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Periclase

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Big Photo

Monte Somma, Somma-Vesuvius Complex, Naples Province, Campania, Italy
© Van King

Show Periclase Photos (21)



Formula:
MgO
System:IsometricColour:Colorless, grayish ...
Lustre:Sub-VitreousHardness:5½
Member of:Periclase Group
Name:Named by Arcangelo Scacchi in 1841 from the Greek περικλάω, to break around, in allusion to the cleavage.


Periclase Group.

Periclase is a rare magnesium oxide mineral. It is usually found as a component of metamorphosed dolomitic limestones. It can hydrate and alter to Brucite and other magnesium minerals by action of the humidity in normal atmospheric conditions.

Classification of Periclase

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:4/A.04-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:4.AB.25

4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
A : Metal: Oxygen = 2:1 and 1:1
B : M:O = 1:1 (and up to 1:1.25); with small to medium-sized cations only
Dana 8th edition ID:4.2.1.1

4 : SIMPLE OXIDES
2 : AX
Hey's CIM Ref.:7.4.7

7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
4 : Oxides of Be, Mg and the alkaline earths
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Type Occurrence of Periclase

Type Locality:Monte Somma, Somma-Vesuvius Complex, Naples Province, Campania, Italy
Year of Discovery:1840
Geological Setting of type material:Altered limestone xenoliths in the Monte Somma volcano
Associated Minerals at type locality:
MagnesiteHydromagnesiteForsterite

Occurrences of Periclase

Geological Setting:contact metamorphosed limestone or dolomite

Physical Properties of Periclase

Lustre:Sub-Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent, Translucent
Colour:Colorless, grayish white, yellow, brownish yellow, green, black
Streak:White
Hardness (Mohs):5½
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Perfect
{001} perfect; {111} imperfect.
Parting:On {011} at times on glide faces. Translation gliding: T{011), t[110].
Fracture:Irregular/Uneven
Density (measured):3.55 - 3.57 g/cm3
Density (calculated):3.581 g/cm3

Crystallography of Periclase

Crystal System:Isometric
Class (H-M):m3m (4/m 3 2/m) - Hexoctahedral
Space Group:Fm3m {F4/m 3 2/m}
Space Group Setting:Fm3m
Cell Parameters:a = 4.211Å
Unit Cell Volume:V 74.67 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:4
Morphology:Often octahedral, less often cubo-octahedral or cubic, rarely dodecahedral (Crestmore, CA). Usually irreglar or rounded grains.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
d-spacingIntensity
2.43 (10)
2.11 (100)
1.49 (50)
1.27 (10)
1.22 (10)
1.05 (10)
0.942 (20)
0.860 (20)
Comments:ICDD 4-829 (synthetic)

Optical Data of Periclase

Type:Isotropic
RI values: n = 1.732
Birefringence:0.0
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.000 - Isotropic minerals have no birefringence
Surface Relief:High
Pleochroism:Non-pleochroic

Chemical Properties of Periclase

Formula:
MgO
Essential elements:Mg, O
All elements listed in formula:Mg, O
Common Impurities:Fe

Relationship of Periclase to other Species

Member of:Periclase Group
Other Members of Group:

- +
Common Associates:
SpinelDolomiteChondroditeCalciteBrucite
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
4.AB.05Crednerite
CuMnO
 
2
4.AB.10Tenorite
CuO
4.AB.15Delafossite
CuFeO
 
2
4.AB.15Mcconnellite
CuCrO
 
2
4.AB.20Bromellite
BeO
4.AB.20Zincite
(Zn,Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
)O
4.AB.25Bunsenite
NiO
4.AB.25Lime
CaO
4.AB.25Manganosite
MnO
4.AB.25Monteponite
CdO
4.AB.25Wüstite
FeO
4.AB.30Palladinite
PdO
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
7.4.1Bromellite
BeO
7.4.2Behoite
Be(OH)
 
2
7.4.3Clinobehoite
Be(OH)
 
2
7.4.4Chrysoberyl
BeAl
 
2
O
 
4
7.4.5Magnesiotaaffeite-2N’2S
Mg
 
3
Al
 
8
BeO
 
16
7.4.6Magnesiotaaffeite-6N’3S
Mg
 
2
BeAl
 
6
O
 
12
7.4.8Brucite
Mg(OH)
 
