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Sursassite

Big Photo

Molinello Mine, Graveglia Valley, Ne, Genova Province, Liguria, Italy
© Paolo Grosso

Show Sursassite Photos (18)
Formula:
Mn
 
2
Al
 
3
[(OH)
 
3
|SiO
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
]
System:MonoclinicColour:Red-brown to copper-red
Name:Named for the Sursass (Oberhalbstein) district of Switzerland, in which the type locality is situated.
This page provides mineralogical data about Sursassite.

Classification of Sursassite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:8/C.24-20
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:9.BG.15

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
B : Sorosilicates
G : Sorosilicates with mixed SiO4 and Si2O7 groups; cations in octahedral [6] and greater coordination
Dana 8th edition ID:58.2.3.1

58 : SOROSILICATES Insular, Mixed, Single, and Larger Tetrahedral Groups
2 : Insular, Mixed, Single, and Larger Tetrahedral Groups with cations in [6] and higher coordination; single and double groups (n = 1, 2)
Hey's CIM Ref.:16.16.4

16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
16 : Aluminosilicates of Mn
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Type Occurrence of Sursassite

Type Locality:Parsettens Alp, Tinizong (Tinzen), Oberhalbstein (Surses; Sursass), Albula Valley, Grischun (Grisons; Graubünden), Switzerland
Year of Discovery:1926

Physical Properties of Sursassite

Lustre:Silky, Dull
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Translucent
Colour:Red-brown to copper-red

Crystallography of Sursassite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Class (H-M):2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:P21/m {P1 1 21/m} {P21/m} {P1 21/m 1}
Cell Parameters:a = 8.687(1) Å, b = 5.787(1) Å, c = 9.769(1) Å
β = 108.91(1)°
Ratio:a:b:c = 1.501 : 1 : 1.688
Unit Cell Volume:V 464.60 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Optical Data of Sursassite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.736 nβ = 1.755 nγ = 1.766
2V:Calculated: 72°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.030

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

Chemical Properties of Sursassite

Formula:
Mn
 
2
Al
 
3
[(OH)
 
3
|SiO
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
]
Essential elements:Al, H, Mn, O, Si
All elements listed in formula:Al, H, Mn, O, Si
Common Impurities:Ti,Fe,Mg,Ca,Na,K,H2O

Relationship of Sursassite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
9.BG.05Allanite-(Ce)
{CaCe}{Al
 
2
Fe
2+
 
}[O|OH|SiO
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
]
9.BG.05Allanite-(La)
{CaLa}{Al
 
2
Fe
2+
 
}[O|OH|SiO
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
]
9.BG.05Allanite-(Y)
{CaY}{Al
 
2
Fe
2+
 
}[O|OH|SiO
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
]
9.BG.05Clinozoisite
{Ca
 
2
}{Al
 
3
}[O|OH|SiO
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
]
9.BG.05Dissakisite-(Ce)
{CaCe}{Al
 
2
Mg}[O|OH|SiO
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
]
9.BG.05Dollaseite-(Ce)
{CaCe}{MgAlMg}[F|OH|SiO
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
]
9.BG.05Epidote
{Ca
 
2
}{Al
 
2
Fe
3+
 
}[O|OH|SiO
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
]
9.BG.05Epidote-(Pb)
{CaPb}{Al
 
3
}[O|OH|SiO
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
]
9.BG.05Khristovite-(Ce)
{CaCe}{MgAlMn
2+
 
}[F|OH|SiO
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
]
9.BG.05Mukhinite
{Ca
 
2
}{Al
 
2
V
3+
 
}[O|OH|SiO
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
]
9.BG.05Piemontite
{Ca
 
2
}{Al
 
2
Mn
3+
 
}[O|OH|SiO
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
]
9.BG.05Piemontite-(Sr)
{CaSr}{Al
 
2
Mn
3+
 
}[O|OH|SiO
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
]
9.BG.05Manganiandrosite-(La)
{LaMn
2+
 
}{Mn
3+
 
AlMn
2+
 
}[O|OH|SiO
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
]
9.BG.05Tawmawite
Ca
 
2
(Al,Fe
3+
 
,Cr)
 
3
[O|OH|SiO
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
]
9.BG.05Manganipiemontite-(Sr)
{CaSr}{Mn
3+
 
AlMn
3+
 
}[O|OH|SiO
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
]
9.BG.05Ferriallanite-(Ce)
{CaCe}{Fe
3+
 
AlFe
2+
 
}[O|OH|SiO
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
]
9.BG.05Clinozoisite-(Sr)
CaSrAl
 
