RÖMERITE

    Class : Sulfates, chromates, molybdates
    Subclass : Hydrated sulfates
    Crystal system : Triclinic
    Chemistry : Fe3(SO4)4 14H2O
    Rarity : Rare to uncommon

Römerite (or roemerite) is a relatively uncommon ferrous (Fe2+) and ferric (Fe3+) iron sulfate formed by the alteration of iron sulfides in an arid climate. It is part of a classic mineralogical procession to which other iron sulfates (copiapite, voltaite, jarosite, amarantite, botryogen, fibroferrite, etc...) commonly belong, resulting like it from precipitation from "natural" sulfuric acid formed by the reaction of surface water with iron sulfides. By changing the environmental conditions (temperature, pH, oxidation-reduction potential) these sulfates are easily hydrolyzed into ferric hydroxides (goethite and limonite). It was named in honor of the German geologist Friedrich Adolph Roemer. Römerite occurs in thick pseudocubic or tabular crystals, often agglomerated, sometimes in stalactites, of brown to yellow or purplish color.

Main photo : Römerite from Vieux Travaux, St-Laurent-le-Minier, Gard, France © Yannick Vessely

1.5 cm römerite from Monte Arsiccio Mine, Tuscany, Italy © Uwe Haubenreisser
Römerite from Vieux Travaux, St-Laurent-le-Minier, Gard, France © Yannick Vessely
Römerite from Le Cetine di Cotorniano Mine, Tuscany, Italy © Italo Campostrini
Römerite from Cava del Ferro, Tuscany, Italy © Matteo Chinellato

Römerite in the World

Römerite is known in the copper deposits of northern Chile (Alcaparrosa), in Bisbee (Arizona), in Rammelsberg (Germany), and in several other deposits around the world. The best crystals measure up to 2 cm and come from the Italian mine of Monte Arsiccio (Tuscany).

Römerite in France

In France, römerite is known in Issy-les-Moulineaux (Hauts-de-Seine), in Malines (Gard) and in Jas Roux (Hautes-Alpes).

Twinning

No twinning known for this mineral species.

Fakes and treatments

No fakes listed for this mineral species.


Hardness : 3 to 3.5
Density : 2.17
Fracture : Irregular
Streak : Undetermined

TP : Translucent
RI : 1.519 to 1.583
Birefringence : 0.061
Optical character : Biaxial -
Pleochroism : Visible
Fluorescence : None

Solubility : -

Magnetism : NoneRadioactivity : None

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