2
7.4.9Spinel
MgAl
 
2
O
 
4
7.4.10Meixnerite
Mg
 
6
Al
 
2
(OH)
 
18
 · 4H
 
2
O
7.4.11Lime
CaO
7.4.12Portlandite
Ca(OH)
 
2
7.4.13Mayenite
Ca
 
12
Al
 
14
O
 
33
7.4.14Hydrocalumite
Ca
 
2
Al(OH)
 
7
 · 2H
 
2
O
7.4.15Marokite
CaMn
 
2
O
 
4
7.4.16Ranciéite
(Ca,Mn)Mn
 
4
O
 
9
 · 3H
 
2
O
7.4.17Hollandite
Ba(Mn
4+
 
,Mn
2+
 
)
 
8
O
 
16
7.4.18Romanèchite
(Ba,H
 
2
O)
 
2
Mn
 
5
O
 
10
7.4.19Todorokite
(Ca,K,Na,Mg,Ba,Mn)(Mn,Mg,Al)
 
6
O
 
12
 · 3H
 
2
O

Other Names for Periclase

Synonyms:
PericlasaPericlasiaPericlasite
Other Languages:
German:Periclasit
Periklas
Russian:Периклаз
Simplified Chinese:方镁石
Spanish:Periclasita
Varieties:
FerropericlaseLavernite

Other Information

Fluorescence in UV light:Not fluorescent
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 Periclase

Reference List:

- +
Scacchi (1841).

Palache, Charles, Harry Berman & Clifford Frondel (1944), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana Yale University 1837-1892, Volume I: Elements, Sulfides, Sulfosalts, Oxides. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York. 7th edition, revised and enlarged: 499-501.

American Mineralogist (1976): 61: 266.

Internet Links for Periclase

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
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  • Periclase details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    • Localities for Periclase

    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.
    Hide Locality List
    (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.
    Austria
     
    • Burgenland
      • Mattersburg
        • Sieggraben
          • Auwiesenbach valley
    		R. Exel: Die Mineralien und Erzlagerstätten Österreichs (1993)
    • Styria
      • Bad Radkersburg
        • Klöch
    		R. Exel: Die Mineralien und Erzlagerstätten Österreichs (1993); Kolitsch, U. & Brandstätter, F. (2011): 1709) Srebrodolskit und die Phase Ca3Ti(Fe,Al)2O8 in einem Ca-reichen Xenolith aus dem Basaltbruch Klöch, Bad Radkersburg, Steiermark. Pp. 174-175 in Niedermayr, G. et al. (2011): Neue Mineralfunde aus Österreich LX. Carinthia II, 201./121., 135-186.
    Canada
     
    • Northwest Territories
      • Lac de Gras
        • Diavik Mine
    		[var: Ferropericlase] Donnelly, C. L. et al. (2007): Lithos 98, 160-176.
    • Ontario
      • Hastings Co.
        • Dungannon Township
    		MSC Report 39
      • Sudbury District
        • Levack
    		Royal Ontario Museum
    • Québec
      • Laurentides
        • Deux-Montagnes RCM
          • Oka
    		Gold (1969)
      • Outaouais
        • Les Collines-de-l'Outaouais RCM
          • Chelsea
    		Sabina, A.P. (1987) Rocks & Minerals for the collector; Hull-Maniwaki, Quebec, Ottawa-Peterborough, Ontario. GSC Misc. Report 41, 34-35 p.
    China
     
    • Fujian Province
      • Nanping Prefecture
        • Yanping District
    		Jianchang Yu (1994): Journal of Fuzhou University, Natural Sciences Edition 34(1)
    • Tibet Autonomous Region
      • Shannan (Lhokha; Lhoka) Prefecture
        • Qusum (Qusong) Co.
    		Wenji Bai, Jingsui Yang, Qingsong Fang, Binggan Yan, and Zhongming Zhang (2001): Earth Science Frontiers 8(3), 111-121
    France
     
