Aqualite

Aqualite is a very rare mineral of the eudialyte group, with formula (H3O)8(Na,K,Sr)5Ca6Zr3SiSi(Si24O66)(OH)9Cl.[1][2] The formula given does not show the presence of cyclic silicate groups. The original formula was extended to show the presence of silicon at both M3 and M4 sites, according to the nomenclature of the eudialyte group.[3] Aqualite is unique among the eudialyte group in being hydronium-rich (the only other eudialyte-group species with essential hydronium, is the recently discovered ilyukhinite).[1] Among the other representatives of the group it also distinguish in splitting of the M1 site into two sub-sites, both occupied by calcium. Thus, its symmetry is lowered from typical for most eudialytes R3m (or R-3m) to R3. The name refers to high content of water in the mineral.[2][3]

Aqualite
General
CategorySilicate mineral, Cyclosilicate
Formula
(repeating unit)		(H3O)8(Na,K,Sr)5Ca6Zr3Si26O66)(OH)9Cl
Strunz classification9.CO.10
Crystal systemTrigonal
Crystal classPyramidal (3)
H-M symbol: (3)
Space groupR3
Unit cella = 14.08, c = 31.24 [Å] (approximated); Z = 3
Identification
ColorPink (pale)
Crystal habitidiomorphic crystals (max. 3 cm)
CleavageNone
FractureConchoidal
Mohs scale hardness4–5
LusterVitreous
StreakWhite
DiaphaneityTranslucent
Density2.58 (measured), 2.66 (calculated)
Optical propertiesUniaxial (+)
Refractive indexnω = 1.57, nε = 1.57 (approximated)
PleochroismColorless to pink (W), pink (E)
Ultraviolet fluorescencedull yellow (weak)
References[1][2]

Notes on Chemistry

Elements occurring as admixtures in aqualite include barium, iron, rare-earth elements (including cerium), titanium, aluminium and trace niobium.[2]

Occurrence and association

Aqualite was discovered among peralkaline pegmatites of the Inagli massif, Sakha-Yakutia, Russia. Associated minerals are aegirine, batisite, eckermanite, innelite, lorezenite, natrolite, microcline, thorite, and galena.[2]

Origin

Aqualite is thought to be formed by ion exchange transformation of a precursor mineral.[2]

gollark: Yes, because of the lack of commas.
gollark: It won't flag that.
gollark: `local negative_words_list = "abysmal awful appalling atrocious bad boring belligerent banal broken callous crazy cruel corrosive corrupt criminal contradictory confused damaging dismal dreadful deprived deplorable dishonest disease detrimental dishonorable dreary evil enrage fail foul faulty filthy frightful fight gross ghastly grim guilty grotesque grimace haggard harmful horrendous hostile hate horrible hideous icky immature infernal insane inane insidious insipid inelegant junk lousy malicious malware messy monstrous menacing missing nasty negative nonsense naughty odious offensive oppressive objectionable petty poor poisonous questionable reject reptilian rotten repugnant repulsive ruthless scary shocking sad sickening stupid spiteful stormy smelly suspicious shoddy sinister substandard severe stuck threatening terrifying tense ugly unwanted unsatisfactory unwieldy unsightly unwelcome unfair unhealthy unpleasant untoward vile villainous vindictive vicious wicked worthless insecure bug virus sucks dodecahedr worse" .. " sh" .. "it " .. "cr" .. "ap"`
gollark: It doesn't detect "worst" IIRC.
gollark: So they would kick you.

References
  1. "Aqualite: Aqualite mineral information and data". Mindat.org. Retrieved 2016-03-08.
  2. Khomyakov, A. P., Nechelyustov, G. N., and Rastsvetaeva, R. K., 2007: Aqualite, a new mineral species of the eudialyte group from the Inagli alkaline pluton, Sakha-Yakutia, Russia, and the problem of oxonium in hydrated eudialytes. Geology of Ore Deposits 49(8), 739–751.
  3. Johnsen, O., Ferraris, G., Gault, R. A., Grice, D. G., Kampf, A. R., and Pekov, I. V., 2003. The nomenclature of eudialyte-group minerals. The Canadian Mineralogist 41, 785–794.


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.