Bianchite
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About Bianchite
Formula:
(Zn,Fe)SO4 · 6H2O
Colour:
White, Yellowish; colourless in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2½
Specific Gravity:
2.03 - 2.07
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1930 by C. Andeatta in honor of Angelo Bianchi (20 December 1892, Casalpusterlengo, Italy - 24 September 1970, Padova, Italy), Italian mineralogist at the National Research Council (CNR) and the University of Padova.
Classification of Bianchite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
6/C.05-60
7.CB.25
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
C : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, with H2O
B : With only medium-sized cations
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
C : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, with H2O
B : With only medium-sized cations
29.6.8.2
29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
6 : AXO4·xH2O
29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
6 : AXO4·xH2O
25.5.13
25 : Sulphates
5 : Sulphates of Zn and Hg
25 : Sulphates
5 : Sulphates of Zn and Hg
Physical Properties of Bianchite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
White, Yellowish; colourless in transmitted light.
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Density:
2.03 - 2.07 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.00 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Bianchite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.465 nβ = 1.494 nγ = 1.495
2V:
Measured: 10° , Calculated: 20°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.030

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
Dispersion:
r > v weak
Chemical Properties of Bianchite
Formula:
(Zn,Fe)SO4 · 6H2O
IMA Formula:
Zn(SO4) · 6H2O
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Bianchite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P2/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.09 Å, b = 7.2 Å, c = 24.49 Å
β = 98.27°
β = 98.27°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.401 : 1 : 3.401
Unit Cell V:
1,760.65 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Crusts of indistinct crystals. Artificial crystals are tabular {001} with {110} and {112} prominent.
Twinning:
On {001} (common in artificial material).
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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0019606 | Bianchite | Anderson J L, Peterson R C, Swainson I (2012) The atomic structure of deuterated boyleite ZnSO4*4D2O, ilesite MnSO4*4D2O, and bianchite ZnSO4*6D2O American Mineralogist 97 1905-1914 | 2012 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
0018487 | Bianchite | Spiess M, Gruehn R (1979) Zur thermischen Dehydratisierung des ZnSO4*7H2O und zum Hochtemperaturverhalten von wasserfreiem ZnSO4 Zeitschrift fur Anorganische und Allgemeine Chemie 456 222-240 | 1979 | synthetic, made by dehydration of ZnSO4*7H2O | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
Geological Environment
Geological Setting:
Post mining mineral, alteration of sulfides.
Type Occurrence of Bianchite
Other Language Names for Bianchite
Relationship of Bianchite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
Chvaleticeite | (Mn,Mg)SO4 · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
Ferrohexahydrite | FeSO4 · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
Hexahydrite | MgSO4 · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : P2/m |
Moorhouseite | (Co,Ni,Mn)SO4 · 6H2O | Mon. |
Nickelhexahydrite | (Ni,Mg,Fe)SO4 · 6H2O | Mon. |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
1 photo of Bianchite associated with Greenockite | CdS |
1 photo of Bianchite associated with Ktenasite | ZnCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 6H2O |
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping
7.CB.05 | Dwornikite | (Ni,Fe)SO4 · H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
