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Wittite

A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered - questionable
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04722630017271927583728.jpg
Wittite, etc.

La Fossa crater, Vulcano Island, Lipari, Eolie Islands, Metropolitan City of Messina, Sicily, Italy
03416240017271927662201.jpg
Wittite, etc.

La Fossa crater, Vulcano Island, Lipari, Eolie Islands, Metropolitan City of Messina, Sicily, Italy
08882700017271927737168.jpg
Wittite

Falun, Dalarna County, Sweden
04722630017271927583728.jpg
Wittite, etc.

La Fossa crater, Vulcano Island, Lipari, Eolie Islands, Metropolitan City of Messina, Sicily, Italy
03416240017271927662201.jpg
Wittite, etc.

La Fossa crater, Vulcano Island, Lipari, Eolie Islands, Metropolitan City of Messina, Sicily, Italy
08882700017271927737168.jpg
Wittite

Falun, Dalarna County, Sweden
04722630017271927583728.jpg
Wittite, etc.

La Fossa crater, Vulcano Island, Lipari, Eolie Islands, Metropolitan City of Messina, Sicily, Italy
03416240017271927662201.jpg
Wittite, etc.

La Fossa crater, Vulcano Island, Lipari, Eolie Islands, Metropolitan City of Messina, Sicily, Italy
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About WittiteHide

Formula:
Pb9Bi12(S,Se)27
Colour:
Light lead-gray
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
2 - 2½
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named after T. Witt, Swedish mining engineer at the Falun Mine.
Studies of the distribution of Se in the crystal structure are necessary to determine whether wittite is a Se-rich variety of cannizzarite or an independent species (Moëlo et al., 2008).


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
4301
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4301:0

Similar NamesHide

WadeiteA valid IMA mineral species - grandfatheredK2Zr(Si3O9)
WaditeA synonym of 'Wad'
WhiteitA synonym of 'Whiteite'
WhiteiteA synonym of Whiteite Subgroup
Whiteite-(CaFeMg)A valid IMA mineral species{Ca}{(Fe2+,Mn2+)}{Mg2}{Al2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2O
Whiteite-(CaMgMg)A valid IMA mineral speciesCaMg3Al2(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2O
Whiteite-(CaMnFe)A valid IMA mineral speciesCaMnFe2Al2(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2O
Whiteite-(CaMnMg)A valid IMA mineral species{Ca}{Mn2+}{Mg2}{Al2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2O
Whiteite-(CaMnMn)A valid IMA mineral species{Ca}{Mn2+}{Mn2}{Al2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2O
Whiteite-(MnFeMg)A valid IMA mineral species{(Mn2+,Ca)}{(Fe2+,Mn2+)}{Mg2}{Al2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2O
Whiteite-(MnMnMg)A valid IMA mineral speciesMnMnMg2Al2(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2O
Whiteite-(MnMnMn)A valid IMA mineral speciesMn2+Mn2+Mn22+Al2(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2O
Wittite BA synonym of Proudite

IMA Classification of WittiteHide

IMA status:
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959), Questionable
IMA Formula:
Pb2+8Bi3+10(S2-,Se2-)23

Classification of WittiteHide

Strunz-mindat (2026):
2.JB.20

2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
J : Sulfosalts of PbS archetype
B : Galena derivatives, with Pb
Dana 8th ed.:
3.6.5.2

3 : SULFOSALTS
6 : 2 < ø < 2.49
Hey's CIM Ref.:
5.6.31

5 : Sulphosalts - Sulpharsenites and Sulphobismuthites (those containing Sn, Ge,or V are in Section 6)
6 : Sulpharsenites etc. of Pb alone

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

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

Physical Properties of WittiteHide

Lustre:
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Light lead-gray
Streak:
Black
Hardness:
2 - 2½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
One good cleavage. Cleabage surfaces show striations at 57° to 57.5°.

