Kirschsteinite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Kirschsteinite
Formula:
CaFe2+SiO4
Colour:
greenish
Hardness:
5½
Specific Gravity:
3.434
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
Named in honor of Dr. Egon Baron von Kirschstein, German geologist and a pioneer in the geological exploration of the Virunga volcanic field in North Kivu, in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He died in the events of World War I in East Africa.
Olivine Group. Kirschsteinite-Monticellite Series.
Not too uncommon in Fe-rich slags.
Also a significant accessory mineral in the angrite group of achondrites (meteorites).
Not too uncommon in Fe-rich slags.
Also a significant accessory mineral in the angrite group of achondrites (meteorites).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2217
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2217:6
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
b6991fbc-1fa0-4d01-a4bd-9a9686c6e715
IMA Classification of Kirschsteinite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
CaFe2+(SiO4)
First published:
1957
Classification of Kirschsteinite
9.AC.05
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
C : Nesosilicates without additional anions; cations in octahedral [6] coordination
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
C : Nesosilicates without additional anions; cations in octahedral [6] coordination
51.3.2.2
51 : NESOSILICATES Insular SiO4 Groups Only
3 : Insular SiO4 Groups Only with all cations in octahedral [6] coordination
51 : NESOSILICATES Insular SiO4 Groups Only
3 : Insular SiO4 Groups Only with all cations in octahedral [6] coordination
14.22.4
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
22 : Silicates of Fe and Ca
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
22 : Silicates of Fe and Ca
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Kir | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Kir | Whitney & Evans (2010) | Whitney, D.L. and Evans, B.W. (2010) Abbreviations for names of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 95, 185–187 doi:10.2138/am.2010.3371 |
| Kch | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Physical Properties of Kirschsteinite
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
greenish
Hardness:
5½ on Mohs scale
Density:
3.434 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.596 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Kirschsteinite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.674 - 1.693 nβ = 1.694 - 1.734 nγ = 1.706 - 1.735
2V:
Measured: 51° (1), Calculated: 16° to 74°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.032 - 0.042
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:
High
Dispersion:
r > v or r < v
Chemistry of Kirschsteinite
Mindat Formula:
CaFe2+SiO4
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Ti,Al,Mn,Mg,Na,K,P,H2O
Crystallography of Kirschsteinite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pnma
Cell Parameters:
a = 4.859 Å, b = 11.132 Å, c = 6.420 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.436 : 1 : 0.577
Unit Cell V:
347.26 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Crystal Structure
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0006700 | Kirschsteinite | Folco L, Mellini M (1997) Crystal chemistry of meteoritic kirschsteinite European Journal of Mineralogy 9 969-973 | 1997 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0006701 | Kirschsteinite | Folco L, Mellini M (1997) Crystal chemistry of meteoritic kirschsteinite European Journal of Mineralogy 9 969-973 | 1997 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 2.949 Å | (100) |
| 2.680 Å | (85) |
| 2.604 Å | (80) |
| 3.658 Å | (70) |
| 1.830 Å | (60) |
| 2.414 Å | (40) |
| 5.569 Å | (35) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 2: Planetesimal differentiation and alteration | 4.566-4.550 |
| 5 : Primary asteroid phases | 4.566–4.560 |
| 6 : Secondary asteroid phases | 4.566-4.560 |
| Stage 3a: Earth’s earliest Hadean crust | >4.50 |
| 7 : Ultramafic igneous rocks | |
| High-𝑇 alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 31 : Thermally altered carbonate, phosphate, and iron formations | |
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks | |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 56 : Slag and smelter minerals (see also #51 and #55) |
Geological Setting:
Calcareous skarn
Type Occurrence of Kirschsteinite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Royal Museum of Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium, RGM8037; Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Melilite-nephelinite lava
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Sahama, T.G., Hytönen, K. (1957) Kirschsteinite, a natural analogue to synthetic iron monticellite, from the Belgian Congo. Mineralogical Magazine: 31: 698-699.
