Wroewolfeite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Wroewolfeite
Caleb Wroe Wolfe
Formula:
Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 · 2H2O
Colour:
Intense blue-green, bluish
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2½
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named in honour of Dr. Caleb Wroe Wolfe (22 October 1908, Washington, D.C., USA - 17 July 1980), American crystallographer and Professor of Geology at Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, who was also a systematic mineralogist interested in granite pegmatite phosphates. The mineral wolfeite is also named after him.
Type Locality:
Dimorph of:
A rare copper sulphate hydrate that generally forms at low temperatures (Yoder et al., 2007). Compare also posnjakite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
4315
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4315:7
IMA Classification of Wroewolfeite
Classification of Wroewolfeite
7.DD.10
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
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
31.4.2.1
31 : HYDRATED SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
4 : (AB)4(XO4)Zq·xH2O
31 : HYDRATED SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
4 : (AB)4(XO4)Zq·xH2O
25.2.10
25 : Sulphates
2 : Sulphates of Cu and Ag
25 : Sulphates
2 : Sulphates of Cu and Ag
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Wwf | 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 Wroewolfeite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Intense blue-green, bluish
Streak:
Blue-green
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Optical Data of Wroewolfeite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.637 nβ = 1.682 nγ = 1.694
2V:
Measured: 53° , Calculated: 52°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.057
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:
Very High (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 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:
weak
Chemistry of Wroewolfeite
Mindat Formula:
Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 · 2H2O
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Wroewolfeite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
m - Domatic
Space Group:
Pm
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.045(1) Å, b = 5.646(1) Å, c = 14.337(6) Å
β = 93.39(1)°
β = 93.39(1)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.071 : 1 : 2.539
Unit Cell V:
488.47 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Tabular, ruler- or sword-shaped, blocky, prismatic.
Twinning:
By reflection on {001} and {100}, yielding fourlings.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0001001 | Wroewolfeite | Hawthorne F C, Groat L A (1985) The crystal structure of wroewolfeite, a mineral with [Cu4(OH)6(SO4)(H2O)] sheets American Mineralogist 70 1050-1055 |  | 1985 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 7.152 Å | (100) |
| 3.581 Å | (70) |
| 2.628 Å | (35) |
| 2.431 Å | (20) |
| 2.379 Å | (20) |
| 2.278 Å | (20) |
| 2.004 Å | (30) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47b : [Sulfates and sulfites] | |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals | |
| 56 : Slag and smelter minerals (see also #51 and #55) |
Type Occurrence of Wroewolfeite
Synonyms of Wroewolfeite
Other Language Names for Wroewolfeite
Dutch:Wroewolfeiet
German:Wroewolfeit
Russian:Роуволфит
Simplified Chinese:斜蓝铜矾
Spanish:Wroewolfeita
Traditional Chinese:斜藍銅礬
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 14 photos of Wroewolfeite associated with Brochantite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 |
| 14 photos of Wroewolfeite associated with Lautenthalite | PbCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 9 photos of Wroewolfeite associated with Langite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 · 2H2O |
| 7 photos of Wroewolfeite associated with Linarite | PbCu(SO4)(OH)2 |
| 7 photos of Wroewolfeite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 6 photos of Wroewolfeite associated with Susannite | Pb4(CO3)2(SO4)(OH)2 |
| 6 photos of Wroewolfeite associated with Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
| 5 photos of Wroewolfeite associated with Cerussite | PbCO3 |
| 5 photos of Wroewolfeite associated with Azurite | Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
| 5 photos of Wroewolfeite associated with Ferriallanite-(Ce) | (CaCe)(Fe3+AlFe2+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH) |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.DD. | Asagiite | NiCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 6H2O |
