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Elpidite

Big Photo

Poudrette quarry (Demix quarry; Uni-Mix quarry; Desourdy quarry), Mont Saint-Hilaire, Rouville Co., Québec, Canada
© Stephan Wolfsried

Show Elpidite Photos (43)
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
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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: Peaks:
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.

Optical Data of Elpidite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.560 nβ = 1.650 nγ = 1.674
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.114

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Moderate
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
(Mn
2+
 
,Ca)[SiO
 
3
]
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
Ca[SiO
 
3
]
9.DG.05Wollastonite-1A
CaSiO
 
3
9.DG.07Cascandite
Ca(Sc,Fe
3+
 
)[HSi
 
3
O
 
9
]
9.DG.08Plombièrite
Ca
 
5
Si
 
6
O
 
16
(OH)
 
2
·7H
 
2
O
9.DG.10Clinotobermorite
Ca
 
5
[Si
 
3
O
 
8
(OH)
 
2
]2.4H
 
2
O - Ca
 
5
[Si
 
6
O17]·5H
 
2
O
9.DG.10Riversideite
Ca
 
5
Si
 
6
O
 
16
(OH)
 
2
·2H
 
2
O
9.DG.10Tobermorite
Ca
 
5
Si
 
6
(O,OH)
 
18
·5H
 
2
O
9.DG.15Foshagite
Ca
 
4
[(OH)
 
2
|Si
 
3
O
 
9
]
9.DG.20Jennite
Ca
 
9
H
 
2
Si
 
6
O
 
18
(OH)
 
8
·6H
 
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
[(OH)
 
2
|SiO
 
3
]
9.DG.45Zorite
Na
 
2
Ti(Si,Al)
 
3
O
 
9
·nH
 
2
O
9.DG.45Chivruaiite
Ca
 
3
Ti
 
5
[(Si
 
6
O
 
17
)
 
2
|O(OH)
 
4
]·14H
 
2
O
9.DG.50Haineaultite
(Na,Ca)
 
5
Ca(Ti,Nb)
 
5
(OH,F)
 
4
|Si
 
6
O
 
17
]
 
2
 · 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
Ca
 
5
Na
 
4
K
 
2
(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,Na)
 
5
(Ca,Ba,Sr)
 
8
(Si
 
6
O
 
15
)
 
2
(Si
 
6
O
 
16
)(OH,F)·H
 
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
Zr[SiO
 
4
]
14.10.2Hafnon
(Hf,Zr)[SiO
 
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
[(OH,Cl)|Si
 
6
O
 
18
]·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
ZrSi
 
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
CaZr[Si
 
2
O
 
7
]
14.10.20Calciocatapleiite
CaZrSi
 
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)[O
 
2
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
]
14.10.26Lovozerite
(Na,Ca)
 
3
(Zr,Ti)[Si
 
6
(O,OH)
 
18
]
14.10.27Låvenite
(Na,Ca)
 
2
(Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
)(Zr,Ti)[(O,OH,F)
 
2
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
]
14.10.28Penkvilksite
(Na,Ca)
 
4
(Ti,Zr)
 
2
Si
 
8
O
 
22
·5H
 
2
O
14.10.29Darapiosite
KNa
 
2
Li(Mn,Zn)
 
2
ZrSi
 
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
[O
 
4
|SiO
 
4
]
 
3

Other Names for Elpidite

Other Languages:
German:Elpidit
Russian:Эльпидит
Spanish:Elpidita

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:American Mineralogist: 58: 106-109.

Articles/Blogs about Elpidite

Internet Links for Elpidite

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

    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.
    Canada
     
    • Newfoundland and Labrador
      • Labrador
    		http://www.koeln.netsurf.de/~w.steffens/can.htm
    • Québec
      • Jacques Cartier Co.
        • Montréal
    		Canadian Museum of Nature collection
          • St. Michel District
    		Mineralogical Record (2006): 37: 5-60.
      • Rouville Co.
        • 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.
      • Verchères Co.
        • Varennes & St-Amable
          • Saint-Amable sill
    		Mineralogical Record: 29: 83.
    Greenland
     
    • Kitaa (West Greenland) Province
      • Narsaq
        • Igaliku (Igaliko)
    		No reference listed
    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
     
    • Semipalatinsk Oblysy (Semipalatinsk [Semipalatinskaya] Oblast')
    Pavel M. Kartashov data
    Malawi
     
    • Zomba District
    		No reference listed
    Mongolia
     
    • Gobi Desert
    • Hovd Aimag (Khovd Aimag)
      • Altai Mts
    Morocco
     
    • Meknès-Tafilalet Region
      • Khénifra Province
        • High Atlas Mts
          • Tamazeght complex
    		Khadem Allah, B. (1993)
    Norway
     
    • Oppland
      • Lunner
        • Nordmarka
    		Am Min 90:1227; Raade.G.& Haug,J.(1982): "Gjerdingen. Fundstelle seltener Mineralien in Norwegen". LAPIS 7, 9-15
    • Vestfold
      • Larvik
        • Stavern (Fredriksvärn)
    		Engvoldsen,T.,Andersen, F.,Berge, S.A. & Burvald, I. (1991): Pegmatittmineraler fra Larvik ringkompleks. STEIN 18(1),15-71
      • Sandefjord
        • Vesterøya
    		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
    Engvoldsen,T.,Andersen, F.,Berge, S.A. & Burvald, I. (1991): Pegmatittmineraler fra Larvik ringkompleks. STEIN 18(1),15-71
    Raade,G & Larsen, A.O.: "Polylithionite from syenite pegmatite at Vøra, Sandefjord,Oslo Region, Norway. Contributions to the Mineralogy of Norway, no 65" .Norsk Geologisk Tidskrift 60 (1980), 117-124
    Russia
     
    • Eastern-Siberian Region
      • Saha Republic (Sakha Republic; Yakutia)
        • Aldan Shield
          • Torgo River Basin
            • Davan
              • Chara River (Charo River)
    		[Lapis 1993:4 p.13-20]
    • Northern Region
      • Murmanskaja Oblast'
        • Kola Peninsula
          • Khibiny Massif
            • Kukisvumchorr Mt
              • Kirovskii apatite mine (Kirovsky Mine; Kirov Mine)
    		I.V. Pekov data
          • Lovozero Massif
            • Alluaiv Mt
              • Umbozero Mine
    No reference listed
    [World of Stones 95:5-6, p64]
    [AmMin 85:1322]
            • Kuftn'yun Mt
    UK
     
    • Scotland
      • Outer Hebrides
        • Rockall Island
    		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.
    • 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
    		Micro Probe Volume VI Number 8; Rocks and Minerals, 66:6, p. 454
    Mineral and/or Locality
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