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Sellaite

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Mt Bischoff, Waratah, Waratah district, Tasmania, Australia
© crocoite.com

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Formula:
MgF
 
2
System:TetragonalColour:Colourless, white; ...
Hardness:5 - 6
Name:Named for Quintino Sella (1827-1884), Italian mining engineer and mineralogist.
This page provides mineralogical data about Sellaite.

Classification of Sellaite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:3/A.06-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:3.AB.15

3 : HALIDES
A : Simple halides, without H2O
B : M:X = 1:2
Dana 8th edition ID:9.2.2.1

9 : NORMAL HALIDES
2 : AX2
Hey's CIM Ref.:8.4.1

8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
4 : Halides of the alkaline earths and Mg
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Type Occurrence of Sellaite

Type Locality:Gébroulaz glacier, Val Thorens, Savoie, Rhône-Alpes, France
Year of Discovery:1868
Geological Setting of type material:In bituminous dolomite-anhydrite rock in a glacial moraine.
Associated Minerals at type locality:
SulphurFluoriteQuartzCelestine

Physical Properties of Sellaite

Lustre:Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Colour:Colourless, white; colourless in transmitted light.
Streak:White
Hardness (Mohs):5 - 6
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Perfect
On {010} and {110}.
Fracture:Conchoidal
Density (measured):3.15 g/cm3
Density (calculated):3.08 g/cm3

Crystallography of Sellaite

Crystal System:Tetragonal
Class (H-M):4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) - Ditetragonal Dipyramidal
Cell Parameters:a = 4.62Å, c = 3.05Å
Ratio:a:c = 1 : 0.66
Unit Cell Volume:V 65.10 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:Crystals stout prismatic to acicular [001]. Fibrous aggregates.
Twinning:On {110}.

Optical Data of Sellaite

Type:Uniaxial (+)
RI values: nω = 1.378 nε = 1.390
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.012

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

Chemical Properties of Sellaite

Formula:
MgF
 
2
Essential elements:F, Mg
All elements listed in formula:F, Mg

Relationship of Sellaite to other Species

Common Associates:
AnhydriteGypsumSulphur
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
3.AB.05Tolbachite
CuCl
 
2
3.AB.10Coccinite
HgI
 
2
3.AB.20Chloromagnesite
MgCl
 
2
3.AB.20Lawrencite
(Fe
2+
 
,Ni)Cl
 
2
3.AB.20Scacchite
MnCl
 
2
3.AB.25Fluorite
CaF
 
2
3.AB.25Frankdicksonite
BaF
 
2
3.AB.30Tveitite-(Y)
(Y, Na)
 
6
Ca
 
6
Ca
 
6
F
 
42
3.AB.35Gagarinite-(Y)
NaCaY(F,Cl)
 
6
3.AB.35Zajacite-(Ce)
Na(REE
 
x
Ca
 
1-x
)(REE
 
y
Ca
 
1-y
)F
 
6
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
8.4.2Neighborite
NaMgF
 
3
8.4.3Bischofite
MgCl
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
8.4.4Korshunovskite
Mg
 
2
[(OH)
 
3
|Cl] · 4H
 
2
O
8.4.5Carnallite
KMgCl
 
3
·6H
 
2
O
8.4.6Tachyhydrite
CaMg
 
2
Cl
 
6
·12H
 
2
O
8.4.7Fluorite
CaF
 
2
8.4.8Sinjarite
CaCl
 
2
·2H
 
2
O
8.4.9Antarcticite
CaCl
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
8.4.10Chlorocalcite
KCaCl
 
3
8.4.11Rorisite
CaFCl
8.4.12Jarlite
Na(Sr,Ca)
 
3
Al
 
3
F
 
16
8.4.13Calcjarlite
Na(Ca,Sr)
 
3
Al
 
3
(OH)
 
2
F
 
14
8.4.14Tikhonenkovite
Sr[AlF
 
4
(OH)(H
 
2
O)]
8.4.15Acuminite
Sr[AlF
 
4
(OH)(H
 
2
O)]
8.4.16Frankdicksonite
BaF
 
2
8.4.17Usovite
Ba
 
2
CaMgAl
 
2
F
 
14
8.4.18Bøgvadite
Na
 
2
SrBa
 
2
[Al
 
4
F
 
20
]

Other Names for Sellaite

Synonyms:
BelonesiteBelonosite
Other Languages:
Czech:Sellait
German:Belonesit
Belonosit
Sellait
Italian:Sellaite
Russian:Селлаит
Spanish:Belonesita
Belonosita
Sellaita

Other Information

Other Information:Crystals exhibit a pale violet light when warmed and cleaved.

