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Stellerite

Big Photo

Coonabarabran, Gowen Co., New South Wales, Australia
© Rob Lavinsky

Show Stellerite Photos (117)
Formula:
Ca[Al
 
2
Si
 
7
O
 
18
] · 7H
 
2
O
System:OrthorhombicColour:Colourless to white, ...
Hardness:4½
Name:Named after Georg Wilhelm Steller (1709-1746), German explorer and zoologist, discover of the Komandorskiye islands, Bering Sea (Russia).


Zeolite Group.

See also the chemically similar stilbite-Ca.

Classification of Stellerite

IMA status:Approved
Strunz 8th edition ID:8/J.23-50
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:9.GE.15

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
G : Tektosilicates with zeolitic H2O; zeolite family
E : Chains of T10O20 Tetrahedra
Dana 8th edition ID:77.1.4.4

77 : TECTOSILICATES Zeolites
1 : Zeolite group - True zeolites
Hey's CIM Ref.:16.9.30

16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
9 : Aluminosilicates of Ca
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Type Occurrence of Stellerite

Type Locality:Mednyi Island, Commander Islands (Komandorskije ostrova), Bering Sea, Kamchatka Oblast', Far-Eastern Region, Russia
Year of Discovery:1909

Occurrences of Stellerite

Geological Setting:Cavities and fracture surfaces in hydrothermally altered volcanic rocks.

Physical Properties of Stellerite

Lustre:Pearly
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Colour:Colourless to white, pink, orange
Hardness (Mohs):4½
Cleavage:Perfect
on {010}
Density (measured):2.13 g/cm3
Density (calculated):2.12 g/cm3

Crystallography of Stellerite

Crystal System:Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:Fmmm (F2/m 2/m 2/m)
Cell Parameters:a = 13.599(4) Å, b = 18.222(4) Å, c = 17.683(3) Å
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.746 : 1 : 0.97
Unit Cell Volume:V 4,381.86 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:8
Morphology:Commonly in spheres of radiating crystals.

Optical Data of Stellerite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.485 nβ = 1.486 - 1.496 nγ = 1.498
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.013

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Moderate
Dispersion:none

Chemical Properties of Stellerite

Formula:
Ca[Al
 
2
Si
 
7
O
 
18
] · 7H
 
2
O
Essential elements:Al, Ca, H, O, Si
All elements listed in formula:Al, Ca, H, O, Si
Common Impurities:Fe,Mn,Mg,Sr,Ba,Na,K

Relationship of Stellerite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):
9.GE.05Clinoptilolite-Ca
(Ca,Na,K)
 
2-3
Al
 
3
(Al,Si)
 
2
Si
 
13
O
 
36
·12H
 
2
O
9.GE.05Clinoptilolite-K
(K,Na,Ca)
 
2-3
Al
 
3
(Al,Si)
 
2
Si
 
13
O
 
36
·12H
 
2
O
9.GE.05Clinoptilolite-Na
(Na,K,Ca)
 
2-3
Al
 
3
(Al,Si)
 
2
Si
 
13
O
 
36
·12H
 
2
O
9.GE.05Heulandite-Ca
(Ca,Na)
 
2-3
Al
 
3
(Al,Si)
 
2
Si
 
13
O
 
36
·12H
 
2
O
9.GE.05Heulandite-K
(K,Na,Ca)
 
2-3
Al
 
3
(Al,Si)
 
2
Si
 
13
O
 
36
·12H
 
2
O
9.GE.05Heulandite-Na
(Na,Ca)
 
2-3
Al
 
3
(Al,Si)
 
2
Si
 
13
O
 
36
·12H
 
2
O
9.GE.05Heulandite-Sr
(Sr,Na,Ca)
 
2-3
Al
 
3
(Al,Si)
 
2
Si
 
13
O
 
36
·12H
 
2
O
9.GE.05Heulandite-Ba
(Ba,Ca,K,Na,Sr)
 
5
Al
 
9
Si
 
27
O
 
72
·22H
 
2
O
9.GE.10Stilbite-Ca
NaCa
 
4
[Al
 
9
Si
 
27
O
 
72
] · nH
 
2
O
9.GE.10Stilbite-Na
Na
 
3
Ca
 
3
[Al
 
8
Si
 
28
O
 
72
]·nH
 
2
O
9.GE.15Barrerite
(Na,K,Ca
 
0.5
)
 
