Mindat Logo
Home Page Log In Message Board The Mindat Directory
Register Search Pages Mineral Chatroom The Mindat Store

Datolite

This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
Big Photo

Dal'negorsk (Dalnegorsk; Tetyukhe; Tjetjuche; Tetjuche), Kavalerovo Mining District, Primorskiy Kray, Far-Eastern Region, Russia
© 2001 John H. Betts

Show Datolite Photos (477)



Formula:
Ca(HBSiO
 
5
)
System:MonoclinicColour:White, greyish, pale ...
Lustre:Vitreous, ResinousHardness:5 - 5½
Member of:Gadolinite-Datolite Group
Name:From the Greek for to divide in reference to granular textute of massive varieties.


Gadolinite-Datolite Group. (See also Anchi-Zeolite)

The structure of datolite consists of sheets of four- and eight-membered rings of corner-sharing, alternating (HBO4) and (SiO4) tetrahedra, classifying it as a phyllo-borosilicate. The net formula of the anion is (HBSiO5)n, with (HBSiO5) as the repeating unit (Foit et al., 1973). Instead of (HBSiO5), the formula may also be written as (BSiO4OH) or (BSiO4(OH)), indicating that the proton is bonded to one of the oxygen atoms. The mineral does not contain any isolated hydroxide ions, though.

Classification of Datolite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:8/B.29-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:9.AJ.20

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
J : Nesosilicates with BO3 triangles and/or B[4], Be[4] tetrahedra, cornersharing with SiO4
Dana 8th edition ID:54.2.1a.1

54 : NESOSILICATES Borosilicates and Some Beryllosilicates
2 : Borosilicates and Some Beryllosilicates with B in [4] coordination
Hey's CIM Ref.:17.5.10

17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
5 : Borosilicates
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-1340.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Type Occurrence of Datolite

Type Locality:Nødebro Mine (Nøddebro), Arendal Iron Mines, Arendal, Aust-Agder, Norway
Year of Discovery:1806

Occurrences of Datolite

Geological Setting:Secondary mineral in mafic igneous rocks. Geodes in tuff, limestone skarns, serpentinites, schists, ore veins.

Physical Properties of Datolite

Lustre:Vitreous, Resinous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent, Translucent, Opaque
Colour:White, greyish, pale green, red, yellow, etc.
Streak:White
Hardness (Mohs):5 - 5½
Tenacity:Brittle
Fracture:Irregular/Uneven, Conchoidal
Density (measured):2.96 - 3 g/cm3
Density (calculated):3 g/cm3

Crystallography of Datolite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Class (H-M):2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:P21/b {P1 1 21/b} {P21/c} {P1 21/c 1} {P21/a}
Cell Parameters:a = 9.62Å, b = 7.6Å, c = 4.84Å
β = 90.15°
Ratio:a:b:c = 1.266 : 1 : 0.637
Unit Cell Volume:V 353.86 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:4
Morphology:Short prismatic, botyroidal, granular to compact, cryptocrystalline.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
Image Loading

Radiation - Copper Kα
Data Set:
Horizontal Axis: ° to ° Vertical Axis: % Source Data: Filtered Data:
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.

Optical Data of Datolite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.626 nβ = 1.653 - 1.654 nγ = 1.670
2V:Measured: 74° , Calculated: 72° to 74°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.044

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Moderate
Dispersion:weak r > v

Chemical Properties of Datolite

Formula:
Ca(HBSiO
 
5
)
Essential elements:B, Ca, H, O, Si
All elements listed in formula:B, Ca, H, O, Si
Common Impurities:Mn,Mg,Al,Fe

Relationship of Datolite to other Species

Member of:Gadolinite-Datolite Group
Other Members of Group:

- +
Bakerite
Ca
 
4
(H
 
5
B
 
5
Si
 
3
O
 
20
)
Calciogadolinite-(Y)
(YCa)
 
2
Fe
3+
 
Be
 
2
[SiO
 
4
]
 
