Mindat Logo

Tacharanite

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



Formula:
Ca
 
12
Al
 
2
Si
 
18
O
 
51
· 18H
 
2
O
System:MonoclinicColour:White
Hardness:5
Name:From Gaelic "tacharan", a changeling, because the mineral breaks down into other compounds if left standing in air.


May appear visually similar to tobermorite.

Classification of Tacharanite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:8/F.21-40
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:9.HA.75

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
H : Unclassified silicates
A : With Alkali and Alkali-earth Elements
Dana 8th edition ID:72.3.2.6

72 : PHYLLOSILICATES Two-Dimensional Infinite Sheets with Other Than Six-Membered Rings
3 : Two-Dimensional Infinite Sheets with Other Than Six-Membered Rings with 3-, 4-, or 5-membered rings and 8-membered rings
Hey's CIM Ref.:16.11.8

16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
11 : Aluminosilicates of Ca and Mg with or without alkalis
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-3864.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Type Occurrence of Tacharanite

Type Locality:Portree, Trotternish, Isle of Skye, North West Highlands (Inverness-shire), Scotland, UK
Year of Discovery:1961

Physical Properties of Tacharanite

Lustre:Dull
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Translucent
Colour:White
Hardness (Mohs):5

Crystallography of Tacharanite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Cell Parameters:a = 17.07Å, b = 3.65Å, c = 27.9Å
β = 114.1°
Ratio:a:b:c = 4.677 : 1 : 7.644
Unit Cell Volume:V 1,586.80 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Optical Data of Tacharanite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.518 - 1.525 nγ = 1.530 - 1.537
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.012

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

Chemical Properties of Tacharanite

Formula:
Ca
 
12
Al
 
2
Si
 
18
O
 
51
· 18H
 
2
O
Essential elements:Al, Ca, H, O, Si
All elements listed in formula:Al, Ca, H, O, Si
Common Impurities:Fe,Mg,Na,K

Relationship of Tacharanite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
9.HA.05Ertixiite
Na
 
2
Si
 
4
O
 
9
9.HA.10Kenyaite
Na
 
2
Si
 
22
O
 
41
(OH)
 
8
· 6H
 
2
O
9.HA.20Wawayandaite
Ca
 
6
Mn
 
2
BBe
 
9
Si
 
6
O
 
23
(OH,Cl)
 
15
9.HA.25Magbasite
KBa(Al,Sc)(Mg,Fe)
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
20
F
 
2
9.HA.30Afanasyevaite
Ca
 
8
[Si
 
2
O
 
7
]OCl
 
2
9.HA.40Igumnovite
Ca
 
3
Al
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
Cl
 
4
9.HA.50Rudenkoite
Sr
 
3
(Al
 
3.5
Si
 
3.5
)O
 
10
(OH,O)
 
8
Cl
 
2
· H
 
2
O
9.HA.55Foshallasite
Ca
 
3
[Si
 
2
O
 
7
] · 3H
 
2
O(?)
9.HA.60Nagelschmidtite
Ca
 
7
(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
9.HA.65Caryochroite
(Na,Sr)
 
3
(Fe
3+
 
,Mg)
 
10
[(O,OH)
 
9
|Ti
 
2
Si
 
12
O
 
37
] · (H
 
2
O,O,OH)
 
17
9.HA.70Juanite
Ca
 
10
Mg
 
4
Al
 
2
Si
 
11
O
 
39
· 4H
 
2
O or near
9.HA.80Oyelite
Ca
 
10
Si
 
8
B
 
2
O
 
29
· 12.5H
 
2
O
9.HA.85Denisovite
Ca
 
2
(K,Na)Si
 
3
O
 
8
(F,OH)
 
2
9.HA.90Tiettaite
(Na,K)
 
17
FeTiSi
 
16
O
 
29
(OH)
 
30
· 2H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
16.11.1Madisonite
Ca
 
2
Mg
 
2
Al
 
2
Si
 
3
O
 
13
or near
16.11.3Alumino-magnesio-hornblende
☐{Ca
 
2
}{Mg
 
4
Al}(AlSi
 
7
O
 
22
)(OH)
 
