Rösslerite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Rösslerite
Karl Rößler
Formula:
Mg(HAsO4) · 7H2O
Colour:
Colorless to white, faint tints; colorless in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Vitreous, Dull
Hardness:
2 - 3
Specific Gravity:
1.943
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named by Johann Reinhard Blum in 1861 after Dr. Karl Rößler (6 May 1788, Wiesbaden, Germany - 23 August 1863, Hanau, Germany) (also appears as Carl Rössler or Roessler), manufacturer, mineralogist, and naturalist. He found the first specimens of the mineral. Although Rößler is the proper German spelling for the family name, the IMA approved species name is rösslerite (Burke 2008).
Name Encoding
ASCII-7:
Rosslerite
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3470
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3470:4
IMA Classification of Rösslerite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Mg(As5+O3OH)·7H2O
First published:
1861
Classification of Rösslerite
8.CE.20
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
E : With only medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O about 1:2.5
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
E : With only medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O about 1:2.5
39.1.9.1
39 : HYDRATED ACID PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
1 : A[HXO4]·xH2O
39 : HYDRATED ACID PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
1 : A[HXO4]·xH2O
20.2.3
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
2 : Arsenates of Be, Mg, Ca or Ba
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
2 : Arsenates of Be, Mg, Ca or Ba
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Rö | 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 Rösslerite
Vitreous, Dull
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Colorless to white, faint tints; colorless in transmitted light.
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2 - 3 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Poor/Indistinct
On {111}, poor.
On {111}, poor.
Density:
1.943 g/cm3 (Measured) 1.948 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Measured value is on artificial material.
Optical Data of Rösslerite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.488 nβ = 1.507 nγ = 1.1.510
2V:
Measured: 28°
Birefringence:
0.022
Surface Relief:
Very High (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.
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
Optical Extinction:
Inclined. Previously measured optics were apparently made on the wrong species or on material that was a more hydrated material.
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Rösslerite
Mindat Formula:
Mg(HAsO4) · 7H2O
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Rösslerite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/b
Setting:
C2/c
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.692 Å, b = 25.744 Å, c = 11.538 Å
β = 95.15°
β = 95.15°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.26 : 1 : 0.448
Unit Cell V:
1,979.73 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
8
Morphology:
Well-formed crystals rare, small, short prismatic [001]. Fine-grained crusts; hair-like at times. Artificial crystals are tabular {010}.
Comment:
Zeit. Krist. 137:194 (1973) structure
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 12.9 Å | (60) |
| 6.43 Å | (90) |
| 4.67 Å | (80) |
| 4.49 Å | (90) |
| 4.29 Å | (80) |
| 4.08 Å | (10) |
| 3.31 Å | (50) |
| 2.86 Å | (60) |
Comments:
ICDD 26-1447 (synthetic)
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates] | |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals |
Geological Setting:
Oxidized zones of arsenical ore bodies.
Type Occurrence of Rösslerite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
No designated type material.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Rösslerite
Other Language Names for Rösslerite
Varieties of Rösslerite
| Wapplerite | A calcium-rich variety of Rößlerite. Possibly a mixture. Originally reported from Jáchymov (St Joachimsthal), Ostrov, Krušné Hory Mts (Erzgebirge), Karlovy Vary Region, Bohemia (Böhmen; Boehmen), Czech Republic. |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 19 photos of Rösslerite associated with Brassite | Mg(HAsO4) · 4H2O |
| 2 photos of Rösslerite associated with Picropharmacolite | Ca4Mg(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 11H2O |
| 1 photo of Rösslerite associated with Native Silver | Ag |
| 1 photo of Rösslerite associated with Native Arsenic | As |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.CE. | Monteneroite | Cu2+Mn2+2(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE. | Belmonteite | CaMn2(AsO4)2 · 7H2O |
| 8.CE. | Zincocabrerite | ZnMg2(AsO4)2(H2O)8 |
| 8.CE.X | Babánekite | Cu3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.05 | Chudobaite | Mg5(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)2 · 10H2O |
| 8.CE.05 | Geigerite | Mn2+5(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 10H2O |
