Butlerite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Butlerite
Gurdon M. Butler
Formula:
Fe3+(SO4)(OH) · 2H2O
Colour:
Dark orange; light yellow-orange in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2½
Specific Gravity:
2.548
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named by Carl Lausen in 1928 in honor of Gurdon Montague "Monty" Butler (March 26, 1881 Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, USA - February 21, 1961 California, USA), mining geologist and professor, University of Arizona. The Butler Mountains of Camino del Diablo, Arizona were also named for Gurdon Montague Butler.
Type Locality:
Polymorph of:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
810
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:810:5
IMA Classification of Butlerite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Fe3+S6+O4(OH)·2H2O
Classification of Butlerite
7.DC.10
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
C : With only medium-sized cations; chains of edge-sharing octahedra
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
C : With only medium-sized cations; chains of edge-sharing octahedra
31.9.1.1
31 : HYDRATED SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
9 : (AB)(XO4)Zq·xH2O
31 : HYDRATED SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
9 : (AB)(XO4)Zq·xH2O
25.10.15
25 : Sulphates
10 : Sulphates of Fe alone
25 : Sulphates
10 : Sulphates of Fe alone
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Btl | 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 Butlerite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Dark orange; light yellow-orange in transmitted light.
Streak:
Pale yellow
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {100}, perfect. another cleavage direction (pinacoidal) is imperfect.
On {100}, perfect. another cleavage direction (pinacoidal) is imperfect.
Density:
2.548 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.53 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Butlerite
Type:
Biaxial (+/-)
RI values:
nα = 1.593 - 1.604 nβ = 1.665 - 1.674 nγ = 1.731 - 1.741
Birefringence:
moderately high
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.137 - 0.138
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 weak
Optical Extinction:
Z = b; X ∧ c = –18°.
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X = Colourless; Y = Faint yellow; Z = Light yellow.
Comments:
2V large.
Chemistry of Butlerite
Mindat Formula:
Fe3+(SO4)(OH) · 2H2O
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Butlerite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/m
Setting:
P21/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.51 Å, b = 7.37 Å, c = 5.85 Å
β = 108.87°
β = 108.87°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.883 : 1 : 0.794
Unit Cell V:
265.59 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Crystals commonly tabular {001} or {100} with a propensity for elongation [010]; also octahedral (anthropogenic).
Twinning:
Very common on {105}.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0000232 | Butlerite | Fanfani L, Nunzi A, Zanazzi P F (1971) The crystal structure of butlerite American Mineralogist 56 751-757 |  | 1971 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
Epitaxial Relationships of Butlerite
Epitaxial Minerals:
| 'Parabutlerite' | Fe3+(SO4)(OH) · 2H2O |
Epitaxy Comments:
Oriented growths.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 4.97 Å | (FF) |
| 3.15 Å | (F) |
| 3.59 Å | (mF) |
| 3.05 Å | (mF) |
| 3.22 Å | (mf) |
| 2.48 Å | (mf) |
| 6.17 Å | (ff) |
Comments:
United Verde mine, Arizona, USA. Data from Cesbron (1964).
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45a : [Sulfates, arsenates, selenates, antimonates] | |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47b : [Sulfates and sulfites] | |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals |
Geological Setting:
Oxidation of pyritic ore; may be formed under pseudo-fumarolic
conditions from mine fires.
conditions from mine fires.
Type Occurrence of Butlerite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Coatings on rock and as cement, binding them together. Where the coatings are thin, individual crystals to 1 mm.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
University of Arizona Mineral Museum, Tucson, Arizona, M52; Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 90539; National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 95953.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Oxidation of pyrite in a mine fire with reactions to fire fighting techniques (water, steam, CO2).
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Butlerite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 21 photos of Butlerite associated with Copiapite | Fe2+Fe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O |
| 19 photos of Butlerite associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
| 9 photos of Butlerite associated with Parabutlerite | Fe3+(SO4)(OH) · 2H2O |
| 6 photos of Butlerite associated with Botryogen | MgFe3+(SO4)2(OH) · 7H2O |
| 2 photos of Butlerite associated with 'Unnamed (Pb-Cu Oxide)' | PbCu2O2 |
| 2 photos of Butlerite associated with Aragonite | CaCO3 |
| 2 photos of Butlerite associated with Fibroferrite | Fe3+(SO4)(OH) · 5H2O |
| 1 photo of Butlerite associated with 'Unnamed (Fe Sulphate Hydroxide)' | Fe(SO4)(OH) |
| 1 photo of Butlerite associated with Aubertite | CuAl(SO4)2Cl · 14H2O |
| 1 photo of Butlerite associated with Halotrichite | Fe2+Al2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.DC.05 | Meta-aluminite | Al2(SO4)(OH)4 · 5H2O |
| 7.DC.05 | Aluminite | Al2(SO4)(OH)4 · 7H2O |
| 7.DC.10 | Parabutlerite | Fe3+(SO4)(OH) · 2H2O |
| 7.DC.15 | Fibroferrite | Fe3+(SO4)(OH) · 5H2O |
| 7.DC.20 | Xitieshanite | Fe3+(SO4)Cl · 6H2O |
| 7.DC.25 | Zincobotryogen | (Zn,Mg,Mn2+)Fe3+(SO4)2(OH) · 7H2O |
| 7.DC.25 | Botryogen | MgFe3+(SO4)2(OH) · 7H2O |
| 7.DC.30 | Chaidamuite | ZnFe3+(SO4)2(OH) · 4H2O |
| 7.DC.30 | Guildite | CuFe3+(SO4)2(OH) · 4H2O |
| 7.DC.40 | Pauladamsite | Cu4(SeO3)(SO4)(OH)4 · 2H2O |
| 7.DC.45 | Riotintoite | Al(SO4)(OH) · 3H2O |
| 7.DC.50 | Thorneite | Pb6(Te6+2O10)(CO3)Cl2(H2O) |
| 7.DC.55 | Vendidaite | Al2(SO4)(OH)3Cl · 6H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in water.
