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Petalite

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Big Photo

Palelni mine, Khetchel village, Molo quarter, Momeik Township, Sagaing District, Mandalay Division, Burma (Myanmar)
© Rob Lavinsky

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Formula:
LiAl(Si
 
4
O
 
10
)
System:MonoclinicColour:Colourless, white, grey, ...
Lustre:VitreousHardness:6½
Name:From the Greek "petalon" for leaf, in allusion to the perfect basal cleavage.
This page provides mineralogical data about Petalite.

Classification of Petalite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:8/J.03-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:9.EF.05

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
F : Single nets with 6-membered rings, connected by M[4], M[8], etc.
Dana 8th edition ID:72.6.1.1

72 : PHYLLOSILICATES Two-Dimensional Infinite Sheets with Other Than Six-Membered Rings
6 : Two-Dimensional Infinite Sheets with Other Than Six-Membered Rings with tetrahedral Al cross-linking
Hey's CIM Ref.:16.1.1

16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
1 : Aluminosilicates of Li
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-3171.html
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Type Occurrence of Petalite

Type Locality:Utö Mines, Utö, Södermanland, Sweden
Year of Discovery:1800

Occurrences of Petalite

Geological Setting:Lithium-rich pegmatites.

Physical Properties of Petalite

Lustre:Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent, Translucent
Comment:Pearly on cleavage {001}
Colour:Colourless, white, grey, pink
Streak:White
Hardness (Mohs):6½
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Perfect
Perfect on {001}
poor on {201}
Fracture:Conchoidal
Density (measured):2.412 - 2.422 g/cm3
Density (calculated):2.4 g/cm3

Crystallography of Petalite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Class (H-M):2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:P2/b {P1 1 2/b} {P2/c} {P1 2/c 1}{P2/a}
Cell Parameters:a = 11.737Å, b = 5.171Å, c = 7.63Å
β = 112.54°
Ratio:a:b:c = 2.27 : 1 : 1.476
Unit Cell Volume:V 427.71 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:2
Morphology:Tabular or elongated
Twinning:Common on {001}, lamellar

Optical Data of Petalite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.504 nβ = 1.510 nγ = 1.516
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.012

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Low
Dispersion:r > v weak

Chemical Properties of Petalite

Formula:
LiAl(Si
 
4
O
 
10
)
Essential elements:Al, Li, O, Si
All elements listed in formula:Al, Li, O, Si
Common Impurities:Mg,Fe,Na,Ca,K,H2O

Relationship of Petalite to other Species

Common Associates:
TourmalineTopazSpodumeneQuartzPolylithionite-Trilithionite Series
PolluciteMicroclineAlbite
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
9.EF.10Sanbornite
Ba
 
2
(Si
 
4
O
 
10
)
9.EF.15Searlesite
Na(H
 
2
BSi
 
2
O
 
7
)
9.EF.20Silinaite
NaLiSi
 
2
O
 
5
 · 2H
 
2
O
9.EF.25Kanemite
NaHSi
 
2
O
 
4
(OH)
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
9.EF.30Yakovenchukite-(Y)
K
 
3
NaCaY
 
2
[Si
 
12
O
 
30
] · 4H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
16.1.2Spodumene
LiAlSi
 
2
O
 
6
16.1.3Eucryptite
LiAlSiO
 
4
16.1.4Virgilite
LiAlSi
 
2
O
 
6
16.1.5Cookeite
LiAl
 
4
(AlSi
 
3
O
 
10
)(OH)
 
8
16.1.6Bikitaite
LiAlSi
 
2
O
 
6
 · H
 
2
O
16.1.7Lunijianlaite
Li
 
0.7
Al
 
6.2
(AlSi
 
7
lO
 
20
)(OH,O)
 
10
16.1.8Swinefordite
Li(Al,Li,Mg)
 
4
((Si,Al)
 
4
O
 
10
)
 
2
(OH,F)
 
4
 · nH
 
2
O
16.1.9Holmquistite
☐{Li
 
2
}{Mg
 
3
Al
 
2
}(Si
 
8
O
 
22
)(OH)
 
2
16.1.13Clinoferroholmquistite
☐{Li
 
2
}{Fe
2+
3
Al
 
2
}(Si
 
8
O
 
22
)(OH,F)
 