2
16.11.4Tschermakite
☐(Ca
 
2
)(Mg
 
3
Al
 
2
)(Al
 
2
Si
 
6
O
 
22
)(OH)
 
2
16.11.5Clintonite
Ca(Mg,Al)
 
3
(Al
 
3
SiO
 
10
)(OH)
 
2
16.11.6Juanite
Ca
 
10
Mg
 
4
Al
 
2
Si
 
11
O
 
39
· 4H
 
2
O or near
16.11.7Pumpellyite-(Mg)
Ca
 
2
MgAl
 
2
(Si
 
2
O
 
7
)(SiO
 
4
)(OH)
 
2
· H
 
2
O
16.11.9Aluminobarroisite
☐{CaNa}{Mg
 
3
Al
 
2
}(AlSi
 
7
O
 
22
)(OH)
 
2
16.11.10Taramite
{Na}{CaNa}{Mg
 
3
Al
 
2
}(Al
 
2
Si
 
6
O
 
22
)(OH)
 
2
16.11.12Edenite
{Na}{Ca
 
2
}{Mg
 
5
}(AlSi
 
7
O
 
22
)(OH)
 
2
16.11.13Pargasite
{Na}{Ca
 
2
}{Mg
 
4
Al}(Al
 
2
Si
 
6
O
 
22
)(OH)
 
2
16.11.14Katophorite
{Na}{CaNa}{Mg
 
4
Al}[(AlSi
 
7
)O
 
22
](OH)
 
2
16.11.15Beidellite
(Na,Ca
 
0.5
)
 
0.3
Al
 
2
((Si,Al)
 
4
O
 
10
)(OH)
 
2
· nH
 
2
O
16.11.15Magnesiosadanagaite
{Na}{Ca
 
2
}{Mg
 
3
Al
 
2
}(Al
 
3
Si
 
5
O
 
22
)(OH)
 
2
16.11.16Sadanagaite
{Na}{Ca
 
2
}{Mg
 
3
Al
 
2
}(Al
 
3
Si
 
5
O
 
22
)(OH)
 
2

Other Names for Tacharanite

Other Languages:
German:Tacharanit
Spanish:Tacharanita

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 Tacharanite

Reference List:

- +
Sweet, J. M. (1961): Tacharanite and other hydrated calcium silicates from Portree, Isle of Skye. Mineral. Mag. 32, 745-753.

American Mineralogist (1962): 47: 173.

Cliff, G., Gard, J. A., Lorimer, G. W. & Taylor, H. F. W. (1975): Tacharanite. - Mineralogical Magazine: 40: 113-126.

American Mineralogist (1976): 61: 1055.

Mineralogical Magazine (1978): 42: 383.

Internet Links for Tacharanite

Search Engines:
  • Look for Tacharanite on Google
  • Look for Tacharanite images on Google
  • External Links:
  • Look for Tacharanite on Webmineral
  • Look for Tacharanite on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Tacharanite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Tacharanite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
  • Mineral Dealers:
  • DAKOTA MATRIX offers Cabinet and Rare Species from Worldwide Localities.
  • Search for minerals at Heliodor
  • Fine Minerals from Weinrich Minerals, Inc.
  • Find Tacharanite on www.crystalclassics.co.uk
  • Search for - Tacharanite - on e-Rocks Mineral Sales & Auctions
  • Buy minerals from YourMineralCollection
  • Buy fine minerals and gemstones from Pala International
  • Fine and rare minerals from mintreasure.com
  • Mineral Classics - Worldwide Collector Quality Minerals and Gems
  • Buy RARE Minerals from Rocks of Africa
  • SpiriferMinerals.com - high quality low prices
  • Top quality minerals from Kristalle of California
  • Jobs:
  • Mining & Geology Jobs
  • Localities for Tacharanite

