Sulfates

The sulfates are minerals that contain one or more metallic element in addition to the sulfate radical (SO₄). All sulfates are transparent to translucent and soft. Most are heavy and lightly colored, and some are soluble in water. Rarer sulfates exist containing substitutions for the sulfate radical, such as the chromates, where it is replaced by a chromate radical (CrO₄).

The sulfates can be divided into two groups:

Hydrous Sulfates - Sulfates containing water (H₂O) or hydroxyl (OH) in their structure.

Anhydrous Sulfates - Sulfates that don't contain water (H₂O) or hydroxyl (OH) in their structure.

The Chromates are usually classified as a subgroup of the sulfates.

• Back to sulfate group list (all)
• Back to sulfate group list (subdivided)
• Back to sulfate group list (Dana)