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Gehlenite

Formula:
Ca
 
2
Al[AlSiO
 
7
]
System:TetragonalColour:yellow-brown, ...
Hardness:5 - 6


Gehlenite-Åkermanite Series.

Classification of Gehlenite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:8/C.02-15
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:9.BB.10

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
B : Sorosilicates
B : Si2O7 groups, without non-tetrahedral anions; cations in tetrahedral [4] and greater coordination
Dana 8th edition ID:55.4.1.2

55 : SOROSILICATES Si2O7 Groups,Generally with no Additional Anions
4 : Si2O7 Groups, Generally with No Additional Anions with cations in [8] and lower coordination
Hey's CIM Ref.:16.9.1

16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
9 : Aluminosilicates of Ca
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Type Occurrence of Gehlenite

Type Locality:Monzoni Mts, Fassa Valley, Trento Province, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy
Year of Discovery:1815

Physical Properties of Gehlenite

Lustre:Vitreous, Greasy
Colour:yellow-brown, colourless, greenish grey
Streak:white, grey-white
Hardness (Mohs):5 - 6
Cleavage:Distinct/Good

Crystallography of Gehlenite

Crystal System:Tetragonal
Cell Parameters:a = 7.69Å, c = 5.06Å
Ratio:a:c = 1 : 0.658
Unit Cell Volume:V 299.23 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Optical Data of Gehlenite

Type:Uniaxial (-)
RI values: nω = 1.670 nε = 1.660
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.010

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

Chemical Properties of Gehlenite

Formula:
Ca
 
2
Al[AlSiO
 
7
]
Essential elements:Al, Ca, O, Si
All elements listed in formula:Al, Ca, O, Si
Common Impurities:Ti,Fe,Mg,Mn,Na,K

Relationship of Gehlenite to other Species

Series:Forms a series with Åkermanite (see here)
Related to:
  • Melilite
  • Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):
    9.BB.10Åkermanite
    Ca
     
    2
    Mg[Si
     
    2
    O
     
    7
    ]
    9.BB.10Cebollite
    Ca
     
    5
    Al
     
    2
    Si
     
    3
    O
     
    12
    (OH)
     
    4
    or near
    9.BB.10Gugiaite
    Ca
     
    2
    Be[Si
     
    2
    O
     
    7
    ]
    9.BB.10Hardystonite
    Ca
     
    2
    Zn[Si
     
    2
    O
     
    7
    ]
    9.BB.10Jeffreyite
    (Ca,Na)
     
    2
    (Be,Al)[Si
     
    2
    O
     
    6
    (O,OH)]
    9.BB.10Okayamalite
    Ca
     
    2
    B[BSiO
     
    7
    ]
    9.BB.15Barylite
    BaBe
     
    2
    [Si
     
    2
    O
     
    7
    ]
    9.BB.15Clinobarylite
    BaBe
     
    2
    Si
     
    2
    O
     
    7
    9.BB.20Andrémeyerite
    BaFe
    2+
    2
    [Si
     
    2
    O
     
    7
    ]
    Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:
    16.9.2Anorthite
    Ca[Al
     
    2
    Si
     
    2
    O
     
    8
    ]
    16.9.3Yoshiokaite
    (Ca,Na)[Al(Al,Si)O
     
    4
    ]
    16.9.4Svyatoslavite
    Ca[Al
     
    2
    Si
     
    2
    O
     
    8
    ]
    16.9.5Dmisteinbergite
    Ca[Al
     
    2
    Si
     
    2
    O
     
    8
    ]
    16.9.6Grossular
    Ca
     
    3
    Al
     
    2
    [SiO
     
    4
    ]
     
    3
    16.9.7Vuagnatite
    CaAl[OH|SiO
     
    4
    ]
    16.9.8Zoisite
    {Ca
     
    2
    }{Al
     
    3
    }[O|OH|SiO
     
    4
    |Si
     
    2
    O
     
    7
    ]
    16.9.9Clinozoisite
    {Ca
     
    2
    }{Al
     
    3
    }[O|OH|SiO
     
    4
    |Si
     
    2
    O
     
    7
    ]
    16.9.10Prehnite
    Ca
     
    2
    Al
     
    2
    Si
     
    3
    O
     
    12
    (OH)
    16.9.11Kamaishilite
    Ca
     
    2
    [(OH)
     
