Bieberite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Bieberite
Formula:
Co2+(H2O)6(SO4) · H2O
Given as Co(SO4) · 7H2O in the IMA list.
Colour:
Red-pink, flesh-red; colourless to pale rose in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Vitreous, Earthy
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
1.96
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
After the discovery locality, Bieber, Hessen, Germany.
Melanterite Group.
A secondary mineral formed by the oxidation of sulfide and arsenide ores containing cobalt. Often a post-mining product.
May dehydrate to moorhouseite.
A secondary mineral formed by the oxidation of sulfide and arsenide ores containing cobalt. Often a post-mining product.
May dehydrate to moorhouseite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
664
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:664:8
IMA Classification of Bieberite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Co2+S6+O4·7H2O
Classification of Bieberite
7.CB.35
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
C : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, with H2O
B : With only medium-sized cations
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
C : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, with H2O
B : With only medium-sized cations
29.6.10.4
29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
6 : AXO4·xH2O
29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
6 : AXO4·xH2O
25.12.1
25 : Sulphates
12 : Sulphates of Co and Ni
25 : Sulphates
12 : Sulphates of Co and Ni
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bie | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Bieberite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Bieberite
Vitreous, Earthy
Transparency:
Translucent, Opaque
Comment:
Luster/texture becomes mealy upon dehydration to the hexahydrate.
Colour:
Red-pink, flesh-red; colourless to pale rose in transmitted light.
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {001} perfect; on {110} fair.
On {001} perfect; on {110} fair.
Density:
1.96 g/cm3 (Measured) 1.83 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Bieberite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.477 nβ = 1.483 nγ = 1.489
2V:
Measured: 88° , Calculated: 88°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.012
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:
Moderate (negative)
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:
none
Chemistry of Bieberite
Mindat Formula:
Co2+(H2O)6(SO4) · H2O
Given as Co(SO4) · 7H2O in the IMA list.
Given as Co(SO4) · 7H2O in the IMA list.
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Bieberite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P2/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 14.04 Å, b = 6.49 Å, c = 10.92 Å
β = 105.27°
β = 105.27°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 2.163 : 1 : 1.683
Unit Cell V:
959.90 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
As crusts and stalactites.
Crystallographic forms of Bieberite
Crystal Atlas:
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Bieberite no.1 - {111} - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
3d models and HTML5 code kindly provided by
www.smorf.nl.
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Crystal Structure
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0015843 | Bieberite | Kellersohn T, Delaplane R G, Olovsson I (1991) Disorder of a trigonally planar coordinated water molecule in cobalt sulfate heptahydrate, CoSO4*7D2O Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung B46 1635-1640 | 1991 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 4.87 Å | (100) |
| 3.76 Å | (75) |
| 4.82 Å | (55) |
| 2.725 Å | (25) |
| 3.71 Å | (20) |
| 4.02 Å | (14) |
| 3.25 Å | (14) |
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] |
Type Occurrence of Bieberite
Synonyms of Bieberite
Other Language Names for Bieberite
Relationship of Bieberite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Melanterite Group:
| Alpersite | (Mg,Cu2+)(H2O)6(SO4) · H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Boothite | Cu2+(H2O)6(SO4) · H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Mallardite | Mn2+(H2O)6(SO4) · H2O | Mon. 2/m : P2/m |
