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Elpidite

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Big Photo

Poudrette quarry (Demix quarry; Uni-Mix quarry; Desourdy quarry; Carrière Mont Saint-Hilaire), Mont Saint-Hilaire, Rouville RCM, Montérégie, Québec, Canada
© David K. Joyce

Show Elpidite Photos (131)



Formula:
Na
 
2
ZrSi
 
6
O
 
15
 · 3H
 
2
O
System:OrthorhombicHardness:5
This page provides mineralogical data about Elpidite.

Classification of Elpidite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:8/F.23-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:9.DG.65

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
D : Inosilicates
G : Inosilicates with 3-periodic single and multiple chains
Dana 8th edition ID:72.5.4.2

72 : PHYLLOSILICATES Two-Dimensional Infinite Sheets with Other Than Six-Membered Rings
5 : Two-Dimensional Infinite Sheets with Other Than Six-Membered Rings with corrugated and complex layers
Hey's CIM Ref.:14.10.9

14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
10 : Silicates of Zr or Hf
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-1370.html
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Type Occurrence of Elpidite

Type Locality:Narssârssuk (Narsarsuk), Igaliku (Igaliko), Narsaq, Kitaa (West Greenland) Province, Greenland
Year of Discovery:1894

Physical Properties of Elpidite

Hardness (Mohs):5

Crystallography of Elpidite

Crystal System:Orthorhombic
Cell Parameters:a = 7.29Å, b = 14.3Å, c = 7.03Å
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.51 : 1 : 0.492
Unit Cell Volume:V 732.86 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Crystal Atlas:
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Elpidite no.3 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Elpidite no.5 - 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 Elpidite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.560 nβ = 1.565 - 1.569 nγ = 1.574
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.014

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

Chemical Properties of Elpidite

Formula:
Na
 
2
ZrSi
 
6
O
 
15
 · 3H
 
2
O
Essential elements:H, Na, O, Si, Zr
All elements listed in formula:H, Na, O, Si, Zr
Common Impurities:Ti,Nb,Ca,K,F,Cl

Relationship of Elpidite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
9.DG.05Bustamite
CaMn
2+
 
(Si
 
2
O
 
6
)
9.DG.05Ferrobustamite
Ca(Fe
2+
 
,Ca,Mn
2+
 
)(Si
 
2
O
 
6
)
9.DG.05Pectolite
NaCa
 
2
(HSi
 
3
O
 
9
)
9.DG.05Sérandite
Na(Mn
2+
 
,Ca)
 
2
(HSi
 
3
O
 
9
)
9.DG.05Wollastonite
CaSiO
 
3
9.DG.05Wollastonite-1A
CaSiO
 
3
9.DG.07Cascandite
Ca(Sc,Fe
3+
 
)(HSi
 
3
O
 
9
)
9.DG.08Plombièrite
Ca
 
5
(HSi
 
3
O
 
9
)
 
2
 · 7H
 
2
O
9.DG.10Clinotobermorite
Ca
 
5
(Si
 
6
O
 
17
) · 5H
 
2
O
9.DG.10Riversideite
Ca
 
5
(HSi
 
3
O
 
9
)
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
9.DG.10Tobermorite
Ca
 
4+x
(H
 
2-2x
Si
 
6
O
 
17
) · 5H
 
2
O
9.DG.15Foshagite
Ca
 
4
(Si
 
3
O
 
9
)(OH)
 
2
9.DG.20Jennite
Ca
 
9
(Si
 
3
O
 
9
)
 
2
(OH)
 
8
 · 8H
 
2
O
9.DG.25Paraumbite
K
 
3
Zr
 
2
H(Si
 
3
O
 
9
)
 
2
 · nH
 
2
O
9.DG.25Umbite
K
 
2
(Zr,Ti)Si
 
3
O
 
9
 · H
 
2
O
9.DG.30Sørensenite
Na
 
4
SnBe
 
2
Si
 
6
O
 
16
(OH)
 
