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Leucosphenite

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Poudrette quarry (Demix quarry; Uni-Mix quarry; Desourdy quarry), Mont Saint-Hilaire, Rouville Co., Québec, Canada
© 2004 JBS

Show Leucosphenite Photos (7)
Formula:
BaNa
 
4
Ti
 
2
B
 
2
Si
 
10
O
 
30
System:MonoclinicHardness:6 - 6½
This page provides mineralogical data about Leucosphenite.

Classification of Leucosphenite

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

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
D : Inosilicates
P : Transitional ino-phyllosilicate structures
Dana 8th edition ID:72.5.2.1

72 : PHYLLOSILICATES Two-Dimensional Infinite Sheets with Other Than Six-Membered Rings
5 : Two-Dimensional Infinite Sheets with Other Than Six-Membered Rings with corrugated and complex layers
Hey's CIM Ref.:17.5.33

17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
5 : Borosilicates
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Type Occurrence of Leucosphenite

Type Locality:Narssârssuk pegmatite (Narsarsuk pegmatite), Narssârssuk (Narsarsuk), Igaliku (Igaliko), Narsaq, Kitaa (West Greenland) Province, Greenland
Year of Discovery:1900

Physical Properties of Leucosphenite

Hardness (Mohs):6 - 6½

Crystallography of Leucosphenite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Cell Parameters:a = 9.81Å, b = 16.85Å, c = 7.21Å
β = 93.35°
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.582 : 1 : 0.428
Unit Cell Volume:V 1,189.77 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Crystal Atlas:
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Leucosphenite no.1 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Leucosphenite no.2 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Leucosphenite no.5 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)

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Optical Data of Leucosphenite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.643 - 1.649 nβ = 1.657 - 1.664 nγ = 1.681 - 1.691
2V:Measured: 77° , Calculated: 76°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.038 - 0.042

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

Chemical Properties of Leucosphenite

Formula:
BaNa
 
4
Ti
 
2
B
 
2
Si
 
10
O
 
30
Essential elements:B, Ba, Na, O, Si, Ti
All elements listed in formula:B, Ba, Na, O, Si, Ti
Common Impurities:Al,Fe,Nb,Mn,Mg,Ca,Sr,K

Relationship of Leucosphenite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):
9.DP.05Meliphanite
(Ca,Na)
 
2
(Be,Al)[Si
 
2
O
 
6
(OH,F)]
9.DP.20Prehnite
Ca
 
2
Al
 
2
Si
 
3
O
 
12
(OH)
9.DP.25Amstallite
CaAl(Si,Al)
 
4
O
 
8
(OH)
 
4
·(H
 
2
O,Cl)
9.DP.30Kvanefjeldite
Na
 
4
(Ca,Mn)(Si
 
3
O
 
7
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
9.DP.35Lemoynite
(Na,K)
 
2
CaZr
 
2
Si
 
10
O
 
26
·5H
 
2
O
9.DP.35Natrolemoynite
Na
 
4
Zr
 
2
Si
 
10
O
 
26
•
 
9
H
 
2
O
9.DP.40Altisite
Na
 
3
K
 
6
Ti
 
2
Al
 
2
Si
 
8
O
 
26
Cl
 
3
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:
17.5.1Manandonite
LiAl
 
4
Si
 
3
BO
 
10
(OH)
 
6
17.5.2Reedmergnerite
Na[BSi
 
3
O
 
8
]
17.5.3Searlesite
NaBSi
 
2
O
 
5
(OH)
 
2
17.5.4Olenite
([ ],Na)[(Al,Li)
 
3
][Al
 
6
][(O,OH)
 
3
|OH|(BO
 
3
)
 
3
|Si
 
6
O
 
18
]
17.5.5Elbaite
[Na][(Li,Al)
 
3
][Al
 
6
][(OH)
 
3
|OH|(BO
 
3
)
 
3
|Si
 
6
O
 
18
]
17.5.6Kalborsite
K
 
6
[Cl|B(OH)
 
4
|Al
 
4
Si
 
6
O
 
20
]
17.5.7Boromuscovite
KAl
 
2
[(OH)
 
2
|BSi
 
3
O
 
10
]
17.5.8Poudretteite
KNa
 
2
B
 
3
Si
 
12
O
 
30
17.5.9Liddicoatite
[Ca][Li
 
2
Al][Al
 
6
][(OH)
 
3
|F|(BO
 
3
)
 
3
|Si
 
6
O
 
18
]
17.5.10Datolite
CaB[OH|SiO
 
4
]
17.5.11Danburite
Ca[BSiO
 
4
]
 
2
17.5.12Howlite
Ca
 
2
B
 
5
SiO
 
9
(OH)
 
5
17.5.13Bakerite
Ca
 
4
B
 
4
[(OH)
 
4
|HBO
 
4
|(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
]
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
 
24
Mg
 
8
Al
 
2
Si
 
8
(O,OH)
 
32
(BO
 
3
)
 
8
(CO
 
3
)
 
8
(H
 
2
O,Cl)
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
(Ca,Y)
 
2
(Ti
4+
 
,Fe
3+
 
,Al)[B
 
4
Si
 
4
O
 
22
(O,OH)
 