Chemistry of WittiteHide

Mindat Formula:
Pb9Bi12(S,Se)27
Element Weights:
Element% weight
Bi47.874 %
Pb35.599 %
S16.527 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
Elements listed:
Bi, Pb, S, Se - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of WittiteHide

Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Cell Parameters:
a = 29.15 Å, b = 4.07 Å, c = 15.83 Å
β = 98.5°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 7.162 : 1 : 3.889
Unit Cell V:
1,857.45 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 3b: Earth’s earliest hydrosphere>4.45
12 : Hadean hydrothermal subsurface sulfide deposits (see also #33)
High-? alteration and/or metamorphism
33 : Minerals deposited by hydrothermal metal-rich fluids (see also [#12])

Type Occurrence of WittiteHide

Other Language Names for WittiteHide

Afrikaans:Wittite
Dutch:Wittiet
German:Wittit
Simplified Chinese:硫硒铅铋矿
Spanish:Wittita

Varieties of WittiteHide

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
4 photos of Wittite associated with IkunoliteBi4S3
4 photos of Wittite associated with QuartzSiO2
3 photos of Wittite associated with CannizzaritePb48Bi56S132
2 photos of Wittite associated with BismuthiniteBi2S3
1 photo of Wittite associated with NordströmiteCuPb3Bi7(Se4S10)
1 photo of Wittite associated with FriedrichiteCu5Pb5Bi7S18
1 photo of Wittite associated with LillianitePb3-2xAgxBi2+xS6
1 photo of Wittite associated with ChalcopyriteCuFeS2

