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Indialite

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Mt. Vesuvius, Somma-Vesuvius Complex, Naples Province, Campania, Italy
© C.Boutry

Show Indialite Photos (7)



Formula:
Mg
 
2
Al
 
3
(AlSi
 
5
O
 
18
)
System:HexagonalColour:Colourless (thin ...
Hardness:7 - 7½
Name:After the country of India, where the type locality is located.
Dimorph of:Cordierite


The hexagonal high-temperature dimorph of cordierite (orthorhombic-pseudohexagonal).

Material at the type locality was anthropogenic since it was formed as the result of fusion and recrystallization of rocks above burning coal seams. It was subsequently found in nature in rapidly quenched volcanic rocks.


Classification of Indialite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:8/E.12-30
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:9.CJ.05

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
C : Cyclosilicates
J : [Si6O18]12- 6-membered single rings (sechser-Einfachringe), without insular complex anions
Dana 8th edition ID:61.1.1.3

61 : CYCLOSILICATES Six-Membered Rings
1 : Six-Membered Rings with [Si6O18] rings; possible (OH) and Al substitution
Hey's CIM Ref.:16.19.1

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

Type Locality:Bokaro coalfield, Hazaribagh District, Jharkhand, India
Year of Discovery:1954
Geological Setting of type material:Burning coal seam underlying sedimentary rocks
Associated Minerals at type locality:
MagnetiteLabradoriteGlassEnstatiteCorundum

Occurrences of Indialite

Geological Setting:Polymetamorphosed pelitic rock (Japan); volcanic eruptive matter (Bellerberg volcano).

Physical Properties of Indialite

Lustre:Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Colour:Colourless (thin section).
Hardness (Mohs):7 - 7½
Density (measured):2.512 g/cm3
Density (calculated):2.59 g/cm3
Comment:Measured values on artificial material.

Crystallography of Indialite

Crystal System:Hexagonal
Class (H-M):6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) - Dihexagonal Dipyramidal
Space Group:P6/mcc {P6/m 2/c 2/c}
Cell Parameters:a = 9.8Å, c = 9.345Å
Ratio:a:c = 1 : 0.954
Unit Cell Volume:V 777.25 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:2
Morphology:Small hexagonal grains and clusters of spiral-shaped grains, some exhibiting tentacles or multiple terminations.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
d-spacingIntensity
8.48 (100)
3.027 (85)
3.138 (65)
3.379 (55)
4.094 (50)
4.89 (30)
1.6882 (30)
Comments:Obtained on artificial material.

Optical Data of Indialite

Type:Uniaxial (-)
RI values: nω = 1.539 nε = 1.534
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.005

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

Chemical Properties of Indialite

Formula:
Mg
 
2
Al
 
3
(AlSi
 
5
O
 
18
)
Essential elements:Al, Mg, O, Si
All elements listed in formula:Al, Mg, O, Si
Common Impurities:Fe,Mn,Na

Relationship of Indialite to other Species

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

- +
9.CJ.05Bazzite
Be
 
3
Sc
 
2
(Si
 
6
O
 
18
)
9.CJ.05Beryl
Be
 
3
Al
 
2
(Si
 
6
O
 
18
)
9.CJ.05Stoppaniite
Be
 
3
Fe
3+
2
(Si
 
6
O
 
18
) · H
 
2
O
9.CJ.10Cordierite
(Mg,Fe)
 
2
Al
 
3
(AlSi
 
5
O
 
18
)
9.CJ.10Sekaninaite
(Fe,Mg)
 
2
Al
 
3
(AlSi
 
5
O
 
18
)
9.CJ.15aCombeite
Na
 
2
Ca
 
2
(Si
 
6
O
 
18
)
 
0.5
9.CJ.15bImandrite
Na
 
12
Ca
 
3
Fe
3+
2
(Si
 
6
O
 
18
)
 
2
9.CJ.15aKazakovite
Na
 
6
Mn
2+
 
Ti(Si
 
6
O
 
18
)
9.CJ.15cKoashvite
Na
 
6
(Ca,Mn)(Ti,Fe)Si
 
6
O
 
18
 · H
 
2
O
9.CJ.15aLovozerite
Na
 
2
CaZr(H
 
4
Si
 
6
O
 
18
) · H
 
2
O
9.CJ.15aTisinalite
Na
 
3
H
 
3
(Mn,Ca,Fe)TiSi
 
6
(O,OH)
 
