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Silhydrite

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Trinity Co., California, USA
© Caltech

Formula:
3SiO
 
2
·H
 
2
O
System:OrthorhombicColour:White
Hardness:1
Name:Named for its composition: silicon plus water.
This page provides mineralogical data about Silhydrite.

Classification of Silhydrite

IMA status:Approved 1970
Strunz 8th edition ID:8/H.39-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:4.FM.30

4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
F : Hydroxides (without V or U)
M : Hydroxides with H2O +- (OH); unclassified
Dana 8th edition ID:75.2.4.1

75 : TECTOSILICATES Si Tetrahedral Frameworks
2 : Si Tetrahedral Frameworks - SiO2 with H2O and organics
Hey's CIM Ref.:7.8.7

7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
8 : Oxides of Si
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Type Occurrence of Silhydrite

Type Locality:Trinite Mining Claim, Trinity Center, Trinity Co., California, USA
General Appearance of Type Material:White, soft, microcrystalline massive material. Material is punky and will float on water when dry (0.65 bulk density). Crystals less than 4 microns in size.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:Smithsonian, USGS Denver Colorado
Year of Discovery:1972
Geological Setting of type material:Spring deposit. Formed by leaching of sodium from magadiite from a cold, highly alkaline brine spring. Also found in caves.
Associated Minerals at type locality:
Magadiite

Physical Properties of Silhydrite

Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Colour:White
Hardness (Mohs):1
Fracture:Sub-Conchoidal
Density (measured):2.141 g/cm3
Density (calculated):2.116 g/cm3

Crystallography of Silhydrite

Crystal System:Orthorhombic
Cell Parameters:a = 14.51Å, b = 18.8Å, c = 15.93Å
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.772 : 1 : 0.847
Unit Cell Volume:V 4,345.51 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Optical Data of Silhydrite

Type:Biaxial
Dispersion:relatively weak

Chemical Properties of Silhydrite

Formula:
3SiO
 
2
·H
 
2
O
Essential elements:H, O, Si
All elements listed in formula:H, O, Si
Common Impurities:Ti,Al,Fe,Mg,Ca,Na,K,Cl,C

Relationship of Silhydrite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
4.FM.15Franconite
Na
 
2
Nb
 
4
O
 
11
·9H
 
2
O
4.FM.15Hochelagaite
(Ca,Na,Sr)(Nb,Ti,Si,Al)
 
4
O
 
11
·8H
 
2
O
4.FM.15Ternovite
(Mg,Ca)Nb
 
4
O
 
11
·nH
 
2
O
4.FM.25Belyankinite
Ca
 
1-2
(Ti,Zr,Nb)
 
5
O
 
12
 · 9H
 
2
O (?)
4.FM.25Gerasimovskite
(Mn,Ca)(Nb,Ti)
 
5
O
 
12
·9H
 
2
O
4.FM.25Manganbelyankinite
(Mn,Ca)(Ti,Nb)
 
5
O
 
12
·9H
 
2
O
4.FM.35Cuzticite
Fe
3+
2
[TeO
 
6
] · 3H
 
2
O
4.FM.40Cyanophyllite
(Cu,Al)
 
3
[(OH)
 
6
|Sb
5+
 
(OH)
 
6
]
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
7.8.1Quartz
SiO
 
2
7.8.2Coesite
SiO
 
2
7.8.3Tridymite
SiO
 
2
7.8.4Stishovite
SiO
 
2
7.8.5Cristobalite
SiO
 
2
7.8.6Lechatelierite
SiO
 
2
7.8.8Opal
SiO
 
2
·nH
 
2
O
7.8.9Mogánite
SiO
 
2

Other Names for Silhydrite

Synonyms:
IMA1970-044
Other Languages:
German:Silhydrit
Spanish:Silhydrita

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 Silhydrite

Reference List:Gude, A.J. & R.A. Sheppard (1972), Silhydrite, 3SiO2•H2O, a new mineral from Trinity County, California: American Mineralogist: 57: 1053-1065.

Internet Links for Silhydrite

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    Localities for Silhydrite

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    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.
    USA
     
    • California
      • Trinity Co.
        • Trinity Center
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    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2009. Site Map. Locality, mineral & photograph data are the copyright of the individuals who submitted them.Further information contact the Site hosted & developed by Jolyon Ralph. Mindat.org is an online information resource dedicated to providing free mineralogical information to all. Mindat relies on the contributions of hundreds of members and supporters. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register. Current server date and time: 7th Nov 2009 16:02:01