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Spurrite

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Christmas Mts, Brewster Co., Texas, USA
© Caltech

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Formula:
Ca
 
5
(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
(CO
 
3
)
System:MonoclinicColour:Colourless, grey-white, ...
Hardness:5
Name:
Named by Fred Eugene Wright in 1908 after Josiah Edward Spurr (October 1, 1870-1950), American economic geologist. Spurr Crater in the northwestern part of Palus Putredinis near Archimedes Crater is also named for him.
This page provides mineralogical data about Spurrite.

Classification of Spurrite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:8/B.22-50
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:9.AH.15

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
H : Nesosilicates with CO3, SO4, PO4, etc.
Dana 8th edition ID:53.1.1.1

53 : NESOSILICATES Insular SiO4 Groups and Other Anions or Complex Cations
1 : Insular SiO4 Groups and Other Anions of Complex Cations with (CO3)
Hey's CIM Ref.:17.4.2

17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
4 : Silicates with carbonates
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Type Occurrence of Spurrite

Type Locality:Terneras Mine, Velardeña, Velardeña District, Mun. de Cuencamé, Durango, Mexico
Year of Discovery:1908

Physical Properties of Spurrite

Lustre:Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Colour:Colourless, grey-white, lilac-grey
Streak:white
Hardness (Mohs):5
Cleavage:Distinct/Good

Crystallography of Spurrite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Cell Parameters:a = 10.49Å, b = 6.7Å, c = 14.15Å
β = 101.32°
Ratio:a:b:c = 1.566 : 1 : 2.112
Unit Cell Volume:V 975.16 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
Image Loading

Radiation - Copper Kα
Data Set:
Horizontal Axis: ° to ° Vertical Axis: % Source Data: Filtered Data:
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.

Optical Data of Spurrite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.640 - 1.641 nβ = 1.674 - 1.676 nγ = 1.679 - 1.681
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.039 - 0.040

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

Chemical Properties of Spurrite

Formula:
Ca
 
5
(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
(CO
 
3
)
Essential elements:C, Ca, O, Si
All elements listed in formula:C, Ca, O, Si
Common Impurities:Ti,Al,Fe,Mn,Mg,Na,K

Relationship of Spurrite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
9.AH.05Iimoriite-(Y)
Y
 
2
[SiO
 
4
][CO
 
3
]
9.AH.10Tundrite-(Ce)
Na
 
2
Ce
 
2
Ti(SiO
 
4
)(CO
 
3
)
 
2
O
 
2
9.AH.10Tundrite-(Nd)
Na
 
3
(Nd,La)
 
4
(Ti,Nb)
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
(CO
 
3
)
 
3
O
 
4
(OH) · 2H
 
2
O
9.AH.20Ternesite
Ca
 
5
(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
9.AH.25Britholite-(Ce)
Ca
 
2
(Ce,Ca)
 
3
(SiO
 
4
,PO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH,F)
9.AH.25Britholite-(Y)
Ca
 
2
(Y,Ca)
 
3
(SiO
 
4
,PO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH,F)
9.AH.25Ellestadite-(Cl)
Ca
 
10
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
(SO
 
4
)
 
3
Cl
 
2
9.AH.25Fluorbritholite-(Ce)
Ca
 
2
(Ce,Ca)
 
3
(SiO
 
4
,PO
 
4
)
 
3
(F,OH)
9.AH.25Fluorellestadite
Ca
 
5
(SiO
 
4
)
 
1.5
(SO
 
4
)
 
1.5
F
9.AH.25Hydroxylellestadite
Ca
 
5
(SiO
 
4
)
 
1.5
(SO
 
4
)
 
1.5
(OH)
9.AH.25Mattheddleite
Pb
 
5
(SiO
 
4
)
 
1.5
(SO
 
4
)
 
1.5
(Cl,OH)
9.AH.25Tritomite-(Ce)
(Ce,La,Y,Th)
 
5
(Si,B)
 
3
(O,OH,F)
 
13
9.AH.25Tritomite-(Y)
(Y,Ca,La,Fe)
 