Synonyms of Kirschsteinite
Other Language Names for Kirschsteinite
Relationship of Kirschsteinite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
| Calcio-olivine | Ca2SiO4 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
| Fayalite | Fe2+2SiO4 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
| Forsterite | Mg2SiO4 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
| Glaucochroite | CaMn2+SiO4 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
| Laihunite | (Fe2+0.5◻0.5)Fe3+[SiO4] | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Liebenbergite | Ni2SiO4 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
| Monticellite | CaMgSiO4 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
| Tephroite | Mn2+2SiO4 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.AC. | Ahrensite | SiFe2O4 |
| 9.AC. | Poirierite | Mg2SiO4 |
| 9.AC.05 | Fayalite | Fe2+2SiO4 |
| 9.AC.05 | Forsterite | Mg2SiO4 |
| 9.AC.05 | Glaucochroite | CaMn2+SiO4 |
| 9.AC.05 | Laihunite | (Fe2+0.5◻0.5)Fe3+[SiO4] |
| 9.AC.05 | Liebenbergite | Ni2SiO4 |
| 9.AC.05 | Tephroite | Mn2+2SiO4 |
| 9.AC.10 | Monticellite | CaMgSiO4 |
| 9.AC.15 | Brunogeierite | Ge4+Fe2+2O4 |
| 9.AC.15 | Ringwoodite | (Mg,Fe2+)2SiO4 |
| 9.AC.20 | Chesnokovite | Na2[SiO2(OH)2] · 8H2O |
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Kirschsteinite in petrology
An essential component of rock names highlighted in red, an accessory component in rock names highlighted in green.
Internet Links for Kirschsteinite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2217.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Kirschsteinite
Reference List:
Localities for Kirschsteinite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The 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).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Antarctica | |
| Crozaz et al. (1988) |
| McKay et al. (1990) +1 other reference | |
| Yanai (1994) +2 other references |
Argentina | |
| Keil (2012) +2 other references |
Australia | |
| Parbhakar-Fox |
Austria | |
| Kolitsch et al. (2013) |
Brazil | |
| Kogarko et al. (2001) |
| Prinz et al. (1977) +1 other reference |
DR Congo | |
| Haapala (2011) +1 other reference |
| Mineralogical Magazine 1957 31 : ... +1 other reference |
France | |
| Sara S. Russell et al. (1994) |
India | |
| Mineralogical Magazine 1996 60 : 513-516 |
Italy | |
| Lee et al. (1996) +2 other references |
| Melluso +2 other references |
| Manasse et al. (2002) |
| Manasse et al. (2002) |
| Manasse A. (2002) | |
| Andrea MANASSE (2001) |
| Stoppa +5 other references |
| Sharygin probeb +2 other references |
Kazakhstan | |
| Krot et al. (1997) |
Mauritania | |
| ... | |
Mexico | |
| Espejel-Garcia et al. (2012, December) |
| Brenker et al. (2002) |
Mongolia | |
| Savina et al. (2020) |
| Peretyazhko et al. (2017) +1 other reference |
| Peretyazhko et al. (2018) | |
| Peretyazhko et al. (2018) | |
Morocco | |
| Connolly et al. (2007) +3 other references |
Namibia | |
| Ettler et al. (2009) |
| Sid Williams data |
North Africa | |
| Grossman et al. (2000) +1 other reference |
Northwest Africa Meteorites | |
| Russell et al. (2003) +1 other reference | |
| ... +1 other reference | |
| Agee et al. (2015) | |
Poland | |
| Ref.: Kucha H. |
| Warchulski et al. (2015) |
| Warchulski et al. (2015) |
| Zainoun K. (Upper Silesia, Poland) |
| Nowinska (2020) |
Romania | |
| Marincea et al. (2014, September) |
Russia | |
| B Otter collection: Konev et al. (1970) +2 other references |
| Sokol et al. (2019) +1 other reference |
| Sorokhtina et al. (2019) |
South Africa | |
| Von Bezing (1991) |
Sweden | |
| M.E. Ciriotti (2005) |
USA | |
| Kaplan (2016) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
Quick NavTopAbout KirschsteiniteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationKirschsteinite in petrologyInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Kombat Mine, Kombat, Otavi Constituency, Otjozondjupa Region, Namibia