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Epididymite

A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About EpididymiteHide

Formula:
Na2Be2Si6O15 · H2O
Colour:
Colourless to white, rarely pink
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
Specific Gravity:
2.548
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Derived from the Greek Δπ (near), and ÎŽÎŻÎŽÎœÎŒÎżÏ‚ (twin) referring to the dimorphous relation with eudidymite.
Dimorph of:
A late-stage mineral found in nepheline syenite pegmatites.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
1388
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1388:4
GUID
(UUID V4):
b7fef349-db93-491f-8a15-5be4cc5b5d47

IMA Classification of EpididymiteHide

Classification of EpididymiteHide

9.DG.55

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
D : Inosilicates
G : Inosilicates with 3-periodic single and multiple chains
66.3.1.4

66 : INOSILICATES Double-Width,Unbranched Chains,(W=2)
3 : Amphiboles - Ca-Na subgroup
14.3.7

14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
3 : Silicates of Be

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference
EddIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of EpididymiteHide

Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Comment:
Pearly on cleavage
Colour:
Colourless to white, rarely pink
Streak:
White
Hardness:
5½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect on {001}, good on {010}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Conchoidal
Density:
2.548 g/cm3 (Measured)    

Optical Data of EpididymiteHide

Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.544 nβ = 1.544 nγ = 1.546
2V:
Measured: 22°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.002
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Low
Dispersion:
weak

Chemistry of EpididymiteHide

Mindat Formula:
Na2Be2Si6O15 · H2O
Common Impurities:
Al,Fe,Mg,Ca,K

Crystallography of EpididymiteHide

Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pnma
Cell Parameters:
a = 12.7334(4) Å, b = 13.6298(5) Å, c = 7.3467(3) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.934 : 1 : 0.539
Unit Cell V:
1275.04 ų
Z:
4
Twinning:
Reticulated twins, trillings, pseudohexagonal trillings

Crystallographic forms of EpididymiteHide

Crystal Atlas:
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Epididymite no.5 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Epididymite no.13 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Epididymite no.14 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
3d models and HTML5 code kindly provided by www.smorf.nl.

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Crystal StructureHide

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0000212EpididymiteRobinson P D, Fang J H (1970) The crystal structure of epididymite American Mineralogist 55 1541-15491970Narsarsuk, Greenland0293
0004614EpididymiteGatta G D, Rotiroti N, McIntyre G J, Guastoni A, Nestola F (2008) New insights into the crystal chemistry of epididymite and eudidymite from Malosa, Malawi: A single-crystal neutron diffraction study American Mineralogist 93 1158-11652008Malosa, Malawi0293
0012437EpididymitePobedimskaya E A, Belov N V (1959) The crystal structure of epididymite: a new type of infinite silicooxygenous chains Doklady Akademii Nauk SSSR 129 900-90319590293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

Epitaxial Relationships of EpididymiteHide

Epitaxial Minerals:
EudidymiteNa2Be2Si6O15 · H2O
Epitaxy Comments:
Epitaxial intergrowths of epididymite and eudidymite are common

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
3.37 Å(10)
3.08 Å(10)
2.96 Å(10)
1.790 Å(6)
1.634 Å(6)
2.48 Å(5)'
1.537 Å(5)
Comments:
From Handbook of Mineralogy, specimen from NarssĂąrssuk, Greenland

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 4a: Earth’s earliest continental crust>4.4-3.0
19 : Granitic intrusive rocks
Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks>3.0
35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks

Type Occurrence of EpididymiteHide

Place of Conservation of Type Material:
No material connected with Flink's first investigation and descriptions has survived.
Chemical Analysis of Type Material:
SiO273.74 %
BeO10.56 %
Na2O12.88 %
H2O3.73 %
Total:100.91 %
Reference:
Flink, G. (1893): Om nÄgra mineral frÄn Grönland. Geologiska Föreningen i Stockholms Förhandlingar. 15, 195-208