2
O
 
2
Calcybeborosilite-(Y)
(Y,Ca)
 
2
(□,Fe
2+
 
)(B,Be)
 
2
[SiO
 
4
]
 
2
(OH,O)
 
2
Gadolinite-(Ce)
(Ce,La,Nd,Y)
 
2
Fe
2+
 
Be
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
10
Gadolinite-(Y)
Y
 
2
Fe
2+
 
Be
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
10
Hingganite-(Ce)
(Ce,REE)
 
2
(□,Fe
2+
 
)Be
 
2
[SiO
 
4
]
 
2
(OH)
 
2
Hingganite-(Y)
(Y,REE,Ca)
 
2
(□,Fe
2+
 
)Be
 
2
[SiO
 
4
]
 
2
(OH)
 
2
Hingganite-(Yb)
(Yb,Y,REE)
 
2
□Be
 
2
[SiO
 
4
]
 
2
(OH)
 
2
Homilite
Ca
 
2
(Fe
2+
 
,Mg)B
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
10
Minasgeraisite-(Y)
CaBe
 
2
Y
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
10
Common Associates:
Zeolite GroupPrehniteGarnet Structural GroupDanburiteCalcite
Axinite Group
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
9.AJ.05Grandidierite
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)(Al,Fe
3+
 
)
 
3
(SiO
 
4
)(BO
 
3
)O
 
2
9.AJ.05Ominelite
(Fe
2+
 
,Mg)(Al,Fe
3+
 
)
 
3
(SiO
 
4
)(BO
 
3
)O
 
2
9.AJ.10Dumortierite
(Al,Fe
3+
 
)
 
7
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
(BO
 
3
)O
 
3
9.AJ.10Holtite
Al
 
6
(Al,Ta)(SiO
 
4
,SbO
 
4
,AsO
 
4
)
 
3
(BO
 
3
)O
 
3
9.AJ.10Magnesiodumortierite
(Mg,Ti,◻(Al,Mg)
 
2
Al
 
4
Si
 
3
O
 
18-y
(OH)
 
y
B y = 2-3
9.AJ.15Garrelsite
Ba
 
3
NaSi
 
2
B
 
7
O
 
16
(OH)
 
4
9.AJ.20Bakerite
Ca
 
4
(H
 
5
B
 
5
Si
 
3
O
 
20
)
9.AJ.20Gadolinite-(Ce)
(Ce,La,Nd,Y)
 
2
Fe
2+
 
Be
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
10
9.AJ.20Gadolinite-(Y)
Y
 
2
Fe
2+
 
Be
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
10
9.AJ.20Hingganite-(Ce)
(Ce,REE)
 
2
(□,Fe
2+
 
)Be
 
2
[SiO
 
4
]
 
2
(OH)
 
2
9.AJ.20Hingganite-(Y)
(Y,REE,Ca)
 
2
(□,Fe
2+
 
)Be
 
2
[SiO
 
4
]
 
2
(OH)
 
2
9.AJ.20Hingganite-(Yb)
(Yb,Y,REE)
 
2
□Be
 
2
[SiO
 
4
]
 
2
(OH)
 
2
9.AJ.20Homilite
Ca
 
2
(Fe
2+
 
,Mg)B
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
10
9.AJ.20Melanocerite-(Ce)
(Ce,Ca)
 
5
(Si,B)
 
3
O
 
12
(OH,F) · nH
 
2
O
9.AJ.20Minasgeraisite-(Y)
CaBe
 
2
Y
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
10
9.AJ.20Calcybeborosilite-(Y)
(Y,Ca)
 
2
(□,Fe
2+
 
)(B,Be)
 
2
[SiO
 
4
]
 
2
(OH,O)
 
2
9.AJ.25Stillwellite-(Ce)
(Ce,La,Ca)BSiO
 
5
9.AJ.30Cappelenite-(Y)
Ba(Y,Ce)
 
6
Si
 
3
B
 
6
O
 
24
F
 
2
9.AJ.35Okanoganite-(Y)
(Na,Ca)
 
3
(Y,Ce)
 