7.CB.05 | Gunningite | ZnSO4 · H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
7.CB.05 | Kieserite | MgSO4 · H2O | Mon. 2/m |
7.CB.05 | Poitevinite | (Cu,Fe)SO4 · H2O | Tric. |
7.CB.05 | Szmikite | MnSO4 · H2O | Mon. |
7.CB.05 | Szomolnokite | FeSO4 · H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
7.CB.05 | Cobaltkieserite | CoSO4 · H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
7.CB.07 | Sanderite | MgSO4 · 2H2O | Orth. 2 2 2 : P21 21 21 |
7.CB.10 | Bonattite | CuSO4 · 3H2O | Mon. |
7.CB.15 | Aplowite | (Co,Mn,Ni)SO4 · 4H2O | Mon. 2/m |
7.CB.15 | Boyleite | (Zn,Mg)SO4 · 4H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
7.CB.15 | Ilesite | (Mn,Zn,Fe)SO4 · 4H2O | Mon. 2/m |
7.CB.15 | Rozenite | FeSO4 · 4H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
7.CB.15 | Starkeyite | MgSO4 · 4H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
7.CB.15 | Drobecite | CdSO4 · 4H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/m |
7.CB.15 | Cranswickite | MgSO4 · 4H2O | Mon. m : Bb |
7.CB.20 | Chalcanthite | CuSO4 · 5H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
7.CB.20 | Jôkokuite | MnSO4 · 5H2O | Tric. |
7.CB.20 | Pentahydrite | MgSO4 · 5H2O | Tric. |
7.CB.20 | Siderotil | FeSO4 · 5H2O | Tric. |
7.CB.25 | Chvaleticeite | (Mn,Mg)SO4 · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
7.CB.25 | Ferrohexahydrite | FeSO4 · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
7.CB.25 | Hexahydrite | MgSO4 · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : P2/m |
7.CB.25 | Moorhouseite | (Co,Ni,Mn)SO4 · 6H2O | Mon. |
7.CB.25 | Nickelhexahydrite | (Ni,Mg,Fe)SO4 · 6H2O | Mon. |
7.CB.30 | Retgersite | NiSO4 · 6H2O | Tet. 4 2 2 : P41 21 2 |
7.CB.35 | Bieberite | CoSO4 · 7H2O | Mon. 2/m : P2/m |
7.CB.35 | Boothite | CuSO4 · 7H2O | Mon. |
7.CB.35 | Mallardite | MnSO4 · 7H2O | Mon. 2/m : P2/m |
7.CB.35 | Melanterite | Fe2+(H2O)6SO4 · H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
7.CB.35 | Zincmelanterite | (Zn,Cu,Fe)SO4 · 7H2O | Mon. |
7.CB.35 | Alpersite | (Mg,Cu)(SO4) · 7H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
7.CB.40 | Epsomite | MgSO4 · 7H2O | Orth. 2 2 2 : P21 21 21 |
7.CB.40 | Goslarite | ZnSO4 · 7H2O | Orth. 2 2 2 : P21 21 21 |
7.CB.40 | Morenosite | NiSO4 · 7H2O | Orth. 2 2 2 : P21 21 21 |
7.CB.45 | Alunogen | Al2(SO4)3 · 17H2O | Tric. 1 |
7.CB.45 | Meta-alunogen | Al2(SO4)3 · 12H2O | |
7.CB.50 | Aluminocoquimbite | Al2Fe2(SO4)6(H2O)12 · 6H2O | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3 1c |
7.CB.55 | Coquimbite | AlFe3(SO4)6(H2O)12 · 6H2O | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3 1c |
7.CB.55 | Paracoquimbite | Fe4(SO4)6(H2O)12 · 6H2O | Trig. 3 : R3 |
7.CB.55 | Rhomboclase | (H5O2)Fe3+(SO4)2 · 2H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma |
7.CB.60 | Kornelite | Fe2(SO4)3 · 7H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/m |
7.CB.65 | Quenstedtite | Fe2(SO4)3 · 11H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
7.CB.70 | Lausenite | Fe2(SO4)3 · 5H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/m |
7.CB.75 | Lishizhenite | ZnFe2(SO4)4 · 14H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
7.CB.75 | Römerite | Fe2+Fe3+2(SO4)4 · 14H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
7.CB.80 | Ransomite | CuFe2(SO4)4 · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
7.CB.85 | Apjohnite | Mn2+Al2(SO4)4 · 22H2O | Mon. |
7.CB.85 | Bílinite | Fe2+Fe3+2(SO4)4 · 22H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
7.CB.85 | Dietrichite | (Zn,Fe2+,Mn2+)Al2(SO4)4 · 22H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
7.CB.85 | Halotrichite | FeAl2(SO4)4 · 22H2O | Mon. 2 : P2 |
7.CB.85 | Pickeringite | MgAl2(SO4)4 · 22H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
7.CB.85 | Redingtonite | (Fe2+,Mg,Ni)(Cr,Al)2(SO4)4 · 22H2O | Mon. |
7.CB.85 | Wupatkiite | (Co,Mg,Ni)Al2(SO4)4 · 22H2O | Mon. |
7.CB.90 | Meridianiite | MgSO4 · 11H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
Related Minerals - Dana Grouping (8th Ed.)