2
[Al
 
2
Si
 
7
O
 
18
] · 7H
 
2
O
9.GE.20Brewsterite-Ba
(Ba,Sr)[Al
 
2
Si
 
6
O
 
16
] · 5H
 
2
O
9.GE.20Brewsterite-Sr
(Sr,Ba,Ca)[Al
 
2
Si
 
6
O
 
16
] · 5H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:
16.9.1Gehlenite
Ca
 
2
Al[AlSiO
 
7
]
16.9.2Anorthite
Ca[Al
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
]
16.9.3Yoshiokaite
(Ca,Na)[Al(Al,Si)O
 
4
]
16.9.4Svyatoslavite
Ca[Al
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
]
16.9.5Dmisteinbergite
Ca[Al
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
]
16.9.6Grossular
Ca
 
3
Al
 
2
[SiO
 
4
]
 
3
16.9.7Vuagnatite
CaAl[OH|SiO
 
4
]
16.9.8Zoisite
{Ca
 
2
}{Al
 
3
}[O|OH|SiO
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
]
16.9.9Clinozoisite
{Ca
 
2
}{Al
 
3
}[O|OH|SiO
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
]
16.9.10Prehnite
Ca
 
2
Al
 
2
Si
 
3
O
 
12
(OH)
16.9.11Kamaishilite
Ca
 
2
[(OH)
 
2
|Al
 
2
SiO
 
6
]
16.9.12Bicchulite
Ca
 
2
[(OH)
 
2
|Al
 
2
SiO
 
6
]
16.9.13Margarite
CaAl
 
2
[(OH)
 
2
|Al
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
10
]
16.9.14Chantalite
CaAl
 
2
[(OH)
 
4
|SiO
 
4
]
16.9.15Cebollite
Ca
 
5
Al
 
2
Si
 
3
O
 
12
(OH)
 
4
 or near
16.9.17Katoite
Ca
 
3
Al
 
2
[(OH)
 
8-6
|(SiO
 
4
)
 
1-1.5
]
16.9.18Lawsonite
CaAl
 
2
[(OH)
 
2
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
] · H
 
2
O
16.9.19Parthéite
CaAl
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
·2H
 
2
O
16.9.20Wairakite
Ca[Al
 
2
Si
 
4
O
 
12
] · 2H
 
2
O
16.9.21Vertumnite
Ca
 
4
Al
 
4
Si
 
4
O
 
6
(OH)
 
24
·3H
 
2
O
16.9.22Scolecite
Ca[Al
 
2
Si
 
3
O
 
10
] · 3H
 
2
O
16.9.23Laumontite
CaAl
 
2
Si
 
4
O
 
12
·4H
 
2
O
16.9.24Yugawaralite
CaAl
 
2
Si
 
6
O
 
16
·4H
 
2
O
16.9.25Gismondine-Ca
CaAl
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
·4H
 
2
O
16.9.26Epistilbite
CaAl
 
2
Si
 
6
O
 
16
·5H
 
2
O
16.9.27Goosecreekite
Ca[Al
 
2
Si
 
6
O
 
16
] · 5H
 
2
O
16.9.28Cowlesite
CaAl
 
2
Si
 
3
O
 
10
·6H
 
2
O
16.9.31Strätlingite
Ca
 
2
Al
 
2
SiO
 
7
·8H
 
2
O
16.9.32Amstallite
CaAl(Si,Al)
 
4
O
 
8
(OH)
 
4
·(H
 
2
O,Cl)

Other Names for Stellerite

German names:
Stellerit
Russian names:
Стеллерит
Spanish names:
Stellerita

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 Stellerite

Reference List:Bull. Inter. Acad. Sci. Cracovie (1909), p. 344.

Pabst, Adolf (1939), The relation of stellerite and epidesmine to stilbite: Mineralogical Magazine: 25: 271-276. [Abstract in: American Mineralogist: 24: 63 (1939)].

Galli, E., and A. Alberti (1975), The crystal structure of stellerite: Bulletin de la Société française de Minéralogie et de Cristallographie: 98: 11-18.

