Mirabilite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Mirabilite
Formula:
Na2SO4 · 10H2O
Colour:
Colourless, white; colourless in transmitted light
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
1½ - 2½
Specific Gravity:
1.464
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Based on the phrase "Sal mirabile" used by J.R. Glauber (1603-1668) when he inadvertently formed the artificial compound while working with sulfuric acid and salt.
Mirabilite is a water soluble evaporate mineral that forms in many salt lakes, often on a seasonal basis when the temperature and salt content of the brine is favorable to its formation. It is not a stable mineral under normal conditions and when removed from the brine will under most conditions quickly begin to lose its water and a crust of sodium sulfate Thenardite will start forming on its surface.
The mineral can be preserved if it is quickly placed in an ice chest at about 0 degrees.
Compare 'UM1962-08-SO:HNa'.
The mineral can be preserved if it is quickly placed in an ice chest at about 0 degrees.
Compare 'UM1962-08-SO:HNa'.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2725
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2725:6
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
4efa49ad-78ea-4bad-b6e4-32124a8cbb2a
IMA Classification of Mirabilite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Na2(SO4) · 10H2O
Type description reference:
Classification of Mirabilite
7.CD.10
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
C : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, with H2O
D : With only large cations
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
C : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, with H2O
D : With only large cations
29.2.2.1
29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
2 : A2XO4·xH2O
29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
2 : A2XO4·xH2O
25.1.3
25 : Sulphates
1 : Sulphates of the alkali metals and ammonium
25 : Sulphates
1 : Sulphates of the alkali metals and ammonium
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mrb | 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 Mirabilite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Opaque
Colour:
Colourless, white; colourless in transmitted light
Streak:
White
Hardness:
1½ - 2½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {100} perfect; also reported on {001}, {010}, and {011}.
On {100} perfect; also reported on {001}, {010}, and {011}.
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
1.464 g/cm3 (Measured) 1.467 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Mirabilite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.391 - 1.394 nβ = 1.394 - 1.396 nγ = 1.396 - 1.398
2V:
Measured: 75° , Calculated: 74°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.005
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, strong, crossed.
Chemistry of Mirabilite
Mindat Formula:
Na2SO4 · 10H2O
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Mirabilite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/b
Setting:
P21/c
Cell Parameters:
a = 12.847(2) Å, b = 10.370(3) Å, c = 11.512(3) Å
β = 107.789(10)°
β = 107.789(10)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.239 : 1 : 1.11
Unit Cell V:
1,460.34 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Crystals short prismatic [001]. Usually prismatic to acicular [010]; also thin tabular {100} or {001}, or lath-like due to flattening on {100} and elongation parallel to [010] (artificial material). Massive; efflorescences or masses of interlocking fibers; granular; stalactitic.
Twinning:
Interpenetration twinning on {001}; also on {100}.
Comment:
synthetic
Crystallographic forms of Mirabilite
Crystal Atlas:
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Mirabilite no.8 - 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0009648 | Mirabilite | Levy H A, Lisensky G C (1978) Crystal structures of sodium sulfate decahydrate (Glauber's salt) and sodium tetraborate decahydrate (borax). Redetermination by neutron diffraction Acta Crystallographica B34 3502-3510 |  | 1978 | Synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0016635 | Mirabilite | Levy H, Lisensky G (1978) Crystal structures of sodium sulfate decahydrate (Glauber's salt) and sodium tetraborate decahydrate (borax). Redetermination by neutron diffraction _cod_database_code 1008758 Acta Crystallographica B34 3502-3510 | | 1978 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 5.49 Å | (100) |
| 3.21 Å | (75) |
| 3.26 Å | (60) |
| 3.11 Å | (60) |
| 4.77 Å | (45) |
| 3.83 Å | (40) |
| 2.516 Å | (35) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 21 : Chemically precipitated carbonate, phosphate, iron formations | |
| 25 : Evaporites (prebiotic) | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45a : [Sulfates, arsenates, selenates, antimonates] | |
| 46 : Near-surface hydrothermal alteration of minerals (see also #22) | |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47b : [Sulfates and sulfites] | |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals |
Geological Setting:
Saline lake deposits, playas, and springs; as an efflorescence on clayey, alkalic soils; in caves and sheltered spot on recent lavas. Often deposited from saline waters in cold seasons in sea sprays.