Synonyms of EpididymiteHide

Other Language Names for EpididymiteHide

Common AssociatesHide

Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
89 photos of Epididymite associated with AegirineNaFe3+Si2O6
45 photos of Epididymite associated with AlbiteNa(AlSi3O8)
34 photos of Epididymite associated with EudidymiteNa2Be2Si6O15 · H2O
30 photos of Epididymite associated with QuartzSiO2
23 photos of Epididymite associated with CatapleiiteNa2Zr(Si3O9) · 2H2O
22 photos of Epididymite associated with SeranditeNaMn2+2Si3O8(OH)
21 photos of Epididymite associated with NatroliteNa2Al2Si3O10 · 2H2O
20 photos of Epididymite associated with Smoky QuartzSiO2
17 photos of Epididymite associated with MicroclineK(AlSi3O8)
16 photos of Epididymite associated with AnalcimeNa(AlSi2O6) · H2O

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

9.DG.CalcinaksiteKNaCa(Si4O10) · H2OTric. 1 : P1
9.DG.Barrydawsonite-(Y)Na1.5Y0.5CaSi3O8(OH)Mon. 2/m : P21/b
9.DG.ParatobermoriteCa4(Al0.5Si0.5)2Si4O16(OH)(H2O)2 · (Ca · 3H2O)Mon. 2/m
9.DG.AlvesiteNaKZrSi6O15 · 2H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
9.DG.02SteedeiteNaMn2[Si3BO9](OH)2Tric. 1 : P1
9.DG.02NolzeiteNaMn2[Si3BO9](OH)2 · 2H2OTric. 1 : P1
9.DG.05BustamiteCaMn2+(Si2O6)Tric. 1 : P1
9.DG.05FerrobustamiteCaFe2+(Si2O6)Tric. 1
9.DG.05PectoliteNaCa2Si3O8(OH)Tric. 1 : P1
9.DG.05SeranditeNaMn2+2Si3O8(OH)Tric. 1 : P1
9.DG.05WollastoniteCa3(Si3O9)Tric. 1 : P1
9.DG.05Wollastonite-1ACaSiO3Tric. 1 : P1
9.DG.05TanohataiteLiMn2Si3O8(OH)Tric. 1 : P1
9.DG.05SchizoliteNaCaMnSi3O8(OH)Tric. 1 : P1
9.DG.05MurakamiiteLiCa2Si3O8(OH)Tric. 1 : P1
9.DG.05DalnegorskiteCa5Mn(Si3O9)2Tric. 1 : P1
9.DG.07CascanditeCaScSi3O8(OH)Tric. 1
9.DG.08PlombiÚrite[Ca4Si6O16(OH)2 · 2H2O] · (Ca · 5H2O)Orth.
9.DG.10Clinotobermorite[Ca4Si6O17 · 2H2O] · (Ca · 3H2O)Mon.
9.DG.10RiversideiteCa5(HSi3O9)2 · 2H2OOrth.
9.DG.10TobermoriteCa4Si6O17(H2O)2 · (Ca · 3H2O)Mon. 2 : P21
9.DG.12JusiteNa2Ca15Al4Si16O54 · 17H2O
9.DG.12KenotobermoriteCa4Si6O15(OH)2(H2O)2 · 3H2OMon.
9.DG.15FoshagiteCa4(Si3O9)(OH)2Tric. 1 : P1