4
9.DG.35Xonotlite
Ca
 
6
(Si
 
6
O
 
17
)(OH)
 
2
9.DG.40Hillebrandite
Ca
 
2
(SiO
 
3
)(OH)
 
2
9.DG.45Zorite
Na
 
8
(Ti,Nb)
 
5
(Si
 
6
O
 
17
)
 
2
(OH,O)
 
5
 · 14H
 
2
O
9.DG.45Chivruaiite
Ca
 
4
(Ti,Nb)
 
5
(Si
 
6
O
 
17
)
 
2
(OH,O)
 
5
 · 13-14H
 
2
O
9.DG.50Haineaultite
(Na,Ca)
 
5
Ca(Ti,Nb)
 
5
(Si
 
6
O
 
17
)
 
2
(OH,F)
 
8
 · 5H
 
2
O
9.DG.55Epididymite
Na
 
2
Be
 
2
Si
 
6
O
 
15
 · H
 
2
O
9.DG.60Eudidymite
Na
 
2
Be
 
2
Si
 
6
O
 
15
 · H
 
2
O
9.DG.70Fenaksite
(K,Na)
 
4
(Fe,Mn)
 
2
(Si
 
4
O
 
10
)
 
2
(OH,F)
9.DG.70Litidionite
CuNaKSi
 
4
O
 
10
9.DG.70Manaksite
KNaMnSi
 
4
O
 
10
9.DG.75Tinaksite
K
 
2
Na(Ca,Mn
2+
 
)
 
2
Ti[O|Si
 
7
O
 
18
(OH)]
9.DG.75Tokkoite
K
 
2
Ca
 
4
Si
 
7
O
 
17
(O,OH,F)
 
4
9.DG.75Senkevichite
CsKNaCa
 
2
Ti[O|Si
 
7
O
 
18
(OH)]
9.DG.80Canasite
K
 
2
Na
 
4
Ca
 
5
(Si
 
12
O
 
30
(OH,F)
 
4
9.DG.80Fluorcanasite
K
 
3
Na
 
3
Ca
 
5
Si
 
12
O
 
30
F
 
4
 · H
 
2
O
9.DG.85Miserite
K(Ca,Ce)
 
4
Si
 
5
O
 
13
(OH)
 
3
9.DG.90Frankamenite
K
 
3
Na
 
3
Ca
 
5
(Si
 
12
O
 
30
)(F,OH)
 
4
 · H
 
2
O
9.DG.92Charoite
(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
9.DG.95Yuksporite
(K,Ba)NaCa
 
2
(Si,Ti)
 
4
O
 
11
(F,OH) · H
 
2
O
9.DG.97Eveslogite
(Na,K,Ca,Sr,Ba)
 
48
 [(Ti,Nb,Mn,Fe
2+
 
)
 
12
Si
 
48
O
 
144
(OH)
 
12
](F,OH,Cl)
 
14
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
14.10.1Zircon
ZrSiO
 
4
14.10.2Hafnon
HfSiO
 
4
14.10.3Zektzerite
LiNa(Zr,Ti,Hf)Si
 
6
O
 
15
14.10.4Parakeldyshite
Na
 
2
ZrSi
 
2
O
 
7
14.10.5Vlasovite
Na
 
2
ZrSi
 
4
O
 
11
14.10.6Keldyshite
(Na,H)
 
2
ZrSi
 
2
O
 
7
14.10.7Gaidonnayite
Na
 
2
Zr(Si
 
3
O
 
9
) · 2H
 
2
O
14.10.8Terskite
Na
 
4
ZrSi
 
6
O
 
16
 · 2H
 
2
O
14.10.10Hilairite
Na
 
2
Zr[SiO
 
3
]
 
