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Sarcolite

Formula:
Na
 
2
Ca
 
12
(Ca,K,Fe,Sr,Mg)
 
2
Al
 
8
Si
 
12
(P,Si)O
 
52
F
 
2
System:TetragonalColour:Flesh-red
Hardness:6
Name:From Greek, Sarka, flesh, referring to its flesh-red color.
This page provides mineralogical data about Sarcolite.

Classification of Sarcolite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:8/J.13-30
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:9.EH.15

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
H : Transitional structures between phyllosilicate and other silicate units
Dana 8th edition ID:76.3.2.1

76 : TECTOSILICATES Al-Si Framework
3 : Al-Si Framework with other Be/Al/Si frameworks
Hey's CIM Ref.:17.2.6

17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
2 : Silicates with fluoride
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Type Occurrence of Sarcolite

Type Locality:Monte Somma, Somma-Vesuvius Complex, Naples Province, Campania, Italy
Year of Discovery:1807

Physical Properties of Sarcolite

Lustre:Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Translucent
Colour:Flesh-red
Hardness (Mohs):6

Crystallography of Sarcolite

Crystal System:Tetragonal
Cell Parameters:a = 12.34Å, c = 15.46Å
Ratio:a:c = 1 : 1.253
Unit Cell Volume:V 2,354.18 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Optical Data of Sarcolite

Type:Uniaxial (+)
RI values: nω = 1.604 nε = 1.615
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.011

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

Chemical Properties of Sarcolite

Formula:
Na
 
2
Ca
 
12
(Ca,K,Fe,Sr,Mg)
 
2
Al
 
8
Si
 
12
(P,Si)O
 
52
F
 
2
Essential elements:Al, Ca, F, Na, O, P, Si
All elements listed in formula:Al, Ca, F, Fe, K, Mg, Na, O, P, Si, Sr
Common Impurities:Ti,Fe,Mn,Mg,Sr,K,Cl,P,S

Relationship of Sarcolite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
9.EH.05Manganoneptunite
Na
 
2
KLi(Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
)
 
2
Ti
 
2
[Si
 
8
O
 
24
]
9.EH.05Neptunite
Na
 
2
KLi(Fe
2+
 
,Mn
2+
 
)
 
2
Ti
 
2
[Si
 
8
O
 
24
]
9.EH.05Watatsumiite
Na
 
2
KLi(Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
)
 
2
V
4+
2
[Si
 
8
O
 
24
]
9.EH.10Grumantite
Na[Si
 
2
O
 
4
(OH)]·H
 
2
O
9.EH.20Ussingite
Na
 
2
AlSi
 
3
O
 
8
OH
9.EH.25Leifite
(Na,H
 
2
O)Na
 
6
[F
 
2
|Be
 
2
Al
 
2
(Al,Si)Si
 
15
O
 
39
]
9.EH.25Telyushenkoite
(Cs,Na,K)Na
 
6
[F
 
2
|Be
 
2
Al
 
3
Si
 
15
O
 
39
]
9.EH.25Eirikite
KNa
 
6
Be
 
2
(Si
 
15
Al
 
3
)O
 
39
F
 
2
9.EH.30Nafertisite
Na
 
3
(Fe
2+
 
,Fe
3+
 
)
 
6
(Ti
 
2
Si
 
12
O
 
34
)(O,OH)
 
7
·2H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
17.2.1Topaz
Al
 
2
[(F,OH)
 
2
|SiO
 
4
]
17.2.2Polylithionite
KLi
 
2
Al[(F,OH)
 
2
|Si
 
4
O
 
10
]
17.2.3Leifite
(Na,H
 
2
O)Na
 
6
[F
 
2
|Be
 
2
Al
 
2
(Al,Si)Si
 
15
O
 
39
]
17.2.5Meliphanite
(Ca,Na)
 
2
(Be,Al)[Si
 
2
O
 
6
(OH,F)]
17.2.7Götzenite
Na
 
2
Ca
 
5
Ti[F
 
4
|(Si
 
2
O
 
7
)
 
2
]
17.2.8Kuliokite-(Y)
Y
 
4
Al(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
F
 
5
17.2.9Zinnwaldite
KLiFe
2+
 
Al[(F,OH)
 
2
|AlSi
 
3
O
 
10
]
17.2.10Magbasite
KBa(Al,Sc)(Mg,Fe)
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
20
F
 
2
17.2.11Eckermannite
[Na][Na
 
2
][(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)
 
4
Al][(OH)
 
2
|Si
 
8
O
 
22
]

Other Names for Sarcolite

Other Languages:
German:Sarcolit
Russian:Сарколит
Spanish:Sarcolita

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 Sarcolite

Reference List:American Mineralogist (1979): 64: 245.

Mineralogical Magazine (1984): 48: 107-112.

American Mineralogist (1985): 70: 441.

Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen: 24: 1-21.

Canadian Mineralogist (1987): 25: 731.

Articles/Blogs about Sarcolite

Internet Links for Sarcolite

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

    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.
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    (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.
    Italy
     
    • Campania
      • Naples Province
        • Somma-Vesuvius Complex
    [Ann.Mus.Natl.Hist.Nat.(1807) 9, 241; Lapis 1994:5 p.13-23,58]
    • Trentino-Alto Adige
      • Trento Province
        • Fassa Valley
          • Monzoni Mts
    De Michele, V. (1974). Guida mineralogica d'Italia. Istituto Geografico De Agostini, Novara, 2 vol.
        • Fiemme Valley
          • Predazzo
    Exel, R. (1987): Guida mineralogica del Trentino e del Sudtirolo. Athesia, Bolzano, 204 pp.
    USA
     
    • Connecticut
    Seaman, 1976. Pegmatite Minerals of the World
    • Nevada
      • Lander Co.
        • McCoy District
    NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
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