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Amesite

Big Photo

Cerro Sapo, Ayopaya Province, Cochabamba Department, Bolivia
© Saul Krotki 2004

Show Amesite Photos (20)
Formula:
Mg
 
2
Al[(OH)
 
4
|AlSiO
 
5
]
System:TriclinicColour:White, colorless, pink ...
Hardness:2½ - 3
Name:For James Ames, mine owner


Kaolinite-Serpentine group.

Classification of Amesite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:8/H.27-100
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:9.ED.15

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
D : Phyllosilicates with kaolinite layers composed of tetrahedral and octahedral nets
Dana 8th edition ID:71.1.2c.1

71 : PHYLLOSILICATES Sheets of Six-Membered Rings
1 : Sheets of 6-membered rings with 1:1 layers
Hey's CIM Ref.:16.19.7

16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
19 : Aluminosilicates of Fe and Mg
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Type Occurrence of Amesite

Type Locality:Chester Emery Mines, Chester, Hampden Co., Massachusetts, USA

Occurrences of Amesite

Geological Setting:Low grade metamorphism of Al, Mg rich rocks

Physical Properties of Amesite

Lustre:Pearly
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Comment:Somewhat metallic on cleavage
Colour:White, colorless, pink to lilac, pale green
Streak:White with pale green tint
Hardness (Mohs):2½ - 3
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Perfect
on {001}
Density (measured):2.78 g/cm3
Density (calculated):2.7 g/cm3

Crystallography of Amesite

Crystal System:Triclinic
Class (H-M):1 - Pedial
Cell Parameters:a = 5.307(1) Å, b = 9.195(2) Å, c = 14.068(3) Å
α = 90.09(2)°, β = 90.25(2)°, γ = 89.96(2)°
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.577 : 1 : 1.53
Unit Cell Volume:V 686.48 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:4
Morphology:Tapering pseudohexagonal prisms, tabular
Twinning:Common as six fold sector twins on {001}

Optical Data of Amesite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.597 nβ = 1.599 nγ = 1.615
2V:Measured: 18°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.018

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

Chemical Properties of Amesite

Formula:
Mg
 
2
Al[(OH)
 
4
|AlSiO
 
5
]
Essential elements:Al, H, Mg, O, Si
All elements listed in formula:Al, H, Mg, O, Si

Relationship of Amesite to other Species

Member of:Serpentine Group
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):
9.ED.05Dickite
Al
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
5
(OH)
 
4
9.ED.05Kaolinite
Al
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
5
(OH)
 
4
9.ED.05Nacrite
Al
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
5
(OH)
 
4
9.ED.05Odinite
(Fe,Mg,Al,Fe,Ti,Mn)
 
2.4
(Si,Al)
 
2
O
 
5
(OH)
 
4
9.ED.10Halloysite
Al
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
5
(OH)
 
4
9.ED.10Hisingerite
Fe
3+
2
Si
 
2
O
 
5
(OH)
 
4
·2H
 
2
O
9.ED.10Halloysite-7Å
Al
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
5
(OH)
 
4
9.ED.10Halloysite-10Å
Al
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
5
(OH)
 
4
·2H
 
2
O
9.ED.15Antigorite
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)
 
3
[(OH)
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
5
]
9.ED.15Berthierine
(Fe,Fe,Mg)
 
2-3
(Si,Al)
 
2
O
 
5
(OH)
 
4
9.ED.15Brindleyite
(Ni,Mg,Fe)
 
2
Al(Si,Al)O
 
5
(OH)
 
4
9.ED.15Caryopilite
(Mn,Mg)
 
3
Si
 
2
O
 
5
(OH)
 
4
9.ED.15Chrysotile
Mg
 
3
Si
 
2
O
 
5
(OH)
 
4
9.ED.15Cronstedtite
Fe
2+
2
Fe
3+
 
[(Si,Fe
3+
 
)
 
2
O
 
5
](OH)
 
4
9.ED.15Fraipontite
(Zn,Al)
 
3
[(OH)
 
4
|(Si,Al)
 
2
O
 
5
]
9.ED.15Greenalite
Fe
 
2-3
Si
 
2
O
 
5
(OH)
 
4
9.ED.15Kellyite
Mn
2+
2
Al[(OH)
 
4
|AlSiO
 
5
]
9.ED.15Lizardite
Mg
 
3
[(OH)
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
5
]
9.ED.15Manandonite
LiAl
 
4
Si
 
3
BO
 
10
(OH)
 
6
9.ED.15Népouite
(Ni,Mg)
 
3
Si
 
2
O
 
5
(OH)
 
4
9.ED.15Pecoraite
Ni
 
3
[(OH)
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
5
]
9.ED.20Allophane
(Al
 
2
O
 
3
)(SiO
 
2
)
 