    2
    |Al
     
    2
    SiO
     
    6
    ]
    16.9.12Bicchulite
    Ca
     
    2
    [(OH)
     
    2
    |Al
     
    2
    SiO
     
    6
    ]
    16.9.13Margarite
    CaAl
     
    2
    [(OH)
     
    2
    |Al
     
    2
    Si
     
    2
    O
     
    10
    ]
    16.9.14Chantalite
    CaAl
     
    2
    [(OH)
     
    4
    |SiO
     
    4
    ]
    16.9.15Cebollite
    Ca
     
    5
    Al
     
    2
    Si
     
    3
    O
     
    12
    (OH)
     
    4
    or near
    16.9.17Katoite
    Ca
     
    3
    Al
     
    2
    [(OH)
     
    8-6
    |(SiO
     
    4
    )
     
    1-1.5
    ]
    16.9.18Lawsonite
    CaAl
     
    2
    [(OH)
     
    2
    |Si
     
    2
    O
     
    7
    ] · H
     
    2
    O
    16.9.19Parthéite
    CaAl
     
    2
    Si
     
    2
    O
     
    8
    ·2H
     
    2
    O
    16.9.20Wairakite
    Ca[Al
     
    2
    Si
     
    4
    O
     
    12
    ] · 2H
     
    2
    O
    16.9.21Vertumnite
    Ca
     
    4
    Al
     
    4
    Si
     
    4
    O
     
    6
    (OH)
     
    24
    ·3H
     
    2
    O
    16.9.22Scolecite
    Ca[Al
     
    2
    Si
     
    3
    O
     
    10
    ] · 3H
     
    2
    O
    16.9.23Laumontite
    CaAl
     
    2
    Si
     
    4
    O
     
    12
    ·4H
     
    2
    O
    16.9.24Yugawaralite
    CaAl
     
    2
    Si
     
    6
    O
     
    16
    ·4H
     
    2
    O
    16.9.25Gismondine-Ca
    CaAl
     
    2
    Si
     
    2
    O
     
    8
    ·4H
     
    2
    O
    16.9.26Epistilbite
    CaAl
     
    2
    Si
     
    6
    O
     
    16
    ·5H
     
    2
    O
    16.9.27Goosecreekite
    Ca[Al
     
    2
    Si
     
    6
    O
     
    16
    ] · 5H
     
    2
    O
    16.9.28Cowlesite
    CaAl
     
    2
    Si
     
    3
    O
     
    10
    ·6H
     
    2
    O
    16.9.30Stellerite
    Ca[Al
     
    2
    Si
     
    7
    O
     
    18
    ] · 7H
     
    2
    O
    16.9.31Strätlingite
    Ca
     
    2
    Al
     
    2
    SiO
     
    7
    ·8H
     
    2
    O
    16.9.32Amstallite
    CaAl(Si,Al)
     
    4
    O
     
    8
    (OH)
     
    4
    ·(H
     
    2
    O,Cl)

    Other Names for Gehlenite

    Synonyms:
    Velardenite
    German names:
    AdiaphanspatGehlenit
    Russian names:
    Геленит
    Spanish names:
    Gehlenita

    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 Gehlenite

    Reference List:Christie, O.H.J. (1961) On sub-solidus relations of silicates; IV. The system åkermanite-sodium-gehlenite and gehlenite-sodium-gehlenite. Norsk Geologisk Tidsskrift: 42: 31-44.

    Louisnathan, S.J. (1971), Refinement of the crystal structure of a natural gehlenite, Ca2Al(Al,Si)2O7: Canadian Mineralogist: 10: 822-837.

    Hemingway, B.S. and Robie, R.A. (1984) Heat capacity and thermodynamic functions for gehlenite and staurolite: with comments on the Schottky anomaly in the heat capacity of staurolite. American Mineralogist: 69: 307-318.

    Bouhifd, M.A., Gruener, G., Mysen, B.O., and Richet, P. (2002) Premelting and calcium mobility in gehlenite (Ca2Al2SiO7) and parawollastonite (CaSiO3). Physics and Chemistry of Minerals: 29: 655-662.

