Mindat Logo
Home Page Log In Messageboard The Mindat Directory
Register Search Pages Mineral Chatroom The Mindat Store

Larnite

This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
Big Photo

Caspar quarry, Bellerberg volcano, Ettringen, Mayen, Eifel, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
© C.H.M. Schäfer




Formula:
Ca
 
2
SiO
 
4
System:MonoclinicHardness:6
Name:After the type locality, Scawt Hill, Larne, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland, UK.
Dimorph of:Calcio-Olivine


Olivine Group. The high-temperature, monoclinic polymorph of Calcio-Olivine.

Larnite crystallizes at high temperatures. It occurs in limestones or chalk zones in contact with molten basaltic rocks. Larnite is stable in the range of 520° to 670° C; otherwise, it is only metastable at lower temperatures and inverts to its low-temperature polymorph, Calcio-Olivine, when shocked.

An important phase (Belite, β-C2S) in cement clinker.
Five polymorphs of Ca2SiO4 are known; some are stabilised by impurities.

Classification of Larnite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:8/A.07-30
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:9.AD.05

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
D : Nesosilicates without additional anions; cations in [6] and/or greater coordination
Dana 8th edition ID:51.5.1.1

51 : NESOSILICATES Insular SiO4 Groups Only
5 : Insular SiO4 Groups Only with cations in >[6] coordination
Hey's CIM Ref.:14.5.6

14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
5 : Silicates of Ca
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-2333.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Type Occurrence of Larnite

Type Locality:Scawt Hill, Larne, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland, UK
Year of Discovery:1929
Associated Minerals at type locality:
WollastoniteSpurritePerovskiteMerwiniteMelilite Group
Gehlenite

Occurrences of Larnite

Geological Setting:Metamorphosed sedimentary carbonate formations in contact with basaltic rocks.

Physical Properties of Larnite

Hardness (Mohs):6

Crystallography of Larnite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Cell Parameters:a = 5.5Å, b = 6.74Å, c = 9.29Å
β = 94.59°
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.816 : 1 : 1.378
Unit Cell Volume:V 343.28 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Optical Data of Larnite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.707 nβ = 1.715 nγ = 1.730
2V:Calculated: 74°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.023

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

Chemical Properties of Larnite

Formula:
Ca
 
2
SiO
 
4
Essential elements:Ca, O, Si
All elements listed in formula:Ca, O, Si
Common Impurities:Al,Fe,Mg,Na,H2O,C,P

Relationship of Larnite to other Species

Common Associates:
WollastoniteSpurriteScawtiteRankinitePerovskite
MerwiniteMelilite GroupMayeniteKilchoaniteGrossular-Hibschite Series
GehleniteBrownmillerite
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
9.AD.10Calcio-Olivine
Ca
 
2
SiO
 
4
9.AD.15Merwinite
Ca
 
3
Mg(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
9.AD.20Bredigite
Ca
 
7
Mg(SiO
 
4
)
 
4
9.AD.25Andradite
Ca
 
3
Fe
3+
2
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
9.AD.25Almandine
Fe
2+
3
Al
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
9.AD.25Calderite
(Mn
2+
 
,Ca)
 
3
(Fe
3+
 
,Al)
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
9.AD.25Goldmanite
Ca
 
3
V
3+
2
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
9.AD.25Grossular
Ca
 
3
Al
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
9.AD.25Henritermierite
Ca
 
3
(Mn
3+
 
,Al)
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
4
9.AD.25Hibschite
Ca
 
3
Al
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3-x
(OH)
 
4x
9.AD.25Hydroandradite
Ca
 
3
Fe
3+
2
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3-x
(OH)
 
4x
9.AD.25Katoite
Ca
 
3
Al
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3-x
(OH)
 
4x
9.AD.25Kimzeyite
Ca
 
3
(Zr,Ti)
 
2
((Si,Al,Fe
3+
 
)O
 
4
)
 
3
9.AD.25Knorringite
Mg
 
3
Cr
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
9.AD.25Majorite
Mg
 
3
(Fe
2+
 
,Si,Al)
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
9.AD.25Morimotoite
Ca
 
3
(Ti,Fe
2+
 
,Fe
3+
 
)
 
2
((Si,Fe
3+
 
)O
 
4
)
 
3
9.AD.25Pyrope
Mg
 
3
Al
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
9.AD.25Schorlomite
Ca
 
3
(Ti,Fe
3+
 
)
 
2
((Si,Fe
3+
 
)O
 
4
)
 
3
9.AD.25Spessartine
Mn
2+
3
Al
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
9.AD.25Uvarovite
Ca
 
