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Microsommite

Big Photo

Monte Somma, Somma-Vesuvius Complex, Naples Province, Campania, Italy
© Stephan Wolfsried

Show Microsommite Photos (8)
Formula:
Na
 
4
K
 
2
Ca
 
2
[Cl
 
2
|SO
 
4
|Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
]
System:HexagonalColour:colourless, white
Hardness:6


Cancrinite Group.

Classification of Microsommite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:8/J.09-30
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:9.FB.05

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
F : Tektosilicates without zeolitic H2O
B : Tektosilicates with additional anions
Dana 8th edition ID:76.2.5.10

76 : TECTOSILICATES Al-Si Framework
2 : Al-Si Framework Feldspathoids and related species
Hey's CIM Ref.:17.10.8

17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
10 : Silicates with sulphate, molybdate or tungstate
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Type Occurrence of Microsommite

Type Locality:Cupa dell'Olivella, Sant'Anastasia, Monte Somma, Somma-Vesuvius Complex, Naples Province, Campania, Italy
Year of Discovery:1872

Physical Properties of Microsommite

Colour:colourless, white
Streak:white
Hardness (Mohs):6
Cleavage:Perfect

Crystallography of Microsommite

Crystal System:Hexagonal
Cell Parameters:a = 22.08Å, c = 5.33Å
Ratio:a:c = 1 : 0.241
Unit Cell Volume:V 2,250.38 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Optical Data of Microsommite

Type:Uniaxial (+)
RI values: nω = 1.521 nε = 1.529
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.008

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

Chemical Properties of Microsommite

Formula:
Na
 
4
K
 
2
Ca
 
2
[Cl
 
2
|SO
 
4
|Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
]
Essential elements:Cl, Na, Si
All elements listed in formula:Al, Ca, Cl, K, Na, O, S, Si

Relationship of Microsommite to other Species

Member of Group:
Cancrinite Group:
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
9.FB.05Afghanite
(Na,Ca,K)
 
8
[(Cl
 
2
,SO
 
4
,CO
 
3
)
 
3
|Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
] · 0.5H
 
2
O
9.FB.05Bystrite
(Na,K)
 
7
Ca[(S
 
3
)
 
1.5
|Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
] · H
 
2
O
9.FB.05Cancrinite
Na
 
6
Ca
 
2
[(CO
 
3
)
 
2
|Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
] · 2H
 
2
O
9.FB.05Cancrisilite
Na
 
7
[CO
 
3
|Al
 
5
Si
 
7
O
 
24
] · 3H
 
2
O
9.FB.05Davyne
(Na,K)
 
6
Ca
 
2
[(Cl
 
2
,SO
 
4
)
 
2
|Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
]
9.FB.05Franzinite
(Na,K)
 
6
Ca
 
2
[(SO
 
4
)
 
2
|Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
] · 0.5H
 
2
O
9.FB.05Giuseppettite
(Na,K,Ca)
 
7-8
[(SO
 
4
,Cl)
 
1-2
|Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
]
9.FB.05Hydroxycancrinite
Na
 
8
[(OH)
 
2
|Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
] · 2H
 
2
O
9.FB.05Liottite
(Na,K)
 
16
Ca
 
8
[Cl
 
4
|(SO
 
4
)
 
5
|(Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
)
 
3
]
9.FB.05Pitiglianoite
Na
 
6
K
 
2
[SO
 
4
|Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
] · 2H
 
2
O
9.FB.05Quadridavyne
(Na,K)
 
6
Ca
 
2
[Cl
 
4
|Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
]
9.FB.05Sacrofanite
(Na,K)
 
98
Ca
 
20
(Si
 
84
Al
 
84
O
 
336
)(SO
 
4
)
 
26
Cl
 
2
·8H
 
2
O
9.FB.05Tounkite
(Na,Ca,K)
 
8
[Cl|(SO
 
4
)
 
2
|Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
] · H
 
2
O
9.FB.05Vishnevite
(Na,K)
 
8
[(SO
 
4
,CO
 
3
)|Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
] · 2H
 
2
O
9.FB.05Marinellite
(Na,K)
 
42
Ca
 
6
[Cl
 
2
|(SO
 
4
)
 
8
|(Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
)
 
6
] · 3 H
 
2
O
9.FB.05Farneseite
(Na,Ca,K)
 
56
[(SO
 
4
)
 
