Symplesite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Symplesite
Formula:
Fe2+3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O
Colour:
Light green, greenish black, light blue, indigo blue
Lustre:
Sub-Vitreous, Greasy, Pearly
Hardness:
2½
Specific Gravity:
2.96 - 3.01
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named by Johan Friedrich August Breithaupt in 1837 from the Greek 'ουν' "syn" ("together") and 'πλησιαζειν' "plisiazein" ("to bring"), i.e. 'to bring together' because of its relationship with other minerals.
Dimorph of:
Isostructural with:
Symplesite Group.
May be intergrown with its dimorph parasymplesite.
The Fe2+ may oxidise to a significant degree to Fe3+ (see ferrisymplesite) with an accompanying change in colour and optical properties analogous to vivianite.
May be intergrown with its dimorph parasymplesite.
The Fe2+ may oxidise to a significant degree to Fe3+ (see ferrisymplesite) with an accompanying change in colour and optical properties analogous to vivianite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3851
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3851:1
Similar Names
| Symesite | A valid IMA mineral species | Pb10(SO4)O7Cl4 · H2O |
IMA Classification of Symplesite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Fe2+3(As5+O4)2·8H2O
Classification of Symplesite
8.CE.45
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
40.3.8.1
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
3 : A3(XO4)2·xH2O
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
3 : A3(XO4)2·xH2O
20.9.6
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
9 : Arsenates of Fe
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
9 : Arsenates of Fe
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sym | 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 Symplesite
Sub-Vitreous, Greasy, Pearly
Transparency:
Transparent
Comment:
Pearly lustre on cleavage planes.
Colour:
Light green, greenish black, light blue, indigo blue
Streak:
White, bluish white.
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Flexible
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {110}, perfect.
On {110}, perfect.
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Translation gliding:
T {1_10}, t[001].
Density:
2.96 - 3.01 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.02 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Measured value on Lobenstien material.
Optical Data of Symplesite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.635 nβ = 1.668 nγ = 1.702
2V:
Measured: 87° , Calculated: 88°
Birefringence:
0.067
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.067
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.
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.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
r > v strong
Optical Extinction:
Z^c = 31.5° increasing to 50° as oxidised, X perpendicular to {1-10
Pleochroism:
Strong
Comments:
X = ┴ (110) = Deep blue
Y = Nearly colourless
Z = ^ c 31½° = Pale Yellow
Y = Nearly colourless
Z = ^ c 31½° = Pale Yellow
Chemistry of Symplesite
Mindat Formula:
Fe2+3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Symplesite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Setting:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 4.7505(2) Å, b = 7.7893(5) Å, c = 9.2567(5) Å
α = 106.372(3)°, β = 93.046(4)°, γ = 98.152(4)°
α = 106.372(3)°, β = 93.046(4)°, γ = 98.152(4)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.61 : 1 : 1.188
Unit Cell V:
323.75 ų
Z:
1
Morphology:
Crystals small and imperfect, elongated [001]; flattened {110} at times. Spherical aggregates with a coarsely fibrous, radial structure.
Twinning:
On {110}
Comment:
Runčevski et al. (2015)
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 8.971 Å | (16) |
| 7.499 Å | (16) |
| 6.785 Å | (100) |
| 5.027 Å | (8) |
| 4.069 Å | (8) |
| 4.007 Å | (8) |
| 3.743 Å | (8) |
| 3.401 Å | (8) |
| 3.177 Å | (8) |
| 3.131 Å | (6) |
| 3.095 Å | (6) |
| 2.970 Å | (8) |
| 2.838 Å | (8) |
| 2.578 Å | (6) |
| 2.493 Å | (2) |
| 2.468 Å | (2) |
| 2.375 Å | (2) |
| 2.355 Å | (4) |
| 2.282 Å | (2) |
| 1.929 Å | (2) |
| 1.860 Å | (2) |
| 1.854 Å | (2) |
| 1.709 Å | (2) |
| 1.683 Å | (2) |
Comments:
ICDD 8-172; very similar to the data for metaköttigite. Data calculated from Runčevski et al. (2015) are more reliable.
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] |
Type Occurrence of Symplesite
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Oxidised zone of arsenic-bearing hydrothermal deposits.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Symplesite
Relationship of Symplesite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Symplesite Group:
| Ferrisymplesite | Fe3+3(AsO4)2(OH)3 · 5H2O | Mon. |
| Metaköttigite | (Zn,Fe,Fe)3(AsO4)2 · 8(H2O,OH) | Tric. 1 : P1 |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 10 photos of Symplesite associated with Scorodite | Fe3+AsO4 · 2H2O |
| 9 photos of Symplesite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 8 photos of Symplesite associated with Stibarsen | AsSb |
| 7 photos of Symplesite associated with Pyrargyrite | Ag3SbS3 |
| 7 photos of Symplesite associated with Parasymplesite | Fe2+3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 5 photos of Symplesite associated with Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
| 4 photos of Symplesite associated with Pharmacosiderite | KFe3+4(AsO4)3(OH)4 · 6-7H2O |
| 3 photos of Symplesite associated with Arsenolite | As2O3 |
| 2 photos of Symplesite associated with Native Arsenic | As |
| 2 photos of Symplesite associated with Löllingite | FeAs2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.CE. | Monteneroite | Cu2+Mn2+2(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE. | Belmonteite | CaMn2(AsO4)2 · 7H2O |
| 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.20 | Rösslerite | Mg(HAsO4) · 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.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 Symplesite
Not fluorescent
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in acids. Turns reddish brown in strong KOH solution or in 30% H2O2.
