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⇱ Schwertmannite: Mineral information, data and localities.

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Schwertmannite

A valid IMA mineral species
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About SchwertmanniteHide

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Formula:
Fe3+16(OH,SO4)12-13O16 · 10-12H2O
Colour:
Brownish yellow
Lustre:
Earthy
Hardness:
1 - 2
Specific Gravity:
3.88 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Name:
Originally named glockerite in 1855 by Karl Friedrich Naumann in honour of Ernst Friedrich Glocker (1 May 1783 Stuttgart, Germany - 18 July 1858), professor of mineralogy at University of Breslau (University of Vratislav; Wroclaw, Poland) and author of numerous systematic mineralogical works. Renamed by J.M. Bigham, L. Carlson, E. Murad, in 1994 in honour of Udo Schwertmann (25 November 1927,Stade/Elbe, Germany - 20 January 2016), soil scientist at the University of München (Munich), Germany. He made "numerous contributions to the crystal chemistry of iron oxides and oxyhydroxides and has greatly advanced our knowledge of poorly crystalline phases that are common to weathering environments."
This page provides mineralogical data about Schwertmannite.


Unique IdentifiersHide

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Mindat ID:
7281
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:7281:2

IMA Classification of SchwertmanniteHide

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Approved
IMA Formula:
Fe3+16O16(OH)9.6(SO4)3.2 · 10H2O
Approval year:
1990
First published:
1994

Classification of SchwertmanniteHide

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7.DE.15

7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
E : With only medium-sized cations; unclassified
6.4.10.1

6 : HYDROXIDES AND OXIDES CONTAINING HYDROXYL
4 : Miscellaneous

Mineral SymbolsHide

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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.

SymbolSourceReference for Standard
SwmIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43
SchThe Canadian Mineralogist (2019)The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download
SwmWarr (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 SchwertmanniteHide

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Earthy
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Brownish yellow
Streak:
Yellow
Hardness:
1 - 2 on Mohs scale
Density:
3.88(11) g/cm3 (Calculated)

Chemistry of SchwertmanniteHide

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Mindat Formula:
Fe3+16(OH,SO4)12-13O16 · 10-12H2O
Element Weights:
Element% weight
Fe58.257 %
O39.640 %
H2.103 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.

Crystallography of SchwertmanniteHide

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Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.66 Å, c = 6.04 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.567
Unit Cell V:
686.36 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Tiny (2-4 nm thick, 60-90 nm long), fibrous crystals arranged in the form of pin-cushion-like aggregates.
Comment:
Poorly crystalline

Crystal StructureHide

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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0018671SchwertmanniteFernandez-Martinez A, Timon V, Roman-Ross G, Cuello G J, Daniels J E, Ayora C (2010) The structure of schwertmannite, a nanocrystalline iron oxyhydroxysulfate American Mineralogist 95 1312-1322👁 Image
2010Monte Romero mine (Iberian Pyrite Belt), Spain0293
0018670SchwertmanniteFernandez-Martinez A, Timon V, Roman-Ross G, Cuello G J, Daniels J E, Ayora C (2010) The structure of schwertmannite, a nanocrystalline iron oxyhydroxysulfate American Mineralogist 95 1312-1322👁 Image
2010Monte Romero mine (Iberian Pyrite Belt), Spain0293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

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Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
4.86 Å(37)
3.39 Å(46)
2.55 Å(100)
2.28 Å(23)
1.66 Å(21)
1.51 Å(24)
1.46 Å(18)
Comments:
Broad peaks

Geological EnvironmentHide

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Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 2: Planetesimal differentiation and alteration4.566-4.550
6 : Secondary asteroid phases4.566-4.560
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event<2.4
47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals]
47b : [Sulfates and sulfites]
47h : [Near-surface oxidized, dehydrated minerals]
Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere<0.6
49 : Oxic cellular biomineralization (see also #44)<0.54

Type Occurrence of SchwertmanniteHide

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General Appearance of Type Material:
Ochreous. Poorly crystalline, yellowish brown, with a fibrous morphology under the electron microscope.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland, B8659.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Precipitate from acid, sulphate-rich waters.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Synonyms of SchwertmanniteHide

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Other Language Names for SchwertmanniteHide

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Common AssociatesHide

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Associations Based on Photo Data:
1 photo of Schwertmannite associated with Hydroniumjarosite(H3O)Fe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