3
 · 3H
 
2
O
14.10.11Petarasite
Na
 
5
Zr
 
2
(Si
 
6
O
 
18
)(Cl,OH) · 2H
 
2
O
14.10.12Khibinskite
K
 
2
ZrSi
 
2
O
 
7
14.10.13Wadeite
K
 
2
Zr(Si
 
3
O
 
9
)
14.10.14Dalyite
K
 
2
ZrSi
 
6
O
 
15
14.10.15Kostylevite
K
 
2
Zr(Si
 
3
O
 
9
) · H
 
2
O
14.10.16Umbite
K
 
2
(Zr,Ti)Si
 
3
O
 
9
 · H
 
2
O
14.10.17Paraumbite
K
 
3
Zr
 
2
H(Si
 
3
O
 
9
)
 
2
 · nH
 
2
O
14.10.18Georgechaoite
NaKZr[Si
 
3
O
 
9
] · 2H
 
2
O
14.10.19Gittinsite
CaZrSi
 
2
O
 
7
14.10.20Calciocatapleiite
CaZr(Si
 
3
O
 
9
) · 2H
 
2
O
14.10.21Calciohilairite
CaZr[SiO
 
3
]
 
3
 · 3H
 
2
O
14.10.22Armstrongite
CaZr[Si
 
6
O
 
15
] · 3H
 
2
O
14.10.23Lemoynite
(Na,K)
 
2
CaZr
 
2
Si
 
10
O
 
26
 · 5H
 
2
O
14.10.24Catapleiite
Na
 
2
Zr(Si
 
3
O
 
9
) · 2H
 
2
O
14.10.25Baghdadite
Ca
 
3
(Zr,Ti)(Si
 
2
O
 
7
)O
 
2
14.10.26Lovozerite
Na
 
2
CaZr(H
 
4
Si
 
6
O
 
18
) · H
 
2
O
14.10.27Låvenite
(Na,Ca)
 
2
(Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
)(Zr,Ti)(Si
 
2
O
 
7
)(O,OH,F)
 
2
14.10.28Penkvilksite
Na
 
4
Ti
 
2
Si
 
8
O
 
22
 · 4H
 
2
O
14.10.29Darapiosite
KNa
 
2
(Zn,Li)
 
3
(Mn,Zr)
 
2
[Si
 
12
O
 
30
]
14.10.30Bazirite
BaZr(Si
 
3
O
 
9
)
14.10.31Komkovite
BaZr[Si
 
3
O
 
9
] · 3H
 
2
O
14.10.32Zirsinalite
Na
 
6
(Ca,Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
)Zr(Si
 
6
O
 
18
)
14.10.33Tranquillityite
(Fe
2+
 
,Ca)
 
8
(Zr,Y)
 
2
Ti
 
3
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
O
 
4

Other Names for Elpidite

Other Languages:
German:Elpidit
Russian:Эльпидит
Spanish:Elpidita
Varieties:
Calcian Elpidite

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 Elpidite

Reference List:

- +
Lindström G (1894) Elpidit, ett nytt mineral från Igaliko, Geologiska Föreningens i Stockholm Förhandlingar, 16, 330-335

American Mineralogist: 58: 106-109.

A. A. Grigor’eva, N. V. Zubkova, I. V. Pekov, U. Kolitsch, D. Yu. Pushcharovsky, M. F. Vigasina, G. Giester, T. Dordević, E. Tillmanns and N. V. Chukanov (2011): Crystal chemistry of elpidite from Khan Bogdo (Mongolia) and its K- and Rb-exchanged forms. Crystallography Reports, 56, 832-841.

Internet Links for Elpidite

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    • Localities for Elpidite

    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.
    Hide Locality List
    (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.
    Canada
     