1.3-2
·2.5-3H
 
2
O
9.ED.20Chrysocolla
(Cu,Al)
 
2
H
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
5
(OH)
 
4
·nH
 
2
O
9.ED.20Imogolite
Al
 
2
SiO
 
3
(OH)
 
4
9.ED.20Neotocite
(Mn,Fe,Mg)SiO
 
3
·H
 
2
O
9.ED.25Bismutoferrite
Fe
3+
2
Bi[OH|(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
]
9.ED.25Chapmanite
Fe
3+
2
Sb
3+
 
[OH|(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
]
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:
16.19.1Indialite
Mg
 
2
Al
 
4
Si
 
5
O
 
18
16.19.2Cordierite
(Mg,Fe)
 
2
Al
 
4
Si
 
5
O
 
18
16.19.3Sekaninaite
(Fe,Mg)
 
2
Al
 
4
Si
 
5
O
 
18
16.19.4Ferrogedrite
☐[Fe
2+
2
][Fe
2+
3
Al
 
2
][(OH)
 
2
|Al
 
2
Si
 
6
O
 
22
]
16.19.5Staurolite
(Fe
2+
 
,Mg,Zn)
 
1.5-2
Al
 
9
[O
 
6
|(OH,O)
 
2
|(SiO
 
4
)
 
4
]
16.19.6Chloritoid
(Fe
2+
 
,Mg,Mn
2+
 
)Al
 
2
[O|(OH)
 
2
|SiO
 
4
]
16.19.8Corundophilite
(Mg,Fe,Al)
 
6
(Si,Al)
 
4
O
 
10
(OH)
 
8
16.19.9Yoderite
Mg(Al,Fe
3+
 
)
 
3
[O|OH|(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
]
16.19.10Delessite
(Mg,Fe,Fe,Al)(Si,Al)
 
4
O
 
10
(O,OH)
 
8
16.19.11Ferrocarpholite
(Fe
2+
 
,Mg)Al
 
2
[(OH)
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
6
]
16.19.12Magnesiocarpholite
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)Al
 
2
[(OH)
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
6
]
16.19.13Chamosite
(Fe
2+
 
,Mg)
 
5
Al[(OH)
 
8
|AlSi
 
3
O
 
10
]
16.19.14Orthochamosite
(Fe,Mg,Fe)
 
5
Al(Si
 
3
Al)O
 
10
(OH,O)
 
8
16.19.15Berthierine
(Fe,Fe,Mg)
 
2-3
(Si,Al)
 
2
O
 
5
(OH)
 
4
16.19.16Odinite
(Fe,Mg,Al,Fe,Ti,Mn)
 
2.4
(Si,Al)
 
2
O
 
5
(OH)
 
4
16.19.17Clinochlore
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)
 
5
Al[(OH)
 
8
|AlSi
 
3
O
 
10
]
16.19.18Gedrite
☐[Mg
 
2
][Mg
 
3
Al
 
2
][(OH)
 
2
|Al
 
2
Si
 
6
O
 
22
]
16.19.19Magnesiogedrite
16.19.20Diabantite
(Mg,Fe,Al)
 
6
(Si,Al)
 
4
O
 
10
(OH)
 
8
16.19.21Sudoite
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)
 
2
Al
 
3
[(OH)
 
8
|AlSi
 
3
O
 
10
]
16.19.22Vermiculite
(Mg,Fe,Al)
 
3
(Al,Si)
 
4
O
 
10
(OH)
 
2
·4H
 
2
O
16.19.23Corrensite
(Mg,Fe)
 
9
(Si,Al)
 
8
O
 
20
(OH)
 
10
·nH
 
2
O

Other Names for Amesite

Synonyms:
AmensiteAmesineSepteamesite
German names:
AmensitAmesitSepteamesit
Russian names:
Амезит
Spanish names:
AmensitaAmesitaSepteamesita

Other Information

Health Warning:Amesite is not known to be dangerous, however do not confuse this with Amosite, or Brown Asbestos, which is dangerous. Please view the Amosite page for further information.

References for Amesite

Reference List:American Mineralogist: 66: 185-195.

