Periclase (original) (raw)
Colour:
Colorless, grayish white, yellow, brownish yellow, green, black
Specific Gravity:
3.55 - 3.57
Name:
Named by Arcangelo Scacchi in 1841 from the Greek περικλάω, to break around, in allusion to the cleavage.
Periclase is a rare magnesium oxide mineral. It is usually found as a component of metamorphosed dolomitic limestones. May be associated with pyrometamorphism (e.g., coal fires). It can hydrate and alter to Brucite and other magnesium minerals by action of the humidity in normal atmospheric conditions.
Periclase is possibly dimorphous with 'Unnamed (Orthorhombic Polymorph of Magnesium Oxide)' known from inclusions in some Brasilian diamonds.
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3161:1
4cc55fdb-d1f1-4016-8917-ce84eb3b1012
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
4.AB.25
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
A : Metal: Oxygen = 2:1 and 1:1
B : M:O = 1:1 (and up to 1:1.25); with small to medium-sized cations only
4.2.1.1
4 : SIMPLE OXIDES
2 : AX
7.4.7
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
4 : Oxides of Be, Mg and the alkaline earths
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.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Per | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Per | Kretz (1983) | Kretz, R. (1983) Symbols of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 68, 277–279. |
| Per | Siivolam & Schmid (2007) | Siivolam, J. and Schmid, R. (2007) Recommendations by the IUGS Subcommission on the Systematics of Metamorphic Rocks: List of mineral abbreviations. Web-version 01.02.07. IUGS Commission on the Systematics in Petrology. download |
| Per | Whitney & Evans (2010) | Whitney, D.L. and Evans, B.W. (2010) Abbreviations for names of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 95, 185–187 doi:10.2138/am.2010.3371 |
| Per | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Colorless, grayish white, yellow, brownish yellow, green, black
Cleavage:
Perfect
{001} perfect; {111} imperfect.
Parting:
On {011} at times on glide faces. Translation gliding: T{011), t[110].
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
3.55 - 3.57 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.581 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Class (H-M):
m_3_m _(_4/_m_32/m ) - Hexoctahedral
Cell Parameters:
a = 4.211 Å
Unit Cell V:
74.67 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Often octahedral, less often cubooctahedral or cubic, rarely dodecahedral (Crestmore, CA). Usually irregular or rounded grains.
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| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0000501 | Periclase | Hazen R M (1976) Effects of temperature and pressure on the cell dimension and X-ray temperature factors of periclase American Mineralogist 61 266-271 |  |
1976 | 0 | 297 | |
| 0000502 | Periclase | Hazen R M (1976) Effects of temperature and pressure on the cell dimension and X-ray temperature factors of periclase American Mineralogist 61 266-271 | |
1976 | 0 | 297 | |
| 0000503 | Periclase | Hazen R M (1976) Effects of temperature and pressure on the cell dimension and X-ray temperature factors of periclase American Mineralogist 61 266-271 | |
1976 | 0 | 423 | |
| 0000504 | Periclase | Hazen R M (1976) Effects of temperature and pressure on the cell dimension and X-ray temperature factors of periclase American Mineralogist 61 266-271 | |
1976 | 0 | 573 | |
| 0000505 | Periclase | Hazen R M (1976) Effects of temperature and pressure on the cell dimension and X-ray temperature factors of periclase American Mineralogist 61 266-271 | |
1976 | 0 | 723 | |
| 0000506 | Periclase | Hazen R M (1976) Effects of temperature and pressure on the cell dimension and X-ray temperature factors of periclase American Mineralogist 61 266-271 | |
1976 | 0 | 878 | |
| 0000507 | Periclase | Hazen R M (1976) Effects of temperature and pressure on the cell dimension and X-ray temperature factors of periclase American Mineralogist 61 266-271 | |
1976 | 0 | 1026 | |
| 0000508 | Periclase | Hazen R M (1976) Effects of temperature and pressure on the cell dimension and X-ray temperature factors of periclase American Mineralogist 61 266-271 | |
1976 | 0 | 1188 | |
| 0000509 | Periclase | Hazen R M (1976) Effects of temperature and pressure on the cell dimension and X-ray temperature factors of periclase American Mineralogist 61 266-271 | |
1976 | 0 | 1315 | |
