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Chondrodite

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Monte Somma, Somma-Vesuvius Complex, Naples Province, Campania, Italy
© Chinellato Matteo

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Formula:
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)
 
5
(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
(F,OH)
 
2
System:MonoclinicColour:Yellow, Red or Brown.
Lustre:Vitreous, ResinousHardness:6 - 6½
Member of:Humite Group
Name:From the Greek for "grain" in allusion to its habit of occurring in isolated grains.


May be confused with clinohumite.

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Classification of Chondrodite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:8/B.04-20
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:9.AF.45

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
F : Nesosilicates with additional anions; cations in [4], [5] and/or only [6] coordination
Dana 8th edition ID:52.3.2b.2

52 : NESOSILICATES Insular SiO4 Groups and O,OH,F,H2O
3 : Insular SiO4 Groups and O, OH, F, and H2O with cations in [6] coordination only
Hey's CIM Ref.:17.1.10

17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
1 : Silicates with fluoride (not containing Al)
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Type Occurrence of Chondrodite

Type Locality:Skräbböle quarry, Pargas (Parainen), Southwestern Finland Region, Finland
Year of Discovery:1817

Occurrences of Chondrodite

Geological Setting:In contact metamorphic rocks, carbonatites

Physical Properties of Chondrodite

Lustre:Vitreous, Resinous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent, Translucent
Colour:Yellow, Red or Brown.
Streak:White-gray, yellow
Hardness (Mohs):6 - 6½
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Poor/Indistinct
Indistinct on {100}
Parting:on {001}
Density (measured):3.16 - 3.26 g/cm3
Density (calculated):3.177 g/cm3

Crystallography of Chondrodite

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 = 7.84Å, b = 4.73Å, c = 10.25Å
β = 109°
Ratio:a:b:c = 1.658 : 1 : 2.167
Unit Cell Volume:V 359.39 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:2
Morphology:Typically flattened, rounded grains, massive
Twinning:On {001}
Crystal Atlas:
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Chondrodite no.11 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Chondrodite no.12 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)

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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 Chondrodite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.592 - 1.643 nβ = 1.602 - 1.655 nγ = 1.619 - 1.675
2V:Measured: 64° to 90°, Calculated: 76° to 78°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.027 - 0.032

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Moderate
Dispersion:r > v weak to strong
Pleochroism:Weak
Comments:X= colorless, very pale yellow, brownish yellow
Y= colorless, yellow green
Z= colorless, pale green

Chemical Properties of Chondrodite

Formula:
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)
 
5
(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
(F,OH)
 
2
Essential elements:F, Mg, O, Si
All elements listed in formula:F, Fe, H, Mg, O, Si
Common Impurities:Ti,Al,Mn

Relationship of Chondrodite to other Species

Member of:Humite Group
Other Members of Group:

- +
Alleghanyite
Mn
2+
5
(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
Chegemite
Ca
 
7
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
2
Clinohumite
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)
 
9
(SiO
 
4
)
 
4
(F,OH)
 
2
Edgrewite
Ca
 
9
(SiO
 
4
)
 
4
F
 
2
Humite
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)
 
7
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
(F,OH)
 
2
Hydroxylchondrodite
Mg
 
5
(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
Hydroxylclinohumite
Mg
 
9
(SiO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH,F)
 
2
Jerrygibbsite
Mn
2+
9
(SiO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
2
Kumtyubeite
Ca
 
5
(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
F
 
2
Leucophoenicite
Mn
2+
7
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
2
Manganhumite
(Mn
2+
 
,Mg)
 
7
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
2
Norbergite
Mg
 
3
(SiO
 
4
)(F,OH)
 
2
Reinhardbraunsite
Ca
 
5
(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH,F)
 
2
Ribbeite
(Mn
2+
 
,Mg)
 
5
(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
Sonolite
Mn
2+
9
(SiO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH,F)
 
2
Unnamed (Ca-analogue of Humite)
Ca
 
7
(SiO
 
4
)
 
4
F
 
2
Unnamed (F-analogue of Chegemite)
Ca
 
7
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
(F,OH)
 
2
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
9.AF.05Sillimanite
Al
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)O
9.AF.10Andalusite
Al
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)O
9.AF.10Kanonaite
Mn
3+
 
Al(SiO
 
4
)O
9.AF.15Kyanite
Al
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)O
9.AF.20Mullite
Al
 