Synonyms of Mirabilite
Other Language Names for Mirabilite
Catalan:Mirabilita
French:Sel de Glauber
Soude sulfatée
Soude sulfatée
Italian:Mirabilite
Russian:Мирабилит
Simplified Chinese:芒硝
Spanish:Mirabilita
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.CD. | Argesite | (NH4)7Bi3Cl16 |
| 7.CD. | Campostriniite | (Bi3+,Na)3(NH4,K)2Na2(SO4)6 · H2O |
| 7.CD.05 | Matteuccite | NaHSO4 · H2O |
| 7.CD.15 | Lecontite | (NH4,K)NaSO4 · 2H2O |
| 7.CD.20 | Hydroglauberite | Na10Ca3(SO4)8 · 6H2O |
| 7.CD.25 | Eugsterite | Na4Ca(SO4)3 · 2H2O |
| 7.CD.30 | Görgeyite | K2Ca5(SO4)6 · H2O |
| 7.CD.35 | Koktaite | (NH4)2Ca(SO4)2 · H2O |
| 7.CD.35 | Syngenite | K2Ca(SO4)2 · H2O |
| 7.CD.35 | Antofagastaite | Na2Ca(SO4)2 · 1.5H2O |
| 7.CD.40 | Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
| 7.CD.45 | Bassanite | Ca(SO4) · 0.5H2O |
| 7.CD.45 | Chinleite-(Y) | NaY(SO4)2 · H2O |
| 7.CD.45 | Chinleite-(Nd) | NaNd(SO4)2 · H2O |
| 7.CD.50 | Zircosulfate | (Zr,Ti)(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 7.CD.55 | Schieffelinite | Pb10Te6+6O20(OH)14(SO4)(H2O)5 |
| 7.CD.60 | Montanite | Bi2(TeO6) · nH2O |
| 7.CD.65 | Omongwaite | Na2Ca5(SO4)6 · 3H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
very soluble in H2O, taste cool, then saline and bitter.
Special Storage/
Display Requirements:
Display Requirements:
Quickly dehydrates to th´enardite in dry air
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 Mirabilite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2725.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Mirabilite
Reference List:
Bergman, Torbern (1783) Sciagraphia Regni Mineralis Secundum Principia Proxima Digesti [Sketch of the Mineral Kingdom According to the Proximate Principles of Digestion]. Apud Johannem Murray, Londini. 165pp.
Haidinger, Wilhelm (1845) Handbuch der bestimmenden Mineralogie, enthaltend die Terminologie, Systematik, Nomenklatur und Charakteristik der Naturgeschichte des Mineralreiches (1st ed.) Braumüller & Seidel, Vienna. p.488
Localities for Mirabilite
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.
Antarctica | |
| Liu et al. (2010) +1 other reference |
| Watanuki/ Torii/ Nishiyama/ Morikawa |
| Bisson et al. (2015) |
| Alfredo Petrov collection (ex- Eugene Carmichael collection, acquired 1981) |
| Browne | |
| Kammerer (2011) | |
Argentina | |
| VINANTE +1 other reference | |
| Alonso et al. (Ed. E.O. Zappettini) |
| Ovejero Toledo et al. (2009) | |
| Peña (1970) +1 other reference | |
| J. R. Neder (1987) |
| Raúl J. Tauber Larry (2013) |
| Raúl Jorge Tauber Larry |
| Raúl Jorge Tauber Larry |
| Hugo A. Peña (1979) | |
| Raúl Jorge Tauber Larry |
Asia | |
| Crétaux et al. (2009) | |
Australia | |
| P. Sutton (1982) +1 other reference |
| R Bottrill |
| Bridge (1973) |
Austria | |
| Exel (1993) |
| Strasser (1989) |
| Strasser (1989) | |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
| Strasser (1989) |
| Strasser (1989) |
| Strasser (1989) |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
| Exel (1993) |
| |
| Exel (1993) |
| Collected by Gerhard Brandstetter |
Belgium | |
| Lhoest (1964) +3 other references |
| Mélon (1942) +2 other references |
Bolivia | |
| Federico Ahlfeld and Alejandro Schneider-Scherbina (1964) |
| Ahlfeld & Muñoz Reyes (1955) +1 other reference |
| Ahlfeld & Muñoz Reyes (1955) |
Canada | |
| Kohut et al. (1993) | |
| Renaut et al. (1994) |
| Peatfield (n.d.) |
| Peatfield (n.d.) |
| Peatfield (n.d.) | |
| Peatfield (n.d.) | |
| Woodside collection +1 other reference |
| How (1857) |
| Liu (1993) |
| Palache et al. (1951) | |
| Last (1990) | |
| Shang (2000) | |
| Greengrass et al. (1999) | |
Chile | |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
| Joan Rosell - rosellminerals.com |
China | |
| Yang et al. (2015) |
| Renwei Li and Maoan Xin (1989) |
| Wu Xiang and Zhengyu Bao (1999) |
| Yu et al. (2001) +1 other reference |
| Zhenmin Liu et al. (2007) | |
