Bismutoferrite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Bismutoferrite
Formula:
Fe3+2Bi(SiO4)2(OH)
Colour:
yellow, green
Hardness:
6
Specific Gravity:
4.47
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named in allusion to its composition, containing BISMUTh and iron, (Latin = FERRum).
Type Locality:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
667
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:667:5
IMA Classification of Bismutoferrite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Fe3+2Bi3+(SiO4)2(OH)
Classification of Bismutoferrite
9.ED.25
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
D : Phyllosilicates with kaolinite layers composed of tetrahedral and octahedral nets
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
D : Phyllosilicates with kaolinite layers composed of tetrahedral and octahedral nets
71.1.3.1
71 : PHYLLOSILICATES Sheets of Six-Membered Rings
1 : Sheets of 6-membered rings with 1:1 layers
71 : PHYLLOSILICATES Sheets of Six-Membered Rings
1 : Sheets of 6-membered rings with 1:1 layers
14.14.8
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
14 : Silicates of V and Bi
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
14 : Silicates of V and Bi
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bif | 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 Bismutoferrite
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Yellow, green
Streak:
Light green
Hardness:
6 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
4.47 g/cm3 (Measured) 5.09 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Bismutoferrite
Type:
Biaxial
RI values:
nα = 1.93 nβ = 1.97 nγ = 2.01
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.080
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
Dispersion:
r > v strong
Chemistry of Bismutoferrite
Mindat Formula:
Fe3+2Bi(SiO4)2(OH)
Element Weights:
Common Impurities:
Al,As
Crystallography of Bismutoferrite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
m - Domatic
Space Group:
Bm
Setting:
Cm
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.21 Å, b = 9.02 Å, c = 7.74 Å
β = 100.67°
β = 100.67°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.578 : 1 : 0.858
Unit Cell V:
357.45 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0015576 | Bismutoferrite | Zhukhlistov A P, Zvyagin B B (1977) Determination of the crystal structures of chapmanite and bismuthoferrite by high-voltage electron diffraction Soviet Physics Crystallography 22 419-423 | 1977 | Schneeberg, Saxony, Germany | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 7.63 Å | (100) |
| 3.87 Å | (100) |
| 2.90 Å | (70) |
| 3.18 Å | (50) |
| 3.58 Å | (35) |
| 2.59 Å | (35) |
| 2.53 Å | (25) |
Comments:
Schneeberg, Germany. Data from Milton et al. (1958). Similar to that of chapmanite.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 23 : Subaerial aqueous alteration by non-redox-sensitive fluids (see also #47) | |
| High-? alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 33 : Minerals deposited by hydrothermal metal-rich fluids (see also [#12]) |
Type Occurrence of Bismutoferrite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
No designated type material.
Synonyms of Bismutoferrite
Hypochlorite (in part)
Other Language Names for Bismutoferrite
Dutch:Bismutoferriet
German:Bismutoferrit
Russian:Бисмутоферрит
Simplified Chinese:羟硅铋铁矿
Spanish:Bismutoferrita
Traditional Chinese:羥矽鉍鐵礦
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 7 photos of Bismutoferrite associated with Erythrite | Co3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 6 photos of Bismutoferrite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 5 photos of Bismutoferrite associated with Burgessite | Co2(H2O)4[AsO3(OH)]2(H2O) |
| 4 photos of Bismutoferrite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 3 photos of Bismutoferrite associated with Native Bismuth | Bi |
| 3 photos of Bismutoferrite associated with Brendelite | (Bi3+,Pb)2(Fe3+,Fe2+)(PO4)O2(OH) |
| 3 photos of Bismutoferrite associated with Bismite | Bi2O3 |
| 3 photos of Bismutoferrite associated with Preisingerite | Bi3(AsO4)2O(OH) |
| 3 photos of Bismutoferrite associated with Bismuthinite | Bi2S3 |
