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Merrihueite

Formula:
(K,Na)
 
2
(Fe,Mg)
 
5
Si
 
12
O
 
30
System:HexagonalHardness:5 - 6
This page provides mineralogical data about Merrihueite.

Classification of Merrihueite

IMA status:Approved
Strunz 8th edition ID:8/E.22-60
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:9.CM.05

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
C : Cyclosilicates
M : [Si6O18]12- 6-membered double rings (sechser-Doppelringe)
Dana 8th edition ID:63.2.1a.5

63 : CYCLOSILICATES Condensed Rings
2 : Condensed Rings (Milarite - Osumilite group)
Hey's CIM Ref.:14.24.5

14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
24 : Silicates of Fe, Mg and alkalis
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Type Occurrence of Merrihueite

Type Locality:Mezö-Madaras meteorite, Harghita Co., Romania
Year of Discovery:1965

Physical Properties of Merrihueite

Hardness (Mohs):5 - 6

Crystallography of Merrihueite

Crystal System:Hexagonal
Cell Parameters:a = 10.16Å, c = 14.32Å
Ratio:a:c = 1 : 1.409
Unit Cell Volume:V 1,280.15 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Optical Data of Merrihueite

Type:Uniaxial (-)
RI values: nω = 1.570 nε = 1.559 - 1.592
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.011

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

Chemical Properties of Merrihueite

Formula:
(K,Na)
 
2
(Fe,Mg)
 
5
Si
 
12
O
 
30
Essential elements:Fe, K, O, Si
All elements listed in formula:Fe, K, Mg, Na, O, Si
Common Impurities:Al,Mn,Ca

Relationship of Merrihueite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):
9.CM.05Armenite
BaCa
 
2
Al
 
6
Si
 
9
O
 
30
·2H
 
2
O
9.CM.05Brannockite
(K,Na)Li
 
3
Sn
 
2
Si
 
12
O
 
30
9.CM.05Chayesite
K(Mg,Fe)
 
4
FeSi
 
12
O
 
30
9.CM.05Darapiosite
KNa
 
2
Li(Mn,Zn)
 
2
ZrSi
 
12
O
 
30
9.CM.05Eifelite
KNa
 
3
Mg
 
4
Si
 
12
O
 
30
9.CM.05Milarite
K
 
2
Ca
 
4
Al
 
2
Be
 
4
Si
 
24
O
 
60
·H
 
2
O
9.CM.05Osumilite-(Mg)
(K,Na)(Mg,Fe)
 
2
(Al,Fe)
 
3
(Si,Al)
 
12
O
 
30
·H
 
2
O
9.CM.05Osumilite
(K,Na)(Fe,Mg)
 
2
(Al,Fe)
 
3
(Si,Al)
 
12
O
 
30
·H
 
2
O
9.CM.05Poudretteite
KNa
 
2
B
 
3
Si
 
12
O
 
30
9.CM.05Roedderite
(Na,K)
 
2
(Mg,Fe)
 
5
Si
 
12
O
 
30
9.CM.05Sogdianite
(K,Na)
 
2
(Li,Fe)
 
3
(Zr,Ti,Fe)Si
 
12
O
 
30
9.CM.05Sugilite
KNa
 
2
(Fe,Mn,Al)
 
2
Li
 
3
Si
 
12
O
 
30
9.CM.05Yagiite
(Na,K)
 
3
Mg
 
4
(Al,Mg)
 
6
(Si,Al)
 
24
O
 
60
9.CM.05Berezanskite
KLi
 
3
Ti
 
2
Si
 
12
O
 
30
9.CM.05Dusmatovite
K(K,Na,[ ])(Mn
2+
 
,Y,Zr)
 
2
(Zn,Li)
 
3
Si
 
12
O
 
30
9.CM.05Shibkovite
K(Ca,Mn,Na)
 
2
(K
 
2-x
,□
 
x
)
 
2
ZnSi
 
12
O
 
30
9.CM.05Almarudite
(K,Na)(Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
,Mg)
 
2
(Be,Al)
 
3
[Si
 
12
O
 
30
]
9.CM.05Trattnerite
([],K)(Mg, Fe
2+
 
)
 
3
Fe
3+
2
[Si
 
12
O
 
30
]
9.CM.05Oftedalite
(Sc,Ca,Mn
2+
 
)
 
2
K[(Be,Al)
 
3
Si
 
12
O
 
30
]
9.CM.10Faizievite
K
 
2
Na(Ca
 
6
Na)Ti
 
4
Li
 
6
[F
 
2
|Si
 
24
O
 
66
]
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:
14.24.1Magnesioriebeckite
[ ][Na
 
2
][Mg
 
3
Fe
3+
2
][(OH)
 
2
|Si
 
8
O
 
22
]
14.24.2Magnesio-arfvedsonite
[Na][Na
 
2
][Mg
 
4
Fe
3+
 
][(OH)
 
2
|Si
 
8
O
 
22
]
14.24.3Celadonite
K(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)(Fe
3+
 
,Al)[(OH)
 
2
|Si
 
4
O
 
10
]
14.24.4Roedderite
(Na,K)
 
2
(Mg,Fe)
 
5
Si
 
12
O
 
30
14.24.6Chayesite
K(Mg,Fe)
 
4
FeSi
 
12
O
 
30

Other Names for Merrihueite

Synonyms:
IMA1965-020
German names:
Merrihueit
Russian names:
Меррихьюит
Spanish names:
Merrihueita

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 Merrihueite

Reference List:American Mineralogist (1965): 50: 2096.

European Journal of Mineralogy: 1: 715-718.

Acta Crystallographica (1971): B 28: 267.

Internet Links for Merrihueite

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    Localities for Merrihueite

    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.
    Austria
     
    • Burgenland
      • Oberpullendorf
        • Kobersdorf
          • Pauliberg Mt.
    Lapis 4/2002 Page 38/39
    Germany
     
    • Rhineland-Palatinate
      • Eifel Mts
        • Mayen
          • Ettringen
    Blass, G., Graf, H.W., Neue Mineralienfunde aus der Vulkaneifel, Mineralien-Welt 12/1, 17-25, 2001
    Romania
     
    • Harghita Co.
    Science 149 (1965), 972
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
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