29.6.8.1 | Hexahydrite | MgSO4 · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : P2/m |
29.6.8.3 | Ferrohexahydrite | FeSO4 · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
29.6.8.4 | Nickelhexahydrite | (Ni,Mg,Fe)SO4 · 6H2O | Mon. |
29.6.8.5 | Moorhouseite | (Co,Ni,Mn)SO4 · 6H2O | Mon. |
29.6.8.6 | Chvaleticeite | (Mn,Mg)SO4 · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
Related Minerals - Hey's Chemical Index of Minerals Grouping
25.5.1 | Zinkosite | ZnSO4 | Orth. |
25.5.2 | Goslarite | ZnSO4 · 7H2O | Orth. 2 2 2 : P21 21 21 |
25.5.3 | Namuwite | Zn4(SO4)(OH)6 · 4H2O | Trig. 3 : P3 |
25.5.4 | Ktenasite | ZnCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 6H2O | Mon. |
25.5.5 | Ramsbeckite | (Cu,Zn)15(SO4)4(OH)22 · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m |
25.5.6 | Boyleite | (Zn,Mg)SO4 · 4H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
25.5.7 | Serpierite | Ca(Cu,Zn)4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 3H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
25.5.8 | Orthoserpierite | Ca(Cu,Zn)4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 3H2O | Orth. mm2 : Pca21 |
25.5.9 | Zincaluminite | Zn6Al6(SO4)2(OH)16 · 5H2O | |
25.5.10 | Glaucocerinite | (Zn1-xAlx)(OH)2(SO4)x/2 · nH2O | Hex. |
25.5.11 | Gunningite | ZnSO4 · H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
25.5.12 | Chaidamuite | ZnFe3+(SO4)2(OH) · 4H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
25.5.15 | Zincmelanterite | (Zn,Cu,Fe)SO4 · 7H2O | Mon. |
25.5.16 | Zincobotryogen | (Zn,Mg,Mn2+)Fe3+(SO4)2(OH) · 7H2O | Mon. 2/m |
25.5.17 | Schuetteite | Hg2+3(SO4)O2 | Trig. 3 2 : P31 2 1 |
25.5.18 | Gianellaite | [(Hg2N)2](SO4)(H2O)x | Iso. 4 3m : F4 3m |
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
References for Bianchite
Reference List:
Sort by Year (asc) | by Year (desc) | by Author (A-Z) | by Author (Z-A)
Thorpe, T.E., Watts, J.I. (1880) On the specific volume of water of crystallisation. Journal of the Chemical Society of London: 37: 102-117.
Wyrouboff (1889) Bulletin de la Société française de Minéralogie: 12: 377.
Andeatta, C. (1930) Bianchite, nuovo minerale. Atti della Accademia nazionale dei Lincei Serie VI: 41: 760-769.
Andreatta, C. (1932) Reale accademia nazionale dei Lincei, Rome, Rendus: 6: 16: 62.
Foshag, W.F. (1930) New mineral names. American Mineralogist: 15: 537-538.
Palache, C., Berman, H., Frondel, C. (1951) The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged, 1124 pp.: 495-496.
Spiess, M., Gruehn, R. (1979) Zur thermischen Dehydratisierung des ZnS04 · 7 H20 und zum Hochtemperaturverhalten von wasserfreiem ZnSO4. Zeitschrift für Anorganische und Allgemeine Chemie: 456: 222-240.