    Internet Links for Gehlenite

    Search Engines:
  • Look for Gehlenite on Google
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  • External Links:
  • Look for Gehlenite on Webmineral
  • Look for Gehlenite on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Gehlenite on Wikipedia
  • Look for Gehlenite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Gehlenite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Gehlenite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
  • Mineral Dealers:
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    Localities for Gehlenite

    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.
    Austria
     
    • Styria
      • Bad Radkersburg
        • Klöch
    R. Exel: Die Mineralien und Erzlagerstätten Österreichs (1993)
    China
     
    • Anhui Province
      • Huaibei Prefecture
        • Suixi Co.
          • Sanpu ore field
    Yiming Zhao, Yinan Zhang, and Chengsi Bi (1999): Ore Geology Reviews 14, 227-249.
    Czech Republic
     
    • Bohemia (Böhmen; Boehmen)
      • Ústí Region
        • Duchcov (Dux)
    Žáček V., Skála R., Chlupáčová M., Dvořák Z. 2005: Ca-Fe3+-rich, Si-undersaturated buchite from Želénky, North-Bohemian Brown Coal Basin, Czech Republic. Eur. J. Mineral., 17, 623-633
    Germany
     
    • Lower Saxony
      • Harz Mts
        • Bad Harzburg
    No reference listed
    • Rhineland-Palatinate
      • Eifel Mts
        • Daun
          • Üdersdorf
    Schüller, W., Betz, V., Die Mineralien vom Emmelberg, Lapis 12/1986
        • Laach lake volcanic complex
          • Kruft
    Hentschel, G., Die Mineralien der Eifelvulkane, Weise Verlag, München, 1983
          • Mendig
            • Niedermendig
    Hentschel, G., Die Mineralien der Eifelvulkane, Weise Verlag, München, 1983
    Hentschel, G., Die Mineralien der Eifelvulkane, Weise Verlag, München, 1983
              • Wingertsberg Mt.
    Hentschel, G., Die Mineralien der Eifelvulkane, Weise Verlag, München, 1983
        • Mayen
          • Ettringen
    [Jasmund, K., Hentschel, G., Seltene Mineralparagenesen in den Kalksteineinschlüssen der Lava des Ettringer Bellerberges bei Mayen (Eifel), Beitr. Minera. Petr. 10, 296-314, 1964][Lapis, 15 (5), 9-36]
        • Mendig
          • Niedermendig
    Hentschel, G., Die Mineralien der Eifelvulkane, Weise Verlag München, 1983
        • Polch
          • Ochtendung
    Blass, G., Graf , HW., Die Wannenköpfe bei Ochtendung in der Vulkaneifel und ihre Mineralien, MW 6/1999
    Hungary
     
    • Pest Co.
      • Pilis Mts.
        • Pomáz
    Fehér, B. (2000): Gehlenitic xenoliths from the Klanác Hill, Pomáz, Visegrád Mountains, Hungary. Acta Mineralogica-Petrographica (Szeged), XLI, Suppl., 39.
    Israel
     
    Gross, S. (1977): The Mineralogy of the Hatrurim Formation, Israel. Geological Survey of Israel, Bulletin no. 70, 80 pp.
    Italy
     
