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Basalt pillow lavas
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Ferrosaponite
Other Language Names for Ferrosaponite
Relationship of Ferrosaponite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Smectite Group:
| Beidellite | (Na,Ca0.5)0.3Al2((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Hectorite | Na0.3(Mg,Li)3(Si4O10)(F,OH)2 | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Montmorillonite | (Na,Ca)0.33(Al,Mg)2(Si4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Nontronite | Na0.3Fe2((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| 'Pimelite' | Ni3Si4O10(OH)2 · 4H2O | Hex. |
| Saliotite | (Li,Na)Al3(AlSi3O10)(OH)5 | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Saponite | Ca0.25(Mg,Fe)3((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O | Mon. |
| Sauconite | Na0.3Zn3((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2 · 4H2O | Mon. |
| Stevensite | (Ca,Na)xMg3-x(Si4O10)(OH)2 | Mon. |
| Swinefordite | Li(Al,Li,Mg)3((Si,Al)4O10)2(OH,F)4 · nH2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Volkonskoite | Ca0.3(Cr,Mg,Fe)2((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2 · 4H2O | Mon. |
| Yakhontovite | (Ca,Na)0.5(Cu,Fe,Mg)2(Si4O10)(OH)2 · 3H2O | Mon. |
| Zincsilite | Zn3Si4O10(OH)2 · 4H2O (?) | Mon. |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 10 photos of Ferrosaponite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 9 photos of Ferrosaponite associated with Prehnite | Ca2Al2Si3O10(OH)2 |
| 3 photos of Ferrosaponite associated with Datolite | CaB(SiO4)(OH) |
| 3 photos of Ferrosaponite associated with 'Adularia' | KAlSi3O8 |
| 2 photos of Ferrosaponite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 1 photo of Ferrosaponite associated with 'Iceland Spar' | CaCO3 |
| 1 photo of Ferrosaponite associated with Chabazite | |
| 1 photo of Ferrosaponite associated with Lizardite | Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| 1 photo of Ferrosaponite associated with Phillipsite Subgroup | (Ca0.5,K,Na,Ba0.5)4-7[Al4-7Si12-9O32] . 12H2O |
| 1 photo of Ferrosaponite associated with Chabazite-Ca | (Ca,K2,Na2)2[Al2Si4O12]2 · 12H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.EC. | Meifuite | KFe6(Si7Al)O19(OH)4Cl2 |
| 9.EC. | Balestraite | KLi2V5+Si4O12 |
| 9.EC.05 | Talc | Mg3Si4O10(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.05 | Minnesotaite | Fe2+3Si4O10(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.05 | Willemseite | Ni3Si4O10(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.9.EC. | Voloshinite | Rb(LiAl1.5◻0.5)(Al0.5Si3.5)O10F2 |
| 9.EC.10 | Fluorluanshiweiite | KLiAl1.5(Si3.5Al0.5)O10F2 |
| 9.EC.10 | Garmite | CsLiMg2(Si4O10)F2 |
| 9.EC.10 | Gorbunovite | CsLi2(Ti,Fe)Si4O10(F,OH,O)2 |
| 9.EC.10 | Ferripyrophyllite | Fe3+Si2O5(OH) |
