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Okenite

Big Photo

Pune District (Poonah District), Maharashtra, India
© J. Witkowski

Show Okenite Photos (85)
Formula:
CaSi
 
2
O
 
5
·2H
 
2
O
System:TriclinicColour:White to slightly ...
Hardness:4½ - 5
Name:For the German naturalist Lorenz Ocken (1779-1851), of Munich, Germany, the name was later shortened.


WARNING! - Many colourful specimens of Okenite, said to be from China or India, are currently available for sale. These are fake, the bright colours are artificial dyes added to the okenite.

Classification of Okenite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:8/G.01-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:9.EA.40

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
A : Single nets of tetrahedra with 4-, 5-, (6-), and 8-membered rings
Dana 8th edition ID:72.3.2.5

72 : PHYLLOSILICATES Two-Dimensional Infinite Sheets with Other Than Six-Membered Rings
3 : Two-Dimensional Infinite Sheets with Other Than Six-Membered Rings with 3-, 4-, or 5-membered rings and 8-membered rings
Hey's CIM Ref.:14.5.18

14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
5 : Silicates of Ca
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Type Occurrence of Okenite

Type Locality:Qeqertarsuaq Island (Disko Island), Kitaa (West Greenland) Province, Greenland
Year of Discovery:1828

Occurrences of Okenite

Geological Setting:Amygadules in basalts

Physical Properties of Okenite

Lustre:Vitreous, Pearly
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent, Translucent
Colour:White to slightly yellow, blue
Hardness (Mohs):4½ - 5
Tenacity:Elastic
Cleavage:Perfect
on {001}
Density (measured):2.28 - 2.33 g/cm3
Density (calculated):2.33 g/cm3

Crystallography of Okenite

Crystal System:Triclinic
Class (H-M):1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:P1
Cell Parameters:a = 9.69(1) Å, b = 7.28(1) Å, c = 22.02(4) Å
α = 92.7°, β = 100.1°, γ = 110.9°
Ratio:a:b:c = 1.331 : 1 : 3.025
Unit Cell Volume:V 1,418.48 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:2
Morphology:Bladed crystals to laths. Commonly as fibers.
Twinning:About [010], composition plane {102}, lamellar

Optical Data of Okenite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.512 - 1.532 nβ = 1.514 - 1.535 nγ = 1.515 - 1.542
2V:Measured: 60° , Calculated: 68° to 70°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.003 - 0.010

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Low
Dispersion:none

Chemical Properties of Okenite

Formula:
CaSi
 
2
O
 
5
·2H
 
2
O
Essential elements:Ca, H, O, Si
All elements listed in formula:Ca, H, O, Si
Common Impurities:Al,Fe,Sr,Na,K

Relationship of Okenite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
9.EA.05Cuprorivaite
CaCu[Si
 
4
O
 
10
]
9.EA.05Gillespite
BaFe
2+
 
[Si
 
4
O
 
10
]
9.EA.05Effenbergerite
BaCu[Si
 
4
O
 
10
]
9.EA.05Wesselsite
SrCu[Si
 
4
O
 
10
]
9.EA.10Ekanite
(Ca,Fe
2+
 
,Pb)
 
2
(Th,U)[Si
 
8
O
 
20
]
9.EA.15Apophyllite-(KF)
KCa
 
4
[(F,OH)|Si
 
8
O
 
20
] · 8H
 
2
O
9.EA.15Apophyllite-(KOH)
KCa
 
4
[(OH,F)|Si
 
8
O
 
20
] · 8H
 
2
O
9.EA.15Apophyllite-(NaF)
NaCa
 
4
[F|Si
 
8
O
 
20
] · 8H
 
2
O
9.EA.20Magadiite
NaSi
 
7
O
 
13
(OH)
 