2
16.1.14Magnesioholmquistite
16.1.15Bityite
LiCaAl
 
2
(AlBeSi
 
2
O
 
10
)(OH)
 
2
16.1.16Sogdianite
K(□,Na)
 
2
Li
 
3
(Zr,Fe,Ti)
 
2
[Si
 
12
O
 
30
]
16.1.17Sugilite
K(Na,□)
 
2
Li
 
3
(Fe,Mn,Al,Zr)
 
2
[Si
 
12
O
 
30
]

Other Names for Petalite

Synonyms:
Arfvedsonite (of Beudant)Berzeliite (of Clarke)Berzelite (of Clark)Berzelite (of Clarke)Castorite
Lithite
Other Languages:
Dutch:Petaliet
German:Petalit
Castorit
Lithit
Italian:Petalite
Latin:Castor
Low Saxon:Petalit
Polish:Petalit
Portuguese:Petalita
Russian:Петалит
Spanish:Castorita
Lithita
Petalita
Ukrainian:Петаліт

Other Information

Thermal Behaviour:Thermoluminescent
Health Warning:No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Industrial Uses:Lithium ore

References for Petalite

Reference List:

- +
Dana, E.S. (1892) Dana's system of mineralogy, (6th edition), 311-312.

Deer, W.A., R.A. Howie, and J. Zussman (1963) Rock-forming minerals, vol. 4, framework silicates: 271-275.

Tagai, T., H. Ried, W. Joswig, and M. Korekawa (1982) Kristallgraphische Untersuchungen eines Petalits mittels Neutronenbeugung und Transmissionelektronenmikroskopie. Zeits. Krist., 160, 159-170 (in German with English abstract).

Černý, P. and D. London (1983) Crystal chemistry and stablity of petalite. Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen: 31: 81-96.

Zeitschrift für Kristallographie (1991): 197: 27-40.

Internet Links for Petalite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Petalite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    • Localities for Petalite

    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.
    Afghanistan
     
    • Laghman Province (Lagman Province; Nuristan)
      • Alingar District (Alinghar District)
    		Orris, G.J., and Bliss, J.D. (2002): Mines and Mineral Occurrences of Afghanistan. United States Geological Survey Open-File Report 02-110.
      • Mihtarlam District
    		Orris, G.J., and Bliss, J.D. (2002): Mines and Mineral Occurrences of Afghanistan. United States Geological Survey Open-File Report 02-110.
    • Nuristan Province (Nurestan Province; Nooristan Province; Nuristan)
      • Du Ab District
        • Nilaw-Kolum pegmatite field
    		Orris, G.J., and Bliss, J.D. (2002): Mines and Mineral Occurrences of Afghanistan. United States Geological Survey Open-File Report 02-110
      • Kamdesh District
    		[www.johnbetts-fineminerals.com]
    Angola
     
    • Namibe Province
      • Giraul pegmatite field
    		Antonio Olimpio Gonçalves, Joan Carles Melgarejo, Pura Alfonso Abella (2009) SEQUENCE OF CRYSTALLISATION OF PEGMATITES: THE ANGOLA CASE. Estudos Geológicos v. 19 (2), pp 35-39
    Australia
     
    • Western Australia
      • Nepean
    Brazil
     
    • Bahia
      • Brumado (Bom Jesus dos Meiras)
        • Serra das Éguas
    		Rob Lavinsky, Martins da Piedra, Rafael Hernandes Correa-Silva, and John Sobolewski specimens
    • Minas Gerais
      • Doce valley
        • São José da Safira
    		CanMin 38: 1399-1408 (2000)
      • Jequitinhonha valley
    		Rob Lavinsky
        • Itinga
          • Monte Belo
    		[MinRec 12:74]
          • Taquaral
            • Piauí valley
    • Rio Grande do Norte
      • Borborema mineral province
        • Equador
    		http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/doclib/hom/parabariomicrolite.pdf.; Canadian Mineralogist (1986): 24: 655-663.
    Burma (Myanmar)
     