Chou, I.-M., Seal, R.R. (2005) Determination of goslarite–bianchite equilibria by humidity-buffer technique at 0.1 MPa. Chemical Geology: 215: 517-523.
Leverett, P., Williams, P.A. (2007) Unusual post-mining sulphates from the Peelwood and Lloyd mines, New South Wales, and a comment on wattevilleite. Australian Journal of Mineralogy: 13: 41-46.
Internet Links for Bianchite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-660.html
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Localities for Bianchite
Locality List




All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Australia | |
| Handbook of Mineralogy |
| Ashley, P.M., Lottermoser, B.G. (1999) Geochemical, mineralogical and biogeochemical characterisation of abandoned metalliferous mine sites, Southern New England Orogen. In Flood, P.G. (ed.) Regional Geology, tectonics and metallogenesis, New England Orogen, 1-3 Forum, 1999, Department of Earth Science, U.N.E. Australia, 409-417. |
| R Bottrrill, unpub. analyses |
Austria | |
| G. Niedermayr, I. Praetzel: Mineralien Kärntens, 1995 |
Bolivia | |
| Joan Martinez-Bofill, Joan Rosell, Jordi Ibáñez (2021). XRD and SEM. |
Bulgaria | |
| Handbook of Mineralogy |
Canada | |
| Anderson, J. L., Peterson, R. C., & Swainson, I. (2012) The atomic structure of deuterated boyleite ZnSO4· 4D2O, ilesite MnSO4· 4D2O, and bianchite ZnSO4· 6D2O. American Mineralogist: 97(11-12): 1905-1914. |
| Rocks & Min 81:1 pp 24-32 |
| [MinRec 21:533] |
Finland | |
| I. Mikkola Collection |
Germany | |
| Handbook of Mineralogy |
| S. Weiß: "Mineralfundstellen, Deutschland West", Weise (Munich), 1990 |
| Jambor J L, Boyle R W (1962) Gunningite, a new zinc sulphate from the Keno Hill – Galena Hill area, Yukon, The Canadian Mineralogist 7, 209-218 |
| Weiss, S. (1990) Mineralfundstellen Atlas, Deutschland West. Weise Verlag, München, 320 pages. |
| SEM-EDS and XRD by Joy Desor and Gerhard Möhn |
Greece | |
| GRÖBNER, J. (2001): Roter Skorodit und weitere ungewöhnliche Arsenate: Die Mineralien des Abbaus 132 der Grube Christiana, Lavrion/Griechenland. Lapis, 26 (11), 13-21. |
| No reference listed |
| W. Krause, H.-J. Bernhardt, R. S. W. Braithwaite, U. Kolitsch and R. Pritchard (2006): Kapellasite, Cu3Zn(OH)6Cl2, a new mineral from Lavrion, Greece. Mineralogical Magazine 70, 331-342. |
Hungary | |
| Szakáll S.,2011,University of Miskolc, Department of Mineralogy and Petrology |
Italy (TL) | |
| Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 496; Nickel & Nichols, 1991 - "Mineral Reference Manual", p22. |
| Forti P. (1985) : Alcuni nuovi minerali carsici dell'Iglesiente. Notiz. di Miner. e Paleont., 44, pagg.3-10. |
- Stara P., Rizzo R. e Tanca A.G. (1996) : Iglesiente e Arburese. Miniere e minerali. Vol. I (239 pagg.). EMSa Ed. | |
| Anderson, J. L., Peterson, R. C., & Swainson, I. (2012). The atomic structure of deuterated boyleite ZnSO4· 4D2O, ilesite MnSO4· 4D2O, and bianchite ZnSO4· 6D2O. American Mineralogist, 97(11-12), 1905-1914. |
| Bazzoni C., Capperi M., (2001): La miniera di "Montevecchio in Toscana (Gerfalco - Grosseto), Rivista mineralogica italiana, (4), 2001, 236-241; Bazzoni C., Capperi M., (2001): La miniera di "Montevecchio in Toscana (Gerfalco - Grosseto), Rivista mineralogica italiana, (4), 2001, 236-241 |