| 7.DD.05 | Felsőbányaite | Al4(SO4)(OH)10 · 4H2O |
| 7.DD.07 | Llantenesite | Cu6Al[SeO4](OH)12Cl · 3H2O |
| 7.DD.10 | Langite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 · 2H2O |
| 7.DD.10 | Fehrite | MgCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 6H2O |
| 7.DD.10 | Posnjakite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 · H2O |
| 7.DD.10 | Gobelinite | CoCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 6H2O |
| 7.DD.15 | Kobyashevite | Cu5(SO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2O |
| 7.DD.15 | Spangolite | Cu6Al(SO4)(OH)12Cl · 3H2O |
| 7.DD.15 | 'Unnamed (Dimorph of Devilline)' | CaCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 7.DD.20 | Ktenasite | ZnCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 6H2O |
| 7.DD.25 | Christelite | Cu2Zn3(SO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2O |
| 7.DD.30 | Edwardsite | Cu3Cd2(SO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2O |
| 7.DD.30 | Niedermayrite | CdCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2O |
| 7.DD.30 | Serpierite | Ca(Cu2+,Zn2+)4(S6+O4)2(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 7.DD.30 | Campigliaite | Mn2+Cu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2O |
| 7.DD.30 | Orthoserpierite | Ca(Cu,Zn)4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 7.DD.30 | Devilline | CaCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Shigaite | Mn6Al3(OH)18[Na(H2O)6](SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Zincaluminite | (Zn1-xAlx)(SO4)x/2(OH)2 · nH2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Zincowoodwardite | Zn1-xAlx(OH)2[SO4]x/2 · nH2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Natroglaucocerinite | Zn6Al3(OH)18[Na(H2O)6](SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Hydrowoodwardite | (Cu1-xAlx)(OH)2[SO4]x/2 · nH2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Honessite | (Ni1-xFe3+x)(OH)2[SO4]x/2 · nH2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Carrboydite | (Ni1-xAlx)(SO4)x/2(OH)2 · nH2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Glaucocerinite | (Zn1-xAlx)(OH)2(SO4)x/2 · nH2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Wermlandite | Mg7Al2(OH)18[Ca(H2O)6][SO4]2 · 6H2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Nikischerite | Fe2+6Al3(OH)18[Na(H2O)6](SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Hydrohonessite | (Ni1-xFe3+x)(OH)2(SO4)x/2 · nH2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Woodwardite | Cu1-xAlx(OH)2(SO4)x/2 · nH2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Motukoreaite | Mg6Al3(OH)18[Na(H2O)6][SO4]2 · 6H2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Mountkeithite | [(Mg1-xFe3+x)(OH)2][SO4]x/2 · nH2O |
| 7.DD.40 | Lawsonbauerite | (Mn2+,Mg)9Zn4(SO4)2(OH)22 · 8H2O |
| 7.DD.40 | Torreyite | (Mg,Mn2+)7◻2Mn2+2Zn4(SO4)2(OH)22 · 8H2O |
| 7.DD.40 | Isselite | Cu6(SO4)(OH)10(H2O)4 · H2O |
| 7.DD.45 | Mooreite | Mg9◻2Mn2Zn4(SO4)2(OH)26 · 8H2O |
| 7.DD.45 | Hodgesmithite | (Cu,Zn)6Zn(SO4)2(OH)10 · 3H2O |
| 7.DD.47 | Lahnsteinite | Zn4(SO4)(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 7.DD.50 | Namuwite | Zn4(SO4)(OH)6 · 4H2O |
| 7.DD.50 | Minohlite | (Cu,Zn)7(SO4)2(OH)10 · 8H2O |
| 7.DD.52 | Lauraniite | Cu6Cd2(SO4)2(OH)12 · 5H2O |
| 7.DD.55 | Bechererite | Zn7Cu(OH)13[(SiO(OH)3(SO4)] |
| 7.DD.60 | Ramsbeckite | (Cu,Zn)15(SO4)4(OH)22 · 6H2O |
| 7.DD.65 | Vonbezingite | Ca6Cu3(SO4)3(OH)12 · 2H2O |
| 7.DD.70 | Redgillite | Cu6(SO4)(OH)10 · H2O |
| 7.DD.75 | Nickelalumite | NiAl4(SO4)(OH)12(H2O)3 |
| 7.DD.75 | Kyrgyzstanite | ZnAl4(SO4)(OH)12 · 3H2O |
| 7.DD.75 | Chalcoalumite | CuAl4(SO4)(OH)12 · 3H2O |
| 7.DD.80 | Schulenbergite | (Cu,Zn)7(SO4)2(OH)10 · 3H2O |
| 7.DD.80 | 'UM1992-30-SO:CCuHZn' | (Zn,Cu)7(SO4,CO3)2(OH)10 · 3H2O |
| 7.DD.80 | Thérèsemagnanite | NaCo4(SO4)(OH)6Cl · 6H2O |
| 7.DD.80 | Guarinoite | Zn6(SO4)(OH)10 · 5H2O |
| 7.DD.85 | Montetrisaite | Cu6(SO4)(OH)10 · 2H2O |
Other Information
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 Wroewolfeite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-4315.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Wroewolfeite
Reference List:
Dunn, Pete J., Rouse, Roland C., Nelen, J. A. (1975) Wroewolfeite, a new copper sulphate hydroxide hydrate. Mineralogical Magazine, 40 (309) 1-5 doi:10.1180/minmag.1975.040.309.01
Hawthorne, F. C., Groat, L. A. (1985) The crystal structure of wroewolfeite, a mineral with [Cu4(OH)6(SO4)(H2O)] sheets. American Mineralogist, 70 (9-10) 1050-1055
Localities for Wroewolfeite
Showing 121 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.
