Cowlesite (original) (raw)
A valid IMA mineral species
About CowlesiteHide
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Formula:
CaAl2Si3O10 · 6H2O
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named in 1975 in honor of John Cowles (9 January 1907, Nebraska, USA - 13 December 1985, Oregon, USA) of Rainier, Oregon, amateur mineralogist and enthusiastic zeolite collector, whose deep interest in zeolite mineralogy led him to discover new localities for ferrierite, dachiardite, erionite and the co-type locality for cavansite. Pronounced kōl-sait.
Co-Type Localities:
ⓘ Monte Lake, Kamloops Mining Division, British Columbia, Canada
ⓘ Unnamed wash, adjacent to State Route 177, Superior area, Pinal County, Arizona, USA
ⓘ North Table Mountain, Golden, Golden Mining District, Jefferson County, Colorado, USA
ⓘ Neer Road, Goble, Columbia County, Oregon, USA
ⓘ Beech Creek Quarry, Mount Vernon, Grant County, Oregon, USA
Unlike other zeolites, cowlesite has a very limited compositional range (Vezzalini et al., 1992).
The crystal structure resisted its determination by X-ray diffraction methods for a very long time, and only in 2020 the structure could be finally solved by electron diffraction under cryo conditions (Mugnaioli et al., 2020).
Cowlesite is the only two-dimensional (2D) zeolite known in nature. Under vacuum, it transforms in a few seconds to a 3D zeolite framework. The latter has a much reduced unit-cell paramater c, 25.586(3) Å.
A _C_-centered monoclinic polymorph with parameters a = 23.8(5), b = 25.8(5), c = 15.9(3) Å, β = 99.5°, and space group Cm was also found by electron diffraction (Mugnaioli et al., 2020).
Cowlesite can be visually similar to thomsonite, but distinguished by surface characteristics and cleavage. Vug linings of thomsonite appear smooth due to the flat crystal terminations. In contrast, linings of cowlesite appear rough, under 30x magnification, due to sharply pointed blades. In addition, thomsonite intergrowths are tough and relatively hard, while cowlesite intergrowths are easily cleaved and soft, similar to gypsum.
Unique IdentifiersHide
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Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1145:3
00c32d5e-d5e4-4c1a-a0e2-58f5fe02e713
IMA Classification of CowlesiteHide
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IMA Formula:
Ca(Al2Si3)O10 · 5-6H2O
Type description reference:
Classification of CowlesiteHide
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9.GG.05
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
G : Tektosilicates with zeolitic H2O; zeolite family
G : Unclassified zeolites
77.1.5.8
77 : TECTOSILICATES Zeolites
1 : Zeolite group - True zeolites
16.9.28
16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
9 : Aluminosilicates 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.
Symbol | Source | Reference |
---|---|---|
Cow | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of CowlesiteHide
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Density:
2.14(2) g/cm3 (Measured) 2.05 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of CowlesiteHide
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RI values:
_n_α = 1.505 - 1.513 _n_β = 1.509 - 1.516 _n_γ = 1.509 - 1.518
δ = 0.004 - 0.005
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Optical Extinction:
X = a; Y = b; Z = c.
Chemistry of CowlesiteHide
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Mindat Formula:
CaAl2Si3O10 · 6H2O
Common Impurities:
Fe,Na,K
Crystallography of CowlesiteHide
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Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
m m m _(_2/_m_2/_m_2/m ) - Dipyramidal
Cell Parameters:
a = 23.116(8) Å, b = 24.891(7) Å, c = 30.468(2) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.929 : 1 : 1.224
Unit Cell V:
17,530.69 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Type material:
Simple blades, showing only three forms: {010}, {001}, and {101}. Crystals can exceed 0.3 mm in length and 0.1 mm in width, but thicknesses are less than 2 μm.
Comment:
Space group Ccme (non-standard setting of space group Cmce). Originally reported cell: a 11.27, b 15.25, c 12.61 Å. Originally, a doubled cell with a 23.3, b 30.6, c 25.0 A is also reported (Vezzalini et al., 1992); this was later found to be the true cell..
X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide
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Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
15.2 Å | (100) |
3.81 Å | (35) |
2.964 Å | (35) |
2.934 Å | (25) |
3.052 Å | (20) |
5.08 Å | (17) |
7.62 Å | (15) |
Comments:
The perfect cleavage makes it impossible to obtain a suitable XRD powder by ordinary grinding with a mortar and pestle.
