Poitevinite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Poitevinite
Formula:
(Cu,Fe)SO4 · H2O
Colour:
Salmon pink
Hardness:
3 - 3½
Specific Gravity:
3.30
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
The name honors Théophile Eugène Poitevin (1888-1978), Canadian mineralogist, Geological Survey of Canada (1913-1957), for his contributions to Canadian mineralogy.
Closely related to the (monoclinic) Kieserite Group.
End-member szomolnokite, FeSO4·H2O, is monoclinic, and synthetic CuSO4·H2O is triclinic. The cell-parameter refinements of (Fe,Cu)SO4·H2O compounds show a reduction in symmetry from monoclinic to triclinic beyond 20 mol% Cu. By Mössbauer spectroscopy significant ordering involving the cations can be observed only in members of the solid solution with more than 20 mol% Cu. Site ordering is characterized by a preference of ferrous iron for the less distorted site. The structure of the compounds with more than 20 mol% Cu agrees with the triclinic model for CuSO4·H2O. Poitevinite is a distinct mineral species because of cation site-ordering and of the triclinic distortion of the structure. (Slightly modified from Giester et al. (1994).)
Zn is a minor constituent at the type locality at Avoca claim, Hat Creek, Bonaparte River, Lillooet Mining Division, British Columbia, Canada (Cu0.50, Fe0.46, Zn0.04). It is not essential to the structure. (Branko Rieck)
End-member szomolnokite, FeSO4·H2O, is monoclinic, and synthetic CuSO4·H2O is triclinic. The cell-parameter refinements of (Fe,Cu)SO4·H2O compounds show a reduction in symmetry from monoclinic to triclinic beyond 20 mol% Cu. By Mössbauer spectroscopy significant ordering involving the cations can be observed only in members of the solid solution with more than 20 mol% Cu. Site ordering is characterized by a preference of ferrous iron for the less distorted site. The structure of the compounds with more than 20 mol% Cu agrees with the triclinic model for CuSO4·H2O. Poitevinite is a distinct mineral species because of cation site-ordering and of the triclinic distortion of the structure. (Slightly modified from Giester et al. (1994).)
Zn is a minor constituent at the type locality at Avoca claim, Hat Creek, Bonaparte River, Lillooet Mining Division, British Columbia, Canada (Cu0.50, Fe0.46, Zn0.04). It is not essential to the structure. (Branko Rieck)
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3249
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3249:6
IMA Classification of Poitevinite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Cu2+S6+O4·H2O
Approval year:
1963
First published:
1964
Classification of Poitevinite
7.CB.05
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
C : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, with H2O
B : With only medium-sized cations
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
C : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, with H2O
B : With only medium-sized cations
29.6.2.4
29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
6 : AXO4·xH2O
29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
6 : AXO4·xH2O
25.2.27
25 : Sulphates
2 : Sulphates of Cu and Ag
25 : Sulphates
2 : Sulphates of Cu and Ag
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Pvi | 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 Poitevinite
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Salmon pink
Hardness:
3 - 3½ on Mohs scale
Density:
3.30 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.30 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Poitevinite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.610 nβ = 1.671 nγ = 1.636
2V:
Measured: 75° , Calculated: 74°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.026