Bazzoni, C., and Capperi, M. (2001) La miniera di «Montevecchio» in Toscana (Gerfalco - Grosseto). Rivista Mineralogica Italiana, 25, 4 (4-2001), 236-241. | |
Norway | |
| Raade,G.(1995): "Secondary Zn and Cu minerals from contact deposits of the Oslo region, Norway".Bergverksmuseet Skrift nr 9, 18-26; Neumann,H. (1985): Norges Mineraler. Norges Geologiske skrifter 68. p. 109 |
Poland | |
| Handbook of Mineralogy |
| Cabała, J., & Bzowska, G. (2008). Sulphate speleothems in Pomorzany Zn–Pb ore mine, southern Poland. Kras i speleologia, 12(21), 59-76. |
| Bril, H., Zainoun, K., Puziewicz, J., Courtin-Nomade, A., Vanaecker, M. & Bollinger, J.-C. (2008): Secondary phases from the alteration of a pile of zinc-smelting slag as indicators of environmental conditions: an example from Świętochłowice, Upper Silesia, Poland. Canadian Mineralogist 46, 1235-1248. |
Romania | |
| Buzatu, A., Damian, G., & Buzgar, N. (2012) Raman And Infrared Studies Of Weathering Products From Baia Sprie Ore Deposit (Romania). Romanian Journal of Mineral Deposits, 85:7-10 |
Russia | |
| E. Shcherbakova et al. : "The rarest Cobalt-Containing Sulfates from the South Ural, Russia", 5th International Conference "Mineralogy & Museums", Paris, Sept. 5-8th 2004, Bull. de Liaison de la Soc. Franç. de Minéralogie et Cristallographie, 2004, Vol 16, N°2. |
| Zhdanov Yu.Ya., Solov'ev L.I. (1998): Geology and mineralogical composition of the oxidized zone in the Deputatsk tin ore deposit. Otechestvennaya Geol. (6), 77-79 (in Russian). |
Switzerland | |
| XRD Analyses by N. Meisser, Lausanne, in Summer 2015 |
UK | |
| Palumbo-Roe, Barbara, Klinck, Ben, Banks, Vanessa, Quigley, Séan (2009) Prediction of the long-term performance of abandoned lead zinc mine tailings in a Welsh catchment. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 100(2), 169-181.; Rust, Steve A. (2019) Minerals of the Frongoch Mine. Published by the author, 180 pages. ISBN 978-1-9162641-0-6 (referring to Palumbo-Roe et al.) |
USA | |
| Anthony, J.W., et al (1995) Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd. ed.: 135.; Graeme, R. (1981) Famous mineral localities: Bisbee, Arizona. The Mineralogical Record: 12: 258-319. |
| Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 135. |
| Paul M. Adams (2017) The Santa Rosa mine, Inyo County, California. Minerlogical Record 48:755-777 |
| Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckel, E. B. |
| Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckel, E. B. |
Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckel, E. B. | |
Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckel, E. B. | |
Handbook of Mineralogy | |
| Hendricks, J: Notes on the minerals of Franklin & Sterling Hill (1960): Jenkins & Misiur: Mineralogical Record: 25:95-102 (1994); Dunn(1995):Pt5:630. |
| Rocks & Min.: 6:26; 10:33-36, 58; Reed, Juliet C. (1976), Annotated Biblio. of Minerals New to the Pennsylvania List 1965-1974, The Mineralogical Society of PA, Inc.: 20; Grant, R.W. (Jan, 1971), PA Mins. (PM)(97), Keystone Newsletter; Montgomery, A. (Aug |
| Minerals of Virginia, 1990 by R. V. Dietrich |
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Ueberroth Mine, Friedensville, Saucon Valley, Upper Saucon Township, Lehigh Co., Pennsylvania, USA