| 8.CE.10 | Newberyite | Mg(PO3OH) · 3H2O |
| 8.CE.10 | Manganonewberyite | Mn(PO3OH)(H2O)3 |
| 8.CE.15 | Fanguangite | (MoO2)(PO3OH) · 4H2O |
| 8.CE.15 | Brassite | Mg(HAsO4) · 4H2O |
| 8.CE.20 | Phosphorrösslerite | Mg(PO3OH) · 7H2O |
| 8.CE.25 | Switzerite | Mn2+3(PO4)2 · 7H2O |
| 8.CE.25 | Metaswitzerite | Mn2+3(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CE.30 | Pradetite | CoCu4(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 9H2O |
| 8.CE.30 | Veselovskýite | ZnCu4(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 9H2O |
| 8.CE.30 | Lindackerite | CuCu4(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 9H2O |
| 8.CE.30 | Klajite | MnCu4(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 9-10H2O |
| 8.CE.30 | Hloušekite | (Ni,Co)Cu4(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)2 · 9H2O |
| 8.CE.30 | Ondrušite | CaCu4(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 10H2O |
| 8.CE.35 | Bobierrite | Mg3(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Barićite | (Mg,Fe)3(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Parasymplesite | Fe2+3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Gritsenkoite | CoMg2(AsO4)2(H2O)8 |
| 8.CE.40 | Cabrerite | NiMg2(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Pakhomovskyite | Co3(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Vivianite | Fe2+Fe2+2(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Arupite | Ni3(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Erythrite | Co3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Hörnesite | Mg3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Manganohörnesite | Mn2+3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Köttigite | Zn3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Ferrisymplesite | Fe3+3(AsO4)2(OH)3 · 5H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Annabergite | Ni3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.45 | Symplesite | Fe2+3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.50 | Cattiite | Mg3(PO4)2 · 22H2O |
| 8.CE.55 | Koninckite | Fe3+PO4 · 3H2O |
| 8.CE.60 | Kaňkite | FeAsO4 · 3.5H2O |
| 8.CE.60 | Hilarionite | Fe3+2(SO4)(AsO4)(OH) · 6H2O |
| 8.CE.65 | Steigerite | Al(VO4) · 3H2O |
| 8.CE.70 | Metaschoderite | Al2(PO4)(VO4) · 6H2O |
| 8.CE.70 | Schoderite | Al2(PO4)(VO4) · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.75 | Zigrasite | MgZr(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CE.75 | 'UM2009-11-PO:CaHZr' | CaZr[PO4]2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CE.75 | Malhmoodite | FeZr(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CE.80 | Santabarbaraite | Fe3+3(PO4)2(OH)3 · 5H2O |
| 8.CE.85 | Metaköttigite | (Zn,Fe,Fe)3(AsO4)2 · 8(H2O,OH) |
| 8.CE.90 | Slavkovite | Cu13(AsO4)6(AsO3OH)4 · 23H2O |
Fluorescence of Rösslerite
Not fluorescent.
Other Information
Notes:
Readily soluble in dilute HCl; slightly soluble in water. Dehydrates in air to brassite.
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 Rösslerite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3470.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Rösslerite
Reference List:
Schrauf, A. (1880) Ueber Arsenate von Joachimsthal. 1. Mixit, ein neues Kupferwismuthhydroarsenat. 2. Wapplerit. 3. Pharmakolith. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, 4 (1). 277-285 doi:10.1524/zkri.1880.4.1.277
Larsen, Esper S. (1921) The microscopic determination of the nonopaque minerals. Bulletin 679. US Geological Survey doi:10.3133/b679 p.156
Whitaker, A. (1973) The crystal structure of rösslerite MgHAsO4 · 7H2O. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, 137 (2-3). 194-219 doi:10.1524/zkri.1973.137.2-3.194
Street, R. L. T.; Whitaker, A. (1973) The isostructurality of rösslerite and phosphorrösslerite. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, 137 (4). 246-255 doi:10.1524/zkri.1973.137.4.246
Localities for Rösslerite
Showing 31 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.
Austria | |
| Puttner (1995) |
Canada | |
| |
Czech Republic | |
| [var: Wapplerite] Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
| Majzlan et al. (2021) | |
France | |
| Bari (1982) |
| Wittern +1 other reference |
| This mine worked the same vein as Gabe ... +2 other references | |
Germany | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Handbook for Mineralogy |
| [var: Wapplerite] Walenta (1992) |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| |
| Möhn et al. (10/2020) |
| Neschen (n.d.) |
| Vollstädt et al. (1991) | |
| ... |
| [var: Wapplerite] Massanek et al. (2005) |
| [var: Wapplerite] Massanek et al. (2005) | |
| [var: Wapplerite] Massanek et al. (2005) |
Greece | |
| Rieck et al. (1999) |
Russia | |
| Pekov I.V. et al. (2010) |
Spain | |
| Rewitzer et al. (2020) |
Switzerland | |
| Cuchet (1994) +2 other references |
USA | |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
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Jáchymov, Karlovy Vary District, Karlovy Vary Region, Czech Republic