Whewellite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Whewellite
William Whewell
Formula:
Ca(C2O4) · H2O
Colour:
White, yellow, brown, colourless; colourless in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Vitreous, Pearly
Hardness:
2½ - 3
Specific Gravity:
2.21 - 2.23
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named in honor William Whewell (24 May 1794, Lancaster, Lancashire, England - 6 March 1866, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England), naturalist and scientist, Professor of Moral Philosophy and inventor of the system of crystallographic indexing. He coined the words 'scientist', 'physicist', and many others.
The type locality is uncertain, however, the most likely type locality is Cavnic, Romania (Papp, G. (2004) History of minerals, rocks and fossil resins discovered in the Carpathian Region. Hungarian Natural History Museum publ., Studia Naturalia 15, 215p.)
The type locality is uncertain, however, the most likely type locality is Cavnic, Romania (Papp, G. (2004) History of minerals, rocks and fossil resins discovered in the Carpathian Region. Hungarian Natural History Museum publ., Studia Naturalia 15, 215p.)
A rare low-temperature primary hydrothermal mineral in carbonate-sulphide veins; also occurs in geodes, or septarian nodules; associated with coal measures and surrounding rocks with organic material; in some uranium deposits. As microscopic crystals in living plant cells and as calculi or as a sediment in the human urinary tract. Also described as a product of fungal activity (e.g., Burford et al., 2003; compare 'Unnamed (Pb Oxalate Dihydrate)'), e.g. in Nali Limecrusts, some calcretes, leaf litter and soils in forests; also formed by lichen on various rocks (basalts, serpentinites, Cu-bearing rocks, gabbroes, dolerites, andesites); many organisms produce the mineral (e.g., Acarospora, Aspicilia, Lecanora, Lecidea, Parmelia).
NOTE: Cleaning any specimen containing Ca-bearing soluble species with oxalic acid will lead to crystallisation of whewellite or weddellite.
NOTE: Cleaning any specimen containing Ca-bearing soluble species with oxalic acid will lead to crystallisation of whewellite or weddellite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
4276
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4276:1
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
406665f0-2938-4da4-b149-ba2e5957d7d2
IMA Classification of Whewellite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1840
Classification of Whewellite
10.AB.45
10 : ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
A : Salts of organic acids
B : Oxalates
10 : ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
A : Salts of organic acids
B : Oxalates
50.1.1.1
50 : ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
1 : Oxalates
50 : ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
1 : Oxalates
31.1.5
31 : Oxalates, Citrates, Mellitates and Acetates
1 : Oxalates
31 : Oxalates, Citrates, Mellitates and Acetates
1 : Oxalates
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Whe | 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 Whewellite
Vitreous, Pearly
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Comment:
Lustre pearly on {010} and on some cleavages.
Colour:
White, yellow, brown, colourless; colourless in transmitted light.
Hardness:
2½ - 3 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Very Good
On {101} very good; on {010}, imperfect; on {001}, {110}, indistinct.
On {101} very good; on {010}, imperfect; on {001}, {110}, indistinct.
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
2.21 - 2.23 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.22 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Whewellite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.489 - 1.491 nβ = 1.553 - 1.554 nγ = 1.649 - 1.650
2V:
Measured: 80° to 84°, Calculated: 84°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.160
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Low
Dispersion:
none
Optical Extinction:
X = b; Z ∧ c = 30°.
Chemistry of Whewellite
Mindat Formula:
Ca(C2O4) · H2O
Elements listed:
CAS Registry number:
Crystallography of Whewellite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/b
Setting:
P21/c
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.290 Å, b = 14.583 Å, c = 10.116 Å
β = 109.46°
β = 109.46°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.431 : 1 : 0.694
Unit Cell V:
874.90 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Crystals equant to short prismatic [001], typically distorted with faces commonly irregularly developed, exhibiting forms {001}, {011}, {010}, {110}, {120}, {132}, {101}, plus several additional. Cleavable massive.
Twinning:
Very common on {101} as twin and contact plane, with or without reentrant angles, yielding heart-shaped or prismatic, and of pseudo-orthorhombic appearance.
Comment:
Other (standard) setting in space group: P21/n, with 6.29, 14.58, 9.97 Å, 107°.
Crystallographic forms of Whewellite
Crystal Atlas:
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Whewellite no.7 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0000776 | Whewellite | Tazzoli V, Domeneghetti M C (1980) The crystal structures of whewellite and weddellite: re-examination and comparison American Mineralogist 65 327-334 |  | 1980 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
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Radiation - Copper Kα
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 5.95 Å | (100) |
| 3.652 Å | (90) |
| 2.971 Å | (50) |
| 2.906 Å | (10) |
| 2.497 Å | (20) |
| 2.357 Å | (80) |
| 2.262 Å | (20) |
Comments:
Near Havre, Montana, USA. Data from Pecora and Kerr (1954).
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 2: Planetesimal differentiation and alteration | 4.566-4.550 |
| 6 : Secondary asteroid phases | 4.566-4.560 |
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 21 : Chemically precipitated carbonate, phosphate, iron formations | |
| 23 : Subaerial aqueous alteration by non-redox-sensitive fluids (see also #47) | |
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks | |
| 36 : Carbonatites, kimberlites, and related igneous rocks | |
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 49 : Oxic cellular biomineralization (see also #44) | <0.54 |
| 50 : Coal and/or oil shale minerals | <0.36 |
Geological Setting:
In carbonate-sulphide veins, geodes, or septarian nodules; associated with coal measures or in surrounding rock containing organic matter; in some uranium deposits.
Synonyms of Whewellite
Other Language Names for Whewellite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 35 photos of Whewellite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 22 photos of Whewellite associated with Moolooite | Cu(C2O4) · nH2O |
| 22 photos of Whewellite associated with Copper | Cu |
| 20 photos of Whewellite associated with Siderite | FeCO3 |
| 14 photos of Whewellite associated with Smythite | (Fe,Ni)3+xS4 (x=0-0.3) |
| 13 photos of Whewellite associated with Chalcedony | SiO2 |
| 5 photos of Whewellite associated with Epidote | (CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH) |
| 4 photos of Whewellite associated with Dawsonite | NaAlCO3(OH)2 |
| 4 photos of Whewellite associated with Dolomite | CaMg(CO3)2 |
| 4 photos of Whewellite associated with Humboldtine | Fe2+(C2O4) · 2H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 10.AB. | Deveroite-(Ce) | Ce2(C2O4)3 · 10H2O |
| 10.AB.X | Falottaite | MnC2O4 · 3H2O |
| 10.AB. | Uroxite | [(UO2)2(C2O4)(OH)2(H2O)2] · H2O |
| 10.AB. | Andreybulakhite | Ni(C2O4) · 2H2O |
| 10.AB. | Edwindavisite | Cu(C2O4)(NH3) |
| 10.AB.05 | Humboldtine | Fe2+(C2O4) · 2H2O |
| 10.AB.05 | Lindbergite | Mn2+(C2O4) · 2H2O |
| 10.AB.05 | Katsarosite | Zn(C2O4) · 2H2O |
| 10.AB.10 | Glushinskite | Mg(C2O4) · 2H2O |
| 10.AB.15 | Moolooite | Cu(C2O4) · nH2O |
| 10.AB.20 | Stepanovite | NaMgFe3+(C2O4)3 · 8-9H2O |
| 10.AB.25 | Minguzzite | K3Fe3+(C2O4)3 · 3H2O |
| 10.AB.30 | Wheatleyite | Na2Cu(C2O4)2 · 2H2O |
| 10.AB.35 | Zhemchuzhnikovite | NaMgAl(C2O4)3 · 8H2O |
| 10.AB.40 | Weddellite | Ca(C2O4) · (2.5-x)H2O |
| 10.AB.47 | Fiemmeite | Cu2(C2O4)(OH)2 · 2H2O |
| 10.AB.50 | Caoxite | Ca(C2O4) · 3H2O |
| 10.AB.50 | Middlebackite | Cu2C2O4(OH)2 |
| 10.AB.52 | Metauroxite | (UO2)2(C2O4)(OH)2(H2O)2 |
| 10.AB.55 | Oxammite | (NH4)2(C2O4) · H2O |
| 10.AB.60 | Natroxalate | Na2(C2O4) |
| 10.AB.60 | Phoxite | (NH4)2Mg2(C2O4)(PO3OH)2(H2O)4 |
| 10.AB.60 | Carboferriphoxite | [(NH4)K(H2CO3)][Fe3+(HPO4)(H2PO4)(C2O4)] |
| 10.AB.60 | Ferriphoxite | [(NH4)2K(H2O)][Fe3+(HPO4)2(C2O4)] |