    • Ontario
      • Thunder Bay District
        • Marathon
    		McLaughlin (1990)
    • Québec
      • Montérégie
        • Lajemmerais RCM
          • Varennes & St-Amable
            • Saint-Amable sill
    		Horváth, L., Pfenninger-Horváth, E., Gault, R. A., & Tarassoff, P. (1998): Mineralogy of the Saint-Amable Sill, Varennes and Saint-Amable, Québec. Mineralogical Record, 29: 83-118.
        • Rouville RCM
          • Mont Saint-Hilaire
    		Chao, G.Y. (1967), Leucophanite, elpidite, narsarsukite from the Desourdy quarry, Mont St. Hilaire, Quebec. Canadian Mineralogist: 9: 286-87; Henderson, W. (1979), Oriented overgrowth of labuntsovite on elpidite from Mont St.-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada. Mineralogical Record: 10: 970; Falls R.B.(1983), Elpidite and narsarsukite from Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec. B.S. Thesis, University of Toronto, Canada.
      • Montréal
    		TARASSOFF, P., HORVÁTH, L. and PFENNINGER-HORVÁTH, E. (2006) Famous mineral localities: the Francon quarry, Montréal, Québec. Mineralogical Record, 37, 5-60.
    Canadian Museum of Nature collection
    • Québec & Newfoundland and Labrador
    		BIRKETT, T.C., MILLER, R.R., ROBERTS, A.C., & MARIANO, A.N. (1992) Zirconium bearing minerals from the Strange Lake intrusive complex, Quebec Labrador. Canadian Mineralogist, 30, 191-205.
    Greenland
     
    • Kitaa (West Greenland) Province
      • Narsaq
        • Igaliku (Igaliko)
    		Lindström G (1894) Elpidit, ett nytt mineral från Igaliko, Geologiska Föreningens i Stockholm Förhandlingar, 16, 330-335
    Petersen Ole V.,Secher K.(1985) - Gronland: Mineralien, Geologie, Geschichte. - Verlag Bode & Partner K.G., Bochum, 87 pagg.
    [Mineralogical Record - Vol 24 No 2]
    Kazakhstan
     
    • Eastern Kazakhstan Province (Shyghys Qazaqstan Oblysy; Vostochno-Kazakhstanskaya Oblast')
        • Akzhaylyautas Mts (Akzhailyautas Mts; Akjaylautas Mts; Akzhalautas Mts)
    		[var: Calcian Elpidite] Mineev D.A. (1968) Geochemistry of apogranites and rare-metal metasomatites of North-Western Tarbagatai, - Moscow, Nauka, 276p. (in Rus.)
    Malawi
     
    • Zomba District
    		No reference listed
    Mongolia
     
    • Gobi Desert
    		[var: Calcian Elpidite] Vladykin N.V., Kovalenko V.I., Dorfman M.D. (1981) Mineralogical and geochemical pecularities of Khan Bogdo massif of an alkaline granites (MPR), - Moscow, Nauka, p. 136 (in Rus.); Kynicky, J., Chakhmouradian, A.R., Xu, C., Krmicek & Galilova, M. (2011): Distribution and evolution of zirconium mineralization in peralkaline granites and associated pegmatites of the Khan Bogd Complex, southern Mongolia. Canadian Mineralogist. 49, 947-965.; J Kynický, C Xu, J Mašek, O Jaroš, H Káňová (2009) Arfvedsonite pegmatites of Khan Bogd massif, Mongolia: Zr mineralization. pp222-224 in Czech
    Jindřich Kynický
    • Hovd Aimag (Khovd Aimag)
      • Altai Mts
    		[var: Calcian Elpidite] Kovalenko V.I., Tsaryeva G.M., Goreglyad A.V., Yarmolyuk V.V., Troitsky V.A., Hervig R.L., Farmer, G.L., (1995) The peralkaline granite-related Khaldzan-Buregtey rare metal (Zr, Nb, REE) deposit, western Mongolia - ECONOMIC GEOLOGY, v. 90, p. 530–547.
    Morocco
     
    • Meknès-Tafilalet Region
      • Khénifra Province
        • High Atlas Mtn
          • Tamazeght complex
    		Khadem Allah, B. (1993)
    Norway
     