| 9.EC.10 | Manganiceladonite | K(MgMn3+◻)(Si4O10)(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.10 | Luanshiweiite | KLiAl1.5(Si3.5Al0.5)O10(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.10 | Pyrophyllite | Al2Si4O10(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.15 | Paragonite | NaAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.15 | Ferroaluminoceladonite | K(Fe2+Al◻)(Si4O10)(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.15 | Nanpingite | CsAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH,F)2 |
| 9.EC.15 | Ferroceladonite | K(Fe2+Fe3+◻)(Si4O10)(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.15 | Ganterite | Ba0.5(Na,K)0.5Al2(Si2.5Al1.5)O10(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.15 | Kreiterite | CsLi2Fe3+(Si4O10)F2 |
| 9.EC.15 | Roscoelite | KV3+2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.15 | Aluminoceladonite | K(MgAl◻)(Si4O10)(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.15 | Tobelite | (NH4)Al2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.15 | Tainiolite | KLiMg2(Si4O10)F2 |
| 9.EC.15 | Celadonite | K(MgFe3+◻)(Si4O10)(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.15 | Chromceladonite | K(MgCr◻)(Si4O10)(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.15 | Montdorite | KFe2+1.5Mn2+0.5Mg0.5Si4O10(F,OH)2 |
| 9.EC.15 | Chromphyllite | KCr2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.15 | Boromuscovite | KAl2(BSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.15 | 'UM1988-22-SiO:AlCaFFeHKLiMg' | KLiMgAl2Si3O10F2 |
| 9.EC.15 | Chernykhite | (Ba,Na)(V3+,Al,Mg)2((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.15 | Muscovite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.20 | Masutomilite | K(LiAlMn2+)[AlSi3O10]F2 |
| 9.EC.20 | Oxyphlogopite | K(Mg,Ti,Fe)3[(Si,Al)4O10](O,F)2 |
| 9.EC.20 | 'Chloroferrokinoshitalite' | (Ba,K)(Fe2+,Mg)3(Al2Si2O10)(Cl,OH,F)2 |
| 9.EC.20 | Siderophyllite | KFe2+2Al(Al2Si2O10)(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.20 | Sokolovaite | CsLi2Al(Si4O10)F2 |
| 9.EC.20 | Hendricksite | KZn3(Si3Al)O10(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.20 | Tetraferriphlogopite | KMg3(Si3Fe3+)O10(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.20 | Fluorannite | KFe2+3(Si3Al)O10F2 |
| 9.EC.20 | Aspidolite | NaMg3(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.20 | Suhailite | (NH4)Fe2+3(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.20 | Ephesite | NaLiAl2(Al2Si2O10)(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.20 | Norrishite | KLiMn3+2(Si4O10)O2 |
| 9.EC.20 | Phlogopite | KMg3(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.20 | Yangzhumingite | KMg2.5(Si4O10)F2 |
| 9.EC.20 | Orlovite | KLi2Ti(Si4O10)OF |
| 9.EC.20 | Tetraferriannite | KFe2+3(Si3Fe3+)O10(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.20 | Shirokshinite | K(NaMg2)(Si4O10)F2 |
| 9.EC.20 | Trilithionite | K(Li1.5Al1.5)(AlSi3O10)(F,OH)2 |
| 9.EC.20 | Polylithionite | KLi2Al(Si4O10)(F,OH)2 |
| 9.EC.20 | Shirozulite | KMn2+3(Si3Al)O10(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.20 | Preiswerkite | NaMg2Al(Al2Si2O10)(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.20 | Fluorophlogopite | KMg3(Si3Al)O10F2 |
| 9.EC.20 | Wonesite | (Na,K,◻)(Mg,Fe,Al)6(Si,Al)8O20(OH,F)4 |