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

2.JB.Clino-oscarkempffiteAg15Pb6Sb21Bi18S72Mon. 2/m : P21/b
2.JB.ArsenquatrandoriteAg17.6Pb12.8Sb38.1As11.5S96Mon. 2/m : P21/b
2.JB.GinelfiteAg2(Ag0.5Fe)TlPb23.5(Sb,As)33.5S76Tric. 1 : P1
2.JB.AndreadiniiteCuHgAg7Pb7Sb24S48Mon. 2/m : P21/b
2.JB.ChukotkaiteAgPb7Sb5S15Mon. 2/m : P21/b
2.JB.SelenojunoiteCu2Pb3Bi8Se16Mon. 2/m : B2/m
2.JB.LechneriteAg10Cu4HgPb33Sb58S128Tric. 1 : P1
2.JB.Cuprosenandorite Ag16Cu8Pb24Sb72S144Orth. mm2 : Pna21
2.JB.MorleyiteAg2CuPb25Sb24As4S68.5Tric. 1 : P1
2.JB.LazerckeriteAg3.75Pb4.50(Sb7.75Bi4)S24Mon. 2/m : P21/b
2.JB.LasmanisiteAg12Pb13Mn11Sb44S96Orth. 222 : P212121
2.JB.MontpelvouxiteAgPb16Sb27As18S84Tric. 1 : P1
2.JB.SenandoriteAgPbSb3S6Orth. mm2 : Pmn21
2.JB.OscarkempffiteAg10Pb4(Sb17Bi9)S48Orth. mm2
2.JB.05DiaphoriteAg3Pb2Sb3S8Mon. 2/m : P21/b
2.JB.10CosalitePb2Bi2S5Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
2.JB.15MarriteAgPbAsS3Mon. 2/m : P21/b
2.JB.15FreieslebeniteAgPbSbS3Mon. 2/m : P21/b
2.JB.20CannizzaritePb48Bi56S132Mon. 2/m : P21/m
2.JB.25jRouxeliteCu2HgPb23Sb27S65.5Tric. 1 : P1
2.JB.25iNeyiteAg2Cu6Pb25Bi26S68Mon. 2/m : B2/m
2.JB.25aJunoiteCu2Pb3Bi8(S,Se)16Mon. 2/m : B2/m
2.JB.25fÁngelaiteCu2AgPbBiS4Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma
2.JB.25eGalenobismutitePbBi2S4Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
2.JB.25cNordströmiteCuPb3Bi7(Se4S10)Mon. 2/m : P21/m
2.JB.25iCuproneyiteCu7Pb27Bi25S68Mon. 2/m : B2/m
2.JB.25gNuffielditeCu1.4Pb2.4Bi2.4Sb0.2S7Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
2.JB.25hWeibullitePb5Bi8Se7S11Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma
2.JB.25dProuditeCuPb7.5Bi9.33(S,Se)22Mon. 2/m : B2/m
2.JB.25bFelbertaliteCu2Pb6Bi8S19Mon. 2/m : B2/m
2.JB.30aJordanitePb14As6S23Mon. 2/m : P21/m
2.JB.30aGeocronitePb14Sb6S23Mon. 2/m : P21/m
2.JB.30aArsenmarcobaldiitePb12(As3.2Sb2.8)Σ6S21Tric. 1 : P1
2.JB.30bKirkiitePb10Bi3As3S19Mon. 2/m : P21/m
2.JB.30cTsugaruitePb28As15S50ClOrth. mm2 : Pnn2
2.JB.30aMarcobaldiitePb12(Sb3As2Bi)Σ6S21Tric. 1 : P1
2.JB.35dPellouxite(Cu,Ag)Pb10Sb12S27O(Cl,S)0.6Mon. 2/m : B2/m
2.JB.35eChovanitePb15-2xSb14+2xS36Ox (x ~ 0.2)Mon. 2/m : B2/m
2.JB.35aZinkenitePb9Sb22S42Hex. 6 : P63
2.JB.35cPillaitePb9Sb10S23ClO0.5Mon. 2/m : B2/m
2.JB.35bScainiitePb14Sb30S54O5Mon. 2/m : B2/m
2.JB.35fTubuliteAg2Pb22Sb20S53 Mon. m : Pb
2.JB.40aFizélyiteAg5Pb14Sb21S48 Mon. 2/m
2.JB.40aRamdohritePb5.9Fe0.1Mn0.1In0.1Cd0.2Ag2.8Sb10.8S24Mon. 2/m
2.JB.40eUstarasitePb(Bi,Sb)6S10 (?)
2.JB.40a'Bursaite'Pb5Bi4S11 (?)Orth.
2.JB.40'UM1988-05-S:AgBiCuHgPb'(Hg,Ag,Cu,Pb)5Pb5Bi11S27
2.JB.40'UM1988-06-S:AgBiCuHgPb'(Pb,Hg)12(Cu,Ag)3(Bi,Sb)10(S,Te)27
2.JB.40aTerrywallaceiteAgPb(Sb,Bi)3S6Mon. 2/m : P21/b
2.JB.40aJasrouxiteAg16Pb4(Sb25As15)S72Tric. 1 : P1
2.JB.40aTarutinoiteAg3Pb7Bi7S19Mon. 2/m : B2/m
2.JB.40aOyoniteAg3Mn2Pb4Sb7As4S24Mon. 2/m
2.JB.40bHeyrovskýitePb6Bi2S9Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Cccm
2.JB.40aQuatrandoriteAgPbSb3S6Mon. 2/m : P21/b
2.JB.40aErzwiesiteAg8Pb12Bi16S40Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Cmcm
2.JB.40aVikingiteAg5Pb8Bi13S30Mon. 2/m : B2/m
2.JB.40aLillianitePb3-2xAgxBi2+xS6Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
2.JB.40bBaiamareiteAg4Pb12Fe4Sb20S48Mon. 2/m
2.JB.40aStaročeskéiteAg0.70Pb1.60(Bi1.35Sb1.35)Σ2.70S6Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Cmcm
2.JB.40aRoshchiniteAg19Pb10Sb51S96Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma
2.JB.40bAschamalmitePb6-3xBi2+xS9Mon. 2/m : B2/m
2.JB.40bEskimoiteAg7Pb10Bi15S36Mon.
2.JB.40aMenchettiiteAgPb2.40Mn1.60Sb3As2S12Mon. 2/m : P21/b
2.JB.40aHolubiteAg3Pb6(Sb8Bi3)S24Mon. 2/m
2.JB.40aBrusnitsyniteMn3CuPbAs3Sb2S12Mon. 2/m : P21/b
2.JB.40aTreasuriteAg7Pb6Bi15S32Mon.
2.JB.40cOurayiteAg3Pb4Bi5S13Orth.
2.JB.40aUchucchacuaiteAgMnPb3Sb5S12Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pmmm
2.JB.40d'Schirmerite'PbAgBi3S6 - Pb3Ag1.5Bi3.5S9Orth.
2.JB.40aXilingolitePb3Bi2S6Mon.
2.JB.40aGustaviteAgPbBi3S6Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
2.JB.55GratonitePb9As4S15Trig. 3m : R3m
2.JB.60MarrucciiteHg3Pb16Sb18S46Mon. 2/m : B2/m
2.JB.65VurroitePb20Sn2(Bi,As)22S54Cl6Mon. 2/m : B2/b
2.JB.65TazieffitePb20Cd2(As,Bi)22S50Cl10Mon. 2/m : B2/b
2.JB.70DaliranitePbHgAs2S5Mon.

