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Petalite

Big Photo

La Speranza (Pisani's Quarry), San Piero in Campo, Campo nell'Elba, Elba Island, Livorno Province, Tuscany, Italy
© Van King

Show Petalite Photos (56)
Formula:
LiAlSi
 
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
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Type Occurrence of Petalite

Type Locality:Utö Island, Haninge, Stockholm, 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:
LiAlSi
 
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
NaBSi
 
2
O
 
5
(OH)
 
2
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
LiAl[Si
 
2
O
 
6
]
16.1.3Eucryptite
LiAl[SiO
 
4
]
16.1.4Virgilite
LiAlSi
 
2
O
 
6
16.1.5Cookeite
LiAl
 
4
(Si
 
3
Al)O
 
10
(OH)
 
8
16.1.6Bikitaite
LiAlSi
 
2
O
 
6
·H
 
2
O
16.1.7Lunijianlaite
Li
 
0.7
Al
 
6.2
(Si
 
7
AlO
 
20
)(OH,O)
 
10
16.1.8Swinefordite
Li(Al,Li,Mg)
 
4
(Si,Al)
 
8
O
 
20
,(OH,F)
 
4
·xH
 
2
O
16.1.9Holmquistite
☐[Li
 
2
][Mg
 
3
Al
 
2
][(OH)
 
2
|Si
 
8
O
 
22
]
16.1.13Clinoferroholmquistite
[ ][Li
 
2
][Fe
2+
3
Al
 
2
][(OH)
 
2
|Si
 
8
O
 
22
]
16.1.14Magnesioholmquistite
16.1.15Bityite
CaLiAl
 
2
[(OH)
 
2
|BeAlSi
 
2
O
 
10
]
16.1.16Sogdianite
(K,Na)
 
2
(Li,Fe)
 
3
(Zr,Ti,Fe)Si
 
12
O
 
30
16.1.17Sugilite
KNa
 
2
(Fe,Mn,Al)
 
2
Li
 
3
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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    Localities for Petalite

    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.
    Afghanistan
     
    • Laghman (Lagman; Nuristan) Province
    • Nuristan Province (Nurestan; Nooristan)
    		[www.johnbetts-fineminerals.com]
    Australia
     
    • Western Australia
      • Nepean
    Brazil
     
    • Northeast Region
      • Rio Grande do Norte
        • Borborema mineral province
          • Equador
    		http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/doclib/hom/parabariomicrolite.pdf.; Canadian Mineralogist (1986): 24: 655-663.
    • Southeast Region
      • Minas Gerais
        • Doce valley
          • São José da Safira
    		CanMin 38: 1399-1408 (2000)
        • Jequitinhonha valley
          • Itinga
            • Monte Belo
    		[MinRec 12:74]
            • Taquaral
              • Piauí valley
    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.
    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
    • Ontario
      • Kenora District
        • Red Lake
    [AmMin 84:992]
    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
    • 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
     
    • Xinjiang (Xinjiang-Uygur) Autonomous Region
      • Yili Hasake (Ili Kazakh) Autonomous Prefecture
        • Aletai (Altay) Prefecture
          • Fuyun 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
     
    • Etelä-Suomen Lääni
      • 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 Island
      • 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
      • Stockholm
        • Haninge
    		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 Natural History Museum
        • Pala District
          • Hiriart Mountain (Heriart; Heriot; 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, R. A., and Wright, L. A. 1951. Gem and Lithium-Bearing Pegmatites of the Pala District, San Diego County, California. California Division of Mines and Geology Special Report 7A, p. 31.
        • Rincon District
          • Rincon Mountain (Boucher Hill)
    		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.
    • Connecticut
      • Middlesex Co.
        • Portland
          • Collins Hill
    		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
    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. and Foord, E., 2000, Mineralogy of Maine, v.2.
        • Peru
    		King, V. T. and Foord, E. E., 1994, Mineralogy of Maine, Vol. 1.
    • Massachusetts
      • Hampden Co.
        • Blandford
    		No reference listed
      • 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 Mt
    		Rocks & Min.:64:504.
    • 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).
    Zimbabwe
     
    • Harare District
    		Mineralogical Magazine 1959 32 : 87-89
    • Masvingo District
    		http://geology.csupomona.edu/drjessey/class/GSC433/Pegmatites.htm
    Mineral and/or Locality
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