4+2x
Si
 
2-2x
O
 
10-x
9.AF.20Krieselite
(Al,Ga)
 
2
(GeO
 
4
)(OH)
 
2
9.AF.23Boromullite
Al
 
9
BSi
 
2
O
 
19
9.AF.25Yoderite
Mg(Al,Fe
3+
 
)
 
3
(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
O(OH)
9.AF.30Magnesiostaurolite
(Mg,Li,Fe
2+
 
)
 
1.5-2
Al
 
9
(SiO
 
4
)
 
4
O
 
6
(OH)
 
2
9.AF.30Staurolite
(Fe
2+
 
,Mg,Zn)
 
1.5-2
Al
 
9
(SiO
 
4
)
 
4
O
 
6
(OH,O)
 
2
9.AF.30Zincostaurolite
(Zn,Li,Fe
2+
 
,Mg)
 
1.5-2
Al
 
9
(SiO
 
4
)
 
4
O
 
6
(OH)
 
2
9.AF.35Topaz
Al
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)(F,OH)
 
2
9.AF.40Norbergite
Mg
 
3
(SiO
 
4
)(F,OH)
 
2
9.AF.45Alleghanyite
Mn
2+
5
(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
9.AF.45Reinhardbraunsite
Ca
 
5
(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH,F)
 
2
9.AF.45Kumtyubeite
Ca
 
5
(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
F
 
2
9.AF.45Hydroxylchondrodite
Mg
 
5
(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
9.AF.50Humite
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)
 
7
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
(F,OH)
 
2
9.AF.50Manganhumite
(Mn
2+
 
,Mg)
 
7
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
2
9.AF.50Unnamed (Ca-analogue of Humite)
Ca
 
7
(SiO
 
4
)
 
4
F
 
2
9.AF.55Clinohumite
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)
 
9
(SiO
 
4
)
 
4
(F,OH)
 
2
9.AF.55Sonolite
Mn
2+
9
(SiO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH,F)
 
2
9.AF.55Hydroxylclinohumite
Mg
 
9
(SiO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH,F)
 
2
9.AF.60Leucophoenicite
Mn
2+
7
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
2
9.AF.65Ribbeite
(Mn
2+
 
,Mg)
 
5
(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
9.AF.70Jerrygibbsite
Mn
2+
9
(SiO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
2
9.AF.75Franciscanite
Mn
2+
6
(V
5+
 
,☐)
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
(O,OH)
 
6
9.AF.75Örebroite
Mn
2+
3
(Fe
3+
 
,Sb
5+
 
)(SiO
 
4
)(O,OH)
 
3
9.AF.75Welinite
Mn
2+
6
(W
6+
 
,Mg)
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
(O,OH)
 
6
9.AF.80Ellenbergerite
Mg
 
6
(Mg,Ti,Zr,◻)
 
2
(Al,Mg)
 
6
Si
 
8
O
 
28
(OH)
 
10
9.AF.85Chloritoid
(Fe
2+
 
,Mg,Mn
2+
 
)Al
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)O(OH)
 
2
9.AF.85Magnesiochloritoid
MgAl
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)O(OH)
 
2
9.AF.85Ottrélite
(Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
,Mg)Al
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)O(OH)
 
2
9.AF.90Poldervaartite
CaCa[SiO
 
3
(OH)](OH)
9.AF.90Olmiite
CaMn
2+
 
[SiO
 
3
(OH)](OH)
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
17.1.1Hectorite
Na
 
0.3
(Mg,Li)
 
3
(Si
 
4
O
 
10
)(F,OH)
 
2
17.1.3Agrellite
NaCa
 
2
Si
 
4
O
 
10
F
17.1.4Apophyllite-(NaF)
NaCa
 
4
(Si
 
8
O
 
20
)F · 8H
 
2
O
17.1.5Apophyllite-(KF)
KCa
 
4
(Si
 
8
O
 
20
)(F,OH) · 8H
 
2
O
17.1.6Apophyllite-(KOH)
KCa
 
4
(Si
 
8
O
 
20
)(OH,F) · 8H
 
2
O
17.1.7Hsianghualite
Ca
 
3
Li
 
2
(Be
 
3
Si
 
3
O
 
12
)F
 
2
17.1.8Leucophanite
NaCaBeSi
 
2
O
 
6
F
17.1.9Norbergite
Mg
 
3
(SiO
 
4
)(F,OH)
 
