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Dawsonite

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Francon quarry, St. Michel District, Montréal, Jacques Cartier Co., Québec, Canada
© O. Dziallas

Show Dawsonite Photos (43)
Formula:
NaAlCO
 
3
(OH)
 
2
System:OrthorhombicColour:Colourless to white; ...
Hardness:3
Name:After Canadian John William Dawson (1820-1899), Principal of McGill University and geologist.


A low-temperature hydrothermal mineral.

Classification of Dawsonite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:5/C.02-20
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:5.BB.10

5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
B : Carbonates with additional anions, without H2O
B : With alkalies, etc.
Dana 8th edition ID:16a.3.8.1

16a : ANHYDROUS CARBONATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
3 : (AB)2(XO3)Zq
Hey's CIM Ref.:11.7.3

11 : Carbonates
7 : Carbonates of Al
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Type Occurrence of Dawsonite

Type Locality:McGill University campus, Montréal, Jacques Cartier Co., Québec, Canada
Year of Discovery:1874
Geological Setting of type material:Feldspathic dike cutting Trenton limestone.
Associated Minerals at type locality:
WadPyriteGalenaDolomiteCalcite

Physical Properties of Dawsonite

Lustre:Vitreous, Silky
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Colour:Colourless to white; colourless in transmitted light
Streak:White
Hardness (Mohs):3
Cleavage:Perfect
On {110}

Crystallography of Dawsonite

Crystal System:Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Cell Parameters:a = 6.77Å, b = 10.4Å, c = 5.58Å
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.651 : 1 : 0.537
Unit Cell Volume:V 392.88 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:Bladed to acicular crystals forming incrustations and rosettes; tufts of fine needles. Crystals elongated [001].
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
Image Loading

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

Optical Data of Dawsonite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.466 nβ = 1.542 nγ = 1.596
2V:Measured: 77° , Calculated: 76°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.130

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

Chemical Properties of Dawsonite

Formula:
NaAlCO
 
3
(OH)
 
2
Essential elements:Al, C, H, Na, O
All elements listed in formula:Al, C, H, Na, O

Relationship of Dawsonite to other Species

Common Associates:
QuartzPyriteFluoriteDolomiteCalcite
Baryte
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):
5.BB.05Barentsite
Na
 
7
AlH
 
2
(CO
 
3
)
 
4
F
 
4
5.BB.15Tunisite
NaCa
 
2
Al
 
4
(CO
 
3
)
 
4
(OH)
 
8
Cl
5.BB.20Sabinaite
Na
 
4
Zr
 
2
TiO
 
4
(CO
 
3
)
 
4
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:
11.7.1Scarbroite
Al
 
5
(OH)
 
13
CO
 
3
·5H
 
2
O
11.7.2Hydroscarbroite
Al
 
14
(CO
 
3
)
 
3
(OH)
 
36
·nH
 
2
O
11.7.4Hydrotalcite
Mg
 
6
Al
 
2
[(OH)
 
16
|CO
 
3
] · 4H
 
2
O
11.7.5Manasseite
Mg
 
6
Al
 
2
[(OH)
 
16
|CO
 
3
] · 4H
 
2
O
11.7.6Indigirite
Mg
 
2
Al
 
2
[(CO
 
3
)
 
4
(OH)
 
2
] · 15H
 
2
O
11.7.7Alumohydrocalcite
CaAl
 
2
(CO
 
3
)
 
2
(OH)
 
4
·3H
 
2
O
11.7.8Para-alumohydrocalcite
CaAl
 
2
(CO
 
3
)
 
2
(OH)
 
4
·6H
 
2
O
11.7.9Tunisite
NaCa
 
2
Al
 
4
(CO
 
3
)
 
4
(OH)
 
8
Cl
11.7.10Wermlandite
Mg
 
7
(Ca,Mg)(Al,Fe)
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
18
(H
 
2
O)
 
12
11.7.11Montroyalite
Sr
 
4
Al
 
8
[(OH,F)
 
26
|(CO
 
3
)
 
3
] · 10-11H
 
2
O
11.7.12Dresserite
BaAl
 
2
[(OH)
 
2
|CO
 
3
]
 
2
 · H
 
2
O
11.7.13Hydrodresserite
BaAl
 
2
[(OH)
 
2
|CO
 
3
]
 
2
 · 3H
 
2
O
11.7.14Strontiodresserite
(Sr,Ca)Al
 
2
[(OH)
 
2
|CO
 
3
]
 
2
 · H
 
2
O

Other Names for Dawsonite

German names:
Dawsonit
Japanese names:
ドーソン石
Russian names:
Давсонит
Spanish names:
Dawsonita
Varieties:
Chromian Dawsonite

Other Information

Other Information:Soluble in acids with effervescence.
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 Dawsonite

Reference List:Harrington (1874) Canadian Naturalist and Quarterly Journal of Science: 7: 305.

