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Margarosanite

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Franklin Mine, Franklin, Franklin Mining District, Sussex Co., New Jersey, USA
© Joseph A. Freilich

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Formula:
Pb(Ca,Mn
2+
 
)
 
2
[Si
 
3
O
 
9
]
System:TriclinicColour:Colorless, greyish-white ...
Hardness:2½ - 3
Name:From the Greek for "pearl" and "tablet," in allusion to the pearly luster and lamellar structure of the crystallized material.


A rare lead silicate found in metamorphosed Pb-Zn-Mn deposits.

Classification of Margarosanite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:8/E.02-20
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:9.CA.25

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
C : Cyclosilicates
A : [Si3O9]6- 3-membered single rings (dreier-Einfachringe), without insular complex anions
Dana 8th edition ID:59.1.2.2

59 : CYCLOSILICATES Three-Membered Rings
1 : Three-Membered Rings, anhydrous, no other anions
Hey's CIM Ref.:14.13.5

14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
13 : Silicates of Pb
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Type Occurrence of Margarosanite

Type Locality:Franklin Mine, Franklin, Franklin Mining District, Sussex Co., New Jersey, USA
Year of Discovery:1916
Geological Setting of type material:Altered areas of metamorphosed zinc-manganese-iron silicate-oxide orebodies
Associated Minerals at type locality:
WillemiteAxinite-(Mn)FrankliniteDatoliteAndradite

Physical Properties of Margarosanite

Lustre:Pearly
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent, Translucent
Colour:Colorless, greyish-white (due to included native lead)
Streak:White
Hardness (Mohs):2½ - 3
Fracture:Irregular/Uneven, Micaeous

Crystallography of Margarosanite

Crystal System:Triclinic
Cell Parameters:a = 6.77Å, b = 9.64Å, c = 6.75Å
α = 110.58°, β = 102°, γ = 88.5°
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.702 : 1 : 0.7
Unit Cell Volume:V 402.87 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
d-spacingIntensity
2.978 (100)
3.028 (50)
2.673 (40)
5.08 (30)
3.196 (30)
3.156 (30)

Optical Data of Margarosanite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.727 nβ = 1.771 nγ = 1.798
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.071

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

Chemical Properties of Margarosanite

Formula:
Pb(Ca,Mn
2+
 
)
 
2
[Si
 
3
O
 
9
]
Essential elements:Ca, O, Pb, Si
All elements listed in formula:Ca, Mn, O, Pb, Si
Common Impurities:Fe,Zn,Mg,Ba,H2O

Relationship of Margarosanite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
9.CA.05Bazirite
BaZr[Si
 
3
O
 
9
]
9.CA.05Benitoite
BaTi[Si
 
3
O
 
9
]
9.CA.05Pabstite
Ba(Sn,Ti)[Si
 
3
O
 
9
]
9.CA.10Wadeite
K
 
2
Zr[Si
 
3
O
 
9
]
9.CA.15Calciocatapleiite
CaZrSi
 
3
O
 
9
·2H
 
2
O
9.CA.15Catapleiite
Na
 
2
Zr[Si
 
3
O
 
9
]·2H
 
2
O
9.CA.20Pseudowollastonite
CaSiO
 
3
9.CA.25Walstromite
BaCa
 
2
[Si
 
3
O
 
9
]
9.CA.30Bobtraillite
(Na,Ca)
 
13
Sr
 
11
(Zr,Y,Nb)
 
14
[(Si
 
3
O
 
9
)
 
10
|(H
 
2
BSi
 
2
O
 
9
)
 
6
] · 12H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
14.13.1Alamosite
Pb
 
12
[Si
 
12
O
 
36
]
14.13.2Plumbotsumite
Pb
 
5
Si
 
4
O
 
8
(OH)
 
10
14.13.3Luddenite
Cu
 
2
Pb
 
2
Si
 
5
O
 
14
·4H
 
2
O
14.13.4Molybdophyllite
Pb
 
2
Mg
 
2
[(OH)
 
2
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
]
14.13.6Ganomalite
Pb
 
9
Ca
 
5
Mn[O|SiO
 
4
|(Si
 
2
O
 
7
)
 
4
]
14.13.7Kentrolite
Pb
 
2
Mn
3+
2
[O
 
2
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
]
14.13.8Barysilite
Pb
 
8
Mn
2+
 
[Si
 
2
O
 
7
]
 
3
14.13.9Melanotekite
Pb
 
2
Fe
3+
2
[O
 
2
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
]
14.13.10Creaseyite
Cu
 
2
Pb
 
2
(Fe,Al)
 
2
Si
 
5
O
 
17
·6H
 
2
O

Other Names for Margarosanite

Other Languages:
German:Margarosanit
Japanese:マーガロサナイト
Russian:Маргаросанит
Spanish:Margarosanita

Other Information

Fluorescence in UV light:Bright blue-white, pink (MR UV, SW UV).
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 Margarosanite

Reference List:Ford, W.E. and Bradley, W.M. (1916) Margarosanite, a new lead-calcium silicate from Franklin, N.J., American Journal of Science: 42: 159-162.

Ford, W.E. and Bradley, W.M. (1916) Anmerican Mineralogist: 1: 87-88 (abstract).

Palache, Charles (1935), The Minerals of Franklin and Sterling Hill, Sussex County, New Jersey: USGS PP 180: 70.

Armstrong, R.L. (1963) New data on margarosanite. American Mineralogist: 48: 698-703.

Glasser, F.P. and Glasser, L.S.D. (1964) Additional notes on Margarosanite. American Mineralogist: 49: 781-782.

American Mineralogist (1968): 53: 236.

Freed, B. and Peacor, D.R. (1969) Determination and refinement of the crystal structure of margarosanite, PbCa2Si3O9. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie: 128: 213-228.

Dunn, P.J., et al (1984): American Mineralogist: 69: 1150-1155.

Dunn, Pete J. (1985), The lead silicates from Franklin, New Jersey: occurrence and composition: Mineralogical Magazine: 49: 721-727.

Dunn, Pete J. (1995): Franklin and Sterling Hill New Jersey: the world's most magnificent mineral deposits, Part 4: 499-500.

Canadian Mineralogist (1998): 1311-1320.

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    Localities for Margarosanite

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    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.
    Sweden
     
    • Värmland
      • Filipstad
    		Nysten, P., Holtstam, D. and Jonsson, E. (1999) The Långban minerals. In Långban - The mines,their minerals, geology and explorers (D. Holtstam and J. Langhof, eds.), Swedish Museum of Natural History and Raster Förlag, Stockholm & Chr. Weise Verlag, Munich, pp. 89-183.
        • Nordmark
    		No reference listed
        • Pajsberg
    		Kjell Gatedal
    USA
     
    • New Jersey
      • Sussex Co.
        • Franklin Mining District
          • Franklin
    		Dunn, P.J., et al: Am.Min.:69:1150-1155 (1984); Palache(1935):70; Dunn(1995):Pt4:499-500.
    Mineral and/or Locality
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