5
(Si,B,Al)
 
3
(O,OH,F)
 
13
9.AH.25Fluorcalciobritholite
(Ca,Ce)
 
5
 (SiO
 
4
,PO
 
4
)
 
3
F
9.AH.25Fluorbritholite-(Y)
Ca
 
2
(Y,Ca,Ln)
 
3
(SiO
 
4
,PO
 
4
)
 
3
(F,OH)
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
17.4.1Tilleyite
Ca
 
5
(Si
 
2
O
 
7
)(CO
 
3
)
 
2
17.4.3Paraspurrite
17.4.4Scawtite
Ca
 
7
(Si
 
3
O
 
9
)
 
2
CO
 
3
 · 2H
 
2
O
17.4.5Fukalite
Ca
 
4
[Si
 
2
O
 
6
][CO
 
3
](OH)
 
2
17.4.6Meionite
Ca
 
4
Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
CO
 
3
17.4.7Cancrinite
(Na,Ca,☐)
 
8
(Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
)(CO
 
3
,SO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
17.4.8Carletonite
KNa
 
4
Ca
 
4
Si
 
8
O
 
18
(CO
 
3
)
 
4
(OH,F) · H
 
2
O
17.4.9Iimoriite-(Y)
Y
 
2
[SiO
 
4
][CO
 
3
]
17.4.10Kainosite-(Y)
Ca
 
2
(Y,Ce)
 
2
(Si
 
4
O
 
12
)(CO
 
3
) · H
 
2
O
17.4.11Caysichite-(Y)
Ca
 
2
Y
 
2
Si
 
4
O
 
10
(CO
 
3
)
 
3
 · 4H
 
2
O
17.4.12Lepersonnite-(Gd)
Ca(Gd,Dy)
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
24
(SiO
 
4
)
 
4
(CO
 
3
)
 
8
(OH)
 
24
 · 48H
 
2
O
17.4.13Ashburtonite
Pb
 
4
Cu
 
4
(Si
 
4
O
 
12
)(HCO
 
3
)
 
4
(OH)
 
3
Cl · H
 
2
O
17.4.14Surite
(Pb,Ca)
 
3
(Al,Fe
2+
 
,Mg)
 
2
((Si,Al)
 
4
O
 
10
)(CO
 
3
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
17.4.15Tundrite-(Ce)
Na
 
2
Ce
 
2
Ti(SiO
 
4
)(CO
 
3
)
 
2
O
 
2
17.4.16Tundrite-(Nd)
Na
 
3
(Nd,La)
 
4
(Ti,Nb)
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
(CO
 
3
)
 
3
O
 
4
(OH) · 2H
 
2
O

Other Names for Spurrite

Synonyms:
Paraspurrite
Other Languages:
German:Spurrit
Russian:Сперрит
Spanish:Spurrita

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 Spurrite

Reference List:

- +
American Journal of Science (1908), 4th. series: 26: 547-554.

Smith, J.V., Karle, I.L., Hauptman, H., and Karle, J. (1960) The crystal structure of spurrite, Ca5(SiO4)2CO3. II. Description of structure. Acta Crystallographica: 13: 454-458.

Grice, J.D. (2005) The structure of spurrite, tilleyite and scawtite, and relationships to other slicate-carbonate minerals. Canadian Mineralogist: 43: 1489-1500.

Internet Links for Spurrite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Spurrite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    • Localities for Spurrite

    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.
    Hide Locality List
    (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.
    Canada
     
    • Québec
      • Nord-du-Québec
        • Kativik
    		Daniel F. Rosa and Robert F. Martin (2010) A spurrite-, merwinite- and srebrodolskite-bearing skarn assemblage, West Clearwater Lake impact crater, northern Quebec. The Canadian Mineralogist (December 2010), 48(6):1519-1532
    Germany
     
