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Wermlandite

A valid IMA mineral species
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08789470017271927535975.jpg
Wermlandite, etc.

Långban Mine, Långban Ore District, Filipstad, Värmland County, Sweden
02891300017271927618601.jpg
Wermlandite, etc.

Långban Mine, Långban Ore District, Filipstad, Värmland County, Sweden
07762580017271927647277.jpg
Wermlandite

Gåsgruvan Quarry, Persberg ore district, Filipstad, Värmland County, Sweden
08789470017271927535975.jpg
Wermlandite, etc.

Långban Mine, Långban Ore District, Filipstad, Värmland County, Sweden
02891300017271927618601.jpg
Wermlandite, etc.

Långban Mine, Långban Ore District, Filipstad, Värmland County, Sweden
07762580017271927647277.jpg
Wermlandite

Gåsgruvan Quarry, Persberg ore district, Filipstad, Värmland County, Sweden
04471060017271927685435.jpg
Wermlandite, etc.

Långban Mine, Långban Ore District, Filipstad, Värmland County, Sweden
02891300017271927618601.jpg
Wermlandite, etc.

Långban Mine, Långban Ore District, Filipstad, Värmland County, Sweden
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About WermlanditeHide

05243780017271927715433.jpg
Coat of arms of Värmland, Sweden
Formula:
Mg7Al2(OH)18[Ca(H2O)6][SO4]2 · 6H2O
May contain some carbonate(?).
Colour:
Green-gray
Lustre:
Waxy
Hardness:
1½
Specific Gravity:
1.932
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Name:
Named after its discovery locality, Långban, Värmland (Wermland), Sweden.
This is a genuinely rare species. Almost all specimens labeled "wermlandite" prove to be pyroaurite on analysis.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
4271
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4271:6

IMA Classification of WermlanditeHide

IMA status:
Approved
IMA Formula:
Mg7Al2(OH)18[Ca(H2O)6](S6+O4)2·6H2O
Approval year:
1970
First published:
1971
Type description reference:
Moore, Paul B (1971) Wermlandite, a new mineral from Långban, Sweden. Lithos, 4 (3) 213-217 doi:10.1016/0024-4937(71)90001-6

Classification of WermlanditeHide

Strunz-mindat (2026):
7.DD.35

7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
D : With only medium-sized cations; sheets of edge-sharing octahedra
Dana 8th ed.:
31.3.2.1

31 : HYDRATED SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
3 : (AB)5(XO4)Zq·xH2O
Hey's CIM Ref.:
11.7.10

11 : Carbonates
7 : Carbonates of Al

Mineral SymbolsHide

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.

SymbolSourceReference for Standard
WldIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43
WldWarr (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 WermlanditeHide

Lustre:
Waxy
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Green-gray
Streak:
White to light gray green
Hardness:
1½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Flexible
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect on {0001}
Fracture:
Micaceous
Density:
1.932 g/cm3 (Measured)    1.96 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of WermlanditeHide

Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.493 nε = 1.482
2V:
Measured: 2° to 5°
Birefringence:
0.011
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.011
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.

Surface Relief:
Moderate (negative)
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.
Optical Extinction:
Parallel

Chemistry of WermlanditeHide

Mindat Formula:
Mg7Al2(OH)18[Ca(H2O)6][SO4]2 · 6H2O

May contain some carbonate(?).
Element Weights:
Element% weight
O62.126 %
Mg17.385 %
S6.553 %
Al5.514 %
H4.326 %
Ca4.095 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
O
Mg
S
Al
H
Ca
Elements listed:
Al, Ca, H, Mg, O, S - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of WermlanditeHide

Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m(32/m) - Hexagonal Scalenohedral
Space Group:
P3c1
Setting:
P3c1
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.303(3) Å, c = 22.57(1) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 2.426
Unit Cell V:
1,691.64 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Thin pseudohexagonal platy crystals

