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Epididymite

Big Photo

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

Show Epididymite Photos (45)
Formula:
Na
 
2
Be
 
2
Si
 
6
O
 
15
·H
 
2
O
System:OrthorhombicColour:Transparent colourless
Lustre:VitreousHardness:5½
This page provides mineralogical data about Epididymite.

Classification of Epididymite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:8/G.04-20
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:9.DG.55

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
D : Inosilicates
G : Inosilicates with 3-periodic single and multiple chains
Dana 8th edition ID:66.3.1.4

66 : INOSILICATES Double-Width,Unbranched Chains,(W=2)
3 : Amphiboles - Ca-Na subgroup
Hey's CIM Ref.:14.3.7

14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
3 : Silicates of Be
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Type Occurrence of Epididymite

Type Locality:Narssârssuk pegmatite (Narsarsuk pegmatite), Narssârssuk (Narsarsuk), Igaliku (Igaliko), Narsaq, Kitaa (West Greenland) Province, Greenland
Year of Discovery:1893

Physical Properties of Epididymite

Lustre:Vitreous
Colour:Transparent colourless
Hardness (Mohs):5½

Crystallography of Epididymite

Crystal System:Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:Pnma (P21/n 21/m 21/a)
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 Volume:V 1275.04 ų
Z:4
Crystal Atlas:
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Epididymite no.5 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Epididymite no.13 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Epididymite no.14 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)

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Optical Data of Epididymite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.544 nβ = 1.544 nγ = 1.546
2V:Measured: 22°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.002

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

Chemical Properties of Epididymite

Formula:
Na
 
2
Be
 
2
Si
 
6
O
 
15
·H
 
2
O
Essential elements:Be, H, Na, O, Si
All elements listed in formula:Be, H, Na, O, Si
Common Impurities:Al,Fe,Mg,Ca,K

Relationship of Epididymite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
9.DG.05Bustamite
(Mn
2+
 
,Ca)[SiO
 
3
]
9.DG.05Cascandite
Ca(Sc,Fe
3+
 
)[HSi
 
3
O
 
9
]
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.10Clinotobermorite
Ca
 
5
[Si
 
3
O
 
8
(OH)
 
2
]2.4H
 
2
O - Ca
 
5
[Si
 
6
O17]·5H
 
2
O
9.DG.10Plombièrite
Ca
 
5
Si
 
6
O
 
16
(OH)
 
2
·7H
 
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.60Eudidymite
Na
 
2
Be
 
2
Si
 
6
O
 
15
·H
 
2
O
9.DG.65Elpidite
Na
 
2
ZrSi
 
6
O
 
15
·3H
 
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.90Charoite
(K,Na)
 
5
(Ca,Ba,Sr)
 
8
(Si
 
6
O
 
15
)
 
2
(Si
 
6
O
 
16
)(OH,F)·H
 
2
O
9.DG.90Frankamenite
K
 
3
Na
 
3
Ca
 
5
(Si
 
12
O
 
30
)[F,(OH)]
 
4
·H
 
2
O
9.DG.95Yuksporite
(K,Ba)NaCa
 
2
(Si,Ti)
 
4
O
 
11
(F,OH)·H
 
2
O
9.DG.95Eveslogite
(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:

- +
14.3.1Phenakite
Be
 
2
[SiO
 
4
]
14.3.2Bertrandite
Be
 
4
[(OH)
 
2
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
]
14.3.3Beryllite
Be
 
3
[(OH)
 
2
|SiO
 
4
] · H
 
2
O
14.3.4Liberite
Li
 
2
Be[SiO
 
4
]
14.3.5Chkalovite
Na
 
2
BeSi
 
2
O
 
6
14.3.6Eudidymite
Na
 
2
Be
 
2
Si
 
6
O
 
15
·H
 
2
O
14.3.8Gugiaite
Ca
 
2
Be[Si
 
2
O
 
7
]
14.3.9Jeffreyite
(Ca,Na)
 
2
(Be,Al)[Si
 
2
O
 
6
(O,OH)]
14.3.10Semenovite-(Ce)
(Na,Ca)
 
9
Fe
2+
 
(Ce,La)
 