| 3 photos of Bismutoferrite associated with Bismutite | (BiO)2CO3 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.ED. | 'Clinochrysotile' | Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.05 | Dickite | Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.05 | Nacrite | Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.05 | Kaolinite | Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.05 | Odinite | (Fe,Mg,Al,Fe,Ti,Mn)2.4((Si,Al)2O5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.10 | Halloysite | Al2Si2O5(OH)4 · n(H2O) |
| 9.ED.10 | Hisingerite | Fe3+2(Si2O5)(OH)4 · 2H2O |
| 9.ED.10 | 'Hydrohalloysite' | Al2Si2O5(OH)4 · 2H2O |
| 9.ED.15 | Antigorite | Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.15 | Brindleyite | (Ni,Al)3(Si,Al)2O5(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.15 | Fraipontite | (Zn,Al)3((Si,Al)2O5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.15 | Népouite | Ni3Si2O5(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.15 | Pecoraite | Ni3(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.15 | Guidottiite | Mn2Fe3+(Fe3+SiO5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.15 | Lizardite | Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.15 | Berthierine | (Fe2+,Fe3+,Al)3(Si,Al)2O5(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.15 | Kellyite | Mn2+2Al(AlSiO5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.15 | Cronstedtite | Fe2+2Fe3+((Si,Fe3+)2O5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.15 | Caryopilite | Mn2+3Si2O5(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.15 | Amesite | Mg2Al(AlSiO5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.15 | Greenalite | (Fe2+,Fe3+)2-3Si2O5(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.15 | Manandonite | Li2Al4(Si2AlB)O10(OH)8 |
| 9.ED.20 | Chrysocolla | Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1 |
| 9.ED.20 | Neotocite | (Mn,Fe)SiO3 · H2O (?) |
| 9.ED.20 | Allophane | (Al2O3)(SiO2)1.3-2 · 2.5-3H2O |
| 9.ED.20 | Imogolite | Al2SiO3(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.25 | Chapmanite | Fe3+2Sb3+(Si2O5)O3(OH) |
| 9.ED.30 | 'Pianlinite' | Al2Si2O6(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 Bismutoferrite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-667.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Bismutoferrite
Localities for Bismutoferrite
Showing 66 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 | |
| Rankin et al. (2002) |
| Sharpe et al. (2004) |
| Hesperian Press +3 other references |
Bolivia | |
| Wilson (2001) |
Bulgaria | |
| Сродек et al. (2019) |
Canada | |
| Canadian Mineralogist 47 et al. (2009) |
| Traill (1983) |
Czech Republic | |
| Malý |
| Hloušek et al. (2002) |
| Roman Gramblička collection |
| Sejkora et al. (1994) |
| Beran (Ag, Au, Co) +2 other references |
| Sejkora et al. (2006) |
| Sejkora et al. (2007) +1 other reference |
| Roman Gramblička collection | |
| MALÍKOVÁ R et al. (2020) | |
France | |
| Wittern et al. (1997) |
| Wittern et al. (1997) |
Germany | |
| Walenta (1992) |
| Walenta (1994) +1 other reference |
| Walenta (1995) |
| |
| |
| Walenta (1992) | |
| Walenta (1992) |
| Walenta (1992) |
| Habel (2009) |
| 90. +1 other reference |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Gröbner et al. (2006) |
| Schnorrer (1995) +1 other reference |
| Hajek (2010) |
| Frenzel |
| Massanek et al. (2005) |
| Massanek et al. (2005) | |
| Bergakademie Freiberg collection (unnumbered specimen ) | |
| Jambor et al. (1999) +1 other reference | |
| Am Min 43 (1958) |
| Massanek et al. (2005) | |
| Massanek et al. (2005) |
| Th. Witzke collection | |
| Massanek et al. (2005) |
| Andrew Hodgson's Collection |
| Massanek et al. (2005) | |
| Gröbner et al. (2006) +1 other reference |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
| Witzke et al. (2001) |
Greece | |
| Rieck et al. (2020) |
| Rieck et al. (2020) | |
Japan | |
| Matsubara & Miyawaki (2006) |
| Nagashima et al. (2021) |
Poland | |
| Mochnacka et al. (2012) |
Romania | |
| minerals-of-the-carpathians.eu (2008) |
Russia | |
| Alekseev et al. (2015) |
Slovakia | |
| Szakáll et al. (2013) |
South Africa | |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) |
Spain | |
| CARMONA RUIZ et al. (2025) |
| Sainz de Baranda Graf et al. (2023) |
UK | |
| Golley et al. (1995) +1 other reference |
| Kingsbury (1963) +1 other reference |
| Dunning et al. (1998) +1 other reference |
USA | |
| Dunning et al. (1998) |
| Huff et al. (1996) +1 other reference |
| Huff et al. (1996) | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
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Schneeberg, Erzgebirgskreis, Saxony, Germany