| 9.EC.20 | 'UM2004-49-SiO:AlCsFHKLi' | (Cs,K)(Al,Li)2.6((Si,Al)4O10)(F,OH)2 |
| 9.EC.20 | Fluorotetraferriphlogopite | KMg3(Fe3+Si3O10)F2 |
| 9.EC.20 | Annite | KFe2+3(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.20 | Eastonite | KMg2Al(Al2Si2O10)(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.22 | 'Pimelite' | Ni3Si4O10(OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 9.EC.30 | Margarite | CaAl2(Al2Si2O10)(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.35 | Kinoshitalite | (Ba,K)(Mg,Mn2+,Al)3(Al2Si2O10)(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.35 | Ferrokinoshitalite | (Ba,K)(Fe2+,Mg)3(Al2Si2O10)(OH,F)2 |
| 9.EC.35 | Clintonite | CaAlMg2(SiAl3O10)(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.35 | Oxykinoshitalite | (Ba,K)(Mg,Ti,Fe3+,Fe2+)3((Si,Al)4O10)(O,OH,F)2 |
| 9.EC.35 | Fluorokinoshitalite | BaMg3(Al2Si2O10)F2 |
| 9.EC.35 | Bityite | CaLiAl2(AlBeSi2O10)(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.35 | Anandite | (Ba,K)(Fe2+,Mg)3((Si,Al,Fe)4O10)(S,OH)2 |
| 9.EC.40 | Montmorillonite | (Na,Ca)0.33(Al,Mg)2(Si4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O |
| 9.EC.40 | Beidellite | (Na,Ca0.5)0.3Al2((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O |
| 9.EC.40 | Volkonskoite | Ca0.3(Cr,Mg,Fe)2((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 9.EC.40 | Nontronite | Na0.3Fe2((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O |
| 9.EC.40 | Kurumsakite | (Zn,Ni,Cu)8Al8V5+2Si5O35 · 27H2O (?) |
| 9.EC.40 | Yakhontovite | (Ca,Na)0.5(Cu,Fe,Mg)2(Si4O10)(OH)2 · 3H2O |
| 9.EC.45 | Swinefordite | Li(Al,Li,Mg)3((Si,Al)4O10)2(OH,F)4 · nH2O |
| 9.EC.45 | Hectorite | Na0.3(Mg,Li)3(Si4O10)(F,OH)2 |
| 9.EC.45 | Zincsilite | Zn3Si4O10(OH)2 · 4H2O (?) |
| 9.EC.45 | Hanjiangite | Ba2CaV3+Al(H2AlSi3O12)(CO3)2F |
| 9.EC.45 | Spadaite | MgSiO2(OH)2 · H2O (?) |
| 9.EC.45 | Stevensite | (Ca,Na)xMg3-x(Si4O10)(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.45 | Saponite | Ca0.25(Mg,Fe)3((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O |
| 9.EC.45 | Sauconite | Na0.3Zn3((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 9.EC.50 | Vermiculite | Mg0.7(Mg,Fe,Al)6(Si,Al)8O20(OH)4 · 8H2O |
| 9.EC.52 | 'Tarasovite' | near NaKAl11Si13O40(OH)9 · 3H2O |
| 9.EC.55 | Clinochlore | Mg5Al(AlSi3O10)(OH)8 |
| 9.EC.55 | Borocookeite | (LiAl4◻)[BSi3O10](OH)8 |
| 9.EC.55 | Franklinfurnaceite | Ca2Fe3+Mn2+3Mn3+(Zn2Si2O10)(OH)8 |
| 9.EC.55 | Pennantite | Mn2+5Al(AlSi3O10)(OH)8 |
| 9.EC.55 | Vakhrushevaite | Mg5Cr(AlSi3O10)(OH)8 |
| 9.EC.55 | Nimite | Ni5Al(AlSi3O10)(OH)8 |
| 9.EC.55 | Cookeite | (LiAl4◻)[AlSi3O10](OH)8 |
| 9.EC.55 | Gonyerite | Mn2+5Fe3+(Fe3+Si3O10)(OH)8 |
| 9.EC.55 | Chamosite | Fe2+5Al(AlSi3O10)(OH)8 |
| 9.EC.55 | 'Orthochamosite' | (Fe2+,Mg,Fe3+)5Al(AlSi3O10)(OH,O)8 |
| 9.EC.55 | Baileychlore | Zn5Al(AlSi3O10)(OH)8 |
| 9.EC.55 | Sudoite | Mg2Al3(AlSi3O10)(OH)8 |
| 9.EC.55 | Glagolevite | Na(Mg,Al)6(AlSi3O10)(OH,O)8 |
| 9.EC.55 | Donbassite | Al4.33(AlSi3O10)(OH)8 |
| 9.EC.60 | Dozyite | Mg7Al2(Al2Si4O15)(OH)12 |
| 9.EC.60 | Rectorite | (Na,Ca)Al4((Si,Al)8O20)(OH)4 · 2H2O |
