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Meliphanite

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Arøyskjærene (Arøy skerries), Langesundsfjorden, Larvik, Vestfold, Norway
© Antonio Borrelli

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Formula:
(Ca,Na)
 
2
(Be,Al)[Si
 
2
O
 
6
(OH,F)]
System:TetragonalColour:yellow, yellowish red, ...
Hardness:5 - 5½


Named for the colour (Mel- = Greek for honey and honey-yellow) and the chemical relation to leucophanite.

Classification of Meliphanite

IMA status:Approved
Strunz 8th edition ID:8/C.02-70
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:9.DP.05

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
D : Inosilicates
P : Transitional ino-phyllosilicate structures
Dana 8th edition ID:55.4.2.5

55 : SOROSILICATES Si2O7 Groups,Generally with no Additional Anions
4 : Si2O7 Groups, Generally with No Additional Anions with cations in [8] and lower coordination
Hey's CIM Ref.:17.2.5

17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
2 : Silicates with fluoride
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Type Occurrence of Meliphanite

Co-type Localities:Langesundsfjorden, Larvik, Vestfold, Norway
Stavern (Fredriksvärn), Larvik, Vestfold, Norway
Year of Discovery:1852

Physical Properties of Meliphanite

Lustre:Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent, Translucent
Colour:yellow, yellowish red, nearly colourless
Streak:white
Hardness (Mohs):5 - 5½
Cleavage:Perfect
Fracture:Conchoidal

Crystallography of Meliphanite

Crystal System:Tetragonal
Class (H-M):4 - Disphenoidal
Space Group:I4
Cell Parameters:a = 10.51Å, c = 9.88Å
Ratio:a:c = 1 : 0.94
Unit Cell Volume:V 1,091.35 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Optical Data of Meliphanite

Type:Uniaxial (-)
RI values: nω = 1.611 - 1.664 nε = 1.592 - 1.672
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.019

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

Chemical Properties of Meliphanite

Formula:
(Ca,Na)
 
2
(Be,Al)[Si
 
2
O
 
6
(OH,F)]
Essential elements:Be, Ca, H, O, Si
All elements listed in formula:Al, Be, Ca, F, H, Na, O, Si
Common Impurities:Mg,K,H2O

Relationship of Meliphanite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
9.DP.15Leucosphenite
BaNa
 
4
Ti
 
2
B
 
2
Si
 
10
O
 
30
9.DP.20Prehnite
Ca
 
2
Al
 
2
Si
 
3
O
 
10
(OH)
 
2
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
•9H
 
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:

- +
17.2.1Topaz
Al
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)(F,OH)
 
2
17.2.2Polylithionite
KLi
 
2
Al(Si
 
4
O
 
10
)(F,OH)
 
2
17.2.3Leifite
(Na,H
 
2
O)Na
 
6
[Be
 
2
Al
 
2
(Al,Si)Si
 
15
O
 
39
]F
 
2
17.2.6Sarcolite
Na
 
2
Ca
 
12
(Ca,K,Fe,Sr,Mg)
 
2
Al
 
8
Si
 
12
(P,Si)O
 
52
F
 
2
17.2.7Götzenite
Na
 
2
Ca
 
5
Ti(Si
 
2
O
 
7
)
 
2
F
 
4
17.2.8Kuliokite-(Y)
Y
 
4
Al(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
F
 
5
17.2.9Zinnwaldite
KLiFe
2+
 
Al(AlSi
 
3
O
 
10
)(F,OH)
 
2
17.2.10Magbasite
KBa(Al,Sc)(Mg,Fe)
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
20
F
 
2
17.2.11Eckermannite
NaNa
 
2
(Mg
 
4
Al}Si
 
8
O
 
22
(OH)
 
2

Other Names for Meliphanite

Synonyms:
Melinophane
Other Languages:
German:Melinophan
Meliphan
Meliphanit
Norwegian (Bokmål):Melinofan
Russian:Мелифанит
Spanish:Meliphanita

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 Meliphanite

Reference List:

- +
Scheerer, T. (1852): Melinophan, eine neue Mineralspecies. Journal für Praktische Chemie, 55, 449-451.