| 0000510 | Periclase | Hazen R M (1976) Effects of temperature and pressure on the cell dimension and X-ray temperature factors of periclase American Mineralogist 61 266-271 | |
1976 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0000511 | Periclase | Hazen R M (1976) Effects of temperature and pressure on the cell dimension and X-ray temperature factors of periclase American Mineralogist 61 266-271 | |
1976 | 0 | 77 | |
| 0000512 | Periclase | Hazen R M (1976) Effects of temperature and pressure on the cell dimension and X-ray temperature factors of periclase American Mineralogist 61 266-271 | |
1976 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0000513 | Periclase | Hazen R M (1976) Effects of temperature and pressure on the cell dimension and X-ray temperature factors of periclase American Mineralogist 61 266-271 | |
1976 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0000514 | Periclase | Hazen R M (1976) Effects of temperature and pressure on the cell dimension and X-ray temperature factors of periclase American Mineralogist 61 266-271 | |
1976 | 1.7 | 293 | |
| 0000515 | Periclase | Hazen R M (1976) Effects of temperature and pressure on the cell dimension and X-ray temperature factors of periclase American Mineralogist 61 266-271 | |
1976 | 2.4 | 293 | |
| 0000516 | Periclase | Hazen R M (1976) Effects of temperature and pressure on the cell dimension and X-ray temperature factors of periclase American Mineralogist 61 266-271 | |
1976 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0020747 | Periclase | Matsui M, Ito E, Yamazaki D, Yoshino T, Guo X, Shan S, Higo Y, Funakoshi F I (2012) Static compression of (Mg0.83,Fe0.17)O and (Mg0.75,Fe0.25)O ferropericlase up to 58 GPa at 300, 700, and 1100 K American Mineralogist 97 176-183 | 2012 | synthetic | 0 | 300 | |
| 0020748 | Periclase | Matsui M, Ito E, Yamazaki D, Yoshino T, Guo X, Shan S, Higo Y, Funakoshi F I (2012) Static compression of (Mg0.83,Fe0.17)O and (Mg0.75,Fe0.25)O ferropericlase up to 58 GPa at 300, 700, and 1100 K American Mineralogist 97 176-183 | 2012 | synthetic | 10.62 | 300 | |
| 0020749 | Periclase | Matsui M, Ito E, Yamazaki D, Yoshino T, Guo X, Shan S, Higo Y, Funakoshi F I (2012) Static compression of (Mg0.83,Fe0.17)O and (Mg0.75,Fe0.25)O ferropericlase up to 58 GPa at 300, 700, and 1100 K American Mineralogist 97 176-183 | 2012 | synthetic | 17.63 | 300 | |
| 0020750 | Periclase | Matsui M, Ito E, Yamazaki D, Yoshino T, Guo X, Shan S, Higo Y, Funakoshi F I (2012) Static compression of (Mg0.83,Fe0.17)O and (Mg0.75,Fe0.25)O ferropericlase up to 58 GPa at 300, 700, and 1100 K American Mineralogist 97 176-183 | 2012 | synthetic | 24.85 | 300 | |
| 0020751 | Periclase | Matsui M, Ito E, Yamazaki D, Yoshino T, Guo X, Shan S, Higo Y, Funakoshi F I (2012) Static compression of (Mg0.83,Fe0.17)O and (Mg0.75,Fe0.25)O ferropericlase up to 58 GPa at 300, 700, and 1100 K American Mineralogist 97 176-183 | 2012 | synthetic | 30.25 | 300 | |
| 0020752 | Periclase | Matsui M, Ito E, Yamazaki D, Yoshino T, Guo X, Shan S, Higo Y, Funakoshi F I (2012) Static compression of (Mg0.83,Fe0.17)O and (Mg0.75,Fe0.25)O ferropericlase up to 58 GPa at 300, 700, and 1100 K American Mineralogist 97 176-183 | 2012 | synthetic | 35.19 | 300 | |
| 0020753 | Periclase | Matsui M, Ito E, Yamazaki D, Yoshino T, Guo X, Shan S, Higo Y, Funakoshi F I (2012) Static compression of (Mg0.83,Fe0.17)O and (Mg0.75,Fe0.25)O ferropericlase up to 58 GPa at 300, 700, and 1100 K American Mineralogist 97 176-183 | 2012 | synthetic | 39.4 | 300 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
Geological Setting:
contact metamorphosed limestone or dolomite
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Altered limestone xenoliths in the Monte Somma volcano
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Members of this group:
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
An essential component of rock names highlighted in red, an accessory component in rock names highlighted in green.
Reference List:
This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the 
symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
- This locality has map coordinates listed. - This locality has estimated coordinates. ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence. ? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. 
- Good crystals or important locality for species. 
- 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.