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Dolomite

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Azcárate Quarry, Eugui, Esteribar, Navarre (Navarra; Nafarroa), Spain
© fabreminerals.com

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Formula:
CaMg(CO
 
3
)
 
2
System:TrigonalColour:Colourless, white, grey, ...
Lustre:Vitreous, PearlyHardness:3½ - 4
Name:Named in 1791 after the French mineralogist and geologist, D. de Dolomieu (1750-1801).
Isostructural with:Nordenskiöldine


Dolomite Group. Ankerite-Dolomite Series.

Usually found as druzes or clusters of small rhombohedral crystals with a somewhat "saddle"-shape, white to tan to pink in color.

Classification of Dolomite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:5/B.03-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:5.AB.10

5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
A : Carbonates without additional anions, without H2O
B : Alkali-earth (and other M2+) carbonates
Dana 7th edition ID:14.2.1.1
Dana 8th edition ID:14.2.1.1

14 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL CARBONATES
2 : AB(XO3)2
Hey's CIM Ref.:11.4.6

11 : Carbonates
4 : Carbonates of Ca
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Occurrences of Dolomite

Geological Setting:An important sedimentary and metamorphic mineral, found as the principal mineral in dolostones and metadolostones, and as an important mineral in limestones and marbles where calcite is the principal mineral present. Also found as a hydrothermal vein mineral, forming crystals in cavities; and found in serpentinites and similar rocks.

Physical Properties of Dolomite

Lustre:Vitreous, Pearly
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent, Translucent, Translucent on thin edges
Colour:Colourless, white, grey, reddish-white, brownish-white, or pink; colourless in transmitted light
Streak:White
Hardness (Mohs):3½ - 4
Hardness Data:Measured
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Perfect
On {1011}.
Parting:Noted in lamellar twins on {0221}. Twin gliding on {0221};
Fracture:Sub-Conchoidal
Translation gliding:translation gliding with T{0001}, t[1010].
Density (measured):2.84 - 2.86 g/cm3
Density (calculated):2.876 g/cm3

Crystallography of Dolomite

Crystal System:Trigonal
Class (H-M):3 - Rhombohedral
Space Group:R3
Cell Parameters:a = 4.8012(1) Å, c = 16.002Å
Ratio:a:c = 1 : 3.333
Unit Cell Volume:V 319.45 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:3
Morphology:Crystals typically rhombohedral with {1011} or {4041} dominant, may also be prismatic {1120} terminated by rhombohedroal faces; tabular {0001} with {1120}; {1011} often striated horizontally or curved - "saddle" or "fingernail" habit. Also massive, coarse to fine granular, fibrous or pisolitic.
Twinning:On {0001}, common with re-entrant angles around the middle edges; on {1010} common; on {1120}, common, as complementary twins simulating holohedral symmetry; also as double twins by combination of this law and twins on {1010} or {0001}. On {1011}, rare. On {0221} as lamellae, especially in grains of dolomite marble.
Crystal Atlas:
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Dolomite no.2 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Dolomite no.7 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Dolomite no.18 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Dolomite no.54 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Dolomite no.59 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Dolomite no.89 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)

About Crystal Atlas

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Epitaxial Relationships of Dolomite

Epitaxial Minerals:
SideriteRhodochrositeChlorite GroupCalciteAntigorite
Epitaxi Comments:Growths of dolomite on calcite or vice versa, with parallel axes; also dolomite on rhodochrosite or siderite. Also occurs in oriented growths with antigorite (uncertain), and with chlorite [{0001} and {001} parallel].
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.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
d-spacingIntensity
3.70(10)
2.89(100)
2.67(10)
2.40(10)
2.19(20)
2.02(10)
1.805(10)

Optical Data of Dolomite

Type:Uniaxial (-)
RI values: nω = 1.679 - 1.681 nε = 1.500
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.179 - 0.181

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Moderate
Comments:Anomalously biaxial.