| Melanterite | Fe2+(H2O)6(SO4) · H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Zincmelanterite | Zn(H2O)6(SO4) · H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 6 photos of Bieberite associated with Native Bismuth | Bi |
| 3 photos of Bieberite associated with Chalcanthite | CuSO4 · 5H2O |
| 3 photos of Bieberite associated with Erythrite | Co3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 2 photos of Bieberite associated with Galena | PbS |
| 1 photo of Bieberite associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
| 1 photo of Bieberite associated with Marcasite | FeS2 |
| 1 photo of Bieberite associated with 'Pitchblende' | UO2 |
| 1 photo of Bieberite associated with Guarinoite | Zn6(SO4)(OH)10 · 5H2O |
| 1 photo of Bieberite associated with Richelsdorfite | Ca2Cu5Sb(AsO4)4(OH)6Cl · 6H2O |
| 1 photo of Bieberite associated with Heterogenite | Co3+O(OH) |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.CB. | Sarvodaite | Al2(SO4)3 · 5H2O |
| 7.CB.02 | Voudourisite | CdSO4 · H2O |
| 7.CB.05 | Szmikite | MnSO4 · H2O |
| 7.CB.05 | Szomolnokite | FeSO4 · H2O |
| 7.CB.05 | Cobaltkieserite | CoSO4 · H2O |
| 7.CB.05 | Dwornikite | Ni(SO4) · H2O |
| 7.CB.05 | Kieserite | MgSO4 · H2O |
| 7.CB.05 | Poitevinite | (Cu,Fe)SO4 · H2O |
| 7.CB.05 | Gunningite | ZnSO4 · H2O |
| 7.CB.07 | Sanderite | MgSO4 · 2H2O |
| 7.CB.10 | Bonattite | CuSO4 · 3H2O |
| 7.CB.12 | Belogubite | CuZn(SO4)2 · 10H2O |
| 7.CB.15 | Drobecite | CdSO4 · 4H2O |
| 7.CB.15 | Aplowite | CoSO4 · 4H2O |
| 7.CB.15 | Cranswickite | MgSO4 · 4H2O |
| 7.CB.15 | Rozenite | FeSO4 · 4H2O |
| 7.CB.15 | Starkeyite | MgSO4 · 4H2O |
| 7.CB.15 | Ilesite | Mn2+(SO4) · 4H2O |
| 7.CB.15 | Boyleite | ZnSO4 · 4H2O |
| 7.CB.20 | Siderotil | FeSO4 · 5H2O |
| 7.CB.20 | Jôkokuite | MnSO4 · 5H2O |
| 7.CB.20 | Pentahydrite | MgSO4 · 5H2O |
| 7.CB.20 | Chalcanthite | CuSO4 · 5H2O |
| 7.CB.25 | Chvaleticeite | Mn2+(H2O)6(SO4) |
| 7.CB.25 | Nickelhexahydrite | Ni2+(H2O)6(SO4) |
| 7.CB.25 | Hexahydrite | Mg(H2O)6(SO4) |
| 7.CB.25 | Bianchite | Zn(H2O)6(SO4) |
| 7.CB.25 | Moorhouseite | Co2+(H2O)6(SO4) |
| 7.CB.25 | Ferrohexahydrite | Fe2+(H2O)6(SO4) |
| 7.CB.30 | Retgersite | NiSO4 · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.35 | Zincmelanterite | Zn(H2O)6(SO4) · H2O |
| 7.CB.35 | Melanterite | Fe2+(H2O)6(SO4) · H2O |
| 7.CB.35 | Alpersite | (Mg,Cu2+)(H2O)6(SO4) · H2O |
| 7.CB.35 | Boothite | Cu2+(H2O)6(SO4) · H2O |
| 7.CB.35 | Mallardite | Mn2+(H2O)6(SO4) · H2O |
| 7.CB.40 | Epsomite | MgSO4 · 7H2O |
| 7.CB.40 | Goslarite | ZnSO4 · 7H2O |
| 7.CB.40 | Morenosite | NiSO4 · 7H2O |
| 7.CB.45 | Meta-alunogen | Al2(SO4)3 · 12H2O |
| 7.CB.45 | Alunogen | Al2(SO4)3 · 17H2O |
| 7.CB.50 | Aluminocoquimbite | Al2Fe2(SO4)6(H2O)12 · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.50 | Lazaridisite | Cd3(SO4)3 · 8H2O |
| 7.CB.52 | Pararaisaite | CuMg[Te6+O4(OH)2] · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.55 | Paracoquimbite | Fe4(SO4)6(H2O)12 · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.55 | Rhomboclase | (H5O2)Fe3+(SO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 7.CB.55 | Raisaite | CuMg[Te6+O4(OH)2] · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.55 | Coquimbite | AlFe3(SO4)6(H2O)12 · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.57 | 'Caichengyunite' | Fe2+3Al2(SO4)6 · 30H2O |
| 7.CB.60 | Kornelite | Fe2(SO4)3 · 7H2O |
| 7.CB.65 | Quenstedtite | Fe2(SO4)3 · 11H2O |
| 7.CB.70 | Lausenite | Fe2(SO4)3 · 5H2O |
| 7.CB.75 | Römerite | Fe2+Fe3+2(SO4)4 · 14H2O |
| 7.CB.75 | Lishizhenite | ZnFe2(SO4)4 · 14H2O |
| 7.CB.80 | Ransomite | CuFe2(SO4)4 · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.85 | Dietrichite | ZnAl2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| 7.CB.85 | Halotrichite | Fe2+Al2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| 7.CB.85 | Apjohnite | Mn2+Al2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| 7.CB.85 | Redingtonite | Fe2+Cr3+2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| 7.CB.85 | Pickeringite | MgAl2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| 7.CB.85 | Bílinite | Fe2+Fe3+2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| 7.CB.85 | Wupatkiite | Co2+Al2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| 7.CB.90 | Meridianiite | MgSO4 · 11H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in H2O
Special Storage/
Display Requirements:
Display Requirements:
easily dehydrates to the hexahydrate.
