Pitticite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered - questionable
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About Pitticite
Formula:
(Fe, AsO4, H2O) (?)
Minor, non-essential S, Si, Ca, P and Al may be present.
Colour:
Yellowish, reddish-brown, brownish red to brownish black, grey, nearly white; pale yellowish to reddish brown in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Vitreous, Greasy, Dull
Hardness:
2 - 3
Specific Gravity:
2.2 - 2.5
Crystal System:
Amorphous
Name:
from the Greek πίττǎ for "pitta" = pitch, for the pitchy appearance of the material.
An amorphous Fe3+ hydrous arsenate sulphate of questionable validity.
Chemical composition appears to be variable.
"Microprobe analyses of 7 pitticites from various localities indicate that it is a gel-like mineral of widely varying composition with no apparent stoichiometry. Previously reported minor amounts of Si, Ca, P and Al are constituents of pitticites but are non-essential. Pitticite is retained as a generic name for amorphous, gel-like, ferric iron arsenate minerals of varying chemical composition." (P. J. Dunn (1982) New data for pitticite and a second occurrence of yukonite at Sterling Hill, New Jersey. Mineral Mag., 46, 261-264.)
A secondary mineral formed at near-surface conditions from the oxidation of arsenopyrite, realgar, or orpiment; also forms as a recent deposit from mine and spring waters.
Chemical composition appears to be variable.
"Microprobe analyses of 7 pitticites from various localities indicate that it is a gel-like mineral of widely varying composition with no apparent stoichiometry. Previously reported minor amounts of Si, Ca, P and Al are constituents of pitticites but are non-essential. Pitticite is retained as a generic name for amorphous, gel-like, ferric iron arsenate minerals of varying chemical composition." (P. J. Dunn (1982) New data for pitticite and a second occurrence of yukonite at Sterling Hill, New Jersey. Mineral Mag., 46, 261-264.)
A secondary mineral formed at near-surface conditions from the oxidation of arsenopyrite, realgar, or orpiment; also forms as a recent deposit from mine and spring waters.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3224
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3224:3
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
87da8ee8-3b2f-4c6b-9132-ac7a08a0c730
IMA Classification of Pitticite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959), Questionable
IMA Formula:
[Fe,AsO4,SO4,H2O] (?)
Classification of Pitticite
8.DB.05
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
B : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4< 1:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
B : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4< 1:1
43.5.3.1
43 : COMPOUND PHOSPHATES, ETC.
5 : Hydrated Compound Phosphates, etc·, Containing Hydroxyl or Halogen
43 : COMPOUND PHOSPHATES, ETC.
5 : Hydrated Compound Phosphates, etc·, Containing Hydroxyl or Halogen
22.3.30
22 : Phosphates, Arsenates or Vanadates with other Anions
3 : Phosphates, arsenates or vanadates with sulphates
22 : Phosphates, Arsenates or Vanadates with other Anions
3 : Phosphates, arsenates or vanadates with sulphates
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ptc | 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 Pitticite
Vitreous, Greasy, Dull
Transparency:
Transparent, Opaque
Colour:
Yellowish, reddish-brown, brownish red to brownish black, grey, nearly white; pale yellowish to reddish brown in transmitted light.
Comment:
May exhibit deep red internal reflections from cracks
Streak:
Yellow to white
Hardness:
2 - 3 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Very brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Splintery, Conchoidal
Density:
2.2 - 2.5 g/cm3 (Measured)
Optical Data of Pitticite
Type:
Biaxial
RI values:
nα = 1.610 - 1.630 nβ = 1.616 - 1.635
Max Birefringence:
δ = 1.610
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 Pitticite
Mindat Formula:
(Fe, AsO4, H2O) (?)
Minor, non-essential S, Si, Ca, P and Al may be present.
Minor, non-essential S, Si, Ca, P and Al may be present.
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Pitticite
Crystal System:
Amorphous
Morphology:
Massive; reniform to botryoidal or stalactitic; opaline crusts; earthy; also as slimy coatings.
Comment:
Amorphous
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47b : [Sulfates and sulfites] | |
| 47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates] | |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals |
Type Occurrence of Pitticite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Mining Academy, Freiberg, Germany, 21860.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
late secondary mineral typically formed by oxidation
Reference:
Karsten, D.L.G. & H.M. Klaproth (1808): Untersuchung des Eisenpecherzes, von der Christbescherung unweit Freiberg.- Der Gesellschaft Naturforschender Freunde zu Berlin Magazin für die neuesten Entdeckungen in der gesammten Naturkunde III, 191-194 (as Eisenpecherz).
