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Trimerite

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Långban, Filipstad, Värmland, Sweden
© Knut Eldjarn

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Formula:
CaMn
2+
2
Be
 
3
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
System:MonoclinicColour:Colourless, pink, ...
Hardness:6 - 7
Name:Named in 1890 by Flink from the Greek for "three parts" in allusion to the optically observable radial segments (due to trilling-forming twinning).
This page provides mineralogical data about Trimerite.

Classification of Trimerite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:8/A.03-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:9.AB.05

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
B : Nesosilicates without additional anions; cations in [4] and greater coordination
Dana 7th edition ID:51.2.1.1
Dana 8th edition ID:51.2.1.1

51 : NESOSILICATES Insular SiO4 Groups Only
2 : Insular SiO4 Groups Only with cations in [4] as well as >[4]
Hey's CIM Ref.:14.3.17

14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
3 : Silicates of Be
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Type Occurrence of Trimerite

Type Locality:Harstigen Mine, Pajsberg, Persberg district, Filipstad, Värmland, Sweden
Year of Discovery:1890
Geological Setting of type material:In a magnetite-pyroxene-garnet skarn probably formed during late-stage hydrothermal activity
Associated Minerals at type locality:
Calcite

Physical Properties of Trimerite

Lustre:Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Colour:Colourless, pink, orange-red, yellow-red
Hardness (Mohs):6 - 7
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Distinct/Good
Distinct on {001}
Fracture:Conchoidal
Density (measured):3.474 g/cm3
Density (calculated):3.47 g/cm3

Crystallography of Trimerite

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 = 8.09Å, b = 7.61Å, c = 14.06Å
β = 90°
Ratio:a:b:c = 1.063 : 1 : 1.848
Unit Cell Volume:V 865.60 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:4
Morphology:Crystals prismatic, pseudohexagonal by twinning to 12 mm; as crystal intergrowths
Twinning:Triple twins with composition planes (110) and (1_10); in basal section, twin lamellae in three directions intersect at a 120 degree angle
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
d-spacingIntensity
2.764 (100)
3.56 (40)
2.229 (35)
2.332 (30)
1.420 (30)
2.053 (25)
1.784 (25)
Comments:From ICDD 17-477 for type locality material

Optical Data of Trimerite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.715 nβ = 1.720 nγ = 1.725
2V:Measured: 83° , Calculated: 88°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.010

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:High
Dispersion:r > v
Comments:X perpendicular to {001}

Chemical Properties of Trimerite

Formula:
CaMn
2+
2
Be
 
3
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
Essential elements:Be, Ca, Mn, O, Si
All elements listed in formula:Be, Ca, Mn, O, Si
Analytical Data:Gelatinizes in HCl.
From type locality material
SiO2 (39.77)
FeO (3.87)
MnO (26.86)
BeO (17.08)
MgO (0.61)
CaO (12.44)
Common Impurities:Fe,Mg

Relationship of Trimerite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
9.AB.10Larsenite
PbZnSiO
 
4
9.AB.15Esperite
PbCa
 
2
Zn
 
3
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
9.AB.20Rondorfite
Ca
 
8
Mg(SiO
 
4
)
 
4
Cl
 
2
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
14.3.1Phenakite
Be
 
2
SiO
 
4
14.3.2Bertrandite
Be
 
4
(Si
 
2
O
 
7
)(OH)
 
2
14.3.3Beryllite
Be
 
3
(SiO
 
4
)(OH)
 
2
 · H
 
2
O
14.3.4Liberite
Li
 
2
BeSiO
 
4
14.3.5Chkalovite
Na
 
2
BeSi
 
2
O
 
6
14.3.6Eudidymite
Na
 
2
Be
 
2
Si
 
6
O
 
15
 · H
 
2
O
14.3.7Epididymite
Na
 
2
Be
 
2
Si
 
6
O
 
15
 · H
 
2
O
14.3.8Gugiaite
Ca
 
2
Be(Si
 
2
O
 
7
)
14.3.9Jeffreyite
(Ca,Na)
 