Dal Negro, A., Rossi, G., Ungaretti, L. (1967): The crystal structure of meliphanite. Acta Crystallographica, 23, 260-264.

Grice, J.D. & Hawthorne, F.C. (2002): New data on meliphanite, Ca4(Na,Ca)4Be4AlSi7O24(F,O)4. Canadian Mineralogist, 40, 971-980.

Internet Links for Meliphanite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Meliphanite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
    • Mineral Dealers:
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  • DAKOTA MATRIX offers Cabinet and Rare Species from Worldwide Localities.
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    • Localities for Meliphanite

    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.
    Italy
     
    • Piedmont
      • Verbano-Cusio-Ossola Province
        • Ossola Valley
          • Vigezzo Valley
            • Druogno
              • Orcesco
    		Mattioli V. (1987) - Novità mineralogiche in Val d'Ossola - Rivista Mineralogica Italiana, Milano, fasc. 1, pp.1-11
    Norway
     
    • Telemark
      • Porsgrunn
        • Langangen
          • Kokkersvold
    		Larsen, A.O. & Åsheim, A.(1976): Mineraler fra Langangen. NAGS-nytt 3(1),9-12.
          • Rønningen (Skredderrønningen)
    		Engvoldsen,T.,Andersen, F.,Berge, S.A. & Burvald, I. (1991): Pegmatittmineraler fra Larvik ringkompleks. STEIN 18(1),15-71
          • Slevolden
    		Engvoldsen,T.,Andersen, F.,Berge, S.A. & Burvald, I. (1991): Pegmatittmineraler fra Larvik ringkompleks. STEIN 18(1),15-71
        • Mørje
          • Sagåsen
    		Engvoldsen,T.,Andersen, F.,Berge, S.A. & Burvald, I. (1991): Pegmatittmineraler fra Larvik ringkompleks. STEIN 18(1),15-71
    Engvoldsen,T.,Andersen, F.,Berge, S.A. & Burvald, I. (1991): Pegmatittmineraler fra Larvik ringkompleks. STEIN 18(1),15-71
    • Vestfold
      • Larvik
        • Brunlanes
    		Larsen, A. O. (ed.) (2010): The Langesundsfjord. History, geology, pegmatites, minerals. Bode Verlag Gmbh, Salzhemmendorf, Germany, 240 p
    Engvoldsen,T.,Andersen, F.,Berge, S.A. & Burvald, I. (1991): Pegmatittmineraler fra Larvik ringkompleks. STEIN 18(1),15-71
        • Hedrum
          • Lågendalen
    		Berge, S. A. (2011): Micheelsenitt-et nytt mineral for Norge. Stein. 8 (2): 12-13
    Andersen, F. (1993): Hedrum pukkverk i Lågendalen. STEIN 20 (4), 236-238
    Scheerer, T. (1852): Melinophan, eine neue mineralspecies. Journal für Praktische Chemie. 55, 449-451
          • Arøya (Arö)
    		Brøgger, W.C. (1890): Die Mineralien der Syenitpegmatitgänge der südnorwegischen Augit-und Nephelinsyenite. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie und Mineralogie 16. p. 61-64
    Åsheim, A., Aadahl, H. Chr. & Larsen, A. O.(1980): Nytt funn av Nordenskiöldin. NAGS-nytt 7 (3), 10 (in norwegian)
    Brøgger (1890, p. 9); Neumann (1985, p. 41). Andersen, F.,Berge, S.A. & Burvald, I. (1996): Die Mineralien des Langesundsfjords und des umgebenden Larvikit-Gebietes, Oslo-Region, Norwegen. MineralienWelt 7(4):21-100
    Larsen, A. O. (ed.) (2010): The Langesundsfjord. History, geology, pegmatites, minerals. Bode Verlag Gmbh, Salzhemmendorf, Germany, 240 p (p.172)
    Andersen, F.,Berge, S.A. & Burvald, I. (1996): Die Mineralien des Langesundsfjords und des umgebenden Larvikit-Gebietes, Oslo-Region, Norwegen. MineralienWelt 7(4):21-100
