Orthoserpierite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Orthoserpierite
Formula:
Ca(Cu,Zn)4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 3H2O
Colour:
Sky-blue
Lustre:
Vitreous
Specific Gravity:
3.00
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1985 by Halil Sarp for being the orthorhombic polymorph of serpierite.
A species very hard to distinguish from devilline and bladed serpierite.
The crystal structure has not been determined yet.
The crystal structure has not been determined yet.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3031
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3031:7
IMA Classification of Orthoserpierite
Approved
IMA Formula:
CaCu2+4(S6+O4)2(OH)6·3H2O
Approval year:
1983
First published:
1985
Classification of Orthoserpierite
7.DD.30
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
D : With only medium-sized cations; sheets of edge-sharing octahedra
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
D : With only medium-sized cations; sheets of edge-sharing octahedra
31.6.7.1
31 : HYDRATED SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
6 : (AB)5(XO4)2Zq·xH2O
31 : HYDRATED SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
6 : (AB)5(XO4)2Zq·xH2O
25.5.8
25 : Sulphates
5 : Sulphates of Zn and Hg
25 : Sulphates
5 : Sulphates of Zn and Hg
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 for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Ospe | 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 Orthoserpierite
Vitreous
Colour:
Sky-blue
Streak:
Light green
Fracture:
Splintery
Density:
3.00 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.07 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Orthoserpierite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.586(2) nβ = 1.645(2) nγ = 1.65(2)
2V:
Measured: 32° (2), Calculated: 32°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.064
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
High (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure
- the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using
this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points
where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the
field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are
isogyres.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Dispersion:
Distinct, r>v
Optical Extinction:
X = c, Y = a, Z = b
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
X = colorless to very pale green, Y = Z = pale green.
Chemistry of Orthoserpierite
Mindat Formula:
Ca(Cu,Zn)4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 3H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Orthoserpierite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mm2 - Pyramidal
Space Group:
Pca21
Cell Parameters:
a = 22.10(2) Å, b = 6.20(2) Å, c = 20.39(2) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 3.565 : 1 : 3.289
Unit Cell V:
2,793.84 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
8
Morphology:
Tabular crystals, flattened on {001} and elongated parallel to the b-axis.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 10.21 Å | (100) |
| 5.10 Å | (90) |
| 3.400 Å | (90) |
| 3.184 Å | (50) |
| 2.610 Å | (50) |
| 2.558 Å | (50) |
| 2.384 Å | (60) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47b : [Sulfates and sulfites] | |
| 47e : [Vanadates, chromates, manganates] | |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals |
Type Occurrence of Orthoserpierite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Masses and fibrous crusts of sky-blue crystals to 0.2 mm.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Natural History Museum, Geneva, Switzerland, 435/76.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Orthoserpierite
Other Language Names for Orthoserpierite
Relationship of Orthoserpierite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Devilline Group:
| Aldridgeite | (Cd2+,Ca)(Cu2+,Zn2+)4(S6+O4)2(OH)6 · 3H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Campigliaite | Mn2+Cu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2O | Mon. 2 : B2 |
