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Sursassite

Big Photo

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

Show Sursassite Photos (9)
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
Cell Parameters:a = 8.7Å, b = 5.79Å, c = 9.78Å
β = 108.97°
Ratio:a:b:c = 1.503 : 1 : 1.689
Unit Cell Volume:V 465.89 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)AlMn
3+
 
Mn
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+
 
Ce}{Al
 
2
Fe
2+
 
}[O|OH|SiO
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
]
9.BG.05IMA2006-055
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,Mg)
 
4
(Mn,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
 
3
O
 
11
(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
]
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,Mg)
 
4
(Mn,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

German names:
Sursassit
Russian names:
Сурсассит
Spanish names:
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.

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.
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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.
    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
      • Torino Province
        • Susa Valley
          • 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)
          • Tinizong (Tinzen)
    		[MinRec 32:211]
    Schweiz.Min.Petr.Mitt.(1926) 6, 376-380
    USA
     
    • California
    		MinRec 4:290
    http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/doclib/hom/sursassite.pdf.
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
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