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Tuhualite

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Opo Bay (South East Bay), Mayor Island (Tuhua), New Zealand
© Judy Rowe

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Formula:
(Na,K)
 
2
Fe
 
2
Fe
 
2
Si
 
12
O
 
30
 · H
 
2
O
System:OrthorhombicColour:Dark blue to black
Member of:Tuhualite Group
Name:From the Maori "Tuhua", the original name for Mayor Island, New Zealand.


Tuhualite Group.

Classification of Tuhualite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:8/F.30-20
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:9.DN.05

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
D : Inosilicates
N : Inosilicates with 6-periodic double chains
Dana 8th edition ID:66.3.4.1

66 : INOSILICATES Double-Width,Unbranched Chains,(W=2)
3 : Amphiboles - Ca-Na subgroup
Hey's CIM Ref.:16.18.3

16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
18 : Aluminosilicates of Fe and alkalis
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Type Occurrence of Tuhualite

Type Locality:Mayor Island (Tuhua), New Zealand
Year of Discovery:1932

Physical Properties of Tuhualite

Colour:Dark blue to black
Tenacity:Brittle

Crystallography of Tuhualite

Crystal System:Orthorhombic
Cell Parameters:a = 14.31Å, b = 17.28Å, c = 10.11Å
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.828 : 1 : 0.585
Unit Cell Volume:V 2,499.97 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Optical Data of Tuhualite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.608 nβ = 1.612 nγ = 1.621
2V:Measured: 61° to 70°, Calculated: 68°
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:r < v

Chemical Properties of Tuhualite

Formula:
(Na,K)
 
2
Fe
 
2
Fe
 
2
Si
 
12
O
 
30
 · H
 
2
O
Essential elements:Fe, H, Na, O, Si
All elements listed in formula:Fe, H, K, Na, O, Si
Common Impurities:Ti,Zr,Al,Mn,Mg,Ca,F,Cl,H2O

Relationship of Tuhualite to other Species

Member of:Tuhualite Group
Other Members of Group:

- +
Emeleusite
Li
 
2
Na
 
4
Fe
 
2
Si
 
12
O
 
30
Zektzerite
LiNa(Zr,Ti,Hf)Si
 
6
O
 
15
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
9.DN.05Emeleusite
Li
 
2
Na
 
4
Fe
 
2
Si
 
12
O
 
30
9.DN.05Zektzerite
LiNa(Zr,Ti,Hf)Si
 
6
O
 
15
9.DN.10Semenovite-(Ce)
Na
 
8
Ca
 
2
FeBe
 
6
Ce
 
2
Si
 
14
O
 
40
(OH)
 
4
F
 
4
9.DN.15Ashcroftine-(Y)
K
 
5
Na
 
5
(Y,Ca)
 
12
Si
 
28
O
 
70
(OH)
 
2
(CO
 
3
)
 
8
 · 8H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
16.18.1Nontronite
Na
 
0.3
Fe
 
2
((Si,Al)
 
4
O
 
10
)(OH)
 
2
 · nH
 
2
O
16.18.2Ferroglaucophane
◻[Na
 
2
][Fe
2+
3
Al
 
2
]Si
 
8
O
 
22
(OH)
 
2
16.18.4Annite
KFe
2+
3
(AlSi
 
3
O
 
10
)(OH)
 
2
16.18.5Siderophyllite
KFe
2+
2
Al(Al
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
10
)(OH)
 
2

Other Names for Tuhualite

Other Languages:
German:Tuhualit
Russian:Тухуалит
Spanish:Tuhualita

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 Tuhualite

Reference List:

- +
New Zealand Journal Sci. Techn. (1932): 13: 198-202.

American Mineralogist (1956): 41: 959.

Mineralogical Magazine (1956): 31: 96-106.

Science (1969): 166: 1399-1401.

Internet Links for Tuhualite

Search Engines:
  • Look for Tuhualite on Google
  • Look for Tuhualite images on Google
    • External Links:
  • Look for Tuhualite on Webmineral
  • Look for Tuhualite on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Tuhualite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Tuhualite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
    • Mineral Dealers:
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  • Fabre Minerals - search for Tuhualite specimens
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    • Localities for Tuhualite

    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.
    Mongolia
     
    • Hovd Aimag (Khovd Aimag)
      • Altai Mts
    		Irina A. Andreeva data
    New Zealand
     
    New Zealand J.Sci.Techn.(1932) 13, 198-202; Mineralogical Magazine 1956 31 : 96-106
    NZJGG, 2003, 46: 581-590. NZJGG, 1991, 34: 337-340. NZJGG, 1981, 24: 449-467
    NZJGG, 2003, 46: 581-590. NZJGG, 1991, 34: 337-340. NZJGG, 1981, 24: 449-467
    NZJGG, 2003, 46: 581-590. NZJGG, 1991, 34: 337-340. NZJGG, 1981, 24: 449-467
    Tajikistan
     
    • Region of Republican Subordination
      • Tien Shan Mts
        • Alai (Alayskiy) Range
    		L.A. Pautov data
    Mineral and/or Locality
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