2
[(Si,Be)
 
5
(O,OH,F)
 
12
]
 
4
14.3.11Barylite
BaBe
 
2
[Si
 
2
O
 
7
]
14.3.12Hingganite-(Ce)
Ce
 
2
□Be
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
(OH)
 
2
14.3.13Hingganite-(Yb)
(Yb,Y)Be[OH|SiO
 
4
]
14.3.14Hingganite-(Y)
(Y,Yb,Er)Be[OH|SiO
 
4
]
14.3.15Minasgeraisite-(Y)
Y
 
2
CaBe
 
2
[O|SiO
 
4
]
 
2
14.3.16Sørensenite
Na
 
4
SnBe
 
2
Si
 
6
O
 
16
(OH)
 
4
14.3.17Trimerite
CaMn
2+
2
Be
 
3
[SiO
 
4
]
 
3
14.3.18Chiavennite
CaMnBe
 
2
Si
 
5
O
 
13
(OH)
 
2
·2H
 
2
O
14.3.19Tvedalite
(Ca,Mn)
 
4
Be
 
3
Si
 
6
O
 
17
(OH)
 
4
·3H
 
2
O
14.3.20Harstigite
Ca
 
6
(Mn,Mg)Be
 
4
Si
 
6
(O,OH)
 
24
14.3.21Sverigeite
NaMnMgSnBe
 
2
Si
 
3
O
 
12
(OH)
14.3.22Joesmithite
[(Ca,Pb)][(Ca,Pb)
 
2
][(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)
 
5
][(OH)
 
2
|BeSi
 
7
O
 
22
]
14.3.23Gadolinite-(Y)
Y
 
2
Fe
2+
 
Be
 
2
[O|SiO
 
4
]
 
2
14.3.24Gadolinite-(Ce)
(Ce,La,Nd,Y)
 
2
Fe
2+
 
Be
 
2
[O|SiO
 
4
]
 
2
14.3.25Calciogadolinite
(Y,Ca)
 
2
(Fe,Fe)Be
 
2
Si
 
2
(O,OH)
 
10

Other Names for Epididymite

Synonyms:
Epidymite
Other Languages:
German:Epididymit
Epidymit
Russian:Эпидидимит
Spanish:Epididymita
Epidymita

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 Epididymite

Reference List:American Mineralogist: 55: 1541-1549.

Diego Gatta, G., N. Rotiroti, G.J.McIntyre, A. Guastoni, & F. Nestola (2008): New insights into the crystal chemistry of euididymite and eudidymite from Molosa, Malawi: A single-crystal neutron diffraction study: Am. Min. 93,1158-1165.

Articles/Blogs about Epididymite

Internet Links for Epididymite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Epididymite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Epididymite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    Localities for Epididymite

    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
    • Québec
      • Rouville Co.
        • Mont Saint-Hilaire
    		Mandarino, J.A., Harris, D.C. and Bradley, J. (1965), Mangan-neptunite, epididymite, and new species from Mont St.-Hilaire. Canadian Mineralogist: 8: 398; Harris, D.C. and Mandarino, J.A. (1966), Epididymite from Mont St.-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada. Canadian Mineralogist: 8: 706-709; Wight, Q. (1979), Epididymite from Mont St-Hilaire, Quebec. Mineralogical Record: 10: 98.
      • Verchères Co.
        • Varennes & St-Amable
          • Saint-Amable sill
    		Mineralogical Record: 29: 83.
    Czech Republic
     
    • Moravia (Mähren; Maehren)
      • Vysočina Region
        • Žďár nad Sázavou
          • Věžná
    		www.cseg.ca/conferences/2000/556.PDF.
    Petr Pauliš (2001): Nejzajímavější mineralogická naleziště Moravy a Slezska. Kuttna, Kutná Hora.
    Greenland
     
    • Kitaa (West Greenland) Province
      • Narsaq
        • Igaliku (Igaliko)
          • Narssârssuk (Narsarsuk)
    		Bull Min 84 (1961), 320
        • Ilimaussaq complex
          • Tasseq area
    		Bohse, H., Petersen, O., Niedermayr, G. (2001): Notes on Leucophanite from the Ilimaussaq alkaline complex, South Greenland, Geology of Greenland Survey Bulletin, 190, 119-121
    Bohse, H., Petersen, O., Niedermayr, G. (2001): Notes on Leucophanite from the Ilimaussaq alkaline complex, South Greenland, Geology of Greenland Survey Bulletin, 190, 119-121
    Malawi
     