2
(Be,Al)(Si
 
2
O
 
7
,HSi
 
2
O
 
7
)
14.3.10Semenovite-(Ce)
Na
 
8
Ca
 
2
FeBe
 
6
Ce
 
2
Si
 
14
O
 
40
(OH)
 
4
F
 
4
14.3.11Barylite
Be
 
2
Ba(Si
 
2
O
 
7
)
14.3.12Hingganite-(Ce)
(Ce,REE)
 
2
(□,Fe
2+
 
)Be
 
2
[SiO
 
4
]
 
2
(OH)
 
2
14.3.13Hingganite-(Yb)
(Yb,Y,REE)
 
2
□Be
 
2
[SiO
 
4
]
 
2
(OH)
 
2
14.3.14Hingganite-(Y)
(Y,REE,Ca)
 
2
(□,Fe
2+
 
)Be
 
2
[SiO
 
4
]
 
2
(OH)
 
2
14.3.15Minasgeraisite-(Y)
CaBe
 
2
Y
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
10
14.3.16Sørensenite
Na
 
4
SnBe
 
2
Si
 
6
O
 
16
(OH)
 
4
14.3.18Chiavennite
CaMnBe
 
2
Si
 
5
O
 
13
(OH)
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
14.3.19Tvedalite
(Ca,Mn)
 
4
Be
 
3
Si
 
6
O
 
17
(OH)
 
4
 · 3H
 
2
O
14.3.20Harstigite
Ca
 
6
(Mn,Mg)Be
 
4
Si
 
6
(O,OH)
 
24
14.3.21Sverigeite
NaMnMgSnBe
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
14.3.22Joesmithite
{Pb}{Ca
 
2
}{Mg
 
3
Fe
3+
2
}(Be
 
2
Si
 
6
O
 
22
)(OH)
 
2
14.3.23Gadolinite-(Y)
Y
 
2
Fe
2+
 
Be
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
10
14.3.24Gadolinite-(Ce)
(Ce,La,Nd,Y)
 
2
Fe
2+
 
Be
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
10
14.3.25Calciogadolinite-(Y)
(YCa)
 
2
Fe
3+
 
Be
 
2
[SiO
 
4
]
 
2
O
 
2
Related Minerals - Dana Grouping):

- +
51.2.1.2Larsenite
PbZnSiO
 
4
51.2.1.3Esperite
PbCa
 
2
Zn
 
3
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3

Other Names for Trimerite

Other Languages:
German:Trimerit
Russian:Тримерит
Spanish:Trimerita

Other Information

Fluorescence in UV light:Not fliuorescent
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 Trimerite

Reference List:

- +
Zeits. Krist. Min. (1890), 18, 361-365.

American Mineralogist (1927): 12: 381.

Zeitschrift für Kristallographie (1977): 145: 46-65.

Internet Links for Trimerite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Trimerite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    • Localities for Trimerite

    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.
    Hide Locality List
    (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.
    Sweden
     
    • Värmland
      • Filipstad
    		Nysten, P., Holtstam, D. and Jonsson, E. (1999) The Långban minerals. In Långban - The mines,their minerals, geology and explorers (D. Holtstam and J. Langhof, eds.), Swedish Museum of Natural History and Raster Förlag, Stockholm & Chr. Weise Verlag, Munich, pp. 89-183. ; K:Gatedal
        • Nordmark (Nordmarksberg)
    		Nysten,P. & Gustafsson, L.(2006): I jakt på sällsynta mineral. Geologiskt forum nr 49, 22-25; AKMG 6, nr. 21, 46
        • Persberg district
          • Pajsberg
    		Hey's Mineral Index (1993)/ Nysten,P. & Gustafsson, L.(2006): I jakt på sällsynta mineral. Geologiskt forum nr 49, 22-25
    USA
     
    • North Carolina
      • Alleghany Co.
        • Sparta
          • Bald Knob
    		Jan H.Bernard and Jaroslav Hyrsl,2004, Minerals and their Localities,pg # 694
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