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Grandidierite

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Anosy (Fort Dauphin) Region, Tuléar (Toliara) Province, Madagascar
© Jason Evans

Show Grandidierite Photos (15)



Formula:
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)(Al,Fe
3+
 
)
 
3
(SiO
 
4
)(BO
 
3
)O
 
2
System:OrthorhombicColour:Bluish green, greenish ...
Hardness:7½
Name:
For French explorer Alfred Grandidier (1836-1912).


Mg analogue of Ominelite.

Classification of Grandidierite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:8/B.31-40
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:9.AJ.05

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
J : Nesosilicates with BO3 triangles and/or B[4], Be[4] tetrahedra, cornersharing with SiO4
Dana 8th edition ID:54.1.1.1

54 : NESOSILICATES Borosilicates and Some Beryllosilicates
1 : Borosilicates and Some Beryllosilicates with (BO3)
Hey's CIM Ref.:17.5.49

17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
5 : Borosilicates
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-1737.html
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Type Occurrence of Grandidierite

Type Locality:Cap Andrahomana, Ranopiso Commune, Taolañaro (Fort Dauphin) District, Anosy (Fort Dauphin) Region, Tuléar (Toliara) Province, Madagascar
Place of Conservation of Type Material:Harvard University
Year of Discovery:1902

Occurrences of Grandidierite

Geological Setting:Accessory mineral from aluminous boron rich rocks

Physical Properties of Grandidierite

Lustre:Vitreous, Pearly
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent, Translucent
Comment:Somewhat pearly on cleavage
Colour:Bluish green, greenish blue
Comment:Increasingly greener with greater Fe content
Hardness (Mohs):7½
Cleavage:Perfect
more perfect {100}, and {010}
Density (measured):2.98 - 2.99 g/cm3
Density (calculated):3.00 g/cm3

Crystallography of Grandidierite

Crystal System:Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Cell Parameters:a = 10.335(2) Å, b = 10.978(2) Å, c = 5.760(2) Å
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.941 : 1 : 0.525
Unit Cell Volume:V 653.52 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:4
Morphology:Anhedral elongated individuals to 8cm
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
Image Loading

Radiation - Copper Kα
Data Set:
Horizontal Axis: ° to ° Vertical Axis: % Source Data: Filtered Data:
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.

Optical Data of Grandidierite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.602 nβ = 1.636 nγ = 1.639
2V:Measured: 24° to 32°, Calculated: 32°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.037

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Moderate
Dispersion:strong r < v
Pleochroism:Visible
Comments:X= beep blue to blue green
Y= colorless
Z= light greenish blue to deep green

Chemical Properties of Grandidierite

Formula:
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)(Al,Fe
3+
 
)
 
3
(SiO
 
4
)(BO
 
3
)O
 
2
Essential elements:Al, B, Mg, O, Si
All elements listed in formula:Al, B, Fe, Mg, O, Si
Common Impurities:Ti,Mn,Na,K

Relationship of Grandidierite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
9.AJ.05Ominelite
(Fe
2+
 
,Mg)(Al,Fe
3+
 
)
 
3
(SiO
 
4
)(BO
 
3
)O
 
2
9.AJ.10Dumortierite
(Al,Fe
3+
 
)
 
7
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
(BO
 
3
)O
 
3
9.AJ.10Holtite
Al
 
6
(Al,Ta)(SiO
 
4
,SbO
 
4
,AsO
 
4
)
 
3
(BO
 
3
)O
 
3
9.AJ.10Magnesiodumortierite
(Mg,Ti,◻(Al,Mg)
 
2
Al
 
4
Si
 
3
O
 
18-y
(OH)
 
y
B y = 2-3
9.AJ.15Garrelsite
Ba
 
3
NaSi
 
2
B
 
7
O
 
16
(OH)
 
4
9.AJ.20Bakerite
Ca
 
4
(H
 
5
B
 
5
Si
 
3
O
 
20
)
9.AJ.20Datolite
Ca(HBSiO
 
5
)
9.AJ.20Gadolinite-(Ce)
(Ce,La,Nd,Y)
 
2
Fe
2+
 
Be
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
10
9.AJ.20Gadolinite-(Y)
Y
 
2
Fe
2+
 
Be
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
10
9.AJ.20Hingganite-(Ce)
(Ce,REE)
 
2
(□,Fe
2+
 
)Be
 
2
[SiO
 
4
]
 
2
(OH)
 
2
9.AJ.20Hingganite-(Y)
(Y,REE,Ca)
 
2
(□,Fe
2+
 
)Be
 
2
[SiO
 
4
]
 
2
(OH)
 
2
9.AJ.20Hingganite-(Yb)
(Yb,Y,REE)
 