12
|Al
 
42
Si
 
42
O
 
168
] · 6H
 
2
O
9.FB.05Alloriite
(Na,Ca,K)
 
26
Ca
 
4
[Cl
 
6
|(SO
 
4
)
 
6
|(Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
)
 
4
]
9.FB.05Fantappièite
[Na
 
82.5
Ca
 
33
K
 
16.5
]
 
132
(Si
 
99
Al
 
99
O
 
396
)(SO
 
4
)
 
33
·4H
 
2
O
9.FB.05Balliranoite
(Na,K)
 
6
Ca
 
2
(Si
 
6
Al
 
6
O
 
24
)Cl
 
2
(CO
 
3
)
9.FB.05IMA2009-028
Na
 
8
(Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
)(CO
 
3
)·3.5H
 
2
O
9.FB.10Bicchulite
Ca
 
2
[(OH)
 
2
|Al
 
2
SiO
 
6
]
9.FB.10Danalite
Fe
2+
4
Be
 
3
[S|(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
]
9.FB.10Genthelvite
Zn
 
4
Be
 
3
[S|(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
]
9.FB.10Haüyne
(Na,Ca)
 
4-8
[Al
 
6
Si
 
6
(O,S)
 
24
](SO
 
4
,Cl)
 
1-2
9.FB.10Helvite
Mn
2+
4
Be
 
3
[S|(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
]
9.FB.10Kamaishilite
Ca
 
2
[(OH)
 
2
|Al
 
2
SiO
 
6
]
9.FB.10Lazurite
(Na,Ca)
 
8
[(S,SO
 
4
,Cl
 
2
)|Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
]
9.FB.10Nosean
Na
 
8
[SO
 
4
|Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
]
9.FB.10Sodalite
Na
 
8
[Cl
 
2
|Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
]
9.FB.10Tsaregorodtsevite
N(CH
 
3
)
 
4
[AlSi
 
5
O
 
12
]
9.FB.10Tugtupite
Na
 
4
[Cl|BeAlSi
 
4
O
 
12
]
9.FB.10Helvine
9.FB.15Marialite
Na
 
4
[Cl|(AlSi
 
3
O
 
8
)
 
3
]
9.FB.15Meionite
Ca
 
4
[CO
 
3
|(Al
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
)
 
3
]
9.FB.15Silvialite
(Ca,Na)
 
4
[(SO
 
4
,CO
 
3
)|(Al
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
)
 
3
]
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
17.10.1Nosean
Na
 
8
[SO
 
4
|Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
]
17.10.2Pitiglianoite
Na
 
6
K
 
2
[SO
 
4
|Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
] · 2H
 
2
O
17.10.3Vishnevite
(Na,K)
 
8
[(SO
 
4
,CO
 
3
)|Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
] · 2H
 
2
O
17.10.4Haüyne
(Na,Ca)
 
4-8
[Al
 
6
Si
 
6
(O,S)
 
24
](SO
 
4
,Cl)
 
1-2
17.10.5Liottite
(Na,K)
 
16
Ca
 
8
[Cl
 
4
|(SO
 
4
)
 
5
|(Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
)
 
3
]
17.10.6Latiumite
K
 
2
Ca
 
6
(Si,Al)
 
11
O
 
25
(SO
 
4
,CO
 
3
)
17.10.7Tuscanite
(K(Ca,Na)
 
6
(Si,Al)
 
10
O
 
22
[SO
 
4
,CO
 
3
,(OH)
 
2
]·H
 
2
O
17.10.9Delhayelite
(Na,K)
 
10
Ca
 
5
Al
 
6
Si
 
32
O
 
80
(Cl
 
2
,F
 
2
,SO
 
4
)
 
3
·18H
 
2
O
17.10.10Hydrodelhayelite
KCa
 
2
AlSi
 
7
O
 
17
(OH)
 
2
·6H
 
2
O
17.10.11Davyne
(Na,K)
 
6
Ca
 
2
[(Cl
 
2
,SO
 
4
)
 
2
|Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
]
17.10.12Afghanite
(Na,Ca,K)
 
8
[(Cl
 
2
,SO
 
4
,CO
 
3
)
 
3
|Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
] · 0.5H
 
2
O
17.10.13Franzinite
(Na,K)
 
6
Ca
 
2
[(SO
 
4
)
 
2
|Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
] · 0.5H
 
2
O
17.10.14Giuseppettite
(Na,K,Ca)
 
7-8
[(SO
 
4
,Cl)
 
