Xonotlite (original) (raw)

A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered

About XonotliteHide

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Colour:

White, grey, pale pink, colorless

Lustre:

Vitreous, Silky, Pearly

Specific Gravity:

2.70 - 2.72

Crystal System:

Monoclinic

Name:

Named in 1866 by Karl Friedrich August Rammelsberg after its discovery locality, Tetela de Xonotla, Mexico.

An ino-silicate mineral with double dreier chains. Several polytypes are known (Hejny & Armbruster, 2001): Ma2bc (space group P2/a, a = 17.032, b = 7.363, c = 7.012 Å, β = 90.36°), Ma2b2c (space group A2/a, a = 17.032, b = 7.363, c = 14.023 Å, β = 90.36°) and M2a2bc (space group P-1 , a = 8.712, b = 7.363, c = 7.012 Å, α = 89.99° β = 90.36°, γ = 102.18°).

Related to the Tobermorite Group.

Unique IdentifiersHide

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Long-form identifier:

mindat:1:1:4343:0

IMA Classification of XonotliteHide

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Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)

IMA Formula:

Ca6Si6O17(OH)2

Type description reference:

Classification of XonotliteHide

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9.DG.35

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
D : Inosilicates
G : Inosilicates with 3-periodic single and multiple chains

66.3.1.1

66 : INOSILICATES Double-Width,Unbranched Chains,(W=2)
3 : Amphiboles - Ca-Na subgroup

14.5.12

14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
5 : Silicates of Ca

Mineral SymbolsHide

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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.

Pronunciation of XonotliteHide

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Pronunciation:

Physical Properties of XonotliteHide

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Transparency:

Transparent, Translucent

Colour:

White, grey, pale pink, colorless

Cleavage:

Perfect
in one {h0l} direction

Density:

2.70 - 2.72 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.71 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of XonotliteHide

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RI values:

_n_α = 1.581 - 1.583 _n_β = 1.581 - 1.583 _n_γ = 1.591 - 1.593

δ = 0.010

Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.

Chemistry of XonotliteHide

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Mindat Formula:

Ca6(Si6O17)(OH)2

Common Impurities:

Fe,Mn,H2O

Crystallography of XonotliteHide

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Crystal System:

Monoclinic

Class (H-M):

2/m - Prismatic

Cell Parameters:

a = 17.032 Å, b = 7.363 Å, c = 7.012 Å
β = 90.36°

Ratio:

a:b:c = 2.313 : 1 : 0.952

Unit Cell V:

879.33 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Morphology:

needlelike crystals

Comment:

Space group P2/a (Ma2bc polytype).

Crystal StructureHide

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X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

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Radiation - Copper Kα

Data Set:

Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.

Powder Diffraction Data:

Geological EnvironmentHide

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Type Occurrence of XonotliteHide

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Synonyms of XonotliteHide

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Other Language Names for XonotliteHide

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Varieties of XonotliteHide

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Relationship of Xonotlite to other SpeciesHide

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Chemically related to group(s):

Common AssociatesHide

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Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

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Fluorescence of XonotliteHide

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May fluoresce and phosphoresce violet in SW, MW, and LW ultraviolet light (Franklin, New Jersey).

Other InformationHide

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Notes:

Decomposed in acid with separation of pulverulent silica.

Health Risks:

No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

Internet Links for XonotliteHide

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References for XonotliteHide

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Reference List:

Esteban, J. J., Cuevas, J., Tubia, J. M., Yusta, I. (2003) Xonotlite in rodingite assemblages from the Ronda peridotites, Betic Cordilleras, southern Spain. The Canadian Mineralogist, 41 (1). 161-170 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.41.1.161

Localities for XonotliteHide

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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.

Locality ListHide

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- 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.