3
·3H
 
2
O
9.EA.25Dalyite
K
 
2
ZrSi
 
6
O
 
15
9.EA.25Davanite
K
 
2
TiSi
 
6
O
 
15
9.EA.30Sazhinite-(Ce)
Na
 
3
Ce[Si
 
6
O
 
15
] · 6H
 
2
O
9.EA.30Sazhinite-(La)
Na
 
3
La[Si
 
6
O
 
15
] · 2H
 
2
O
9.EA.35Armstrongite
CaZr[Si
 
6
O
 
15
]·3H
 
2
O
9.EA.45Nekoite
Ca
 
3
Si
 
6
O
 
15
·7H
 
2
O
9.EA.50Cavansite
Ca(VO)Si
 
4
O
 
10
·4H
 
2
O
9.EA.55Pentagonite
Ca(VO)Si
 
4
O
 
10
·4H
 
2
O
9.EA.60Penkvilksite
Na
 
4
Ti
 
2
Si
 
8
O
 
22
·4H
 
2
O
9.EA.60Tumchaite
Na
 
2
Zr(Si
 
4
O
 
11
)·2H
 
2
O
9.EA.65Nabesite
Na
 
2
BeSi
 
4
O
 
10
 * 4 H
 
2
O
9.EA.70Ajoite
(K,Na)Cu
 
7
[(OH)
 
6
|AlSi
 
9
O
 
24
] · 3H
 
2
O
9.EA.75Zeravshanite
Cs
 
4
Na
 
2
Zr
 
3
[Si
 
18
O
 
45
](H
 
2
O)
 
2
9.EA.80Bussyite-(Ce)
(Ce,REE)
 
3
(Na,H
 
2
O)
 
6
MnSi
 
9
Be
 
5
(O,OH)
 
30
F
 
4
9.EA.85Plumbophyllite
Pb
 
2
Si
 
4
O
 
10
·H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
14.5.1Wollastonite
Ca[SiO
 
3
]
14.5.2Wollastonite-7T
14.5.3Wollastonite-2M
CaSiO
 
3
14.5.4Rankinite
Ca
 
3
Si
 
2
O
 
7
14.5.5Kilchoanite
Ca
 
3
Si
 
2
O
 
7
14.5.6Larnite
Ca
 
2
[SiO
 
4
]
14.5.7Bredigite
Ca
 
7
Mg[SiO
 
4
]
 
4
14.5.8Hatrurite
Ca
 
3
[O|SiO
 
4
]
14.5.9Rosenhahnite
HCa
 
3
[Si
 
3
O
 
9
(OH)]
14.5.10Dellaite
Ca
 
6
(Si
 
2
O
 
7
)(SiO
 
4
)(OH)
 
2
14.5.11Afwillite
Ca
 
3
[HSiO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
14.5.12Xonotlite
Ca
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
17
(OH)
 
2
14.5.13Foshagite
Ca
 
4
[(OH)
 
2
|Si
 
3
O
 
9
]
14.5.14Hillebrandite
Ca
 
2
[(OH)
 
2
|SiO
 
3
]
14.5.15Jaffeite
Ca
 
6
[(OH)
 
6
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
]
14.5.16Suolunite
Ca
 
2
[H
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
7
] · H
 
2
O
14.5.17Killalaite
Ca
 
3
[Si
 
2
O
 
7
] · 0.5H
 
2
O
14.5.19Riversideite
Ca
 
5
Si
 
6
O
 
16
(OH)
 
2
·2H
 
2
O
14.5.20Trabzonite
Ca
 
4
Si
 
3
O
 
10
·2H
 
2
O
14.5.21Gyrolite
Ca
 
4
(Si
 
6
O
 
15
)(OH)
 
2
·3H
 
2
O
14.5.22Foshallasite
Ca
 
3
[Si
 
2
O
 
7
] · 3H
 
2
O(?)
14.5.23Tobermorite
Ca
 
5
Si
 
6
(O,OH)
 
18
·5H
 
2
O
14.5.24Clinotobermorite
Ca
 
5
[Si
 
3
O
 
8
(OH)
 
2
]2.4H
 
2
O - Ca
 
5
[Si
 
6
O
 
17
]·5H
 
2
O
14.5.25Nekoite
Ca
 
3
Si
 
6
O
 
15
·7H
 
2
O
14.5.26Plombièrite
Ca
 
5
Si
 
6
O
 
16
(OH)
 
2
·7H
 
2
O
14.5.27Jennite
Ca
 
9
H
 
2
Si
 
6
O
 
18
(OH)
 
8
·6H
 
2
O

Other Names for Okenite

Synonyms:
BorditeDisclasite
Other Languages:
German:Bordit
Disclasit
Okenit
Italian:Okenite
Russian:Окенит
Spanish:Bordita
Disclasita
Okenita

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 Okenite

Reference List:Gard, John Alan & H.F.W. Taylor (1956), Okenite and nekoite: Mineralogical Magazine: 31: 5-20.