3
(Si
 
2
O
 
7
)(SiO
 
4
)O(OH)
9.BG.05Ferriepidote
9.BG.05Manganiandrosite-(Ce)
(Mn
2+
 
,Ca)(Ce,REE)Mn
3+
 
AlMn
2+
 
(Si
 
2
O
 
7
)(SiO
 
4
)O(OH)
9.BG.05Dissakisite-(La)
{CaLa}{Al
 
2
Mg}[O|OH|SiO
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
]
9.BG.05Vanadoandrosite-(Ce)
{Mn
2+
 
Ce}{V
3+
 
AlMn
2+
 
}[O|OH|SiO
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
]
9.BG.05Androsite-(La)
9.BG.05Uedaite-(Ce)
Mn
2+
 
CeAl
 
2
Fe
2+
 
[O|OH|SiO
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
]
9.BG.05Epidote-(Sr)
CaSrAl
 
2
Fe
3+
 
(Si
 
2
O
 
7
)(SiO
 
4
)O(OH)
9.BG.10Zoisite
{Ca
 
2
}{Al
 
3
}[O|OH|SiO
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
]
9.BG.15Macfallite
Ca
 
2
(Mn
3+
 
,Al)
 
3
[(OH)
 
3
|SiO
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
]
9.BG.20Julgoldite-(Fe2+)
Ca
 
2
(Fe
2+
 
,Mg)(Fe
3+
 
,Al)
 
2
[(OH)
 
2
|SiO
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
] · H
 
2
O
9.BG.20Okhotskite
Ca
 
8
(Mn
2+
 
,Mg)
 
4
(Mn
3+
 
,Al,Fe)
 
8
Si
 
12
O
 
56-n
(OH)
 
n
9.BG.20Pumpellyite-(Fe2+)
Ca
 
2
Fe
2+
 
Al
 
2
[(OH)
 
2
|SiO
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
] · H
 
2
O
9.BG.20Pumpellyite-(Fe3+)
Ca
 
2
(Fe
3+
 
,Mg,Fe
2+
 
)(Al,Fe
3+
 
)
 
2
[(OH,O)
 
2
|SiO
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
] · H
 
2
O
9.BG.20Pumpellyite-(Mg)
Ca
 
2
MgAl
 
2
[(OH)
 
2
|SiO
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
] · H
 
2
O
9.BG.20Pumpellyite-(Mn2+)
Ca
 
2
(Mn
2+
 
,Mg)(Al,Mn
3+
 
,Fe
3+
 
)
 
2
[(OH)
 
2
|SiO
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
] · H
 
2
O
9.BG.20Shuiskite
Ca
 
2
(Mg,Al)(Cr,Al)
 
2
[(OH)
 
2
|SiO
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
] · 2H
 
2
O
9.BG.20Julgoldite-(Fe3+)
Ca
 
2
(Fe
3+
 
,Mg)(Fe
3+
 
,Al)
 
2
[(OH,O)
 
2
|SiO
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
] · H
 
2
O
9.BG.20Pumpellyite-(Al)
Ca
 
2
(Al,Fe
2+
 
,Mg)Al
 
2
[(OH,O)
 
2
|SiO
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
] · H
 
2
O
9.BG.20Poppiite
Ca
 
2
(V
3+
 
,Fe
3+
 
,Mg)(V
3+
 
,Al)
 
2
[(OH,O)
 
2
|SiO
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
] · H
 
2
O
9.BG.20Julgoldite-(Mg)
Ca
 
2
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)(Fe
3+
 
,Al)
 
2
[(OH)
 
2
|SiO
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
] · H
 
2
O
9.BG.25Ganomalite
Pb
 
9
Ca
 
5
Mn[O|SiO
 
4
|(Si
 
2
O
 
7
)
 
4
]
9.BG.30Rustumite
Ca
 
10
(Si
 
2
O
 
7
)
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)Cl
 
2
(OH)
 
2
9.BG.35Vesuvianite
Ca
 
10
(Mg,Fe)
 
2
Al
 
4
Si
 
9
O
 
34
(OH)
 
4
9.BG.35Wiluite
Ca
 
19
(Al,Mg,Fe,Ti)
 
13
(B,Al,[ ])
 
5
Si
 
18
O
 
68
(O,OH)
 
10
9.BG.35Manganvesuvianite
Ca
 
19
Mn(Al,Mn,Fe)
 
19
(Mg,Mn)
 
2
Si
 
18
O
 
69
(OH)
 
9
9.BG.35Fluorvesuvianite
Ca
 
19
(Al,Mg,Fe
2+
 
)
 