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 Symplesite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3851.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Symplesite
Reference List:
Larsen, Esper S. (1921) The microscopic determination of the nonopaque minerals. Bulletin 679. US Geological Survey doi:10.3133/b679 p.140
Wolfe, C. W. (1940) Classification of minerals of the type A3(XO4)2·nH2O (concluded) American Mineralogist, 25 (12) 787-809 p.801
Localities for Symplesite
Showing 116 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.
Albania | |
| ALLIU (2024) |
Australia | |
| Sorrell (n.d.) |
| Noble et al |
| Bottrill et al. (2008) |
| Ralph Bottrill EDS-analyses +1 other reference |
| Simpson (1948) |
| Western Mail Newspaper (Perth) +1 other reference |
Austria | |
| Niedermayr et al. (1995) |
| Meixner (1948) |
| Brunlechner (1894) |
| Meixner (1953) |
| Puttner (2002) |
| Puttner (1987) | |
| Niedermayr et al. (1995) | |
| Collection of NHM +1 other reference |
| Meixner (1964) +1 other reference |
| Sigmund (1911) |
| Pribitzer (1956) +1 other reference |
| Schachinger et al. (2015) |
| Postl et al. (1987) +1 other reference |
Brazil | |
| Sergio Varvello collection |
Canada | |
| Ontario Geological Survey Miscellaneous ... +2 other references |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Tyrell et al. (1913) +1 other reference |
| Sabina (1992) | |
Chile | |
| maurizio dini collection - quantitative ... |
Czech Republic | |
| Kašpar |
| Gramblička R. (2014) |
| Hloušek et al. (2002) | |
| 86. +1 other reference | |
| Sejkora (1994) |
| Litochleb (1998) |
| Tvrdý +1 other reference |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Historic mineral collection National ... | |
| Gramblička (n.d.) |
| Gramblička (n.d.) |
| Sejkora (1998) | |
| Staněk (1991) +4 other references |
| Staněk (1997) | |
Finland | |
| Lahti +1 other reference |
France | |
| Germain C. et al. (1990) |
| De Ascençao Guedes et al. (2001) |
| Bari (1982) |
| Wittern et al. (1997) |
| Kolitsch: Aufschluss 2/1997 +1 other reference |
| Queneau (n.d.) |
| Meisser et al. (2008) +1 other reference |
| Queneau (n.d.) |
Germany | |
| Blaß et al. (2000) |
| Walenta (1992) |
| Walenta (1992) |
| |
| |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Bender et al. (1994) |
| Thomas Luehr collection |
| Gramblička (n.d.) |
| www.mineralienatlas.de (2016) |
| Hajek (2010) |
| Massanek et al. (2005) | |
| Palache et al. (1951) | |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
| 43-47 +2 other references |
| A. Breithaupt (1837) +1 other reference |
| Wittern (2001) |
Greece | |
| Kolitsch et al. (2014) |
| Fritz Schreiber collection |
| Gelaude et al. (1996) |
| Zeschke (1963) | |
| Fornadel et al. (2011) |
Italy | |
| Bedognè et al. (2006) |
| Gentile et al. (2012) |
| Biffi P. et al. (Varese) | |
| Guastoni et al. (2004) +1 other reference |
| Savia et al. (n.d.) |
| Luigi Chiappino data |
| Stara et al. (1996) |
| Stara et al. (1996) |
| Stara et al. (1996) |
| Brizzi et al. (1994) |
| Pelloux (1921) | |
| Stara P. (1996) | |
| Stara et al. (1996) | |
| - (n.d.) |
| La Valle (1898) +1 other reference |
Japan | |
| Matsubara et al (1992) |
| Sturman (1976) +1 other reference |
| OHNISHI et al. (2013) +2 other references | |
Mexico | |
| |
Morocco | |
| Weiß (2006) |
Norway | |
| Neumann (1985) +2 other references |
Romania | |
| Zajzon et al. (2015) |
| Zajzon et al. (2015) | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
Russia | |
| Pavel M. Kartashov (n.d.) |
| Canhimbue et al. (2025) |
| Kalinin +2 other references |
Slovakia | |
| Roman Gramblička collection |
Spain | |
| Personal collection. Analyzed by Dr. ... +1 other reference |
| Viñals et al. (1990) |
Switzerland | |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
| Ansermet (2012) |
UK | |
| Mason et al. (1997) |
| Cooper et al. (1990) |
| Day (1999) |
| Stanley et al. (1991) | |
USA | |
| |
| Barrick Gold Corporation |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Smith et al. (2000) |
| Smith et al. (2000) | |
| Smith et al. (2000) |
| Thorne (n.d.) |
Quick NavTopAbout SymplesiteUnique IdentifiersSimilar NamesIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography X-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence Other LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Saubachriss, Muldenberg, Grünbach, Falkenstein, Vogtlandkreis, Saxony, Germany