3
Cr
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
9.AD.25Wadalite
(Ca,Mg)
 
6
(Al,Fe
3+
 
)
 
4
((Si,Al)O
 
4
)
 
3
O
 
4
Cl
 
3
9.AD.25Holtstamite
Ca
 
3
(Al,Mn
3+
 
)
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
4
9.AD.25Kerimasite
Ca
 
3
Zr
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)(Fe
3+
 
O
 
4
)
 
2
9.AD.25Toturite
Ca
 
3
Sn
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)(Fe
3+
 
O
 
4
)
 
2
9.AD.25Momoiite
(Mn
2+
 
,Ca)
 
3
V
3+
2
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
9.AD.30Coffinite
(U
4+
 
,Th)(SiO
 
4
)
 
1-x
(OH)
 
4x
9.AD.30Hafnon
HfSiO
 
4
9.AD.30Thorite
(Th,U)SiO
 
4
9.AD.30Thorogummite
(Th,U)(SiO
 
4
)
 
1-x
(OH)
 
4x
9.AD.30Zircon
ZrSiO
 
4
9.AD.30Stetindite
Ce
4+
 
SiO
 
4
9.AD.35Huttonite
ThSiO
 
4
9.AD.35Tombarthite-(Y)
Y
 
4
(Si,H
 
4
)
 
4
O
 
12-x
(OH)
 
4+2x
9.AD.40Eulytine
Bi
 
4
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
9.AD.45Reidite
ZrSiO
 
4
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
14.5.1Wollastonite
CaSiO
 
3
14.5.2Wollastonite-7T
14.5.3Wollastonite-2M
CaSiO
 
3
14.5.4Rankinite
Ca
 
3
Si
 
2
O
 
7
14.5.5Kilchoanite
Ca
 
3
Si
 
2
O
 
7
14.5.7Bredigite
Ca
 
7
Mg(SiO
 
4
)
 
4
14.5.8Hatrurite
Ca
 
3
(SiO
 
4
)O
14.5.9Rosenhahnite
HCa
 
3
[Si
 
3
O
 
9
(OH)]
14.5.10Dellaite
Ca
 
6
(Si
 
2
O
 
7
)(SiO
 
4
)(OH)
 
2
14.5.11Afwillite
Ca
 
3
(HSiO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
14.5.12Xonotlite
Ca
 
6
(Si
 
6
O
 
17
)(OH)
 
2
14.5.13Foshagite
Ca
 
4
(Si
 
3
O
 
9
)(OH)
 
2
14.5.14Hillebrandite
Ca
 
2
(SiO
 
3
)(OH)
 
2
14.5.15Jaffeite
Ca
 
6
(Si
 
2
O
 
7
)(OH)
 
6
14.5.16Suolunite
Ca
 
2
(H
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
7
) · H
 
2
O
14.5.17Killalaite
Ca
 
3
(Si
 
2
O
 
7
) · 0.5H
 
2
O
14.5.18Okenite
CaSi
 
2
O
 
5
 · 2H
 
2
O
14.5.19Riversideite
Ca
 
5
(HSi
 
3
O
 
9
)
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
14.5.20Trabzonite
Ca
 
4
(Si
 
3
O
 
10
) · 2H
 
2
O
14.5.21Gyrolite
NaCa
 
16
Si
 
23
AlO
 
60
(OH)
 
8
 · 14H
 
2
O
14.5.22Foshallasite
Ca
 
3
[Si
 
2
O
 
7
] · 3H
 
2
O(?)
14.5.23Tobermorite
Ca
 
4+x
(H
 
2-2x
Si
 
6
O
 
17
) · 5H
 
2
O
14.5.24Clinotobermorite
Ca
 
5
(Si
 
6
O
 
17
) · 5H
 
2
O
14.5.25Nekoite
Ca
 
3
Si
 
6
O
 
15
·7H
 
2
O
14.5.26Plombièrite
Ca
 
5
(HSi
 
3
O
 
9
)
 
2
 · 7H
 
2
O
14.5.27Jennite
Ca
 
9
(Si
 
3
O
 
9
)
 
2
(OH)
 
8
 · 8H
 
2
O

Other Names for Larnite

Synonyms:
Beliteβ-C2SFelite
Other Languages:
German:Belit
Belith
Felit
Larnit
Russian:Ларнит
Spanish:Belita
Felita
Larnita

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 Larnite

Reference List:

- +
Tilley, C.E. (1929) On larnite (calcium orthosilicate, a new mineral) and its associated minerals from the limestone contact-zone of Scawt Hill, Co. Antrim. Mineralogical Magazine, 22, 77-86.

American Mineralogist (1929): 14: 338.
(abstract).