    • Mandalay Division
      • Sagaing District
        • Momeik Township
          • Molo quarter
            • Khetchel village
    		Andreas Ertl, John M. Hughes, Stefan Prowatke, Thomas Ludwig, Franz Brandstätter, Wilfried Körner, and M. Darby Dyar (2007): Tetrahedrally coordinated boron in Li-bearing olenite from “mushroom” tourmaline from Momeik, Myanmar. Can. Mineral. 45, 891-899.
    • Shan State
    		Themelis, Ted, 2008, Gems and Mines of Mogok.
    Canada
     
    • Manitoba
    		Canadian Mineralogist: 40: 1339-1345.
      • Lac-du-Bonnet area
        • Bernic Lake
    		Bull. Minéral. , 1984, 107, pp. 369-384.; Econ Geol (1995) 90:658-675
    Econ Geol (1995) 90:658-675
    MinRec 32:416; Tschernich, R. (1992): Zeolites of the World, p.51; Canadian Mineralogist Vol. 16, pp, 625-640 (1978)
      • Red Cross Lake
    		Xianjue Wang, Xiaolin Xiong, and Cerny, P. (2002): Geochimica 5, 481-486.
    • Ontario
      • Kenora District
        • Red Lake
    [AmMin 84:992]
    Pedersen, J. C. P.Geo., and Bubar, D. S.,(2002) Mineralogy and Zonation of the Big Whopper Pegmatite, Separation Rapids area, Kenora, Ontario Proceedings Volume of the Institute on Lake Superior Geology Vol 48 pp 34-35
    Tindle, A.G. & Breaks, F.W. (1998) Oxide minerals of the Separation Rapids rare-element granitic pegmatite group, northwestern Ontario. Canadian Mineralogist, 36, 609-635. Tindle, A.G., Breaks, F.W. and Webb, P.C. (1998) Wodginite-group minerals from the Separation Rapids Rare-Element Granitic Pegmatite Group, northwestern Ontario. Canadian Mineralogist, 36, 637-658. Kenora District Monthly Activity Summary, March 2001; http://www.mndm.gov.on.ca/MNDM/MINES/resgeol/kenora/reports/2001/march.htm
      • Root Lake pegmatite group
    		Tindle, A. G., Selway, J. B. & Breaks, F. W. (2005): Liddicoatite and associated species from the McCombe spodumene-subtype rare-element granitic pegmatite, northwestern Ontario, Canada. Canadian Mineralogist 43, 769-793.
    • Québec
      • Abitibi-Témiscamingue
        • Abitibi RCM
          • La Corne
    		Sabina, A.P. (2003): Rocks & Minerals for the collector; Kirkland Lake - Rouyn-Noranda - Val d'Or, Ontario & Quebec. GSC Misc. Report 77, 169p.
    China
     
    • Hubei Province
      • Xianning Prefecture
        • Tongcheng Co.
    		Yuyu Zhang and Rubo Zhang (2008): Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology 29(3), 37-40
    • Xinjiang (Xinjiang-Uygur) Autonomous Region
      • Yili Hasake (Ili Kazakh) Autonomous Prefecture
        • Aletai (Altay) Prefecture
          • Fuyun Co. (Koktokay Co.)
            • Koktokay (Keketuohai) Pegmatite field
              • Altay Mine
    		Huanzhang Lu, Zhonggang Wang, and Yuansheng Li (1997): Chinese Journal of Geochemistry 16(1), 43-52.
    Czech Republic
     
    • Bohemia (Böhmen; Boehmen)
      • South Bohemia Region
        • Český Krumlov
    		Welser, P. et al.: Lithný pegmatit Nová Ves. Minerál, Special volume, 2007, roč. 15.
    • Moravia (Mähren; Maehren)
      • Vysočina Region
        • Jihlava (Iglau)
    		Staněk, J.: Příspěvky k mineralogii některých západomoravských pegmatitů. Časopis Moravského musea v Brně, 1952, roč. 37, s. 112-125.;
    Ethiopia
     
    • Sidamo-Borana Province
      • Kenticha pegmatite field
    		Küster, D. et al. (2009): Mineralium Deposita 44, 723-750.
    Finland
     
    • Southern Finland Province
      • Tammela
    		H-J Wilke (1976) Mineralfundstellen, Band 4, Skandinavien
    H-J Wilke (1976) Mineralfundstellen, Band 4, Skandinavien
    France
     