Crystal StructureHide

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0010871WermlanditeRius J, Allmann R (1984) The superstructure of the double layer mineral wermlandite [Mg7(Al0.57,Fe3+0.43)2(OH)18]2+[(Ca0.6,Mg0.4)(SO4)2(H2O)12]2- Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 168 133-1441984Langban, Warmland, Sweden0293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
11.2 Å(70)
7.98 Å(100)
5.62 Å(40)
4.63 Å(50)
3.89 Å(40)
2.61 Å(40)
1.54 Å(40)
1.51 Å(30)
Comments:
ZK 168:133 (1984)

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
High-? alteration and/or metamorphism
32 : Ba/Mn/Pb/Zn deposits, including metamorphic deposits
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event<2.4
47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals]
47b : [Sulfates and sulfites]

Type Occurrence of WermlanditeHide

Type Locality:
ⓘ Långban Mine, Långban Ore District, Filipstad, Värmland County, Sweden
General Appearance of Type Material:
Plates up to 1 cm in diameter, with breadth to thickness 20:1, implanted along large calcite crystals.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
1) Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden, 38001.
2) National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 137023, 149523.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Low temperature vein filling in calcite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
CalciteMagnetite
Reference:
Moore, Paul B (1971) Wermlandite, a new mineral from Långban, Sweden. Lithos, 4 (3) 213-217 doi:10.1016/0024-4937(71)90001-6

Synonyms of WermlanditeHide

Other Language Names for WermlanditeHide

Relationship of Wermlandite to other SpeciesHide

Member of:
Wermlandite Group > Hydrotalcite Supergroup
Other Members of Wermlandite Group:
ErssoniteMg7Fe3+2(OH)18[Ca(H2O)6](SO4)2 · 12H2OTrig. 3m(32/m) : P3c1
KarchevskyiteMg18Al9(OH)54Sr2(CO3)9(H2O)6(H3O)5Trig.
MotukoreaiteMg6Al3(OH)18[Na(H2O)6][SO4]2 · 6H2OTrig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
NatroglaucoceriniteZn6Al3(OH)18[Na(H2O)6](SO4)2 · 6H2OHex.
NikischeriteFe2+6Al3(OH)18[Na(H2O)6](SO4)2 · 6H2OTrig. 3 : R3
ShigaiteMn6Al3(OH)18[Na(H2O)6](SO4)2 · 6H2OTrig. 3 : R3

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
8 photos of Wermlandite associated with CalciteCaCO3

