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Merwinite

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Big Photo

Commercial quarry, Sky Blue Hill, Crestmore quarries, Crestmore, Riverside Co., California, USA
© Caltech

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Formula:
Ca
 
3
Mg(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
System:MonoclinicColour:White, colorless, light ...
Hardness:6
Name:
Named in 1921 by Esper S. Larsen I and George Faust for Herbert Eugene Merwin [1878-1963], mineralogist Carnegie Institute, Washington, DC.
This page provides mineralogical data about Merwinite.

Classification of Merwinite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:8/A.07-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:9.AD.15

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
D : Nesosilicates without additional anions; cations in [6] and/or greater coordination
Dana 8th edition ID:51.4.2.1

51 : NESOSILICATES Insular SiO4 Groups Only
4 : Insular SiO4 Groups Only with cations in [6] and >[6] coordination
Hey's CIM Ref.:14.6.11

14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
6 : Silicates of Ca with alkali or Mg or both
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Type Occurrence of Merwinite

Type Locality:Wet Weather Quarry, Sky Blue Hill, Crestmore quarries, Crestmore, Riverside Co., California, USA
Year of Discovery:1921
Geological Setting of type material:High temperature, low pressure contact metamorphic zones with marbles.
Associated Minerals at type locality:
XonotliteWollastoniteMonticelliteMonticelliteLarnite
GrossularGehleniteClintoniteCalcite

Physical Properties of Merwinite

Lustre:Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous, Greasy
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Colour:White, colorless, light green, light gray green
Streak:White
Hardness (Mohs):6
Hardness Data:Measured
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Distinct/Good
{100}
Fracture:Irregular/Uneven
Density (measured):3.15 - 3.32 g/cm3
Density (calculated):3.32 g/cm3

Crystallography of Merwinite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Class (H-M):2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:P21/b {P1 1 21/b} {P21/c} {P1 21/c 1} {P21/a}
Cell Parameters:a = 13.29Å, b = 5.3Å, c = 9.35Å
β = 92.09°
Ratio:a:b:c = 2.508 : 1 : 1.764
Unit Cell Volume:V 658.15 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:4
Twinning:Polysynthetic {100}
Comment:Distorted glaserite structure, not an olivine.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
Image Loading

Radiation - Copper Kα
Data Set:
Horizontal Axis: ° to ° Vertical Axis: % Source Data: Filtered Data:
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
d-spacingIntensity
4.70 (50)
2.752 (40)
2.674 (100)
2.652 (50)
2.452 (80)
2.211 (40)
2.031 (30)
1.909 (30)
Comments:Natural material, also 35-591 (synthetic)

Optical Data of Merwinite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.706 - 1.708 nβ = 1.711 - 1.712 nγ = 1.718 - 1.724
2V:Measured: 65° to 74°, Calculated: 62° to 82°
Birefringence:0.014
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.012 - 0.016

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:High
Dispersion:r > v
Pleochroism:Non-pleochroic

Chemical Properties of Merwinite

Formula:
Ca
 
3
Mg(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
Essential elements:Ca, Mg, O, Si
All elements listed in formula:Ca, Mg, O, Si
Common Impurities:Al,Fe

Relationship of Merwinite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
9.AD.05Larnite
Ca
 
2
SiO
 
4
9.AD.10Calcio-Olivine
Ca
 
2
SiO
 
4
9.AD.20Bredigite
Ca
 
7
Mg(SiO
 
4
)
 
4
9.AD.25Andradite
Ca
 
3
Fe
3+
2
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
9.AD.25Almandine
Fe
2+
3
Al
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
9.AD.25Calderite
(Mn
2+
 
,Ca)
 
3
(Fe
3+
 
,Al)
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
9.AD.25Goldmanite
Ca
 
3
V
3+
2
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
9.AD.25Grossular
Ca
 
3
Al
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
9.AD.25Henritermierite
Ca
 
3
(Mn
3+
 
,Al)
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
4
9.AD.25Hibschite
Ca
 
3
Al
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3-x
(OH)
 
4x
9.AD.25Hydroandradite
Ca
 
3
Fe
3+
2
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3-x
(OH)
 
4x
9.AD.25Katoite
Ca
 
3
Al
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3-x
(OH)
 
4x
9.AD.25Kimzeyite
Ca
 
3
(Zr,Ti)
 