9.DG.20JenniteCa9(Si3O9)2(OH)8 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
9.DG.20KameneviteK2TiSi3O9 · H2OOrth. 2 2 2 : P21 21 21
9.DG.25ParaumbiteK3Zr2H(Si3O9)2 · nH2OOrth. mm2
9.DG.25UmbiteK2(Zr,Ti)Si3O9 · H2OOrth. 2 2 2 : P21 21 21
9.DG.30SĂžrenseniteNa4SnBe2Si6O16(OH)4Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.DG.32Escheite Ca2NaMnTi5[Si12O34]O2(OH)3 · 12H2OOrth. mm2 : Ama2
9.DG.35XonotliteCa6(Si6O17)(OH)2Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.DG.40HillebranditeCa2(SiO3)(OH)2Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Cmcm
9.DG.45ZoriteNa8(Ti,Nb)5(Si6O17)2(OH,O)5 · 14H2OOrth.
9.DG.45ChivruaiiteCa4(Ti,Nb)5(Si6O17)2(OH,O)5 · 13-14H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Cmmm
9.DG.50Haineaultite(Na,Ca)5Ca(Ti,Nb)5(Si6O17)2(OH,F)8 · 5H2OOrth. 2 2 2 : C2 2 2
9.DG.60EudidymiteNa2Be2Si6O15 · H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
9.DG.65ElpiditeNa2ZrSi6O15 · 3H2OOrth.
9.DG.65PatyniteNaKCa4[Si9O23]Tric. 1 : P1
9.DG.67WhelaniteCu2+2Ca6[Si6O17(OH)](CO3)(OH)3 · 2H2OOrth. mm2 : Pnn2
9.DG.70Fenaksite(K,Na)4(Fe,Mn)2(Si4O10)2(OH,F)Tric. 1 : P1
9.DG.70LitidioniteCuNaKSi4O10Tric. 1 : P1
9.DG.70ManaksiteKNaMnSi4O10Tric. 1 : P1
9.DG.70YusupoviteNa2Zr(Si6O15) · 2.5H2OMon. 2/m : B2/m
9.DG.70EnricofrancoiteKNaCaSi4O10Tric. 1 : P1
9.DG.75TinaksiteK2Na(Ca,Mn2+)2TiO[Si7O18(OH)]Tric.
9.DG.75TokkoiteK2Ca4[Si7O18(OH)](OH,F)Tric.
9.DG.75SenkevichiteCsKNaCa2TiO[Si7O18](OH)Tric. 1 : P1
9.DG.80CanasiteK3Na3Ca5Si12O30(OH)4Mon. m : Bm
9.DG.80FluorcanasiteK3Na3Ca5Si12O30F4 · H2OMon. m : Bm
9.DG.85MiseriteK1.5-x(Ca,Y,REE)5(Si6O15)(Si2O7)(OH,F)2 · yH2OTric.
9.DG.90FrankameniteK3Na3Ca5(Si12O30)(F,OH)4 · H2OTric. 1 : P1
9.DG.92Charoite(K,Sr)15-16(Ca,Na)32[Si6O11(O,OH)6]2[Si12O18(O,OH)12]2[Si17O25(O,OH)18]2(OH,F)4 · ~3H2OMon. 2/m : P21/m
9.DG.95YuksporiteK4(Ca,Na)14(Sr,Ba)2(◻,Mn,Fe)(Ti,Nb)4(O,OH)4(Si6O17)2(Si2O7)3(H2O,OH)3Mon. 2/m : P21/m
9.DG.97Eveslogite(Na,K,Ca,Sr,Ba)48 [(Ti,Nb,Mn,Fe2+)12Si48O144(OH)12](F,OH,Cl)14Mon. 2/m : P2/m