    • Limousin
      • Haute-Vienne
        • Ambazac
    		Guide geologique de la Haute Vienne, musee municipal de Limoges, Limoges, 1967
        • Saint-Sylvestre
    		http://perso.wanadoo.fr/jeldemine/liste%20mineraux%20sud.html
    Italy
     
    • Tuscany
      • Livorno Province
        • Elba Island
          • Campo nell'Elba
    		Mineralogical Record, 16 (5), 353-363.
    Alessandro Genazzani collection
    Barsotti, G., & Nannoni, R. (2006). Rocce, minerali e miniere delle isole dell'Arcipelago Toscano. Pacini editore, 152 pp.
                • Podere Liborio
    		F.Pezzotta, M.Lorenzoni (2008) "Bismuto Nativo: prima segnalazione nelle pegmatiti elbane " Rivista Mineralogica Italiana N.2, 2008
    A. Beithaupt (1846) - Neue Mineralien: Kastor und Pollux - Poggend. An., 69: 436-439.
    F. Pezzotta, F.C. Hawthorne, M.A. Cooper, D.K. Teerstra (1996) - Fibrous foitite from S. Piero in Campo, Elba, Italy. - Canad. Min., 34: 741-744.
            • Sant'Ilario in Campo
    		Barsotti, G., & Nannoni, R. (2006). Rocce, minerali e miniere delle isole dell'Arcipelago Toscano. Pacini editore, 152 pp.
                • Fosso Marcianella Pegmatite
    		Field Trip Excursion Programm IMA, May 29, 2005 (M.E. Ciriotti).
    Japan
     
    • Kyushu Region
      • Fukuoka Prefecture
    		www.petrovrareminerals.com/articles02.html
    Mozambique
     
    • Zambezia Province
      • Alto Ligonha District
    		No reference listed
    Namibia
     
    • Erongo Region
    		Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 826.
    Mining Ann. Review(1985):423.
        • Okatjimukuju farm (Friedrichsfelde farm)
    		P. Keller and O. von Knorring, Eur. J. Mineral. , 1989, 1, pp. 567-593.
        • Okongava-Ost farm
    		Keller, P. (1991): The occurrence of Li-Fe-Mn phosphate minerals in granitic pegmatites of Namibia. Communs. Geol. Surv. Namibia, 7, 21-34.
      • Swakopmund District
        • Cape Cross area
    		http://www.mineral.tu-freiberg.de/econgeology/lehre/namibia/snlipegm/snlipegm_2_4.html
    • Kunene Region
      • Damaraland District
        • Uis (Groot Uis)
    Portugal
     
    • Vila Real District
      • Barroso-Alvão pegmatite field
    		Novák, M. et al. (2009): Ferronigerite with dominant substitution TiSn-1 in muscovite+chlorite aggregate from massive quartz nodule associated with a petalite-rich aplite-pegmatite of the Barroso-Alvão pegmatite field, Northern Portugal. N. Jb. Mineral. Abh. 186, 67-78.
    Russia
     
    • Eastern-Siberian Region
      • Transbaikalia (Zabaykalye)
        • Chitinskaya Oblast'
          • Krasnyi Chikoy
            • Malkhan pegmatite field (Malchan)
    		[MinRec 32:44]
    International Geological Congress (2008) MRD-06 The Sosedka gem tourmaline-rich mine: Emplacement of extremely chemically heterogeneous pegmatite-forming medium
    P.M. Kartashov data
    Sweden
     
    • Lappland
    		No reference listed
    • Medelpad
      • Sundsvall
    		No reference listed
    No reference listed
    • Södermanland
      • Utö
    		d’Andrada, J. B. (1800): Der eigenschaften und kennzeichen einiger neuen fossilien aus Schweden und Norwegen nebst einigen chemischen bemerkungen ueber dieselben. Allgemeines Journal der Chemie 4, 28-39; Tschermaks MPM (1983), 31, 81-96
    Selway, J. B.; Smeds, S.-A.; Cerny, P.; Hawthorne, F. C. (2002): Compositional evolution of tourmaline in the petalite-subtype Nykopingsgruvan pegmatites, Uto, Stockholm Archipelago, Sweden. GFF 124, 93-102.
    • Västerbotten
      • Skellefteå
    		Grensman, F & Langhof, J.(1991):Åkerberget. Guldgruva med litiumpegmatite. STEIN 18(2),20-22
    No reference listed
    UK
     