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 Bieberite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-664.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Bieberite
Reference List:
Klaproth, M. H. (1797) Untersuchung des natürlichen Kobaltvitriols von Herrengrund. In Beiträge zur chemischen Kenntniss der Mineralkörper Vol. 2. Rottmann, Berlin. p.320
Beudant, François-Sulpice (1832) Traité élémentaire de minéralogie. Deuxiéme Edition [Elementary Treatise on Mineralogy. Second Edition] (2nd ed.) Vol. 2 - Tome II [Volume II]. Chez Verdière. p.481 - as Rhodhalose
Redhammer, G. J., Koll, L., Bernroider, M., Tippelt, G., Amthauer, G., Roth, G. (2007) Co2+-Cu2+ substitution in bieberite solid-solution series, (Co1-xCux)SO4·7H2O, 0.00 <= x <= 0.46: Synthesis, single-crystal structure analysis, and optical spectroscopy. American Mineralogist, 92 (4) 532-545 doi:10.2138/am.2007.2229
Localities for Bieberite
Showing 61 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.
Austria | |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
| R.Poeverlein (2016) |
| Strasser (1989) |
| Niedermayr et al. (2009) | |
Chile | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
Costa Rica | |
| Ulloa et al. (2018) |
Czech Republic | |
| |
DR Congo | |
| Forrest Group |
France | |
| www.zampano.com (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| Fiche BSS BRGM n° 11183X4002/GT |
| De Ascenção Guedes et al. (2002) |
| Gourault C. (1997) | |
Germany | |
| Walenta (1992) |
| Walenta (1992) |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Weiß (1990) | |
| Der Aufschluss 2000 (2) |
| Palache et al. (1951) | |
| Graf (1982) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Weiß (1990) | |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Dana 7:II:506. |
| Betts (n.d.) |
| Christophe Boutry collection |
| Wittern (2001) |
Greece | |
| Skarpelis et al. (2009) |
Italy | |
| Carbone et al. (2002) |
| Exel (1987) |
| |
| C.L. Garavelli (1957) | |
Japan | |
| The Mineral Species of Japan (5th ed) |
| The Mineral Species of Japan (5th ed) |
Portugal | |
| Antonio Jesus Pimentel specimens +1 other reference |
| Alves (n.d.) |
Russia | |
| Shcherbakova (2004) |
| Kasatkin et al. (2014) |
Slovakia | |
| Kodě +1 other reference |
| |
Spain | |
| Joan Viñals. Barcelona University. ... |
Switzerland | |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
UK | |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
USA | |
| Bollin et al. (1958) +2 other references |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
| Gornitz (2004) |
| MRDS file #10027310. +1 other reference |
| Gilluly (1946) +1 other reference |
| J.F. Cooper |
| Woodhouse et al. (1957) +3 other references |
| Landon (1927) +4 other references |
| Conroy (2023) |
| Rocks & Minerals: 21: 750-753. +1 other reference |
| Lapham et al. (1965) |
| Thompson et al. (1955) |
| Analyzed by SEM EDS and in the ... |
| Bullock (1981) |
| |
Zimbabwe | |
| Vetter et al. (1999) +1 other reference |
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Luishia Mine, Kambove Territory, Haut-Katanga, DR Congo