12
Si
 
6
B
 
2
O
 
27
F
 
14
9.AJ.35Vicanite-(Ce)
(Ca,Ce,La,Th)
 
15
As
5+
 
(As
3+
0.5
,Na
 
0.5
)Fe
3+
 
Si
 
6
B
 
4
O
 
40
F
 
7
9.AJ.35Hundholmenite-(Y)
(Y,REE,Ca,Na)
 
15
(Al,Fe
3+
 
)(Ca
 
x
As
3+
1-x
)(Si,As
5+
 
)Si
 
6
B
 
3
(O,F)
 
48
9.AJ.35Proshchenkoite-(Y)
Ca(Y,REE,Ca,Na,Mn)
 
15
Fe
2+
 
(P,Si)Si
 
6
B
 
3
O
 
34
F
 
14
9.AJ.40Jadarite
LiNaSiB
 
3
O
 
7
(OH)
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
17.5.1Manandonite
LiAl
 
4
(BSi
 
3
O
 
10
)(OH)
 
6
17.5.2Reedmergnerite
Na[BSi
 
3
O
 
8
]
17.5.3Searlesite
Na(H
 
2
BSi
 
2
O
 
7
)
17.5.4Olenite
Na(Al
 
3
)Al
 
6
(Si
 
6
O
 
18
)(BO
 
3
)
 
3
O
 
3
(OH)
17.5.5Elbaite
Na(Li
 
1.5
Al
 
1.5
)Al
 
6
(Si
 
6
O
 
18
)(BO
 
3
)
 
3
(OH)
 
3
(OH)
17.5.6Kalborsite
K
 
6
Al
 
4
BSi
 
6
O
 
20
(OH)
 
4
Cl
17.5.7Boromuscovite
KAl
 
2
(BSi
 
3
O
 
10
)(OH)
 
2
17.5.8Poudretteite
KNa
 
2
B
 
3
Si
 
12
O
 
30
17.5.9Liddicoatite
Ca(Li
 
2
Al)Al
 
6
(Si
 
6
O
 
18
)(BO
 
3
)
 
3
(OH)
 
3
(OH)
17.5.11Danburite
CaB
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
17.5.12Howlite
Ca
 
2
B
 
5
SiO
 
9
(OH)
 
5
17.5.13Bakerite
Ca
 
4
(H
 
5
B
 
5
Si
 
3
O
 
20
)
17.5.14Oyelite
Ca
 
10
Si
 
8
B
 
2
O
 
29
 · 12.5H
 
2
O
17.5.15Kornerupine
Mg
 
3
Al
 
6
(Si,Al,B)
 
5
O
 
21
(OH)
17.5.16Harkerite
Ca
 
12
Mg
 
4
Al(BO
 
3
)
 
3
(SiO
 
4
)
 
4
(CO
 
3
)
 
5
 · H
 
2
O
17.5.17Serendibite
(Ca,Na)
 
2
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)
 
3
(Al,Fe
3+
 
)
 
3
[O
 
2
|(Si,Al,B)
 
6
O
 
18
]
17.5.18Stillwellite-(Ce)
(Ce,La,Ca)BSiO
 
5
17.5.19Tadzhikite-(Ce)
(Ca,Ce)
 
4
(Ce,Y)
 
2
(Ti
4+
 
,Fe
3+
 
,Al)[B
 
4
Si
 
4
O
 
22
](OH)
 
2
17.5.20Melanocerite-(Ce)
(Ce,Ca)
 
5
(Si,B)
 
3
O
 
12
(OH,F) · nH
 
2
O
17.5.21Okanoganite-(Y)
(Na,Ca)
 
3
(Y,Ce)
 
12
Si
 
6
B
 
2
O
 
27
F
 
14
17.5.22Tritomite-(Ce)
(Ce,La,Y,Th)
 
5
(Si,B)
 
3
(O,OH,F)
 
13
17.5.23Tritomite-(Y)
(Y,Ca,La,Fe)
 
5
(Si,B,Al)
 
