Langbeinite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Langbeinite
Formula:
K2Mg2(SO4)3
Colour:
Colorless, white, pale tinges; colourless in transmitted light
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
3½ - 4
Specific Gravity:
2.83
Crystal System:
Isometric
Member of:
Name:
After A. Langbein of Leopoldshall, Germany.
Type Locality:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2320
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2320:3
Similar Names
| Långbanite | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | Mn42+Mn93+Sb5+O16(SiO4)2 |
IMA Classification of Langbeinite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1891
Classification of Langbeinite
7.AC.10
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
A : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, without H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
A : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, without H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
28.4.4.1
28 : ANHYDROUS ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
4 : Miscellaneous
28 : ANHYDROUS ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
4 : Miscellaneous
25.3.13
25 : Sulphates
3 : Sulphates of Mg
25 : Sulphates
3 : Sulphates of Mg
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lbn | 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 Langbeinite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colorless, white, pale tinges; colourless in transmitted light
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3½ - 4 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
2.83 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.77 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Langbeinite
Type:
Isotropic
RI values:
n = 1.5329 - 1.5347
Birefringence:
Isotropic minerals have no birefringence
Surface Relief:
Low
Chemistry of Langbeinite
Mindat Formula:
K2Mg2(SO4)3
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Langbeinite
Crystal System:
Isometric
Class (H-M):
2 3 - Tetartoidal
Space Group:
P21 3
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.92 Å
Unit Cell V:
976.19 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Crystals rare. Usually disseminated grains, nodular or massive aggregates.
Crystal Structure
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2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0017885 | Langbeinite | Mereiter K (1979) Refinement of the crystal structure of langbeinite, K2Mg2(SO4)3 Neues Jahrbuch fur Mineralogie, Monatshefte 1979 182-188 | 1979 | the Harmstorf deposit, Werratal, Hessen, Germany | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.137 Å | (100) |
| 2.651 Å | (35) |
| 4.051 Å | (25) |
| 2.992 Å | (16) |
| 2.753 Å | (16) |
| 2.405 Å | (12) |
| 1.609 Å | (12) |
Comments:
Synthetic
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 25 : Evaporites (prebiotic) | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45a : [Sulfates, arsenates, selenates, antimonates] | |
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 50 : Coal and/or oil shale minerals | <0.36 |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 54 : Coal and other mine fire minerals (see also #51 and #56) |
Geological Setting:
Salt deposits.
Type Occurrence of Langbeinite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Colorless masses from a drill core.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
n.d.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Potash deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Langbeinite
Dutch:Langbeiniet
German:Langbeinit
Russian:Лангбейнит
Simplified Chinese:无水钾镁矾
Spanish:Langbeinita
Traditional Chinese:無水鉀鎂礬
Relationship of Langbeinite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Langbeinite Group:
| Calciolangbeinite | K2Ca2(SO4)3 | Iso. 2 3 : P21 3 |
| Efremovite | (NH4)2Mg2(SO4)3 | Iso. 2 3 : P21 3 |
| Ferroefremovite | (NH4)2Fe2+2(SO4)3 | Iso. 2 3 : P21 3 |
| Manganolangbeinite | K2Mn2(SO4)3 | Iso. 2 3 : P21 3 |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 6 photos of Langbeinite associated with Sylvite | KCl |
| 3 photos of Langbeinite associated with Lammerite | Cu3(AsO4)2 |
| 2 photos of Langbeinite associated with Kozyrevskite | Cu4O(AsO4)2 |
| 2 photos of Langbeinite associated with Anhydrite | CaSO4 |
| 2 photos of Langbeinite associated with Tenorite | CuO |
| 2 photos of Langbeinite associated with Piypite | K4Cu4O2(SO4)4 · (Na,Cu)Cl |
| 1 photo of Langbeinite associated with Sanderite | MgSO4 · 2H2O |
| 1 photo of Langbeinite associated with Ericlaxmanite | Cu4O(AsO4)2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.AC. | Aluminopyracmonite | (NH4)3Al(SO4)3 |
| 7.AC. | Amgaite | Tl+32Te6+O6 |
| 7.AC.05 | Vanthoffite | Na6Mg(SO4)4 |
| 7.AC.08 | Pyracmonite | (NH4)3Fe(SO4)3 |
| 7.AC.10 | Efremovite | (NH4)2Mg2(SO4)3 |
| 7.AC.10 | Ferroefremovite | (NH4)2Fe2+2(SO4)3 |
| 7.AC.10 | Manganolangbeinite | K2Mn2(SO4)3 |
| 7.AC.15 | Yavapaiite | KFe(SO4)2 |
| 7.AC.15 | Eldfellite | NaFe3+(SO4)2 |
| 7.AC.20 | Sabieite | (NH4)Fe3+(SO4)2 |
| 7.AC.20 | Godovikovite | (NH4)Al(SO4)2 |
| 7.AC.20 | Steklite | KAl(SO4)2 |
| 7.AC.35 | Aphthitalite | K3Na(SO4)2 |
| 7.AC.35 | Belomarinaite | KNa(SO4) |
| 7.AC.35 | Natroaphthitalite | KNa3(SO4)2 |
| 7.AC.35 | Möhnite | (NH4)K2Na(SO4)2 |
| 7.AC.40 | Itelmenite | Na4Mg3Cu3(SO4)8 |
| 7.AC.45 | Saranchinaite | Na2Cu(SO4)2 |
| 7.AC.50 | Majzlanite | K2Na(ZnNa)Ca(SO4)4 |
| 7.AC.60 | Philoxenite | (K,Na,Pb)4(Na,Ca)2(Mg,Cu)3(Fe3+0.5Al0.5)(SO4)8 |
| 7.AC.75 | Petrovite | Na12Cu2(SO4)8 |
Radioactivity
Radioactivity:
| Element | % Content | Activity (Bq/kg) | Radiation Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uranium (U) | 0.0000% | 0 | α, β, γ |
| Thorium (Th) | 0.0000% | 0 | α, β, γ |
| Potassium (K) | 18.8428% | 5,841 | β, γ |
For comparison:
- Banana: ~15 Bq per fruit
- Granite: 1,000–3,000 Bq/kg
- EU exemption limit: 10,000 Bq/kg
Note: Risk is shown relative to daily recommended maximum exposure to non-background radiation of 1000 µSv/year. Note that natural background radiation averages around 2400 µSv/year so in reality these risks are probably extremely overstated! With infrequent handling and safe storage natural radioactive minerals do not usually pose much risk.
