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Coesite

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Dora Maira Massif, Cuneo Province, Piedmont, Italy
© Sergey Vasiliev

Show Coesite Photos (2)
Formula:
SiO
 
2
System:MonoclinicColour:Colourless
Lustre:VitreousHardness:7½ - 8
Name:For Loring Coes (1915-), American chemist who first synthesized it.
Polymorph of:Cristobalite, Quartz, Stishovite, Tridymite
This page provides mineralogical data about Coesite.

Classification of Coesite

IMA status:Approved
Strunz 8th edition ID:4/D.01-50
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:4.DA.35

4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
D : Metal: Oxygen = 1:2 and similar
A : With small cations: Silica family
Dana 8th edition ID:75.1.4.1

75 : TECTOSILICATES Si Tetrahedral Frameworks
1 : Si Tetrahedral Frameworks - SiO2 with [4] coordinated Si
Hey's CIM Ref.:7.8.2

7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
8 : Oxides of Si
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Type Occurrence of Coesite

Type Locality:Meteor Crater (Barringer Crater), Coconino Co., Arizona, USA
Year of Discovery:1954

Occurrences of Coesite

Geological Setting:Formed at pressures > 20 kbar. Impact craters, kimberlites, eclogites.

Physical Properties of Coesite

Lustre:Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Colour:Colourless
Hardness (Mohs):7½ - 8
Cleavage:Poor/Indistinct
Suspected on {010}{012}
Fracture:Sub-Conchoidal
Density (calculated):2.92 g/cm3

Crystallography of Coesite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Class (H-M):2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:B2/b (B1 1 2/b) [C2/c] {C1 2/c 1}
Cell Parameters:a = 7.143(2) Å, b = 12.383(3) Å, c = 7.143(2) Å
β = 120°
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.577 : 1 : 0.577
Unit Cell Volume:V 547.16 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:16
Morphology:Irregular to rectangular grains.

Optical Data of Coesite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.593 - 1.599 nγ = 1.597 - 1.604
2V:Measured: 54° to 64°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.004 - 0.005

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

Chemical Properties of Coesite

Formula:
SiO
 
2
Essential elements:O, Si
All elements listed in formula:O, Si
Common Impurities:Al,Fe,Na

Relationship of Coesite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):
4.DA.05Quartz
SiO
 
2
4.DA.05Seifertite
SiO
 
2
4.DA.10Opal
SiO
 
2
·nH
 
2
O
4.DA.10Tridymite
SiO
 
2
4.DA.15Cristobalite
SiO
 
2
4.DA.20Mogánite
SiO
 
2
4.DA.25Melanophlogite
46SiO
 
2
·6(N
 
2
,CO
 
2
)·2(CH
 
4
,N
 
2
)
4.DA.30Lechatelierite
SiO
 
2
4.DA.40Stishovite
SiO
 
2
4.DA.45Keatite
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:
7.8.1Quartz
SiO
 
2
7.8.3Tridymite
SiO
 
2
7.8.4Stishovite
SiO
 
2
7.8.5Cristobalite
SiO
 
2
7.8.6Lechatelierite
SiO
 
2
7.8.7Silhydrite
3SiO
 
2
·H
 
2
O
7.8.8Opal
SiO
 
2
·nH
 
2
O
7.8.9Mogánite
SiO
 
2

Other Names for Coesite

German names:
Coesit
Russian names:
Коэсит
Spanish names:
Coesita

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 Coesite

Reference List:Chao, E.C.T., et al (1960), First natural occurrence of coesite, Science: 132: 220-222.

American Mineralogist (1960): 45: 1313.

American Mineralogist (1962): 47: 1292-1302.

Fahey, J.J. (1964), Recovery of coesite and stishovite from Coconino Sandstone of Meteor Crater, AZ, American Mineralogist: 49: 1643-1647.

Bohn, E. & W. Stöber (1966), Coesit und Stishovit als isolierte natürliche Mineralien, Neues Jahrb. Min.: 89-96.

Zeitschrift für Kristallographie: 145: 108-123.

Bohlen, S.R. and Boettcher, A.L. (1982) The quartz-coesite transformation: a precise determination and the effects of other components. Journal of Geophysical Research: 87(B8): 7073-7078.