13
[(F,OH,O)
 
10
|(SiO
 
4
)
 
10
|(Si
 
2
O
 
7
)
 
4
]
9.BG.40Vyuntspakhkite-(Y)
Y
 
4
Al
 
3
Si
 
5
O
 
18
(OH)
 
5
9.BG.45Dellaite
Ca
 
6
(Si
 
2
O
 
7
)(SiO
 
4
)(OH)
 
2
9.BG.50Gatelite-(Ce)
CaCe
 
3
Al
 
2
(Al,Mg)(Mg,Fe
2+
 
,Al)[(O,F)|(OH,O)
 
2
|(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
]
9.BG.55Västmanlandite-(Ce)
Ca(Ce,La)
 
3
Al
 
2
Mg
 
2
 [F|(OH)
 
2
|(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
]
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
16.16.1Kanonaite
Mn
3+
 
Al[O|SiO
 
4
]
16.16.2Spessartine
Mn
2+
3
Al
 
2
[SiO
 
4
]
 
3
16.16.3Davreuxite
MnAl
 
6
Si
 
4
O
 
17
(OH)
 
2
16.16.5Carpholite
Mn
2+
 
Al
 
2
[(OH)
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
6
]
16.16.6Kellyite
Mn
2+
2
Al[(OH)
 
4
|AlSiO
 
5
]
16.16.7Pennantite
(Mn
 
5
Al)(Si
 
3
Al)O
 
10
(OH)
 
8
16.16.8Akatoreite
(Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
)
 
9
Al
 
2
[(OH)
 
3
|HSi
 
4
O
 
13
]
 
2
16.16.9Ganophyllite
(K,Na,Ca)
 
2
Mn
 
8
(Si,Al)
 
12
(O,OH)
 
32
·8H
 
2
O
16.16.10Kôzulite
[Na][Na
 
2
][Mn
2+
4
(Fe
3+
 
,Al)][(OH)
 
2
|Si
 
8
O
 
22
]
16.16.11Masutomilite
(K,Rb)(Li,Mn
3+
 
,Al)
 
3
[(F,OH)
 
2
|AlSi
 
3
O
 
10
]
16.16.13Howieite
Na(Fe,Mn)
 
10
(Fe,Al)
 
2
Si
 
12
O
 
31
(OH)
 
13
16.16.14Eggletonite
(Na,K,Ca)
 
2
(Mn,Fe)
 
8
(Si,Al)
 
12
O
 
29
(OH)
 
7
·11H
 
2
O
16.16.15Bannisterite
Ca
 
0.5
(K,Na)
 
0.5
(Mn,Fe,Zn)
 
10
(Si,Al)
 
16
O
 
38
(OH)
 
8
·5.5H
 
2
O
16.16.16Taneyamalite
(Na,Ca)(Mn,Mg,Fe)
 
12
Si
 
12
(O,OH)
 
44
16.16.17Zussmanite
K(Fe,Mg,Mn)
 
13
(Si,Al)
 
18
O
 
42
(OH)
 
14
16.16.18Coombsite
K(Mn,Fe,Mg)
 
13
(Si,Al)
 
18
O
 
42
(OH)
 
14
16.16.19Henritermierite
Ca
 
3
(Mn
3+
 
,Al)
 
2
[(OH)
 
4
|(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
]
16.16.20Macfallite
Ca
 
2
(Mn
3+
 
,Al)
 
3
[(OH)
 
3
|SiO
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
]
16.16.21Ottrélite
(Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
,Mg)Al
 
2
[O|(OH)
 
2
|SiO
 
4
]
16.16.22Piemontite
{Ca
 
2
}{Al
 
2
Mn
3+
 
}[O|OH|SiO
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
]
16.16.23Okhotskite
Ca
 
8
(Mn
2+
 
,Mg)
 
4
(Mn
3+
 
,Al,Fe)
 
8
Si
 
12
O
 
56-n
(OH)
 
n
16.16.24Pumpellyite-(Mn2+)
Ca
 
2
(Mn
2+
 
,Mg)(Al,Mn
3+
 
,Fe
3+
 
)
 
2
[(OH)
 
2
|SiO
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
] · H
 
2
O
16.16.25Piemontite-(Sr)
{CaSr}{Al
 
2
Mn
3+
 
}[O|OH|SiO
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
]

Other Names for Sursassite

Other Languages:
German:Sursassit
Russian:Сурсассит
Spanish:Sursassita

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 Sursassite

Reference List:Schweizerische mineralogische und petrographische Mitteilungen (1926), 6, 376-380.