Chemical Properties of Dolomite

Formula:
CaMg(CO
 
3
)
 
2
Essential elements:C, Ca, Mg, O
All elements listed in formula:C, Ca, Mg, O
Common Impurities:Fe,Mn,Co,Pb,Zn

Relationship of Dolomite to other Species

Series:Forms a series with Ankerite (see here)
Related to:
  • Dolomite Group
    • Common Associates:
    SideriteQuartzGypsumFluoriteCelestine
    CalciteBaryte
    Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):
    5.AB.05Calcite
    CaCO
     
    3
    5.AB.05Gaspéite
    (Ni,Mg,Fe)CO
     
    3
    5.AB.05Magnesite
    MgCO
     
    3
    5.AB.05Otavite
    CdCO
     
    3
    5.AB.05Rhodochrosite
    MnCO
     
    3
    5.AB.05Siderite
    FeCO
     
    3
    5.AB.05Smithsonite
    ZnCO
     
    3
    5.AB.05Spherocobaltite
    CoCO
     
    3
    5.AB.10Ankerite
    Ca(Fe
    2+
     
    		 ,Mg,Mn
    2+
     
    		)(CO
     
    3
    		)
     
    2
    5.AB.10Kutnohorite
    Ca(Mn,Mg,Fe)(CO
     
    3
    		)
     
    2
    5.AB.10Minrecordite
    CaZn(CO
     
    3
    		)
     
    2
    5.AB.15Aragonite
    CaCO
     
    3
    5.AB.15Cerussite
    PbCO
     
    3
    5.AB.15Strontianite
    SrCO
     
    3
    5.AB.15Witherite
    BaCO
     
    3
    5.AB.20Vaterite
    CaCO
     
    3
    5.AB.25Huntite
    CaMg
     
    3
    		(CO
     
    3
    		)
     
    4
    5.AB.30Norsethite
    BaMg(CO
     
    3
    		)
     
    2
    5.AB.35Alstonite
    BaCa(CO
     
    3
    		)
     
    2
    5.AB.40Olekminskite
    Sr(Sr,Ba)(CO
     
    3
    		)
     
    2
    5.AB.40Paralstonite
    BaCa(CO
     
    3
    		)
     
    2
    5.AB.45Barytocalcite
    BaCa(CO
     
    3
    		)
     
    2
    5.AB.50Carbocernaite
    (Ca,Na)(Sr,Ce,Ba)(CO
     
    3
    		)
     
    2
    5.AB.55Benstonite
    (Ba,Sr)
     
    6
    		(Ca,Mn)
     
    6
    		Mg(CO
     
    3
    		)
     
    13
    5.AB.60Juangodoyite
    Na
     
    2
    		Cu(CO
     
    3
    		)
     
    2
    Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:
    11.4.1Calcite
    CaCO
     
    3
    11.4.2Aragonite
    CaCO
     
    3
    11.4.3Vaterite
    CaCO
     
    3
    11.4.4Monohydrocalcite
    CaCO
     
    3
    		·H
     
    2
    		O
    11.4.5Ikaite
    CaCO
     
    3
    		·6H
     
    2
    		O
    11.4.7Huntite
    CaMg
     
    3
    		(CO
     
    3
    		)
     
    4
    11.4.8Sergeevite
    Ca
     
    2
    		Mg
     
    11
    		(CO
     
    3
    		)
     
    13
    		·10H
     
    2
    		O
    Related Minerals - Dana Grouping):
    14.2.1.2Ankerite
    Ca(Fe
    2+
     
    		 ,Mg,Mn
    2+
     
    		)(CO
     
    3
    		)
     
    2

    Other Names for Dolomite

    Synonyms:
    Bitter SparCodazziteCompound SparMagnesian LimestoneMagnesio-Calcite
    MagnesiodolomiteMiemiteMuricalcitePearl SparPicrite (of Brogniart)
    Rhomb SparRidolphiteTaraspiteTharandite
    French names:
    Chaux carbonatée aluminifèreDolomieSpath magnésienSpath perlé
    German names:
    BitterkalkBittersalzerdeBitterspat (of Klaproth)DolomitKalktalkspath
    Kohlensauerter KalkerdeMagnesiocalcitMagnesiodolomitMiemitMuricalcit
    Paratomes Kalk-HaloidPerlspathRauhkalkRautenspathRhombenspat
    RhomboidalspathRidolfitTaraspitWandstein
    Japanese names:
    苦灰石
    Russian names:
    Доломит
    Spanish names:
    DolomitaMagnesiodolomitaMiemitaMuricalcitaTaraspita
    Varieties:
    BrossiteCobaltoan DolomiteFerroan DolomiteGreineriteGurhofian
    Manganoan DolomiteMg-rich DolomitePlumbodolomitTerueliteZincian Dolomite

    Other Information

    Fluorescence in UV light:Some types fluoresce in either SW or LW UV.
    Other Information:Very slowly dissolved in cold acids. Powder readily dissolves in warm acids with effervescence.