Miller, S.A., and J.C. Taylor (1985), Neutron single crystal diffraction study of an Australian stellerite: Zeolites: 5: 7-10.

Mineralogical Record (1988): 19: 394-397.

European Journal of Mineralogy (1993): 5: 839.

Internet Links for Stellerite

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

    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.
    Argentina
     
    • Neuquén
    		No reference listed
    Australia
     
    • New South Wales
      • Gowen Co.
      • Pottinger Co.
        • Coonabarabran district
    		Min Rec (1988) 19:389-406; Tschernich, R. (1992): Zeolites of the World, p.48
    Specimen in collection
        • Tambar Springs
    		No reference listed
    A. M. I. Martins collection
    • Tasmania
      • Hampshire district
    		http://www.crocoite.com/locationbulletins/part1/zeolites.pdf
      • Huon district
    		Bottrill, RS, 1997. The Minerals of the Cygnet District. The Mineralogical Society of Tasmania Newsletter, 25, p.12
    Bottrill & Baker (in prep) Catalogue of minerals of Tasmania
      • King Island
        • Grassy
    • Victoria
      • Corop
      • Dookie
      • Gippsland
        • Toolangi
        • Tynong
      • Trentham
    Austria
     
    • Carinthia
      • Hohe Tauern Mts
        • Reißeck group
          • Kolbnitz
            • Riekengraben
    		G. Niedermayr, I. Praetzel: Mineralien Kärntens, 1995
      • Koralpe Mts
        • Kamp
          • Fraßgraben
    		G. Niedermayr, I. Praetzel: Mineralien Kärntens, 1995
        • Lavamünd
          • Magdalensberg ridge
    		G. Niedermayr, I. Praetzel: Mineralien Kärntens, 1995
        • Moschkogel Mt. - Weinebene area
          • Brandrücken
    		G. Niedermayr, I. Praetzel: Mineralien Kärntens, 1995
    • Styria
      • Koralpe Mts
        • Stainz
          • Marhof
    		Postl, W. et al. (2007)
    Brazil
     
    • South Region
      • Rio Grande do Sul
        • Bom Princípio
        • Carlos Barbosa
      • Santa Catarina
    		http://www.museumin.ufrgs.br/EspAntas.htm
    Canada
     
    • Nova Scotia
      • Kings Co.
        • Bay of Fundy
    		Can Min 38:1215-1232
    China
     
    • Hubei Province
      • Huangshi Prefecture
        • Daye Co.
          • Edong Mining District
    		http://www.smartminerals.com/cina2004/art_hubei.htm
    France
     
    • Midi-Pyrénées
      • Ariège
        • Luzenac
    		[Le Cahier des Micromonteurs 1990, 4, p.3,8-12]
    • Rhône-Alpes
      • Savoie
        • La Lauzière massif
    		DE ASCENCAO GUEDES R., VALANGE S. et GABELICA Z. (2002). L’heulandite de La Gorraz, Pussy, massif de La Lauzière, Savoie. Le Règne Minéral n°45, pp. 18-21. Editions du Piat.
    Germany
     
    • Bavaria
      • Upper Palatinate
        • Oberpfälzer Wald
          • Oberviechtach
            • Winklarn
    		Weiss: "Mineralfundstellen, Deutschland West", 1990
    • Rhineland-Palatinate
      • Eifel Mts
        • Mayen
          • Ettringen
    		[Blass, G., Graf, H.W., Neue Mineralienfunde aus der Eifel und dem Siegerland, Mineralien-Welt 10/3, 23, 1999] [A. Wittern: Mineralfundorte in Deutschland, Schweizerbart (Stuttgart), 2001]
    Hungary
     
    • Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén Co.
      • Zempléni Mts.
        • Óhuta
    		Szakáll & Jánosi: Minerals of Hungary, 1995
    • Fejér Co.
      • Szár Hill
        • Kőszárhegy
    		Szakáll & Jánosi: Minerals of Hungary, 1995
      • Velencei Mts.
        • Nadap
    • Heves Co.
      • Mátra Mts.
        • Markaz
    		Mineral Species of Hungary, 2005
        • Parád
    		Mineral Species of Hungary, 2005
    Mineral Species of Hungary, 2005
    • Pest Co.
      • Börzsöny Mts.
        • Szob
    Iceland
     
