Heterogenite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Heterogenite
Formula:
Co3+O(OH)
The formula HCoO2 may be more correct (see below).
Colour:
Black, reddish, blackish-brown
Lustre:
Vitreous, Dull
Hardness:
3 - 5
Specific Gravity:
4.13 - 4.47
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Name:
From the Greek for "of another kind", as the mineral differs in composition from similar minerals.
Abstract from Burlet et al. (2016):
"Heterogenite is commonly referred in mineralogy literature as a cobalt oxy-hydroxide CoO(OH). However, detailed analysis of Raman and infrared spectra acquired on particularly well-crystallized natural samples of heterogenite suggests that the mineral can be characterized by a delafossite-type structure, with a general chemical formula ABO2. Indeed, the Raman spectrum of heterogenite, along the one with grimaldiite (HCrO2), lacks visible free OH-group vibrational modes, while the infrared spectrum shows strong hydrogen bond absorption bands. HCoO2 is thus a better formulation of heterogenite that describes more clearly its vibrational behavior and avoids the confusion in literature. Electronic backscattered diffraction (EBSD) is then used to distinguish and map the 2H and 3R heterogenite natural polytypes for the first time. The comparison of EBSD and Raman mappings clearly indicates that the 2H polytype is characterized by an additional peak at 1220 cm−1. The presence/absence is therefore an efficient tool to distinguish both polytypes."
"Heterogenite is commonly referred in mineralogy literature as a cobalt oxy-hydroxide CoO(OH). However, detailed analysis of Raman and infrared spectra acquired on particularly well-crystallized natural samples of heterogenite suggests that the mineral can be characterized by a delafossite-type structure, with a general chemical formula ABO2. Indeed, the Raman spectrum of heterogenite, along the one with grimaldiite (HCrO2), lacks visible free OH-group vibrational modes, while the infrared spectrum shows strong hydrogen bond absorption bands. HCoO2 is thus a better formulation of heterogenite that describes more clearly its vibrational behavior and avoids the confusion in literature. Electronic backscattered diffraction (EBSD) is then used to distinguish and map the 2H and 3R heterogenite natural polytypes for the first time. The comparison of EBSD and Raman mappings clearly indicates that the 2H polytype is characterized by an additional peak at 1220 cm−1. The presence/absence is therefore an efficient tool to distinguish both polytypes."
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1885
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1885:8
IMA Classification of Heterogenite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
Type description reference:
Classification of Heterogenite
4.FE.20
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
F : Hydroxides (without V or U)
E : Hydroxides with OH, without H2O; sheets of edge-sharing octahedra
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
F : Hydroxides (without V or U)
E : Hydroxides with OH, without H2O; sheets of edge-sharing octahedra
6.1.4.2
6 : HYDROXIDES AND OXIDES CONTAINING HYDROXYL
1 : XO(OH)
6 : HYDROXIDES AND OXIDES CONTAINING HYDROXYL
1 : XO(OH)
7.21.1
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
21 : Oxides of Co
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
21 : Oxides of Co
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Htg | 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 Heterogenite
Vitreous, Dull
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Black, reddish, blackish-brown
Streak:
Black, brown
Hardness:
3 - 5 on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN100=420 - 640 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Normal to elongation. An inclined cleavage is developed in grinding. {0001}.
Normal to elongation. An inclined cleavage is developed in grinding. {0001}.
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Conchoidal
Density:
4.13 - 4.47 g/cm3 (Measured) 4.92 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Heterogenite
Type:
Uniaxial
Anisotropism:
Strong, bluish to yellowish white, browns.
Bireflectance:
Very strong
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 (%) | R2 (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 400nm | 15.0% | 30.4% |
| 420nm | 15.8% | 30.4% |
| 440nm | 16.6% | 30.4% |
| 460nm | 16.7% | 29.8% |
| 480nm | 16.6% | 28.8% |
| 500nm | 16.3% | 27.8% |
| 520nm | 16.2% | 27.0% |
| 540nm | 16.3% | 26.4% |
| 560nm | 16.6% | 26.0% |
| 580nm | 16.7% | 25.6% |
| 600nm | 16.7% | 25.3% |
| 620nm | 16.5% | 25.0% |
| 640nm | 16.4% | 24.8% |
| 660nm | 16.2% | 24.5% |
| 680nm | 16.0% | 24.2% |
| 700nm | 15.8% | 23.8% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 30.4%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
White with brownish tinge
Internal Reflections:
Deep cobalt-blue to purple
Pleochroism:
Strong
Comments:
Reflectance data is for the 3R polytype.
Chemistry of Heterogenite
Mindat Formula:
Co3+O(OH)
The formula HCoO2 may be more correct (see below).
The formula HCoO2 may be more correct (see below).
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Heterogenite
Polytype:
Formula:
Crystal System:
Class (H-M)
Space Group:
Space Group Setting:
Cell Parameters:
Ratio:
Unit Cell Volume (calc):
Z:
| Heterogenite-2H | Heterogenite-3R |
|---|---|
| Co3+O(OH) | Co3+O(OH) |
| Hexagonal | Trigonal |
| 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) - Dihexagonal Dipyramidal | 3m (3 2/m) - Hexagonal Scalenohedral |
| P63/mmc | R3m |
| P63/mmc | R3m |
| a = 2.855(5) Å, c = 8.805(5) Å | a = 2.855 Å, c = 13.156 Å |
| a:c = 1 : 3.084 | a:c = 1 : 4.608 |
| V 62.15 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell) | V 92.87 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell) |
| 2 | 3 |
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0012991 | Heterogenite | Delaplane R G, Ibers J A, Ferraro J R, Rush J J (1969) Diffraction and spectroscopic studies of the cobaltic acid system HCoO2 - DCoO2 Journal of Chemical Physics 50 1920-1927 | 1969 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0012992 | Heterogenite | Delaplane R G, Ibers J A, Ferraro J R, Rush J J (1969) Diffraction and spectroscopic studies of the cobaltic acid system HCoO2 - DCoO2 Journal of Chemical Physics 50 1920-1927 | 1969 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0014459 | Heterogenite | Deliens M, Goethals H (1973) Polytypism of heterogenite Mineralogical Magazine 39 152-157 |  | 1973 | Mindigi, Shaba, Zaire | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Loading XRD data...
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| - Å | () |
Comments:
See polytype pages for XRD data.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47h : [Near-surface oxidized, dehydrated minerals] | |
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 48 : Soil leaching zone minerals | <0.6 |
Type Occurrence of Heterogenite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Mining Academy, Freiberg, Germany, 11752; Royal Museum of Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium, RGM10800.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Heterogenite
Other Language Names for Heterogenite
Dutch:Heterogeniet
Russian:Гетерогенит
Varieties of Heterogenite
| Heubachite | A variety of Heterogenite rich in nickel. First described from Anton Mine, Heubach Valley, Wittichen, Schenkenzell, Black Forest, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 170 photos of Heterogenite associated with Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 164 photos of Heterogenite associated with Chrysocolla | Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1 |
| 56 photos of Heterogenite associated with Dolomite | CaMg(CO3)2 |
| 46 photos of Heterogenite associated with Erythrite | Co3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 46 photos of Heterogenite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 45 photos of Heterogenite associated with Cornetite | Cu3(PO4)(OH)3 |
| 37 photos of Heterogenite associated with Roselite | Ca2Co(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 36 photos of Heterogenite associated with Goethite | Fe3+O(OH) |
| 30 photos of Heterogenite associated with Sklodowskite | Mg(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 6H2O |
| 23 photos of Heterogenite associated with Smolyaninovite | Co3Fe3+2(AsO4)4 · 11H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.FE. | Nannoniite | Al2(OH)5F |
| 4.FE.05 | Brucite | Mg(OH)2 |
| 4.FE.05 | Theophrastite | Ni(OH)2 |
| 4.FE.05 | Amakinite | Fe2+(OH)2 |
| 4.FE.05 | Portlandite | Ca(OH)2 |
| 4.FE.05 | Pyrochroite | Mn(OH)2 |
| 4.FE.10 | Doyleite | Al(OH)3 |
| 4.FE.10 | Bayerite | Al(OH)3 |
| 4.FE.10 | Nordstrandite | Al(OH)3 |
| 4.FE.10 | Gibbsite | Al(OH)3 |
| 4.FE.15 | Lepidocrocite | Fe3+O(OH) |
| 4.FE.15 | Böhmite | AlO(OH) |
| 4.FE.20 | Grimaldiite | CrO(OH) |
| 4.FE.25 | Lithiophorite | (Al,Li)MnO2(OH)2 |
| 4.FE.25 | Feitknechtite | Mn3+O(OH) |
| 4.FE.30 | Quenselite | PbMnO2(OH) |
| 4.FE.35 | Ferrihydrite | Fe3+10O14(OH)2 |
| 4.FE.40 | Vernadite | (Mn4+,Fe3+,Ca,Na)(O,OH)2 · nH2O |
| 4.FE.40 | Feroxyhyte | Fe3+O(OH) |
| 4.FE.45 | Quetzalcoatlite | Zn6Cu3(TeO6)2(OH)6 · AgxPbyClx+2y |
| 4.FE.50 | Fuettererite | Pb3Cu2+6Te6+O6(OH)7Cl5 |
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Heterogenite in petrology
An essential component of rock names highlighted in red, an accessory component in rock names highlighted in green.
