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Fairchildite

Formula:
K
 
2
Ca(CO
 
3
)
 
2
System:HexagonalHardness:2½
Name:After John G. Fairchild, analytical chemist, of the U.S. Geological Survey.
This page provides mineralogical data about Fairchildite.

Classification of Fairchildite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:5/B.05-50
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:5.AC.20

5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
A : Carbonates without additional anions, without H2O
C : Alkali and alkali-earth carbonates
Dana 8th edition ID:14.3.3.1

14 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL CARBONATES
3 : A2B(XO3)2
Hey's CIM Ref.:11.1.16

11 : Carbonates
1 : Carbonates of the alkali metals and ammonium
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Type Occurrence of Fairchildite

Co-type Localities:Grand Canyon National Park, Coconino Co., Arizona, USA
Coolin, Kaniksu National Forest, Bonner Co., Idaho, USA
Year of Discovery:1946

Occurrences of Fairchildite

Geological Setting:In clinkers in partly burned softwood trees such as hemlock and fir.

Physical Properties of Fairchildite

Hardness (Mohs):2½
Cleavage:Distinct/Good
On {0001}.

Crystallography of Fairchildite

Crystal System:Hexagonal
Cell Parameters:a = 5.29Å, c = 13.35Å
Ratio:a:c = 1 : 2.524
Unit Cell Volume:V 323.54 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:Tiny hexagonal plates flattened on {0001}.

Optical Data of Fairchildite

Type:Uniaxial (-)
RI values: nω = 1.532 nε = 1.478
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.054

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

Chemical Properties of Fairchildite

Formula:
K
 
2
Ca(CO
 
3
)
 
2
Essential elements:C, Ca, K, O
All elements listed in formula:C, Ca, K, O

Relationship of Fairchildite to other Species

Common Associates:
BütschliiteCalcite
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
5.AC.05Eitelite
Na
 
2
Mg(CO
 
3
)
 
2
5.AC.10Nyerereite
Na
 
2
Ca(CO
 
3
)
 
2
5.AC.10Zemkorite
Na
 
2
Ca(CO
 
3
)
 
2
5.AC.15Bütschliite
K
 
2
Ca(CO
 
3
)
 
2
5.AC.25Shortite
Na
 
2
Ca
 
2
(CO
 
3
)
 
3
5.AC.30Burbankite
(Na,Ca)
 
3
(Sr,Ba,Ce)
 
3
(CO
 
3
)
 
5
5.AC.30Calcioburbankite
Na
 
3
(Ca,REE,Sr)
 
3
(CO
 
3
)
 
5
5.AC.30Khanneshite
(Na,Ca)
 
3
(Ba,Sr,Ce,Ca)
 
3
(CO
 
3
)
 
5
5.AC.30Sanrománite
Na
 
2
CaPb
 
3
[CO
 
3
]
 
5
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
11.1.1Zabuyelite
Li
 
2
CO
 
3
11.1.2Natrite
Na
 
2
CO
 
3
11.1.3Nahcolite
NaHCO
 
3
11.1.4Wegscheiderite
Na
 
5
H
 
3
(CO
 
3
)
 
4
11.1.5Thermonatrite
Na
 
2
CO
 
3
·H
 
2
O
11.1.6Trona
Na
 
3
H(CO
 
3
)
 
2
·2H
 
2
O
11.1.7Natron
Na
 
2
CO
 
3
·10H
 
2
O
11.1.8Kalicinite
KHCO
 
3
11.1.9Shortite
Na
 
2
Ca
 
2
(CO
 
3
)
 
3
11.1.10Nyerereite
Na
 
2
Ca(CO
 
3
)
 
2
11.1.11Natrofairchildite
11.1.12Zemkorite
Na
 
2
Ca(CO
 
3
)
 
2
11.1.13Pirssonite
Na
 
2
Ca(CO
 
3
)
 
2
·2H
 
2
O
11.1.14Gaylussite
Na
 
2
Ca(CO
 
3
)
 
2
·5H
 
2
O
11.1.15Baylissite
K
 
2
Mg(CO
 
3
)
 
2
·4H
 
2
O
11.1.17Bütschliite
K
 
2
Ca(CO
 
3
)
 
2
11.1.18Teschemacherite
(NH
 
4
)HCO
 
3

Other Names for Fairchildite

Other Languages:
German:Fairchildit
Russian:Файчильдит
Spanish:Fairchildita

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 Fairchildite

Reference List:Milton and Axelrod (1947) American Mineralogist: 32: 607-624.

Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: Halides, Nitrates, Borates, Carbonates, Sulfates, Phosphates, Arsenates, Tungstates, Molybdates, Etc. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged: 222.

Zeitschrift für Kristallographie: 157: 199-205.

Articles/Blogs about Fairchildite

Internet Links for Fairchildite

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    Localities for Fairchildite

    (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.
    Germany
     
    • Rhineland-Palatinate
      • Lahn valley
        • Bad Ems District
          • Braubach
    		Lapis, 16 (1), 38-53+58.
    USA
     
    • Arizona
      • Coconino Co.
    		AmMin 32:607
    Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 218; Milton, C. (1944), Stones from trees, Scientific Monthly: 59: 421-423; Milton, C. & J. Axelrod (1947), Fused woodash stones: Fairchildite (n.sp.) K2CO3·CaCO3, buetschlite (n.sp.) 3K2CO3·2CacO3·6H2O, and calcite, CaCO3, their essential components, Am.Min.: 32: 607-624; Mrose, M.E., et al (1966), Synthesis and properties of fairchildite and buetschlite: Their relationship in wood-ash stone formations, Geol. Soc. Amer. Spec. Paper 101: 146.
    • Idaho
      • Bonner Co.
        • Kaniksu National Forest
    		Handbook of Mineralogy - Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols
    Mineral and/or Locality
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