Boussingaultite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About Boussingaultite
Jean-Baptiste Joseph Dieudonne Boussingault
Formula:
(NH4)2Mg(SO4)2 · 6H2O
Colour:
Colourless, yellowish-pink; colourless in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Silky
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
1.722
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named by E. Bechi in 1864 in honor of Jean-Baptiste Joseph Dieudonné Boussingault (1 February 1801, Paris, France - 11 May 1887, Paris, France), chemist and professor at Lyon University, Lyon, France. He made significant contributions to agricultural science, petroleum science and metallurgy. He also discovered gaylussite.
Type Locality:
Picromerite Group, Boussingaultite-Mohrite Series.
May originate as an alteration (hydration) product of efremovite.
May originate as an alteration (hydration) product of efremovite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
743
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:743:4
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
4ab6f276-6ae1-4495-901d-f365c706ca74
IMA Classification of Boussingaultite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1864
Classification of Boussingaultite
7.CC.60
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
C : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, with H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
C : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, with H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
29.3.7.2
29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
3 : A2B(XO4)2·xH2O
29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
3 : A2B(XO4)2·xH2O
25.3.17
25 : Sulphates
3 : Sulphates of Mg
25 : Sulphates
3 : Sulphates of Mg
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bsg | 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 Boussingaultite
Silky
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless, yellowish-pink; colourless in transmitted light.
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
{_201}, perfect.
{_201}, perfect.
Density:
1.722 g/cm3 (Measured) 1.722 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Measured on artificial material.
Optical Data of Boussingaultite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.472 nβ = 1.473 nγ = 1.479
2V:
Measured: 51°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.007
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:
perceptible r > v
Chemistry of Boussingaultite
Mindat Formula:
(NH4)2Mg(SO4)2 · 6H2O
Crystallography of Boussingaultite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/b
Setting:
P21/a
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.324(7) Å, b = 12.597(9) Å, c = 6.211(5) Å
β = 107.1°
β = 107.1°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.74 : 1 : 0.493
Unit Cell V:
697.26 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Short prismatic [001] with {001} prominent. Massive, crusts, stalactites.
Comment:
Synthetic
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0020241 | Boussingaultite | Montgomery H, Lingafelter E C (1964) The crystal structure of Tutton's salts. II. Magnesium ammonium sulfate hexahydrate and nickel ammonium sulfate hexahydrate Acta Crystallographica 17 1478-1479 |  | 1964 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0010599 | Boussingaultite | Margulis T N, Templeton D H (1962) Crystal structure and hydrogen bonding of magnesium ammonium sulfate hexahydrate Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 117 344-357 |  | 1962 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 4.22 Å | (100) |
| 2.085 Å | (95) |
| 5.11 Å | (85) |
| 7.20 Å | (70) |
| 3.79 Å | (70) |
| 1.818 Å | (65) |
| 2.189 Å | (55) |
Comments:
Synthetic, ICDD 17-135
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 3b: Earth’s earliest hydrosphere | >4.45 |
| 14 : Hot springs, geysers, and other subaerial geothermal minerals | |
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 25 : Evaporites (prebiotic) | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45a : [Sulfates, arsenates, selenates, antimonates] | |
| 45b : [Other oxidized fumarolic minerals] | |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47b : [Sulfates and sulfites] | |
| 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 |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 54 : Coal and other mine fire minerals (see also #51 and #56) |
Geological Setting:
Geysers; anthracite mine dump fires (anthropogenic).
Type Occurrence of Boussingaultite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Natural History Museum, Paris, France, number 99.494.
National School of Mines, Paris, France, number 17853.
National School of Mines, Paris, France, number 17853.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Boric acid fumaroles.
Reference:
Bechi, E. (1864) Mémoire sur les soffioni boracifères de Travale, en Toscane. Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Séances de l'Académie des Sciences: 58: 583-584.