Interactive Simulator:
Note: The mass selector refers to the mass of radioactive mineral present, not the full specimen, also be aware that the matrix may also be radioactive, possibly more radioactive than this mineral!
Activity: –
| Distance | Dose rate | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cm | ||
| 10 cm | ||
| 1 m |
The external dose rate (D) from a radioactive mineral is estimated by summing the gamma radiation contributions from its Uranium, Thorium, and Potassium content, disregarding daughter-product which may have a significant effect in some cases (eg 'pitchblende'). This involves multiplying the activity (A, in Bq) of each element by its specific gamma ray constant (Γ), which accounts for its unique gamma emissions. The total unshielded dose at 1 cm is then scaled by the square of the distance (r, in cm) and multiplied by a shielding factor (μshield). This calculation provides a 'worst-case' or 'maximum risk' estimate because it assumes the sample is a point source and entirely neglects any self-shielding where radiation is absorbed within the mineral itself, meaning actual doses will typically be lower. The resulting dose rate (D) is expressed in microsieverts per hour (μSv/h).
D = ((AU × ΓU) + (ATh × ΓTh) + (AK × ΓK)) / r2 × μshield
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:
Melting Point = 930°.
Notes:
Slowly soluble in H2O. Piezoelectric.
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 Langbeinite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2320.html
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References for Langbeinite
Reference List:
Goßner, B.; Koch, I. (1931) Über das Kristallgitter von Langbeinit, Northupit und Hanksit. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, 80 (1-6). 455-464 doi:10.1524/zkri.1931.80.1.455
Localities for Langbeinite
Showing 61 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.
Austria | |
| Schorn et al. (2011) |
| Exel (1993) |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
| Exel (1993) |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
China | |
| Anthony |
| Shaoxiu (1991) |
| Zhongde Zhu (1988) |
| Bingxiao (1992) |
| Li et al. (2015) |
Czech Republic | |
| Žáček et al. (1995) |
| hořící odval dolu Kateřina v ... +1 other reference |
El Salvador | |
| Stoiber et al. (1974) |
France | |
| Naze-Nancy Masalehdani et al. (2009) |
| Vlastélic et al. (2013) |
Germany | |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Krah et al. (1988) | |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Bode "Mineralien und Fundstellen BRD" ... +1 other reference |
| Andrew Hodgson Collection |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Naumann (1898) +1 other reference |
| Dana 6:A3:14 +2 other references |
| Witzke et al. (1998) |
| W.I. Borrisenkow (1968) |
| A.Dietrich (2004) |
Guatemala | |
| Stoiber et al. (1974) |
Iceland | |
| Balić-Žunić et al. (2025) |
Japan | |
| Seki et al. (1987) |
| LIN et al. (2020) |
| LIN et al. (2020) |
Kazakhstan | |
| Pekov et al. (1993) |
Nicaragua | |
| Stoiber et al. (1974) |
Pakistan | |
| Dana 6: 899 +1 other reference |
Poland | |
| Jirásek +7 other references |
| Kruszewski et al. (2020) |
Russia | |
| Chesnokov et al. (1988) +1 other reference |
| Pekov (1998) |
| Pekov et al. (2014) +3 other references |
| Chukanov et al. (2006) +5 other references | |
| kimberlites of Udachnaya-East pipe (Siberia) +1 other reference |
Tajikistan | |
| PXRD |
UK | |
| Smith et al. (2014) |
| Smith et al. (2014) | |
| Kemp et al. (2016) | |
Ukraine | |
| Bukowski +2 other references |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
USA | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Northrop (1959) |
| Hawley +5 other references | |
| - (2005) | |
| Philip (2013) | |
| - (1965) +1 other reference | |
| - (1965) +1 other reference | |
| - (2005) | |
| King (n.d.) +1 other reference | |
| - (2005) | |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
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Carlsbad Potash District, New Mexico, USA