2
□Be
 
2
[SiO
 
4
]
 
2
(OH)
 
2
9.AJ.20Homilite
Ca
 
2
(Fe
2+
 
,Mg)B
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
10
9.AJ.20Melanocerite-(Ce)
(Ce,Ca)
 
5
(Si,B)
 
3
O
 
12
(OH,F) · nH
 
2
O
9.AJ.20Minasgeraisite-(Y)
CaBe
 
2
Y
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
10
9.AJ.20Calcybeborosilite-(Y)
(Y,Ca)
 
2
(□,Fe
2+
 
)(B,Be)
 
2
[SiO
 
4
]
 
2
(OH,O)
 
2
9.AJ.25Stillwellite-(Ce)
(Ce,La,Ca)BSiO
 
5
9.AJ.30Cappelenite-(Y)
Ba(Y,Ce)
 
6
Si
 
3
B
 
6
O
 
24
F
 
2
9.AJ.35Okanoganite-(Y)
(Na,Ca)
 
3
(Y,Ce)
 
12
Si
 
6
B
 
2
O
 
27
F
 
14
9.AJ.35Vicanite-(Ce)
(Ca,Ce,La,Th)
 
15
As
5+
 
(As
3+
0.5
,Na
 
0.5
)Fe
3+
 
Si
 
6
B
 
4
O
 
40
F
 
7
9.AJ.35Hundholmenite-(Y)
(Y,REE,Ca,Na)
 
15
(Al,Fe
3+
 
)(Ca
 
x
As
3+
1-x
)(Si,As
5+
 
)Si
 
6
B
 
3
(O,F)
 
48
9.AJ.35Proshchenkoite-(Y)
Ca(Y,REE,Ca,Na,Mn)
 
15
Fe
2+
 
(P,Si)Si
 
6
B
 
3
O
 
34
F
 
14
9.AJ.40Jadarite
LiNaSiB
 
3
O
 
7
(OH)
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
17.5.1Manandonite
LiAl
 
4
(BSi
 
3
O
 
10
)(OH)
 
6
17.5.2Reedmergnerite
Na[BSi
 
3
O
 
8
]
17.5.3Searlesite
Na(H
 
2
BSi
 
2
O
 
7
)
17.5.4Olenite
Na(Al
 
3
)Al
 
6
(Si
 
6
O
 
18
)(BO
 
3
)
 
3
O
 
3
(OH)
17.5.5Elbaite
Na(Li
 
1.5
Al
 
1.5
)Al
 
6
(Si
 
6
O
 
18
)(BO
 
3
)
 
3
(OH)
 
3
(OH)
17.5.6Kalborsite
K
 
6
Al
 
4
BSi
 
6
O
 
20
(OH)
 
4
Cl
17.5.7Boromuscovite
KAl
 
2
(BSi
 
3
O
 
10
)(OH)
 
2
17.5.8Poudretteite
KNa
 
2
B
 
3
Si
 
12
O
 
30
17.5.9Liddicoatite
Ca(Li
 
2
Al)Al
 
6
(Si
 
6
O
 
18
)(BO
 
3
)
 
3
(OH)
 
3
(OH)
17.5.10Datolite
Ca(HBSiO
 
5
)
17.5.11Danburite
CaB
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
17.5.12Howlite
Ca
 
2
B
 
5
SiO
 
9
(OH)
 
5
17.5.13Bakerite
Ca
 
4
(H
 
5
B
 
5
Si
 
3
O
 
20
)
17.5.14Oyelite
Ca
 
10
Si
 
8
B
 
2
O
 
29
 · 12.5H
 
2
O
17.5.15Kornerupine
Mg
 
3
Al
 
6
(Si,Al,B)
 
5
O
 
21
(OH)
17.5.16Harkerite
Ca
 
12
Mg
 
4
Al(BO
 
3
)
 
3
(SiO
 
4
)
 
4
(CO
 
3
)
 
5
 · H
 
2
O
17.5.17Serendibite
(Ca,Na)
 
2
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)
 
3
(Al,Fe
3+
 
)
 
3
[O
 
2
|(Si,Al,B)
 
6
O
 
18
]
17.5.18Stillwellite-(Ce)
(Ce,La,Ca)BSiO
 
5
17.5.19Tadzhikite-(Ce)
(Ca,Ce)
 
4
(Ce,Y)
 
2
(Ti
4+
 
,Fe
3+
 
,Al)[B
 
4
Si
 
4
O
 
22
](OH)
 
2
17.5.20Melanocerite-(Ce)
(Ce,Ca)
 
5
(Si,B)
 
3
O
 
12
(OH,F) · nH
 
2
O
17.5.21Okanoganite-(Y)
(Na,Ca)
 
3
(Y,Ce)
 
