Wülfingite
A valid IMA mineral species
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About Wülfingite
Ernst A. Wülfing
Formula:
Zn(OH)2
ε-Zn(OH)2
Colour:
Colourless, white
Lustre:
Waxy
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
3.05
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named by K. Schmetzer, G. Schnorrer-Köhler, and O. Medenbach in honor of Ernst Anton Wülfing (27 November 1860, Elberfeld, Germany – 17 December 1930, Bad Wörishofen, Germany), mineralogist and petrographer, known for his research on the optical properties of minerals and meteorites.
Wülfing was a professor at several institutions including the University of Tübingen, the agricultural academy at Hohenheim, Technische Hochschule, the University of Kiel, and the University of Heidelberg.
Wülfing was a professor at several institutions including the University of Tübingen, the agricultural academy at Hohenheim, Technische Hochschule, the University of Kiel, and the University of Heidelberg.
Type Locality:
Polymorph of:
One of the most simple Zn minerals. In terms of chemistry alone it is the Zn analogue of spertiniite (both are orthorhombic but structurally are different).
Name Encoding
ASCII-7:
Wulfingite
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
4317
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4317:1
Similar Names
IMA Classification of Wülfingite
Classification of Wülfingite
4.FA.10
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
F : Hydroxides (without V or U)
A : Hydroxides with OH, without H2O; corner-sharing tetrahedra
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
F : Hydroxides (without V or U)
A : Hydroxides with OH, without H2O; corner-sharing tetrahedra
6.2.10.1
6 : HYDROXIDES AND OXIDES CONTAINING HYDROXYL
2 : X(OH)2
6 : HYDROXIDES AND OXIDES CONTAINING HYDROXYL
2 : X(OH)2
7.5.4
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
5 : Oxides of Zn, Cd and Hg
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
5 : Oxides of Zn, Cd and Hg
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Wfg | 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 Wülfingite
Waxy
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Colourless, white
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
3.05(2) g/cm3 (Measured) 3.06 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Wülfingite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.5722 nβ = 1.5781 nγ = 1.5801
2V:
Measured: 62.8° , Calculated: 60°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.008
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
Chemistry of Wülfingite
Mindat Formula:
Zn(OH)2
ε-Zn(OH)2
ε-Zn(OH)2
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Wülfingite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
222 - Disphenoidal
Space Group:
P212121
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.490 Å, b = 5.162 Å, c = 4.917 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.645 : 1 : 0.953
Unit Cell V:
215.49 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 4.407 Å | (100) |
| 3.280 Å | (100) |
| 4.250 Å | (80) |
| 3.212 Å | (80) |
| 2.727 Å | (80) |
| 2.284 Å | (80) |
| 2.215 Å | (80) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 56 : Slag and smelter minerals (see also #51 and #55) |
Geological Setting:
a limestone quarry (Milltown, near Ashover, UK)
Type Occurrence of Wülfingite
General Appearance of Type Material:
crystals, to 200 µm very rare, in starlike clusters; as fine-grained incrustations
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Göttingen University, Göttingen, Germany; Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
Geological Setting of Type Material:
weathering product in Zn-bearing slag
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Wülfingite
Other Language Names for Wülfingite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 2 photos of Wülfingite associated with Cristobalite | SiO2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.FA.05b | Clinobehoite | Be(OH)2 |
| 4.FA.05a | Behoite | Be(OH)2 |
| 4.FA.10 | Sweetite | Zn(OH)2 |
| 4.FA.10 | Ashoverite | Zn(OH)2 |
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 Wülfingite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-4317.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 Wülfingite
Reference List:
Schwarzmann, Einhard (1962) Zusammenhang zwischen OH‐Valenzfrequenzen und OH…OH‐ bzw. OH…OH‐Abständen in festen Hydroxiden. Zeitschrift für anorganische und allgemeine Chemie, 317 (3-4). 176-185 doi:10.1002/zaac.19623170305
Hawthorne, Frank C., Burke, Ernst A. J., Ercit, T. Scott, Grew, Edward S., Grice, Joel D., Jambor, John L., Puziewicz, Jacek, Roberts, Andrew C., Vanko, David A. (1988) New Mineral Names. American Mineralogist, 73 (1-2) 189-199
Stahl, R., Jung, C., Lutz, H. D., Kockelmann, W., Jacobs, H. (1998) Kristallstrukturen und Wasserstoffbrückenbindungen bei β-Be(OH)2 und ε-Zn(OH)2. Zeitschrift für anorganische und allgemeine Chemie, 624. 1130-1136 doi:10.1002/(sici)1521-3749(199807)624:7<1130::aid-zaac1130>3.0.co;2-g
Lutz, H.D, Jung, C, Mörtel, R, Jacobs, H, Stahl, R (1998) Hydrogen bonding in solid hydroxides with strongly polarising metal ions, β-Be(OH)2 and ε-Zn(OH)2. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 54 (7) 893-901 doi:10.1016/s1386-1425(98)00017-1
Jacobs, Herbert; Niemann, Anke; Kockelmann, Winfried (2005) Tieftemperaturuntersuchungen von Wasserstoffbrückenbindungen in den Hydroxiden β‐Be(OH)2 und ε‐Zn(OH)2 mit Raman‐Spektroskopie sowie Röntgen‐ und Neutronenbeugung. Zeitschrift für anorganische und allgemeine Chemie, 631 (6-7). 1247-1254 doi:10.1002/zaac.200500030
Localities for Wülfingite
Showing 5 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.
Germany | |
| Blessing et al. (1991) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| |
| International Association of Collectors of Slag Minerals (3) +1 other reference | |
UK | |
| Ford et al. (1993) +1 other reference |
Quick NavTopAbout WülfingiteName EncodingUnique IdentifiersSimilar NamesIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography X-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Richelsdorf Smelter, Süß, Nentershausen, Hersfeld-Rotenburg, Kassel Region, Hesse, Germany