2
((Si,Al,Fe
3+
 
)O
 
4
)
 
3
9.AD.25Knorringite
Mg
 
3
Cr
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
9.AD.25Majorite
Mg
 
3
(Fe
2+
 
,Si,Al)
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
9.AD.25Morimotoite
Ca
 
3
(Ti,Fe
2+
 
,Fe
3+
 
)
 
2
((Si,Fe
3+
 
)O
 
4
)
 
3
9.AD.25Pyrope
Mg
 
3
Al
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
9.AD.25Schorlomite
Ca
 
3
(Ti,Fe
3+
 
)
 
2
((Si,Fe
3+
 
)O
 
4
)
 
3
9.AD.25Spessartine
Mn
2+
3
Al
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
9.AD.25Uvarovite
Ca
 
3
Cr
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
9.AD.25Wadalite
(Ca,Mg)
 
6
(Al,Fe
3+
 
)
 
4
((Si,Al)O
 
4
)
 
3
O
 
4
Cl
 
3
9.AD.25Holtstamite
Ca
 
3
(Al,Mn
3+
 
)
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
4
9.AD.25Kerimasite
Ca
 
3
Zr
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)(Fe
3+
 
O
 
4
)
 
2
9.AD.25Toturite
Ca
 
3
Sn
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)(Fe
3+
 
O
 
4
)
 
2
9.AD.25Momoiite
(Mn
2+
 
,Ca)
 
3
V
3+
2
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
9.AD.30Coffinite
(U
4+
 
,Th)(SiO
 
4
)
 
1-x
(OH)
 
4x
9.AD.30Hafnon
HfSiO
 
4
9.AD.30Thorite
(Th,U)SiO
 
4
9.AD.30Thorogummite
(Th,U)(SiO
 
4
)
 
1-x
(OH)
 
4x
9.AD.30Zircon
ZrSiO
 
4
9.AD.30Stetindite
Ce
4+
 
SiO
 
4
9.AD.35Huttonite
ThSiO
 
4
9.AD.35Tombarthite-(Y)
Y
 
4
(Si,H
 
4
)
 
4
O
 
12-x
(OH)
 
4+2x
9.AD.40Eulytine
Bi
 
4
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
9.AD.45Reidite
ZrSiO
 
4
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
14.6.1Combeite
Na
 
2
Ca
 
2
(Si
 
6
O
 
18
)
 
0.5
14.6.2Pectolite
NaCa
 
2
(HSi
 
3
O
 
9
)
14.6.3Pectolite-M2abc
NaCa
 
2
[HSi
 
3
O
 
9
]
14.6.4Denisovite
Ca
 
2
(K,Na)Si
 
3
O
 
8
(F,OH)
 
2
14.6.5Tokkoite
K
 
2
Ca
 
4
Si
 
7
O
 
17
(O,OH,F)
 
4
14.6.6Mountainite
KNa
 
2
Ca
 
2
[Si
 
8
O
 
19
(OH)] · 6H
 
2
O
14.6.7Rhodesite
KHCa
 
2
Si
 
8
O
 
19
 · 5H
 
2
O
14.6.8Miserite
K(Ca,Ce)
 
4
Si
 
5
O
 
13
(OH)
 
3
14.6.9Åkermanite
Ca
 
2
Mg(Si
 
2
O
 
7
)
14.6.10Monticellite
CaMgSiO
 
4
14.6.12Diopside
CaMgSi
 
2
O
 
6
14.6.13Tremolite
☐{Ca
 
2
}{Mg
 
5
}(Si
 
8
O
 
22
)(OH)
 
2

Other Names for Merwinite

Other Languages:
German:Merwinit
Russian:Мервинит
Simplified Chinese:镁蔷薇辉石
Spanish:Merwinita

Other Information

Fluorescence in UV light:Not fluorescent
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 Merwinite

Reference List:

- +
Larsen, E.S. & W.F. Foshag (1921), Merwinite, a new calcium magnesium orthosilicate from Crestmore, California, American Mineralogist: 6: 143-148.