American Mineralogist (1927): 12: 380.

American Mineralogist (1964): 49: 168-173.

Mellini M., Merlino S., Pasero M.(1984), X-ray and HRTEM study of sursassite: crystal structure, stacking disorder and sursassite - pumpellyite intergrowth. Physics and Chemistry of Minerals, 10, 99-105.

American Mineralogist (1985): 70: 221.

Hatert, F., A.M. Fransolet, J. Wouters & H.J. Bernhardt: The crystal structure of sursassite from the Lienne valley, Stavelot Massif, Belgium. European J. Mineralogy 20, 993-998.

Internet Links for Sursassite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
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    Localities for Sursassite

    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.
    Belgium
     
    • Liège Province
      • Stavelot Massif
        • Lienne valley
          • Stoumont
    		Blondieau Michel, 2005 - Les gisements minéraux du Salmien dans le massif de Stavelot, 90 pages
    Canada
     
    • New Brunswick
      • Woodstock
    Greece
     
    • Aegean Islands (Aiyaíon) Department
      • Kykládes Prefecture
        • Cyclade Islands (Cyclades; Kikladhes; Nomos Kikladhon)
          • Andros Island
            • Vasilikon Mt
    		No reference listed
    Italy
     
    • Aosta Valley
      • Nus
        • Saint-Barthélemy
    		• Barresi, A.A., Kolitsch, U., Ciriotti, M.E., Ambrino, P., Bracco, R., Bonacina, E. (2005): La miniera di manganese di Varenche (Aosta, Italia nord-occidentale): ardennite, arseniopleite, manganberzeliite, pirofanite, sarkinite, thortveitite, nuovo As-Sc-analogo della metavariscite e altre specie. Micro (località), 2/2005, 81-122.
    • Liguria
      • Genova Province
        • Ne
          • Graveglia Valley
    		Redazionale (2005): Sistematica ligure: resoconto 2005. Notiziario di Mineralogia del Ferrania Club, 19 , 3-5.
    [MinRec 32:356]
            • Reppia
    		[MinRec 32:354]
    • Piedmont
      • Cuneo Province
        • Varaita Valley
          • Pontechianale
    		Piccoli, G.C., Maletto, G., Bosio, P., Lombardo, B. (2007). Minerali del Piemonte e della Valle d\'Aosta. Associazione Amici del Museo \"F. Eusebio\" Alba, Ed., Alba (Cuneo) 607 pp.
      • Torino Province
        • Chisone Valley
          • Usseaux
    		Piccoli, G.C., Maletto, G., Bosio, P., Lombardo, B. (2007). Minerali del Piemonte e della Valle d\'Aosta. Associazione Amici del Museo \"F. Eusebio\" Alba, Ed., Alba (Cuneo) 607 pp.
        • Susa Valley
          • Cesana Torinese
    		Piccoli, G.C., Maletto, G., Bosio, P., Lombardo, B. (2007). Minerali del Piemonte e della Valle d\'Aosta. Associazione Amici del Museo \"F. Eusebio\" Alba, Ed., Alba (Cuneo) 607 pp.
          • Salbertrand
    		Piccoli, G.C., Maletto, G., Bosio, P., Lombardo, B. (2007): Minerali del Piemonte e della Valle d'Aosta. Associazione Amici del Museo "F. Eusebio" Alba, Ed., Alba (Cuneo) 607 pp.
    Japan
     
    • Shikoku Island
      • Ehime Prefecture
    		Matsubara et al (1987) Koubutsu-Gakkai Kou'en-Youshi, 114.
      • Tokushima prefecture
    		Minakawa & Momoi (1987) Koubutsugaku Zasshi, 18, 87-98.
    Switzerland
     
    • Grischun (Grisons; Graubünden)
      • Albula Valley
        • Oberhalbstein (Surses; Sursass)
    		Stalder, H. A., Wagner, A., Graeser, S. and Stuker, P. (1998): "Mineralienlexikon der Schweiz", Wepf (Basel), p. 392.
    Stalder, H. A., Wagner, A., Graeser, S. and Stuker, P. (1998): "Mineralienlexikon der Schweiz", Wepf (Basel), p. 392.
          • Tinizong (Tinzen)
    		[MinRec 32:211]
    Schweiz.Min.Petr.Mitt.(1926) 6, 376-380
    USA
     
    • California
    		MinRec 4:290
        • Palos Verdes peninsula
    		http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/doclib/hom/sursassite.pdf.
    Mineral and/or Locality
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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: 13th Oct 2009 02:38:29