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Melilite

Formula:
(Ca,Na)
 
2
(Al,Mg,Fe
2+
 
)[(Al,Si)SiO
 
7
]
System:TetragonalColour:yellow, greenish brown, ...
Hardness:5 - 5½


The Melilite Group contains the Gehlenite-Åkermanite series.

Melilite was originally described from Capo di Bove, Alban Hills, Rome Province, Latium, Italy.

Classification of Melilite

IMA status:Group Name
Strunz 8th edition ID:8/.-

8 : Silicates
:
:
Dana 8th edition ID:55.4.1.3

55 : SOROSILICATES Si2O7 Groups,Generally with no Additional Anions
4 : Si2O7 Groups, Generally with No Additional Anions with cations in [8] and lower coordination
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Physical Properties of Melilite

Colour:yellow, greenish brown, white
Streak:white
Hardness (Mohs):5 - 5½
Cleavage:Distinct/Good

Crystallography of Melilite

Crystal System:Tetragonal

Optical Data of Melilite

Type:Uniaxial (-)
RI values: nω = 1.632 - 1.669 nε = 1.626 - 1.658
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.006 - 0.011

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

Chemical Properties of Melilite

Formula:
(Ca,Na)
 
2
(Al,Mg,Fe
2+
 
)[(Al,Si)SiO
 
7
]
Common Impurities:Fe

Relationship of Melilite to other Species

Minerals Related to Group:
:
Ca
 
2
Mg[Si
 
2
O
 
7
]
:
Ca
 
2
Al[AlSiO
 
7
]
Related Minerals - Strunz Grouping):

- +
8/.-Heulandite
8/.-Illite
K
 
0.65
A
 
2.0
[][Al
 
0.65
Si,
 
3.35
O
 
10
](OH)
 
2
8/.-Maufite
8/.-Zinalsite
8/.-Lessingite-(Ce)
8/.-Sturtite
8/.-Celsian-Hyalophane Series
8/.-Moronolite

Other Names for Melilite

Synonyms:
Melilith
Other Languages:
Russian:Мелилит
Spanish:Melilita

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 Melilite

Reference List:Joesten, R. (1974) Pseudomorphic replacement of melilite by idocrase in a zoned calc-silicate skarn. Christmas Mountains, Big Bend region, Texas. American Mineralogist: 5: 694-699.

Deer, W.A., R.A. Howie, J. Zussman (1997), Rock Forming Minerals: 1B, 285-334.

Articles/Blogs about Melilite

Internet Links for Melilite

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    Localities for Melilite

    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.
    Algeria
     
    • Tamanghasset Province
      • Tanezrouft
    Antarctica
     
    • Eastern Antarctica
      • Mac Robertson Land
        • Prince Charles Mts
    Austria
     
    • Styria
      • Bad Gleichenberg
        • Wilhelmsdorf
    R. Exel: Die Mineralien und Erzlagerstätten Österreichs (1993)
      • Bad Radkersburg
        • Klöch
    R. Exel: Die Mineralien und Erzlagerstätten Österreichs (1993)
      • Feldbach
        • Mühldorf
    R. Exel: Die Mineralien und Erzlagerstätten Österreichs (1993)
    Bolivia
     
    • Cochabamba Department
      • Ayopaya Province
    Schultz (2004)
    Brazil
     
    • Central-West Region
      • Goiás
        • Amorinópolis
    http://iavcei2004.free.cl/abstracts/Brod_ibxobhffgsxhpfgphnspm.doc.
    • South Region
      • Santa Catarina
    • Southeast Region
      • Minas Gerais
        • Patos de Minas
          • Pântano
        • Tapira
      • São Paulo
        • Itapirapuã
    Orris, G.J., and Grauch, R.I. (2002): USGS Open-File Report 02-189.
    Canada
     
    • Québec
      • Deux-Montagnes Co.
        • Oka complex
    Gold (1969)
    Gold (1969)
    Williams, Turner, Gilbert, 1954.
    China
     
    • Sichuan Province
      • Garzê (Ganzi) Autonomous Prefecture
        • Batang Co.
    Zengqian Hou, Khin Zaw, Guitang Pan, Xuanxue Mo, Qiang Xu, Yunzhong Hu, and Xingzhen Li (2007): Ore Geology Reviews 31, 48-87.
    Czech Republic
     
    • Bohemia (Böhmen; Boehmen)
      • Karlovy Vary Region
        • Mariánské Lázně (Marienbad)
    Ulrych, J., Pivec, E., Bouše, P.: Minerální parageneze ijolitových vyloučenin v olivinickém nefelinitu Podhorního vrchu u Mariánských Lázní. Bulletin mineralogicko-petrografického oddělení Národního muzea v Praze, 1995, roč. 3, s. 51-56.
    Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
     