| 9.EC.60 | Corrensite | (Mg,Fe)9((Si,Al)8O20)(OH)10 · nH2O |
| 9.EC.60 | Aliettite | Ca0.2Mg6((Si,Al)8O20)(OH)4 · 4H2O |
| 9.EC.60 | Karpinskite | (Ni,Mg)2Si2O5(OH)2 (?) |
| 9.EC.60 | Lunijianlaite | Li0.7Al6.2(AlSi7O20)(OH,O)10 |
| 9.EC.60 | Tosudite | Na0.5(Al,Mg)6((Si,Al)8O18)(OH)12 · 5H2O |
| 9.EC.60 | Hydrobiotite | K(Mg,Fe2+)6((Si,Al)8O20)(OH)4 · nH2O |
| 9.EC.60 | Saliotite | (Li,Na)Al3(AlSi3O10)(OH)5 |
| 9.EC.60 | Kulkeite | Mg8Al(AlSi7O20)(OH)10 |
| 9.EC.60 | Brinrobertsite | Na0.3Al4(Si4O10)2(OH)4 · 3.5 H2O |
| 9.EC.65 | Macaulayite | (Fe,Al)24Si4O43(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.70 | Burckhardtite | Pb2(Fe3+Te6+)[AlSi3O8]O6 |
| 9.EC.75 | Niksergievite | (Ba,Ca)2Al3(AlSi3O10)(CO3)(OH)6 · nH2O |
| 9.EC.75 | Ferrisurite | (Pb,Ca)2.4Fe3+2(Si4O10)(CO3)1.7(OH)3 · nH2O |
| 9.EC.75 | Surite | (Pb,Ca)3(Al,Fe2+,Mg)2((Si,Al)4O10)(CO3)2(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.80 | Kegelite | Pb8Al4(Si8O20)(SO4)2(CO3)4(OH)8 |
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 Ferrosaponite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-29079.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Ferrosaponite
Reference List:
Kohyama, Norihiko; Shimoda, Susumu; Sudo, Toshio (1973) Iron-Rich Saponite (Ferrous and Ferric Forms). Clays and Clay Minerals, 21 (4). p.229-237. doi:10.1346/ccmn.1973.0210405
Grice, J. D.; Ferraris, G. (2003) New minerals approved in 2002 and nomenclature modifications approved in 1998-2002 by the Commission on the New Minerals and Mineral Names, International Mineralogical Association. The Canadian Mineralogist, 41 (3). 795-802 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.41.3.795
Morida, Koki, Fukushi, Keisuke, Sakuma, Hiroshi, Tamura, Kenji (2023) Systematic comparison of the hydration and dehydration of Na+-, K+-, and NH4+-saturated montmorillonite, nontronite, hectorite, saponite, and Fe-saponite by in situ X-ray diffraction measurements. Applied Clay Science, 237. 106898 doi:10.1016/j.clay.2023.106898
Localities for Ferrosaponite
Showing 22 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.
Antarctica | |
| Sorrell (n.d.) |
Australia | |
| Bottrill et al. (2025) |
| Bottrill et al. (2020) |
Austria | |
| Postl et al. (2026) |
Brazil | |
| Färber (n.d.) |
Germany | |
| ko.jansen |
India | |
| Jewel Tunnel specimens |
Italy | |
| Bortolozzi (n.d.) |
| Gianluca Fontana collection |
| Mattioli et al. (2008) | |
| Mattioli et al. (2008) | |
| Mattioli et al. (2008) | |
| Paolo Gasparetto Collection |
Japan | |
| MIYAMOTO (1957) |
| japanese specimen label dated 20-11-1994 |
Poland | |
| www.spiriferminerals.com (2018) +1 other reference |
Russia (TL) | |
| Zapiski Vserossiyskogo Mineralogicheskogo Obshchestva (2) +1 other reference |
Spain | |
| Fabre (n.d.) |
USA | |
| Fred DeVito collection +1 other reference |
| Moritz (n.d.) |
| Former Bill Barrett collection |
| Gladwell (2022) |
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Kara No. 1 Pit, Kara Mines, Hampshire mining district, Burnie City, Tasmania, Australia