Sulfates

-The structural unit of all sulfates is (SO4)2-. The sulfate

ion (S6+ ) is surrounded by four oxygens.
-in this group are included also the molybdates and
tungstates, although they are structurally different than
the sulfates (but here also the Mo6+ and W6+ are
surrounded by four oxygens).
 Sulfates
Sulfates
Orthorhombic Tetragonal Monoclinic
Barite, BaSO4 Scheelite, CaWO4 Wolframite, (Fe,Mn)WO4
Celestite, SrSO4 Wulfenite, PbMoO4 Gypsum, CaSO4.2H2O
Angelsite, PbSO4
Anhydrite, CaSO4
 Sulfates
- Barite, BaSO4
- Often called „heavy spar“ b/c of its high density.
- wide spread mineral
- chief source of barium
- another important barium ore is witherite (BaCO3)
- is used mostly in paints & in drilling deep wells

Habit: orthorhombic, tabular habit, crystals are common,

occurs also as massive or granular aggregates,

Physical properties: H = 3 - 3.5, G = 4.5 (relatively high for

a nonmetallic mineral), prismatic cleavage and it is
sometimes confusing with cleavage of calcite, it can be
colorless, white, yellow, red or light shades of blue, luster
is vitreous.
 Sulfates
- Barite, BaSO4 (contd.)

Composition: when heated before a blowpipe, it yields the

yellowish-green flame of barium.
Can be distinguished from witherite by its insolubility in
HCl .

Occurence: often found as gangue mineral together with

quartz and calcite.
In Zimbabwe, it is found in areas like Bulawayo, Buhera
etc.
 Sulfates
- Celestite, SrSO4
- important ore of strontium
- application in pyrotechnics

Habit: orthorhombic, crystals commonly tabular but also

exists as granular and fibrous aggregates, can be
confused with barite.

Physical properties: (H = 3 - 3.5, G = 3.95 – 3.97), perfect

cleavage, luster is vitreous, color is mostly white.
Composition: strontium sulfate, insoluble in hydrochloric
acid.
Occurence: masses of celestite together with gypsum is
found in England.
 Sulfates
- Anglesite, PbSO4

Habit: orthorhombic, found in granular or compact mass.

Physical properties: (H = 3, G = 6.2 – 6.4), imperfect

cleavage, luster is adamantine (if crystalline) and dull (if
earthy). Crystals are clear and colorless, and as massive it
is gray yellow or brown.

Composition: lead sulfate, it dissolves with difficulty in

nitric acid.

Occurence: is a secondary mineral formed by the

oxidation of galena. And is found as such near the surface
of lead veins.
 Sulfates
- Anhydrite, CaSO4
it is calcium sulfate like Gypsum, but does not contain
water (hence its name anhydrite). little industrial use.

Habit: orthorhombic, crystals are rare, can be massive,

granular.

Physical properties: (H = 3 – 3.5, G = 2.89 – 2.98), perfect

cleavage, color is white or gray.

Composition: in comparison to gypsum, it contains no

water.

Occurence: is less common, can be precipitated by evaporation

from sea water. It can be formed also as a result of dehydration of
gypsum.
 Sulfates
- Scheelite, CaWO4
An ore of tungsten (less important than wolframite).

Habit: tetragonal, found in granular aggregates

Physical properties: (H = 4.5 - 5, G = 5.9 – 6.1), specific

gravity high for a mineral with non-metallic luster, luster is
adamantine, color is white, yellow, green or brown.
Under ultraviolet radiation, it flouresce a pale blue colour.
A good property used while prospecting for the mineral.

Composition: calcium tungstate, decomposes in

hydrochloric acid.

Occurence: formed by hydrothermal processes; also occurs in

veins of quartz.
 Sulfates
- Wulfenite, PbMoO4
An ore of molybdenum (commercially, less important than
molybdenite).

Habit: tetragonal, square habit

Physical properties: (H = 3, G = 6.7 – 6.9), color is orange-

yellow to reddish-yellow, luster is resinous or adamantine.

Composition: lead molybdate

Occurence: a secondary mineral (found near the surface

of oxidized lead veins).
 Sulfates
- Wolframite, (Fe,Mn)WO4
A chief ore of tungsten (used as a filament b/c of its
extremely high melting point – 3350°C),
When we switch on a light, the filament becomes hot
without melting (but it can oxidize). Thus to prevent
oxidation, our lamps are filled with inert gases.
Tungsten carbide (harder than corrundum) is used as an
abrasive material.

Habit: monoclinic, found also as crystals or in massive

granular aggregates.

Physical properties: (H = 5 - 5.5, G = 7 – 7.5), perfect

cleavage, luster is submetallic, color and streak are both
brown to black.
 Sulfates
-Wolframite, (Fe,Mn)WO4

Composition: wolframite is ferrous and manganous

tungstate. Between Ferberite (FeWO4) and huebernite
(MnWO4) exists a complete solid solution series (both are
isostructural).

Occurence: occurs usually in veins of quartz,

 Sulfates
- Gypsum, (CaSO4.2H2O)
A very common mineral, used extensively in the building
industry.
- alabaster: fine-grained massive variety of gypsum.

Habit: monoclinic, crystals are common.

Physical properties: (H = 2, G = 2.32), perfect cleavage,

easily scratched by a finger nail. Luster is vitreous.

Composition: hydrous calcium sulfate

Occurrence: found as a sedimentary rock; In Zimbabwe, it

is widespread (e.g: magondi belt, Matebeleland and
Gokwe).