    • Kivu
      • Goma
    Strübel, Zimmer: "Lexikon der Minerale", 2nd Ed., 1991
    Mineral. Mag. (1958) 31 (2), 698-699.
    France
     
    • Midi-Pyrénées
      • Aveyron
    Eytier J.R. & Ch., Favreau G., Devouard B., Vigier J. (2004), Minéraux de pyrométamorphisme de Lapanouse-de Sévérac (Aveyron), Cahier des Micromonteurs, n°85, pp: 3-58
    • Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
      • Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
    Favreau G., Meisser N., Chiappero P.J. (2004), Saint-Maime (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence): un exemple de pyrométamorphisme en région provençale, n°3, pp: 59-92
    Germany
     
    • Baden-Württemberg
      • Black Forest
    K. Walenta: "Die Mineralien des Schwarzwaldes", Weise (Munich), 1992
      • Hegau
        • Immendingen
    S. Weiß: "Mineralfundstellen, Deutschland West", Weise (Munich), 1990; Tschernich, R. (1992), Zeolites of the World, p.42
      • Kaiserstuhl
        • Schelingen
    No reference listed
    • Hesse
      • North Hesse
        • Hofgeismar
    S. Weiß: "Mineralfundstellen, Deutschland West", Weise (Munich), 1990
        • Richelsdorf District
          • Süss
            • Richelsdorf Smelter
    S. Weiß: "Mineralfundstellen, Deutschland West", Weise (Munich), 1992
    • Rhineland-Palatinate
      • Eifel Mts
        • Bad Breisig
          • Brohl-Lützing (Niederlützingen)
    Brauns, R., Die Mineralien der Niederrheinischen Vulkangebiete, Schweizerbart, Stuttgart, 1922
        • Daun
          • Hinterweiler
    Hentschel, G., Die Mineralien der Eifelvulkane, Weise Verlag München, 1983
          • Oberstadtfeld
    Hentschel, G., Die Mineralien der Eifelvulkane, Weise Verlag München (2. Auflage), 1987
          • Schalkenmehren
    [MinRec 32:499]
          • Üdersdorf
    Schäfer, H., Die Mineralien der Einschlüsse und Auswürflinge in den Schlacken des Emmelberges bei Üdersdorf / Eifel, Der Aufschluss 30, 273-282, 1979
    Brauns, R., Die Mineralien der Niederrheinischen Vulkangebiete, Schweizerbart, Stuttgart, 1922
        • Gerolstein
          • Birresborn
    Hentschel, G., Die Mineralien der Eifelvulkane, Weise Verlag, München (2. Auflage), 1987
          • Essingen
            • Hohenfels
    Aufschluss 82(6), 237-240
          • Rockeskyll
    Riley, T., Bailey, K., lloyd, F.,, Extrusive carbonatite from the quaternary Rockeskyll complex, West Eifel, Germany, Can. Min., Vol 34, 389-401, 1996
    Haardt, W., Die vulkanischen Auswürflinge und Basalte am Killer Kopf bei Rockeskyll in der Eifel, Jb. Preuß. Geolog. Landesanstalt, Berlin 35, 177-252
          • Roth
    Weiss: "Mineralfundstellen, Deutschland West", Weise (Munich), 1990
        • Hillesheim
    Weiss: "Mineralfundstellen, Deutschland West", Weise (Munich), 1990
          • Oberbettingen
    Hentschel, G., Die Mineralien der Eifelvulkane, Weise Verlag München, 1983
    Hentschel, G., Die Lavaströme der Graulai: eine neue Fundstelle in der Westeifel, Lapis, Weise Verlag München, 09/1993
          • Zilsdorf
    Weiss: "Mineralfundstellen, Deutschland West", Weise (Munich), 1990
        • Mayen
          • Ettringen
    [Hentschel, G., Frei gewachsne Perowskit-Kristalle in basaltischen Laven der Eifel, Aufschluß 24, 373-377 , 1973] [Lapis, 15 (5), 9-36]
        • Niederzissen
          • Burgbrohl
    Brauns, R., Die Mineralien der Niederrheinischen Vulkangebiete, Schweizerbart, Stuttgart, 1922
          • Hannebach
    Brauns, R., Die Mineralien der Niederrheinischen Vulkangebiete, Schweizerbart, Stuttgart, 1922
    • Saxony
      • Erzgebirge
        • Altenberg
    Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", 2001
        • Ehrenfriedersdorf
          • Drebach
    U. Ludwig, Chemnitz
      • Oberlausitz
        • Löbau
    A. Frenzel (1874): Mineralogisches Lexicon für das Königreich Sachsen.- Leipzig
    Greenland
     
