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Ferrosaponite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Ferrosaponite
Formula:
Ca0.3(Fe2+,Mg,Fe3+)3((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2 · 4H2O
Colour:
Dark green
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
2.49
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named for being the ferrous-iron analogue of saponite.
This page provides mineralogical data about Ferrosaponite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
29079
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:29079:7
IMA Classification of Ferrosaponite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Ca0.3(Fe2+,Mg,Fe3+)3(Si,Al)4O10(OH)2·4H2O
Approval year:
2002
Classification of Ferrosaponite
9.EC.45
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
C : Phyllosilicates with mica sheets, composed of tetrahedral and octahedral nets
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
C : Phyllosilicates with mica sheets, composed of tetrahedral and octahedral nets
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Fsap | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Fsap | Warr (2020) | Warr, L.N. (2020) Recommended abbreviations for the names of clay minerals and associated phases. Clay Minerals, 55, 261–264 doi:10.1180/clm.2020.30 |
Physical Properties of Ferrosaponite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Dark green
Streak:
Green
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
(001)
(001)
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
2.49(5) g/cm3 (Measured) 2.435 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Ferrosaponite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.448 nβ = 1.641(2) nγ = 1.642(2)
2V:
Measured: -5° (2), Calculated: -7.5°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.194
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:
Moderate (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.
No measured or calculated 2V is on file for this mineral, so the value used here (7°) is estimated from its recorded refractive indices and optic sign, not from a direct 2V measurement.
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.
No measured or calculated 2V is on file for this mineral, so the value used here (7°) is estimated from its recorded refractive indices and optic sign, not from a direct 2V measurement.
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
Brown
Comments:
Alpha index calculated from Gladstone-Dale
Chemistry of Ferrosaponite
Mindat Formula:
Ca0.3(Fe2+,Mg,Fe3+)3((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2 · 4H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Ferrosaponite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.365(2) Å, b = 9.337(4) Å, c = 14.65(2) Å
β = 94.9(1)°
β = 94.9(1)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.575 : 1 : 1.569
Unit Cell V:
731.18 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Comment:
Point Group: n.d.; Space Group: n.d.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.03 Å | (100) |
| 7.37 Å | (90) |
| 4.72 Å | (90) |
| 2.585 Å | (90) |
| 2.429 Å | (90) |
| 1.549 Å | (90) |
| 3.80 Å | (80) |
| 14.61 Å | (40) |
Comments:
14.61 (40) - (expands to 17.9 after glycolation).
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 3b: Earth’s earliest hydrosphere | >4.45 |
| 13 : Hadean serpentinization | |
| 16 : Low-? aqueous alteration of Hadean subaerial lithologies (see also #23) | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Ferrosaponite
General Appearance of Type Material:
spherulites, up to 2 тmm diameter, ог radiating/columnar aggregates included into calcite crystals.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Geoscientific Collections of Freiberg University of Mining and
Technology, Germany (the inventory number 80252).
Technology, Germany (the inventory number 80252).
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Basalt pillow lavas
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Ferrosaponite
Other Language Names for Ferrosaponite
Relationship of Ferrosaponite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Smectite Group:
| Beidellite | (Na,Ca0.5)0.3Al2((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Hectorite | Na0.3(Mg,Li)3(Si4O10)(F,OH)2 | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Montmorillonite | (Na,Ca)0.33(Al,Mg)2(Si4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Nontronite | Na0.3Fe2((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| 'Pimelite' | Ni3Si4O10(OH)2 · 4H2O | Hex. |
| Saliotite | (Li,Na)Al3(AlSi3O10)(OH)5 | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Saponite | Ca0.25(Mg,Fe)3((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O | Mon. |
| Sauconite | Na0.3Zn3((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2 · 4H2O | Mon. |
| Stevensite | (Ca,Na)xMg3-x(Si4O10)(OH)2 | Mon. |
| Swinefordite | Li(Al,Li,Mg)3((Si,Al)4O10)2(OH,F)4 · nH2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Volkonskoite | Ca0.3(Cr,Mg,Fe)2((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2 · 4H2O | Mon. |