    • Languedoc-Roussillon
      • Pyrénées-Orientales
        • Céret
          • Prats de Mollo-La Preste (Prats de Molló-La Presta)
    		Dubru. M, (1986) Pétrologie et géochimie du marbre à brucite et des borates associés au gisement de tungstène de Costabonne, (Pyrénées orientales, France) 930p
    Germany
     
    • Lower Saxony
      • Harz
        • Bad Harzburg
    		Quakenack, K.-H. (1967): Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 14, 204-223.
    • Rhineland-Palatinate
      • Eifel
        • Hillesheim
          • Zilsdorf
    		Beyer, H., Eine Magnesium-Mineralparagenese als Folge primärer biologischer Stoffanlage und sekundärem vulkanischen Erhitzungsprozeß am Arensberg / Eifel, Der Aufschluß SB 30, 1980
        • Mayen
          • Ettringen
            • Bellerberg volcano
    		[Hentschel, G., Seltene Minerale in Calcium-reichen Auswürflingen vom Bellerberg bei Mayen/Eifel, Aufschluß 29, 77-83, 1978] [Lapis, 15 (5), 9-36]
    • Thuringia
      • Gera
        • Ronneburg U deposit
    		XRD and SEM-EDX analysis (T. Witzke)
    Hungary
     
    • Fejér Co.
      • Szár Hill
        • Kőszárhegy
    		Szakáll: Minerals of Szár Hill, 2004
    • Heves Co.
      • Mátra Mts.
        • Recsk
    		Mineral species of Hungary, 2005
    Mineral Species of Hungary, 2005
    Israel
     
    • Negev
    		[var: Ferropericlase] Sharygin, V.V., Sokol, E.V. & Vapnik, Ye. (2008): Minerals of the pseudobinary perovskite-brownmillerite series from combustion metamorphic larnite rocks of the Hatrurim Formation (Israel). Russian Geology and Geophysics 49, 709-726.
    Gross, S. (1977): The Mineralogy of the Hatrurim Formation, Israel. Geological Survey of Israel, Bulletin no. 70, 80 pp.
    Italy
     
    • Campania
      • Naples Province
        • Somma-Vesuvius Complex
    		Mem.Min.Geol.(1841) 23
            • Ercolano
              • San Vito
    		[var: Ferropericlase] Luigi Chiappino data, Pavel M. Kartashov analytical confirmation
            • Pollena - Trocchia area
    		Carati M., 1982. Guida alla mineralogia vesuviana. Guide Calderini, Bologna.
      • Phlegrean Volcanic Complex
        • Salerno Province
          • Nocera
            • Lavorate
    		Carati, M., (????): I minerali degli inclusi metamorfosati nel tufo grigio campano, ???
    • Latium
      • Rome Province
        • Alban Hills
    		De Michele, V. (1974). Guida mineralogica d'Italia. Istituto Geografico De Agostini, Novara, 2 vol
    • Lombardy
      • Sondrio Province
        • Malenco Valley
    		AA. VV., 1996. Collezionare minerali. Hobby & Work.
    • Piedmont
      • Verbano-Cusio-Ossola Province
    		Piccoli, G.C., Maletto, G., Bosio, P., Lombardo, B. (2007). Minerali del Piemonte e della Valle d'Aosta. Associazione Amici del Museo "F. Eusebio" Alba, Ed., Alba (Cuneo) 607 pp.
    • Sardinia
      • Cagliari Province
        • Teulada
    		AA. VV., 1996. Collezionare minerali. Hobby & Work.
    • Trentino-Alto Adige
      • Trento Province
        • Fassa Valley
    		AA. VV., 1996. Collezionare minerali. Hobby & Work.
        • Fiemme Valley
    		AA. VV., 1996. Collezionare minerali. Hobby & Work.
    Japan
     
    • Honshu Island
      • Chubu region
        • Gifu prefecture
          • Neo-mura
    Lesotho
     
    • Mokhotlong District
      • Maluti Mts.
    		[var: Ferropericlase] Field, M., Stiefenhofer, J., Robey, J., and Kurszlaukis, S. (2008): Ore Geology Reviews 34, 33-75.
    Norway
     