    Knut Edvard Larsen photo
    Brøgger, W.C. (1890): Die Mineralien der Syenitpegmatitgänge der südnorwegischen Augit-und Nephelinsyenite. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie und Mineralogie 16. 663 pp + 28 plates
    Larsen, A. O. (1979): Sorte granater fra Langesundsfjorden. NAGS-nytt 6(4), 15-16
          • Stokksund (Stoksund)
    		Brøgger, W.C. (1890): Die Mineralien der Syenitpegmatitgänge der südnorwegischen Augit-und Nephelinsyenite. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie und Mineral.16. 663 pp
        • Malerød
    		Andresen, P. (2011): Mineralene fra Midtfjellet larvikittbrudd, Malerød, Larvik. Norsk Bergverksmuseum Skrift. 46: 41-47
    Scheerer, T. (1852): Melinophan, eine neue mineralspecies. Journal für Praktische Chemie. 55, 449-451
        • Tjølling
          • Håkestad
    		Engvoldsen,T.,Andersen, F.,Berge, S.A. & Burvald, I. (1991): Pegmatittmineraler fra Larvik ringkompleks. STEIN 18(1),15-71
    Engvoldsen,T.,Andersen, F.,Berge, S.A. & Burvald, I. (1991): Pegmatittmineraler fra Larvik ringkompleks. STEIN 18(1),15-71
          • Klåstad
    		Berge S.A. & Hansen,R.(1981):" Mineralnotater". NAGS-nytt 8(1), 22 (in norwegian)
    Collection Svein A. Berge
          • Stålaker
    		Engvoldsen,T.,Andersen, F.,Berge, S.A. & Burvald, I. (1991): Pegmatittmineraler fra Larvik ringkompleks. STEIN 18(1),15-71
        • Tvedalen
    		Engvoldsen,T.,Andersen, F.,Berge, S.A. & Burvald, I. (1991): Pegmatittmineraler fra Larvik ringkompleks. STEIN 18(1),15-71
    Engvoldsen,T.,Andersen, F.,Berge, S.A. & Burvald, I. (1991): Pegmatittmineraler fra Larvik ringkompleks. STEIN 18(1),15-71
    Engvoldsen,T.,Andersen, F.,Berge, S.A. & Burvald, I. (1991): Pegmatittmineraler fra Larvik ringkompleks. STEIN 18(1),15-71
    Engvoldsen,T.,Andersen, F.,Berge, S.A. & Burvald, I. (1991): Pegmatittmineraler fra Larvik ringkompleks. STEIN 18(1),15-71
    Larsen, A. O. (ed.) (2010): The Langesundsfjord. History, geology, pegmatites, minerals. Bode Verlag Gmbh, Salzhemmendorf, Germany, 240 p
    Larsen, A. O. (ed.) (2010): The Langesundsfjord. History, geology, pegmatites, minerals. Bode Verlag Gmbh, Salzhemmendorf, Germany, 240 p
    Engvoldsen,T.,Andersen, F.,Berge, S.A. & Burvald, I. (1991): Pegmatittmineraler fra Larvik ringkompleks. STEIN 18(1),15-71
    Engvoldsen,T.,Andersen, F.,Berge, S.A. & Burvald, I. (1991): Pegmatittmineraler fra Larvik ringkompleks. STEIN 18(1),15-71
    Engvoldsen,T.,Andersen, F.,Berge, S.A. & Burvald, I. (1991): Pegmatittmineraler fra Larvik ringkompleks. STEIN 18(1),15-71
      • Sandefjord
        • Vesterøya
    		Engvoldsen,T., Andersen, F., Berge, S. A. & Burvald, I. (1991): Pegmatittmineraler fra Larvik ringkompleks. STEIN 18(1),15-71
    Romania
     
    • Harghita Co.
    		Pál-Molnár (2000)
    Russia
     
    • Eastern-Siberian Region
      • Transbaikalia (Zabaykalye)
        • Buriatia (Buryatia) Republic
    		Pavel M. Kartashov data
      • Tuva Republic
    		Tony Nikischer
    • Northern Region
      • Murmanskaja Oblast'
        • Kola Peninsula
    		www.koeln.netsurf.de/~w.steffens/khib.htm
    USA
     
    • Alaska
      • Fairbanks North Star Borough
        • Fairbanks District
    		USGS OFR 98-287(Freeman,1998)
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