Very slightly soluble in water. Decomposed by concentrated H2SO4.
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 Sellaite

Reference List:Strüver (1868) Acc. Torino, Att.: 4: 35.

Scacchi (1886) Acc Napoli, Mem.: 1, no. 5 (as Belonesite).

Sella (1887) Acc. Linc., Mem.: 4: 455.

Pelloux (1919) Acc. Linc.Att.: 28: 284.

Goldschmidt (1922) 8: 34.

Buckley and Vernon (1925) Phil. Mag.: 49: 945.

Starraba (1930) Società geologica italiana, Rome, Bollettino: 48: 259 (as Zamboninite).

Heidorn (1932) Centralblatt für Mineralogie, Geologie und Paleontologie, Stuttgart: 356.

Palache, Charles, Harry Berman & Clifford Frondel (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: Halides, Nitrates, Borates, Carbonates, Sulfates, Phosphates, Arsenates, Tungstates, Molybdates, Etc. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged: 37-39.

Sahama (1945) Ann. Ac. Sc. Fennicae, (A), part III, no. 9.

Centralblatt für Mineralogie: 356-364.

Acta Crystallographica (1976): B32: 2200-2204.

Internet Links for Sellaite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Sellaite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Sellaite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    Localities for Sellaite

    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.
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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.
    Australia
     
    • Tasmania
      • Heazlewood district
        • Luina
    		http://www.crocoite.com/mainadit/luina.htm
      • Moina District (Middlesex District)
    		Bottrill & Baker (in prep) Catalogue of minerals of Tasmania
      • Waratah district
        • Waratah
    		Bottrill
    Bottrill & Baker (in prep) Catalogue of minerals of Tasmania
    Brazil
     
    • Northeast Region
      • Bahia
        • Brumado (Bom Jesus dos Meiras)
          • Serra das Éguas
    		Cassedanne, J.P & Resende, J. P. (1983): Sellaite from the Brumado mine. Mineralogical Record 14 (3): 179-181
    Canada
     
    • New Brunswick
      • Kings Co.
    		Canadian Mineralogist: 43: 1469-1487.
        • Sussex
          • Cardwell Parish
    		CM 43, 1469-1487
    Canadian Mineralogist (1996): 34: 657-665.
    China
     
    • Sichuan Province
      • Garzê (Ganzi) Autonomous Prefecture
        • Kangding Co.
    		Denghong Wang, Yuchuan Chen, Jue Xu, Jianmin Yang, Chunji Xue, and Shenghao Yan (2000): Acta Geologica Sinica 74(3), 478-484.
    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
    • Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
      • Var
        • Tanneron
    		Mari G. (2002), La mine de Fontsante (Var), Le Règne Minéral, n°43, pp: 38-60
    • Rhône-Alpes
      • Savoie
        • Val Thorens
    		Atti Accad.Torino,(1868) 4, 35; Palache, Charles, Harry Berman & Clifford Frondel (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged, 1124 pp.: 39; "Les minéraux, leurs gisements, leurs associations", P. Bariand, F. Cesbron et J. Geffroy (1977), Editions Minéraux et Fossiles, BRGM
    Germany
     
