Sahamalite-(Ce)
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Sahamalite-(Ce)
Thure G. Sahama
Formula:
(Mg,Fe)(Ce,La,Nd)2(CO3)4
Colour:
Colourless
Lustre:
Vitreous
Specific Gravity:
4.30
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named in honor of Thure Georg Sahama (14 October 1910, Viipuri (Vyborg), Karelia, Finland - 8 March 1983), Professor of Geochemistry and Mineralogy, University of Helsinki, Finland, for his significant contributions to the understanding of the association and the abundance of the rare earths in eruptive rocks and in minerals. He helped describe nearly twenty new mineral species and was an honorary member of mineralogical societies from a number of countries. Originally named sahamalite, the suffix was added in 1987 to denote the dominant rare earth. It is pronounced sä'hä-mä-līt.
This page provides mineralogical data about Sahamalite-(Ce).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3501
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3501:5
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
6777370b-728c-4af5-bbb0-0a025b278798
IMA Classification of Sahamalite-(Ce)
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Ce2Mg(CO3)4
First published:
1953
Classification of Sahamalite-(Ce)
5.AD.05
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
A : Carbonates without additional anions, without H2O
D : With rare-earth elements (REE)
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
A : Carbonates without additional anions, without H2O
D : With rare-earth elements (REE)
14.4.2.1
14 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL CARBONATES
4 : Miscellaneous
14 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL CARBONATES
4 : Miscellaneous
11.8.21
11 : Carbonates
8 : Carbonates of the rare earths
11 : Carbonates
8 : Carbonates of the rare earths
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Shm-Ce | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Sahamalite-(Ce)
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless
Streak:
White
Cleavage:
Poor/Indistinct
{010} poor, {201} trace only.
{010} poor, {201} trace only.
Density:
4.30 g/cm3 (Measured) 4.30 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Sahamalite-(Ce)
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.679(2) nβ = 1.776(2) nγ = 1.807(2)
2V:
Measured: 57° , Calculated: 57°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.128
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Very High
Dispersion:
r < v perceptible
Optical Extinction:
Y = b; Z ∧ c = 29°.
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Sahamalite-(Ce)
Mindat Formula:
(Mg,Fe)(Ce,La,Nd)2(CO3)4
Crystallography of Sahamalite-(Ce)
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/b
Setting:
P21/a
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.894(1) Å, b = 16.116(3) Å, c = 4.612(1) Å
β = 106.54(1)°
β = 106.54(1)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.366 : 1 : 0.286
Unit Cell V:
419.96 ų
Z:
2
Morphology:
Euhedral prisms flattened on {201}, complex morphology showing {010}, {011}, {111}, {131}, {120}, {021}, {142}, {211}, {110}, {201}, {323}, {251}, {230}, {112}, {343}; in subparallel-radiating aggregates.
Crystal Structure
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0015692 | Sahamalite-(Ce) | Pertlik F, Preisinger A (1983) Crystal structure of sahamalite (Mg,Fe)RE2(CO3)4 Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen 31 39-46 | 1983 | Mountain Pass mine, San Bernardino County, California | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.90 Å | (100) |
| 3.65 Å | (100) |
| 2.87 Å | (100) |
| 5.33 Å | (70) |
| 4.26 Å | (70) |
| 3.03 Å | (70) |
| 2.12 Å | (70b) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 36 : Carbonatites, kimberlites, and related igneous rocks |
Type Occurrence of Sahamalite-(Ce)
General Appearance of Type Material:
Tabular to prismatic crystals, to 0.2 mm, observed in thin section, intimately associated with parisite and bastnaesite.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, number 106901.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Accessory in baryte-dolomite-REE carbonatite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Jaffe, H.W., Meyrowitz, R., Evans, H.T. (1953) Sahamalite, a new rare earth carbonate mineral. American Mineralogist: 38: 741-754.
Other Language Names for Sahamalite-(Ce)
German:Sahamalith-(Ce)
Russian:Сахамалит-(Ce)
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.AD.15 | Petersenite-(Ce) | Na4(Ce,La,Nd)2(CO3)5 |
| 5.AD.15 | Rémondite-(Ce) | Na3(Ce,Ca,Na)3(CO3)5 |
| 5.AD.15 | Rémondite-(La) | Na3(La,Ca,Na)3(CO3)5 |
| 5.AD.20 | Paratooite-(La) | (La,Sr,Ca)4CuCa(Na,Ca)2(CO3)8 |
Other Information
Notes:
More resistant to acids than most normal carbonates.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Sahamalite-(Ce)
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3501.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Sahamalite-(Ce)
Localities for Sahamalite-(Ce)
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Russia | |
| Ivashchenko et al. (2018, June) |
USA (TL) | |
| Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 222 +3 other references |
| American Mineralogist |
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Mountain Pass Mine, Mountain Pass, Mountain Pass District, Clark Mts, San Bernardino County, California, USA