    • Haugar
    		self collected by Jamison Turnbull
    India
     
    • Maharashtra
    No reference listed
    Mineralogical Record, Jan/Feb 2003
      • Mumbai District (Bombay District)
    		No reference listed
    Italy
     
    • Lombardy
      • Sondrio Province
        • Novate Mezzola
          • Codera Valley
    		Ghizzoni, S. & Mazzoleni, G. (2005): Itinerari mineralogici in val Codera. Geologia Insubrica, Ed., Milano, 316 pp.
    Ghizzoni, S. & Mazzoleni, G. (2005): Itinerari mineralogici in val Codera. Geologia Insubrica, Ed., Milano, 316 pp.
    Ghizzoni, S. & Mazzoleni, G. (2005): Itinerari mineralogici in val Codera. Geologia Insubrica, Ed., Milano, 316 pp.
    • Sardinia
      • Cagliari Province
        • Margherita di Pula
          • Nora
    		Conti-Vecchi, G. & Stara, P. (1991): Minerali della Sardegna. Della Torre, Ed., Cagliari, 276 pp
        • Pula
    		Ref.: Boscardin. M. (1975) - Informazioni di mineralogia italiana: 57)Zeoliti della sardegna - Notizie del Gruppo Min. Lombardo, fasc. 3, Milano, Sept. 1975,pp. 52-55
      • Oristano Province
    		Lapis 2003(2), 21-30
    Calanchi N., Fontana C., Ventacoli C. (1980) - I minerali di Capo Marargiu (Sassari) - Rivista Mineralogica Italiana, Milano, fasc. 4, pp. 119-124
      • Sassari Province
    		Ref.: Boscardin. M. (1975) - Informazioni di mineralogia italiana: 57)Zeoliti della sardegna - Notizie del Gruppo Min. Lombardo, fasc. 3, Milano, Sept. 1975,pp. 52-55
    • Tuscany
      • Livorno Province
        • Elba Island
          • Campo nell'Elba
    		AA. VV., 1996. Collezionare minerali. Hobby & Work.
    L. Giannettoni, C. Gini, F. Guelfi, P. Orlandi, S. Sovilla (1993) - Uranopolicrasio, una nuova specie dell'Isola d'Elba - Riv. Min. It., XVII, 4: 237-243.
    Japan
     
    • Honshu Island
      • Chubu Region
        • Shizuoka Prefecture
          • Toi-cho
    Kazakhstan
     
    • Qostaney Oblysy (Kostanai [Kustany] Oblast')
      • Rudnyi Altai
    Norway
     
    • Buskerud
    		Mineralogical Record: 17: 19-35.
    • Finnmark
      • Nordkapp
        • Magerø island
          • Honningsvåg
    		Sæbø,P.Chr. et al (1959): Stilbite, stellerite, and laumontite at Honningsvåg, Magerø, northern Norway. Norges Geologiske Undersøkelse 205, 171-173
    • Oppland
      • Lom
    • Sør-Trøndelag
      • Oppdal
    		No reference listed
    Pakistan
     
    • Northern Areas
      • Baltistan
        • Skardu District
          • Shigar Valley
    		Dudley Blauwet, Bill Smith and Carol Smith (2004) Table of mineral localities of the northern areas of Pakistan and other selected sites. (in "Pakistan: Minerals, Mountains & Majesty", Lapis International, East Hampton, Connecticut); Dudley Blauwet, Bill Smith and Carol Smith (2004) Table of mineral localities of the northern areas of Pakistan and other selected sites. (in "Pakistan: Minerals, Mountains & Majesty", Lapis International, East Hampton, Connecticut)
    Russia
     
    • Far-Eastern Region
      • Kamchatka Oblast'
        • Bering Sea
          • Commander Islands (Komandorskije ostrova)
    • Urals Region
      • Middle Urals
        • Ekaterinburgskaya (Sverdlovskaya) Oblast'
          • Yuzhakovo Village
    http://webcenter.ru/~minbooks/murz_kaz.html
    • Western-Siberian Region
      • Transbaikalia (Zabaykalye)
        • Ust'-Orda Buriat Okrug
          • Lake Baikal Region
    		Natural History Museum Vienna collection
    South Africa
     