Des Cloizeaux (1878) Bulletin de la Société française de Minéralogie: 1: 8.

Curie and Flamand (1889) Ann. fac. sc., Marseille: 2: 50 in: Lacroix, A. (1901) Minéralogie de la France et des ses colonies, Paris. 5 volumes: vol. 3: 776.

Dana, E.S. (1892) System of Mineralogy, 6th. Edition, New York: 300.

Graham (1908) Royal Society of Canada Transactions: 2(3): 165.

Pelloux (1932) Periodico de Mineralogia-Roma: 3: 15.

Bader (1938) Jb. Min., Beil.-Bd.: 74: 449.

Lauro (1941) Atti. acc. naz. Ital., ser. 7: 3: 146.

Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: Halides, Nitrates, Borates, Carbonates, Sulfates, Phosphates, Arsenates, Tungstates, Molybdates, Etc. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged: 276-278.

Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Monatshefte (1977): 1977(9): 381-397.

Articles/Blogs about Dawsonite

Internet Links for Dawsonite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
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  • Dawsonite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    Localities for Dawsonite

    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.
    Albania
     
    • Drin valley
    		Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 277.
    Algeria
     
    • Chlef Province
    		Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 277.
    Australia
     
    AmMin 60:285-291 (1975)
    Austria
     
    • Styria
      • Fürstenfeld
        • Loipersdorf
    		R. Exel: Die Mineralien und Erzlagerstätten Österreichs (1993)
      • Judenburg
        • Fohnsdorf
    		R. Exel: Die Mineralien und Erzlagerstätten Österreichs (1993)
    Belgium
     
    • Luxembourg Province
      • Stavelot Massif
        • Vielsalm
          • Grand Halleux
    Bolivia
     
    • Cochabamba Department
      • Ayopaya Province
    		Alfredo Petrov collection; Laszlo Horvath collection
    Canada
     
    • Ontario
      • Hastings Co.
        • Bancroft District
          • Dungannon Township
    		Sabina (1986) Geol. Survey of Canada, Misc. Report 39, 11-14.
    • Québec
      • Jacques Cartier Co.
        • Montréal
    		Canadian Museum of Nature collection
    Canadian Nat. Geol. (1874): 7, 305; Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 277.
          • St. Michel District
    		Mineralogical Record (2006): 37: 5-60; Tschernich, R. (1992): Zeolites of the World, p.52
      • Rouville Co.
        • Mont Saint-Hilaire
    		Horváth, L and Gault, R.A. (1990), The mineralogy of Mont Saint-Hilaire Quebec. Mineralogical Record: 21: 284-359.
      • Verchères Co.
        • Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville
          • Mont Saint Bruno
    		No reference listed
        • Varennes & St-Amable
          • Saint-Amable sill
    		Mineralogical Record: 29: 83.
    Czech Republic
     
    • Bohemia (Böhmen; Boehmen)
      • Central Bohemia Region
        • Kladno
    		Žáček, V., Frýda, J., Ondruš, P., Opluštil, S.: Polymetalická mineralizace v proterozoiku v podloží karbonské pánve na dole Slaný. Bulletin Mineralogicko-petrografického oddělení Národního muzea v Praze, 1994, roč. 2, s. 123-126.
    Hungary
     
    • Heves Co.
      • Mátra Mts.
        • Recsk
    Szakáll & Jánosi: Minerals of Hungary, 1995
    Italy
     
    • Trentino-Alto Adige
      • Bolzano Province (South Tyrol)
        • Adige Valley (Etsch Valley)
          • Terlano (Terlan)
    		Exel, R. (1987): Guida mineralogica del Trentino e del Sudtirolo. Athesia, Bolzano, 204 pp.
    • Tuscany
      • Grosseto Province
        • Amiata Mt.
    		AGMT (Associazione Geomineralogica Toscana) - 2008
    AGMT (Associazione Geomineralogica Toscana) - 2008
        • Manciano
          • San Martino sul Fiora
    		Meli, R. (2000): L'antica miniera antimonifera di S. Martino sul Fiora, Mancianese (Grosseto). Rivista Mineralogica Italiana, 2/2000, 111-113.
      • Livorno Province
        • Livorno
          • Valle Benedetta
    		Malesani P. Vannucci S. - Su una nuova varieta di dawsonite ritrovata nella Valle Benedetta (Livorno). Periodico di Mineralogia - Vol. 43 - pp. 655-662.
      • Massa-Carrara Province
        • Apuan Alps
    		Orlandi P., Franzini M., 1994. I minerali del marmo di Carrara. Amilcare Pizzi S.p.A., Milano.
    Orlandi P., Franzini M., 1994. I minerali del marmo di Carrara. Amilcare Pizzi S.p.A., Milano.
    Orlandi P., Franzini M., 1994. I minerali del marmo di Carrara. Amilcare Pizzi S.p.A., Milano.
          • Massa
      • Pisa Province
        • Lajatico
    		Orlandi P., (2005). "Geositi minerari e mineralogici della provincia di Pisa" in La geologia della provincia di Pisa. Cartografia, geositi e banche dati, pp. 55-280, Provincia di Pisa, 2005
    No reference listed
        • Amiata Mt.
    		Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 277.
    Japan
     
