Goslarite
Crystal System: Orthorhombic
Status of Occurrence: Confirmed Occurrence
Distribution: Rare
Chemical Composition: Zinc sulphate hydrate
Chemical Formula: ZnSO4.7H2O
Method(s) of Verification: method of verification is unknown, but numerous early references suggest that sufficient confirmation had been made
Chemical Group:
- Sulphates
Geological Context:
- Supergene: post-mining oxidation & weathering deposits
Sulphate of zinc (goslarite) found at Holywell in Flintshire, reproduced from Sowerby (1811).
Introduction: goslarite is a secondary mineral that typically forms efflorescent crusts as a result of the oxidation of sphalerite in old mine workings.
Occurrence in Wales: Sowerby (1811) described and illustrated sulphate of zinc found at Holywell in Flintshire. Phillips (1823) noted sulphate of zinc or white vitriol at the same locality while Greg & Lettsom (1858) directly refer to goslarite at Holywell. Although no analyses are known the inclusion within these high profile texts would suggest that this identification is reliable.
Key Localities:
- Holywell, Flintshire: white coatings on red earthy oxide of iron. Sowerby (1811) notes that it has not been observed crystallized.
References:
- Greg, R.P. & Lettsom, W.G., 1858. Manual of the Mineralogy of Great Britain and Ireland. John van Voorst, London, 483pp.
- Phillips, W., 1823. An elementary introduction to the knowledge of Mineralogy. 3rd edition. London. 406pp.
- Sowerby, J., 1811. British Mineralogy. Volume IV, Richard Taylor, London.