18
 · 2H
 
2
O
9.CJ.15aZirsinalite
Na
 
6
(Ca,Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
)Zr(Si
 
6
O
 
18
)
9.CJ.15aLitvinskite
Na
 
2
(◻,Na,Mn)ZrSi
 
6
O
 
12
(OH,O)
 
6
9.CJ.15aKapustinite
Na
 
5
(Na,Mn
2+
 
)
 
<1
Zr(H
 
2
Si
 
6
O
 
18
)
9.CJ.25Baratovite
KCa
 
7
(Ti,Zr)
 
2
Li
 
3
Si
 
12
O
 
36
F
 
2
9.CJ.25Katayamalite
KCa
 
7
Ti
 
2
Li
 
3
Si
 
12
O
 
36
(OH)
 
2
9.CJ.25Aleksandrovite
KCa
 
7
Sn
 
2
Li
 
3
Si
 
12
O
 
30
F
 
2
9.CJ.30Dioptase
CuSiO
 
3
 · H
 
2
O
9.CJ.35Kostylevite
K
 
2
Zr(Si
 
3
O
 
9
) · H
 
2
O
9.CJ.40Petarasite
Na
 
5
Zr
 
2
(Si
 
6
O
 
18
)(Cl,OH) · 2H
 
2
O
9.CJ.45Gerenite-(Y)
(Ca,Na)
 
2
(Y,REE)
 
3
Si
 
6
O
 
18
 · 2H
 
2
O
9.CJ.50Odintsovite
K
 
2
Na
 
4
Ca
 
3
Ti
 
2
Be
 
4
Si
 
12
O
 
38
9.CJ.55Mathewrogersite
Pb
 
7
FeAl
 
3
GeSi
 
12
O
 
36
(OH,H
 
2
O)
 
6
9.CJ.60Pezzottaite
Cs(Be
 
2
Li)Al
 
2
(Si
 
6
O
 
18
)
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
16.19.2Cordierite
(Mg,Fe)
 
2
Al
 
3
(AlSi
 
5
O
 
18
)
16.19.3Sekaninaite
(Fe,Mg)
 
2
Al
 
3
(AlSi
 
5
O
 
18
)
16.19.4Ferrogedrite
☐{Fe
2+
2
}{Fe
2+
3
Al
 
2
}(Al
 
2
Si
 
6
O
 
22
)(OH)
 
2
16.19.5Staurolite
(Fe
2+
 
,Mg,Zn)
 
1.5-2
Al
 
9
(SiO
 
4
)
 
4
O
 
6
(OH,O)
 
2
16.19.6Chloritoid
(Fe
2+
 
,Mg,Mn
2+
 
)Al
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)O(OH)
 
2
16.19.7Amesite
Mg
 
2
Al(AlSiO
 
5
)(OH)
 
4
16.19.8Corundophilite
(Mg,Fe,Al)
 
6
(Si,Al)
 
4
O
 
10
(OH)
 
8
16.19.9Yoderite
Mg(Al,Fe
3+
 
)
 
3
(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
O(OH)
16.19.10Delessite
(Mg,Fe,Fe,Al)(Si,Al)
 
4
O
 
10
(O,OH)
 
8
16.19.11Ferrocarpholite
(Fe
2+
 
,Mg)Al
 
2
(Si
 
2
O
 
6
)(OH)
 
4
16.19.12Magnesiocarpholite
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)Al
 
2
(Si
 
2
O
 
6
)(OH)
 
4
16.19.13Chamosite
(Fe
2+
 
,Mg)
 
5
Al(AlSi
 
3
O
 
10
)(OH)
 
8
16.19.14Orthochamosite
(Fe
2+
 
,Mg,Fe
3+
 
)
 
5
Al(AlSi
 
3
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(AlSi
 
3
O
 
10
)(OH)
 
8
16.19.18Gedrite
☐{Mg
 
2
}{Mg
 
3
Al
 
2
}(Al
 
2
Si
 
6
O
 
22
)(OH)
 
2
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
(AlSi
 
3
O
 
10
)(OH)
 
8
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 Indialite

Other Languages:
German:Indialit
Indialith
Russian:Индиалит
Spanish:Indialita

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.
Industrial Uses:None.

References for Indialite

Reference List:

- +
Venkatesh, V. (1952) Development and growth of cordierite in para-lavas. American Mineralogist 37: 831-847.

Miyashiro, A. and T. Iiyama (1954) A preliminary note on a new mineral, indialite, polymorphic with cordierite. Proceedings of the Japan Academy 30: 746-751.

American Mineralogist (1955): 40: 787 (abstract).

Miyashiro, A., T. Iiyama, M. Yamasaki, and T. Miyashiro (1955) The polymorphism of cordierite and indialite. American Journal of Science 253: 185-208.