    • Telemark
      • Nome
    		Sæther (1957, p. 101); Neumann (1985, p. 53).
    Poland
     
    • Małopolskie
      • Olkusz District
    		Ref.: Kucha H., Jędrzejczyk B. 1995: Primary minerals of mining and metallurgical Zn-Pb dumps at Bukowno, Poland, and their stability during weathering. Mineralogia Polonica, vol. 26, No 2, 75-99
    • Upper Silesia (Śląskie)
      • Upper Silesian Coal Basin
        • Katowice area
          • Siemianowice Śląskie
    		Kruszewski L. 2006: Oldhamite-periclase-portlandite-fluorite assemblage and coexisting minerals of burnt dump in Siemianowice Śląskie - Dąbrówka Wielka area (Upper Silesia, Poland) - preliminary report. Mineralogia Polonica Special Papers, vol.28, 118-120
    Russia
     
    • Eastern-Siberian Region
      • Saha Republic (Sakha Republic; Yakutia)
        • Aldan Shield
          • Chara and Tokko Rivers Confluence
    		[Lapis 1993:4 p.13-20]
        • Daldyn-Alakit kimberlite field
          • Daldyn
    		N. Sobolev et al. , Eos Trans. AGU, 82(47), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract xxxxx-xx, 2001.
    • Northern Caucasus Region
      • Kabardino-Balkarian Republic
        • Verkhnechegemskaya caldera (Verkhni Chegem caldera; Upper Chegem caldera)
    		A. E. Zadov data; American Mineralogist, Volume 94, pages 1361–1370, 2009
    • Urals Region
      • Southern Urals
        • Chelyabinsk Oblast'
    		Cesnokov, B., M. Kotrly, and T. Nisanbajev (1998): Brennende Abraumhalden und Aufschlüsse im Tscheljabinsker Kohlenbecken - eine reiche Mineralienküche. Mineralien-Welt, 9 (3), 54-63 (in German).
    Cesnokov, B., M. Kotrly, and T. Nisanbajev (1998): Brennende Abraumhalden und Aufschlüsse im Tscheljabinsker Kohlenbecken - eine reiche Mineralienküche. Mineralien-Welt, 9 (3), 54-63 (in German).
    Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
    Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
            • Korkino
    		Am Min 90:1556-1562
    Slovakia
     
    • Banská Bystrica Region
      • Žiar nad Hronom Co.
    		Ďuďa R., 1993 : Die mineralien der Gold und Silber - lagersttäte von Kremnitz ( Kremnica) in der Slowakei. Mineralien Welt /Haltern,Nemecko/,5, s. 20 - 32
    South Africa
     
    • Free State Province
      • Koffiefontein
    		[var: Ferropericlase] Field, M., Stiefenhofer, J., Robey, J., and Kurszlaukis, S. (2008): Ore Geology Reviews 34, 33-75.
    • Limpopo Province
      • Eastern Bushveld Complex
        • Mokopane (Potgietersrus)
    		Minerals of South Africa
    Sweden
     
    • Dalarna
      • Ludvika
        • Grängesberg
    		No reference listed
      • Smedjebacken
    • Medelpad
      • Sundsvall
    		Sandström, F., Binett, T., Wiklund, C. & Vikström, J. (2010): Alnöområdets geologi och mineralogi. Litiofilen. 27 (2) :14-42
    Eckermann, H. von (1974): The chemistry and optical properties of some minerals of the Alnö alkaline rocks. Arkiv för Mineralogi och Geologi. 5: 93-210
    • Uppland
      • Östhammar
    • Värmland
      • Filipstad
    		Nysten, P., Holtstam, D. and Jonsson, E. (1999) The Långban minerals. In Långban - The mines,their minerals, geology and explorers (D. Holtstam and J. Langhof, eds.), Swedish Museum of Natural History and Raster Förlag, Stockholm & Chr. Weise Verlag, Munich, pp. 89-183.
        • Nordmark (Nordmarksberg)
    		Kjell Gatedal
    Dana 6: 207.
        • Persberg district
    Uganda
     