    • Oppland
      • Lunner
        • Nordmarka
    		[var: Calcian Elpidite] Am Min 90:1227; Raade, G. & Haug, J.(1982): Gjerdingen. Fundstelle seltener Mineralien in Norwegen. LAPIS 7, 9-15
    • Vestfold
      • Larvik
        • Hedrum
    		Larsen, K. E. & Andersen, F. (2009): Mineralforekomster i den østlige delen av Siljan-Hvarnes plutonkompleks, sørvestre Vestfold. Norsk Bergverksmuseums Skrift, 41: 54-63
        • Stavern (Fredriksvärn)
    		Engvoldsen,T.,Andersen, F.,Berge, S.A. & Burvald, I. (1991): Pegmatittmineraler fra Larvik ringkompleks. STEIN 18(1),15-71
      • Sandefjord
        • Østerøya
    		Berge, S. A. & Andersen, F. (2002): Mineralforekomster i Sandefjordområdet. Norsk Bergverksmuseums Skrift. 20, 50-59
        • Vesterøya
    		Berge, S.A., Larsen, K.E. & Andersen, F. (2011): Buer, Vesterøya, Sandefjord- en typelokalitet for et nytt mineral. Norsk Bergverksmuseum Skrift. 46: 49-56
    Engvoldsen,T.,Andersen, F.,Berge, S.A. & Burvald, I. (1991): Pegmatittmineraler fra Larvik ringkompleks. STEIN 18(1),15-71
    Engvoldsen,T.,Andersen, F.,Berge, S.A. & Burvald, I. (1991): Pegmatittmineraler fra Larvik ringkompleks. STEIN 18(1),15-71
    Engvoldsen,T.,Andersen, F.,Berge, S.A. & Burvald, I. (1991): Pegmatittmineraler fra Larvik ringkompleks. STEIN 18(1),15-71
    Raade, G & Larsen, A. O. (1980): Polylithionite from syenite pegmatite at Vøra, Sandefjord, Oslo Region, Norway. Contributions to the Mineralogy of Norway, no 65. Norsk Geologisk Tidskrift 60, 117-124
    Russia
     
    • Eastern-Siberian Region
      • Saha Republic (Sakha Republic; Yakutia)
        • Aldan Shield
          • Chara and Tokko Rivers Confluence
    		[Lapis 1993:4 p.13-20]
    • Northern Region
      • Murmanskaja Oblast'
        • Kola Peninsula
          • Khibiny Massif
            • Kukisvumchorr Mt
              • Kirovskii apatite mine (Kirovsky Mine; Kirovskii Mine; Kirov Mine)
    		Pekov, I. et al (2003): New Data on Minerals: 38: 20-33.
          • Lovozero Massif
    		Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
              • Umbozero mine (Umba mine)
    		Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
    Kartashov, P.M., Ferraris, G., Soboleva, S.V., Chukanov, N.V. (2006): Caryochroite, a new heterophyllosilicate mineral species related to nafertisite from the Lovozero massif (Kola Peninsula, Russia). Canadian Mineralogist, 44, 1331-1339
    [World of Stones 95:5-6, p64]
    [AmMin 85:1322]
    New Data on Minerals M., 2004 Vol 39 pp 5-13
            • Kuftn'yun Mt
    		Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
    UK
     
    • Scotland
      • Outer Hebrides
    		B. Young et al. : "Bazirite, Ba Zr Si3 O9, a new mineral from Rockall Island, Inverness-shire, Scotland", Mineral. Mag., G.B., 1978, 42, 35-40
    USA
     
    • Arkansas
      • Hot Spring Co.
        • Magnet Cove
    		Rocks & Min.:63:109.
    Henry Barwood - unpublished (2010)
    • New Mexico
      • Otero Co.
    		Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.
    • Utah
      • Uintah Co.
    		UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
    Min Rec 8:5 p369
    • Washington
      • Okanogan Co.
        • Golden Horn Batholith
    		[var: Calcian Elpidite] Micro Probe Volume VI Number 8; Rocks and Minerals, 66:6, p. 454
    Mineral and/or Locality
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    Updated Mineral Entry: SericiteFrom Van King, 22nd May 2013 18:57:41