| Yu et al. (2001) |
| Warren (2006) |
| Sun Da-peng et al. (2002) |
| Shaoxiu Yang (1991) +2 other references |
| Mianping Zheng (1997) | |
| Dapeng Sun (1991) +2 other references | |
| Dongsheng Hu (1990) +1 other reference |
| Xiyu Zheng (1994) |
| Mianping Zheng (1997) | |
| Shaoxiu Yang (1991) | |
| Shaoxiu Yang (1991) +2 other references |
| Shaoxiu Yang (1991) | |
| Shaoxiu Yang (1991) | |
| Li Xia and Li Jingying (1998) |
| Xiyu Zheng and Shengsong Yu (1981) +4 other references |
| Qian Wu et al. (2013) |
| Xifang Liu and Mianping Zheng (2010) | |
| Xiyu Zheng and Shengsong Yu (1981) +2 other references | |
| Shaoxiu Yang (1991) | |
| Xiyu Zheng and Shengsong Yu (1981) +1 other reference |
| Xiyu Zheng and Shengsong Yu (1981) +1 other reference |
| Xiyu Zheng and Shengsong Yu (1981) +1 other reference | |
| Xiyu Zheng (1994) |
| Xiyu Zheng and Shengsong Yu (1981) +1 other reference |
| Xiyu Zheng and Shengsong Yu (1981) +5 other references |
| Xiyu Zheng and Shengsong Yu (1981) +1 other reference | |
| Xiyu Zheng and Shengsong Yu (1981) +2 other references | |
| Shaoxiu Yang (1991) | |
| Xiyu Zheng and Shengsong Yu (1981) +4 other references |
| Shaoxiu Yang (1991) | |
| Junfeng Yang et al. (2005) |
| Xiyu Zheng and Shengsong Yu (1981) +4 other references |
| Minghui Li et al. (2007) +1 other reference | |
| Chenglin Liu et al. (2008) +1 other reference |
| Bingxiao Li (1992) +1 other reference |
| Wei Dongyan et al. (1992) +1 other reference |
| Bingxiao Li (1992) +1 other reference |
| Bingxiao Li (1992) |
| Bingxiao Li (1992) +1 other reference |
| Yanling Tang (2005) | |
| Yanling Tang (2005) |
| Bingxiao Li (1992) | |
| Bingxiao Li (1992) | |
| Bingxiao Li (1992) +1 other reference |
| Bingxiao Li (1992) +1 other reference |
| Kamitani et al. (2007) |
| Kamitani et al. (2007) |
Czech Republic | |
| Cílek |
| Maštalíř V. (1926-1928) |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
Egypt | |
| Marchesini et al. (2009) +1 other reference |
France | |
| P&T N°23-24 et al. (Haut-Rhin) |
| Wittern +2 other references |
| This mine worked the same vein as Gabe ... +2 other references | |
| D. Laurent et al. (2023) |
| D. DESCOUENS (1984) |
| Lacroix (1910) |
Germany | |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Bode "Mineralien und Fundstellen BRD" ... |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Hentschel (2014) +1 other reference |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Witzke et al. (2011) |
| Thalheim +1 other reference |
Hungary | |
| www.minerals- of-the- carpathians.eu (Editor:Szakáll) |
| Geoda - Journal of the Hungarian ... |
India | |
| Sinha et al. (2003) |
Italy | |
| Sinno R. – (1957) |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Pelloux (1927) +1 other reference | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| www.cse.speleo.it |
| COSSA A. (1878) |
| Mineralogical Record (1) +1 other reference |
Japan | |
| Dr. Kameki Kinoshita collection (curated at Geological Survey of Japan) |
| Seki et al. (1987) |
Kazakhstan | |
| Pekov et al. (1993) |
| Ryabin et al. (1920) |
Kenya | |
| Bowell et al. (1996) |
Madagascar | |
| Behier (1963) |
Mexico | |
| Megaw |
Morocco | |
| Joan Rosell-Riba (2024) |
Namibia | |
| Bowell et al. (2017) |
Netherlands | |
| T.G. Nijland |
New Zealand | |
| Martin et al. (1999) |
| Rod Martin et al. (NZ) |
Norway | |
| Larsen (1982) +1 other reference |
| Nordrum (1995) | |
| Bøe (1998) |
Poland | |
| Dudek et al. (2014) |
| Wiewiórka J. 1972: Wtórny mirabilit z ... |
| Łukasz Kruszewski (2012) |
Romania | |
| |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Onac et al. (2003) |
Russia | |
| Ryabin et al. (1920) +3 other references | |
| Ryabin et al. (1920) +1 other reference |
| Ryabin et al. (1920) +2 other references |
| Ryabin et al. (1920) +1 other reference |
| Bortnikova et al. (2017) |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Palache et al. (1951) | |