    • Kabarole District
    		Barker, D.S. and Nixon, P.H. (1989) High-Ca, low-alkali carbonatite volcanism at Fort Portal, Uganda. Contributions to Minralogy and Petrology.: 103: 166-177.
    UK
     
    • Scotland
      • North West Highlands (Inverness-shire)
        • Isle of Muck
    		Tilley, C.E. (1947) The gabbro-limestone contact zone of Camas Mor, Muck, Inverness-shire. Comptes Rendus de la Société geologique de Finlande, No. 140, 97–105.
    USA
     
    • Arizona
      • Cochise Co.
        • Tombstone Hills
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 325.
      • Mohave Co.
        • Black Mts
          • Oatman District (San Francisco District; Union Pass District)
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 325.
    • California
      • Riverside Co.
        • Crestmore
          • Crestmore quarries
            • Chino Hill
              • Chino Quarry
    		Woodford, A.O., Crippen, R.A., and Garner, K.B. (1941) Section Across Commercial Quarry, Crestmore, California. American Mineralogist: 26: 366.
            • Fairmont Park
              • North Hill
    		Rogers, Austin Flint (1918b), An American occurrence of periclase and its bearing on the origin and history of calcite brucite rocks: American Journal of Science, 4th. Series: 46: 581, 583; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 145.
    Rogers, Austin Flint (1918b), An American occurrence of periclase and its bearing on the origin and history of calcite brucite rocks: American Journal of Science, 4th. Series: 46: 581-586; Richmond, Gerald Martin (1939), Serendibite and associated minerals from the New City Quarry, Riverside, California: American Mineralogist: 24: 725-726; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 145.
            • Sky Blue Hill
    		Woodford, A.O., Crippen, R.A., and Garner, K.B. (1941) Section Across Commercial Quarry, Crestmore, California. American Mineralogist: 26: 366.
    Rogers, Austin Flint (1918b), An American occurrence of periclase and its bearing on the origin and history of calcite brucite rocks: American Journal of Science, 4th. Series: 46: 583; Rogers, Austin Flint (1929), Periclase from Crestmore near Riverside, California, with a list of minerals from this locality: American Mineralogist: 14: 462; Murdoch, Joseph & Robert W. Webb (1966), Minerals of California, Centennial Volume (1866-1966): California Division Mines & Geology Bulletin 189: 285.
        • Jurupa Mts
          • Jurupa
    		Cooney, R.L. (1956), The mineralogy of the Jensen and Henshaw quarries near Riverside, California: Unpublished Master’s thesis, University of California at Los Angeles: 41, 46; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 145; Devito, F. and Ordway, A. (1984), The Jensen Quarry, Riverside County, California. Mineralogical Record: 15(5): 273-290.
    • Colorado
      • Larimer Co.
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
    • Kentucky
      • Hardin Co.
    		Rocks & Minerals 81:420-440
    • Nevada
      • Nye Co.
        • Gabbs District
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    • New Mexico
      • Doña Ana Co.
    		Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.; Am Min (1937), 22:1151-1160
    NMBMMR Bull 11 The Geology of the Organ Mountains
    Am Min (1937), 22:1151-1160
    • New York
      • Putnam Co.
        • Southeast Township
    		NY State Museum spec. no. 19294
    • Texas
      • Culberson Co.
        • Apache Peak area
    		Rocks & Minerals: 66(3): 196-224.; Am Min 51:1766-1774
        • Sierra Diablo
    		R&M 66:3 pp 196-224
    • Utah
      • Salt Lake Co.
    		UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
        • Wasatch Mts
          • Big Cottonwood District
    		UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
    UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
    UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
            • Little Cottonwood Canyon
    		AmerJrnSci. 276: 502-524. (1976)
      • Utah Co.
        • Wasatch Mts
          • Silver Lake District
    		UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
    UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
      • Washington Co.
        • Mineral Mountain
    		UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
    Venezuela
     
    • Bolívar
    		Canadian Mineralogist (2000) Vol. 38, pp. 1347-137
    Zimbabwe
     
    • Matabeleland South
      • Beitbridge
    		[var: Ferropericlase] Kopylova, M.G., Gurney, J.J., and Daniels, L.R.M. (1997): Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 129, 366-384.
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