    • Kitaa (West Greenland) Province
      • Paamiut (Frederikshåb)
    http://www.koeln.netsurf.de/~w.steffens/green.htm
      • Uummannaq (Umanak) Firth
    http://www.koeln.netsurf.de/~w.steffens/green.htm
    • Tunu (East Greenland) Province
      • Kangerlussuaq Firth
        • Kangerlussuaq complex
    MinRec 16:485-494
        • Prinsen af Wales Bjerge
    http://www.koeln.netsurf.de/~w.steffens/green.htm
    Israel
     
    Gross, S. (1977): The Mineralogy of the Hatrurim Formation, Israel. Geological Survey of Israel, Bulletin no. 70, 80 pp.
    Shulamit Gross (1977) The mineralogy of the Hatrurim Formation, Israel. Geol. Surv. of Israel, Bull. No. 70.
    Italy
     
    • Basilicata
      • Potenza Province
        • Mt. Vulture
    F. Stoppa and Y. Liu, Eur. J. Mineral. , 1995, 7, pp. 391-402.
    F. Stoppa and Y. Liu, Eur. J. Mineral. , 1995, 7, pp. 391-402.
    • Campania
      • Naples Province
        • Somma-Vesuvius Complex
          • Monte Somma
            • Sant'Anastasia
    M. Carati - Guida alla mineralogia vesuviana - Calderini, Bologna, 1982
    Russo, M., Punzo, I. (2004): I minerali del Somma-Vesuvio, AMI
    • Emilia-Romagna
      • Ferrara Province
    Abreau & Brearley in Meteoritics & Planetary Science 40(4): 1 (2005)
    • Latium
      • Rieti Province
        • Rieti
          • Cupaello Basso Locality
    F. Stoppa and Y. Liu, Eur. J. Mineral. , 1995, 7, pp. 391-402.
      • 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
    De Michele, V. (1974). Guida mineralogica d'Italia. Istituto Geografico De Agostini, Novara, 2 vol
          • Marino
    AA. VV., 1996. Collezionare minerali. Hobby & Work.
        • Le Capannelle
    De Michele V.: Località mineralogiche consigliate: Cava di Casal Rotondo (Roma) i Notizie del Gruppo Min. Lombardo, n. 1, March 1974, pagg. 12-13
        • Rome
          • Valleranello
        • Tivoli
    No reference listed
          • Osteria dell'Osa
    A. Del caldo - Località mineralogiche consigliate: Le vulcaniti laziali: Notizie del Guppo Min. Lombardo - 1, March 1971, pp. 6-8 - (This publication later changed its name in Rivista Minealogica Italiana)
      • Viterbo Province
        • Onano
    Cresta, S., Duronio, F., Mancinella, D. (2002): Geositi e sistema delle arre protette del Lazio: idee per la geoconservazione. Il Cercapietre, 1-2/2002, 48-55
    • Puglia
      • Lecce province
        • Otranto
    C. L. Garavelli, Asciano F. Quagliarella, and F. Vurro: Melilite di Grotta Romanelli (Otranto) Periodico di Mineralogia (1974), 43(1), 39-49.
    • Umbria
      • Terni Province
        • Marsciano
          • San Venanzo
    V. V. Sharygin et al. , Eur. J. Mineral. , 1996, 8, pp. 1199-1212.
    Cingolani G. (1974) - Eccezionali cristalli di Kalsilite a S. Venanzo (Umbria) - Notizie del Gruppo Min. Lombardo, Fasc. 3, Sept. 1974 - Milano, pp. 66-67
    Kazakhstan
     
    • Ongtüstik Qazaqstan Oblysy (Southern-Kazakhstan Oblast')
      • Tien-Shan Mts
        • Talass Alatau Range
    • Pavlodar Oblysy (Pavlodar [Pavlodarskaya] Oblast')
    Lunar and Planetary Science XXXI
    Mexico
     
    • Chihuahua
      • Pueblito de Allende
    Imai H. and Yurimoto H. (2000).
    Morocco
     
    • Meknès-Tafilalet Region
      • Er Rachidia Province
        • Er Rachidia
    Ivanova, M. A. et al (2002): Meteorit.Planet. Sci. 37, 1337-1444.
    Norway
     
    • Telemark
      • Skien
    Am. Min., Volume 82, 1241–1254, 1997
    Palestine
     
    • West Bank
    Shulamit Gross (1977) The mineralogy of the Hatrurim Formation, Israel. Geol. Surv. of Israel, Bull. no. 70.
    Russia
     