    • England
      • Devon
        • Okehampton area (Northern Dartmoor)
    		http://www.mineralman.f9.co.uk/quarries/meldon.htm
    USA
     
    • California
      • San Diego Co.
        • Pala District
          • Pala
            • Hiriart Mountain (Hariat Mtn; Harriot Mtn; Heriart Mtn; Heriot Mtn; Hiriat Hill)
    		Ref.: Weber, F. H. 1963. Geology and mineral resources of San Diego County, California. California Division of Mines and Geology, County Report 3: p. 98.
    Jahns, Richard Henry & Wright, Lauren A. (1951), Gem and lithium-bearing pegmatites of the Pala district, San Diego County, California. California Division of Mines Special Report 7-A: p. 31.
        • Rincon District
          • Rincon
            • Rincon Mountain
    		Hanley, J. B. 1951. Economic Geology of the Rincon Pegmatites, San Diego County, California. Department of Natural Resources, California Division of Mines, Special Report 7B: p. 20-23, maps; Murdoch, Joseph (1946), Progress on revision of Bulletin 113 “Minerals of California,” with notes on some new mineral occurrences: California Division Mines Report 42: 198; Murdoch, Joseph & Robert W. Webb (1966), Minerals of California, Centennial Volume (1866-1966): California Division Mines & Geology Bulletin 189: 79, 215, 286, 346; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 367.
    • Connecticut
      • Middlesex Co.
        • Portland
          • Collins Hill
            • Strickland pegmatite
    		Januzzi, 1976. Mineral Localities of Connecticut and Southeastern New York State (Taylor Assoc./Mineralogical Press)
    • Maine
      • Oxford Co.
        • Buckfield
    		Rocks & Min.: 62:403-404.
        • Greenwood
    		King, V. and Foord, E.E., 1994 Mineralogy of Maine, Vol. 1, Maine Geologic Survey, Augusta.
    Mineralogical Record 24: 382-383 ; Mineral News (1993) 9:2 p. 8
    King, V. T., 1994, Mineralogy of Maine, Descriptive Mineralogy, v. 1
        • Newry
    		King, V. T., 1994, Mineralogy of Maine, Descriptive Mineralogy, v. 1
        • Norway
    		King & Foord, 1994. Mineralogy of Maine, V. 1.
        • Paris
    		King, V. and Foord, E., 1994, Mineralogy of Maine, vol. 1.
    King, V. T. and Foord, E. E., 2000, Mineralogy of Maine, v.2, Maine Geological Survey, Augusta, Maine, pp. 524 + 25 plates.
        • Peru
    		King, V. T. and Foord, E. E., 1994, Mineralogy of Maine, Vol. 1.
    • Massachusetts
      • Worcester Co.
        • Bolton
    		Emerson, B.K. Geology of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, 1917. (USGS Bulletin 597; Yale Peabody Museum specimen # 6887.
    Shepard, C. U., 1832, Treatise on Mineralogy
    • New Hampshire
      • Cheshire Co.
    		Morrill, 1960. NH Mines and Mineral Localities
      • Strafford Co.
        • Strafford
          • Parker Mountain
    		Rocks & Min.:64:504.; Rocks & Minerals 80:4 pp234-241
    • New Mexico
      • Taos Co.
    		Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.
    Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.
    Northrop, Minerals of New Mexico, 3rd Rev. Ed., 1996
    • North Carolina
      • Cleveland Co.
        • Kings Mountain District
    		To many to list here. If interested, we can e-mail them to you.
      • Mitchell Co.
        • Spruce Pine District
    • South Dakota
      • Pennington Co.
        • Keystone District
          • Keystone
    		Rocks & Minerals: 67(6): 380-388.
    • Wyoming
    		Rocks&Min 76:23-241
    Rocks & Minerals 76:386
    Meeves, H., et al (1966), Reconnaissance of beryllium-bearing pegmatite deposits in six western states, US Bur. Mines Info. Circ. 8298: 34 (Table A-1).
    USGS Prof. Paper 227
    Zimbabwe
     
    • Harare District
    		Mineralogical Magazine 1959 32 : 87-89
    • Masvingo District
    		http://geology.csupomona.edu/drjessey/class/GSC433/Pegmatites.htm
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