Internet Links for Amesite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Amesite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Amesite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    Localities for Amesite

    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.
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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.
    Antarctica
     
    • Eastern Antarctica
      • Coats Land
        • Pensacola Mts
    		Am Min 61:5-6 pp 497-499
    Bolivia
     
    • Cochabamba Department
      • Ayopaya Province
    		Alfredo Petrov collection; Laszlo Horvath collection
    Canada
     
    • Manitoba
    • Québec
      • Mégantic Co.
        • Black Lake
    China
     
    • Liaoning Province (Manchuria; Dongbei Region)
      • Huludao Prefecture
        • Jianchang Co.
          • Bajiazi Zn-Pb-Ag deposit
    		Yiming Zhao, Yongguan Dong, Daxin Li, and Chengsi Bi (2003): Ore Geology Reviews 23, 153-182.
    France
     
    • Languedoc-Roussillon
      • Pyrénées-Orientales
        • Céret
          • Prats de Mollo-La Preste (Prats de Molló-La Presta)
    		Dubru. M, (1986) Pétrologie et géochimie du marbre à brucite et des borates associés au gisement de tungstène de Costabonne, (Pyrénées orientales, France) 930p
    Germany
     
    • Saxony-Anhalt
      • Stassfurt Potash deposit
        • Tarthun
    		No reference listed
    Greece
     
    • Attikí (Attica; Attika) Prefecture
      • Lavrion (Laurion; Laurium) District
        • Lavrion District slag localities
          • Thorikos area
    		No reference listed
    Hungary
     
    • Veszprém Co.
      • Tapolcai Basin
        • Uzsabánya
    		Szakáll & Gatter: Hun. Min. Spec., 1993
        • Zalahaláp
    		Szakáll & Gatter: Hun. Min.Spec., 1993
    Italy
     
    • Liguria
      • La Spezia Province
        • Carrodano
    • Piedmont
      • Torino Province
        • Canavese District
          • Léssolo
            • Cálea
    		Le miniere di Brosso (2001)-Italo Campostrini- ed. Museo Regionale Torino
    • Sardinia
      • Nuoro Province
        • Orani
    		Conti-Vecchi, G., Stara, P. (1991): Minerali della Sardegna. Edizioni Della Torre, 275 pp.
    Japan
     
    • Honshu Island
      • Chubu Region
        • Niigata Prefecture
          • Itoigawa
    		Miyajima et al (1999) Ganko Gakkai Koen Yoshi, 194.
    Kazakhstan
     
    • Qaraghandy Oblysy (Karaganda Oblast')
      • Betpakdala Desert (Bet-Pak-Dal Desert)
        • Kara-Oba W deposit
    Madagascar
     
    • Antananarivo Province
      • Vakinankaratra Region (Betafo - Antsirabé region)
        • Sahatany Pegmatite Field (Mt Bity (Ibity) area)
          • Sahatany Valley
    		Lefevre & Thomas (1998): Les pegmatites de la vallée de la Sahatany, Madagascar. La Règne Minéral, 19, 15-28
    Poland
     
    • Lower Silesia (Dolnośląskie)
      • Gogołów-Jordanów Massif
    		Archiwum Mineralogiczne v. 46, no. 1-2, p. 101-108, 1990
    Russia
     
    • Eastern-Siberian Region
      • Saha Republic (Sakha Republic; Yakutia)
    		[World of Stones 12:49]
    • Northern Region
      • Murmanskaja Oblast'
        • Kola Peninsula
          • Khibiny Massif
    		Pekov, I.V. & Podlesnyi, A.S. (2004): Kukisvumchorr Deposit: Mineralogy of Alkaline Pegmatites and Hydrotermalites. Mineralogical Almanac, vol. 7, 140 pages + xxiv photo's pages
    www.koeln.netsurf.de/~w.steffens/lovo.htm
    • Urals Region
      • Middle Urals
        • Permskaya Oblast'
          • Gorozavod area
            • Saranovskaya (Sarany; Saranje) Village
    		No reference listed
    South Africa
     
    • Northern Cape Province
    		Minerals of South Africa
    Minerals of South Africa
    Minerals of South Africa
    Minerals of South Africa
    Sweden
     
    • Västmanland
      • Hällefors
    		No reference listed
    USA
     
    • Arizona
      • Pinal Co.
        • Mammoth District
          • Tiger
            • St. Anthony deposit
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 108.
    • California
      • Santa Clara Co.
        • Diablo Range
          • Mount Hamilton
      • Santa Cruz Co.
        • Santa Cruz
    		Mineralogical Record: 17:315
    • Colorado
      • Fremont Co.
        • Cotopaxi District
    		"Minerals of Colorado, updated & revised", p. 14, by Eckel, Edwin B., 1997
    • Massachusetts
      • Hampden Co.
        • Blandford
    		"Western Massachusetts Mineral Localities" by Plante, A.R., Valley Geology Press, 1992
        • Chester
    		Min Rec (1978) 9:235-242
    Alan R. Plante, Personal field notes, 1981-1985
    Alan R. Plante, Personal field notes, 1965-1987
    Alan R. Plante, Personal field and lab notes, 1984-1987
    Min Rec (1978) 9:235-242
    Alan R. Plante, Personal field and lab notes, 1982-1985
    • New Hampshire
      • Cheshire Co.
        • Keene
    		No reference listed
      • Sullivan Co.
    		Meyers & Stewart, 1956. Geology of NH, Part III
    Mineral and/or Locality
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