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 Butlerite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-810.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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Mineral Dealers:
References for Butlerite
Reference List:
Posnjak, E.; Merwin, H. E. (1922) The system, Fe2O3—SO3—H2O. Journal Of The American Chemical Society, 44 (9). 1965-1994 doi:10.1021/ja01430a016
Bandy, Mark C. (1938) Mineralogy of three sulphate deposits of northern Chile. American Mineralogist, 23 (11) 669-760
Cesbron, Fabien (1964) Contribution à la Minéralogie des sulfates de fer hydratés. Bulletin de Minéralogie, 87 (2) 125-143 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1964.5721
Fanfani, L., Nunzi, A., Zanazzi, P. F. (1971) The crystal structure of butlerite. American Mineralogist, 56 (5-6) 751-757
Rossman, George R. (1976) Spectroscopic and magnetic studies of ferric iron hydroxy sulfates: the series Fe(OH)SO4·nH2O and the jarosites. American Mineralogist, 61 (5-6) 398-404
Scordari, F. (1981) Fibroferrite: a mineral with a {Fe(OH)(H2O)2SO4} spiral chain and its relationship to Fe(OH)SO4, butlerite and parabutlerite. TMPM Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen, 28 (1). 17-29 doi:10.1007/bf01081848
Čejka, Jiří, Sejkora, Jiří, Plášil, Jakub, Bahfenne, Silmarilly, Palmer, Sara J., Frost, Ray L. (2011) A vibrational spectroscopic study of hydrated Fe3+ hydroxyl-sulfates; polymorphic minerals butlerite and parabutlerite. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 79 (5) 1356-1363 doi:10.1016/j.saa.2011.04.069
Localities for Butlerite
Showing 45 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.
Argentina | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
Brazil | |
| ATENCIO +2 other references |
Canada | |
| Schindler et al. (2012) |
Chile | |
| Färber (n.d.) |
| XRD by Joachim Lorenz | |
| samples analysed by Gerhard Moehn and ... |
| Samples analysed by Dr. Jochen Schluter | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
| e-rocks.com (n.d.) |
| Peter G. Seroka collection |
China | |
| Liu et al. (2018) |
| Wanmao Li et al. (1986) |
Cuba | |
| Zwahr et al. (1999) |
Germany | |
| Schnorrer-Köhler (1988) |
Greece | |
| Triantafyllidis et al. (2007) |
Hungary | |
| Szakáll et al. (2008) |
Iran | |
| Khorasanipour (2015) |
| Bariand et al. (1973) +1 other reference |
Morocco | |
| Hakkou et al. (2008) |
| Maya Gold and Silver |
Peru | |
| Tyc et al. (2022) |
Philippines | |
| Oles et al. (1998) |
Poland | |
| Kruszewski (2013) |
| Kruszewski (2013) | |
| Cu +3 other references |
Portugal | |
| Miguel Rocha's mineral collection |
| Alves (n.d.) | |
| Oliveira et al. (2025) |
Romania | |
| A. Januszewska PXRD data / Januszewska et al. (in preparation) |
Russia | |
| Bortnikova et al. (2009, February) |
| Bortnikova et al. (2009, February) | |
| maurice.strahlen.org (2004) |
Slovakia | |
| Szakáll et al. (2014) |
| Szakáll et al. (2014) | |
USA (TL) | |
| Galbraith (1959) +3 other references |
| www.mineralsocal.org (1999) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| Bullock (1981) |
| Rosenzweig et al. (1955) | |
| Kilburn et al. (1996) |
Uzbekistan | |
| Ishbobaev et al. (2023) |
Mars | |
| Lane et al. (2008) |
Quick NavTopAbout ButleriteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureEpitaxial Relationships X-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence Other LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Moinho deposit, Aljustrel Mine, Aljustrel e Rio de Moinhos, Aljustrel, Beja, Portugal