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Epididymite

Big Photo

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

Show Epididymite Photos (60)
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.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
O
 
17
]·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.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
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,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:

- +
14.3.1Phenakite
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
 
8
Ca
 
2
FeBe
 
6
Ce
 
2
Si
 
14
O
 
40
(OH)
 
4
F
 
4
14.3.11Barylite
BaBe
 
2
[Si
 
2
O
 
7
]
14.3.12Hingganite-(Ce)
(Ce,REE)
 
2
(□,Fe
2+
 
)Be
 
2
[SiO
 
4
]
 
2
(OH)
 
2
14.3.13Hingganite-(Yb)
(Yb,Y,REE)
 
2
□Be
 
2
[SiO
 
4
]
 
2
(OH)
 
2
14.3.14Hingganite-(Y)
(Y,REE,Ca)
 
2
(□,Fe
2+
 
)Be
 
2
[SiO
 
4
]
 
2
(OH)
 
2
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
PbCa
 
2
Mg
 
3
Fe
3+
2
[Si
 
6
Be
 
2
O
 
22
](OH)
 
2
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)
(YCa)
 
2
Fe
3+
 
Be
 
2
[SiO
 
4
]
 
2
(OH)
 
2

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.

Internet Links for Epididymite

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  • Look for Epididymite on Mineralien Atlas
  • 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.
    (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
      • Montérégie
        • Lajemmerais RCM
          • Varennes & St-Amable
            • Saint-Amable sill
    		Mineralogical Record: 29: 83.
        • Rouville RCM
          • 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.
    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.; Mineralogical Magazine 1963 33 : 450-457
    Greenland
     
    • Kitaa (West Greenland) Province
      • Narsaq
        • Igaliku (Igaliko)
          • Narssârssuk (Narsarsuk)
    		Bull Min 84 (1961), 320; Montgomery, A. (1974): An American Mineralogist Part IV. Mineralogical Record 5 (3), 115-127
        • 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; American Mineralogist, Volume 94, pages 1216–1222, 2009
    Norway
     
    • Oppland
      • Lunner
        • Nordmarka
    		Raade, G. & Haug, J.(1982): Gjerdingen. Fundstelle seltener Mineralien in Norwegen. LAPIS 7, 9-15
    • Telemark
      • Porsgrunn
        • Langangen
          • Rønningen (Skredderrønningen)
    		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
          • Vesle Arøya
    		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/ Nordrum, F. S. (2007): Nyfunn av mineraler i Norge 2006-2007. STEIN 34 (2), 14-26.
    Engvoldsen,T.,Andersen, F.,Berge, S.A. & Burvald, I. (1991): Pegmatittmineraler fra Larvik ringkompleks. STEIN 18(1),15-71
    Collection of Knut Eldjarn./ Nordrum, F.S. (2008): Nyfunn av mineraler i Norge 2007-2008. STEIN 35 (2), 8-20
    Larsen, A. O.; Åsheim, A.; Raade, G. & Taftø, J. (1992): Tvedalite, (Ca,Mn)4Be3Si6O17(OH)4• 3H2O, a new mineral from syenite pegmatite in the Oslo Region, Norway, American Mineralogist 77, 438-443
        • Vardaasen
    		Andersen, F., Berge, S.A. & Burvald, I. (1996): Die Mineralien des Langesundsfjords und des umgebenden Larvikit-Gebietes, Oslo-Region, Norwegen. Mineralien-Welt 7(4), 21-100
      • Sandefjord
        • Østerøya
    		Berge, S. A. & Andersen, F. (2002): Mineralforekomster i Sandefjordområdet. Bergverksmuseets Skrift 20, 50-59
        • 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
    Russia
     
    • Eastern-Siberian Region
      • Saha Republic (Sakha Republic; Yakutia)
        • Aldan Shield
          • Chara and Tokko Rivers Confluence
    		[Lapis 1993:4 p.13-20]
    Konev, A.A., Vorobyev, E.I., and Lazebnik, K.A. (1996) The Mineralogy of the Murun Massif. Russian Academy of Science Press, Siberian Branch, Novosbirsk, Russia (in Russian).
      • 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
    Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
    Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
    I. Pekov (1998) Minerals First Discovered on the Territory of the former Soviey Union; 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
    [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
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