    • Eastern-Siberian Region
      • Prebaikalia (Pribaikal'e)
        • Irkutskaya Oblast'
          • Lake Baikal area
            • Dovyren Highlands
    Galuskin, Evgeny V. et al. (2007) Dovyrenite Ca6Zr[Si2O7]2(OH)4: Vol. 38(1) , 15-27.
    • Northern Region
      • Murmanskaja Oblast'
        • Kola Peninsula
    www.koeln.netsurf.de/~w.steffens/khib.htm
          • Kovdor Massif
    [World of Stones 95:5-6, p64]
    www.koeln.netsurf.de/~w.steffens/lovo.htm
          • Turii Cape
    www.koeln.netsurf.de/~w.steffens/tury.htm
    www.koeln.netsurf.de/~w.steffens/vuori.htm
    Sweden
     
    • Medelpad
      • Sundsvall
    No reference listed
      • Timrå
    Switzerland
     
    • Schaffhausen
      • Ramsen
    Stalder, H. A., Wagner, A., Graeser, S. and Stuker, P. (1998): "Mineralienlexikon der Schweiz", Wepf (Basel), p. 271.
    Tanzania
     
    • Arusha Region
    • Kilimanjaro Region
    C.T. Lee et al. , Contrib. Mineral. Petrol. , 2000, 139, pp. 470-484.
    C.T. Lee et al. , Contrib. Mineral. Petrol. , 2000, 139, pp. 470-484.
    C.T. Lee et al. , Contrib. Mineral. Petrol. , 2000, 139, pp. 470-484.
    UK
     
    • Northern Ireland
      • Co. Antrim
        • Larne
    USA
     
    • Arizona
      • Apache Co.
        • Navajo Indian Reservation
          • Monument Valley
            • Dinnehotso
    Witkind, I.J. & R.E. Thaden (1963), Geology and uranium-vanadium deposits in the Monument Valley area, Apache & Navajo Cos., AZ, USGS Bull. 1103: 57.
    www.koeln.netsurf.de/~w.steffens/usa.htm
    Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 293; Laughlin, A.W., et al (1986), Hetromorphism and crystallization paths of katungites, Navajo volcanic field, AZ, USA, in J. Ross, et al (editor), Kimberlites and related rocks, vol. 1, Geol. Soc. Australia Spec. Pub. 14.
    • Arkansas
      • Hot Spring Co.
        • Magnet Cove
    Rocks & Min.: 63: 109.
    • California
      • Humboldt Co.
        • Orick
    www.koeln.netsurf.de/~w.steffens/usa.htm.
      • Riverside Co.
        • Crestmore
    [micromounts@yahoogroups.com]
    • Colorado
      • Gunnison Co.
        • White Earth District (Powderhorn District)
    "Minerals of Colorado, updated & revised", p. 17, by Eckel, Edwin B., 1997
      • Teller Co.
    Min Rec 36:2 pp143-185
    • Hawaii
      • Honolulu Co.
        • Oahu Island
          • Honolulu
    Dunham, K.C. (1933) The American Mineralogist, 18, 369-385.
    • Kansas
      • Decatur Co.
    Workshop on Parent-Body and Nebular Modification of Chondritic Materials 4038.pdf http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/chondrite/pdf/4038.pdf
      • Woodson Co.
    Am Min 44:1082-1086
    • Kentucky
      • Elliott Co.
    Williams, Turner, Gilbert, 1954.
    • Michigan
    www.deq.state.mi.us/documents/deq-glm-rcim-geology-Minerals_Found_In_Michigan.Pdf.
    • Missouri
      • Cass Co.
    Woolley, A.R (1987) Alkaline Rocks and Carbonatites of the World.
      • St. Genevieve Co.
    R&M 73:2 pp 98-117
    • New Jersey
      • Sussex Co.
        • Frankford Township
          • Wykertown
    Rutgers Univ. Bull. #5, Pt 1:56-57.
    • New York
      • Herkimer Co.
    Jensen (1978) Minerals of New York State, p.120
      • Onondaga Co.
    Jensen (1978) Minerals of New York State, p.120
      • Tompkins Co.
    Jensen (1978) Minerals of New York State, p.120
    • Texas
      • Brewster Co.
        • Christmas Mts
    Rocks & Minerals (1991): 66:3: 196-224.; American Mineralogist: 59: 694-699.
      • Culberson Co.
        • Apache Peak area
    Rocks & Minerals: 66(3): 196-224.; Am Min 51:1766-1774
      • Uvalde Co.
        • Knippa
    R&M 66:3 pp 196-224
    • Washington
      • Whatcom Co.
        • Sisters District
          • Twin Sisters Mountain
            • Green Creek
    Metal Mines of Washington-Preliminary Report; R. Derkey, N. Joseph, R. Lasmanis, 1990
    • Wyoming
      • Campbell Co.
        • Reno Junction
    American Mineralogist, Volume 73, pages 1440-1448, 1988
      • Johnson Co.
    AmMin 72:137
    Yemen
     
    • South Yemen
    Zolensky, M. & A.Ivanov, Chemie der Erde 63,185-246(2003)
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
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