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Paraspurrite

Big Photo

Darwin area, Darwin District, Inyo Co., California, USA
© Maurice de Graaf

Formula:
Ca
 
5
[CO
 
3
|(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
]
System:MonoclinicColour:colourless
This page provides mineralogical data about Paraspurrite.

Classification of Paraspurrite

IMA status:Approved 1977
Strunz 8th edition ID:8/B.22-60
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:9.AH.15

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
H : Nesosilicates with CO3, SO4, PO4, etc.
Dana 8th edition ID:53.1.2.1

53 : NESOSILICATES Insular SiO4 Groups and Other Anions or Complex Cations
1 : Insular SiO4 Groups and Other Anions of Complex Cations with (CO3)
Hey's CIM Ref.:17.4.3

17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
4 : Silicates with carbonates
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Type Occurrence of Paraspurrite

Type Locality:Darwin area, Darwin District, Inyo Co., California, USA
Year of Discovery:1977

Physical Properties of Paraspurrite

Diaphaneity (Transparency):Translucent
Colour:colourless
Streak:white
Cleavage:Poor/Indistinct

Crystallography of Paraspurrite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Cell Parameters:a = 10.47Å, b = 6.7Å, c = 27.78Å
β = 90.58°
Ratio:a:b:c = 1.563 : 1 : 4.146
Unit Cell Volume:V 1,948.64 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Optical Data of Paraspurrite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.650 nβ = 1.672 nγ = 1.677
2V:Measured: 47° , Calculated: 50°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.027

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

Chemical Properties of Paraspurrite

Formula:
Ca
 
5
[CO
 
3
|(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
]
Essential elements:C, Ca, O, Si
All elements listed in formula:C, Ca, O, Si
Common Impurities:Ti,Al,Fe,Mn,Mg,Na,P

Relationship of Paraspurrite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
9.AH.05Iimoriite-(Y)
Y
 
2
[CO
 
3
|SiO
 
4
]
9.AH.10Tundrite-(Ce)
Na
 
2
Ce
 
2
TiO
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)(CO
 
3
)
 
2
9.AH.10Tundrite-(Nd)
Na
 
3
(Nd,La)
 
4
(Ti,Nb)
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
(CO
 
3
)
 
3
O
 
4
(OH)·2H
 
2
O
9.AH.15Spurrite
Ca
 
5
[CO
 
3
|(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
]
9.AH.20Ternesite
Ca
 
5
[SO
 
4
|(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
]
9.AH.25Britholite-(Ce)
Ca
 
2
(Ce,Ca)
 
3
[(OH,F)|(SiO
 
4
,PO
 
4
)
 
3
]
9.AH.25Britholite-(Y)
Ca
 
2
(Y,Ca)
 
3
[(OH,F)|(SiO
 
4
,PO
 
4
)
 
3
]
9.AH.25Ellestadite-(Cl)
Ca
 
10
[Cl
 
2
|(SO
 
4
)
 
3
|(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
]
9.AH.25Fluorbritholite-(Ce)
Ca
 
2
(Ce,Ca)
 
3
[(F,OH)|(SiO
 
4
,PO
 
4
)
 
3
]
9.AH.25Ellestadite-(F)
Ca
 
10
[(F,Cl,OH)
 
2
|(SO
 
4
)
 
3
|(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
]
9.AH.25Ellestadite-(OH)
Ca
 
10
[(OH,Cl,F)
 
2
|(SO
 
4
)
 
3
|(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
]
9.AH.25Mattheddleite
Pb
 
5
(Si
 
1.5
S
 
1.5
)O
 
12
(Cl,OH)
9.AH.25Tritomite-(Ce)
(Ce,La,Y,Th)
 
5
(Si,B)
 
3
(O,OH,F)
 
13
9.AH.25Tritomite-(Y)
(Y,Ca,La,Fe)
 
5
(Si,B,Al)
 
3
(O,OH,F)
 
13
9.AH.25Fluorcalciobritholite
(Ca,Ce)
 
5
 (SiO
 
4
,PO
 
4
)
 
3
F
9.AH.25IMA2009-005
Ca
 
2
(Y,Ca)
 
3
[(F,OH)|(SiO
 
4
,PO
 
4
)
 
3
]
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
17.4.1Tilleyite
Ca
 
5
[(CO
 
3
)
 
2
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
]
17.4.2Spurrite
Ca
 
5
[CO
 
3
|(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
]
17.4.4Scawtite
Ca
 
7
Si
 
6
(CO
 
3
)O
 
18
·2H
 
2
O
17.4.5Fukalite
Ca
 
4
[CO
 
3
|(HSiO
 
4
)
 
2
]
17.4.6Meionite
Ca
 
4
[CO
 
3
|(Al
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
)
 
3
]
17.4.7Cancrinite
Na
 
6
Ca
 
2
[(CO
 
3
)
 
2
|Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
] · 2H
 
2
O
17.4.8Carletonite
KNa
 
4
Ca
 
4
Si
 
8
O
 
18
(CO
 
3
)
 
4
(OH,F)·H
 
2
O
17.4.9Iimoriite-(Y)
Y
 
2
[CO
 
3
|SiO
 
4
]
17.4.10Kainosite-(Y)
Ca
 
2
(Y,Ce)
 
2
Si
 
4
O
 
12
CO
 
3
·H
 
2
O
17.4.11Caysichite-(Y)
Ca
 
2
Y
 
2
Si
 
4
O
 
10
(CO
 
3
)
 
3
·4H
 
2
O
17.4.12Lepersonnite-(Gd)
Ca(Gd,Dy)
 
2
[(UO
 
2
)
 
6
(OH)
 
6
(CO
 
3
)
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)]
 
4
 ·48(H
 
2
O)
17.4.13Ashburtonite
Pb
 
4
Cu
 
4
[(OH)
 
3
|Cl|(HCO
 
3
)
 
4
|Si
 
4
O
 
12
] · H
 
2
O
17.4.14Surite
Pb(Pb,Ca)(CO
 
3
)
 
2
(Al,Fe,Mg)
 
2
(Si,Al)
 
4
O
 
10
(OH)
 
2
17.4.15Tundrite-(Ce)
Na
 
2
Ce
 
2
TiO
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)(CO
 
3
)
 
2
17.4.16Tundrite-(Nd)
Na
 
3
(Nd,La)
 
4
(Ti,Nb)
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
(CO
 
3
)
 
3
O
 
4
(OH)·2H
 
2
O

Other Names for Paraspurrite

Synonyms:
IMA1977-016
Other Languages:
German:Paraspurrit
Spanish:Paraspurrita

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 Paraspurrite

Reference List:Colville, A.A. & P.A. Colville (1977), Paraspurrite, a new polymorph of spurrite from Inyo County, California: American Mineralogist: 62: 1003-1005.

Internet Links for Paraspurrite

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    Localities for Paraspurrite

    (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.
    USA
     
    • California
      • Inyo Co.
    		www.mineralsocal.org
    [Nickel & Nichols, 1991, p160 - "Mineral Reference Manual"]; Am Min (1962) 47:1003-1005
    Mineral and/or Locality
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    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: 8th Nov 2009 13:30:56