Neuvonen, Kalle J. (1952), Heat of formation of Merwinite and monticellite: American Journal of Science, Bowen volume: 373-380.

Moore, Paulus B. & T. Araki (1972b) Atomic arrangement of Merwinite, Ca3Mg(SiO4)2, an unusual dense-packed structure of geophysical interest American Mineralogist: 57: 1355-1374.

Nawaz, R. and Preston, J. (1974) Optical orientation and twinning of merwinite: a restudy. American Mineralogist: 59: 1117-1120.

Internet Links for Merwinite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Merwinite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    • Localities for Merwinite

    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.
    China
     
    • Hunan Province
      • Yiyang Prefecture
        • Anhua Co.
    		Shouquan Zhu (1994): Geology and Prospecting 30(6), 15-18
    Israel
     
    • Negev
    		Sharygin, V.V., Sokol, E.V. & Vapnik, Ye. (2008): Minerals of the pseudobinary perovskite-brownmillerite series from combustion metamorphic larnite rocks of the Hatrurim Formation (Israel). Russian Geology and Geophysics 49, 709-726.
    Gross, S. (1977): The Mineralogy of the Hatrurim Formation, Israel. Geological Survey of Israel, Bulletin no. 70, 80 pp.
    Russia
     
    • Eastern-Siberian Region
      • Krasnoyarsk Territory (Krasnoyarsk Kray; Krasnoyarskii Krai)
        • Evenkia (Evenkiyskiy Autonomous okrug)
          • Nizhnyaya Tunguska River Basin (Lower Tunguska River)
    		No reference listed
      • Prebaikalia (Pribaikal'e)
        • Irkutskaya Oblast'
          • Narin-Kunta
    		P.M. Kartashov data; Armbruster, T., Lazic, B., Gfeller, F., Galuskin, E.V., Galuskina, I.O., Savelyeva, V.B., Zadov, A.E., Pertsev, N.N., Dzierżanowski, P. (2011): Chlorine content and crystal chemistry of dellaite from the Birkhin gabbro massif, Eastern Siberia, Russia. Mineralogical Magazine, 75, 379-394.
      • Transbaikalia (Zabaykalye)
        • Buriatia (Buryatia) Republic
          • Dovyren Highlands
    		American Mineralogist, Volume 94, pages 323–333, 2009
    UK
     
    • Scotland
      • North West Highlands (Argyllshire)
        • Ardnamurchan
    		Handbook of Mineralogy - Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols; Mineralogical Magazine 1965 34 : 1-15.
      • North West Highlands (Inverness-shire)
        • Isle of Muck
    		Tilley, C.E. (1947) The gabbro-limestone contact zone of Camas Mor, Muck, Inverness-shire. Comptes Rendus de la Société geologique de Finlande, No. 140, 97–105.
    USA
     
    • California
      • Riverside Co.
        • Crestmore
          • Crestmore quarries
            • Sky Blue Hill
    		Woodford, A.O., Crippen, R.A., and Garner, K.B. (1941) Section Across Commercial Quarry, Crestmore, California. American Mineralogist: 26: 366.
    Woodford, A.O., Crippen, R.A., and Garner, K.B. (1941) Section Across Commercial Quarry, Crestmore, California. American Mineralogist: 26: 352-381.
    Larsen, Esper Signius & William F. Foshag (1921), Merwinite, a new calcium magnesium orthosilicate from Crestmore, California: American Mineralogist:6: 143-148; Woodford, A.O., Crippen, R.A., and Garner, K.B. (1941) Section Across Commercial Quarry, Crestmore, California. American Mineralogist: 26: 366.
    • New Mexico
      • Luna Co.
        • Tres Hermanas District
          • South Sisters Peak
    		NMGS 21st Field Conference
    • Texas
      • Brewster Co.
        • Christmas Mts
    		Rocks & Minerals (1991): 66:3: 196-224.
      • Culberson Co.
        • Apache Peak area
    		Am Min 51:1766-1774
        • Sierra Diablo
    		R&M 66:3 pp 196-224
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    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2011. 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. Mindat does not offer minerals for sale. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register.
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