| Devilline | CaCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 3H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Kobyashevite | Cu5(SO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Lautenthalite | PbCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 3H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Serpierite | Ca(Cu2+,Zn2+)4(S6+O4)2(OH)6 · 3H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| 'Unnamed (Dimorph of Devilline)' | CaCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 3H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
Structurally related to group(s):
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 5 photos of Orthoserpierite associated with Tennantite Subgroup | Cu6(Cu4C2+2)As4S12S |
| 5 photos of Orthoserpierite associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
| 4 photos of Orthoserpierite associated with Linarite | PbCu(SO4)(OH)2 |
| 4 photos of Orthoserpierite associated with Anglesite | PbSO4 |
| 3 photos of Orthoserpierite associated with Serpierite | Ca(Cu2+,Zn2+)4(S6+O4)2(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 3 photos of Orthoserpierite associated with Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
| 3 photos of Orthoserpierite associated with Namuwite | Zn4(SO4)(OH)6 · 4H2O |
| 2 photos of Orthoserpierite associated with Brochantite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 |
| 2 photos of Orthoserpierite associated with Schulenbergite | (Cu,Zn)7(SO4)2(OH)10 · 3H2O |
| 1 photo of Orthoserpierite associated with Azurite | Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.DD. | Asagiite | NiCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 6H2O |
| 7.DD.05 | Felsőbányaite | Al4(SO4)(OH)10 · 4H2O |
| 7.DD.07 | Llantenesite | Cu6Al[SeO4](OH)12Cl · 3H2O |
| 7.DD.10 | Langite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 · 2H2O |
| 7.DD.10 | Fehrite | MgCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 6H2O |
| 7.DD.10 | Posnjakite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 · H2O |
| 7.DD.10 | Wroewolfeite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 · 2H2O |
| 7.DD.10 | Gobelinite | CoCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 6H2O |
| 7.DD.15 | Kobyashevite | Cu5(SO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2O |
| 7.DD.15 | Spangolite | Cu6Al(SO4)(OH)12Cl · 3H2O |
| 7.DD.15 | 'Unnamed (Dimorph of Devilline)' | CaCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 7.DD.20 | Ktenasite | ZnCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 6H2O |
| 7.DD.25 | Christelite | Cu2Zn3(SO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2O |
| 7.DD.30 | Edwardsite | Cu3Cd2(SO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2O |
| 7.DD.30 | Niedermayrite | CdCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2O |
| 7.DD.30 | Serpierite | Ca(Cu2+,Zn2+)4(S6+O4)2(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 7.DD.30 | Campigliaite | Mn2+Cu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2O |
| 7.DD.30 | Devilline | CaCu4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Shigaite | Mn6Al3(OH)18[Na(H2O)6](SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Zincaluminite | (Zn1-xAlx)(SO4)x/2(OH)2 · nH2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Zincowoodwardite | Zn1-xAlx(OH)2[SO4]x/2 · nH2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Natroglaucocerinite | Zn6Al3(OH)18[Na(H2O)6](SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Hydrowoodwardite | (Cu1-xAlx)(OH)2[SO4]x/2 · nH2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Honessite | (Ni1-xFe3+x)(OH)2[SO4]x/2 · nH2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Carrboydite | (Ni1-xAlx)(SO4)x/2(OH)2 · nH2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Glaucocerinite | (Zn1-xAlx)(OH)2(SO4)x/2 · nH2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Wermlandite | Mg7Al2(OH)18[Ca(H2O)6][SO4]2 · 6H2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Nikischerite | Fe2+6Al3(OH)18[Na(H2O)6](SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Hydrohonessite | (Ni1-xFe3+x)(OH)2(SO4)x/2 · nH2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Woodwardite | Cu1-xAlx(OH)2(SO4)x/2 · nH2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Motukoreaite | Mg6Al3(OH)18[Na(H2O)6][SO4]2 · 6H2O |
