Humberstonite
A valid IMA mineral species
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About Humberstonite
James Thomas Humberstone
Formula:
Na7K3Mg2(SO4)6(NO3)2 · 6H2O
Colour:
Colorless
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2½
Specific Gravity:
2.252
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Name:
Named in honor of James Thomas Humberstone (8 July 1850, Dover, England, UK - 12 June 1939, Iquique, Chile) chemist, who invented the Shanks System, a method to make sodium carbonate. He started the Peru Nitrate Company to extract saltpetre in the Tarapacá Province. The town of Humberstone, Chile, named after him, became part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005.
This page provides mineralogical data about Humberstonite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1944
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1944:2
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
d8c6ff70-f981-4f74-9aea-2c422bd0483a
IMA Classification of Humberstonite
Approved
IMA Formula:
K3Na7Mg2(SO4)6(NO3)2 · 6H2O
Approval year:
1967
First published:
1967
Classification of Humberstonite
7.DG.10
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
G : With large and medium-sized cations; with NO3, CO3, B(OH)4, SiO4 or IO3
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
G : With large and medium-sized cations; with NO3, CO3, B(OH)4, SiO4 or IO3
32.2.2.1
32 : COMPOUND SULFATES
2 : Hydrated Compound Sulfates
32 : COMPOUND SULFATES
2 : Hydrated Compound Sulfates
13.10
13 : Nitrates
13 : Nitrates
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Hbe | 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 Humberstonite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colorless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
{0001}
{0001}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
2.252 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.252 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Humberstonite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.474(2) nε = 1.436(2)
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.038
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:
Moderate
Chemistry of Humberstonite
Mindat Formula:
Na7K3Mg2(SO4)6(NO3)2 · 6H2O
Crystallography of Humberstonite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3 - Rhombohedral
Space Group:
R3
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.905(3) Å, c = 24.394(9) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 2.237
Unit Cell V:
2,512.26 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
3
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0005366 | Humberstonite | Burns P C, Hawthorne F C (1994) The crystal structure of humberstonite, a mixed sulfate-nitrate mineral The Canadian Mineralogist 32 381-385 |  | 1994 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.393 Å | (100) |
| 2.724 Å | (70) |
| 8.137 Å | (60) |
| 8.802 Å | (35) |
| 4.527 Å | (35) |
| 2.583 Å | (35) |
| 1.866 Å | (35) |
Comments:
Oficina Alemania, Chile. Data from the type description.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 25 : Evaporites (prebiotic) | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47b : [Sulfates and sulfites] | |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] |
Type Occurrence of Humberstonite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Aggregates of thin, colorless, transparent, hexagonal-shaped crystals, up to 0.30 mm across.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, number USNM 120898.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Playa salt deposits.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Ericksen, G.E., Fahey, J.J., Mrose, M.E. (1967) Humberstonite, Na7K3Mg2(SO4)6(NO3)2·6H2O: A new saline mineral from the Atacama Desert, Chile. Geological Society of America, Abstracts Annual Meetings: 1967: 59-59.
Synonyms of Humberstonite
Other Language Names for Humberstonite
Common Associates
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.DG. | Mathesiusite | K5(UO2)4(SO4)4(VO5) · 4H2O |
| 7.DG.05 | Darapskite | Na3(SO4)(NO3) · H2O |
| 7.DG.10 | Clinoungemachite | (Na, K, Fe, SO4) |
| 7.DG.10 | Ungemachite | K3Na8Fe(SO4)6(NO3)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Bentorite | Ca6Cr2(SO4)3(OH)12 · 26H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Charlesite | Ca6(Al,Si)2(SO4)2[B(OH)4](OH,O)12 · 26H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Ettringite | Ca6Al2(SO4)3(OH)12 · 26H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Jouravskite | Ca3Mn4+(SO4)(CO3)(OH)6 · 12H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Sturmanite | Ca6Fe3+2(SO4)2.5[B(OH)4](OH)12 · 25H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Thaumasite | Ca3(SO4)[Si(OH)6](CO3) · 12H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Carraraite | Ca3(SO4)[Ge(OH)6](CO3) · 12H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Buryatite | Ca3(Si,Fe3+,Al)(SO4)B(OH)4(OH,O)6 · 12H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Birunite | Ca18(SiO3)8.5(CO3)8.5SO4 · 15H2O(?) |
| 7.DG.15 | Hielscherite | Ca3Si(SO4)(SO3)(OH)6 · 11H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Kottenheimite | Ca 3Si(SO4)2(OH)6 · 12H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Imayoshiite | Ca3Al(CO3)[B(OH)4](OH)6 · 12H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Tatarinovite | Ca3Al(SO4)[B(OH)4](OH)6 · 12H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Siwaqaite | Ca6Al2(CrO4)3(OH)12 · 26H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Chiyokoite | Ca3Si(CO3)[B(OH)4]O (OH)5 · 12H2O |
| 7.DG.20 | Rapidcreekite | Ca2(SO4)(CO3) · 4H2O |
| 7.DG.25 | Tatarskite | Ca6Mg2(SO4)2(CO3)2(OH)4Cl4 · 7H2O |
| 7.DG.30 | Nakauriite | Cu8(SO4)4(CO3)(OH)6 · 48H2O |
| 7.DG.35 | Chessexite | (Na,K)4Ca2(Mg,Zn)3Al8(SO4)10(SiO4)2 · 40H2O |
| 7.DG.40 | Carlosruizite | K6(Na,K)4Na6Mg10(SeO4)12(IO3)12 · 12H2O |
| 7.DG.40 | Fuenzalidaite | K6(Na,K)4Na6Mg10(SO4)12(IO3)12 · 12H2O |
| 7.DG.45 | Chelyabinskite | (Ca,Mg)3(SO4,CO3)2[Si(OH)6] · 9H2O (?) |
| 7.DG.55 | Ramazzoite | [Mg8Cu12(PO4)(CO3)4(OH)24(H2O)20][(H0.33SO4)3(H2O)36] |
| 7.DG.60 | Witzkeite | Na4K4Ca(NO3)2(SO4)4 · 2H2O |
Fluorescence of Humberstonite
none
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in water and insoluble in acetone and ethyl alcohol.
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 Humberstonite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1944.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Humberstonite
Reference List:
Mrose, Mary E., Fahey, Joseph J., Ericksen, and George E. (1970) Mineralogical studies of the nitrate deposits of Chile. III. Humberstonite. American Mineralogist, 55 (9-10) 1518-1533
Localities for Humberstonite
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.
Chile (TL) | |
| Ericksen et al. (1967) |
| www.mineralatlas.com (2006) |
| Collao et al. (2002) |
| Marta et al. (1996) +1 other reference | |
| samples analysed by Gerhard Mohn and ... | |
China | |
| Okada et al. (1994) |
| Okada et al. (1994) |
| Yanling Tang (2005) |
| Bingxiao Li (1992) +1 other reference | |
| Okada et al. (1994) | |
| Yanling Tang (2005) |
Namibia | |
| Eckardt et al. (2010) |
Spain | |
| Benavente +2 other references |
| Benavente et al. (2018, September) |
Quick NavTopAbout HumberstoniteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Oficina Alemania, Taltal, Antofagasta Province, Antofagasta, Chile