Mindat Logo
Home Page Log In Message Board The Mindat Directory
Register Search Pages Chat Now! (2 online) Mindat Auctions

Orientite

Big Photo

Manganese Mine, Copper Harbor, Keweenaw Co., Michigan, USA
© Leon Hupperichs

Show Orientite Photos (6)
Formula:
Ca
 
2
MnMn
 
2
Si
 
3
O
 
10
(OH)
 
4
System:OrthorhombicHardness:4 - 5
This page provides mineralogical data about Orientite.

Classification of Orientite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:8/C.34-20
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:9.BJ.05

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
B : Sorosilicates
J : Sorosilicates with Si3O10, Si4O11, etc. anions; cations in octahedral [6] and greater coordination
Dana 8th edition ID:58.3.1.2

58 : SOROSILICATES Insular, Mixed, Single, and Larger Tetrahedral Groups
3 : Insular, Mixed, Single, and Larger Tetrahedral Groups with insular single and triple groups (n=1, 3)
Hey's CIM Ref.:14.18.22

14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
18 : Silicates of Mn and Na, K, Mg, Ca or Fe
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-3017.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Type Occurrence of Orientite

Type Locality:Oriente Province, Cuba
Year of Discovery:1921

Physical Properties of Orientite

Hardness (Mohs):4 - 5

Crystallography of Orientite

Crystal System:Orthorhombic
Cell Parameters:a = 6.08Å, b = 9.04Å, c = 19.14Å
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.673 : 1 : 2.117
Unit Cell Volume:V 1,052.00 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Optical Data of Orientite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.758 nβ = 1.776 nγ = 1.795
2V:Measured: 68° to 83°, Calculated: 90°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.037

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

Chemical Properties of Orientite

Formula:
Ca
 
2
MnMn
 
2
Si
 
3
O
 
10
(OH)
 
4
Essential elements:Ca, H, Mn, O, Si
All elements listed in formula:Ca, H, Mn, O, Si
Common Impurities:Al,Fe,V,Cu,Mg,K,H2O,S

Relationship of Orientite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
9.BJ.10Rosenhahnite
HCa
 
3
[Si
 
3
O
 
9
(OH)]
9.BJ.15Trabzonite
Ca
 
4
Si
 
3
O
 
10
·2H
 
2
O
9.BJ.20Thalénite-(Y)
Y
 
3
Si
 
3
O
 
10
(OH)
9.BJ.20Fluorthalénite-(Y)
Y
 
3
Si
 
3
O
 
10
F
9.BJ.25Tiragalloite
Mn
 
4
AsSi
 
3
O
 
12
(OH)
9.BJ.30Medaite
(Mn,Ca)
 
6
(V,As)Si
 
5
O
 
18
OH
9.BJ.35Ruizite
Ca
 
2
Mn
3+
2
[(OH)
 
2
|H
 
2
Si
 
4
O
 
13
] · 2H
 
2
O
9.BJ.40Ardennite-(As)
Mn
2+
4
[(Al,Mg)
 
6
][(OH)
 
6
|(AsO
 
4
,VO
 
4
)|(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
|Si
 
3
O
 
10
]
9.BJ.40Ardennite-(V)
Mn
2+
4
[Al
 
4
(Mg,Al,Fe
3+
 
,Mn
3+
 
)
 
2
][(OH)
 
6
|(VO
 
4
,SiO
 
4
)|(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
|Si
 
3
O
 
10
]
9.BJ.45Kilchoanite
Ca
 
3
Si
 
2
O
 
7
9.BJ.50Kornerupine
Mg
 
3
Al
 
6
(Si,Al,B)
 
5
O
 
21
(OH)
9.BJ.50Prismatine
([ ],Fe,Mg)(Mg,Al,Fe)
 
5
Al
 
4
Si
 
2
(Si,Al)
 
2
(B,Si,Al)(O,OH,F)
 
22
9.BJ.55Zunyite
Al
 
13
Si
 
5
O
 
20
(OH,F)
 
18
Cl
9.BJ.60Hubeite
Ca
 
2
Mn
2+
 
Fe
3+
 
[HSi
 
4
O
 
13
] · 2H
 
2
O
9.BJ.65Cassagnaite
(Ca,Mn
2+
 
)
 
4
(Fe
3+
 
,Mn
3+
 
,Al)
 
4
(V
3+
 
,Mg,Al)
 