12
Si
 
6
B
 
2
O
 
27
F
 
14
17.5.22Tritomite-(Ce)
(Ce,La,Y,Th)
 
5
(Si,B)
 
3
(O,OH,F)
 
13
17.5.23Tritomite-(Y)
(Y,Ca,La,Fe)
 
5
(Si,B,Al)
 
3
(O,OH,F)
 
13
17.5.24Cappelenite-(Y)
Ba(Y,Ce)
 
6
Si
 
3
B
 
6
O
 
24
F
 
2
17.5.25Dumortierite
(Al,Fe
3+
 
)
 
7
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
(BO
 
3
)O
 
3
17.5.26Holtite
Al
 
6
(Al,Ta)(SiO
 
4
,SbO
 
4
,AsO
 
4
)
 
3
(BO
 
3
)O
 
3
17.5.27Dravite
Na(Mg
 
3
)Al
 
6
(Si
 
6
O
 
18
)(BO
 
3
)
 
3
(OH)
 
3
(OH)
17.5.28 Ferridravite
17.5.29Axinite-(Mg)
Ca
 
2
MgAl
 
2
BSi
 
4
O
 
15
OH
17.5.30Uvite
Ca(Mg
 
3
)MgAl
 
5
(Si
 
6
O
 
18
)(BO
 
3
)
 
3
(OH)
 
3
(OH)
17.5.31Garrelsite
Ba
 
3
NaSi
 
2
B
 
7
O
 
16
(OH)
 
4
17.5.32Tienshanite
KNa
 
3
Na
 
6
Ca
 
2
Ba
 
6
Mn
 
6
(Ti
4+
 
,Nb)
 
6
B
 
12
Si
 
36
O
 
114
(O,OH,F)
 
11
17.5.33Leucosphenite
BaNa
 
4
Ti
 
2
B
 
2
Si
 
10
O
 
30
17.5.34Taramellite
Ba
 
4
(Fe
3+
 
,Ti,Fe
2+
 
,Mg)
 
4
(B
 
2
Si
 
8
O
 
27
)O
 
2
Cl
 
x
17.5.35Titantaramellite
Ba
 
4
(Ti,Fe
3+
 
,Fe
2+
 
,Mg)
 
4
(B
 
2
Si
 
8
O
 
27
)O
 
2
Cl
 
x
17.5.36Nagashimalite
Ba
 
4
(V,Ti)
 
4
B
 
2
Si
 
8
O
 
27
(O,OH)
 
2
Cl
17.5.37Chromdravite
Na(Mg
 
3
)Cr
3+
6
(Si
 
6
O
 
18
)(BO
 
3
)
 
3
(OH)
 
3
(OH)
17.5.38Wawayandaite
Ca
 
6
Mn
 
2
BBe
 
9
Si
 
6
O
 
23
(OH,Cl)
 
15
17.5.39Werdingite
(Mg,Fe)
 
2
Al
 
14
Si
 
4
B
 
4
O
 
37
17.5.40Axinite-(Mn)
Ca
 
2
Mn
2+
 
Al
 
2
BSi
 
4
O
 
15
(OH)
17.5.41Axinite
17.5.42Tinzenite
(Ca,Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
)
 
6
Al
 
4
(B
 
2
Si
 
8
O
 
30
)(OH)
 
2
17.5.44Schorl
Na(Fe
2+
3
)Al
 
6
(Si
 
6
O
 
18
)(BO
 
3
)
 
3
(OH)
 
3
(OH)
17.5.45Buergerite
Na(Fe
3+
3
)Al
 
6
(Si
 
6
O
 
18
)(BO
 
3
)
 
3
O
 
3
F
17.5.46Feruvite
Ca(Fe
2+
 
)
 
3
MgAl
 
5
(Si
 
6
O
 
18
)(BO
 
3
)
 
3
(OH)
 
3
(OH)
17.5.47Axinite-(Fe)
Ca
 
2
Fe
2+
 
Al
 
2
BSi
 
4
O
 
15
OH
17.5.48Homilite
Ca
 
2
(Fe
2+
 
,Mg)B
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
10
17.5.50Hyalotekite
(Ba,Pb,Ca,K)
 
6
(B,Si,Al)
 
2
(Si,Be)
 
10
O
 
28
(F,Cl)
17.5.51Hellandite-(Y)
(Ca,Y)
 
6
(Al,Fe
3+
 
)Si
 
4
B
 
4
O
 
20
(OH)
 
4

Other Names for Grandidierite

Other Languages:
German:Grandidierit
Russian:Грандидьерит
Spanish:Grandidierita

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 Grandidierite

Reference List:

- +
Mineralogical Magazine (1995): 59: 327.