    May exhibit triboluminescence.

    Dolomite and ferroan dolomite occur frequently as pseudomorphs after calcite and also after aragonite. Rarely pseudomorphic after cerussite, baryte and fluorite.

    Several species have been recognized as incrustation or substitution pseudomorphs after dolomite crystals. These include siderite, calcite, smithsonite, quartz, talc, limonite; and more rarely, hematite, pyrite, malachite, azurite, magnetite, cinnabar, sphalerite, pyrolusite, marcasite and serpentine.
    Health Warning:No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
    Industrial Uses:A major source of magnesium, particularly for agricultural and pharmaceutical applications.

    References for Dolomite

    Reference List:Saussure (1792) Journal phys.: 40: 161 (as Dolomie).

    Delamétherie, J.C. (1792) New Edition of Mongez’s Sciagraphie (French translation of Bergmann’s Sciagraphia, with additions). 2 volumes, Paris: 1: 207 (as Spath magnésien).

    Kirwan, R. (1794) Elements of Mineralogy, second edition: 1: 111 (as Dolomite).

    Klaproth, M.H. (1802) Beiträge zur chemischen Kenntniss der Mineralkörpers, vol. 3: 3: 292 (as Miemit).

    Wollaston (1812) Royal Society of London, Philosophical Transactions: 159.

    Hausmann, J.F.L. (1813) Handbuch der Mineralogie 3 volumes, Göttingen. Second edition: 960 (as Bitterkalk).

    Gibbs (1847) Annalen der Physik, Halle, Leipzig: 71: 361.

    Sella (1856) Studii sulla min. Sarda, Torino.

    Bořický (1876) Mineralogische und petrographische Mitteilungen, Vienna: 47.

    Tschermak (1881) Mineralogische und petrographische Mitteilungen, Vienna: 4: 102, 109.

    Tschermak (1882) Mineralogische und petrographische Mitteilungen, Vienna: 4: 111.

    Becke (1889) Mineralogische und petrographische Mitteilungen, Vienna: 10: 138.

    Becke (1890) Mineralogische und petrographische Mitteilungen, Vienna: 11: 224.

    Eisenhuth (1902) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 35: 582.

    Johnsen (1902) Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Geologie und Paleontologie, Heidelberg, Stuttgart: II: 133.

    Mügge (1903) Jb. Min., Beil.-Bd.: 16: 374.

    Doelter, C. (1911) Handbuch der Mineral-chemie (in 4 volumes divided into parts): 1: 360.

    Rinne (1914) Centralblatt für Mineralogie, Geologie und Paleontologie, Stuttgart: 705.

    Goldschmidt, V. (1916) Atlas der Krystallformen. 9 volumes, atlas, and text: vol. 3: 65.

    Ford (1917) Trans. Conn. Ac. Arts Sc.: 22: 213.

    Honess (1917) American Mineralogist: 2: 57.

    Koller (1918) Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Geologie und Paleontologie, Heidelberg, Stuttgart, Beil.-Bd.: 42: 457.

    Gaubert (1919) Bulletin de la Société française de Minéralogie: 42: 88.

    Harding et al (1920) Chemical News and Journal of Industrial Science, London: 121: 50.

    Niggli (1921) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 56: 230.

    Garnett (1923) Mineralogical Magazine: 20: 54.

    Mellor, J.W. (1923) A Comprehensive Treatise on Inorganic and Theoretical Chemistry. 16 volumes, London: 4: 372.

    Mitchell (1923) Journal of the Chemical Society, London: 123: 1055.

    Ungemach (1923) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 58: 161.

    Bäckström (1924) Journal of the Chemical Society, London: 125: 430.