    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.
    Australia
     
    • Tasmania
      • Arthur River district
    Information to Kim Macdonald from Mathew & Elizabeth Latham, North West Tasmanian Mineral Club
      • Burnie district
        • Oonah
    Mathew Latham coll.
        • Ridgley
    R Bottrill coll.
      • Cape Grim district
    http://www.crocoite.com/locationbulletins/part1/zeolites.pdf; Tschernich, R. (1992): Zeolites of the World, p.49
      • Central Plateau
    Bottrill & Baker (in prep) Catalogue of minerals of Tasmania
      • Marrawah district
        • Redpa
    http://www.crocoite.com/locationbulletins/part1/zeolites.pdf
      • Moina District (Middlesex District)
    Bottrill & Baker (in prep) Catalogue of minerals of Tasmania
      • Upper Mersey Valley
    Anderson, P. (1984), Zeolites from Gads Hill, Tasmania
    Austria
     
    • Styria
      • Bad Radkersburg
        • Klöch
    R. Exel: Die Mineralien und Erzlagerstätten Österreichs (1993)
    Canada
     
    • British Columbia
      • Cariboo Mining Division
        • 100 Mile House
    Tschernich, R. (1992): Zeolites of the World, p.51
    • Québec
      • Estrie
        • Les Sources RCM
          • Asbestos
    Horváth & Spertini (2008 & 2009)
    Chile
     
    • Aisén del General Carlos Ibáñez del Campo Region
      • Aisén Province (Aysén Province)
    Aguirre, L., Dominguez-Bella, S., Morata, D., Wittke, O. (1998) An occurrence of tobermorite in Tertiary basalts from Patagonia, Chile. The Canadian Mineralogist, 36, 1149-1155.
    France
     
    • Midi-Pyrénées
      • Aveyron
        • Espalion
    Boutry C., Pelisson P., Pillard F. (1986), Les zéolites d'Espalion, Le Cahier des Micromonteurs, n°2, pp: 3-7
    Germany
     
    • Hesse
      • Vogelsberg
        • Ortenberg
    Kolitsch, U. (1997): Tacharanit vom Gaulsberg bei Ortenberg (Vogelsberg, Hessen). Mineralien-Welt 8 (2), 25-26
    • Lower Saxony
      • Göttingen
        • Adelebsen
    Koritnig, S. (1972). Gyrolith, Okenit und Tacharanit als metasomatische Reaktionsprodukte aus dem Basaltvorkommen der Bramburg bei Göttingen, Deutschland. Contrib. Mineral. Petrol. 35, 293-301. (in German)
    • Rhineland-Palatinate
      • Eifel
        • Adenau
          • Hoffeld
    Hentschel, G., Die Mineralien der Eifelvulkane, Weise Verlag München, 1987
        • Hillesheim
          • Zilsdorf
    Hentschel, G.,Begleitmineralien des Basaltes vom Arensberg bei Zilsdorf/Eifel, Notizbl. Hess. L.-Amt Bodenforsch., 101, 310-316, 1973
    Hungary
     
    • Veszprém Co.
      • Balaton Uplands
        • Bakony Mts.
          • Sümegprága
    Kónya-MÁFI,2008
        • Tapolcai Basin
          • Uzsa (Uzsabánya)
    Israel
     
    • Negev
    Gross, S. (1977): The Mineralogy of the Hatrurim Formation, Israel. Geological Survey of Israel, Bulletin no. 70, 80 pp.
    Italy
     