3
(O,OH,F)
 
13
17.5.24Cappelenite-(Y)
Ba(Y,Ce)
 
6
Si
 
3
B
 
6
O
 
24
F
 
2
17.5.25Dumortierite
(Al,Fe
3+
 
)
 
7
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
(BO
 
3
)O
 
3
17.5.26Holtite
Al
 
6
(Al,Ta)(SiO
 
4
,SbO
 
4
,AsO
 
4
)
 
3
(BO
 
3
)O
 
3
17.5.27Dravite
Na(Mg
 
3
)Al
 
6
(Si
 
6
O
 
18
)(BO
 
3
)
 
3
(OH)
 
3
(OH)
17.5.28 Ferridravite
17.5.29Axinite-(Mg)
Ca
 
2
MgAl
 
2
BSi
 
4
O
 
15
OH
17.5.30Uvite
Ca(Mg
 
3
)MgAl
 
5
(Si
 
6
O
 
18
)(BO
 
3
)
 
3
(OH)
 
3
(OH)
17.5.31Garrelsite
Ba
 
3
NaSi
 
2
B
 
7
O
 
16
(OH)
 
4
17.5.32Tienshanite
KNa
 
3
Na
 
6
Ca
 
2
Ba
 
6
Mn
 
6
(Ti
4+
 
,Nb)
 
6
B
 
12
Si
 
36
O
 
114
(O,OH,F)
 
11
17.5.33Leucosphenite
BaNa
 
4
Ti
 
2
B
 
2
Si
 
10
O
 
30
17.5.34Taramellite
Ba
 
4
(Fe
3+
 
,Ti,Fe
2+
 
,Mg)
 
4
(B
 
2
Si
 
8
O
 
27
)O
 
2
Cl
 
x
17.5.35Titantaramellite
Ba
 
4
(Ti,Fe
3+
 
,Fe
2+
 
,Mg)
 
4
(B
 
2
Si
 
8
O
 
27
)O
 
2
Cl
 
x
17.5.36Nagashimalite
Ba
 
4
(V,Ti)
 
4
B
 
2
Si
 
8
O
 
27
(O,OH)
 
2
Cl
17.5.37Chromium-dravite
Na(Mg
 
3
)Cr
3+
6
(Si
 
6
O
 
18
)(BO
 
3
)
 
3
(OH)
 
3
(OH)
17.5.38Wawayandaite
Ca
 
6
Mn
 
2
BBe
 
9
Si
 
6
O
 
23
(OH,Cl)
 
15
17.5.39Werdingite
(Mg,Fe)
 
2
Al
 
14
Si
 
4
B
 
4
O
 
37
17.5.40Axinite-(Mn)
Ca
 
2
Mn
2+
 
Al
 
2
BSi
 
4
O
 
15
(OH)
17.5.41Axinite
17.5.42Tinzenite
(Ca,Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
)
 
6
Al
 
4
(B
 
2
Si
 
8
O
 
30
)(OH)
 
2
17.5.44Schorl
Na(Fe
2+
3
)Al
 
6
(Si
 
6
O
 
18
)(BO
 
3
)
 
3
(OH)
 
3
(OH)
17.5.45Buergerite
Na(Fe
3+
3
)Al
 
6
(Si
 
6
O
 
18
)(BO
 
3
)
 
3
O
 
3
F
17.5.46Feruvite
Ca(Fe
2+
 
)
 
3
MgAl
 
5
(Si
 
6
O
 
18
)(BO
 
3
)
 
3
(OH)
 
3
(OH)
17.5.47Axinite-(Fe)
Ca
 
2
Fe
2+
 
Al
 
2
BSi
 
4
O
 
15
OH
17.5.48Homilite
Ca
 
2
(Fe
2+
 
,Mg)B
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
10
17.5.49Grandidierite
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)(Al,Fe
3+
 
)
 
3
(SiO
 
4
)(BO
 
3
)O
 
2
17.5.50Hyalotekite
(Ba,Pb,Ca,K)
 
6
(B,Si,Al)
 