Geological EnvironmentHide
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Type Occurrence of CowlesiteHide
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Co-Type Localities:
ⓘ Monte Lake, Kamloops Mining Division, British Columbia, Canada
ⓘ Unnamed wash, adjacent to State Route 177, Superior area, Pinal County, Arizona, USA
ⓘ North Table Mountain, Golden, Golden Mining District, Jefferson County, Colorado, USA
ⓘ Neer Road, Goble, Columbia County, Oregon, USA
ⓘ Beech Creek Quarry, Mount Vernon, Grant County, Oregon, USA
General Appearance of Type Material:
Sometimes visually similar to thomsonite. Thin cavity linings, to 0.5 mm thick, growing as radially oriented blades. As sprays of blades up to 2 mm, and rarely as sprays of delicate, single blades. Blades always < 2 μm thick.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
University of California, Santa Barbara, California, USA, 6720, 6721.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 135026.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
In amygdules in basalt. Also in scoria.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Wise, W.S. and Tschernich, R.W. (1975) Cowlesite, a new Ca-zeolite: American Mineralogist, 60, 951-956.
Synonyms of CowlesiteHide
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Other Language Names for CowlesiteHide
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Relationship of Cowlesite to other SpeciesHide
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Other Members of this group:
Alflarsenite | NaCa2Be3Si4O13(OH) · 2H2O | Mon. 2 : _P_21 |
---|---|---|
Amicite | K2Na2Al4Si4O16 · 5H2O | Mon. 2 |
Ammonioleucite | (NH4)(AlSi2O6) | Tet. 4/m : _I_41/a |
Analcime | Na(AlSi2O6) · H2O | Tric. 1 : _P_1 |
Bellbergite | (K,Ba,Sr)2Sr2Ca2(Ca,Na)4[Al3Si3O12]6 · 30H2O | Hex. |
Bikitaite | LiAlSi2O6 · H2O | Tric. 1 : _P_1 |
Boggsite | Ca8Na3(Si,Al)96O192 · 70H2O | Orth. m m m _(_2/_m_2/_m_2/m ) : I m m a |
Brewsterite Subgroup | Zeolite Group. | |
Chabazite-Levyne Subgroup | M[Al2Si4O12] · 6H2O | |
Chiavennite | CaMnBe2Si5O13(OH)2 · 2H2O | Mon. 2/m : _P_21/b |
Clinoptilolite Subgroup | M3-6(Si30Al6)O72 · 20H2O | |
Dachiardite Subgroup | Zeolite Group. | |
Direnzoite | NaK6MgCa2(Al13Si47O120) · 36H2O | Orth. m m m _(_2/_m_2/_m_2/m ) : P m m n |
Edingtonite | Ba[Al2Si3O10] · 4H2O | Orth. 222 : _P_212121 |
Epistilbite | CaAl2Si6O16 · 5H2O | Mon. |
Erionite Subgroup | M2[Al4Si14O36] · 15H2O | |
Faujasite Subgroup | M3.5[Al7Si17O48] · 32H2O | |
Ferrierite Subgroup | Zeolite Group. | |
Ferrochiavennite | Ca1-2Fe[(Si,Al,Be)5Be2O13(OH)2] · 2H2O | Mon. 2/m : _P_21/b |
Flörkeite | (K3Ca2Na)[Al8Si8O32] · 12H2O | Tric. 1 : _P_1 |
Garronite Subgroup | ||
Gaultite | Na4Zn2Si7O18 · 5H2O | Orth. m _m_2 : F d _d_2 |
Gismondine Subgroup | Zeolite Group. | |
Gmelinite Subgroup | In 1997, gmelinite was split into Gmelinite-Ca, Gmelinite-Na and Gmelinite-K. | |
Gobbinsite | Na5(Si11Al5)O32 · 11H2O | Orth. m m m _(_2/_m_2/_m_2/m ) : P n m a |
Goosecreekite | Ca[Al2Si6O16] · 5H2O | Mon. 2 : _P_21 |
Gottardiite | Na3Mg3Ca5Al19Si117O272 · 93H2O | Orth. m m m _(_2/_m_2/_m_2/m ) : C m c a |
Heulandite Subgroup | (Na/Ca/K)5-6[Al8-9 Si27-28 O72] · nH2O | |
Hsianghualite | Ca3Li2(Be3Si3O12)F2 | Iso. 432 : _I_4132 |
Kirchhoffite | Cs(BSi2O6) | Tet. 4/m m m _(_4/_m_2/_m_2/m ) : _I_41/a c d |
Laumontite | CaAl2Si4O12 · 4H2O | Mon. 2/m : _B_2/m |
Loomisite | Ba[Be2P2O8] · H2O | Mon. m |
Lovdarite | K2Na6Be4Si14O36 · 9H2O | Orth. m _m_2 |
Maricopaite | Pb7Ca2(Si,Al)48O100 · 32H2O | Orth. |