Meagher, E.P. and G.V. Gibbs (1977) The polymorphism of cordierite: II. The crystal structure of indialite. Canadian Mineralogist 15: 43-49.

Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology (1982): 80: 110-116.

Daniels, P. (1990) What is the true space group of high-cordierite? Zeitschrift für Kristallographie 190, 271-276.

American Mineralogist (1992): 77: 407.

Balassone, G., Franco, E., Mattia, C. A. and Puliti, R. (2004): Indialite in xenolithic rocks from Somma-Vesuvius volcano (Southern Italy): Crystal chemistry and petrogenetic features. American Mineralogist, 89, 1-6.

Internet Links for Indialite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Indialite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    • Localities for Indialite

    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.
    Austria
     
    • Burgenland
      • Oberpullendorf
        • Kobersdorf
          • Pauliberg Mt.
    		U. Kolitsch, W. Postl, H.-P. Bojar and W. Trattner (2009): Die Mineralvorkommen im Basalt des Pauliberges. In: Autorenkollektiv (Red. M. A. Götzinger und P. Huber) (2009): Die Mineralien des Burgenlandes - Geologie, Mineralogie und mineralische Rohstoffe. – Wissenschaftliche Arbeiten aus dem Burgenland, Band 126, Amt der Burgenländischen Landesregierung, Abteilung 7 - Landesmuseum, Eisenstadt, 83-99.
    Czech Republic
     
    • Bohemia (Böhmen; Boehmen)
      • Central Bohemia Region
    		Zacek, V., Oplustil, S., Mayova, A. & Meyer, F. R. (1995): Die Mineralien von Kladno in Mittelböhmen, Tschechische Republik. Mineralien-Welt 6 (1), 13-30 (in German).
          • Libušin
    		V. Zacek, A. Petrov, and E. Lackner collections.
    Germany
     
    • Rhineland-Palatinate
      • Eifel Mts
        • Andernach
          • Nickenich
    		Igor Pekov; Künzel, H. E., Blaß, G. and Schüller, W. (2011): Mineralien - Bomben - Grottensteine: Der Nickenicher Weinberg. Lapis, 36 (7-8), 55-66; 86.
        • Mayen
          • Ettringen
            • Bellerberg volcano
    		http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/doclib/hom/indialite.pdf
    • Saxony
      • Zwickau
        • Oelsnitz
    		T. Witzke (1996): Die Minerale der brennenden Halde der Steinkohlengrube "Deutschland-schacht" in Oelsnitz bei Zwickau.- Aufschluss 47, 41-48
    • Thuringia
      • Gera
        • Ronneburg U deposit
    		T. Witzke & F. Rüger: Lapis 1998(7/8), 26-64
    India
     
    • Bihar
      • Jharia Coalfield
      • Raniganj Coalfield
        • Victoria West Colliery
    • Jharkhand
      • Hazaribagh District
    		Miyashiro, A. and T. Iiyama (1954) A preliminary note on a new mineral, indialite, polymorphic with cordierite. Proceedings of the Japan Academy: 30: 746-751.
    Italy
     
    • Campania
      • Naples Province
        • Somma-Vesuvius Complex
          • Mt. Vesuvius
    		Balassone G, Franco E, Mattia CA, Puliti R (2004) Indialite in xenolithic rocks from Somma-Vesuvius volcano (Southern Italy): crystal chemistry and petrogenetic features. American Mineralogist 89: 1-6
    Japan
     
    • Honshu Island
      • Chubu Region
        • Toyama Prefecture
    		Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 80: 110-116 (1982)
      • Kinki Region
        • Kyoto Prefecture
          • Kyoto City
    		Rocks & Minerals 81:284-292
    Russia
     
    • Urals Region
      • Southern Urals
        • Chelyabinsk Oblast'
    		Cesnokov, B., Kotrly, M. and Nisanbajev, T. (1998): Brennende Abraumhalden und Aufschlüsse im Tscheljabinsker Kohlenbecken - eine reiche Mineralienküche. Mineralien-Welt, 9 (3), 54-63 (in German).
    USA
     
    • Nevada
      • Washoe Co.
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    Mineral and/or Locality
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    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2011. Site Map. Locality, mineral & photograph data are the copyright of the individuals who submitted them. Further information contact the Site hosted & developed by Jolyon Ralph. Mindat.org is an online information resource dedicated to providing free mineralogical information to all. Mindat relies on the contributions of hundreds of members and supporters. Mindat does not offer minerals for sale. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register.
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