Australia | |
| Jim Sharpe coll. |
| Harris et al. (2003) |
Austria | |
| Kolitsch et al. (2013) |
| Puttner (1996) |
| Kolitsch et al. (2009) |
| Meixner (1976) +1 other reference |
| Kolitsch (2014) |
| Neschen (n.d.) |
| Kolitsch (2013) |
| - (1997) |
| - (1994, July) +1 other reference |
| Schnorrer et al. (2002) |
| C.Auer (2021) |
| - (1997) |
| Kolitsch (2014) |
Belgium | |
| Hatert et al. (2002) |
| Hatert et al. (2000) +1 other reference | |
| Dehove (2006) |
| Michel Bloindieau | |
| José Dehove collection. |
Canada | |
| nsminerals.atspace.com (2005) |
China | |
| Liu et al. (2018) |
France | |
| Vernay (1997) +1 other reference |
| Favreau G. et al. (1996) |
| Chollet Pascal Collection |
| De Ascencao Guedes R. (2001) |
| Germain C. et al. (1990) |
| Mines |
| Michel Lemonnier collection |
| |
Germany | |
| Schlomann et al. (1990) |
| Walenta (1992) |
| [Wittern (1995) |
| Walenta (1992) |
| |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Wittern et al. (1986) |
| "Lithothek" collection of the ... | |
| van den Berg et al. (1990) |
| van den Berg et al. (1990) |
| |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Heinrich et al. (2011) |
| Blaß et al. (1995) |
| Manfred Hermes collection |
| Schüller et al. (2013) |
| Habel (2006) +1 other reference |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Der Aufschluss Vol.55 |
| Gröbner et al. (2011) |
| Gröbner et al. (2007) +1 other reference |
| Witzke et al. (1998) |
Greece | |
| |
| Triantafyllidis et al. (2006) |
Ireland | |
| Moreton et al. (1992) |
| Moreton et al. (2007) |
Italy | |
| Marco Bonifazi collection |
| Pagano et al. (2001) |
| Redazione (2005) |
| Found by C. Balestra and probed by A.R. ... |
| Piccoli et al. (2007) |
| Sabelli et al. (1988) |
| Stara et al. (1996) | |
| Chinellato Matteo |
| Muenchener Micromounter-Lithothek |
Japan | |
| Yamada et al. (2000) +1 other reference |
| Yamada (2004) |
Namibia | |
| Bowell et al. (2018) |
Norway | |
| Raade et al. (1990) |
| Raade (1995) |
| Nilsen (1993) | |
| Nilsen (1993) | |
Poland | |
| Łukasz Kruszewski PXRD & EPMA data (2018) |
Portugal | |
| Oliveira et al. (2025) |
Romania | |
| Coll. G.Koller |
Slovakia | |
| Koděra et al. (1986) |
South Africa | |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) |
Sweden | |
| Öhman et al. (2004) |
Switzerland | |
| Cuchet et al. (2012) |
| Ansermet (2012) |
| Ansermet (2012) |
| Ansermet (2012) | |
| Ansermet (2012) | |
UK | |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| Thorne (n.d.) |
| Betterton (1989) +1 other reference |
| Norman Wilson collection +1 other reference |
| - (2006) +1 other reference |
| - (2006) | |
| Cooper et al. (1990) +1 other reference |
| Cooper et al. (1990) | |
| Stanley et al. (1991) | |
| Braithwaite (1982) |
| Braithwaite (1982) |
| Embrey (1978) +1 other reference |
| Livingstone et al. (1976) +1 other reference |
| Green (1987) +2 other references |
| S.Rust Collection | |
| Embrey (1978) +1 other reference |
| Rust et al. (1988) | |
| |
| |
| Day (1999) |
| Green et al. (1996) +2 other references |
| |
| Day (1999) |
| Day (1999) |
| Braithwaite (1982) |
| Day (1999) |
USA | |
| Dunning et al. (2005) |
| Dunn et al. (1975) |
| Heinrich et al. (2004) |
| Gobla (2012) +1 other reference |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| A. Plante collection |
| A. Kampf 2-2018 |
Quick NavTopAbout WroewolfeiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Meadowfoot Smelter slag locality, Wanlockhead, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, UK