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7.DE.MagnesioalteriteMg2Fe3+4(SO4)4(C2O4)2(OH)4 · 17H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
7.DE.FabritziteZn9(SO4)2(OH)12Cl2 · 6H2OTrig. 3 : R3
7.DE.Cossaite(Mg0.5,◻)Al6(SO4)6(HSO4)F6 · 36H2OTrig. 3 : R3
7.DE.DownsiteK2(MoO3)3(SO4) · 4H2OMon. 2/m : B2/m
7.DE.LiangjuniteK2(Mo2O5)(SO4)2 · 3H2OTric. 1 : P1
7.DE.05MangazeiteAl2(SO4)(OH)4 · 3H2OTric.
7.DE.10'UKI-1975-(SO:AlCu)'(Cu, Al, SO4, H2O)
7.DE.10CarbonatecyanotrichiteCu4Al2(CO3,SO4)(OH)12 · 2H2OMon. 2/m : B2/m
7.DE.10CyanotrichiteCu4Al2(SO4)(OH)12 · 2H2OMon. 2/m : B2/m
7.DE.20TlalociteCu10Zn6(Te6+O4)2(Te4+O3)(OH)25Cl · 27H2OOrth.
7.DE.25UtahiteMgCu4Zn2Te6+3O14(OH)4 · 6H2OTric. 1 : P1
7.DE.35CoquanditeSb6+xO8+x(SO4)(OH)x(H2O)1- x (x = 0.3)Tric. 1 : P1
7.DE.40OsakaiteZn4(SO4)(OH)6 · 5H2OTric. 1 : P1
7.DE.42AlteriteZn2Fe3+4(SO4)4(C2O4)2(OH)4 · 17H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
7.DE.45BarrotiteCu9Al(HSiO4)2[(SO4)(HAsO4)0.5](OH)12 · 8H2OTrig. 3
7.DE.45WilcoxiteMgAl(SO4)2F · 17H2OTric. 1 : P1
7.DE.47Tiberiobardiite{Cu9Al[SiO3(OH)]2(OH)12(H2O)6}(SO4)1.5 · 10H2OTrig. 3 : R3
7.DE.50Bouškaite(MoO2)2O(SO3OH)2(H2O)4Tric. 1 : P1
7.DE.50Stanleyite(V4+O)(SO4) · 6H2OOrth.
7.DE.57'Khangalasite'Fe(SO4)(OH) · 2H2OTric.
7.DE.60HydrobasaluminiteAl4(SO4)(OH)10 · 12-36H2OMon.
7.DE.62VolaschioiteFe4(SO4)O2(OH)6 · 2H2OMon. 2/m : B2/m
7.DE.65ZaheriteAl12(SO4)5(OH)26 · 20H2OTric.
7.DE.75CamérolaiteCu6Al3(OH)18(H2O)2[Sb(OH)6](SO4)Tric. 1 : P1

Other InformationHide

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Notes:
Rapid dissolution in cold, 5 M HCl or in ammonium oxalate at pH 3.
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 SchwertmanniteHide

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mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-7281.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

References for SchwertmanniteHide

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Reference List:

Localities for SchwertmanniteHide

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Showing 56 localities.

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the 👁 Image
symbol to view information about a locality. The 👁 Image
symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.