| Pekin et al. (2010) +1 other reference | |
Slovakia | |
| Koděra (1986) |
Spain | |
| Vizcayno et al. (1995) |
| Joan Rosell-Riba (2023) |
| Calvo (2014) |
| González del Tánago et al. (2002) |
| Calvo (2013) |
| |
Switzerland | |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
Tajikistan | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Donald E. Garrett (2001) | |
Tunisia | |
| Smykatz-Kloss et al. (2010) |
Turkey | |
| Ortı́ et al. (2002) |
| Altay et al. (2010) |
Turkmenistan | |
| John K. Warren +1 other reference |
| Palache et al. (1951) | |
UK | |
| [Specimen in the Natural History Museum |
Ukraine | |
| Nesterovskiy et al. (2015) | |
| Geologiya SSSR. Poleznye iskopaemye (The geology of USSR. Commercial mineral) |
| Geologiya SSSR. Poleznye iskopaemye (The geology of USSR. Commercial mineral) | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
USA | |
| Silliman (1881) +7 other references |
| Thompson (1983) |
| MRDS database Dep. ID #10062403 | |
| Ver Planck et al. (1954) +1 other reference |
| Tucker (1924a) +1 other reference | |
| Adams et al. (2014) |
| Vítek et al. (2013) |
| Erd et al. (1979) |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| A workshop with special emphasis on the Anatolian deposits International Earth Science Colloquium on the Aegean Region (IESCA-2012, İzmir, Turkey) +1 other reference | |
| Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 280. +2 other references |
| Smith et al. (1958) +2 other references | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Murdoch (1966) |
| Graeff (1910) +1 other reference |
| Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 280 +5 other references | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 280. +3 other references |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Carnein et al. (2005) |
| Carnein et al. (2005) | |
| Zielinski et al. (2001) |
| ... |
| Hon | |
| Anderson (1994) | |
| |
| Morris Jr. (1983) |
| Heinrich et al. (2004) | |
| A workshop with special emphasis on the Anatolian deposits International Earth Science Colloquium on the Aegean Region (IESCA-2012, İzmir, Turkey) +1 other reference |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
| Buck et al. (2006) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Rocks & Minerals +1 other reference |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
| NBMG Bull 58 Geology and Mineral ... +1 other reference |
| A workshop with special emphasis on the Anatolian deposits International Earth Science Colloquium on the Aegean Region (IESCA-2012, İzmir, Turkey) +1 other reference | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| Rogers (1991, August) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) +1 other reference |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) | |
| Hawley +5 other references | |
| 2008 New Mexico Mineral Symposium ... |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| www.dmr.nd.gov (2009) |
| www.dmr.nd.gov (2009) | |
| Geology of Mountrail County (North Dakota Geological Survey) +1 other reference |
| Geology of Mountrail County (North Dakota Geological Survey) +1 other reference | |
| ... |
| - (2005) |
| Bullock (1981) |
| Bullock (1981) | |
| Bullock (1981) |
| Bullock (1981) |
| W. A. G. Bennett |
| Bennett (1962) | |
| www.dnr.wa.gov/geology/okanogan.htm. +1 other reference | |
| |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Palache et al. (1951) | |
| Osterwald (1952) | |
| Osterwald (1952) | |
| Osterwald (1952) | |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference | |
| Osterwald (1952) |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
Uzbekistan | |
| Uklonskiy et al. (1964) +2 other references |
| Slyusareva (1969) |
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Showa Station, East Ongul Island, Lützow-Holm Bay, Queen Maud Land, Eastern Antarctica, Antarctica