Molysite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Molysite
Formula:
FeCl3
Colour:
Yellow, brown-red, purple-red
Specific Gravity:
2.90
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Name:
From the Greek μόλυσις, a stain, in allusion to its staining the lavas of the volcanoes where it was found.
This page provides mineralogical data about Molysite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2749
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2749:2
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
7a2bda86-279e-43cf-9a14-50248270138e
IMA Classification of Molysite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
Type description reference:
Classification of Molysite
3.AC.10
3 : HALIDES
A : Simple halides, without H2O
C : M:X = 1:3
3 : HALIDES
A : Simple halides, without H2O
C : M:X = 1:3
9.3.1.1
9 : NORMAL HALIDES
3 : AX3
9 : NORMAL HALIDES
3 : AX3
8.11.1
8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
11 : Halides of Fe and Ni
8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
11 : Halides of Fe and Ni
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 |
---|---|---|
My | 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 Molysite
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Yellow, brown-red, purple-red
Comment:
Soft
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {0001}.
On {0001}.
Density:
2.90 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.91 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Molysite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
Chemistry of Molysite
Mindat Formula:
FeCl3
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Molysite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3 - Rhombohedral
Space Group:
R3
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.065 Å, c = 17.42 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 2.872
Unit Cell V:
554.93 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
6
Morphology:
Crystals tabular {0001} with a hexagonal outline (artificial material). Massive, coatings.
Crystal Structure
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2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0012857 | Molysite | Hashimoto S, Forster K, Moss S C (1988) Structure refinement of an FeCl3 crystal using a thin plate sample Journal of Applied Crystallography 22 173-180 | 1988 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
2.68 Å | (100) |
2.08 Å | (40) |
5.9 Å | (32) |
1.75 Å | (32) |
1.63 Å | (16) |
1.67 Å | (6) |
4.79 Å | (< 6) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
45b : [Other oxidized fumarolic minerals] | |
Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
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) |
Type Occurrence of Molysite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Coatings on lava.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Active volcanic fumaroles.
Reference:
Hausmann (1819) (as Eisenchlorid).
Synonyms of Molysite
Other Language Names for Molysite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
1 photo of Molysite associated with Hydrokenoralstonite | Na0.5(Al,Mg)2(F,OH)6 · H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
3.AC.05 | Zharchikhite | AlF(OH)2 |
3.AC.15 | Fluocerite-(Ce) | CeF3 |
3.AC.15 | Fluocerite-(La) | LaF3 |
3.AC.20 | Gananite | BiF3 |
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:
Melting point = 282°.
Notes:
Very deliquescent. Readily hydrolyzed by water to hydrous 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 Molysite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2749.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Molysite
Reference List:
Localities for Molysite
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).
Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality.
Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Antarctica | |
| Viramonte et al. (1974) |
Iceland | |
Italy (TL) | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
Pelloux (1927) +2 other references | |
| AA. VV. +1 other reference |
| FOUQUÉ F.A. (1865) |
| www.mindat.org (2008) |
Morocco | |
| Cheilletz (1984) |
Russia | |
| Cesnokov et al. (1998) |
| www.kscnet.ru (2019) |
| Vergasova et al. (1977) +1 other reference |
Spain | |
| Bull. Minéral. |
Tonga | |
| Wendt (2013) |
USA | |
| Rocks & Minerals: 72 (4) |
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Sasso Pisano, Castelnuovo di Val di Cecina, Pisa Province, Tuscany, Italy