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Ferrinatrite

A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About FerrinatriteHide

Formula:
Na3Fe(SO4)3 · 3H2O
Colour:
Colourless, grayish white, pale green, bluish green, amethystine; colourless in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2½
Specific Gravity:
2.55 - 2.61
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Name:
From the chemistry of the mineral. FERRIc iron and sodium (NATRium).
This page provides mineralogical data about Ferrinatrite.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
1497
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1497:3

IMA Classification of FerrinatriteHide

Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Na3Fe3+(S6+O4)3·3H2O
First published:
1889

Classification of FerrinatriteHide

7.CC.35

7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
C : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, with H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
29.4.4.1

29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
4 : AmBn(XO4)p·xH2O, with (m+n):p < 3:2 and > 1:1
25.11.4

25 : Sulphates
11 : Sulphates of Fe and other metals

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference for Standard
FnatIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of FerrinatriteHide

Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless, grayish white, pale green, bluish green, amethystine; colourless in transmitted light.
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect on {1010}
Less perfect {1120}
Fracture:
Splintery
Density:
2.55 - 2.61 g/cm3 (Measured)    2.55 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of FerrinatriteHide

Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 1.556 - 1.558 nε = 1.61 - 1.613
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.054 - 0.055
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 ”m 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 (positive)
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 uniaxial interference figure - the conoscopic (convergent-light, Bertrand-lens-in) view, for a grain cut with the optic axis centred and vertical. The coloured rings are isochromatics, computed with the same physics as the Michel-Lévy bar above; the dark cross is the isogyre.

For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
Comments:
Colorless in thin section.

Chemistry of FerrinatriteHide

Mindat Formula:
Na3Fe(SO4)3 · 3H2O
Element Weights:
Element% weight
O51.385 %
S20.596 %
Na14.767 %
Fe11.957 %
H1.295 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
O
S
Na
Fe
H

Crystallography of FerrinatriteHide

Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3 - Rhombohedral
Space Group:
P3
Cell Parameters:
a = 15.553(2) Å, c = 8.6616(17) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.557
Unit Cell V:
1,814.50 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
6
Morphology:
Crystals short prismatic [0001]. Isolated individuals or stellate groups; fibrous aggregates or cleavable masses; cryptocrystalline.

Crystal StructureHide

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0014468FerrinatriteScordari F (1977) The crystal structure of ferrinatrite, Na3(H2O)3[Fe(SO4)3] and its relationship to Maus's salt, (H3O)2K2{K0.5(H2O)0.5}6[Fe3O(H2O)3(SO4)6](OH)2 Mineralogical Magazine 41 375-3831977Sierra Gorda, Chile0293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
7.78 Å(100)
4.39 Å(51)
3.430 Å(66)
3.297 Å(53)
2.938 Å(57)
2.909 Å(87)
2.827 Å(57)

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Geological Setting:
Oxidation zone of iron sulfides in an arid region. Rarely in fumaroles.

Type Occurrence of FerrinatriteHide

General Appearance of Type Material:
Stellate groups of crystals forming nearly spherical nodules. Generally similar to pale wavellite in appearance.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
n.d.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Synonyms of FerrinatriteHide

Other Language Names for FerrinatriteHide

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
10 photos of Ferrinatrite associated with MetavoltineK2Na6Fe2+Fe3+6O2(SO4)12 · 18H2O
2 photos of Ferrinatrite associated with HerbertsmithiteCu3Zn(OH)6Cl2
1 photo of Ferrinatrite associated with SideronatriteNa2Fe(SO4)2(OH) · 3H2O
1 photo of Ferrinatrite associated with Native GoldAu
1 photo of Ferrinatrite associated with Pseudomeisserite-(NH4)(NH4)2Na4[(UO2)2(SO4)5] · 4H2O
1 photo of Ferrinatrite associated with CopiapiteFe2+Fe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O
1 photo of Ferrinatrite associated with 'Halotrichite-Pickeringite Series'
1 photo of Ferrinatrite associated with BoleiteKPb26Ag9Cu24(OH)48Cl62
1 photo of Ferrinatrite associated with ChalcanthiteCuSO4 · 5H2O
1 photo of Ferrinatrite associated with RietvelditeFe(UO2)(SO4)2(H2O)5