    • Eastern Cape Province
    		Minerals of South Africa
    South Korea
     
    • Jeollabuk-do (Cholla-pukto; Jeonrabugdo)
      • Kumsan-gun
        • Chewon-myon
    		Kinosaki, Y. (1941) Jour. Min. Soc. Korea, 24, 5.
    Sweden
     
    • Lappland
      • Gällivare
    		No reference listed
    Switzerland
     
    • Wallis (Valais)
      • Binn Valley
        • Geisspfad area
    		Uwe Kolitsch collection (powder XRD + SEM-EDS)
        • Kriegalp Valley (Chriegalp Valley)
    		Kolitsch, U. (1998): Neue Mineralfunde vom Wannigletscher im Binntal, Schweiz. Mineralien-Welt 9 (3), 45-53. (in German)
      • Goms
        • Fiesch
    		Stalder, H. A., Wagner, A., Graeser, S. and Stuker, P. (1998): Mineralienlexikon der Schweiz. Wepf (Basel), p. 104.
        • Lax
    		Christian Bracke collection.
      • Hérens Valley
        • Arolla
    		Lapis 7-8/2006, ad on p. 12
    UK
     
    • Scotland
      • Buchan Grampian (Aberdeenshire)
        • Stonehaven
          • Catterline
    		BMS Collection
    BMS Database
      • North West Highlands (Inverness-shire)
        • Isle of Skye
          • Duirinish
            • Dunvegan
    		[UKJMM 16:21-27]
          • Waternish
            • Edinbain
              • Black Hill
    		No reference listed
    USA
     
    • Alaska
      • Fairbanks North Star Borough
        • Chena River
          • Tors Campground Trail
    		Eberling, G. D., R. C. Erd, Florence Weber, and L. B. Beatty. "New Occurrence of Yugawaralite From the Chena Hot Springs Area, Alaska." The American Mineralogist 56 (1971): 1699-1715. 31 Dec. 2007.
    AmMin 12:365
    • Arizona
      • Cochise Co.
        • Perilla Mts
          • Douglas District (Ash Springs District)
            • Douglas
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 380.
    • California
    		San Diego Natural History Museum
    Hines, F. 2007. Stellerite from the Calavera Quarry, Carlsbad, CA; in the personal collection of Frank Hines of Long Beach, CA.
      • Sonoma Co.
    		http://www.mineralsocal.org
    • Colorado
      • Chaffee Co.
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
    Minerals of Colorado (1997) E.B. Eckels
    • Maine
      • Hancock Co.
        • Mount Desert
    		King & Foord, 1994. Mineralogy of Maine, Vol. 1, p.335
    • Massachusetts
      • Worcester Co.
    		Tschernich, 1992. Zeolites of the World., p.475.
    • Nevada
      • Lincoln Co.
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
      • Nye Co.
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    • New Jersey
      • Hudson Co.
        • Bergen Hill
          • Jersey City
    		Amer. Jour. of Sci., 1st. series: 44:54-60 (1843), Beck.
      • Passaic Co.
        • Haledon
    		Mr. Kurt Hennig & C. Lemanski, Jr.
      • Somerset Co.
        • Bernards Township
        • Watchung
    		Cummings, W. (1987) Mineralization at the Fanwood and Summit Quarries, New Jersey. Rocks & Minerals, 62:155.
      • Union Co.
        • Springfield
    		Frank A. Imbriacco III collection (confirmed by X-ray analysis)
    • New Mexico
      • Sierra Co.
    		Northrop, Minerals of New Mexico, 3rd Rev. Ed., 1996
    Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.
    • New York
      • St Lawrence Co.
    		NY State Museum spec. no. 15561
    • Oregon
      • Grant Co.
        • Ritter
    • Pennsylvania
      • Montgomery Co.
        • Marlborough Township
          • Perkiomenville
    		Bill Lorah - PA collector/dealer.
    • Utah
      • Piute Co.
    		UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
    • Virginia
      • Culpeper Co.
        • Mitchell
    		Kearns, L.E., Jenkins, R.N., and Lipscomb, D. (2007) 34th Rochester Mineralogical Symposium, Contributed Papers.
    Mineral and/or Locality
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