Locality ListHide

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👁 Image
- This locality has map coordinates listed. 👁 Image
- This locality has estimated coordinates. ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence. ? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. 👁 Image
- Good crystals or important locality for species. 👁 Image
- World class for species or very significant. (TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species. (FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Australia
  • Queensland
    • Mareeba Shire
Harris et al. (2003)
  • South Australia
Rob Fitzpatrick et al. (2010)
Austria
  • Tyrol
    • Schwaz District
      • Finkenberg
        • Pfitsch pass
          • Rotbachlspitze (Rote Wand)
Schwertmann et al. (1996)
Brazil
  • Santa Catarina
Silva et al. (2021)
Canada
  • British Columbia
    • Atlin Mining Division
      • Whitewater Mountains
        • Mount Eaton
Färber (n.d.)
  • Manitoba
    • Sherridon District
Moncur et al. (2015)
China
  • Guangdong
    • Shaoguan
      • Qujiang District
Liu et al. (2018)
Czech Republic
  • Karlovy Vary Region
    • Karlovy Vary District
Hloušek et al. (2002)
  • Moravian-Silesian Region
    • Frýdek-Místek District
      • Dobrá
Matýsek et al. (2023)
    • Opava District
      • Vítkov
        • Nové Těchanovice
          • Zálužné
Jirásek et al. (2019)
    • Ostrava-City District
      • Ostrava
Matýsek et al. (2022)
  • Olomouc Region
    • Jeseník District
Kuttna +1 other reference
Pauliš
    • Šumperk District
      • Staré Město
        • Velké Vrbno
Matýsek et al. (2024)
Finland (TL)
  • North Ostrobothnia
    • Pyhäjärvi
Bigham et al. (1994)
Germany
  • Thuringia
    • Saalfeld-Rudolstadt District
      • Saalfeld
        • Garnsdorf
XRD analysis (T. Witzke)
        • Schmiedefeld
Ullrich et al. (2010) +1 other reference
Greenland
  • Avannaata
    • Cap York
T. P. Pedersen
Hungary
  • Heves County
    • Gyöngyös District
      • Gyöngyösoroszi
Király +1 other reference
      • Mátraszentimre
Király
  • Pest County
    • Szob District
Collection of NHM
Indian Ocean
  • Carlsberg Ridge
    • Wocan Hydrothermal Field
Hou et al. (2024)
Italy
  • Liguria
    • Genoa
      • Sestri Levante
Carbone (2005) +1 other reference
  • Piedmont
    • Metropolitan City of Turin
      • Chialamberto
Galliano et al. (2022) +1 other reference
Japan
  • Gunma Prefecture
Nakamura & Akai (1999)
  • Tottori Prefecture
Kato +6 other references
New Zealand
  • Waikato Region
    • Taupo District
      • Orakeikorako Thermal Area (Orakei Korako; The Hidden Valley)
Rodgers et al. (2000)
Peru
  • Pasco
    • Pasco province
      • Cerro de Pasco
Smuda +4 other references
  • Tacna
    • Jorge Basadre Province
Diaby et al. (2006)
Poland
  • Lower Silesian Voivodeship
    • Jawor County
      • Gmina Bolków
        • Radzimowice
Siuda (2004) +1 other reference
Siuda (2001)
    • Kamienna Góra County
      • Gmina Marciszów
Mochnacka et al. (2012) +1 other reference
          • Colourful Lakelets
Mochnacka et al. (2015)
    • Ząbkowice Śląskie County
      • Gmina Złoty Stok
Siuda (2014)
Portugal
  • Beja
    • Aljustrel
      • Aljustrel e Rio de Moinhos
        • Aljustrel Mine
Bobos +2 other references
Romania
  • Maramureș County
    • Băiuț
Łukasz Kruszewski PXRD & pXRF analysis ...
Ł. Kruszewski & M. Cegiełka PXRD data +1 other reference
      • Poiana Botizii
Ł. Kruszewski visual identification
Slovakia
  • Banská Bystrica Region
    • Banská Bystrica District
      • Špania Dolina
Pauliš et al. (2002)
Ďuďa R. et al. (1993)
    • Žiar nad Hronom District
      • Kremnica
Ďuďa (1993)
  • Bratislava Region
    • Pezinok District
      • Pezinok
Trtíková S. et al. (1999) +1 other reference
  • Košice Region
    • Spišská Nová Ves District
Ďuda et al. (1996)
  • Prešov Region
    • Prešov District
      • Červenica
        • Dubník
Koděra (1986)
      • Zlatá Baňa
Duda et. all.
Spain
  • Andalusia
    • Huelva
      • El Cerro de Andévalo
Shuster et al. (2017)
Taiwan
  • New Taipei City
    • Ruifang District
James Huang
USA
  • Alabama
    • De Kalb County
T. P. Pedersen
  • Arizona
    • Greenlee County
      • Morenci
Walder et al. (2004)
  • Colorado
    • San Juan County
Desborough et al. (2010)
  • Massachusetts
    • Franklin County
      • Rowe
Cerato (2003)
  • North Carolina
    • Swain County
Hammarstrom et al. (2003)
      • Swain County Copper Mining District (Fontana Mining District)
Hammarstrum et al. (2003)
  • Pennsylvania
    • Centre County
      • State College
        • Skytop
U.S. Geological Survey/ U.s. Department ...
  • Tennessee
    • Sevier County
Coskren et al. (2000)
  • Vermont
    • Orange County
      • Strafford
        • South Strafford
Hammarstrom et al. (1999)
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