    • Baden-Württemberg
      • Black Forest
        • Wolfach
          • Oberwolfach
            • Rankach valley
    		Walenta, K. (1992): Die Mineralien des Schwarzwaldes. Chr. Weise Verlag, München, 336 pp. (in German)
    • Rhineland-Palatinate
      • Eifel Mts
        • Daun
          • Üdersdorf
    		Hentschel, G., Einige Funde ungewöhnlicher Minerale aus quartären Vulkanvorkommen der Eifel, Mainzer geowiss. Mitt, 7, 151-154, 1978
        • Mayen
          • Ettringen
            • Bellerberg volcano
    		Blass, G., Emmerich, F., Graf, HW., Schäfer, Ch., Tschörtner, J., (2006): Minerale der Eifelvulkane, Version 1.0, CD, published by authors
        • Polch
          • Ochtendung
    		Lapis 1988(7+8), 70-72
    • Saxony-Anhalt
    		Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", 2001
    • Thuringia
    		Palache, Charles, Harry Berman & Clifford Frondel (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged, 1124 pp.: 39.
    Italy
     
    • Campania
      • Naples Province
        • Somma-Vesuvius Complex
    		Palache, Charles, Harry Berman & Clifford Frondel (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged, 1124 pp.: 39.
      • Phlegrean Volcanic Complex
        • Salerno Province
          • Sarno
            • Lavorate (Nocera)
    		Balassone, G., et al. (2002): Re-examination of fluosiderite an unknown mineral from southern Italy: equal to fluorite-rich Chondrodite, European Journal of Mineralogy, Vol. 14, 151-155
    • Sicily
      • Catania Province
        • Etna Volcanic Complex
    		Palache, Charles, Harry Berman & Clifford Frondel (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged, 1124 pp.: 39; AA. VV., 1996. Collezionare minerali. Hobby & Work.
    • Tuscany
      • Massa-Carrara Province
        • Apuan Alps
    		Palache, Charles, Harry Berman & Clifford Frondel (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged, 1124 pp.: 39; Orlandi P., Franzini M., 1994. I minerali del marmo di Carrara. Amilcare Pizzi S.p.A., Milano.
    Pelloux A. (1920) Minerali della regione marmifera carrarese
    Kazakhstan
     
    • Shyghys Qazaqstan Oblysy (Vostochno-Kazakhstanskaya [Eastern-Kazakhstan] Oblast')
    		P.M. Kartashov data
    • Zhezqazghan Oblysy (Dzezkazgan Oblast'; Dzhezkazgan Oblast'; Djezkazgan Oblast'; Jezkazgan Oblast')
      • Balqash (Balkhash; Karatas; Prebalkhashie) Region
    		Pavel M. Kartashov data
    Norway
     
    • Oppland
      • Lunner
        • Nordmarka
    		Raade, G. & Haug, J. (1981): Morphology and twinning of sellaite from Gjerdingen, Norway. Mineralogical Record 12, 231-232
    Peru
     
    • Huánuco Department
      • Dos de Mayo Province
        • Huallanca District
    		Hyrsl & Rosales (2003) Mineralogical Record, 34, 241-254.; Econ Geol (1985) 80:416-478
    Russia
     
    • Eastern-Siberian Region
      • Transbaikalia (Zabaykalye)
        • Chitinskaya Oblast'
    		Palache, Charles, Harry Berman & Clifford Frondel (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged, 1124 pp.: 39.
    • Far-Eastern Region
      • Kamchatka Oblast'
    		Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
      • Primorskiy Kray
        • Voznesenka ore District
    		Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
    • Urals Region
      • Southern Urals
        • Bashkortostan (Bashkiria) Republic
          • Beloretsk district
            • Ishlya
    		P.M. Kartashov data
    Tanzania
     
    • Arusha Region
    		Mineralogical Magazine 1997 61 : 779-789
    USA
     
    • Colorado
      • Dolores Co.
        • Rico District (Pioneer District)
          • Silver Creek
            • Rico Argentine Mine
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) E.B. Eckels
      • Jefferson Co.
        • South Platte Pegmatite District
    		Rare-Earth Pegmatites of the South Platte District, Colorado CGS Res Ser 11
    Zambia
     
    • Northern Province
      • Muchinga Mts.
        • Isoka District
          • Isoka
    		Zambezi, P., Voncken, J.H.L., Hale, M., and Touret, J.L.R. (1997): Mineralogy and Petrology 59, 239-250.
    Mineral and/or Locality
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