Mamedov, K.S. and Belov, N.V. (1958) Crystal structure of mica-like hydrous calcium silicates: okenite, nekoite, truscottite, and gyrolite New silicate radical [Si6O15]. Doklady Akademii Nauk SSSR: 121: 713-716.

Merlino, S. (1983): Okenite, Ca10Si18O46.18H2O: the first example of a chain and sheet silicate. American Mineralogist: 68: 614-622.

Internet Links for Okenite

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

    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.
    Antarctica
     
    • Eastern Antarctica
      • Victoria Land
        • Mawson Glacier
    		Tschernich, 1992. Zeolites of the World, p.184.
    Australia
     
    • Tasmania
      • Central Plateau
    		Bottrill & Baker (in prep) Catalogue of minerals of Tasmania
      • Moina District (Middlesex District)
    		Bottrill & Baker (in prep) Catalogue of minerals of Tasmania
    • Western Australia
      • Goldfields-Esperance region
    		Grguric, B.A., Nickel, E.H. (2005) Okenite from the Perseverance nickel mine, Western Australia: a first Australian occurrence. Australian Journal of Mineralogy, Vol. 11, pg. 25-26.
    Austria
     
    • Styria
      • Frohnleiten
        • Kirchdorf
    		Kolitsch, U. et al. (2008)
    Azerbaijan
     
    • Qobustan (Gobustan; Kobustan) District
      • Caspian Sea
    		Novgorodova M.I., Mamedov Yu.G.. Native aluminium from mud volcano at the Bulla island (caspian Sea), - Lithology and Mineral Resourses,1996,N4,p. 339-349
    Canada
     
    • Québec
      • Estrie
        • Les Sources RCM
          • Asbestos
    		[MinRec 1979]
    Chile
     
    • Maule Region
      • José María Linares Province
    		Tschernich, Rudy W. (1992) Zeolites of the World
    Costa Rica
     
    • San José Province
      • Bajo Chacones
    		Micro Probe Volume VII Number 7 Spring 1993
    Denmark
     
    • Faroe Islands (Faeroe Islands; Faeroes; Faroes)
    		Am Min 68:5-6 p 614
    Franz J. Schmitter (2008) Zeolithe aus dem Hohen Norden: Sammeltouren auf den Faroer-Inseln. Lapis, 33, #2, 29-35.
    Zeolite collection of Volker Betz
    Germany
     
    • Bavaria
      • Franconia
        • Fichtelgebirge
          • Marktredwitz
            • Pechbrunn
    		Weiss: "Mineralfundstellen, Deutschland West", 1990
        • Maroldsweisach
    		Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", 2001
    • Lower Saxony
      • Göttingen
        • Adelebsen
    		Koritnig, S. (1972). Gyrolith, Okenit und Tacharanit als metasomatische Reaktionsprodukte aus dem Basaltvorkommen der Bramburg bei Göttingen, Deutschland. Contrib. Mineral. Petrol. 35, 293-301. (in German); Weiss: "Mineralfundstellen, Deutschland West", Weise (Munich), 1990
    Greenland
     
    • Kitaa (West Greenland) Province
    		[Clark, 1993 - "Hey's Mineral Index"]
    Hungary
     
    • Fejér Co.
      • Szár Hill
        • Kőszárhegy
    		Szakáll & Jánosi: Minerals of Hungary, 1995; Fehér, B. & Sajó, I. E. (2000): Okenite and nekoite from the Szár Hill, Polgárdi, Hungary. Acta Mineralogica-Petrographica (Szeged), XLI, Suppl., 40.
    • Veszprém Co.
      • Tapolcai Basin
        • Uzsa (Uzsabánya)
    		Kovács, I. et al. (2009): Guide to the Bakony-Balaton Volcanic Highland, Field Trip 1, 7th September 2009. MinPet2009 field trip booklet, 23 pp.
    Iceland
     
    Selbekk, R. S. & Mattsson, H. (2004): Zeolitt mineraliseringer i Hvalfjördur, Island. STEIN 31 (1), 28-33
    India
     
    • Maharashtra
      • Ahmadnagar District (Ahmednagar District; Ahmed Nagar District)
      • Mumbai District (Bombay District)
    [www.johnbetts-fineminerals.com]; Wise, W.S. (1978): Yugawaralite from Bombay, India. Mineralogical Record 9 (5): 296
        • Malad
    		No reference listed
    [Clark, 1993 - "Hey's Mineral Index"]
      • Nasik District
    Rob Lavinsky
    Israel
     