    • Honshu Island
      • Kanto Region
        • Gunma Prefecture
          • Fujioka
    		American Mineralogist (1986): 71, 1022-1027.
    New Zealand
     
    • North Island
    		Railton, G.L. & Watters, W.A., Minerals of New Zealand, New Zealand Geological Survey Bull. #104 (1990).
    Russia
     
    • Northern Caucasus Region
    		Zvezdinskaya L.V., Shtanov V.I. (1995) Composition of dawsonite and its thermal decomposition process, - DAN, 344(6), p.798-800 (in Rus.).
    • Northern Region
      • Murmanskaja Oblast'
        • Kola Peninsula
          • Khibiny Massif
    		Pekov, I.V. & Podlesnyi, A.S. (2004): Kukisvumchorr Deposit: Mineralogy of Alkaline Pegmatites and Hydrotermalites. Mineralogical Almanac, vol. 7, 140 pages + xxiv photo's pages
    P.M. Kartashov data
    Slovakia
     
    • Banská Bystrica Region
      • Starohorské Mts
        • Špania Dolina ore belt
    		Pauliš,P.,Ďuďa,R.,2002: Nejzajímavejší mineralogická nalezište Slovenska. Kuttna,K.Hora, 136p
    • Prešov Region
      • Northern Slanské Mts
        • Červenica (Czerwenitza)
          • Dubník
    		Koděra, M. et al., 1986 a 1990 : Topografická mineralógia Slovenska, diel 1- 3, Veda – Vydavateľstvo SAV, Bratislava, 1990, 1 – 1590
    Ďuďa,R., Kaličiaková,E., 1987: Mineralogicko – paragenetické pomery Hg ložiska Merník. Min.Slovaca, 19,5,423 – 442
    Duda et. all.,1981:Minerály severnej časti Slanských vrchov. Min.Slovca,Monografia 2,Bratislava, 98 p
      • Northern Vihorlat Mts
    		Pauliš,P.,Ďuďa,R.,2002: Nejzajímavejší mineralogická naletište Slovenska. Kuttna,K.Hora, 136p
      • Ondavská vrchovina Mts
    		Ďuďa,R., Bajo,I., 1983: Dawsonity v pieskovcoch zlínskych vrstiev při Beňadikovciach. Zbor.Východoslov. múzea, Prír.vedy XXIII, 35 – 40
    Bačo,P.,Pacindová,M., 1993: Whewellit a dawsonit - epigenetická mineralizácia v puklinách pieskovca pri Cígeľke. Min.Slovaca,Bratislava, 4,277-281p
    Koděra, M. et al., 1986 a 1990 : Topografická mineralógia Slovenska, diel 1- 3, Veda – Vydavateľstvo SAV, Bratislava, 1990, 1 – 1590k
    Switzerland
     
    • Wallis (Valais)
      • Brig
        • Simplon pass area
    		Stalder, H. A., Wagner, A., Graeser, S. and Stuker, P. (1998): Mineralienlexikon der Schweiz. Wepf (Basel), p. 132.
    Tanzania
     
    • Arusha Region
      • Ngorongoro Conservation Area
    		No reference listed
    USA
     
    • California
      • Stanislaus Co.
        • Diablo Range
          • Henry Coe State Park
    		[var: Chromian Dawsonite]
    • Colorado
      • Boulder Co.
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
      • Clear Creek Co.
        • Freeland
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
        • Georgetown District
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
      • Garfield Co.
        • Piceance Basin
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
    Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckel, E. B.
      • Jefferson Co.
        • South Platte Pegmatite District
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
      • Rio Blanco Co.
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) E.B. Eckels
        • Piceance Basin
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) E.B. Eckels
    Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
        • Piceance Creek Basin
    		U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
      • San Miguel Co.
        • Ouray District (Uncompahgre District)
          • Telluride
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
    • South Dakota
      • Custer Co.
        • Custer District
          • Fourmile
    		American Mineralogist (2003): 88: 1055.
    • Utah
      • Duchesne Co.
    		UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
      • Uintah Co.
    		UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
    Mineral and/or Locality
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