American Mineralogist (1966): 51: 1766.

Jost, K.H., B. Ziemer, and R. Seydel (1977) Redetermination of the structure of dicalcium silicate. Acta Crystallographica: B33: 1696-1700.

Deer, W.A., R.A. Howie, and J. Zussman (1986) Rock-forming minerals, (2nd edition), v. 1B, disilicates and ring silicates, 248-255.

Martínez-Frías, J., Benito, R., Wilson, G., Delgado, A., Boyd, T., and Marti, K. (2004): Analysis and chemical composition of larnite-rich ultrarefractory materials. Journal of Materials Processing Technology 147, 204–210.

Internet Links for Larnite

Search Engines:
  • Look for Larnite on Google
  • Look for Larnite images on Google
    • External Links:
  • Look for Larnite on Webmineral
  • Look for Larnite on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Larnite on Wikipedia
  • Look for Larnite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Larnite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
    • Mineral Dealers:
  • rare and unusual minerals mainly crystallized
  • Wilensky Fine Minerals
  • Search for - Larnite - on e-Rocks Mineral Sales & Auctions
  • Top quality minerals from Kristalle of California
  • Search for minerals at Heliodor
  • Larnite specimens for sale - minfind.com
  • Mineral Classics - Worldwide Collector Quality Minerals and Gems
  • Search for Larnite on Well-Arranged Molecules
  • DAKOTA MATRIX offers Cabinet and Rare Species from Worldwide Localities.
  • The Arkenstone - Fine Minerals
  • Fine Minerals from Weinrich Minerals, Inc.
  • Rare and Unusual minerals at Mineralogical Research Company
    • Jobs:
  • Mining & Geology Jobs

    • Localities for Larnite

    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
     
    • Styria
      • Bad Radkersburg
        • Klöch
    		R. Exel: Die Mineralien und Erzlagerstätten Österreichs (1993)
    Canada
     
    • Nunavut Territory
      • Bathurst Island
    		Mitchell, R.H., and Platt, R.G. (1984): Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences 21(4), 428–436.
    Central African Republic
     
    • Lobaye Prefecture
      • Lobaye River (Bali River)
    		Nazarov, M.A., Kurat, G., and Brandstätter, F. (1998): Proceedings of the 61st Annual Meteoritical Society Meeting, Dublin (Ireland), July 27-31, 1998, Abstract 5123.
    Germany
     
    • Rhineland-Palatinate
      • Eifel
        • Daun
          • Üdersdorf
    		Schüller, W., Betz, V., Die Mineralien vom Emmelberg, Lapis 12/1986
        • Mayen
          • Ettringen
            • Bellerberg volcano
    		Hentschel, G. (1987): Die Mineralien der Eifelvulkane, Weise (München), 2. Auflage
              • Southern lava flow
    		Hentschel, G. (1961): Seltene Mineralneubildungen in einem Kalksteineinschluß der Lava des Ettringer Bellerberges, Fortschritte Mineralogie, Vol. 39, 345
    Greenland
     
    • Tunu (East Greenland) Province
      • Kangerlussuaq Firth
        • Kangerlussuaq complex
    		Nielsen, T.F.D., Solovova, I.P. Veksler, I.V. (1997): Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 126–124, 331–344.
    Israel
     
    • Negev
    		Sharygin, V.V., Sokol, E.V. & Vapnik, Ye. (2008): Minerals of the pseudobinary perovskite-brownmillerite series from combustion metamorphic larnite rocks of the Hatrurim Formation (Israel). Russian Geology and Geophysics 49, 709-726.
    Gross, S. (1977): The Mineralogy of the Hatrurim Formation, Israel. Geological Survey of Israel, Bulletin no. 70, 80 pp.
    • Southern District (HaDarom District)
    Italy
     
    • Latium
      • Rome Province
    		Federico, M., Peccerillo, A., (2002): Mineral chemistry and petrogenesis of granular ejecta from the Alban Hills volcano, Mineralogy and Petrology, Vol 74, 223-252
    Kazakhstan
     
    • Karagandy Province (Qaragandy Oblysy; Karaganda Oblast')
      • Atasu
    		Krigman, L.D., Veksler, I.V., Ishbulatov, R.A., and Nielsen, T.F.D. (2001) in: Proceedings of the EUG XI, Strasbourg, France, 8–12 April, European Union of Geosciences, J. Conf. (Abstracts) 6, 578.
    New Zealand
     
    • North Island
      • Northland
        • Kaipara
    		Mason, B. (1957): Larnite, scawtite, and hydrogrossular from Tokatoka, New Zealand. American Mineralogist 42, 379-392.
    Palestine
     