    • Zomba District
    		Cairncross, B., Messner, K & Farquharson, E. (1999): Die Pegmatite des Mount Malosa bei Zomba, Malawi. LAPIS 24 (4), 22-32
    Norway
     
    • Oppland
      • Lunner
        • Nordmarka
    		Raade.G.& Haug,J.(1982): "Gjerdingen. Fundstelle seltener Mineralien in Norwegen". LAPIS 7, 9-15
    • Telemark
      • Porsgrunn
        • Langangen
          • Rønningen
    		Engvoldsen,T.,Andersen, F.,Berge, S.A. & Burvald, I. (1991): Pegmatittmineraler fra Larvik ringkompleks. STEIN 18(1),15-71
          • Slevolden
    		Burvald, Ingulv (1993): To forekomster av nefelin-syenitt-pegmatitt i Telemark. STEIN 20 (3), 176-179
        • Mørje
          • Sagåsen (Strandåsen)
    		Engvoldsen,T.,Andersen, F.,Berge, S.A. & Burvald, I. (1991): Pegmatittmineraler fra Larvik ringkompleks. STEIN 18(1),15-71
    A. O. Larsen, A. Åsheim and R. A. Gault, 2005.
    Engvoldsen,T.,Andersen, F.,Berge, S.A. & Burvald, I. (1991): Pegmatittmineraler fra Larvik ringkompleks. STEIN 18(1),15-71
    • Vestfold
      • Larvik
        • Brunlanes
    		Raade, G.; Åmli, R.; Mladeck, M.H.; Din, V.K.; Larsen, A.O. & Åsheim, A.(1983): Chiavennite from syenite pegmatites in the Oslo Region, Norway. American Mineralogist 68; 628-633
        • Hedrum
          • Lågendalen
    		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
        • Langesundsfjorden
    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
        • Stavern (Fredriksvärn)
    		R. Kristiansen (2005) "Milarittgruppens mineraler i Norge" (The Milaritegroup minerals in Norway), Bergverksmuseets skrifter #30, p. 22-23.
    Engvoldsen,T.,Andersen, F.,Berge, S.A. & Burvald, I. (1991): Pegmatittmineraler fra Larvik ringkompleks. STEIN 18(1),15-71
        • Tvedalen
    		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
    Collection of Peter Andresen.
    Engvoldsen,T.,Andersen, F.,Berge, S.A. & Burvald, I. (1991): Pegmatittmineraler fra Larvik ringkompleks. STEIN 18(1),15-71
    Collection of Knut Eldjarn.
    No reference listed
      • 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
    Berge,S.A.(1978):"Epididymitt". NAGS-nytt 5(1), 8 (in norwegian)
    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]
      • Tuva Republic
        • Sangilen Upland
    		Kapustin, Y. L., & Bykova, A. V. (1965). First find of hiortdahlite in the USSR. Doklady Akad. Nauk SSSR, 161, 121-124.
    • Northern Region
      • Murmanskaja Oblast'
        • Kola Peninsula
          • Khibiny Massif
    		[World of Stones 95:5-6, p64]
    World of Stones 95:5-6, p64; Men'shikov, Y.P., et al (2006), American Mineralogist: 91: 922-928.
            • Kukisvumchorr Mt
              • Kirovskii apatite mine (Kirovsky Mine; Kirov Mine)
    		I.V. Pekov data
          • Lovozero Massif
            • Alluaiv Mt
              • Umbozero Mine
            • Karnasurt Mt
    I. Pekov (1998) Minerals First Discovered on the Territory of the former Soviey Union
            • Kuftn'yun Mt
    [World of Stones 95:5-6, p64]
    USA
     
    • Massachusetts
      • Norfolk Co.
    • New Mexico
      • Otero Co.
        • Cornudas Mountains
    		XRD Laszlo Horvath collection specimen
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
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