Mindat Logo
Home Page Log In Message Board The Mindat Directory
Register Search Pages Chat Now! (2 online) Mindat Auctions

Spurrite

Big Photo

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

Show Spurrite Photos (9)
Formula:
Ca
 
5
[CO
 
3
|(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
]
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
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-3734.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

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: Peaks:
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
[CO
 
3
|(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
]
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
[CO
 
3
|SiO
 
4
]
9.AH.10Tundrite-(Ce)
Na
 
2
Ce
 
2
TiO
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)(CO
 
3
)
 
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.15Paraspurrite
Ca
 
5
[CO
 
3
|(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
]
9.AH.20Ternesite
Ca
 
5
[SO
 
4
|(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
]
9.AH.25Britholite-(Ce)
Ca
 
2
(Ce,Ca)
 
3
[(OH,F)|(SiO
 
4
,PO
 
4
)
 
3
]
9.AH.25Britholite-(Y)
Ca
 
2
(Y,Ca)
 
3
[(OH,F)|(SiO
 
4
,PO
 
4
)
 
3
]
9.AH.25Ellestadite-(Cl)
Ca
 
10
[Cl
 
2
|(SO
 
4
)
 
3
|(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
]
9.AH.25Fluorbritholite-(Ce)
Ca
 
2
(Ce,Ca)
 
3
[(F,OH)|(SiO
 
4
,PO
 
4
)
 
3
]
9.AH.25Ellestadite-(F)
Ca
 
10
[(F,Cl,OH)
 
2
|(SO
 
4
)
 
3
|(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
]
9.AH.25Ellestadite-(OH)
Ca
 
10
[(OH,Cl,F)
 
2
|(SO
 
4
)
 
3
|(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
]
9.AH.25Mattheddleite
Pb
 
5
(Si
 
1.5
S
 
1.5
)O
 
12
(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.25IMA2009-005
Ca
 
2
(Y,Ca)
 
3
[(F,OH)|(SiO
 
4
,PO
 
4
)
 
3
]
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
17.4.1Tilleyite
Ca
 
5
[(CO
 
3
)
 
2
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
]
17.4.3Paraspurrite
Ca
 
5
[CO
 
3
|(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
]
17.4.4Scawtite
Ca
 
7
Si
 
6
(CO
 
3
)O
 
18
·2H
 
2
O
17.4.5Fukalite
Ca
 
4
[CO
 
3
|(HSiO
 
4
)
 
2
]
17.4.6Meionite
Ca
 
4
[CO
 
3
|(Al
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
)
 
3
]
17.4.7Cancrinite
Na
 
6
Ca
 
2
[(CO
 
3
)
 
2
|Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
] · 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
[CO
 
3
|SiO
 
4
]
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
)
 
6
(OH)
 
6
(CO
 
3
)
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)]
 
4
 ·48(H
 
2
O)
17.4.13Ashburtonite
Pb
 
4
Cu
 
4
[(OH)
 
3
|Cl|(HCO
 
3
)
 
4
|Si
 
4
O
 
12
] · H
 
2
O
17.4.14Surite
Pb(Pb,Ca)(CO
 
3
)
 
2
(Al,Fe,Mg)
 
2
(Si,Al)
 
4
O
 
10
(OH)
 
2
17.4.15Tundrite-(Ce)
Na
 
2
Ce
 
2
TiO
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)(CO
 
3
)
 
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

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

Search Engines:
  • Look for Spurrite on Google
  • Look for Spurrite images on Google
    • External Links:
  • Look for Spurrite on Webmineral
  • Look for Spurrite on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Spurrite on Wikipedia
  • Look for Spurrite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Spurrite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Spurrite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
    • Mineral Dealers:
  • DAKOTA MATRIX offers Cabinet and Rare Species from Worldwide Localities.
  • Rare and Unusual minerals at Mineralogical Research Company
  • Find Spurrite on www.crystalclassics.co.uk
  • Wendel Minerals - Auktion & Shop
  • Edwards Minerals - Fine Specimens
  • The Arkenstone - Fine Minerals
  • Buy fine minerals and gemstones from Pala International
  • rare and unusual minerals mainly crystallized
  • Buy Fine Minerals from mineralsweb.com
  • SpiriferMinerals.com - high quality specimens
  • High-end worldwide specimens & outstanding customer service
  • Wilensky Fine Minerals
    • Jobs:
  • Mining & Geology Jobs

    • Page Sponsor

    Sponsorship:This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.

    Localities for Spurrite

    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.
    (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.
    Germany
     
    • Rhineland-Palatinate
      • Eifel Mts
        • Mayen
          • Ettringen
            • Bellerberg volcano
              • Ettringer Bellerberg Mt. (Bellberg Mt.; Bellenberg Mt.; Billenberg Mt.; Boilenberg Mt.)
    		[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
     
    Shulamit Gross (1977) The mineralogy of the Hatrurim Formation, Israel. Geol. Surv. of Israel, Bull. No. 70.
    • Negev desert
    		Gross, S. (1977): The Mineralogy of the Hatrurim Formation, Israel. Geological Survey of Israel, Bulletin no. 70, 80 pp.
    Shulamit Gross (1977)
    Japan
     
    • Honshu Island
      • Chugoku Region
        • Hiroshima prefecture
    		Kusachi et al (1971) Koubutsugaku Zasshi, 10, 170-180.
        • Okayama Prefecture
    		Jan Bernard & Jaroslav Hyrsl (2004) Minerals and their Localities, p. 235
          • Takahashi
            • Bitchu-cho (Bicchu-cho)
    		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
     
    • Hunedoara Co.
      • Hunedoara
    		Canadian Mineralogist: 39: 1435-1453.
    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'
          • Lake Baikal area
    		P.M. Kartashov data
    • Northern Caucasus Region
      • Kabardino-Balkarian Republic
    		American Mineralogist, Volume 94, pages 1361–1370, 2009
    A. E. Zadov data
    • Urals Region
      • Southern Urals
        • Chelyabinsk Oblast'
          • Chelyabinsk coal basin
            • Kopeisk
    		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.
        • Larne
    		American Mineralogist: 33: 786; Mineralogical Magazine 1942 26 : 190-196
    • Scotland
      • North West Highlands (Argyllshire)
        • Ardnamurchan
    		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
    		AmMin 26:352-381
    Woodford, A.O., Crippen, R.A., and Garner, K.B. (1941) Section Across Commercial Quarry, Crestmore, California. American Mineralogist: 26: 352-381.
    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
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
    www.mindat.org Web
    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: 8th Nov 2009 08:17:37