Parabutlerite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Parabutlerite
Formula:
Fe3+(SO4)(OH) · 2H2O
Colour:
Pale orange to pale orange-brown; light yellow in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2½
Specific Gravity:
2.55
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named in 1938 by Mark Chance Bandy for its resemblance to Butlerite.
Co-Type Localities:
Polymorph of:
This page provides mineralogical data about Parabutlerite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3081
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3081:2
IMA Classification of Parabutlerite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Fe3+S6+O4(OH)(H2O)2
First published:
1938
Classification of Parabutlerite
7.DC.10
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
C : With only medium-sized cations; chains of edge-sharing octahedra
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
C : With only medium-sized cations; chains of edge-sharing octahedra
31.9.2.1
31 : HYDRATED SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
9 : (AB)(XO4)Zq·xH2O
31 : HYDRATED SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
9 : (AB)(XO4)Zq·xH2O
25.10.16
25 : Sulphates
10 : Sulphates of Fe alone
25 : Sulphates
10 : Sulphates of Fe alone
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Pbtl | 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 Parabutlerite
Vitreous
Colour:
Pale orange to pale orange-brown; light yellow in transmitted light.
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Poor/Indistinct
On {110}, poor.
On {110}, poor.
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
2.55 g/cm3 (Measured)
Optical Data of Parabutlerite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.598 nβ = 1.663 nγ = 1.737
2V:
Measured: 87° , Calculated: 90°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.139
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:
Very 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:
r < v weak
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
Alcaparrosa material:
X = b = Light yellow
Y = c = Greenish yellow
Z = a = Brownish yellow
Argentinian material:
X = b = Colourless
Y = c = Faint yellow
Z = a = Light yellow
X = b = Light yellow
Y = c = Greenish yellow
Z = a = Brownish yellow
Argentinian material:
X = b = Colourless
Y = c = Faint yellow
Z = a = Light yellow
Comments:
NOTE: 2V value for Argentinian material = 43°30'.
Chemistry of Parabutlerite
Mindat Formula:
Fe3+(SO4)(OH) · 2H2O
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Parabutlerite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Cell Parameters:
a = 20.0789(8) Å, b = 7.4024(7) Å, c = 7.2294(15) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 2.712 : 1 : 0.977
Unit Cell V:
1,074.52 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Crystals prismatic [001]. The prism zone is striated [001].
Twinning:
On {142}, rare.
Comment:
Space group Pnma(0β0)s0s; the structure is commensurately modulated, with a = 20.0789 (8), b = 7.4024 (7), c = 7.2294 (15) Å and q = 0.4b* (Plášil et al., 2017).
Crystal Structure
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0012131 | Parabutlerite | Borene J (1970) Structure cristalline de la parabutlerite Bulletin de la Societe Francaise de Mineralogie et de Cristallographie 93 185-189 | 1970 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
Epitaxial Relationships of Parabutlerite
Epitaxial Minerals:
| 'Butlerite' | Fe3+(SO4)(OH) · 2H2O |
Epitaxy Comments:
Intergrowths, with {011} of parabutlerite nearly parallel to {001} and {100} of butlerite.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 4.99 Å | (very very strong) |
| 3.11 Å | (very very strong) |
| 5.83 Å | (strong) |
| 3.60 Å | (moderately strong) |
| 2.499 Å | (moderately strong) |
| 4.07 Å | (moderate) |
Comments:
Alcaparrosa, Chile. The data are from Cesbron
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] | |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals |
Type Occurrence of Parabutlerite
Co-Type Localities:
Other Language Names for Parabutlerite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 18 photos of Parabutlerite associated with Botryogen | MgFe3+(SO4)2(OH) · 7H2O |
| 14 photos of Parabutlerite associated with Copiapite | Fe2+Fe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O |
| 9 photos of Parabutlerite associated with Butlerite | Fe3+(SO4)(OH) · 2H2O |
| 6 photos of Parabutlerite associated with Halotrichite | Fe2+Al2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| 3 photos of Parabutlerite associated with Coquimbite | AlFe3(SO4)6(H2O)12 · 6H2O |
| 2 photos of Parabutlerite associated with Voltaite | K2Fe2+5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 · 18H2O |
| 2 photos of Parabutlerite associated with Alunogen | Al2(SO4)3 · 17H2O |
| 1 photo of Parabutlerite associated with Antofagastaite | Na2Ca(SO4)2 · 1.5H2O |
| 1 photo of Parabutlerite associated with Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
| 1 photo of Parabutlerite associated with Amarantite | Fe3+2(SO4)2O · 7H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.DC.05 | Meta-aluminite | Al2(SO4)(OH)4 · 5H2O |
| 7.DC.05 | Aluminite | Al2(SO4)(OH)4 · 7H2O |
| 7.DC.10 | Butlerite | Fe3+(SO4)(OH) · 2H2O |
| 7.DC.15 | Fibroferrite | Fe3+(SO4)(OH) · 5H2O |
| 7.DC.20 | Xitieshanite | Fe3+(SO4)Cl · 6H2O |
| 7.DC.25 | Zincobotryogen | (Zn,Mg,Mn2+)Fe3+(SO4)2(OH) · 7H2O |
| 7.DC.25 | Botryogen | MgFe3+(SO4)2(OH) · 7H2O |
| 7.DC.30 | Chaidamuite | ZnFe3+(SO4)2(OH) · 4H2O |
| 7.DC.30 | Guildite | CuFe3+(SO4)2(OH) · 4H2O |
| 7.DC.40 | Pauladamsite | Cu4(SeO3)(SO4)(OH)4 · 2H2O |
| 7.DC.45 | Riotintoite | Al(SO4)(OH) · 3H2O |
| 7.DC.50 | Thorneite | Pb6(Te6+2O10)(CO3)Cl2(H2O) |
| 7.DC.55 | Vendidaite | Al2(SO4)(OH)3Cl · 6H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
Insoluble in cold or hot water; soluble in dilute acids.
Observed as pseudomorphs after copiapite.
Observed as pseudomorphs after copiapite.
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 Parabutlerite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3081.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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Mineral Dealers:
References for Parabutlerite
Reference List:
Bandy, Mark C. (1938) Mineralogy of three sulphate deposits of northern Chile. American Mineralogist, 23 (11) 669-760 pp.742-745
Cesbron, Fabien (1964) Contribution à la Minéralogie des sulfates de fer hydratés. Bulletin de Minéralogie, 87 (2) 125-143 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1964.5721
Borène, Jacques (1970) Structure cristalline de la parabutlérite. Bulletin de Minéralogie, 93 (2) 185-189 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1970.6452
Čejka, Jiří, Sejkora, Jiří, Plášil, Jakub, Bahfenne, Silmarilly, Palmer, Sara J., Frost, Ray L. (2011) A vibrational spectroscopic study of hydrated Fe3+ hydroxyl-sulfates; polymorphic minerals butlerite and parabutlerite. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 79 (5) 1356-1363 doi:10.1016/j.saa.2011.04.069
Localities for Parabutlerite
Showing 25 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.
Argentina | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
Atlantic Ocean | |
| Gablina et al. (2018) |
Canada | |
| Norman Wilson collection |
Chile | |
| XRD by Joachim Lorenz |
| SEM-EDS and XRD by Igor V. Pekov | |
| XRD by Joachim Lorenz | |
| Kampf +6 other references |
| Bandy (1938) +2 other references |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| |
| Peter G. Seroka collection |
China | |
| Xu Ying-xia et al. (2006) |
Cyprus | |
| ... |
Greece | |
| Fritz Schreiber collection |
| Rieck et al. (2018) |
Hungary | |
| Szakáll et al. (1997) |
| Szakáll et al. (1997) |
Iran | |
| Bariand et al. (1973) +1 other reference |
Spain | |
| Garcia (1996) |
USA | |
| www.mineralsocal.org (1999) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) | |
| Bullock (1981) |
| Rosenzweig et al. (1955) | |
Mars | |
| Lane et al. (2008) |
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Alcaparrosa Mine, Sierra Gorda, Antofagasta Province, Antofagasta, Chile