    • Liguria
      • Genova Province
        • Campoligure
          • Pracaban Mt.
    Antofilli, Borgo, Palenzona, 1985. I nostri minerali. Geologia e mineralogia in Liguria. Edizioni Melita, La Spezia.
        • Tiglieto
          • Olbicella
    Cortesogno L., Lucchetti G., Penco A.M. - 1975 - Associazioni a zeoliti nel "Gruppo di Voltri" : caratteristiche mineralogiche e loro significato - rend. S.I.M.P. - Milano, vol. 31, n.2 pp. 673-710
    • Sicily
      • Catania Province
        • Northern Iblean plateau
    Sicurella, G., Russo, S., Ciriotti, M.E., Blass, G. (2010): Mineralogia della formazione di Monte Caliella, Palagonia (Catania, Sicilia). Micro (località), 2/2010, 371-408
    Sicurella, G., Russo, S., Ciriotti, M.E., Blass, G. (2010): Mineralogia della formazione di Monte Caliella, Palagonia (Catania, Sicilia). Micro (località), 2/2010, 371-408.
    • Veneto
      • Vicenza Province
        • Cornedo Vicentino
          • Spagnago
    Boscardin M.,Daleffe A.,Rocchetti I., Zordan A. (2011) " Minerali del Vicentino - Aggiornamenti, località e nuove determinazioni " Museo di Archeologia e Scienze Naturali “G. Zannato” – Montecchio Maggiore (Vicenza), pp.183; - Boscardin M.,Daleffe A.,Rocchetti I., Zordan A. (2011) " Minerali del Vicentino - Aggiornamenti, località e nuove determinazioni " Museo di Archeologia e Scienze Naturali “G. Zannato” – Montecchio Maggiore (Vicenza), pp.183
    Japan
     
    • Honshu Island
      • Chubu region
        • Shizuoka prefecture
    Alfredo Petrov - unpublished document (2007)
    • Shikoku Island
      • Kochi Prefecture
        • Kochi City
    Minakawa and Noto (1985) Kobutsu-Gakkai Koen-Yoshi, 90.
          • Rendai
    Mineralogical Journal Vol. 13 (1986) , No. 6 pp368-375
    Russia
     
    • Northern Region
      • Murmanskaja Oblast'
        • Kola Peninsula
          • Kovdor Massif
    M.Moiseev data
    • Urals Region
      • Middle Urals
        • Sverdlovskaya Oblast'
          • Sysert' District
            • Polevskoi (Polevskoi Zavod)
    Zadov, A. E.; Grabezhev, A. I.; Pertsev, N. N.; Chukanov, N. V.; Pribavkin, S. V. (2006): Tobermorite-plombierite metasomatites of the Gumeshevsk skarn-porphyry copper deposit, Middle Urals. Doklady Earth Sciences 407A, 495-497.
    Spain
     
    • Catalonia
      • Barcelona
        • Maresme
          • Fogars de Tordera
    Bareche, E. (2005) "Els minerals de Catalunya. Segle XX" Grup Mineralògic Català, Barcelona, 269 pages.
    UK
     
    • Northern Ireland
      • Co. Antrim
        • Glenoe
    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
    • Scotland
      • North West Highlands (Inverness-shire)
        • Isle of Skye
          • Trotternish
    Sweet, J. M. (1961): Tacharanite and other hydrated calcium silicates from Portree, Isle of Skye. Mineral. Mag. 32, 745-753; [Clark, 1993 - "Hey's Mineral Index", p681]
    USA
     
    • Idaho
      • Adams Co.
    Ream, Lanny R. 2004. Idaho Minerals, 2nd edition, Revised and Updated
      • Idaho Co.
        • Skookumchuck Creek
    Ream, Lanny R. 2004. Idaho Minerals, 2nd edition, Revised and Updated
    • Oregon
      • Grant Co.
        • Kimberley
    Tschernich, R. (1992): Zeolites of the World, 118
        • North Fork John Day River
    Micro Probe (1989) Volume VI Number 8 pp 10-13
        • Ritter
    Micro Probe Volume VII Number 8 Fall 1993
      • Wheeler Co.
        • Spray
    Micro Probe VolumeVII Number 3 Spring 1996
    • Virginia
      • Highland Co.
    Minerals of Virginia 1990 by R. V. Dietrich
      • Nelson Co.
    Minerals of Virginia 1990 by R. V. Dietrich
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Search Google
     
    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2013. 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. Mindat does not offer minerals for sale. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register.
    Current server date and time: 22nd Mar 2013 02:37:32
    Mineral and Locality Search
    Mineral:
    and/or Locality:
    Options
    Fade toolbar when not in focusFix toolbar to bottom of page
    Hide Social Media Links
    Slideshow frame delay seconds