2
(Si,Be)
 
10
O
 
28
(F,Cl)
17.5.51Hellandite-(Y)
(Ca,Y)
 
6
(Al,Fe
3+
 
)Si
 
4
B
 
4
O
 
20
(OH)
 
4

Other Names for Datolite

Synonyms:
DatholiteDystome Spar
Other Languages:
Dutch:Datoliet
German:Datolith
Datolit
Italian:Datolite
Lithuanian:Datolitas
Russian:Датолит
Simplified Chinese:矽钙硼石
Spanish:Datolita
Swedish:Datolit
Varieties:
Botryolite

Other Information

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

References for Datolite

Reference List:

- +
- Klaproth, M.H. (1806): Chemische Untersuchung des Datoliths. Neues allgemeines Journal der Chemie. 6, 107-110

- Klaproth, M.H. (1807): Chemische Untersuchung des Datoliths. Beiträge zur chemischen Kenntniss der Mineralkörper, Vierter Band, Rottmann Berlin, 354-359

- Hausmann, [J.F.L] (1810): Bermerkungen über den Datolith, von der Nödebroe-Grube bei Arendal in Norwegen. Beiträge zur Naturkunde, 2, 59-67

- Anderson, C. (1906) Mineralogical Notes: No. III - Axinite, petterdite, crocoite, datolite. Records of the Australian Museum: 6(3), 133-144.

- Foit, Jr., F.F., Phillips, M.W., and Gibbs, G.V. (1973): A Refinement of the Crystal Structure of Datolite, CaBSiO4(OH). American Mineralogist 58, 909-914.

- Grew, E.S., and Anovitz, L.M. (1996) BORON: Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry, second edition, as revised (2002).

- Bellatreccia, F., Cámara, F., Della Ventura, G. (2006): Datolite: a new occurrence in volcanic ejecta (Pitigliano, Toscana, Italy) and crystal-structure refinement. Rendiconti dell'Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, Scienze Fisiche e Naturali, Serie 9, 17, 289-298.

- Rocks & Minerals (2010) 85:338-345

Internet Links for Datolite

Search Engines:
  • Look for Datolite on Google
  • Look for Datolite images on Google
    • External Links:
  • Look for Datolite on Webmineral
  • Look for Datolite on Athena Mineralogy[Link Broken?]
  • Look for Datolite on Wikipedia
  • Look for Datolite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database[Link Broken?]
  • Datolite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
    • Mineral Dealers:
  • By minerals from YourMineralCollection
  • Pricedownminerals.com - Reverse Auctions and Shop
  • Buy RARE Minerals from Rocks of Africa
  • The Arkenstone - Fine Minerals
  • Buy from David K Joyce minerals
  • Fine Minerals from Weinrich Minerals, Inc.
  • High-end worldwide specimens & outstanding customer service
  • Search for minerals at Heliodor
  • Top quality minerals from Kristalle of California
  • Rare and Unusual minerals at Mineralogical Research Company
  • SpiriferMinerals.com - high quality low prices
  • Fabre Minerals - search for Datolite specimens
    • Specimens:The following Datolite specimens are currently listed for sale on minfind.com.
    Jobs:
  • Mining & Geology Jobs

    • Localities for Datolite

    The 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.
    Show Locality List (457 Items)
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Search Google
     
    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2012. Site Map. Locality, mineral & photograph data are the copyright of the individuals who submitted them. Further information contact the Site hosted & developed by Jolyon Ralph. Mindat.org is an online information resource dedicated to providing free mineralogical information to all. Mindat relies on the contributions of hundreds of members and supporters. Mindat does not offer minerals for sale. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register.
    Current server date and time: 3rd Feb 2012 18:52:48
    Mineral and Locality Search
    Mineral:
    and/or Locality:
    Options
    Fade toolbar when not in focusFix toolbar to bottom of page
    Hide Social Media Links
    Slideshow frame delay seconds
    Updated Mineral Entry: BykovaiteFrom Van King, 17th Feb 2012 19:50:20