| 10.AB.65 | Coskrenite-(Ce) | (Ce,Nd,La)2(C2O4)(SO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 10.AB.70 | Levinsonite-(Y) | (Y,Nd,La)Al(C2O4)(SO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 10.AB.75 | Zugshunstite-(Ce) | (Ce,Nd,La)Al(C2O4)(SO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 10.AB.80 | Novgorodovaite | Ca2(C2O4)Cl2 · 2H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in acids. Insoluble 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 Whewellite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-4276.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Whewellite
Reference List:
IMA (1967) International Mineralogical Association: Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 36 (277) 131-136 doi:10.1180/minmag.1967.036.277.20
Localities for Whewellite
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 | |
| Keith F Compton collection |
| Snow et al. (2014) |
| www.crocoite.com (2003) |
| Louis H. Fuchs (1970) |
| Clarke et al. (1986) |
| Clarke et al. (1986) | |
Austria | |
| NIEDERMAYR et al. (2006) |
| Kolitsch (2017) |
Brazil | |
| Menezes (n.d.) |
Chile | |
| Cheng +9 other references |
China | |
| Fei et al. (2022) |
Czech Republic | |
| Duda +2 other references |
| Šarf J.: Nové nálezy v kladenských ... |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Litochleb et al. (2005) |
| Svejkovský +1 other reference |
| RnDr.Zdeněk Dvořák |
| www.mindat.org (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| Bouška | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
Ethiopia | |
| Tribolo et al. (2017) |
Finland | |
| Vartiainen |
France | |
| Martin (1989) +2 other references |
| "Les Mineraux |
| P.-C. Guiollard (2002) | |
| J.-J. Périchaud: "Où trouver les minéraux d'Auvergne" et al. (Clermont-Ferrand) | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
Germany | |
| Aufschluss 1986 (8+9) |
| Blaß et al. (2021) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Hentschel (1987) |
| |
| Leon Hupperichs collection |
| Roger Lang collection |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference | |
| |
| T. Witzke & F. Rüger: Lapis 1998 (7/8) |
| T. Witzke & F. Rüger: Lapis 1998 (7/8) | |
| T. Witzke & F. Rüger: Lapis 1998 (7/8) |
| Wittern (2001) |
Greenland | |
| Sørensen (2001) +1 other reference |
Hungary | |
| |
| Zsivny |
| Weiszburg +1 other reference | |
| Szakáll et al. (1996) | |
| Szakáll-Gatter-Szendrei |
| Szakáll et al. (1996) | |
Israel | |
| Cowgill (1989) |
Italy | |
| Tirelli (1976-77) +1 other reference |
| Tirelli (1976-77) +1 other reference |
| Tirelli (1976-77) +2 other references | |
| Rendiconti della Società Mineralogica Italiana et al. (abstract) +1 other reference |
| Vergani F. et al. (2018) |
| A.Guastoni et al. (2015) |
| Guastoni et al. (2022) | |
| Kolitsch et al. (2008) | |
Mexico | |
| Forti (2006) |
Poland | |
| Smieja-Król (2013) |
Romania | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Mineralogical Record 28:132-139 | |
Russia | |
| Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) |
| Grant et al. (2001) |
| Pekov (1998) |
| Pekov (1998) | |
| Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) |
Slovakia | |
| Bačo |
| Števko M. et al. (Slovenská republika) |
Spain | |
| Iriarte et al. (2013) |
UK | |
| |
Ukraine | |
| World of Stones v.9 | |
USA | |
| Luetcke (n.d.) |
| Jerry Cone Collection |
| Marc V. Hurst (2012) |
| Heinrich et al. (2004) |
| Am Min 39:208-214 |
| Carlson (1991) |
| Carlson (2015) | |
| American Mineralogist |
| Campbell |
| Lapis Vol 21 (1996) |
| Anthony et al. (2016) | |
| Smith (1991) |
| AmMin 45:1257 |
| Joe Marty Collection |
| Bullock (1981) |
Quick NavTopAbout WhewelliteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystallographic forms Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentSynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Bílina coal mine, Bílina, Teplice District, Ústí nad Labem Region, Czech Republic