Mindat Logo

Malladrite

Formula:
Na
 
2
[SiF
 
6
]
System:TrigonalColour:Pale rose.
Hardness:3
Name:After Alessandro Malladra, Director, Vesuvius Observatory.
This page provides mineralogical data about Malladrite.

Classification of Malladrite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:3/B.02-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:3.CH.05

3 : HALIDES
C : Complex halides
H : Silicofluorides
Dana 8th edition ID:11.5.2.1

11 : HALIDE COMPLEXES
5 : AmBX6
Hey's CIM Ref.:8.12.3

8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
12 : Fluorborates (BF'4) and fluosilicates (SiF''6)
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-2554.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Type Occurrence of Malladrite

Type Locality:Mt. Vesuvius, Somma-Vesuvius Complex, Naples Province, Campania, Italy
Year of Discovery:1926
Geological Setting of type material:Lava deposits on an active volcano.
Associated Minerals at type locality:
SalammoniacHieratiteFerrucciteAvogadrite

Physical Properties of Malladrite

Colour:Pale rose.
Hardness (Mohs):3
Density (measured):2.714 g/cm3

Crystallography of Malladrite

Crystal System:Trigonal
Cell Parameters:a = 8.86Å, c = 5.04Å
Ratio:a:c = 1 : 0.569
Unit Cell Volume:V 342.63 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:Crystals prismatic [0001] with basal plane and pyramid.

Optical Data of Malladrite

Type:Uniaxial (-)
RI values: nω = 1.313 nε = 1.309
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.004

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

Chemical Properties of Malladrite

Formula:
Na
 
2
[SiF
 
6
]
Essential elements:F, Na, Si
All elements listed in formula:F, Na, Si

Relationship of Malladrite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
3.CH.10Bararite
(NH
 
4
)
 
2
[SiF
 
6
]
3.CH.15Cryptohalite
(NH
 
4
)
 
2
[SiF
 
6
]
3.CH.15Hieratite
K
 
2
[SiF
 
6
]
3.CH.20Demartinite
K
 
2
[SiF
 
6
]
3.CH.25Knasibfite
K
 
3
Na
 
4
[SiF
 
6
]
 
3
[BF
 
4
]
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
8.12.1Ferruccite
Na[BF
 
4
]
8.12.2Avogadrite
(K,Cs)[BF
 
4
]
8.12.4Hieratite
K
 
2
[SiF
 
6
]
8.12.5Cryptohalite
(NH
 
4
)
 
2
[SiF
 
6
]
8.12.6Bararite
(NH
 
4
)
 
2
[SiF
 
6
]

Other Names for Malladrite

Other Languages:
German:Malladrit
Spanish:Malladrita

Other Information

Other Information:Slightly soluble in cold water; slightly more so in hot water.
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 Malladrite

Reference List:Stolba (1872) Zeitschrift für anorganische und allgemeine Chemie, Hamburg, Leipzig: 11: 199.

Bertrand (1880) Bulletin de la Société française de Minéralogie: 3: 57.

Raiteri (1922) Reale accademia nazionale dei Lincei, Rendus, Rome: 31: 115.

Zambonini and Carobbi (1926) Reale accademia nazionale dei Lincei, Rendus, Rome: 4: 173.

American Mineralogist (1927): 12: 379.

Collins (1929) Chemical News and Journal of Industrial Science, London: 318: 184.

Carobbi (1933) Periodico de Mineralogia-Roma: 4: 410.

Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: Halides, Nitrates, Borates, Carbonates, Sulfates, Phosphates, Arsenates, Tungstates, Molybdates, Etc. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged: 105-106.

Acta Crystallographica (1964): 17: 1408-1412.

Internet Links for Malladrite

Search Engines:
  • Look for Malladrite on Google
  • Look for Malladrite images on Google
  • External Links:
  • Look for Malladrite on Webmineral
  • Look for Malladrite on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Malladrite on Wikipedia
  • Look for Malladrite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Malladrite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Malladrite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
  • Mineral Dealers:
  • rare and unusual minerals mainly crystallized
  • DAKOTA MATRIX offers Cabinet and Rare Species from Worldwide Localities.
  • Fine Minerals from Dan Weinrich Minerals
  • Find Malladrite on www.crystalclassics.co.uk
  • Buy Fine Minerals from mineralsweb.com
  • Wilensky Fine Minerals
  • Search for - Malladrite - on e-Rocks Mineral Sales & Auctions
  • High-end worldwide specimens & outstanding customer service
  • The Arkenstone - Fine Minerals
  • Top quality minerals from Kristalle of California
  • Buy minerals from Mineralium.com
  • Wright's Rock Shop - excellent mineral specimens since 1970
  • Jobs:
  • Mining & Geology Jobs
  • Page Sponsor

    Sponsorship:This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.

    Localities for Malladrite

    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.
    (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.
    Italy
     
    • Campania
      • Naples Province
        • Somma-Vesuvius Complex
    Accad.Lincei.Rend.Cl.Sci.fis.mat.nat., Roma (1926) ser.6, 4, 171-175; Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 99, 106; Lapis (1994): 5: 13-23, 58.
    Russo, M., Punzo, I. (2004): I minerali del Somma-Vesuvio, AMI
    • Sicily
      • Messina Province
        • Lipari
          • Eolie Islands (Aeolian Islands)
            • Vulcano Island
    GARAVELLI A., LAVIANO R., VURRO F. (1997): Sublimate deposition from hydrothermal fluids at the Fossa Crater - Vulcano, Italy. - European Journal of Mineralogy - 9, 2, 423-432. [Found in sample tubes only]
    Russia
     
    • Far-Eastern Region
      • Kamchatka Oblast'
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
    www.mindat.org Web
    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2009. 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. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register. Current server date and time: 31st Oct 2009 03:08:41