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

7.CC.CobaltoblöditeNa2Co(SO4)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/c
7.CC.AndychristyitePbCu2+Te6+O5(H2O)Tric. 1 : P1
7.CC.Carolinaite[Cu2+4Pb4O2(OH)8(SO4)(H2O)2] · (SO4)(H2O)2Mon. 2/m : P2/b
7.CC.Ammoniovoltaite(NH4)2Fe2+5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12(H2O)18Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3c
7.CC.05KrausiteKFe(SO4)2 · H2OMon. 2/m : P21/m
7.CC.10TamarugiteNaAl(SO4)2 · 6H2OMon. 2/m : P21/c
7.CC.15MendoziteNaAl(SO4)2 · 11H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
7.CC.15KaliniteKAl(SO4)2 · 11H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
7.CC.20Alum-(Na)NaAl(SO4)2 · 12H2OIso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
7.CC.20Lonecreekite(NH4)Fe3+(SO4)2 · 12H2OIso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
7.CC.20Alum-(K)KAl(SO4)2 · 12H2OIso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
7.CC.20Tschermigite(NH4)Al(SO4)2 · 12H2OIso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
7.CC.20LanmuchangiteTl+Al(SO4)2 · 12H2OIso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
7.CC.25ZincovoltaiteK2Zn5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2OIso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3c
7.CC.25VoltaiteK2Fe2+5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2OIso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3c
7.CC.25MagnesiovoltaiteK2Mg5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2OIso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3c
7.CC.25PertlikiteK2(Fe2+,Mg)2(Mg,Fe3+)4Fe3+2Al(SO4)12 · 18H2OTet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I41/acd
7.CC.25Ammoniomagnesiovoltaite(NH4)2Mg2+5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2OIso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3c
7.CC.30KröhnkiteNa2Cu(SO4)2 · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P21/c
7.CC.40GoldichiteKFe(SO4)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/c
7.CC.45LöweiteNa12Mg7(SO4)13 · 15H2OTrig. 3 : R3
7.CC.50NickelblöditeNa2Ni(SO4)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/c
7.CC.50BlöditeNa2Mg(SO4)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/c
7.CC.50ChangoiteNa2Zn(SO4)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/c
7.CC.55LeoniteK2Mg(SO4)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : B2/m
7.CC.55MereiteriteK2Fe(SO4)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : B2/m
7.CC.60NickelpicromeriteK2Ni(SO4)2 · 6H2OMon. 2/m : P21/c
7.CC.60Nickelboussingaultite(NH4)2Ni(SO4)2 · 6H2OMon. 2/m : P21/c
7.CC.60Katerinopoulosite(NH4)2Zn(SO4)2 · 6H2OMon. 2/m : P21/c
7.CC.60PicromeriteK2Mg(SO4)2 · 6H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
7.CC.60CyanochroiteK2Cu(SO4)2 · 6H2OMon. 2/m : P21/c
7.CC.60Mohrite(NH4)2Fe(SO4)2 · 6H2OMon. 2/m : P21/c
7.CC.60Boussingaultite(NH4)2Mg(SO4)2 · 6H2OMon. 2/m : P21/c
7.CC.65PolyhaliteK2Ca2Mg(SO4)4 · 2H2OTric. 1
7.CC.70LeightoniteK2Ca2Cu(SO4)4 · 2H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
7.CC.75AmarilliteNaFe(SO4)2 · 6H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
7.CC.80KonyaiteNa2Mg(SO4)2 · 5H2OMon. 2/m : P21/c
7.CC.85WattevilleiteNa2Ca(SO4)2 · 4H2O (?)Orth.
7.CC.85XocolatliteCa2Mn4+2(Te6+O6)2 · H2OMon. 2/m : P2/c
7.CC.90Eckhardite(Ca,Pb)Cu2+Te6+O5(H2O)Mon. 2/m

Other InformationHide

Notes:
Alters to sideronatrite in moist air. 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 FerrinatriteHide

References for FerrinatriteHide

Reference List:

Localities for FerrinatriteHide

Showing 31 localities.

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
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Locality ListHide

- 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). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Argentina
 
  • Jujuy Province
    • Santa BĂĄrbara Department
      • Cerros de Santa BĂĄrbara
        • El Palmar hot springs
MĂĄrquez-ZavalĂ­a et al. (1995)
Chile
 
  • Antofagasta
    • Antofagasta Province
      • Mejillones
        • Mejillones peninsula
SEM-EDS and XRD by Igor V. Pekov
XRD by Joachim Lorenz
      • Sierra Gorda
Kampf +5 other references
Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference
    • El Loa Province
      • Calama
        • Chuquicamata District
Bandy (1938) +1 other reference
Palache et al. (1951)
  • Atacama
    • CopiapĂł Province
Palache et al. (1951)
  • TarapacĂĄ
    • Iquique Province
      • Iquique
Wet Chemical by Gerhard Möhn
China
 
  • Xinjiang
    • Hami Prefecture (Kumul Prefecture; Qumul Prefecture)
      • Yizhou District
Yang et al. (2019)
Costa Rica
 
  • Cartago Province
    • Oreamuno Canton
      • IrazĂș Volcano
Ulloa et al. (2018)
Germany
 
  • North Rhine-Westphalia
    • Arnsberg
      • Herne
        • Baukau
      • Hochsauerlandkreis
        • Bestwig
Schnorrer-Köhler (1988)
        • Marsberg
Schnorrer-Köhler (1991)
  • Saxony
    • Dresden
Thalheim +1 other reference
Greece
 
  • Attica
    • East Attica
      • Lavreotiki
        • Agios Konstantinos (Kamariza)
          • Kamariza Mines (Kamareza Mines)
Rieck et al. (2018)
        • Sounion
          • Cato Sounio mines
Rieck et al. (2018)
Italy
 
  • Campania
    • Metropolitan City of Naples
Russo et al. (2004)
Pelloux (1927) +1 other reference
  • Sicily
    • Metropolitan City of Messina
      • Eolie Islands (Aeolian Islands)
        • Lipari
          • Vulcano Island
Campostrini et al. (2011)
  • Tuscany
    • Siena Province
      • Chiusdino
Sabelli et al. (1984) +1 other reference
Kyrgyzstan
 
  • Issyk-Kul Region
Shevkunov et al. (2022)
Lebanon
 
  • South Governorate
    • Jezzine District
Kruszewski (2019)
Poland
 
  • Silesian Voivodeship
    • Rybnik County
      • Gmina Czerwionka-Leszczyny
Parafiniuk et al. (2009)
Spain
 
  • Andalusia
    • AlmerĂ­a
      • Pechina
        • Baños de Alhamilla
Rewitzer et al. (2020)
USA
 
  • Ohio
    • Huron County
      • Huron River
Richards et al. (2017)
  • Utah
    • San Juan County
      • Red Canyon Mining District
PlĂĄĆĄil et al. (2013) +1 other reference
  • Virginia
    • Louisa County
      • Gold-Pyrite Belt
        • Mineral
Dietrich (1990)
    • Wise County
      • Big Stone Gap
Dietrich (1990)
Dietrich (1990)
Uzbekistan
 
  • Ferghana Region
    • Uzbekistan District
Uklonskiy et al. (1964) +1 other reference
 
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