| Yakhontovite | (Ca,Na)0.5(Cu,Fe,Mg)2(Si4O10)(OH)2 · 3H2O | Mon. |
| Zincsilite | Zn3Si4O10(OH)2 · 4H2O (?) | Mon. |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 10 photos of Ferrosaponite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 9 photos of Ferrosaponite associated with Prehnite | Ca2Al2Si3O10(OH)2 |
| 3 photos of Ferrosaponite associated with Datolite | CaB(SiO4)(OH) |
| 3 photos of Ferrosaponite associated with 'Adularia' | KAlSi3O8 |
| 2 photos of Ferrosaponite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 1 photo of Ferrosaponite associated with Heulandite Subgroup | (Na/Ca/K)5-6[Al8-9 Si27-28 O72] · nH2O |
| 1 photo of Ferrosaponite associated with 'Iceland Spar' | CaCO3 |
| 1 photo of Ferrosaponite associated with Chabazite | |
| 1 photo of Ferrosaponite associated with Lizardite | Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| 1 photo of Ferrosaponite associated with Phillipsite Subgroup | (Ca0.5,K,Na,Ba0.5)4-7[Al4-7Si12-9O32] . 12H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.EC. | Meifuite | KFe6(Si7Al)O19(OH)4Cl2 |
| 9.EC. | Balestraite | KLi2V5+Si4O12 |
| 9.EC. | Voloshinite | Rb(LiAl1.5◻0.5)(Al0.5Si3.5)O10F2 |
| 9.EC.05 | Talc | Mg3Si4O10(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.05 | Minnesotaite | Fe2+3Si4O10(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.05 | Willemseite | Ni3Si4O10(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.10 | Fluorluanshiweiite | KLiAl1.5(Si3.5Al0.5)O10F2 |
| 9.EC.10 | Garmite | CsLiMg2(Si4O10)F2 |
| 9.EC.10 | Gorbunovite | CsLi2(Ti,Fe)Si4O10(F,OH,O)2 |
| 9.EC.10 | Ferripyrophyllite | Fe3+Si2O5(OH) |
| 9.EC.10 | Manganiceladonite | K(MgMn3+◻)(Si4O10)(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.10 | Luanshiweiite | KLiAl1.5(Si3.5Al0.5)O10(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.10 | Pyrophyllite | Al2Si4O10(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.15 | Paragonite | NaAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.15 | Ferroaluminoceladonite | K(Fe2+Al◻)(Si4O10)(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.15 | Nanpingite | CsAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH,F)2 |
| 9.EC.15 | Ferroceladonite | K(Fe2+Fe3+◻)(Si4O10)(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.15 | Ganterite | Ba0.5(Na,K)0.5Al2(Si2.5Al1.5)O10(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.15 | Kreiterite | CsLi2Fe3+(Si4O10)F2 |
| 9.EC.15 | Roscoelite | KV3+2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.15 | Aluminoceladonite | K(MgAl◻)(Si4O10)(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.15 | Tobelite | (NH4)Al2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.15 | Tainiolite | KLiMg2(Si4O10)F2 |
| 9.EC.15 | Celadonite | K(MgFe3+◻)(Si4O10)(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.15 | Chromceladonite | K(MgCr◻)(Si4O10)(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.15 | Montdorite | KFe2+1.5Mn2+0.5Mg0.5Si4O10(F,OH)2 |
| 9.EC.15 | Chromphyllite | KCr2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.15 | Boromuscovite | KAl2(BSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.15 | 'UM1988-22-SiO:AlCaFFeHKLiMg' | KLiMgAl2Si3O10F2 |
| 9.EC.15 | Chernykhite | (Ba,Na)(V3+,Al,Mg)2((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.15 | Muscovite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.20 | Masutomilite | K(LiAlMn2+)[AlSi3O10]F2 |
| 9.EC.20 | Oxyphlogopite | K(Mg,Ti,Fe)3[(Si,Al)4O10](O,F)2 |
| 9.EC.20 | 'Chloroferrokinoshitalite' | (Ba,K)(Fe2+,Mg)3(Al2Si2O10)(Cl,OH,F)2 |
| 9.EC.20 | Siderophyllite | KFe2+2Al(Al2Si2O10)(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.20 | Sokolovaite | CsLi2Al(Si4O10)F2 |
| 9.EC.20 | Hendricksite | KZn3(Si3Al)O10(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.20 | Tetraferriphlogopite | KMg3(Si3Fe3+)O10(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.20 | Fluorannite | KFe2+3(Si3Al)O10F2 |
| 9.EC.20 | Aspidolite | NaMg3(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.20 | Suhailite | (NH4)Fe2+3(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.20 | Ephesite | NaLiAl2(Al2Si2O10)(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.20 | Norrishite | KLiMn3+2(Si4O10)O2 |
| 9.EC.20 | Phlogopite | KMg3(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.20 | Yangzhumingite | KMg2.5(Si4O10)F2 |
| 9.EC.20 | Orlovite | KLi2Ti(Si4O10)OF |
| 9.EC.20 | Tetraferriannite | KFe2+3(Si3Fe3+)O10(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.20 | Shirokshinite | K(NaMg2)(Si4O10)F2 |
| 9.EC.20 | Trilithionite | K(Li1.5Al1.5)(AlSi3O10)(F,OH)2 |
| 9.EC.20 | Polylithionite | KLi2Al(Si4O10)(F,OH)2 |
| 9.EC.20 | Shirozulite | KMn2+3(Si3Al)O10(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.20 | Preiswerkite | NaMg2Al(Al2Si2O10)(OH)2 |
| 9.EC.20 | Fluorophlogopite | KMg3(Si3Al)O10F2 |
| 9.EC.20 |
Kara No. 1 Pit, Kara Mines, Hampshire mining district, Burnie City, Tasmania, Australia