Rinneite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Rinneite
Friedrich W.B. Rinne
Formula:
K3Na[FeCl6]
Colour:
Colourless (pure), rose, violet, yellow; turns brown on exposure; colourless to yellowish in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Silky
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
2.347
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1908 by Hendrik Enno Boeke in honor of Friedrich Wilhelm Berthold Rinne [March 16, 1863 Osterode, Harz, Germany - March 12, 1933 Guenterstal, Saxony, Germany], crystallographer and petrographer, University of Kiel, Germany
Isostructural with:
This page provides mineralogical data about Rinneite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3423
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3423:0
Similar Names
| Linneite | A synonym of Linnaeite | |
| Ranite | A synonym of Gonnardite | |
| Reinite | A variety of Ferberite | FeWO4 |
| Rionite (of Brauns and Petersen) | A synonym of 'Bismuth-bearing Tetrahedrite' | |
| Runite | A synonym of 'Graphic granite' |
IMA Classification of Rinneite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
K3NaFe2+Cl6
Classification of Rinneite
3.CJ.05
3 : HALIDES
C : Complex halides
J : With MX6 complexes; M = Fe, Mn, Cu
3 : HALIDES
C : Complex halides
J : With MX6 complexes; M = Fe, Mn, Cu
11.5.3.1
11 : HALIDE COMPLEXES
5 : AmBX6
11 : HALIDE COMPLEXES
5 : AmBX6
8.11.6
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Rne | 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 Rinneite
Silky
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless (pure), rose, violet, yellow; turns brown on exposure; colourless to yellowish in transmitted light.
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
On {11_20).
On {11_20).
Fracture:
Splintery, Conchoidal
Density:
2.347 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.406 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Rinneite
Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 1.5886 nε = 1.5894
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.001
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 (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 uniaxial interference figure - the conoscopic
(convergent-light, Bertrand-lens-in) view, for a grain cut with the optic axis
centred and vertical. The coloured rings are isochromatics, computed with the
same physics as the Michel-Lévy bar above; the dark cross is the isogyre.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
Chemistry of Rinneite
Mindat Formula:
K3Na[FeCl6]
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Rinneite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m(32/m) - Hexagonal Scalenohedral
Space Group:
R3c
Cell Parameters:
a = 11.98 Å, c = 13.84 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 1.155
Unit Cell V:
1,720.21 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Massive, granular. Crystals thick tabular {0001} or short prismatic [0001] (artificial crystals).
Twinning:
On {0001} (artificial crystals)
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0010321 | Rinneite | Figgis B N, Sobolev A N, Kucharski E S, Broughton V (2000) Rinneite, K3Na[FeCl6], at 293, 84 and 9.5 K Acta Crystallographica C56 e228-e229 | 2000 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0010320 | Rinneite | Figgis B N, Sobolev A N, Kucharski E S, Broughton V (2000) Rinneite, K3Na[FeCl6], at 293, 84 and 9.5 K Acta Crystallographica C56 e228-e229 | 2000 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0010319 | Rinneite | Figgis B N, Sobolev A N, Kucharski E S, Broughton V (2000) Rinneite, K3Na[FeCl6], at 293, 84 and 9.5 K Acta Crystallographica C56 e228-e229 | 2000 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0019749 | Rinneite | Beattie J K, Moore C J (1982) Crystal and molecular structures of rinneite, sodium tripotassium hexachloroferrate(II), and hexaamminecobalt(III) hexachloroferrate(III). Comparison of iron-chloride distances in hexachloroferrates(II) and -(III) Inorganic Chemistry 21 1292-1295 | 1982 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 25 : Evaporites (prebiotic) | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45b : [Other oxidized fumarolic minerals] |
Geological Setting:
Oceanic salt deposits.
Type Occurrence of Rinneite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
No designated type material.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Saline deposits of the oceanic type.