Internet Links for Heterogenite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1885.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
References for Heterogenite
Reference List:
Hey, M. H. (1962) Cobaltic hydroxide in nature. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 33 (258) 253-259 doi:10.1180/minmag.1962.033.258.08
Deliens, M., Goethals, H. (1973) Polytypism of heterogenite. Mineralogical Magazine, 39 (302) 152-157 doi:10.1180/minmag.1973.039.302.03
Localities for Heterogenite
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 | |
| Munro-Smith (2006) |
| Munro-Smith (2006) |
| Munro-Smith (2006) |
| Laurie J. Lawrence et al. (1999) | |
| Munro-Smith (2006) |
| Day et al. (1995) +2 other references |
| Judy Rowe collection +1 other reference |
Bolivia | |
| Ahlfeld (1955) |
| GEOBOL |
Canada | |
| Somarin et al. (2022) |
| Traill (1983) |
Chile | |
| container.kipu.at (n.d.) +2 other references |
| Pnud Chile/Corfo +3 other references |
| C. Ruiz Fuller/F. Peebles (1988) |
| C. Ruiz Fuller/F. Peebles (1988) |
China | |
| Chunyan Dong et al. (2005) |
| Shen (n.d.) |
| Bugao Xue (1996) |
| Bugao Xue (1996) |
| Bugao Xue (1996) | |
| Bugao Xue (1996) | |
| Bugao Xue (1996) | |
| Bugao Xue (1996) | |
| Bugao Xue (1996) | |
| Bugao Xue (1996) | |
| Bugao Xue (1995) |
DR Congo | |
| Lhoest (1992) |
| Gilbert Gauthier |
| [www.thamesvalleyminerals.com] | |
| RMMA collection +1 other reference |
| Gauthier | |
| Deliens et al. (1973) +2 other references | |
| ... |
| Gauthier et al. (1989) | |
| Dr. Jaroslav Hyrsl specimens |
| De Bondt (n.d.) | |
| Kazadi Banza (2012) +1 other reference | |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
| Lhoest (1992) +2 other references |
| King (n.d.) |
| Xiangqian Li et al. (2009) +1 other reference |
| Sośnicka et al. (2019) |
| Anthony et al. (2003) |
| King (n.d.) | |
| Lhoest (1992) | |
| King (n.d.) | |
| De Bondt (n.d.) |
| Wilson (2018) | |
| André Heyninck collection | |
| Deliens (1989) | |
| |
| De Bondt (n.d.) | |
| www.tenke.com (2003) | |
| De Bondt (n.d.) | |
France | |
| Queneau (n.d.) |
| Dubru. M (1986) |
| Berbain et al. (2005) +1 other reference | |
| Queneau (n.d.) |
Germany | |
| Aufschluss 1974 (10) |
| |
| |
| Walenta (1992) | |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Erzgräber 1987 (2) |
| Erzgräber 1987 (2) | |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Joachim Gröbner (2019) |
| Schnorrer-Köhler (1988) |
| Beyer (1978) |
| Hofmann (1992) |
| A. Frenzel (1872) |
| XRD analysis (T. Witzke) |
| Gröbner et al. (2008) |
| Wittern (2001) |
Iceland | |
| collection of Jamie Turnbull |
Italy | |
| Biagioni et al. (2020) |
| Giovine et al. (2005) |
| Balestra et al. (2009) |
| Pelloux (1926) +1 other reference |
| Bortolozzi (n.d.) |
Japan | |
| - (n.d.) +1 other reference |
Mexico | |
| Panczner (1987) |
Morocco | |
| Favreau et al. (2006) |
| Favreau et al. (2006) |
| Favreau et al. (2006) |
| found by Frank de Wit | |
| Favreau et al. (2006) | |
| Favreau et al. (2006) |
Namibia | |
| Gebhard (1999) |
Portugal | |
| Antonio Jesus Pimentel specimens +1 other reference |
Russia | |
| Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) |
South Africa | |
| Reeks (1996) |
Spain | |
| FAVREAU et al. (2013) |
| Colectivo Arrayanes et al. (2008) |
| Manuel Gutierrez Claverol y Carlos ... |
| Calvo (2009) |
| ... |
| Calvo Rebollar (2015) |
| Martínez i Cantó (2015) |
| Subias I. et al. (2006) |
| Abella i Creus (2018) |
| M. Arliguie collection |
| MinRec-2003-0708-315 |
| Borja Sainz de Baranda et al. (2003) |
| Calvo Rebollar (2009) |
Switzerland | |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
| Ansermet (2012) |
| Ansermet (2012) | |
| [Heterogenite-3R] Ansermet (2012) | |
USA | |
| - (2005) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| USGS PP 162] +1 other reference | |
| Castor et al. (2004) +1 other reference | |
| Castor et al. (2004) | |
| Castor et al. (2004) | |
| Longwell et al. (1965) +1 other reference | |
| Castor et al. (2004) | |
| Castor et al. (2004) | |
| Longwell et al. (1965) |
| USGS PP 162] +1 other reference | |
| Rocks & Minerals. Nov. 1999. | |
| Castor et al. (2004) | |
| Longwell et al. (1965) | |
| Castor et al. (2004) | |
| USGS PP 162] +1 other reference | |
| Longwell et al. (1965) | |
| Longwell et al. (1965) | |
| David Fryauff Collection | |
| S. R. B. Cooke and Donald J. Doan (1935) +1 other reference | |
| Hatfield Goudy Label | |
| King et al. (1991) +1 other reference |
| Dr. William S. Wise presentation to ... |
Zambia | |
| Simusokwe (2021) |
| "Dan Costian" Collection |
| "Dan Costian" Collection | |
| Arliguie M Collection (Old label) |
| Exploration and Mining Geology +6 other references |
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L'Etoile du Congo Mine, Lubumbashi, Haut-Katanga, DR Congo