Martinandresite | Ba2(Al4Si12O32) · 10H2O | Orth. m m m _(_2/_m_2/_m_2/m ) : P m m n |
Mazzite Subgroup | Zeolite Group. | |
Merlinoite | (K,Na)5(Ca,Ba)2Al9Si23O64 · 23H2O | Orth. m m m _(_2/_m_2/_m_2/m ) : I m m m |
Montesommaite | (K,Na)9Al9Si23O64 · 10H2O | Orth. m _m_2 : F d _d_2 |
Mordenite | (Na2,Ca,K2)4(Al8Si40)O96 · 28H2O | Orth. |
Mutinaite | Na3Ca4Si85Al11O192 · 60H2O | Orth. m m m _(_2/_m_2/_m_2/m ) : P n m a |
Nabesite | Na2BeSi4O10 · 4H2O | Orth. 222 : _P_212121 |
Natrolite Subgroup | A subgroup of the Zeolite Group. | |
Offretite | KCaMg(Si13Al5)O36 · 15H2O | Hex. 6_m_2 : _P_6_m_2 |
Pahasapaite | Li8(Ca,Li,K)10.5Be24(PO4)24 · 38H2O | Iso. 23 : _I_23 |
Parthéite | Ca2(Si4Al4) O15 (OH)2 · 4H2O | Mon. 2/m : _B_2/b |
Paulingite Subgroup | Paulingite was originally described in 1960. | |
Perlialite | K9Na(Ca,Sr)[Al2Si4O12]6 · 15H2O | Hex. 6/m m m _(_6/_m_2/_m_2/m ) : _P_6/m m m |
Phillipsite Subgroup | Zeolite Group. | |
Pollucite | (Cs,Na)2(Al2Si4O12) · 2H2O | Iso. m_3_m _(_4/_m_32/m ) : I a_3_d |
Roggianite | Ca2Be(OH)2Al2Si4O13 · 2.5H2O | Tet. 4/m m m _(_4/_m_2/_m_2/m ) : _I_4/m c m |
Stilbite Subgroup | M6-7[Al8-9Si27-28O72] · nH2O | |
Terranovaite | (Na,Ca)8(Si68Al12)O160 · 29H2O | Orth. |
Thomsonite Subgroup | The large majority of "thomsonite" is thomsonite-Ca. | |
Tschernichite | (Ca,Na2)[Al2Si4O12] · 4-8H2O | Tet. 4/m m m _(_4/_m_2/_m_2/m ) : _P_4/m m m |
Tschörtnerite | Ca4(Ca,Sr,K,Ba)3Cu3[Al3Si3O12]4(OH)8 · nH2O | Iso. m_3_m _(_4/_m_32/m ) : F m_3_m |
UM1996-38-SiO:AlCaHNa | Na-Ca-Al-Si-O-H | |
UM1999-33-SiO:AlHKNa | K7Na5Al12Si20O64 · 24H2O | |
UM2002-40-SiO:AlCaHKMgNa | (Mg,Ca,Na,K)7.5(Al12.8Si51.2)O128 · 65H2O | Tet. 422 : _P_4122 |
Unnamed (Ca analogue of Merlinoite) | (Ca,K,Na)5(Ca,Ba)2Al9Si23O64 · 23H2O ? | |
Wairakite | Ca(Al2Si4O12) · 2H2O | Mon. 2/m : _B_2/m |
Weinebeneite | CaBe3(PO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2O | Mon. m : B b |
Wenkite | (Ba,K)4(Ca,Na)6[(Si,Al)20O39(OH)2](SO4)3 · 0.5H2O | Hex. 6_m_2 : P_62_m |
Willhendersonite | KCa[Al3Si3O12] · 5H2O | Tric. 1 : _P_1 |
Yugawaralite | CaAl2Si6O16 · 4H2O | Mon. m : P b |
Common AssociatesHide
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Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide
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9.GG.10 | Mountainite | KNa2Ca2[Si8O19(OH)] · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : _P_2/b |
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Other InformationHide
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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 CowlesiteHide
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References for CowlesiteHide
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Reference List:
Coombs, Douglas S., Alberti, Alberto, Armbruster, Thomas, Artioli, Gilberto, Colella, Carmine, Galli, Ermanno, Grice, Joel D., Liebau, Friedrich, Mandarino, Joseph A., Minato, Hideo, Nickel, Ernest H., Passaglia, Elio, Peacor, Donald R., Quartieri, Simona, Rinaldi, Romano, Ross, Malcolm I., Sheppard, Richard A., Tillmanns, Ekkehart, Vezzalini, Giovanna (1997) Recommended nomenclature for zeolite minerals; report of the Subcommittee on Zeolites of the International Mineralogical Association, Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names. The Canadian Mineralogist, 35 (6) 1571-1606
Localities for CowlesiteHide
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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.