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Middendorfite

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Hilairitovoye pegmatite, Kirovskii apatite mine (Kirovsky Mine; Kirov Mine), Kukisvumchorr Mt, Khibiny Massif, Kola Peninsula, Murmanskaja Oblast', Northern Region, Russia
© Knut Eldjarn

Formula:
K
 
3
Na
 
2
Mn
 
5
Si
 
12
(O,OH)
 
36
 · 2H
 
2
O
System:MonoclinicColour:Dark to bright orange
Hardness:3 - 3½
Name:For A. F. von Middendorf (1815-1894), a German-Russian scientist who made the first mineralogical studies on the Khibiny massif.


Related to Bannisterite, Parsettensite and the Stilpnomelane Group

Classification of Middendorfite

IMA status:Approved 2005
Strunz 8th edition ID:8/H.17-55
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:9.EJ.10

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
J : Unclassified phyllosilicates
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Type Occurrence of Middendorfite

Type Locality:Hilairitovoye pegmatite, Kirovskii apatite mine (Kirovsky Mine; Kirov Mine), Kukisvumchorr Mt, Khibiny Massif, Kola Peninsula, Murmanskaja Oblast', Northern Region, Russia
General Appearance of Type Material:Coarse, rhomb-like lamellar and tabular crystals up to 0.1 x 0.2 x 0.4 mm in size, combined in worm- and fan-like aggregates up to 1 mm
Associated Minerals at type locality:
SodaliteNatroliteMicroclineFluoriteCancrisilite
CalciteAegirine

Physical Properties of Middendorfite

Lustre:Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Colour:Dark to bright orange
Hardness (Mohs):3 - 3½
Cleavage:Perfect
on (001)
Density (measured):2.6 g/cm3

Crystallography of Middendorfite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Cell Parameters:a = 12.55Å, b = 5.721Å, c = 26.86Å
β = 114.04°
Ratio:a:b:c = 2.194 : 1 : 4.695
Unit Cell Volume:V 1761 ų
Z:2
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
d-spacingIntensity
12.28 (100)
2.840 (90)
2.634 (88)
2.366 (76)

Chemical Properties of Middendorfite

Formula:
K
 
3
Na
 
2
Mn
 
5
Si
 
12
(O,OH)
 
36
 · 2H
 
2
O
All elements listed in formula:H, K, Mn, Na, O, Si
Analytical Data:Results from electron probe microanalysis
SiO2 (50.87)
TiO2 (0.17)
Al2O3 (0.20)
ZnO (0.15)
FeO (0.68)
MnO (24.88)
MgO (0.18)
CaO (0.11)
Na2O (4.55)
K2O (10.16)
F (0.23)
H2O (7.73)

less O = F (0.10)

sum 99.81 wt.-%

Relationship of Middendorfite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
9.EJ.05Lourenswalsite
(K,Ba)
 
2
(Ti,Mg,Ca,Fe)
 
4
(Si,Al,Fe)
 
6
O
 
14
(OH)
 
12

Other Names for Middendorfite

Synonyms:
IMA2005-028
Other Languages:

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 Middendorfite

Reference List:I. V. Pekov, N. V. Chukanov, V. T. Dubinchuk & A. E. Zadov (2006): Middendorfite, K3Na2Mn5Si12(O,OH)36• 2H2O, a new mineral from Khibiny Massif, Kola Peninsula. Proceedings of the Russian Mineralogical Society, 135(3), 42–52.

Internet Links for Middendorfite

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    Localities for Middendorfite

    (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.
    Russia
     
    • Northern Region
      • Murmanskaja Oblast'
        • Kola Peninsula
          • Khibiny Massif
            • Kukisvumchorr Mt
              • Kirovskii apatite mine (Kirovsky Mine; Kirov Mine)
    		I. V. Pekov, N. V. Chukanov, V. T. Dubinchuk & A. E. Zadov (2006): Middendorfite, K3Na2Mn5Si12(O,OH)36• 2H2O, a new mineral from Khibiny Massif, Kola Peninsula. Proceedings of the Russian Mineralogical Society, 135(3), 42–52.
    Mineral and/or Locality
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