6
](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
[O
 
3
|BO
 
3
|(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
]
17.5.26Holtite
(Ta,Sb)Al
 
6
[O
 
3
|BO
 
3
|(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
]
17.5.27Dravite
[Na][Mg
 
3
][Al
 
6
][(OH)
 
3
|OH|(BO
 
3
)
 
3
|Si
 
6
O
 
18
]
17.5.28 Ferridravite
17.5.29Axinite-(Mg)
Ca
 
2
MgAl
 
2
[OH|BSi
 
4
O
 
15
]
17.5.30Uvite
[Ca][(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)
 
3
][MgAl
 
5
][(OH)
 
3
|OH|(BO
 
3
)
 
3
|Si
 
6
O
 
18
]
17.5.31Garrelsite
Ba
 
3
NaSi
 
2
B
 
7
O
 
16
(OH)
 
4
17.5.32Tienshanite
Na
 
2
BaMnTiB
 
2
Si
 
6
O
 
20
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+
 
,Fe
3+
 
)
 
6
][(OH)
 
3
|OH|(BO
 
3
)
 
3
|Si
 
6
O
 
18
]
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
[OH|BSi
 
4
O
 
15
]
17.5.41Axinite
(Ca,Fe,Mn)Al
 
2
BSi
 
4
O
 
15
OH
17.5.42Tinzenite
(Ca,Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
)
 
3
Al
 
2
[OH|BSi
 
4
O
 
15
]
17.5.44Schorl
[Na][Fe
2+
3
][Al
 
6
][(OH)
 
3
|OH|(BO
 
3
)
 
3
|Si
 
6
O
 
18
]
17.5.45Buergerite
[Na][Fe
3+
3
][Al
 
6
][O
 
3
|F|(BO
 
3
)
 
3
|Si
 
6
O
 
18
]
17.5.46Feruvite
[Ca][(Fe
2+
 
 ,Mg)
 
3
][MgAl
 
5
][(OH)
 
3
|OH|(BO
 
3
)
 
3
|Si
 
6
O
 
18
]
17.5.47Axinite-(Fe)
Ca
 
2
Fe
2+
 
Al
 
2
[OH|BSi
 
4
O
 
15
]
17.5.48Homilite
Ca
 
2
(Fe
2+
 
,Mg)B
 
2
[O|SiO
 
4
]
 
2
17.5.49Grandidierite
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)(Al,Fe
3+
 
)
 
3
[O
 
2
|BO
 
3
|SiO
 
4
]
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 Leucosphenite

Synonyms:
Unnamed (MSH UK-8)
German names:
LeucosphenitLeukosphenit
Russian names:
Лейкосфенит
Spanish names:
Leucosphenita

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 Leucosphenite

Reference List:American Mineralogist (1972): 57: 1801-1822.

Doklady Akademii Nauk SSSR: 257: 1128-1132.

Mineralogical Record (1990): 21: 319.

Internet Links for Leucosphenite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
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    • Localities for Leucosphenite

    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.
    Canada
     
    • Québec
      • Rouville Co.
        • Mont Saint-Hilaire
    		Chao, G.Y. and Watkinson, D.H. (1972), Leucosphenite from Mont St.-Hilaire, Quebec, Canadian Mineralogist: 11: 851-860.
    Greenland
     
    • Kitaa (West Greenland) Province
      • Narsaq
        • Igaliku (Igaliko)
          • Narssârssuk (Narsarsuk)
    		Meddr Gronland,(1899) 24, p. 137; Petersen Ole V.,Secher K.(1985) - Gronland: Mineralien, Geologie, Geschichte. - Verlag Bode & Partner K.G., Bochum, 87 pagg.
    No reference listed
    Russia
     
    • Eastern-Siberian Region
      • Saha Republic (Sakha Republic; Yakutia)
        • Aldan Shield
          • Aldan
    		N.V. Chukanov et al.: Zap. Vses. Mineral. Obshch. 133(1):59-72 (2004)
          • Torgo River Basin
            • Davan
              • Chara River (Charo River)
    		[Lapis 1993:4 p.13-20]
    • Northern Region
      • Murmanskaja Oblast'
        • Kola Peninsula
    		www.koeln.netsurf.de/~w.steffens/khib.htm
          • Lovozero Massif
            • Karnasurt Mt
    		Mineralogical Record (2000): 31: 203.
    Tajikistan
     
    • Region of Republican Subordination
      • Tien Shan Mts
        • Alayskiy (Alai) Range
    		CanMin 42:107-119 (2004)
    USA
     
    • Arizona
      • Pima Co.
        • Silver Bell Mts
          • Silver Bell District
            • Mineral Mountain
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 276; Roe, A. (1980), Micromounting in AZ, Min.Rec.: 11: 261-265.
    • Utah
      • Duchesne Co.
    		Am Min 58:211-217
    UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
    Am Min 45:188-199
      • Uintah Co.
    		Min Rec 8:5 p378
    UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
    Min Rec 8:5 p371
    Min Rec 8:5 p369
    • Wyoming
      • Sweetwater Co.
        • Green River formation
    		Am Min 46:420-429
    Mineral and/or Locality
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