Gilalite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Gilalite
Formula:
Cu5Si6O17 · 7H2O
Colour:
Translucent green, blue-green
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
2.72
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
For Gila Co., Arizona, USA, where it was found. It is pronounced hee'-lah-lite.
This page provides mineralogical data about Gilalite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1691
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1691:5
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
34ca014e-9782-43e0-872d-49df55797b9c
IMA Classification of Gilalite
Approved
First published:
1980
Classification of Gilalite
9.HE.05
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
H : Unclassified silicates
E : With Cu, Zn
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
H : Unclassified silicates
E : With Cu, Zn
78.4.4.1
78 : Unclassified Silicates
4 :
78 : Unclassified Silicates
4 :
14.2.4
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
2 : Silicates of Cu
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
2 : Silicates of Cu
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Symbol | Source | Reference |
---|---|---|
Gil | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Gilalite
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Comment:
Nonmetallic
Colour:
Translucent green, blue-green
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Waxy
Density:
2.72(5) g/cm3 (Measured) 2.54 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Gilalite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.560 nβ = 1.635 nγ = 1.635
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.075
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
none
Optical Extinction:
Blades extinguish up to 8° from Z || length.
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
Weak in drab grayish green.
Comments:
2Vmeasured = Very small.
Absorption: Z > X = Y.
Absorption: Z > X = Y.
Chemistry of Gilalite
Mindat Formula:
Cu5Si6O17 · 7H2O
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Mn,Mg,Ca
Crystallography of Gilalite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Cell Parameters:
a = 13.38 Å, b = 19.16 Å, c = 9.02 Å
β = 90°
β = 90°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.698 : 1 : 0.471
Unit Cell V:
2,312.37 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Comment:
Neither point group nor space group known.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
13.4 Å | (100) |
7.786 Å | (50) |
4.790 Å | (40) |
3.897 Å | (40) |
10.97 Å | (30) |
6.684 Å | (30) |
3.315 Å | (30) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Stage 3b: Earth’s earliest hydrosphere | >4.45 |
12 : Hadean hydrothermal subsurface sulfide deposits (see also #33) | |
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
56 : Slag and smelter minerals (see also #51 and #55) |
Type Occurrence of Gilalite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Spherules of radial fibers up to 0.2 mm or more in length.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1980,533; University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona; National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 150201.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Retrograde or mesogene mineral occurring in tactites.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Cesbron, F.P., Williams, S.A. (1980): Apachite and gilalite, two new copper silicates from Christmas, Arizona. Mineralogical Magazine, 43, 639-641.
Synonyms of Gilalite
Other Language Names for Gilalite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
56 photos of Gilalite associated with Kinoite | Ca2Cu2(H2O)2[Si3O10] |
21 photos of Gilalite associated with Apophyllite Group | AB4[Si8O22]X · 8H2O |
13 photos of Gilalite associated with Ruizite | Ca2Mn3+2[Si4O11(OH)2](OH)2 · 2H2O |
12 photos of Gilalite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
9 photos of Gilalite associated with Apachite | Cu9Si10O29 · 11H2O |
9 photos of Gilalite associated with Fluorapophyllite-(K) | KCa4(Si8O20)(F,OH) · 8H2O |
7 photos of Gilalite associated with Hydroxyapophyllite-(K) | KCa4(Si8O20)(OH,F) · 8H2O |
2 photos of Gilalite associated with Cuprite | Cu2O |
2 photos of Gilalite associated with Junitoite | CaZn2Si2O7 · H2O |
2 photos of Gilalite associated with Brochantite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
9.HE.10 | Apachite | Cu9Si10O29 · 11H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
Easily soluble in cold, dilute HNO3 or HCl.
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 Gilalite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1691.html
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References for Gilalite
Reference List:
Cesbron, F. P., Williams, S. A. (1980) Apachite and gilalite, two new copper silicates from Christmas, Arizona. Mineralogical Magazine, 43 (329) 639-641 doi:10.1180/minmag.1980.043.329.12
Fleischer, M., Cabri, L. J., Chao, G. Y., Pabst, A. (1980) New mineral names. American Mineralogist, 65. 1065-1070
Localities for Gilalite
Locality List
- 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.
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Brazil | |
Rob Lavinsky | |
| Gems & Gemology Magazine Fall 2005 ... |
Greece | |
| 58. +1 other reference |
Italy | |
| Vergani et al. (2020) |
| Vergani et al. (2020) |
USA (TL) | |
| Cesbron et al. (1980) +1 other reference |
Eckhard D. Stuart | |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
Quick NavTopAbout GilaliteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography X-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Christmas Mine, Christmas, Banner Mining District, Gila County, Arizona, USA