Zirklerite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered - questionable
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Formula:
(Fe,Mg,Ca)9Al4Cl18(OH)12 · 14H2O (?)
Colour:
Light grey
Hardness:
3½
Specific Gravity:
2.6
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Name:
Named after Bergrat Zirkler, Director of the potash works at Aschersleben (Germany).
This page provides mineralogical data about Zirklerite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
4426
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4426:0
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
86bba50f-ed70-433e-be13-82a75eb290e3
IMA Classification of Zirklerite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959), Questionable
IMA Formula:
(Fe,Mg)9Al4Cl18(OH)12 · 14H2O (?)
First published:
1928
Classification of Zirklerite
3.CJ.30
3 : HALIDES
C : Complex halides
J : With MX6 complexes; M = Fe, Mn, Cu
3 : HALIDES
C : Complex halides
J : With MX6 complexes; M = Fe, Mn, Cu
10.6.5.1
10 : OXYHALIDES AND HYDROXYHALIDES
6 : AmBn(O,OH)pXq
10 : OXYHALIDES AND HYDROXYHALIDES
6 : AmBn(O,OH)pXq
8.6.19
8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
6 : Halides of Al
8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
6 : Halides of Al
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 |
---|---|---|
Zkl | 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 Zirklerite
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Light grey
Hardness:
3½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Rhombohedral
Rhombohedral
Density:
2.6 g/cm3 (Measured)
Optical Data of Zirklerite
Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 1.522 nε = 1.552
Birefringence:
birefringence < 0.009.
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:
Low
Chemistry of Zirklerite
Mindat Formula:
(Fe,Mg,Ca)9Al4Cl18(OH)12 · 14H2O (?)
Common Impurities:
Ca
Crystallography of Zirklerite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Morphology:
Massive; granular to fibrous.
Comment:
Point Group: n.d.; Space Group: n.d. Z =n.d.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
- Å | () |
Comments:
No published powder pattern data.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Near-surface Processes | |
25 : Evaporites (prebiotic) |
Type Occurrence of Zirklerite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1929,40.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Breccia-like layers in a bedded evaporite deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Harbort, E. (1928) Über Zirklerit. Ein neues durch Thermo-Dynamometamorphose gebildetes Mineral aus einigen Salzstöcken der norddeutschen Tiefebene.. Kali und verwandte Salze Zeitschrift für D. Kali- U. Steinsalzindustrie Sowie das Salinenwesen: 22: 157-161 .
Other Language Names for Zirklerite
German:Zirklerit
Spanish:Zirklerita
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
3.CJ.05 | Chlormanganokalite | K4[MnCl6] |
3.CJ.05 | Rinneite | K3Na[FeCl6] |
3.CJ.05 | Saltonseaite | K3NaMnCl6 |
3.CJ.10 | Erythrosiderite | K2[Fe3+Cl5(H2O)] |
3.CJ.10 | Kremersite | (NH4,K)2[Fe3+Cl5(H2O)] |
3.CJ.15 | Mitscherlichite | K2CuCl4 · 2H2O |
3.CJ.20 | Douglasite | K2[Fe2+Cl4(OH2)2] |
3.CJ.25 | Redikortsevite | (NH4)MgCl3 · 6H2O |
3.CJ.30 | Kalithallite | K3Tl3+Cl6 · 2H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
Decomposed by water with separation of Al203 and Fe(OH)2
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 Zirklerite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-4426.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Zirklerite
Reference List:
Localities for Zirklerite
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.
Germany (TL) | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |