Hydrohetaerolite
A variety of Hetaerolite
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About Hydrohetaerolite
Formula:
Zn(Mn,◻)2(O,OH)4
Originally thought to be ZnMn2O4 · H2O.
Colour:
Dark brown to brownish black
Lustre:
Sub-Metallic
Hardness:
5 - 6
Specific Gravity:
4.64 - 4.93
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Name:
Named in 1928 by Charles Palache allusion to the water content (HYDRO) and its relationship to hetaerolite. The material was originally described as hetaerolite by William E. Ford and W. M. Bradley in 1913.
Discredited by Bosi et al. (2019).
Discredited by Bosi et al. (2019).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1977 (as Hydrohetaerolite)
1883 (as Hetaerolite)
1883 (as Hetaerolite)
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1977:0 (as Hydrohetaerolite)
mindat:1:1:1883:4 (as Hetaerolite)
mindat:1:1:1883:4 (as Hetaerolite)
IMA Classification of Hydrohetaerolite
Discredited
Classification of Hydrohetaerolite
7.2.7.3
7 : MULTIPLE OXIDES
2 : AB2X4
7 : MULTIPLE OXIDES
2 : AB2X4
7.5.7
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
5 : Oxides of Zn, Cd and Hg
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
5 : Oxides of Zn, Cd and Hg
Physical Properties of Hydrohetaerolite
Sub-Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Comment:
Usually duller than sub-metallic
Colour:
Dark brown to brownish black
Streak:
Dark brown
Hardness:
5 - 6 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Cleavable parallel to the elongation of the fibers.
Cleavable parallel to the elongation of the fibers.
Density:
4.64 - 4.93 g/cm3 (Measured)
Comment:
May be porous
Optical Data of Hydrohetaerolite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 2.262 nε = 2.102
Birefringence:
0.160
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.160
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
Pleochroism:
Not Visible
Chemistry of Hydrohetaerolite
Mindat Formula:
Zn(Mn,◻)2(O,OH)4
Originally thought to be ZnMn2O4 · H2O.
Originally thought to be ZnMn2O4 · H2O.
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Hydrohetaerolite
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Class (H-M):
4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) - Ditetragonal Dipyramidal
Space Group:
I41/amd
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.735 Å, c = 9.005 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 1.57
Unit Cell V:
296.18 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Massive, in fibrous crusts with a botryoidal surface. Fibers elongated [011] ?
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 4.82 Å | (6) |
| 3.34 Å | (6) |
| 3.02 Å | (70) |
| 2.87 Å | (40) |
| 2.66 Å | (80) |
| 2.47 Å | (100) |
| 2.25 Å | (10) |
| 2.13 Å | (10) |
| 2.03 Å | (20) |
| 1.773 Å | (10) |
| 1.723 Å | (20) |
| 1.686 Å | (20) |
| 1.613 Å | (10) |
| 1.570 Å | (50) |
| 1.508 Å | (70) |
| 1.434 Å | (40) |
| 1.412 Å | (4) |
| 1.387 Å | (1) |
| 1.312 Å | (4) |
| 1.299 Å | (1) |
| 1.283 Å | (1) |
| 1.263 Å | (30) |
| 1.155 Å | (6) |
| 1.153 Å | (6) |
| 1.131 Å | (1) |
| 1.117 Å | (6) |
| 1.102 Å | (10) |
| 1.093 Å | (6) |
| 1.074 Å | (30) |
| 1.015 Å | (30) |
| 1.003 Å | (10) |
Comments:
ICDD 9-459, indexed. Axial ratio of hetaerolite is greater than hydrohetaerolite [1.6161 vs. 1.5702]
Geological Environment
Geological Setting:
Zinc oxide-rich ore deposits
First Recorded Occurrence of Hydrohetaerolite
Co-First Recorded Localities:
General Appearance of First Recorded Material:
Fibers grouped in radiated masses with botryoidal serfaces, also in massive granular and bladed aggregates that may be encrusted with chalcophanite
Geological Setting of First Recorded Material:
Late stage mineralization of a marble-hosted zinc oxide and zinc silicate ore deposit. Thought to be the result of advanced alteration of franklinite.
Associated Minerals at First Recorded Locality:
Synonyms of Hydrohetaerolite
Other Language Names for Hydrohetaerolite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 13 photos of Hydrohetaerolite associated with Goethite | Fe3+O(OH) |
| 10 photos of Hydrohetaerolite associated with Chalcophanite | ZnMn4+3O7 · 3H2O |
| 8 photos of Hydrohetaerolite associated with Hydrozincite | Zn5(CO3)2(OH)6 |
| 7 photos of Hydrohetaerolite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 6 photos of Hydrohetaerolite associated with Chalcoalumite | CuAl4(SO4)(OH)12 · 3H2O |
| 5 photos of Hydrohetaerolite associated with Hemimorphite | Zn4Si2O7(OH)2 · H2O |
| 3 photos of Hydrohetaerolite associated with Azurite | Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
| 2 photos of Hydrohetaerolite associated with Hetaerolite | ZnMn2O4 |
| 2 photos of Hydrohetaerolite associated with Mixite | BiCu6(AsO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 2 photos of Hydrohetaerolite associated with 'Limonite' |
Fluorescence of Hydrohetaerolite
Not fluorescent in ultraviolet
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.
Internet Links for Hydrohetaerolite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1977.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Hydrohetaerolite
Reference List:
Butler, G. M. (1913) Some recent developments at Leadville. Second paper. The oxidized zinc ores. Economic Geology, 8 (1). 1-18 doi:10.2113/gsecongeo.8.1.1p.8
Palache, C. (1928) Mineralogical notes on Franklin and Sterling Hill, New Jersey. American Mineralogist, 13 (7) 297-329
Palache, Charles (1935) The minerals of Franklin and Sterling Hill, Sussex County, New Jersey. Professional Paper 180. US Geological Survey 135 pp. doi:10.3133/pp180
Localities for Hydrohetaerolite
Showing 50 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 | |
| Muller (1972) +1 other reference |
Belgium | |
| Michel BLONDIEAU et al. (2018) |
Bulgaria | |
| Bulgarian Academy of Sciences Annual ... |
Canada | |
| Cleaver et al. (2021) |
China | |
| Junping Dong (1992) |
Germany | |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Schnorrer (1995) +1 other reference | |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Der Aufschluss Vol.55 |
Greece | |
| |
| Rieck et al. (1999) +1 other reference | |
| Fritz Schreiber collection +2 other references |
| Soulamidis et al. (2024) |
| Kilias +6 other references |
Ireland | |
| |
| Moreton (1999) | |
Italy | |
| Onac (2025) |
| Boscardin et al. (2011) |
Japan | |
| - (n.d.) |
| - (unpublished species lists maintained by local collectors) +1 other reference |
Mexico | |
| Moore (2008) |
| King (1981) | |
| Moore et al. (2003) | |
| Moore (2008) | |
| Panczner (1987) | |
Namibia | |
| von Bezing (2007) +1 other reference |
Norway | |
| Folvik (2008) +1 other reference |
Poland | |
| Kulig (1973) |
| Kulig M. 1972: Hydrohetaerolite from the Orzeł Biały mine (Upper Silesia) |
Portugal | |
| |
Romania | |
| minerals-of-the-carpathians.eu (2008) |
Russia | |
| Belogub et al. (2007) |
Saudi Arabia | |
| Testard et al. (1979, June) |
Serbia | |
| Mineco Limited |
Slovakia | |
| Mikuš et al. (2026) |
South Korea | |
| Choi et al. (2005) |
Spain | |
| Calvo (1996) +1 other reference |
Switzerland | |
| Meisser et al. (1993) +1 other reference |
Tunisia | |
| Dill |
USA | |
| Graeme (1993) |
| Graeme (1981) | |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
| Wise (1993) |
| Loughlin (1918) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) +1 other reference |
| Shawn Carlson (2010) |
| Baum (2) +2 other references |
| Kokinos et al. (1993) |
| Patrick Haynes. Some ID'd by Tony Kampf | |
| Kokinos et al. (1993) |
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Ojuela Mine, Mapimí, Mapimí Municipality, Durango, Mexico