Synonyms of Pitticite
Other Language Names for Pitticite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 10 photos of Pitticite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 9 photos of Pitticite associated with Mimetite | Pb5(AsO4)3Cl |
| 5 photos of Pitticite associated with Chlorargyrite | AgCl |
| 5 photos of Pitticite associated with Löllingite | FeAs2 |
| 4 photos of Pitticite associated with Jarosite | KFe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6 |
| 4 photos of Pitticite associated with Siderite | FeCO3 |
| 3 photos of Pitticite associated with Dolomite | CaMg(CO3)2 |
| 3 photos of Pitticite associated with Silver | Ag |
| 3 photos of Pitticite associated with Galena | PbS |
| 3 photos of Pitticite associated with Pyrargyrite | Ag3SbS3 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.DB. | Arangasite | Al2F(PO4)(SO4) · 9H2O |
| 8.DB. | Camaronesite | [Fe3+(H2O)2(PO3OH)]2(SO4) · 1-2H2O |
| 8.DB. | Höslite | Fe3+3(VO4)2(SO4)(OH)(H2O)4 · 3H2O |
| 8.DB.05 | Diadochite | Fe3+2(PO4)(SO4)(OH) · 6H2O |
| 8.DB.05 | Destinezite | Fe3+2(PO4)(SO4)(OH) · 6H2O |
| 8.DB.07 | Wilhelmgümbelite | ZnFe2+Fe3+3(PO4)3(OH)4(H2O)5 · 2H2O |
| 8.DB.07 | Schmidite | [Zn2(Fe3+,Mn2+)2Fe3+(PO4)3(OH)3(H2O)6] · 2H2O |
| 8.DB.07 | Wildenauerite | Zn(Fe3+,Mn2+)2MnFe3+(PO4)3(OH)3(H2O)6 · 2H2O |
| 8.DB.10 | Vashegyite | Al11(PO4)9(OH)6 · 38H2O |
| 8.DB.15 | Schoonerite | ZnMn2+Fe2+2Fe3+(PO4)3(OH)2 · 9H2O |
| 8.DB.20 | Sinkankasite | Mn2+Al(PO3OH)2(OH) · 6H2O |
| 8.DB.25 | Mitryaevaite | Al6(PO4)((P,S)O3(OH,O))2F2(OH)2 · 14.5H2O |
| 8.DB.30 | Sanjuanite | Al2(PO4)(SO4)(OH) · 9H2O |
| 8.DB.35 | Sarmientite | Fe3+2(AsO4)(SO4)(OH) · 5H2O |
| 8.DB.40 | Bukovskýite | Fe3+2(AsO4)(SO4)(OH) · 9H2O |
| 8.DB.40 | Flurlite | Zn3Mn2+Fe3+(PO4)3(OH)2 · 9H2O |
| 8.DB.40 | Manganflurlite | ZnMn2+3Fe3+(PO4)3(OH)2(H2O)7 · 2H2O |
| 8.DB.42 | Bohuslavite | Fe3+4(PO4)3(SO4)(OH) · nH2O |
| 8.DB.45 | Zýkaite | Fe3+4(AsO4)3(SO4)(OH) · 15H2O |
| 8.DB.47 | Lapeyreite | Cu3O[AsO3(OH)]2 · 0.75H2O |
| 8.DB.50 | Giniite | Fe2+Fe3+4(PO4)3(OH)5 · 2H2O |
| 8.DB.50 | Rossiantonite | Al3(PO4)(SO4)2(OH)2(H2O)14 |
| 8.DB.52 | Arctowskite | Al9(PO4)8(OH)3 · 27H2O |
| 8.DB.55 | Sasaite | (Al,Fe3+)14(PO4)11(SO4)(OH)7 · 83H2O |
| 8.DB.60 | Mcauslanite | Fe3Al2(PO4)3(PO3OH)F · 18H2O |
| 8.DB.65 | Goldquarryite | CuCd2Al3(PO4)4F2(H2O,F)2 · 10H2O |
| 8.DB.70 | Birchite | Cd2Cu2(PO4)2(SO4) · 5H2O |
| 8.DB.75 | Braithwaiteite | NaCu5(Ti4+Sb5+)(AsO4)4(HAsO4)2O2 · 8H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
Readily soluble in acids. Decomposed by strong alaklies, leaving a residue of iron oxide.
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 Pitticite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3224.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 Pitticite
Reference List:
Hoffmann, C.A. S. (1816) Handbuch der Mineralogie volume 3, b: 302 (citing Werner) (as Eisensinter).