Zhang, J., Li, B., Utsumi, W., and Liebermann, R.C. (1996) In situ X-ray observations of the coesite-stishovite transition: reversed phase boundary and kinetics. Physics and Chemistry of Minerals: 23: 1-10.

Gibbs, G.V., M.B. Boisen, Jr., .M. Rosso, D.M. Teter, & M..T. Bukowinski (2000), Model structures and electron density distribution for the silica polymorph coesite at pressure: An assessment of OO bonded interactions: Journal of Physical Chemistry: B: 104: 10534-10542.

Mosenfelder, J.L. (2000) Pressure dependence of hydroxyl solubility in coesite. Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 27(9): 610-617.

Internet Links for Coesite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Coesite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Coesite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    Localities for Coesite

    Hide Locality List
    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.
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    (TL) indicates type locality. ? indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. All other localities listed without reference should be considered as uncertain and unproven until references can be found.
    Atlantic Ocean
     
    • Upper continental slope of New Jersey
    		B.P. Glass, S. Liu & P.B. Leavens (2002) Amer. Mineral. 87, 562-565
    B.P. Glass, S. Liu & P.B. Leavens (2002) Amer. Mineral. 87, 562-565
    Brazil
     
    • Southeast Region
      • Minas Gerais
    		Chris D. Parkinson et al. , " Ultrahigh-pressure pyrope-kyanite granulites and associated eclogites in Neoproterozoic nappes of southeast Brazil", 2001, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, http://akmotoki.tripod.com/2001/Waseda/Cdp.html
    Chris D. Parkinson et al. , " Ultrahigh-pressure pyrope-kyanite granulites and associated eclogites in Neoproterozoic nappes of southeast Brazil", 2001, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, http://akmotoki.tripod.com/2001/Waseda/Cdp.html
    Canada
     
    • Northwest Territories
      • Lac de Gras
        • Diavik Mine
    		Donnelly, C. L. et al. (2007): Lithos 98, 160-176.
    China
     
    • Anhui Province
      • Anqing Prefecture
        • Qianshan Co.
    		American Mineralogist, Volume 87, pages 875-881, 2002, KAI YE et al. "Ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) low-Al titanites from carbonate-bearing rocks in Dabieshan-Sulu UHP terrane, eastern China".
        • Susong Co.
    		www.scienceinchina.com/ky/0008/ky0748.pdf.
        • Taihu Co.
          • Shima
    		Wu, Xiuling, Dawei Meng, and Yujing Han (2005), α-PbO2-type nanophase of TiO2 from coesite-bearing eclogite in the Dabie Mountains, China: American Mineralogist: 90: 1458-1461.
        • Yuexi Co.
          • Bixiling
    		Chem. Geol.,1996, 133: 29-51.
          • Wumiao
    		A.I. Okay et al. , Eur. J. Mineral. , 1989, 1, pp. 595-598.
            • Marble quarry
    • Henan Province
      • Xinyang Prefecture
        • Xin Co.
    		Ruyuan Zhang and Liou, J.G. (1994): European Journal of Mineralogy 6(2), 217-233.
    • Hubei Province
      • Huanggang Prefecture
        • Yingshan Co.
    		Guxian Lü, Jing Chen, Tiping Ding, Xiaobo Li, Fangzheng Wang, and Ruixun Li (2001): Journal of Geosciences of China 3(1), 1-12.
    • Jiangsu Province
      • Lianyungang Prefecture
        • Donghai Co.
    		Zhang, R.Y., Liou, J.G., and Shu, J.F. (2002): American Mineralogist 87, 445-453.
    • Qinghai (Chinghai) Province
      • Haixi Autonomous Prefecture
        • North Qaidam UHP Terrane
    		Mattinson, C.G., Wooden, J.L., Liou, J.G., Bird, D.K., and Wu, C.L. (2006): American Journal of Science 306, 683-711.
    • Shandong Province
      • Jiaodong Gold Province
        • Weihai Prefecture
          • Rongcheng Co.
    		Science, Vol. 278, 24 Oct. 1997, pp. 701-707.
      • Jinan Prefecture
        • Jinan City
          • Licheng District
            • Qinglong Mt.
    		Am. Min. , V 89, pp. 1772-1783, 2004.
      • Linyi Prefecture
        • Yimeng Mts (Yimeng Shan)
          • Mengyin Co.
            • Mengyin Kimberlite field
              • Changma Kimberlite belt
                • Wangcun deposit
    		Wuyi Wang (1998): Earth and Planetary Science Letters 160(3/4), 831-843.
      • Rizhao Prefecture
        • Rizhao City
    		http://dunite.mr.nsysu.edu.tw/m02%20Liou-modified.doc
    American Mineralogist, Volume 87, pages 875-881, 2002, KAI YE et al. "Ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) low-Al titanites from carbonate-bearing rocks in Dabieshan-Sulu UHP terrane, eastern China".
    Hongrui Fan, Jinghui Guo, Fangfang Hu, Xuelei Chu, and Chengwei Jin (2005): Acta Petrologica Sinica 21(4), 1125-1132.
    • Xinjiang (Xinjiang-Uygur) Autonomous Region
      • Bayin'gholin (Bayingolin; Bayinguoleng) Autonomous Prefecture
        • Ruoqiang (Qakilik; Chaqiliq) Co.
          • Yinggelisayi area
    		Zhang Anda, Liu Liang, Sun Yong, Chen Danling, Wang Yan, and Luo Jinhai (2004): Chinese Science Bulletin 49(23), 2527-2532.
    • Xizang Autonomous Region (Tibet)
      • Shannan Prefecture
        • Qusum (Qusong) Co.
    		Wenji Bai, Nicheng Shi, Qingsong Fang, Guowu Li, Ming Xiong, Jingsui Yang, and He Rong (2006): Acta Geologica Sinica 80(5), 656-659.
    Germany
     