    • Negev desert
    		Gross, S. (1977): The Mineralogy of the Hatrurim Formation, Israel. Geological Survey of Israel, Bulletin no. 70, 80 pp.
    Italy
     
    • Veneto
      • Vicenza province
    		Boscardin, M., Mietto, P., Pegoraro, S., Orlandi, P., Secco, L.(2000):
    Mexico
     
    • Zacatecas
      • Mun. de Mazapil
        • Noche Buena
    		Panczner (1987): 100-378.
    New Zealand
     
    • North Island
      • Northland
        • Kaipara
          • Aranga
    		Museum Victoria Mineralogy Collection
    Norway
     
    • Nordland
      • Fauske
        • Sulitjelma Mines
    Romania
     
    • Brașov Co.
    		Szakáll, S., Almási, E., Köllı, A., Sajó, I., Vezzalini, G. (2006): New data about the minerals of the copper ore deposit at Balan (East Carpathians) and of limestone xenolithes from basalt at Racosu de Jos (Persani Mts.), Romania. Acta Mineral.-Petrogr., Abstr. Ser. 5, p. 112. [http://www.mineral.hermuz.hu/acta_05/pdf/szakalls1.pdf]
    • Hunedoara Co.
      • Brad
    		Szakall S.: Minerals of the Carpathians (2002).
    www.minerals-of-the carpathians.eu (2009)
    Russia
     
    • Eastern-Siberian Region
      • Taymyrskiy Autonomous Okrug
        • Taimyr Peninsula
          • Putoran Plateau
    		Spiridonov, E.M., Gritsenko, Y.D., and Ponomarenko, A.I. (2008): Geology of Ore Deposits 50(8), 755-762.
    • Northern Region
      • Murmanskaja Oblast'
        • Kola Peninsula
    		www.koeln.netsurf.de/~w.steffens/vuori.htm
    UK
     
    • Northern Ireland
      • Co. Antrim
        • Larne
    Ukraine
     
    • Crimea Oblast'
      • Bakhchisaray
        • Trudolyubovka Village
    		Karpenko V., Ignatenko K. Babingtonite form the Pervomaiskii quarry in the Crimea // Novye dannye o mineralakh (New Data on Minerals), 1991, #37, 58 - 63 (in Russ.) Getling R.V. Datolith of the Bodrak area in the Crimea and some features of his genesis // ZVMO, 1960, vol. 89, #1, 102 - 106 (in Russ.)
    USA
     
    • Arizona
      • Maricopa Co.
        • Phoenix
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 316; Shannon, D.M. (1983b), Zeolites and associated minerals from Horseshoe Dam, AZ, Min.Rec.: 14: 115-117.
    • California
      • Riverside Co.
        • Crestmore
          • Crestmore quarries
            • Sky Blue Hill
    		AmMin 26:352-381
    • Idaho
      • Idaho Co.
        • Skookumchuck Creek
    		Ream, Lanny R. 2004. Idaho Minerals, 2nd edition, Revised and Updated
    • New Mexico
      • Grant Co.
    		Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.
          • Georgetown
    		Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.
    • North Carolina
      • Durham Co.
        • Durham
    		Handbook of Mineralogy - Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols; Kenny Gay message 15.09.2005; Mineralogical Magazine 1977 41 : 394-395
    • Oregon
      • Columbia Co.
        • Goble
    		Micro Probe Vol. 7 No. 2 Fall 1990; Tschernich, R. (1992): Zeolites of the World, 116
    Micro Probe Vol. 6 No. 5 Fall 1987; Tschernich, R. (1992): Zeolites of the World, 117
    • Utah
      • Salt Lake Co.
        • Oquirrh Mts
          • Bingham District (West Mountain District)
    		James R. Wilson (1995) A Collector\'s Guide to Rock, Mineral, & Fossil Localities of Utah UGS Miscellaneous Publication 95-4
      • Utah Co.
        • East Tintic Mts
    		UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
    • Virginia
      • Fairfax Co.
        • Culpeper Basin
          • Centreville
    		Minerals of Virginia 1990 by R. V. Dietrich
    • Washington
      • Douglas and Chelan Co. Border
    		Minerals of Washington, Bart Cannon, 1975
      • Thurston Co.
        • Bucoda
    		Cannon, B. (1975): Minerals of Washington, ; Tschernich, R. (1992): Zeolites of the World, 71
    Mineral and/or Locality
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