1-2
|Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
]
17.10.15Sacrofanite
(Na,K)
 
98
Ca
 
20
(Si
 
84
Al
 
84
O
 
336
)(SO
 
4
)
 
26
Cl
 
2
·8H
 
2
O
17.10.16Chessexite
(Na,K)
 
4
Ca
 
2
(Mg,Zn)
 
3
Al
 
8
[(SO
 
4
)
 
10
|(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 40H
 
2
O
17.10.17Innelite
Na
 
2
(Ba,K)
 
4
(Mg,Ca,Fe)Ti
 
3
Si
 
4
O
 
18
(OH,F)
 
1.5
SO
 
4
17.10.18Thaumasite
Ca
 
3
[CO
 
3
|SO
 
4
|Si(OH)
 
6
] · 12H
 
2
O
17.10.19Ellestadite
17.10.20Ellestadite-(Cl)
Ca
 
10
[Cl
 
2
|(SO
 
4
)
 
3
|(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
]
17.10.21Ellestadite-(OH)
Ca
 
10
[(OH,Cl,F)
 
2
|(SO
 
4
)
 
3
|(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
]
17.10.22Ellestadite-(F)
Ca
 
10
[(F,Cl,OH)
 
2
|(SO
 
4
)
 
3
|(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
]
17.10.23Mattheddleite
Pb
 
5
(Si
 
1.5
S
 
1.5
)O
 
12
(Cl,OH)
17.10.24Queitite
Pb
 
4
Zn
 
2
[SO
 
4
|SiO
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
]
17.10.25Roeblingite
Pb
 
2
Ca
 
6
Mn
2+
 
[OH|SO
 
4
|Si
 
3
O
 
9
]
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
17.10.26Yoshimuraite
Ba
 
2
Mn
 
2
TiOSi
 
2
O
 
7
(PO
 
4
)(OH)
17.10.27Kegelite
Pb
 
12
(Zn,Fe)
 
2
Al
 
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
4
Si
 
11
O
 
38
 or near
17.10.28Wenkite
(Ba,K)
 
4
(Ca,Na)
 
6
[(SO
 
4
)
 
3
|(Si,Al)
 
20
O
 
39
(OH)
 
2
] · 0.5H
 
2
O
17.10.29Macquartite
Pb
 
3
Cu(CrO
 
4
)(SiO
 
3
)(OH)
 
4
·2H
 
2
O
17.10.30Welinite
Mn
2+
6
(W
6+
 
,Mg)
 
2
[(O,OH)
 
3
|SiO
 
4
]
 
2

Other Names for Microsommite

Synonyms:
Mikrosommite
Other Languages:
German:Microsommit
Mikrosommit
Russian:Микросоммит
Spanish:Microsommita

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 Microsommite

Reference List:Rath, G. vom, (1874): Über den Mikrosommit, Annalen der Physik und Chemie, Erg. Bd. VI, 372-376, J.C. Poggendorff, Leipzig.

Bulletin de la Société française de Minéralogie et de Cristallographie (1968): 91: 34.

Canadian Mineralogist (1990): 28: 341.

Internet Links for Microsommite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Microsommite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Microsommite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    Localities for Microsommite

    Hide Locality List
    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.
    (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.
    France
     
    • Auvergne
      • Puy-de-Dôme
        • Pontgibaud
          • Saint-Ours-les-Roches
    		Médard P. et al. (2009) La pseudobrookite du Puy de Tunisset (Puy-de-Dôme). Le Cahier des Micromonteurs 105: 3-11.
    Italy
     
    • Campania
      • Naples Province
        • Somma-Vesuvius Complex
          • Monte Somma
            • Sant'Anastasia
    		M. Carati - Guida alla mineralogia vesuviana - Calderini, Bologna, 1982
    Rath, G. vom, 1874: Über den Mikrosommit, Annalen der Physik und Chemie, Erg. Bd. VI, 372-376, J.C. Poggendorff, Leipzig
      • Phlegrean Volcanic Complex
        • Salerno Province
          • Sarno
            • Lavorate (Nocera)
    		Carati, M., (????): I minerali degli inclusi metamorfosati nel tufo grigio campano, ???
    • Tuscany
      • Grosseto Province
        • Pitigliano
    		Liotti L., 1991. I minerali dei vulcani laziali a Pitigliano (Grosseto). Riv. Mineral. Ital., 15 (3): 121-139.
    Mineral and/or Locality
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