    • Bavaria
      • Swabia
        • Nördlingen
          • Ries Crater
    		http://geosciences.smsu.edu/geology/FieldTrips/Ries/page2.html
    http://geosciences.smsu.edu/geology/FieldTrips/Ries/page5.html
    Italy
     
    • Piedmont
      • Cuneo Province
    		[MinRec 27:303]
          • Varaita Valley
    		T. Hirajima and R. Compagnoni : "Petrology of a jadeite-quartz-almandine-phengite fels with retrograde ferro-nyböite from the Dora-Maira Massif, Western Alps", Eur. Journ. Mineral., 1993, 5, pp 943-955.
    Kazakhstan
     
    • Kökshetaü Oblysy (Kokshatau [Kokchetav] Oblast')
    International Geology Review, V. 44, N. 9, 1st Sept. 2002, pp. 831-836.
    Norway
     
    • More og Romsdal
      • Haram
    		http://www.ngu.no/FileArchive/165/2003_055.pdf Geological Survey of Norway / The Alice Wain Memorial West Norway Eclogite Field Symposium / Abstract Volume p. 8.
      • Midsund
    		Journal of Metamorphic Geology, Volume 18 Issue 2 Page 135 - March 2000 / http://www.falw.vu.nl/Onderzoeksinstituten/index.cfm/home_file.cfm/fileid/E74F0C35-D23F-4FD8-8529239681541F75/subsectionid/2B10CF00-A539-48DE-925522E089FD7F74
      • Ulstein
        • Hareidland
    		J. Metam. Geol. , 2003, 21, pp. 601-612.
    J. Metam. Geol. , 2003, 21, pp. 601-612.
    • Sogn og Fjordane
      • Selje
    		J. Metam. Geol. , 2003, 21, pp. 601-612.
      • Stadlandet
    		J. Metam. Geol. , 2003, 21, pp. 601-612.
      • Vagsoy
        • Maloy
    		Smith, 1985, 1988; Smith and Lappin, 1989.
    Slovakia
     
    • Banská Bystrica Region
      • Western Slovenské Rudohorie Mts
    		Koděra et all.,1990: Topografická mineralógia Slovenska, I-III, 1590p
    South Africa
     
    • Free State Province
      • Boshof
    		Am Min 62:828-830
    Minerals of South Africa
    • Gauteng Province
      • Pretoria
    		Minerals of South Africa
    USA
     
    • Arizona
      • Coconino Co.
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 180; Chao, E.C.T., et al (1960), First natural occurrence of coesite, Science: 132: 220-222.
    • Colorado
      • Larimer Co.
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
    • Indiana
      • Newton Co.
        • Kentland
    • Oklahoma
      • Major Co.
    Venezuela
     
    • Bolívar
    		CanMin 38:1347-1370
    Mineral and/or Locality
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