| 7.DD.35 | Mountkeithite | [(Mg1-xFe3+x)(OH)2][SO4]x/2 · nH2O |
| 7.DD.40 | Lawsonbauerite | (Mn2+,Mg)9Zn4(SO4)2(OH)22 · 8H2O |
| 7.DD.40 | Torreyite | (Mg,Mn2+)7◻2Mn2+2Zn4(SO4)2(OH)22 · 8H2O |
| 7.DD.40 | Isselite | Cu6(SO4)(OH)10(H2O)4 · H2O |
| 7.DD.45 | Mooreite | Mg9◻2Mn2Zn4(SO4)2(OH)26 · 8H2O |
| 7.DD.45 | Hodgesmithite | (Cu,Zn)6Zn(SO4)2(OH)10 · 3H2O |
| 7.DD.47 | Lahnsteinite | Zn4(SO4)(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 7.DD.50 | Namuwite | Zn4(SO4)(OH)6 · 4H2O |
| 7.DD.50 | Minohlite | (Cu,Zn)7(SO4)2(OH)10 · 8H2O |
| 7.DD.52 | Lauraniite | Cu6Cd2(SO4)2(OH)12 · 5H2O |
| 7.DD.55 | Bechererite | Zn7Cu(OH)13[(SiO(OH)3(SO4)] |
| 7.DD.60 | Ramsbeckite | (Cu,Zn)15(SO4)4(OH)22 · 6H2O |
| 7.DD.65 | Vonbezingite | Ca6Cu3(SO4)3(OH)12 · 2H2O |
| 7.DD.70 | Redgillite | Cu6(SO4)(OH)10 · H2O |
| 7.DD.75 | Nickelalumite | NiAl4(SO4)(OH)12(H2O)3 |
| 7.DD.75 | Kyrgyzstanite | ZnAl4(SO4)(OH)12 · 3H2O |
| 7.DD.75 | Chalcoalumite | CuAl4(SO4)(OH)12 · 3H2O |
| 7.DD.80 | Schulenbergite | (Cu,Zn)7(SO4)2(OH)10 · 3H2O |
| 7.DD.80 | 'UM1992-30-SO:CCuHZn' | (Zn,Cu)7(SO4,CO3)2(OH)10 · 3H2O |
| 7.DD.80 | Thérèsemagnanite | NaCo4(SO4)(OH)6Cl · 6H2O |
| 7.DD.80 | Guarinoite | Zn6(SO4)(OH)10 · 5H2O |
| 7.DD.85 | Montetrisaite | Cu6(SO4)(OH)10 · 2H2O |
Fluorescence of Orthoserpierite
Mauve fluorescence in LW or SW.
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in HCl.
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 Orthoserpierite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3031.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 Orthoserpierite
Localities for Orthoserpierite
Showing 53 localities.
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.
Australia | |
| Kolitsch et al. (1999) |
Austria | |
| - (1994, July) +1 other reference |
| Schnorrer et al. (2002) |
| Der Aufschluß (2006) |
| Schnorrer et al. (2007) |
Chile | |
| maurizio dini - analysed with EDX (by dr. Jochen Scluter) |
Czech Republic | |
| RÜSENBERG et al. (1996) |
| Ondruš et al. (1989) |
| Ondruš et al. (1989) |
Europe | |
| Analysed by Petr Pauliš |
France (TL) | |
| Schweiz.Min.Petr.Mitt. (1985) |
| Lheur et al. (2011) |
| Arliguie M collection |
| This mine worked the same vein as Gabe ... +2 other references | |
Germany | |
| |
| "Lithothek" collection of the ... | |
| www.mineralienatlas.de (n.d.) |
| |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Schnorrer (1995) | |
| www.mg-mineralien-fossilien.info (n.d.) |
| Heinrich et al. (2011) |
| 58. +1 other reference |
| Lapis 30 (7/8) |
Greece | |
| |
| |
| Wendel et al. (1999) |
Ireland | |
| Sarp +2 other references |
| XRD of specimens from nos. 3 & 4 levels ... |
Italy | |
| Gian Claudio Lecca et al. (2025) |
| Erica Bittarello +3 other references |
| Ciriotti et al. (2010) |
Mexico | |
| Origlieri |
Namibia | |
| In the collection of Shields Flynn. ... |
Portugal | |
| Alves (2017) |
| Alves (2017) | |
Spain | |
| Joan Rosell |
| Minerals as determined by analysis by ... +1 other reference |
Switzerland | |
| |
| Ansermet (2012) |
UK | |
| Norman Wilson personal collection |
| Eberhard Zeh collection |
USA | |
| T. Kennedy collection |
| Shannon (1996) +1 other reference | |
| Mielke-Wilson | |
| Grant et al. (2005) |
| In the collection of Brent Thorne. ... |
| Housley R. |
| Kampf et al. (2019) |
| Jenkins et al. (2) +1 other reference |
| Thorne (n.d.) |
| Rocks & Minerals 83:1 pp 52-62 |
| Rocks & Minerals 83:1 pp 52-62 |
Quick NavTopAbout OrthoserpieriteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography X-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Meadowfoot Smelter slag locality, Wanlockhead, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, UK