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
Dispersion:
weak
Chemistry of Poitevinite
Mindat Formula:
(Cu,Fe)SO4 · H2O
Element Weights:
Common Impurities:
Zn
Crystallography of Poitevinite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.12(1) Å, b = 5.160(1) Å, c = 7.535(2) Å
α = 107.06(1)°, β = 107.40(1)°, γ = 92.73(1)°
α = 107.06(1)°, β = 107.40(1)°, γ = 92.73(1)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.992 : 1 : 1.46
Unit Cell V:
179.59 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0005414 | Poitevinite | Giester G, Lengauer C L, Redhammer G J (1994) Characterization of the FeSO4.H2O - CuSO4.H2O solid solution series, and the nature of poitevinite, (Cu,Fe)SO4.H2O The Canadian Mineralogist 32 873-884 |  | 1994 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0005413 | Poitevinite | Giester G, Lengauer C L, Redhammer G J (1994) Characterization of the FeSO4.H2O - CuSO4.H2O solid solution series, and the nature of poitevinite, (Cu,Fe)SO4.H2O The Canadian Mineralogist 32 873-884 | | 1994 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0005412 | Poitevinite | Giester G, Lengauer C L, Redhammer G J (1994) Characterization of the FeSO4.H2O - CuSO4.H2O solid solution series, and the nature of poitevinite, (Cu,Fe)SO4.H2O The Canadian Mineralogist 32 873-884 | | 1994 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.450 Å | (100) |
| 3.437 Å | (83) |
| 3.074 Å | (79) |
| 3.336 Å | (49) |
| 2.507 Å | (48) |
| 4.735 Å | (46) |
| 3.268 Å | (30) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45b : [Other oxidized fumarolic minerals] | |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47b : [Sulfates and sulfites] |
Geological Setting:
Tailing piles
Type Occurrence of Poitevinite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Very fine-grained, vermiform to powdery.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National School of Mines, Paris, France; Canadian Geological Survey, Ottawa, 12122; Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Canada, M25440; National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 142995.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Poitevinite
Other Language Names for Poitevinite
Relationship of Poitevinite to other Species
Structurally related to group(s):
| Kieserite Group | M2+SO4 · H2O |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 3 photos of Poitevinite associated with Chalcanthite | CuSO4 · 5H2O |
| 1 photo of Poitevinite associated with Bonattite | CuSO4 · 3H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.CB. | Sarvodaite | Al2(SO4)3 · 5H2O |
| 7.CB.02 | Voudourisite | CdSO4 · H2O |
| 7.CB.05 | Szmikite | MnSO4 · H2O |
| 7.CB.05 | Szomolnokite | FeSO4 · H2O |
| 7.CB.05 | Cobaltkieserite | CoSO4 · H2O |
| 7.CB.05 | Dwornikite | Ni(SO4) · H2O |
| 7.CB.05 | Kieserite | MgSO4 · H2O |
| 7.CB.05 | Gunningite | ZnSO4 · H2O |
| 7.CB.07 | Sanderite | MgSO4 · 2H2O |
| 7.CB.10 | Bonattite | CuSO4 · 3H2O |
| 7.CB.12 | Belogubite | CuZn(SO4)2 · 10H2O |
| 7.CB.15 | Drobecite | CdSO4 · 4H2O |
| 7.CB.15 | Aplowite | CoSO4 · 4H2O |
| 7.CB.15 | Cranswickite | MgSO4 · 4H2O |
| 7.CB.15 | Rozenite | FeSO4 · 4H2O |
| 7.CB.15 | Starkeyite | MgSO4 · 4H2O |
| 7.CB.15 | Ilesite | Mn2+(SO4) · 4H2O |
| 7.CB.15 | Boyleite | ZnSO4 · 4H2O |
| 7.CB.20 | Siderotil | FeSO4 · 5H2O |
| 7.CB.20 | Jôkokuite | MnSO4 · 5H2O |
| 7.CB.20 | Pentahydrite | MgSO4 · 5H2O |
| 7.CB.20 | Chalcanthite | CuSO4 · 5H2O |
| 7.CB.25 | Chvaleticeite | Mn2+(H2O)6(SO4) |
| 7.CB.25 | Nickelhexahydrite | Ni2+(H2O)6(SO4) |
| 7.CB.25 | Hexahydrite | Mg(H2O)6(SO4) |
| 7.CB.25 | Bianchite | Zn(H2O)6(SO4) |
| 7.CB.25 | Moorhouseite | Co2+(H2O)6(SO4) |
| 7.CB.25 | Ferrohexahydrite | Fe2+(H2O)6(SO4) |
| 7.CB.30 | Retgersite | NiSO4 · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.35 | Zincmelanterite | Zn(H2O)6(SO4) · H2O |
| 7.CB.35 | Melanterite | Fe2+(H2O)6(SO4) · H2O |
| 7.CB.35 | Alpersite | (Mg,Cu2+)(H2O)6(SO4) · H2O |
| 7.CB.35 | Bieberite | Co2+(H2O)6(SO4) · H2O |
| 7.CB.35 | Boothite | Cu2+(H2O)6(SO4) · H2O |
| 7.CB.35 | Mallardite | Mn2+(H2O)6(SO4) · H2O |
| 7.CB.40 | Epsomite | MgSO4 · 7H2O |
| 7.CB.40 | Goslarite | ZnSO4 · 7H2O |
| 7.CB.40 | Morenosite | NiSO4 · 7H2O |
| 7.CB.45 | Meta-alunogen | Al2(SO4)3 · 12H2O |
| 7.CB.45 | Alunogen | Al2(SO4)3 · 17H2O |
| 7.CB.50 | Aluminocoquimbite | Al2Fe2(SO4)6(H2O)12 · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.50 | Lazaridisite | Cd3(SO4)3 · 8H2O |
| 7.CB.52 | Pararaisaite | CuMg[Te6+O4(OH)2] · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.55 | Paracoquimbite | Fe4(SO4)6(H2O)12 · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.55 | Rhomboclase | (H5O2)Fe3+(SO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 7.CB.55 | Raisaite | CuMg[Te6+O4(OH)2] · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.55 | Coquimbite | AlFe3(SO4)6(H2O)12 · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.57 | 'Caichengyunite' | Fe2+3Al2(SO4)6 · 30H2O |
| 7.CB.60 | Kornelite | Fe2(SO4)3 · 7H2O |
| 7.CB.65 | Quenstedtite | Fe2(SO4)3 · 11H2O |
| 7.CB.70 | Lausenite | Fe2(SO4)3 · 5H2O |
| 7.CB.75 | Römerite | Fe2+Fe3+2(SO4)4 · 14H2O |
| 7.CB.75 | Lishizhenite | ZnFe2(SO4)4 · 14H2O |
| 7.CB.80 | Ransomite | CuFe2(SO4)4 · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.85 | Dietrichite | ZnAl2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| 7.CB.85 | Halotrichite | Fe2+Al2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| 7.CB.85 | Apjohnite | Mn2+Al2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| 7.CB.85 | Redingtonite | Fe2+Cr3+2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| 7.CB.85 | Pickeringite | MgAl2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| 7.CB.85 | Bílinite | Fe2+Fe3+2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| 7.CB.85 | Wupatkiite | Co2+Al2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| 7.CB.90 | Meridianiite | MgSO4 · 11H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
Water soluble.
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 Poitevinite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3249.html
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References for Poitevinite
Reference List:
Ibrahim, Mukaila A., Boeré, René T. (2022) The copper sulfate hydration cycle. Crystal structures of CuSO4 (Chalcocyanite), CuSO4·H2O (Poitevinite), CuSO4·3H2O (Bonattite) and CuSO4·5H2O (Chalcanthite) at low temperature using non-spherical atomic scattering factors. New Journal of Chemistry, 46 (12) 5479-5488 doi:10.1039/d2nj00169a
Localities for Poitevinite
Showing 17 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 | |
| B. G. Lottermoser: P. M. Ashley (1997) |
| B. G. Lottermoser: P. M. Ashley (1997) +1 other reference |
| Forsyth et al. (2015) |
Bulgaria | |
| Atanassova et al. (2009) |
Canada (TL) | |
| Jambor et al. (1964) +1 other reference |
Germany | |
| EDX and XRD confirmed |
Iran | |
| Khorasanipour (2015) |
Italy | |
| Fernando Caboni et al. (2024) |
| Fernando Caboni et al. (2024) | |
| Caboni et al. (2018) |
| //doi.org/10.57635/MICRO.2025.23.16 |
Portugal | |
| Álvarez-Valero et al. (2008) |
Russia | |
| Blinov et al. (2011) |
| Zhdanov Yu.Ya. (1998) |
Slovakia | |
| Pauliš +4 other references |
Spain | |
| Calvo Rebollar et al. (2022) |
Ukraine | |
| A. Tischenko. Minerals of the Crimea - ... |
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Maggie claim group, Kamloops Mining Division, British Columbia, Canada