    • Rhineland-Palatinate
      • Eifel
        • Mayen
          • Ettringen
            • Bellerberg volcano
    		[Lapis, 15 (5), 9-36]
              • Southern lava flow
                • Mayener Feld
    		[Hentschel, G., Seltene Minerale in Calcium-reichen Auswürflingen vom Bellerberg bei Mayen/Eifel, Aufschluß 29, 77-83, 1978] [Hentschel, G. (1987): Die Mineralien der Eifelvulkane, 2. edition, Weise Verlag]
    Ireland
     
    • Co. Sligo
      • Killala Bay
    		Min.Mag.(1974) 39, 544-548
    Israel
     
    • Negev
    		Shulamit Gross (1977); Sharygin, V.V., Sokol, E.V. & Vapnik, Ye. (2008): Minerals of the pseudobinary perovskite-brownmillerite series from combustion metamorphic larnite rocks of the Hatrurim Formation (Israel). Russian Geology and Geophysics 49, 709-726.
    Gross, S. (1977): The Mineralogy of the Hatrurim Formation, Israel. Geological Survey of Israel, Bulletin no. 70, 80 pp.
    • Tel Aviv District
    		Shulamit Gross (1977) The mineralogy of the Hatrurim Formation, Israel. Geol. Surv. of Israel, Bull. No. 70.
    Japan
     
    • Honshu Island
      • Chugoku Region
        • Hiroshima prefecture
          • Hiba-gun
    		Kusachi et al (1971) Koubutsugaku Zasshi, 10, 170-180.
        • Okayama Prefecture
          • Ihara City
    		Jan Bernard & Jaroslav Hyrsl (2004) Minerals and their Localities, p. 235
          • Takahashi City
            • Bitchu-cho-fuka (Bicchu-cho-fuka)
    		Mineralogical Record: 27: 303.; Journal of Mineralogical and Petrological Sciences Vol. 99 (2004) , No. 2 April 67-71
      • Tohoku Region
        • Fukushima Prefecture
    		Matsuyama, F. (2001)
    Mexico
     
    • Coahuila
      • Mun. de Sierra Mojada
        • Sierra Mojada
    		Mineralogical Magazine 1964 33 : 841-852
    Mineralogical Magazine 1964 33 : 841-852
    • Durango
      • Mun. de Cuencamé
        • Velardeña District
          • Velardeña
    		Panczner (1987): 357.
    Hey's Mineral Index (1993)
    Panczner (1987): 357.
    • Hidalgo
      • Mun. de Zimapán
        • Zimapán
    		Panczner(1987): 93-396.
    • Queretaro
      • Mun. de Cadereyta
        • Maconi
    		MinRec 32:421; Panczner(1987):357.
    New Zealand
     
    • North Island
      • Northland
        • Kaipara
    		Mason, B. (1957): Larnite, scawtite, and hydrogrossular from Tokatoka, New Zealand. American Mineralogist 42, 379-392.
    Palestine
     
    • West Bank
      • Hatrurim formation
    		Shulamit Gross (1977)
    Poland
     
    • Upper Silesia (Śląskie)
      • Upper Silesian Coal Basin
        • Katowice area
          • Siemianowice Śląskie
    		Kruszewski L. 2006: Oldhamite-periclase-portlandite-fluorite assemblage and coexisting minerals of burnt dump in Siemianowice Śląskie - Dąbrówka Wielka area (Upper Silesia, Poland) - preliminary report. Mineralogia Polonica Special Papers, vol.28, 118-120
    Romania
     
    • Alba Co.
      • Apuseni District
    		The Canadian Mineralogist Vol. 39, pp. 1405-1434 (2001)
    • Caraş-Severin Co.
      • Banat Mts
    		Marincea, S., Dumitraş. D-G., Ghinet, C, Fransolet, A.-M., Hatert, F. & Rondeaux, M. (2011): Gehlenite from three occurrences of high-temperature skarns, Romania: new mineralogical data. Canadian Mineralogist. 49, 1001-1014
    • Hunedoara Co.
      • Hunedoara
    		Canadian Mineralogist: 39: 1435-1453.; The Canadian Mineralogist Vol. 39, pp. 1405-1434 (2001)
    Russia
     