2
17.1.11Humite
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)
 
7
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
(F,OH)
 
2
17.1.12Clinohumite
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)
 
9
(SiO
 
4
)
 
4
(F,OH)
 
2
17.1.13Canasite
K
 
2
Na
 
4
Ca
 
5
(Si
 
12
O
 
30
(OH,F)
 
4
17.1.14Charoite
(K,Sr)
 
15-16
(Ca,Na)
 
32
[Si
 
6
O
 
11
(O,OH)
 
6
]
 
2
[Si
 
12
O
 
18
(O,OH)
 
12
]
 
2
[Si
 
17
O
 
25
(O,OH)
 
18
]
 
2
(OH,F)
 
4
 · ~3H
 
2
O
17.1.15Cuspidine
Ca
 
4
(Si
 
2
O
 
7
)(F,OH)
 
2
17.1.16Bultfonteinite
Ca
 
2
(HSiO
 
4
)F · H
 
2
O
17.1.17Zeophyllite
Ca
 
4
Si
 
3
O
 
8
(OH,F)
 
4
 · 2H
 
2
O
17.1.18Rowlandite-(Y)
(Y,Ce)
 
4
Fe
2+
 
(Si
 
2
O
 
7
)
 
2
F
 
2
 (?)
17.1.19Yuksporite
(K,Ba)NaCa
 
2
(Si,Ti)
 
4
O
 
11
(F,OH) · H
 
2
O
17.1.20Yftisite-(Y)
(Y,Dy,Er)
 
4
(Ti,Sn)(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
O(F,OH)
 
6
17.1.21Mosandrite
(◻,Ca,Na)
 
3
(Ca,REE)
 
4
Ti(Si
 
2
O
 
7
)
 
2
[H
 
2
O,OH,F]
 
4
 · H
 
2
O
17.1.22Hiortdahlite
(Ca,Na)
 
3
(Zr,Ti)(Si
 
2
O
 
7
)(O,OH,F)
 
2
17.1.23Burpalite
Na
 
2
CaZr(Si
 
2
O
 
7
)F
 
2
17.1.24Seidozerite
Na
 
8
Mn
2+
2
Zr
 
3
Ti
 
3
(Si
 
2
O
 
7
)
 
4
O
 
4
F
 
4
17.1.25Thorosteenstrupine
CaMnThSi
 
4
O
 
11
(OH)F · 6H
 
2
O
17.1.26Zircophyllite
(K,Na)
 
3
(Mn,Fe
2+
 
)
 
7
(Zr,Ti)
 
2
Si
 
8
O
 
24
(O,OH,F)
 
7
17.1.27Jinshajiangite
BaNaFe
2+
4
Ti
 
2
(Si
 
2
O
 
7
)
 
2
O
 
2
(OH)
 
2
F
17.1.28Rosenbuschite
(Ca,Na)
 
3
(Zr,Ti)(Si
 
2
O
 
7
)OF
17.1.29Narsarsukite
Na
 
4
(Ti,Fe)
 
2
[Si
 
8
O
 
20
](O,OH,F)
 
2
17.1.30Sonolite
Mn
2+
9
(SiO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH,F)
 
2

Other Names for Chondrodite

Synonyms:
BrocchiteBrucite (of Gibbs)CondroditeMaclureite (of Nuttall)Prolectite
Other Languages:
German:Brocchit
Chondrodit
Condrodit
Prolectit
Russian:Хондродит
Simplified Chinese:粒硅镁石
Spanish:Brocchita
Chondrodita
Condrodita
Prolectita

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 Chondrodite

Reference List:

- +
American Mineralogist (1970): 55: 1182-1194.

Sinogeikin, S.V. and Bass, J.D. (1999) Single-crystal elastic properties of chondrodite: implications for water in the upper mantle. Physics and Chemistry of Minerals: 26: 297-303.

Langer, K., Platonov, A.N., Matsyuk, S.S., and Wildner, M. (2002) The crystal chemistry of the humite minerals Fe 2+ - Ti 4+ charge transfer and structural allocation of Ti 4+ in chondrodite and clinohumite. European Journal of Mineralogy: 14: 1027-1032.

Internet Links for Chondrodite

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