    Wyckoff and Merwin (1924) American Journal of Science: 8: 447.

    de Klerk and Goldschmidt (1925) Mineralogische und petrographische Mitteilungen, Vienna: 38: 159.

    Eitel (1925) Jb. Min., Beil.-Bd.: 51: 477.

    Garrabos (1926) Bulletin de la Société française de Minéralogie: 49: 110.

    Rocza (1926) Zentralblatt Mineralien: 229.

    Strobentz (1926) Földtani Közlöny, Budapest (Magyarhone Földtani Torsulat): 55: 49.

    Zsivny (1926) Ann. Hist.-Nat. Mus. Nat. Hungar.: 24: 423.

    Hintze, Carl (1927) Handbuch der Mineralogie. Berlin and Leipzig. 6 volumes: 1[3A]: 3333.

    Zsivny (1927) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 65: 728.

    Kani (1928) Journal of the Geological Society of Tokyo: 35: 279.

    Halla (1930) Ak Wien, Sitzber.: 139: 683.

    Onorato E. (1930) Sulla natura della dolomite. Periodico di Mineralogia - Roma pp. 216-220.

    Vavrinecz (1932) Magyar Chemiai Folyóirat, Budapest: 38: 140.

    Ulke (1933) American Mineralogist: 18: 312.

    Koch and Zombory (1934) Földtani Közlöny, Budapest (Magyarhone Földtani Torsulat): 64: 160.

    Tokody (1934) Magyar Tudom. Akad. Mat. Termeszett. Ertisitö, Budapest: 50: 650.

    Du Rietz (1935) Geologiska Föeningens I Stockholm. Förhandlinger, Stockholm: 57: 133.

    Hawkes and Smythe (1935) Mineralogical Magazine: 24: 65.

    Koiké (1935) Journal of the Japanese Association of Min. Petr. Ec. Geol.: 14: 216.

    Schoklitsch (1935) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 90: 433.

    Tertsch (1935) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 92: 39.

    Royer (1936) Comptes rendu de l’Académie des sciences de Paris: 202: 429.

    Siegl (1936) Mineralogische und petrographische Mitteilungen, Vienna: 48: 288.

    Koritnig and Ehrlich (1940) Zentralblatt Mineralien: 41.

    Rodgers (1940) American Journal of Science: 238: 788.

    Fairbairn and Hawkes (1941) American Journal of Science: 239: 617.

    Smythe and Dunham (1947) Mineralogical Magazine: 28: 53.

    Johansson (1948) Geologiska Föeningens I Stockholm. Förhandlinger, Stockholm: 70: 349.

    Faust (1949) American Mineralogist: 34: 789.

    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: 208-217.

    Goldsmith, J.R., D.L. Graf, J. Witters & D.A. Northrop (1962), Studies in the system CaCO3•MgCO3•FeCO3: (1) Phase relations; (2) A method for major element spectrochemical analyses; and (3) Composition of some ferroan dolomites Jour. Geol.: 70: 659-688.

    Van der Veen, A.H. (1965) Calcite-dolomite intergrowths in high-temperature carbonate rocks. American Mineralogist: 50: 2070-2077.

    Peterson, M.N.A., Von der Borch, C.C., and Bien, G.S. (1966) Growth of dolomite crystals. American Journal of Science: 264: 252-272.
    Zeitschrift für Kristallographie: 156: 233-243.

    Gaines, Richard V., H. Catherine, W. Skinner, Eugene E. Foord, Brian Mason, Abraham Rosenzweig (1997), Dana's New Mineralogy : The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana: 4.

    Anthony, J.W., Bideaux, R.A., Bladh, K.W., and Nichols, M.C. (2003) Handbook of Mineralogy, Volume V. Borates, Carbonates, Sulfates. Mineral Data Publishing, Tucson, AZ, 813pp.: 191.

    Antao, S.M., Mulder, W.H., Hassan, S., Crichton, W.A., and Parise, J.B. (2004) Cation disorder in dolomite, CaMg(CO3)2, and its influence on the aragonite + magnesite ↔ dolomite reaction boundary. American Mineralogist: 89: 1142-1147.

    Internet Links for Dolomite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
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  • Search for Dolomite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Dolomite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    Localities for Dolomite

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