Other InformationHide

Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

Internet Links for EpididymiteHide

References for EpididymiteHide

Reference List:

Localities for EpididymiteHide

This 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.

Locality ListHide

- This locality has map coordinates listed. - This locality has estimated coordinates. ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence. ? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. - Good crystals or important locality for species. - World class for species or very significant. (TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species. (FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Canada
 
  • Newfoundland and Labrador
    • Labrador
  • QuĂ©bec
    • MontĂ©rĂ©gie
      • La VallĂ©e-du-Richelieu RCM
        • Mont Saint-Hilaire
166-175. +5 other references
      • Lajemmerais RCM
        • Varennes & St-Amable
HorvĂĄth et al. (1998)
HorvĂĄth et al. (1998)
Czech Republic
 
  • Vysočina Region
    • ĆœÄĂĄr nad SĂĄzavou District
      • VÄ›ĆŸnĂĄ
www.cseg.ca/conferences/2000/556.PDF. +2 other references
Mineralogical Magazine 1963 33 : 450-457 +2 other references
Greenland (TL)
 
  • Kujalleq
    • Igaliku
      • Narsaarsuk Plateau
Flink (1893) +2 other references
Petersen (2001)
Bohse et al. (2001)
Bohse et al. (2001)
Malawi
 
  • Southern Region
Jordi Fabre
    • Zomba
American Mineralogist +4 other references
Norway
 
  • Telemark
    • Porsgrunn
      • Auenlandet
        • SagĂ„sen
Engvoldsen et al. (1991)
Larsen et al. (2005)
Engvoldsen et al. (1991)
      • Langangen
        • Kokkersvold - BlĂ„fjell E18 roadcuts
Raade et al. (1983)
Raade et al. (1983)
Engvoldsen et al. (1991)
      • SiktesĂžya
Larsen et al. (1991)
Larsen et al. (2010)
      • Slevolden
Burvald (1993)
  • Vestfold
    • Larvik
      • Brunlanes
Raade et al. (1983)
Engvoldsen et al. (1991)
      • Hedrum
        • LĂ„gendalen
Engvoldsen et al. (1991)
Engvoldsen et al. (1991)
      • MalerĂžd
Andresen (2011)
Berge (1993) +1 other reference
      • Stavern (FredriksvĂ€rn)
        • Fuglevika
Kristiansen (2005)
        • Jahren pegmatite
Andresen et al. (2018)
Engvoldsen et al. (1991)
Larsen (2021)
      • Tvedalen
Engvoldsen et al. (1991)
Larsen et al. (2010)
Engvoldsen et al. (1991)
Larsen (2016)
Larsen et al. (2010)
Nordrum (2007)
Larsen et al. (2010)
Engvoldsen et al. (1991) +1 other reference
Engvoldsen et al. (1991)
Nordrum (2008) +1 other reference
Åsheim +3 other references
      • Vesle ArĂžya
Flink (1899) +2 other references
    • Sandefjord
      • Haneholmveien
Larsen et al. (2012)
      • ØsterĂžya
Berge et al. (2002)
      • VesterĂžya
Berge et al. (2011)
Larsen et al. (2013)
Engvoldsen et al. (1991) +1 other reference
Engvoldsen et al. (1991)
Knut Edvard Larsen (2023)
Berge (1978)
  • Viken
    • Lunner
Raade et al. (1982)
Portugal
 
  • Azores
    • SĂŁo Miguel
Samples collected by Luigi Chiappino ... +1 other reference
Russia
 
  • Aldan Shield
    • Chara and Tokko Rivers Confluence
[Lapis 1993:4 p.13-20]
Konev et al. (1996)
  • Murmansk Oblast
    • Khibiny Massif
[World of Stones 95:5-6
World of Stones 95:5-6 +2 other references
        • Astrophyllite Stream
Pekov et al. (2005)
Arzamastsev et al. (2008)
Men'shikov (2006)
Azarova et al. (2009)
      • Kukisvumchorr Mt
CĂĄmara et al. (2013) +1 other reference
Pekov (2003)
    • Kovdorsky District
Mikhailova et al. (2015)
    • Lovozersky District
Yakovenchuk et al. (2010)
        • Umbozero mine
Pekov et al. (1999) +1 other reference
Sorokhtina N.V. et al. (2004)
Pekov (1998) +1 other reference
Pekov (1998)
New Data on Minerals M. +2 other references
Ivanyuk et al. (2006)
      • Kuftnyun Mountain
Pekov (1998)
[World of Stones 95:5-6
Yakovenchuk et al. (2011)
Pekov (2003)
Tom Loomis specimen +1 other reference
  • Tuva
    • Sangilen Upland
Kapustin et al. (1965)
Spain
 
  • Canary Islands
    • Santa Cruz de Tenerife Province
      • Tenerife
Dill et al. (2023)
Dill et al. (2023)
Dill et al. (2023)
Dill et al. (2023)
        • Santiago del Teide
Dill et al. (2023)
Tajikistan
 
  • Districts of Republican Subordination
Pautov (2003)
USA
 
  • Massachusetts
    • Norfolk County
  • New Mexico
    • Otero County
      • Cornudas Mountains
XRD Laszlo Horvath collection specimen
 
Mineral and/or Locality  
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