    • West Bank
      • Hatrurim Formation
    		Seryotkin Y.V., Sokol E.V. & Kokh S.N. 2012: Natural pseudowollastonite: Crystal structure, associated minerals, and geological context. Lithos, vol. 134-135, pp. 75-90; Seryotkin, Yu.V., Sokol, E.V., Kokh, S.N. (2012): Natural pseudowollastonite: Crystal structure, associated minerals, and geological context. Lithos, 134–135, 75-90.
    Romania
     
    • Harghita Co.
      • Odorheiu Secuiesc (Székelyudvarhely; Oderhellen)
        • Racoş (Racoşu de Jos)
    		Szakáll, S. & Kristály, F., Eds. (2010): Mineralogy of Székelyland, Eastern Transylvania, Romania. Csík County Nature and Conservation Society, Miercurea-Ciuc, Romania, 321 pp.
    Russia
     
    • Eastern-Siberian Region
      • Prebaikalia (Pribaikal'e)
        • Irkutskaya Oblast'
          • Narin-Kunta
    		Armbruster, T., Lazic, B., Gfeller, F., Galuskin, E.V., Galuskina, I.O., Savelyeva, V.B., Zadov, A.E., Pertsev, N.N., Dzierżanowski, P. (2011): Chlorine content and crystal chemistry of dellaite from the Birkhin gabbro massif, Eastern Siberia, Russia. Mineralogical Magazine, 75, 379-394.
    • Northern Caucasus Region
      • Kabardino-Balkarian Republic
        • Verkhnechegemskaya caldera (Verkhni Chegem caldera; Upper Chegem caldera)
    		Galuskina, I.O., Galuskin, E.V., Dzierzanowski, P., Gazeev, V.M., Prusik, K., Pertsev, N.N., Winiarski, A., Zadov, A.E., and Wrzalik, R. (2010): American Mineralogist 95(8-9), 1305-1311.; American Mineralogist, Volume 94, pages 1361–1370, 2009
    • 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).
            • Kopeisk
    		Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
    Tanzania
     
    • Arusha Region
    		Martínez-Frías, J., Benito, R., Wilson, G., Delgado, A., Boyd, T., and Marti, K. (2004): Journal of Materials Processing Technology 147, 204–210.
    UK
     
    • Northern Ireland
      • Co. Antrim
        • Glenoe
    		Nawaz, R. (1977). A second occurrence of killalaite. Mineralogical Magazine, 41, 546-548. ; Henmi C, Kusachi I, Henmi K, Sabine P A, Young B R (1973) A new mineral bicchulite, the natural analogue of gehlenite hydrate, from Fuka, Okayama Prefecture, Japan and Carneal, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, Mineralogical Journal, 7, 243-251; P. A. Sabine, M. T. Styles and B. R. Young (1985) The Nature and Paragenesis of Natural Bredigite and Associated Minerals from Carneal and Scawt Hill, Co. Antrim. Mineralogical Magazine 49:663-670.
        • Larne
    		Tilley, C.E. (1929) On larnite (calcium orthosilicate, a new mineral) and its associated minerals from the limestone contact-zone of Scawt Hill, Co. Antrim. Mineralogical Magazine, 22, 77-86.; American Mineralogist: 33: 786; Mineralogical Magazine 1942 26 : 190-196
    • Scotland
      • North West Highlands (Argyllshire)
        • Ardnamurchan
    		Handbook of Mineralogy - Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols; Mineralogical Magazine 1965 34 : 1-15.
      • North West Highlands (Inverness-shire)
        • Isle of Muck
    		Tilley, C.E. (1947) The gabbro-limestone contact zone of Camas Mor, Muck, Inverness-shire. Comptes Rendus de la Société geologique de Finlande, No. 140, 97–105.
      • Strathclyde (Argyllshire)
        • Isle of Mull
    		Mineralogical Magazine 1965 34 : 92-106.
    USA
     
    • California
      • Inyo Co.
        • Darwin District
          • Darwin
    		Am Min (1962) 47:1003-1005
    • Texas
      • Brewster Co.
        • Christmas Mts
    		Rocks & Minerals (1991): 66:3: 196-224.
      • Culberson Co.
        • Apache Peak area
    		Rocks & Minerals (1991): 66(3): 196-224.; Am Min 51:1766-1774
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Search Google
     
    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2013. 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.
    Current server date and time: 6th Feb 2013 00:57:09
    Mineral and Locality Search
    Mineral:
    and/or Locality:
    Options
    Fade toolbar when not in focusFix toolbar to bottom of page
    Hide Social Media Links
    Slideshow frame delay seconds