Retgersite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Retgersite
Formula:
NiSO4 · 6H2O
Colour:
Emerald green with blue tinge; pale green in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2½
Specific Gravity:
2.04
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Name:
Named in honor of Jan Willem Retgers (20 October 1856 Batavia, Dutch East Indies (now Jakarta, Indonesia) – 9 August 1896, Utrecht, Netherlands), crystallographer. He studied the crystallography of many synthetic compounds.
Type Locality:
Dimorph of:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3489
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3489:6
IMA Classification of Retgersite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Ni(SO4) · 6H2O
First published:
1949
Classification of Retgersite
7.CB.30
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
C : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, with H2O
B : With only medium-sized cations
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
C : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, with H2O
B : With only medium-sized cations
29.6.9.1
29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
6 : AXO4·xH2O
29 : HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
6 : AXO4·xH2O
25.12.5
25 : Sulphates
12 : Sulphates of Co and Ni
25 : Sulphates
12 : Sulphates of Co and Ni
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Rtg | 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 Retgersite
Vitreous
Colour:
Emerald green with blue tinge; pale green in transmitted light.
Streak:
Greenish-white
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {001}, perfect; traces on {110} in crushed grains under magnification.
On {001}, perfect; traces on {110} in crushed grains under magnification.
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Sub-Conchoidal
Density:
2.04 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.07 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
2.07 (artificial material).
Optical Data of Retgersite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.5109 nε = 1.4873
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.024
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.
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.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Chemistry of Retgersite
Mindat Formula:
NiSO4 · 6H2O
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Retgersite
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Class (H-M):
4 2 2 - Trapezohedral
Space Group:
P41 21 2
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.78 Å, c = 18.28 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 2.696
Unit Cell V:
840.30 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Artificial crystals thick tabular {001} grading to short prismatic [001]. Fibrous crusts or veinlets, fibers elongated [001]; twisted spire- or horn-like tufts. Single crystals rare.
Type material prismatic on [001] showing the forms {001}, {110}, {011}, {012} and {112}.
Type material prismatic on [001] showing the forms {001}, {110}, {011}, {012} and {112}.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0009303 | Retgersite | O'Connor B H, Dale D H (1966) A neutron diffraction analysis of the crystal structure of tetragonal nickel sulphate hexadeuterate Acta Crystallographica 21 705-709 |  | 1966 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0009334 | Retgersite | Rousseau B, Maes S T, Lenstra A T H (2000) Systematic intensity errors and model imperfection as the consequence of spectral truncation Acta Crystallographica A56 300-307 | | 2000 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0009810 | Retgersite | Stadnicka K, Glazer A M, Koralewski M (1987) Structure, absolute configuration and optical activity of alpha-nickel sulfate hexahydrate Acta Crystallographica B43 319-325 | | 1987 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0009837 | Retgersite | McIntyre G J, Ptasiewicz-Bak H, Olovsson I (1990) Bonding deformation and superposition effects in the electron density of tetragonal nickel sulfate hexadeuterate NiSO4*6D2O Acta Crystallographica B46 27-39 | | 1990 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0009838 | Retgersite | McIntyre G J, Ptasiewicz-Bak H, Olovsson I (1990) Bonding deformation and superposition effects in the electron density of tetragonal nickel sulfate hexadeuterate NiSO4*6D2O Acta Crystallographica B46 27-39 | | 1990 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0009870 | Retgersite | Ptasiewicz-Bak H, Olovsson I, McIntyre G J (1993) Bonding deformation and superposition in the electron density of tetragonal NiSO4*6H2O at 25K Acta Crystallographica B49 192-201 | | 1993 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0009871 | Retgersite | Ptasiewicz-Bak H, Olovsson I, McIntyre G J (1993) Bonding deformation and superposition in the electron density of tetragonal NiSO4*6H2O at 25K Acta Crystallographica B49 192-201 | | 1993 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0010072 | Retgersite | Angel R J,Finger L W (1988) Polymorphism of nickel sulfate hexahydrate Acta Crystallographica C44 1869-1873 | | 1988 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0010508 | Retgersite | Beevers C A, Lipson H (1932) The crystal structure of nickel sulphate hexahydrate NiSO4 * 6H2O Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 83 123-135 |  | 1932 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0015590 | Retgersite | Iskhakova L D, Dubrovinskii L S, Charushnikova I A (1991) Crystal structure, theoretical parameters of potential of atomic interaction (PPAI), and thermochemical properties of NiSO4*nH2O (n=7,6) Soviet Physics Crystallography 36 360-363 | 1991 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 4.64 Å | (18) |
| 4.57 Å | (40) |
| 4.25 Å | (100) |
| 3.39 Å | (12) |
| 2.964 Å | (20) |
| 2.721 Å | (18) |
| 2.571 Å | (14) |
Comments:
Synthetic. The data are from Swanson et al. (1957).
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] | |
| 47i : [Terrestrial weathering of meteorites] |
Type Occurrence of Retgersite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Poorly formed, bluish green crystals, to 1 mm in length, encrusting a black coke-like mass of patronite.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Harvard Mineralogical Museum, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, number 100822 (holotype).
Geological Setting of Type Material:
A secondary mineral in the oxidization zone of nickel-bearing rocks. Forms at temperatures between 31.5°C and 53.5°C. Also at temperatures at least as low as 0°C when there is an excess of free H2SO4.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Retgersite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 11 photos of Retgersite associated with Morenosite | NiSO4 · 7H2O |
| 5 photos of Retgersite associated with Nickelhexahydrite | Ni(SO4) · 6H2O |
| 2 photos of Retgersite associated with Patrónite | VS4 |
| 2 photos of Retgersite associated with Paraotwayite | Ni(OH)2-x(SO4,CO3)0.5x |
| 2 photos of Retgersite associated with Zaratite | Ni3(CO3)(OH)4 · 4H2O ? |
| 2 photos of Retgersite associated with Annabergite | Ni3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 2 photos of Retgersite associated with Koritnigite | Zn(AsO3OH) · H2O |
| 2 photos of Retgersite associated with Pentlandite | (NixFey)Σ9S8 |
| 2 photos of Retgersite associated with Pyrrhotite | Fe1-xS |
| 2 photos of Retgersite associated with Minasragrite | (V4+O)(SO4) · 5H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.CB. | Sarvodaite | Al2(SO4)3 · 5H2O |
| 7.CB.02 | Voudourisite | CdSO4 · H2O |
| 7.CB.05 | Szmikite | MnSO4 · H2O |
| 7.CB.05 | Szomolnokite | FeSO4 · H2O |
| 7.CB.05 | Cobaltkieserite | CoSO4 · H2O |
| 7.CB.05 | Dwornikite | Ni(SO4) · H2O |
| 7.CB.05 | Kieserite | MgSO4 · H2O |
| 7.CB.05 | Poitevinite | (Cu,Fe)SO4 · H2O |
| 7.CB.05 | Gunningite | ZnSO4 · H2O |
| 7.CB.07 | Sanderite | MgSO4 · 2H2O |
| 7.CB.10 | Bonattite | CuSO4 · 3H2O |
| 7.CB.12 | Belogubite | CuZn(SO4)2 · 10H2O |
| 7.CB.15 | Drobecite | CdSO4 · 4H2O |
| 7.CB.15 | Aplowite | (Co,Mn,Ni)SO4 · 4H2O |
| 7.CB.15 | Cranswickite | MgSO4 · 4H2O |
| 7.CB.15 | Rozenite | FeSO4 · 4H2O |
| 7.CB.15 | Starkeyite | MgSO4 · 4H2O |
| 7.CB.15 | Ilesite | Mn2+(SO4) · 4H2O |
| 7.CB.15 | Boyleite | ZnSO4 · 4H2O |
| 7.CB.20 | Siderotil | FeSO4 · 5H2O |
| 7.CB.20 | Jôkokuite | MnSO4 · 5H2O |
| 7.CB.20 | Pentahydrite | MgSO4 · 5H2O |
| 7.CB.20 | Chalcanthite | CuSO4 · 5H2O |
| 7.CB.25 | Chvaleticeite | Mn(SO4) · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.25 | Nickelhexahydrite | Ni(SO4) · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.25 | Hexahydrite | MgSO4 · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.25 | Bianchite | Zn(SO4) · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.25 | Moorhouseite | Co(SO4) · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.25 | Ferrohexahydrite | FeSO4 · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.35 | Zincmelanterite | (Zn,Cu,Fe)SO4 · 7H2O |
| 7.CB.35 | Melanterite | Fe2+(H2O)6SO4 · H2O |
| 7.CB.35 | Alpersite | (Mg,Cu)(SO4) · 7H2O |
| 7.CB.35 | Bieberite | CoSO4 · 7H2O |
| 7.CB.35 | Boothite | CuSO4 · 7H2O |
| 7.CB.35 | Mallardite | MnSO4 · 7H2O |
| 7.CB.40 | Epsomite | MgSO4 · 7H2O |
| 7.CB.40 | Goslarite | ZnSO4 · 7H2O |
| 7.CB.40 | Morenosite | NiSO4 · 7H2O |
| 7.CB.45 | Meta-alunogen | Al2(SO4)3 · 12H2O |
| 7.CB.45 | Alunogen | Al2(SO4)3 · 17H2O |
| 7.CB.50 | Aluminocoquimbite | Al2Fe2(SO4)6(H2O)12 · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.50 | Lazaridisite | 3CdSO4 · 8H2O |
| 7.CB.52 | Pararaisaite | CuMg[Te6+O4(OH)2] · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.55 | Paracoquimbite | Fe4(SO4)6(H2O)12 · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.55 | Rhomboclase | (H5O2)Fe3+(SO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 7.CB.55 | Raisaite | CuMg[Te6+O4(OH)2] · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.55 | Coquimbite | AlFe3(SO4)6(H2O)12 · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.57 | Caichengyunite | Fe2+3Al2(SO4)6 · 30H2O |
| 7.CB.60 | Kornelite | Fe2(SO4)3 · 7H2O |
| 7.CB.65 | Quenstedtite | Fe2(SO4)3 · 11H2O |
| 7.CB.70 | Lausenite | Fe2(SO4)3 · 5H2O |
| 7.CB.75 | Römerite | Fe2+Fe3+2(SO4)4 · 14H2O |
| 7.CB.75 | Lishizhenite | ZnFe2(SO4)4 · 14H2O |
| 7.CB.80 | Ransomite | CuFe2(SO4)4 · 6H2O |
| 7.CB.85 | Dietrichite | (Zn,Fe2+,Mn2+)Al2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| 7.CB.85 | Halotrichite | FeAl2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| 7.CB.85 | Apjohnite | Mn2+Al2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| 7.CB.85 | Redingtonite | (Fe2+,Mg,Ni)(Cr,Al)2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| 7.CB.85 | Pickeringite | MgAl2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| 7.CB.85 | Bílinite | Fe2+Fe3+2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| 7.CB.85 | Wupatkiite | (Co,Mg,Ni)Al2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| 7.CB.90 | Meridianiite | MgSO4 · 11H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
Bitter Taste
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 Retgersite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3489.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
References for Retgersite
Reference List:
Frondel, Clifford, Palache, Charles (1949) Retgersite, NiSO4·6H2O, a new mineral. American Mineralogist, 34 (3-4) 188-194
Stadnicka, K., Glazer, A. M., Koralewski, M. (1987) Structure, absolute configuration and optical activity of α-nickel sulfate hexahydrate. Acta Crystallographica Section B Structural Science, 43 (4) 319-325 doi:10.1107/s0108768187097787
Olovsson, I.; McIntyre, G. J.; Ptasiewicz-Bak, H. (1993) Chemical bonding and temperature effects in the charge and spin densities of NiSO4.6H2O and NiSO4.7H2O. Acta Crystallographica Section A Foundations of Crystallography, 49 (s1). c380 doi:10.1107/s0108767378089321
Shannon, Robert D., Shannon, Ruth C., Medenbach, Olaf, Fischer, Reinhard X. (2002) Refractive Index and Dispersion of Fluorides and Oxides. Journal of Physical and Chemical Reference Data, 31 (4) 931-970 doi:10.1063/1.1497384
Localities for Retgersite
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 | |
| Bottrill et al. (2002) |
| Nickel et al. (1993) +1 other reference |
Austria | |
| Auer (2021) |
| Strasser (1989) |
| Landesmuseum Joanneum (Graz, Styria) +1 other reference |
| Schnorrer et al. (2005) |
| Schnorrer+Poeverlein (2005) | |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | |
| Bermanec et al. (2000) |
Canada | |
| Mielke (n.d.) |
| Reiner Mielke 2014 |
| Sabina (2003) |
| Staveley (1976) | |
| Sabina (1992) |
| Collection of Barry Murphy |
Chile | |
| Tom Loomis (Dakotamatrix) +1 other reference |
China | |
| Jianguo Yang et al. (2012) |
| Chunyan Dong et al. (2005) |
| Yan Sun et al. (2009) |
| Han et al. (2007) |
Costa Rica | |
| Ulloa et al. (2018) |
Czech Republic | |
| Sejkora et al. (2023) |
| Lapis 2002 (7/8) |
| Sejkora (1992) |
| 70 (in German) +1 other reference |
Finland | |
| Hytönen |
Germany | |
| Walenta (1992) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Mindat photo by David J. Eicher |
| 70. +1 other reference |
| Steinkamm et al. (1988) |
| Schnorrer-Köhler (1991) |
| Schnorrer-Köhler (1988) +1 other reference |
| Der Aufschluss 2000 (2) |
| Henrich (2009) |
| Schnorrer et al. (1998) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Der Aufschluss Vol.55 |
| Gerhard Möhn Collection Analyzed by ... |
| Wittern (2001) | |
| Frenzel (2009) |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
Greece | |
| Rieck et al. (2020) |
| Rieck et al. (2020) |
| Rieck et al. (2020) | |
| Rieck et al. (2020) |
Italy | |
| Piccoli et al. (2007) |
| Arliguie M collection | |
| Piccoli et al. (2007) |
| Piccoli et al. (2007) |
| Gianluca Armellino |
| Caboni et al. (2018) |
| Bonifazi (2020) +1 other reference |
Japan | |
| Yamada (2004) |
| Minakawa and Noto (1984) |
Morocco | |
| Favreau et al. (2006) |
Norway | |
| Kristiansen (2022) |
| Selbekk et al. (2010) |
Peru (TL) | |
| Progr. Abstr. et al. (1948) +4 other references |
Poland | |
| Paulo A. 1970: On the formation of ... |
Russia | |
| Novakov et al. (2021) |
| Fedotova (1967) |
| Excalibur Mineral Co. specimen | |
Slovakia | |
| Fehér B. et al. (2016) |
| Števko et al. (2019) |
| Mikuš et al. (2007) |
Spain | |
| Joan Rosell |
| Joan Abella i Creus (Joanabellacreus@gmail.com) +1 other reference |
Switzerland | |
| Ansermet (2012) |
UK | |
| Day (1999) |
| Livingstone et al. (1983) +1 other reference |
USA | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) | |
| Dana 6:1069 +3 other references |
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Rudňany, Spišská Nová Ves District, Košice Region, Slovakia