2
[(O,OH)
 
4
|(OH)
 
4
|(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
|Si
 
3
O
 
10
]
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
14.18.1Nambulite
(Li,Na)Mn
 
4
Si
 
5
O
 
14
(OH)
14.18.2Natronambulite
(Na,Li)(Mn,Ca)
 
4
Si
 
5
O
 
14
OH
14.18.3Zakharovite
Na
 
4
Mn
 
5
Si
 
10
O
 
24
(OH)
 
6
·6H
 
2
O
14.18.4Norrishite
KLiMn
2+
2
[(OH)
 
2
|Si
 
4
O
 
10
]
14.18.5Shafranovskite
(Na,K)
 
6
(Mn,Fe)
 
3
Si
 
9
O
 
24
·6H
 
2
O
14.18.6Abswurmbachite
CuMn
3+
6
O
 
8
(SiO
 
4
)
14.18.7Donpeacorite
(Mn
2+
 
,Mg)Mg[SiO
 
3
]
 
2
14.18.8Kanoite
Mn
2+
 
(Mg,Mn
2+
 
)[Si
 
2
O
 
6
]
14.18.9Caryopilite
(Mn,Mg)
 
3
Si
 
2
O
 
5
(OH)
 
4
14.18.10Gonyerite
(Mn,Mg)
 
5
Fe(Si
 
3
Fe)O
 
10
(OH)
 
8
14.18.11 Tirodite
14.18.12Manganhumite
(Mn
2+
 
,Mg)
 
7
[(OH)
 
2
|(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
]
14.18.13Bustamite
(Mn
2+
 
,Ca)[SiO
 
3
]
14.18.14Glaucochroite
CaMn
2+
 
[SiO
 
4
]
14.18.15Truscottite
(Ca,Mn)
 
14
Si
 
24
O
 
58
(OH)
 
8
·2H
 
2
O
14.18.16Santaclaraite
CaMn
 
4
[Si
 
5
O
 
14
OH](OH)·H
 
2
O
14.18.17Ferrobustamite
Ca(Fe
2+
 
,Ca,Mn
2+
 
)[Si
 
2
O
 
6
]
14.18.18Johannsenite
CaMn
2+
 
[Si
 
2
O
 
6
]
14.18.19Neltnerite
CaMn
3+
6
[O
 
8
|SiO
 
4
]
14.18.20Orlymanite
Ca
 
4
Mn
 
3
Si
 
8
O
 
20
(OH)
 
6
·2H
 
2
O
14.18.21Inesite
Ca
 
2
(Mn,Fe)
 
7
Si
 
10
O
 
28
(OH)
 
2
·5H
 
2
O
14.18.23Ruizite
Ca
 
2
Mn
3+
2
[(OH)
 
2
|H
 
2
Si
 
4
O
 
13
] · 2H
 
2
O
14.18.24Bostwickite
CaMn
 
6
Si
 
3
O
 
16
·7H
 
2
O
14.18.25Kittatinnyite
Ca
 
2
Mn
 
2
Mn(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
4
·9H
 
2
O
14.18.26Lithiomarsturite
LiCa
 
2
Mn
 
2
Si
 
5
O
 
14
(OH)
14.18.27Sérandite
Na(Mn
2+
 
,Ca)
 
2
[HSi
 
3
O
 
9
]
14.18.28Kvanefjeldite
Na
 
4
(Ca,Mn)(Si
 
3
O
 
7
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
14.18.29Marsturite
NaCaMn
 
3
Si
 
5
O
 
14
(OH)
14.18.30Raite
Na
 
4
Mn
2+
3
Ti
 
0.25
Si
 
8
O
 
20
(OH)
 
2
·10H
 
2
O
14.18.31Richterite
Na[CaNa][Mg
 
5
][(OH)
 
2
|Si
 
8
O
 
22
]
14.18.32Byelorussite-(Ce)
Ba
 
2
NaCe
 
2
MnTi
 
2
Si
 
8
O
 
26
(F,OH) · H
 
2
O
14.18.33Deerite
(Fe,Mn)
 
6
(Fe,Al)
 
3
Si
 
6
O
 
20
(OH)
 
5
14.18.34Calderite
(Mn
2+
 
,Ca)
 
3
(Fe
3+
 
,Al)
 
2
[SiO
 
4
]
 