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

7.DD.AsagiiteNiCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 6H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.DD.05FelsőbányaiteAl4(SO4)(OH)10 · 4H2OMon. 2 : P21
7.DD.07LlantenesiteCu6Al[SeO4](OH)12Cl · 3H2OTrig. 3m : P31c
7.DD.10LangiteCu4(SO4)(OH)6 · 2H2OMon. m
7.DD.10FehriteMgCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 6H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.DD.10PosnjakiteCu4(SO4)(OH)6 · H2OMon. m : Pm
7.DD.10WroewolfeiteCu4(SO4)(OH)6 · 2H2OMon. m : Pm
7.DD.10GobeliniteCoCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 6H2OMon. 2/m : P21/m
7.DD.15KobyasheviteCu5(SO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2OTric. 1 : P1
7.DD.15SpangoliteCu6Al(SO4)(OH)12Cl · 3H2OTrig. 3m : P31c
7.DD.15'Unnamed (Dimorph of Devilline)'CaCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 3H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.DD.20KtenasiteZnCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 6H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.DD.25ChristeliteCu2Zn3(SO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2OTric. 1 : P1
7.DD.30EdwardsiteCu3Cd2(SO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2O Mon. 2/m : P21/b
7.DD.30NiedermayriteCdCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/m
7.DD.30SerpieriteCa(Cu2+,Zn2+)4(S6+O4)2(OH)6 · 3H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
7.DD.30CampigliaiteMn2+Cu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2OMon. 2 : B2
7.DD.30OrthoserpieriteCa(Cu,Zn)4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 3H2OOrth. mm2 : Pca21
7.DD.30DevillineCaCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 3H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.DD.35ShigaiteMn6Al3(OH)18[Na(H2O)6](SO4)2 · 6H2OTrig. 3 : R3
7.DD.35Zincaluminite(Zn1-xAlx)(SO4)x/2(OH)2 · nH2O
7.DD.35ZincowoodwarditeZn1-xAlx(OH)2[SO4]x/2 · nH2OTrig.
7.DD.35NatroglaucoceriniteZn6Al3(OH)18[Na(H2O)6](SO4)2 · 6H2OHex.
7.DD.35Hydrowoodwardite(Cu1-xAlx)(OH)2[SO4]x/2 · nH2OTrig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
7.DD.35Honessite(Ni1-xFe3+x)(OH)2[SO4]x/2 · nH2OTrig.
7.DD.35Carrboydite(Ni1-xAlx)(SO4)x/2(OH)2 · nH2OHex.
7.DD.35Glaucocerinite(Zn1-xAlx)(OH)2(SO4)x/2 · nH2OHex.
7.DD.35NikischeriteFe2+6Al3(OH)18[Na(H2O)6](SO4)2 · 6H2OTrig. 3 : R3
7.DD.35Hydrohonessite(Ni1-xFe3+x)(OH)2(SO4)x/2 · nH2OHex.
7.DD.35WoodwarditeCu1-xAlx(OH)2(SO4)x/2 · nH2OTrig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
7.DD.35MotukoreaiteMg6Al3(OH)18[Na(H2O)6][SO4]2 · 6H2OTrig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
7.DD.35Mountkeithite[(Mg1-xFe3+x)(OH)2][SO4]x/2 · nH2OHex.
7.DD.40Lawsonbauerite(Mn2+,Mg)9Zn4(SO4)2(OH)22 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.DD.40Torreyite(Mg,Mn2+)7◻2Mn2+2Zn4(SO4)2(OH)22 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.DD.40IsseliteCu6(SO4)(OH)10(H2O)4 · H2OOrth. mm2 : Pmn21
7.DD.45MooreiteMg9◻2Mn2Zn4(SO4)2(OH)26 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
7.DD.45Hodgesmithite(Cu,Zn)6Zn(SO4)2(OH)10 · 3H2OTrig. 3 : P3
7.DD.47LahnsteiniteZn4(SO4)(OH)6 · 3H2OTric. 1 : P1
7.DD.50NamuwiteZn4(SO4)(OH)6 · 4H2OTrig. 3 : P3
7.DD.50Minohlite(Cu,Zn)7(SO4)2(OH)10 · 8H2OHex.
7.DD.52LauraniiteCu6Cd2(SO4)2(OH)12 · 5H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.DD.55BechereriteZn7Cu(OH)13[(SiO(OH)3(SO4)]Trig. 3 : P3
7.DD.60Ramsbeckite(Cu,Zn)15(SO4)4(OH)22 · 6H2OMon. 2/m
7.DD.65VonbezingiteCa6Cu3(SO4)3(OH)12 · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.DD.70RedgilliteCu6(SO4)(OH)10 · H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.DD.75NickelalumiteNiAl4(SO4)(OH)12(H2O)3Mon. 2/m
7.DD.75KyrgyzstaniteZnAl4(SO4)(OH)12 · 3H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.DD.75ChalcoalumiteCuAl4(SO4)(OH)12 · 3H2OMon. 2 : P21
7.DD.80Schulenbergite(Cu,Zn)7(SO4)2(OH)10 · 3H2OTrig. 3
7.DD.80'UM1992-30-SO:CCuHZn'(Zn,Cu)7(SO4,CO3)2(OH)10 · 3H2OTrig. 3 : P3
7.DD.80ThérèsemagnaniteNaCo4(SO4)(OH)6Cl · 6H2OTrig. 3 : P3
7.DD.80GuarinoiteZn6(SO4)(OH)10 · 5H2OHex.
7.DD.85MontetrisaiteCu6(SO4)(OH)10 · 2H2OOrth. mm2 : Cmc21

Fluorescence of WermlanditeHide

In UV light:
Not fluorescent.

Other InformationHide

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 WermlanditeHide

References for WermlanditeHide

Localities for WermlanditeHide

Showing 3 localities.

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
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Locality ListHide

- 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). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Sweden (TL)
 
  • Värmland County
    • Filipstad
      • Långban Ore District
Moore (1971) +2 other references
      • Persberg ore district
Linden (2002)
Östra Värmlands Mineral Society
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