    • Eastern-Siberian Region
      • Krasnoyarsk Territory (Krasnoyarsk Kray; Krasnoyarskii Krai)
        • Evenkia (Evenkiyskiy Autonomous okrug)
          • Nizhnyaya Tunguska River Basin (Lower Tunguska River)
    		No reference listed
      • Prebaikalia (Pribaikal'e)
        • Irkutskaya Oblast'
          • Narin-Kunta
    		P.M. Kartashov data
    • Northern Caucasus Region
      • Kabardino-Balkarian Republic
        • Verkhnechegemskaya caldera (Verkhni Chegem caldera; Upper Chegem caldera)
    		A. E. Zadov data; American Mineralogist, Volume 94, pages 1361–1370, 2009
    • Urals Region
      • Southern Urals
        • Chelyabinsk Oblast'
          • Chelyabinsk coal basin
    		Cesnokov, B., M. Kotrly, and T. Nisanbajev (1998): Brennende Abraumhalden und Aufschlüsse im Tscheljabinsker Kohlenbecken - eine reiche Mineralienküche. Mineralien-Welt, 9 (3), 54-63 (in German).
    Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
    Turkey
     
    • Black Sea Region
      • Rize Province
    		Am Min 73:11-12 p 1497
    Uganda
     
    • Kabarole District
    		Barker, D.S. and Nixon, P.H. (1989) High-Ca, low-alkali carbonatite volcanism at Fort Portal, Uganda. Contributions to Minralogy and Petrology.: 103: 166-177.
    UK
     
    • Northern Ireland
      • Co. Antrim
        • Glenoe
    		Nawaz, R. (1977). A second occurrence of killalaite. Mineralogical Magazine, 41, 546-548. ; Henmi C, Kusachi I, Henmi K, Sabine P A, Young B R (1973) A new mineral bicchulite, the natural analogue of gehlenite hydrate, from Fuka, Okayama Prefecture, Japan and Carneal, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, Mineralogical Journal, 7, 243-251; P. A. Sabine, M. T. Styles and B. R. Young (1985) The Nature and Paragenesis of Natural Bredigite and Associated Minerals from Carneal and Scawt Hill, Co. Antrim. Mineralogical Magazine 49:663-670.
        • Larne
    		American Mineralogist: 33: 786; Mineralogical Magazine 1942 26 : 190-196
    • Scotland
      • North West Highlands (Argyllshire)
        • Ardnamurchan
    		Tony Nikischer
    Handbook of Mineralogy - Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols; Mineralogical Magazine 1965 34 : 1-15.
      • North West Highlands (Inverness-shire)
        • Isle of Muck
    		Tilley, C.E. (1947) The gabbro-limestone contact zone of Camas Mor, Muck, Inverness-shire. Comptes Rendus de la Société geologique de Finlande, No. 140, 97–105.
    USA
     
    • Arizona
      • Yavapai Co.
        • Eureka District
    		Galbraith, F.W. & D.J. Brennan (1959), Minerals of AZ: 111.
    • California
      • Riverside Co.
        • Crestmore
          • Crestmore quarries
            • Sky Blue Hill
    		Daly, John W. (1935), Paragenesis of mineral assemblages at Crestmore, California American Mineralogist: 20: 638-659; Woodford, A.O., Crippen, R.A., and Garner, K.B. (1941) Section Across Commercial Quarry, Crestmore, California. American Mineralogist: 26: 367.
    Woodford, A.O., Crippen, R.A., and Garner, K.B. (1941) Section Across Commercial Quarry, Crestmore, California. American Mineralogist: 26: 367.
    Woodford, A.O., Crippen, R.A., and Garner, K.B. (1941) Section Across Commercial Quarry, Crestmore, California. American Mineralogist: 26: 352-381.
    • New Mexico
      • Luna Co.
        • Tres Hermanas District
          • South Sisters Peak
    		NMGS 21st Field Conference
    • Texas
      • Brewster Co.
        • Christmas Mts
    		Rocks & Minerals (1991): 66:3: 196-224.
      • Culberson Co.
        • Apache Peak area
    		Am Min 51:1766-1774
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