Other Language Names for Boussingaultite
Relationship of Boussingaultite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
| Cyanochroite | K2Cu(SO4)2 · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Katerinopoulosite | (NH4)2Zn(SO4)2 · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Mohrite | (NH4)2Fe(SO4)2 · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Nickelboussingaultite | (NH4)2Ni(SO4)2 · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Nickelpicromerite | K2Ni(SO4)2 · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Picromerite | K2Mg(SO4)2 · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : P2/b |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 4 photos of Boussingaultite associated with Efremovite | (NH4)2Mg2(SO4)3 |
| 2 photos of Boussingaultite associated with Metavoltine | K2Na6Fe2+Fe3+6O2(SO4)12 · 18H2O |
| 2 photos of Boussingaultite associated with Hexahydrite | MgSO4 · 6H2O |
| 2 photos of Boussingaultite associated with Clairite | (NH4)2Fe3(SO4)4(OH)3 · 3H2O |
| 2 photos of Boussingaultite associated with Tschermigite | (NH4)Al(SO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 1 photo of Boussingaultite associated with Salammoniac | NH4Cl |
| 1 photo of Boussingaultite associated with Jarosite-Natrojarosite Series | |
| 1 photo of Boussingaultite associated with Lonecreekite | (NH4)Fe3+(SO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 1 photo of Boussingaultite associated with Sabieite | (NH4)Fe3+(SO4)2 |
| 1 photo of Boussingaultite associated with Chabazite-K | (K2,Ca,Na2,Sr,Mg)2[Al2Si4O12]2 · 12H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.CC. | Cobaltoblödite | Na2Co(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 7.CC. | Andychristyite | PbCu2+Te6+O5(H2O) |
| 7.CC. | Ammoniovoltaite | (NH4)2Fe2+5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12(H2O)18 |
| 7.CC.05 | Krausite | KFe(SO4)2 · H2O |
| 7.CC.10 | Tamarugite | NaAl(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.15 | Kalinite | KAl(SO4)2 · 11H2O |
| 7.CC.15 | Mendozite | NaAl(SO4)2 · 11H2O |
| 7.CC.20 | Lonecreekite | (NH4)Fe3+(SO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 7.CC.20 | Alum-(K) | KAl(SO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 7.CC.20 | Alum-(Na) | NaAl(SO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 7.CC.20 | Tschermigite | (NH4)Al(SO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 7.CC.20 | Lanmuchangite | Tl+Al(SO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 7.CC.25 | Voltaite | K2Fe2+5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O |
| 7.CC.25 | Zincovoltaite | K2Zn5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O |
| 7.CC.25 | Pertlikite | K2(Fe2+,Mg)2Mg4Fe3+2Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O |
| 7.CC.25 | Ammoniomagnesiovoltaite | (NH4)2Mg2+5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O |
| 7.CC.25 | Magnesiovoltaite | K2Mg5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O |
| 7.CC.30 | Kröhnkite | Na2Cu(SO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 7.CC.35 | Ferrinatrite | Na3Fe(SO4)3 · 3H2O |
| 7.CC.40 | Goldichite | KFe(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 7.CC.45 | Löweite | Na12Mg7(SO4)13 · 15H2O |
| 7.CC.50 | Blödite | Na2Mg(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 7.CC.50 | Nickelblödite | Na2(Ni,Mg)(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 7.CC.50 | Changoite | Na2Zn(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 7.CC.55 | Leonite | K2Mg(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 7.CC.55 | Mereiterite | K2Fe(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 7.CC.60 | Cyanochroite | K2Cu(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.60 | Mohrite | (NH4)2Fe(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.60 | Nickelboussingaultite | (NH4)2Ni(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.60 | Picromerite | K2Mg(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.60 | Nickelpicromerite | K2Ni(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.60 | Katerinopoulosite | (NH4)2Zn(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.65 | Polyhalite | K2Ca2Mg(SO4)4 · 2H2O |
| 7.CC.70 | Leightonite | K2Ca2Cu(SO4)4 · 2H2O |
| 7.CC.75 | Amarillite | NaFe(SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.CC.80 | Konyaite | Na2Mg(SO4)2 · 5H2O |
| 7.CC.85 | Wattevilleite | Na2Ca(SO4)2 · 4H2O (?) |
| 7.CC.85 | Xocolatlite | Ca2Mn4+2(Te6+O6)2 · H2O |
| 7.CC.90 | Eckhardite | (Ca,Pb)Cu2+Te6+O5(H2O) |
Fluorescence of Boussingaultite
Not fluorescent in UV
Other Information
Notes:
Water soluble, sharply astringent and saline taste
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 Boussingaultite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-743.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 Boussingaultite
Localities for Boussingaultite
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.
Botswana | |
| Martini (1996) +1 other reference |
Canada | |
| Greengrass et al. (1999) |
Czech Republic | |
| Zacek et al. (1995) |
| Hyrsl J. +2 other references |
| Jirásek (2001) |
| Dalibor Matýsek |
| Dalibor Matýsek | |
Germany | |
| Blaß et al. (1993) +1 other reference |
| T. Witzke & F. Rüger: Lapis 1998 (7/8) |
| T. Witzke & F. Rüger: Lapis 1998 (7/8) |
Hungary | |
| Szakáll et al. (2008) |
Italy | |
| Campostrini I. et al - Vulcano: ein ... |
| GARAVELLI A. et al. (1996) |
| Bechi (1864) +1 other reference |
Japan | |
| Shimobayashi et al. (2011) |
Lebanon | |
| Kruszewski et al. (South Lebanon) |
Netherlands | |
| De Wit et al. (2003) |
Peru | |
| Ciesielczuk et al. (2013) |
Poland | |
| Lukasz Kruszewski 2005: Minerals arising in cause of underground fires of "Skalny" coal mine dump in Laziska (Upper Silesia, Poland) +1 other reference |
| Kruszewski et al. (2019) |
| Parafiniuk et al. (2009) |
| Łukasz Kruszewski (2012) |
| Kruszewski et al. (2018) |
Russia | |
| Cesnokov et al. (1998) |
| Pekov (1998) |
Tajikistan | |
| D.I.Belakovskiy data |
USA | |
| Adams et al. (2014) |
| Adams et al. (2014) | |
| Mineralogical Record: 9: 113 |
| e-rocks.com (n.d.) |
| Goldsmith (1877) +7 other references |
| Goldsmith (1877) +2 other references | |
| Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 270 +3 other references |
| Hower et al. (2013) |
| Carlson (2010) +1 other reference |
| Grant (Sep, 1974) +1 other reference |
| Grant (Jul, 1974) +3 other references |
| Wendlandt et al. (2006) |
| Hålenius et al. (2015) +1 other reference |
Quick NavTopAbout BoussingaultiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence Other LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Pécs-Vasas, Pécs District, Baranya County, Hungary