    • Campania
      • Naples Province
        • Somma-Vesuvius Complex
    [Lapis 1994:5 p.13-23,58]
            • Pollena - Trocchia area
    Russo, M. & Punzo, I. (2004): I minerali del Somma-Vesuvio. AMI, Ed., Cremona, Italy, 320 pp.
    • Latium
      • Rome Province
        • Bracciano Lake
    Schingaro, E. et al. (2001): Crystal chemistry of Kimzeyite from Anguillara, Mts. Sabatini, Italy, European Journal of Mineralogy, Vol. 13, 749-759
        • Rome
          • Vallerano
      • Viterbo Province
        • Montalto di Castro
          • Pietra Massa Locality
    Passaglia, E. & Turconi, B. (1982): Silicati ed altri minerali di Montalto di Castro - VT. Rivista Mineralogica Italiana, 4/1982, 97-110.
    Lapis 28(12), 19-28 (2003)
    • Sardinia
      • Medio Campidano Province
        • Arbus
    Preite, D., & Zuanel, A. (2007). Montevecchio: storia, miniere e minerali. Rivista Mineralogica Italiana, 31 (4), 230-246.
    • Trentino-Alto Adige
      • Trento Province
        • Fassa Valley
    De Michele, V. (1974). Guida mineralogica d'Italia. Istituto Geografico De Agostini, Novara, 2 vol.
    De Michele, V. (1974). Guida mineralogica d'Italia. Istituto Geografico De Agostini, Novara, 2 vol.
    De Michele, V. (1974). Guida mineralogica d'Italia. Istituto Geografico De Agostini, Novara, 2 vol.
    Exel, R. (1987): Guida mineralogica del Trentino e del Sudtirolo. Athesia, Bolzano, 204 pp.
        • Fiemme Valley
          • Predazzo
    De Michele, V. (1974). Guida mineralogica d'Italia. Istituto Geografico De Agostini, Novara, 2 vol.
    • Tuscany
      • Grosseto Province
        • Pitigliano
    Liotti L., 1991. I minerali dei vulcani laziali a Pitigliano (Grosseto). Riv. Mineral. Ital., 15: 121-139.
    Japan
     
    • Honshu Island
      • Chugoku Region
        • Okayama Prefecture
          • Takahashi
            • Bitchu-cho (Bicchu-cho)
    Mineralogical Record: 27: 304.
      • Tohoku Region
        • Fukushima Prefecture
    Matsuyama, F. (2001)
    Mexico
     
    • Durango
      • Mun. de Cuencamé
        • Velardeña District
          • Velardeña
    Panczner (1987): 206.
    New Zealand
     
    • North Island
      • Northland
        • Kaipara
    Mason, B. (1957): Larnite, scawtite, and hydrogrossular from Tokatoka, New Zealand. American Mineralogist 42, 379-392.
    Romania
     
    • Hunedoara Co.
      • Hunedoara
    Canadian Mineralogist: 39: 1435-1453.
    Russia
     
    • Eastern-Siberian Region
      • Prebaikalia (Pribaykalye)
        • Irkutskaya Oblast'
          • Lake Baikal area
    P.M. Kartashov data
    Solar System
     
    Gornitz, V. (2007) Hot & cold origins: the mineralogy of a comet. Mineral News, 23, #1, 1-4.
    Sweden
     
    • Medelpad
      • Sundsvall
    No reference listed
    Uganda
     
    • Kabarole District
    Barker, D.S. and Nixon, P.H. (1989) High-Ca, low-alkali carbonatite volcanism at Fort Portal, Uganda. Contributions to Minralogy and Petrology.: 103: 166-177.
    UK
     
    • Northern Ireland
      • Co. Antrim
        • Glenoe
        • Larne
    USA
     
    • California
      • Riverside Co.
        • Crestmore
          • Crestmore quarries
            • Sky Blue Hill
    Woodford, A.O., Crippen, R.A., and Garner, K.B. (1941) Section Across Commercial Quarry, Crestmorre, California. American Mineralogist: 26: 352-381.
    Woodford, A.O., Crippen, R.A., and Garner, K.B. (1941) Section Across Commercial Quarry, Crestmore, California. American Mineralogist: 26: 352-381.
    Woodford, A.O., Crippen, R.A., and Garner, K.B. (1941) Section Across Commercial Quarry, Crestmorre, California. American Mineralogist: 26: 352-381.
    • Colorado
      • Gunnison Co.
        • White Earth District (Powderhorn District)
    • New Mexico
      • Luna Co.
    Northrop, Minerals of New Mexico, 3rd rev. ed., 1996
    • Texas
      • Culberson Co.
        • Apache Peak area
    Rocks & Minerals: 66(3): 196-224.
      • Uvalde Co.
    • Virginia
      • Highland Co.
    Minerals of Virginia, 1990 by R. V. Dietrich
    • Wyoming
      • Campbell Co.
        • Reno Junction
    American Mineralogist, Volume 73, pages 1440-1448, 1988
    Mineral and/or Locality
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