Rammelsberg, Carl Friedrich (1860) Handbuch der Mineralchemie (1st ed.) Wilhelm Engelmann, Leipzig. p.384
Larsen, Esper S. (1921) The microscopic determination of the nonopaque minerals. Bulletin Vol. 679. US Geological Survey doi:10.3133/b679 p.121
Dunn, Pete J. (1982) New data for pitticite and a second occurrence of yukonite at Sterling Hill, New Jersey. Mineralogical Magazine, 46 (339) 261-264 doi:10.1180/minmag.1982.046.339.14
Localities for Pitticite
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 | |
| Parbhakar-Fox (2016) |
| Parbhakar-Fox (2016) | |
Austria | |
| A. Brunlechner: Carinthia II 84:152-153 (1894) |
| H. Meixner: Der Karinthin 23:277-280 (1953) |
| Puttner (1987) | |
| G. Blass (2000) | |
| Strasser (1989) |
| Niedermayr et al. (1995) |
| Exel (1993) |
| H. Meixner: Carinthia II 154./74.: 9-10 (1964) +1 other reference |
| Exel (1993) |
| Strasser (1989) |
| Strasser (1989) |
| Paar (1978) |
| Strasser (1989) | |
| Neschen (n.d.) |
| Pichler (2009) |
| Schnorrer et al. (2000) |
| Pribitzer (1956) +2 other references |
| Schnorrer et al. (2002) |
| Schnorrer et al. (2008) | |
Bolivia | |
| Collections of Alfredo Petrov and Dr. ... |
| Federico Ahlfeld and Jorge Muñoz Reyes (1955) |
Czech Republic | |
| Zemek +5 other references |
| AmMin 84:1439-1444 +2 other references |
| American Mineralogist (1978) | |
| Palache et al. (1951) | |
| Lapis 2002 (7/8) +1 other reference |
| |
| Historic mineral collection National ... |
| Staně +4 other references |
Europe | |
| Pauliš +1 other reference |
France | |
| Wittern et al. (Cologne) |
| Paul De Bondt | |
| Pierre et Terre 1982 | |
| Wittern |
| Queneau (n.d.) |
| Favreau et al. (1999) |
Germany | |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Walenta (1992) | |
| |
| Walenta (1992) |
| Wittern (1995) |
| Walenta (1997) |
| |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Weiß (1990) +1 other reference |
| |
| |
| Walenta (1992) | |
| Walenta (1992) | |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Falkenstein (2010) |
| Walenta (1992) |
| Walenta (1992) |
| Walenta (1992) | |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Wittern (2001) | |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| see locality page |
| Wittern (2001) |
| F. Müller: "Bayerns steinreiche Ecke" (1984) |
| Collection of Steffen Michalski |
| |
| Emser Hefte 1982 (2) |
| Collected by Werner Simon ... |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Schnorrer et al. (1993) |
| Schnorrer et al. (2009) |
| Krause et al. (1982) |
| Weiß (1990) | |
| Weiß (1990) | |
| Der Aufschluss 2000 (2) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Rolf Golze +3 other references |
| Heinrich et al. (2011) |
| Schnorrer-Köhler (1988) |
| |
| Der Aufschluss Vol.55 |
| Thomas Lühr Collection |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Gröbner et al. (2011) |
| Gröbner et al. (2011) | |
| SEM-EDS and XRD by Joy Desor and ... |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Wittern (2001) | |
| www.mineralienatlas.de (2016) |
| Hajek (2010) |
| Wittern (2001) | |
| www.dergraul.de (2001) |
| www.dergraul.de (2001) | |
| Palache et al. (1951) | |
| Wittern (2001) |
| www.mineralienatlas.de (n.d.) |
| Frenzel (1874) |
| Frenzel (1874) |
| Frenzel (1874) |
| Karsten & Klaproth (1808) |
| Gröbner J. et al. (2006) |
| Gröbner J. et al. (2006) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Andreas Gerstenberg collection |
| F. Rüger (1) |
| Wittern (2001) |
Ghana | |
| Craw et al. (2014) |
Greece | |
| |
| Gröbner (2001) | |
| Blaß et al. (1998) |
| Rieck et al. (1999) | |
Iran | |
| Nezafatis (2006) |
Italy | |
| M.E. Ciriotti Probed 2005 |
| Piccoli et al. (2007) |
| Stara P. (1991) |
| Exel (1987) |
| Exel (1987) |
| vom Rath G. (1868) |
Malaysia | |
| Breward et al. (1994) |
Norway | |
| Raade (1993) |
Poland | |
| Wojciechowski J. 1955: O żyłach ... |
| Wojciechowski J. 1955: O żyłach ... |
| Traube (1888) |
| Lis et al. (1986) |
| Nejbert et al. (2013) |
| Siuda (2014) +1 other reference |
Portugal | |
| Marques de Sá et al. (2010) |
Romania | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
Russia | |
| Sidorov et al. (2007, November) |
| Savva et al. (2014) |
Slovakia | |
| Kodě +1 other reference |
| |
| Koděra (1986) | |
| Koděra (1986) |
Spain | |
| GRÖBNER et al. (2006) |
| J. Gröbner and M. A. Fernández Périz (2006) |
| Carlos J. Rodríguez |
Switzerland | |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
UK | |
| Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society (1870) |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| Stanley et al. (1991) |
| Kingsbury (MS) +2 other references |
Ukraine | |
| Arbuzov V.A. et al. (1967) |
USA | |
| Rocks & Min 70:5 pp 320-333 |
| Cook et al. (1982) |
| Cook et al. (1982) | |
| - (2008) |
| Rogers (1912) +1 other reference |
| Marty |
| Goudey (1947) +1 other reference |
| Min Rec (1986) |
| Januzzi et al. (1976) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Gibbs (1985) | |
| MinRec 16 (1) |
| Castor et al. (2004) +1 other reference |
| USGS Prof Paper 300 p295 +2 other references |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
Quick NavTopAbout PitticiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Geological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Arsenic mine, Lower Rotgülden lake, Rotgülden, Muhr, Tamsweg District, Salzburg, Austria