3
14.18.35Pyroxmangite
MnSiO
 
3
14.18.36Dannemorite
14.18.37Neotocite
(Mn,Fe,Mg)SiO
 
3
·H
 
2
O
14.18.38Babingtonite
Ca
 
2
(Fe,Mn)FeSi
 
5
O
 
14
(OH)
14.18.39Manganbabingtonite
Ca
 
2
(Mn,Fe)FeSi
 
5
O
 
14
(OH)
14.18.40Örebroite
Mn
2+
3
(Fe
3+
 
,Sb
5+
 
)[(O,OH)
 
3
|SiO
 
4
]

Other Names for Orientite

Other Languages:
German:Orientit
Russian:Ориентит
Spanish:Orientita

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 Orientite

Reference List:Hewett, D.F. and E.V. Shannon (1921) Orientite, a new hydrous silicate of manganese and calcium from Cuba. American Journal of Science: 1: 491-506.

Sclar, C.B. (1961) Optical crystallography of orientite from Oriente Province, Cuba. American Mineralogist: 46: 226-232.

Moore, P.B., Ito, J., and Steele, I.M. (1979) Macfallite and orientite: calcium manganese (III) silicates from upper Michigan. Mineralogical Magazine: 43: 325-331.

Moore, P.B., J. Shen, and T. Araki (1985) Crystal chemistry of the 2∞[M 3+ 2ф2(TO4)2] sheet: structural principles and crystal structures of ruizite, macfallite and orientite. American Mineralogist (1985): 70: 171-181.

Mellini M., Merlino S., Pasero M. (1986): X-ray and HRTEM structure analysis of orientite. American Mineralogist: 71: 176-187.

Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Monatshefte (1989): 455.

Internet Links for Orientite

Search Engines:
  • Look for Orientite on Google
  • Look for Orientite images on Google
    • External Links:
  • Look for Orientite on Webmineral
  • Look for Orientite on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Orientite on Wikipedia
  • Look for Orientite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Orientite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Orientite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
    • Mineral Dealers:
  • Rare and Unusual minerals at Mineralogical Research Company
  • Wilensky Fine Minerals
  • Find Orientite on www.crystalclassics.co.uk
  • Top quality minerals from Kristalle of California
  • Buy minerals from Mineralium.com
  • Wendel Minerals - Auktion & Shop
  • Mineral Classics - Worldwide Collector Quality Minerals and Gems
  • DAKOTA MATRIX offers Cabinet and Rare Species from Worldwide Localities.
  • Lapis Mineral Magazin
  • rare and unusual minerals mainly crystallized
  • Fine Minerals from Dan Weinrich Minerals
  • Buy fine minerals and gemstones from Pala International
    • Jobs:
  • Mining & Geology Jobs

    • Page Sponsor

    Sponsorship:This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.

    Localities for Orientite

    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.
    Cuba
     
    AM 70 (1985), 171; HB2/2 (1995)
    Italy
     
    • Liguria
      • La Spezia Province
        • Vara Valley
          • Borghetto Vara
    		Palenzona A. (1990) - Orientite e MacFallite di Cerchiara (La Spezia) - Rivista Mineralogica Italiana, Milano, Fasc. 2, pp111-114 - [AmMin 86:197]
    Japan
     
    • Hokkaido Island
      • Abashiri Province
        • Tokoro-gun
    		Miyajima, N., Osawa, S., Miura, H., Kikuchi, T. and Hiriya, Yu (1994) Proceedings of the 9th Quadrennial International Association on the Genesis of Ore Deposits (IAGOD) Symposium (Beijing), 603-616.
    South Africa
     
    • Northern Cape Province
      • Kalahari manganese fields
        • Hotazel
    		Minerals of South Africa
    USA
     
    • Michigan
      • Keweenaw Co.
        • Copper Harbor
    		Rocks & min.: 58:111.
    • New York
      • Lewis Co.
        • Diana Township
          • Harrisville
    		Chamberlain, Steven C., Vandall T. King, Donald Cooke, George W. Robinson & Wayne Holt (1999), Minerals of the Gouverneur Talc Company No. 4 Quarry (Valentine deposit), Town of Diana, Lewis County, New York: Rocks & Minerals: 74(4): 236-249 (July, 1999).
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
    www.mindat.org Web
    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2009. 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. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register. Current server date and time: 3rd Nov 2009 22:00:30