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 WittiteHide

References for WittiteHide

Reference List:
Johansson (1924), Arkiv för Kemi, Mineralogi och Geologi: 9: 2.
Palache, Charles, Berman, Harry, Frondel, Clifford (1944) The System of Mineralogy (7th ed.) Vol. 1 - Elements, Sulfides, Sulfosalts, Oxides. John Wiley and Sons, New York.
American Mineralogist (1977): 62: 397.
Mumme, William G. (1980) Seleniferous lead-bismuth sulphosalts from Falun, Sweden: weibullite, wittite, and nordströmite. American Mineralogist, 65 (7-8) 789-796
Mozgova, N. N.; Nenasheva, S. N.; Efimov, A. V.; Borodaev, Yu. S.; Moëlo, Y. (1992) Wittite with Se-rich Cosalite and Bismuthinite from Nevskoe Tin Deposit (Magadan District, Russia). Mineralogy and Petrology, 46 (2). 137-153 doi:10.1007/bf01160183
American Mineralogist (1993): 78: 238.
Borodaev, Y. S., Garavelli, A., Garbarino, C., Grillo, S. M., Mozgova, N. N., Organova, N. I., Trubkin, N. V., Vurro, F. (2000) Rare sulfosalts from Vulcano, Aeolian Islands, Italy. III. Wittite and cannizzarite. The Canadian Mineralogist, 38 (1) 23-34 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.38.1.23
(2005) Wittite. Handbook of Mineralogy. Mineralogical Society of America
Moëlo, Yves, Makovicky, Emil, Mozgova, Nadejda N., Jambor, John L., Cook, Nigel, Pring, Allan, Paar, Werner, Nickel, Ernest H., Graeser, Stephan, Karup-Møller, Sven, Balic-Žunic, Tonči, Mumme, William G., Vurro, Filippo, Topa, Dan (2008) Sulfosalt systematics: a review. Report of the sulfosalt sub-committee of the IMA Commission on Ore Mineralogy. European Journal of Mineralogy, 20 (1) 7-62 doi:10.1127/0935-1221/2008/0020-1778

Localities for WittiteHide

Showing 22 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.
Australia
 
  • Northern Territory
    • Barkly Region
      • Tennant Creek
Simon et al. (1997)
China
 
  • Jiangxi
    • Ganzhou
      • Anyuan Co.
Yingchen Ren (1999)
      • Yudu Co.
Yingchen Ren (1999)
Germany
 
  • Baden-Württemberg
    • Freiburg Region
      • Waldshut
        • Dachsberg
          • Urberg
Walenta (1992)
Italy
 
  • Sicily
    • Metropolitan City of Messina
      • Eolie Islands (Aeolian Islands)
        • Lipari
          • Vulcano Island
Borodaev et al. (2000)
  • Veneto
    • Vicenza province
      • Torrebelvicino
Antonio Zordan collection
Kazakhstan
 
  • Akmola Region
    • Stepnogorsk
      • Stepnyak group
Spiridonov (1982)
Kenya
 
  • Siaya County
Salimo (2013)
Morocco
 
  • Marrakesh-Safi Region
    • Al Haouz Province
      • Amizmiz Cercle
        • Guedmioua Caïdat
          • Azgour
Ilmen et al. (2024)
Poland
 
  • Lower Silesian Voivodeship
    • Lwówek Śląski County
      • Gmina Mirsk
        • Gierczyn
Foltyn et al. (2020)
Romania
 
  • Bihor County
    • Nucet
Cook et al. (2002)
  • Caraş-Severin County
Cook et al. (2002)
Russia
 
  • Chelyabinsk Oblast
    • Plastovsky District
      • Plast
Pekov (1998)
  • Magadan Oblast
    • Omsukchansky District
Can Min 38:23-34 +2 other references
  • Primorsky Krai
    • Dalnegorsk Urban District
      • Dalnegorsk
Simanenko (2007)
    • Dalnerechensky District
      • Malinovsky cluster
Gvozdev et al. (2014)
Slovakia
 
  • Košice Region
    • Rožňava District
      • Ochtiná
Koděra et al. (1986)
Sweden (TL)
 
  • Dalarna County
    • Falun
Arkiv Kemi Min.Geol. (1924) +2 other references
Switzerland
 
  • Valais
    • Saint-Maurice
      • Salvan
        • Les Marécottes
          • La Creusaz
Brugger et al. (2003)
USA
 
  • Arizona
    • Cochise County
      • Middle Pass Mining District
Anthony et al. (1990)
        • Middlemarch Pass area
Anthony et al. (1995)
Uzbekistan
 
  • Sirdaryo
Ashirov et al. (2023)
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