Acta Crystallographica: B24: 1518-1522.

Grew, E.S., and Anovitz, L.M. (1996) BORON: Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry, second edition, as revised (2002).

Internet Links for Grandidierite

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  • Look for Grandidierite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Grandidierite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    • Localities for Grandidierite

    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.
    Hide Locality List
    (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.
    Antarctica
     
    • Eastern Antarctica
      • Princess Elizabeth Land
        • Ingrid Christensen Coast
          • Prydz Bay
    Australia
     
    • Northern Territory
    		Am Min 93:283-299
    Germany
     
    • Rhineland-Palatinate
      • Eifel Mts
        • Andernach
          • Eich
    		Hentschel, G., Die Mineralien der Eifelvulkane, Weise Verlag, München (2. Auflage), 1987
        • Mayen
          • Ettringen
            • Bellerberg volcano
    		[Blass, G., Graf, H.W., Über neue Mineralien vom Bellerberg, Eifel Mineralien-Welt 5/6, 53, 1994] [A. Wittern: Mineralfundorte in Deutschland, Schweizerbart (Stuttgart), 2001]
    Greenland
     
    • Kitaa (West Greenland) Province
      • Nuuk (Godthåb)
    		Petersen, O. V. & Secher, K. (1993): The Minerals of Greenland. Mineralogical Record 24 (2): 1-67
    Madagascar
     
    • Fianarantsoa Province
      • Horombe Region
        • Ihosy District
          • Ihosy Commune
    		Nicollet, Christian (1990): Occurences of grandidierite, serendibite and tourmaline near Ihosy, southern Madagascar. Mineralogical Magazine 54: 131-133
    • Tuléar (Toliara) Province
      • Anosy (Fort Dauphin) Region
        • Amboasary District
          • Behara Commune
    		Behier, J. (1960): Travaux mineralogiques. in Besaire,H. (ed): Rapport Annuel du Service Geologique pour 1960. Republique Malgache, 181-199 [p. 194]
          • Esira Commune
    		Behier, J. (1957): Travaux mineralogiques. Rapport Annuel du service géologique pour 1957. Republique Malgache. p. 293
    - http://www.musee.ensmp.fr/gm//33.html - Farges, F. (2001): Crystal chemistry of iron in natural grandidierites: an X-ray absorption fine-structure spectroscopy study. Journal Physics and Chemistry of Minerals. 28: 619-629
    - McKie, D. (1965): The magnesium aluminium borosilicates: kornerupine and grandidierite. Mineralogical Magazine 34: 346-357
        • Taolañaro (Fort Dauphin) District
          • Ranopiso Commune
    		Lacroix, A. (1902): Note préliminaire sur une nouvelle espèce minerale. Bulletin de la Société Francaise de Minéralogie 25: 85-86 ;
          • Taolañaro Commune
            • Bezavona Massif
    		Behier, J. (1960): Contribution á la Minéralogie de Madagascar. Annales Géologiques de Madagascar XXIX, Tananarive, p.40
    Namibia
     
    • Erongo Region
      • Swakopmund District
        • Cape Cross area
    		Bonardo, L., Fraccaro, G., Ciriotti, M.E., Blass, G., Ambrino, P. (2008). Primo ritrovamento di grandidierite in Namibia. Micro (notizie mineralogiche), 2/2008, 129-131.
    Norway
     
    • Aust-Agder
      • Froland
    		Nijland, T.G., Zwaan, J.C & Touret, L. (1998): Topograpical mineralogy of the Bamble sector, south Norway. Scripta Geologica 118, 46 pp
    • Nordland
      • Hinnøya
        • Lødingen
    		Krogh, E. (1975): Contributions to the mineralogy of Norway, No 59. The first occurrence of grandidierite in Norway. Norsk Geologisk Tidsskrift, 55: 77-80
    • Rogaland
      • Lund
        • Flatestøl
    		Grew, E. S. et al. (1998): Werdingite, a borosilicate new to granitic pegmatites, The Canadian Mineralogist 36, 399-414
    Slovakia
     
    • Banská Bystrica Region
      • Brezno Co.
    		Koděra, M. et al., 1986 a 1990 : Topografická mineralógia Slovenska, diel 1- 3, Veda – Vydavateľstvo SAV, Bratislava, 1990, 1 – 1590
    South Africa
     
    • Northern Cape Province
      • Namaqualand
        • Gordonia District
    		Minerals of South Africa
    Surinam
    AmMin 61:332
    • Nickerie District
    		Am Min 61:3-4 pp 332-333
    USA
     
    • Wyoming
      • Albany Co.
    		AmMin 87:160
    Mineral and/or Locality
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