Other Language Names for Rinneite
Relationship of Rinneite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Rinneite Group:
| Chlormanganokalite | K4[MnCl6] | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m |
| Saltonseaite | K3NaMnCl6 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3c |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 2 photos of Rinneite associated with Carnallite | KMgCl3 · 6H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 3.CJ.05 | Saltonseaite | K3NaMnCl6 |
| 3.CJ.05 | Chlormanganokalite | K4[MnCl6] |
| 3.CJ.10 | Erythrosiderite | K2[Fe3+Cl5(H2O)] |
| 3.CJ.10 | Kremersite | (NH4,K)2[Fe3+Cl5(H2O)] |
| 3.CJ.15 | Mitscherlichite | K2CuCl4 · 2H2O |
| 3.CJ.20 | Douglasite | K2[Fe2+Cl4(OH2)2] |
| 3.CJ.25 | 'Redikortsevite' | (NH4)MgCl3 · 6H2O |
| 3.CJ.30 | Zirklerite | (Fe,Mg,Ca)9Al4Cl18(OH)12 · 14H2O (?) |
| 3.CJ.30 | Kalithallite | K3Tl3+Cl6 · 2H2O |
Radioactivity
Radioactivity:
| Element | % Content | Activity (Bq/kg) | Radiation Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uranium (U) | 0.0000% | 0 | α, β, γ |
| Thorium (Th) | 0.0000% | 0 | α, β, γ |
| Potassium (K) | 28.6891% | 8,894 | β, γ |
For comparison:
- Banana: ~15 Bq per fruit
- Granite: 1,000–3,000 Bq/kg
- EU exemption limit: 10,000 Bq/kg
Note: Risk is shown relative to daily recommended maximum exposure to non-background radiation of 1000 µSv/year. Note that natural background radiation averages around 2400 µSv/year so in reality these risks are probably extremely overstated! With infrequent handling and safe storage natural radioactive minerals do not usually pose much risk.
Interactive Simulator:
Note: The mass selector refers to the mass of radioactive mineral present, not the full specimen, also be aware that the matrix may also be radioactive, possibly more radioactive than this mineral!
Activity: –
| Distance | Dose rate | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cm | ||
| 10 cm | ||
| 1 m |
The external dose rate (D) from a radioactive mineral is estimated by summing the gamma radiation contributions from its Uranium, Thorium, and Potassium content, disregarding daughter-product which may have a significant effect in some cases (eg 'pitchblende'). This involves multiplying the activity (A, in Bq) of each element by its specific gamma ray constant (Γ), which accounts for its unique gamma emissions. The total unshielded dose at 1 cm is then scaled by the square of the distance (r, in cm) and multiplied by a shielding factor (μshield). This calculation provides a 'worst-case' or 'maximum risk' estimate because it assumes the sample is a point source and entirely neglects any self-shielding where radiation is absorbed within the mineral itself, meaning actual doses will typically be lower. The resulting dose rate (D) is expressed in microsieverts per hour (μSv/h).
D = ((AU × ΓU) + (ATh × ΓTh) + (AK × ΓK)) / r2 × μshield
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in water. Decomposed by absolute alcohol with the extraction of ferrous chloride.
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 Rinneite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3423.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Rinneite
Reference List:
Figgis, Brian N., Sobolev, Alexandre N., Kucharski, Edward S., Broughton, Vanessa (2000) Rinneite, K3Na[FeCl6], at 293, 84 and 9.5 K. Acta Crystallographica Section C Crystal Structure Communications, 56 (6) doi:10.1107/s0108270100006053
Grishina, Svetlana; Koděra, Peter; Goryainov, Sergey; Oreshonkov, Aleksandr; Seryotkin, Yurii; Šimko, František; Polozov, Alexander G. (2020) Application of Raman spectroscopy for identification of rinneite (K3NaFeCl6) in inclusions in minerals. Journal of Raman Spectroscopy, 51 (12). 2505-2516 doi:10.1002/jrs.6005
Localities for Rinneite
Showing 25 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.
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Hildesia potash mine, Diekholzen, Hildesheim District, Lower Saxony, Germany