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Afghanite

Big Photo

Sar-e-Sang District, Koksha Valley (Kokscha; Kokcha), Badakhshan (Badakshan; Badahsan) Province, Afghanistan
© fabreminerals.com

Show Afghanite Photos (68)
Formula:
(Na,Ca,K)
 
8
[(Cl
 
2
,SO
 
4
,CO
 
3
)
 
3
|Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
] · 0.5H
 
2
O
System:HexagonalColour:light blue, dark blue
Hardness:5½ - 6
Name:The name is derived from the country of its discovery.
This page provides mineralogical data about Afghanite.

Classification of Afghanite

IMA status:Approved 1967
Strunz 8th edition ID:8/J.09-50
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:9.FB.05

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
F : Tektosilicates without zeolitic H2O
B : Tektosilicates with additional anions
Dana 8th edition ID:76.2.5.1

76 : TECTOSILICATES Al-Si Framework
2 : Al-Si Framework Feldspathoids and related species
Hey's CIM Ref.:17.10.12

17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
10 : Silicates with sulphate, molybdate or tungstate
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Type Occurrence of Afghanite

Type Locality:Sar-e-Sang District, Koksha Valley (Kokscha; Kokcha), Badakhshan (Badakshan; Badahsan) Province, Afghanistan

Physical Properties of Afghanite

Lustre:Vitreous
Colour:light blue, dark blue
Streak:white
Hardness (Mohs):5½ - 6
Cleavage:Perfect

Crystallography of Afghanite

Crystal System:Hexagonal
Cell Parameters:a = 12.77Å, c = 21.35Å
Ratio:a:c = 1 : 1.672
Unit Cell Volume:V 3,015.16 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Optical Data of Afghanite

Type:Uniaxial (+)
RI values: nω = 1.523 nε = 1.529
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.006

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

Chemical Properties of Afghanite

Formula:
(Na,Ca,K)
 
8
[(Cl
 
2
,SO
 
4
,CO
 
3
)
 
3
|Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
] · 0.5H
 
2
O
Essential elements:H, Na, O, S, Si
All elements listed in formula:Al, C, Ca, Cl, H, K, Na, O, S, Si

Relationship of Afghanite to other Species

Member of Group:
Cancrinite Group:
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
9.FB.05Bystrite
(Na,K)
 
7
Ca[(S
 
3
)
 
1.5
|Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
] · H
 
2
O
9.FB.05Cancrinite
Na
 
6
Ca
 
2
[(CO
 
3
)
 
2
|Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
] · 2H
 
2
O
9.FB.05Cancrisilite
Na
 
7
[CO
 
3
|Al
 
5
Si
 
7
O
 
24
] · 3H
 
2
O
9.FB.05Davyne
(Na,K)
 
6
Ca
 
2
[(Cl
 
2
,SO
 
4
)
 
2
|Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
]
9.FB.05Franzinite
(Na,K)
 
6
Ca
 
2
[(SO
 
4
)
 
2
|Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
] · 0.5H
 
2
O
9.FB.05Giuseppettite
(Na,K,Ca)
 
7-8
[(SO
 
4
,Cl)
 
1-2
|Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
]
9.FB.05Hydroxycancrinite
Na
 
8
[(OH)
 
2
|Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
] · 2H
 
2
O
9.FB.05Liottite
(Na,K)
 
16
Ca
 
8
[Cl
 
4
|(SO
 
4
)
 
5
|(Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
)
 
3
]
9.FB.05Microsommite
Na
 
4
K
 
2
Ca
 
2
[Cl
 
2
|SO
 
4
|Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
]
9.FB.05Pitiglianoite
Na
 
6
K
 
2
[SO
 
4
|Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
] · 2H
 
2
O
9.FB.05Quadridavyne
(Na,K)
 
6
Ca
 
2
[Cl
 
4
|Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
]
9.FB.05Sacrofanite
(Na,K)
 
98
Ca
 
20
(Si
 
84
Al
 
84
O
 
336
)(SO
 
4
)
 
26
Cl
 
2
·8H
 
2
O
9.FB.05Tounkite
(Na,Ca,K)
 
8
[Cl|(SO
 
4
)
 
2
|Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
] · H
 
2
O
9.FB.05Vishnevite
(Na,K)
 
8
[(SO
 
4
,CO
 
3
)|Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
] · 2H
 
2
O
9.FB.05Marinellite
(Na,K)
 
42
Ca
 
6
[Cl
 
2
|(SO
 
4
)
 
8
|(Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
)
 
6
] · 3 H
 
2
O
9.FB.05Farneseite
(Na,Ca,K)
 
56
[(SO
 
4
)
 
12
|Al
 
42
Si
 
42
O
 
168
] · 6H
 
2
O
9.FB.05Alloriite
(Na,Ca,K)
 
26
Ca
 
4
[Cl
 
6
|(SO
 
4
)
 
6
|(Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
)
 
4
]
9.FB.05Fantappièite
[Na
 
82.5
Ca
 
33
K
 
16.5
]
 
132
(Si
 
99
Al
 
99
O
 
396
)(SO
 
4
)
 
33
·4H
 
2
O
9.FB.05Balliranoite
(Na,K)
 
6
Ca
 
2
(Si
 
6
Al
 
6
O
 
24
)Cl
 
2
(CO
 
3
)
9.FB.05IMA2009-028
Na
 
8
(Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
)(CO
 
3
)·3.5H
 
2
O
9.FB.10Bicchulite
Ca
 
2
[(OH)
 
2
|Al
 
2
SiO
 
6
]
9.FB.10Danalite
Fe
2+
4
Be
 
3
[S|(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
]
9.FB.10Genthelvite
Zn
 
4
Be
 
3
[S|(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
]
9.FB.10Haüyne
(Na,Ca)
 
4-8
[Al
 
6
Si
 
6
(O,S)
 
24
](SO
 
4
,Cl)
 
1-2
9.FB.10Helvite
Mn
2+
4
Be
 
3
[S|(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
]
9.FB.10Kamaishilite
Ca
 
2
[(OH)
 
2
|Al
 
2
SiO
 
6
]
9.FB.10Lazurite
(Na,Ca)
 
8
[(S,SO
 
4
,Cl
 
2
)|Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
]
9.FB.10Nosean
Na
 
8
[SO
 
4
|Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
]
9.FB.10Sodalite
Na
 
8
[Cl
 
2
|Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
]
9.FB.10Tsaregorodtsevite
N(CH
 
3
)
 
4
[AlSi
 
5
O
 
12
]
9.FB.10Tugtupite
Na
 
4
[Cl|BeAlSi
 
4
O
 
12
]
9.FB.10Helvine
9.FB.15Marialite
Na
 
4
[Cl|(AlSi
 
3
O
 
8
)
 
3
]
9.FB.15Meionite
Ca
 
4
[CO
 
3
|(Al
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
)
 
3
]
9.FB.15Silvialite
(Ca,Na)
 
4
[(SO
 
4
,CO
 
3
)|(Al
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
)
 
3
]
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
17.10.1Nosean
Na
 
8
[SO
 
4
|Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
]
17.10.2Pitiglianoite
Na
 
6
K
 
2
[SO
 
4
|Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
] · 2H
 
2
O
17.10.3Vishnevite
(Na,K)
 
8
[(SO
 
4
,CO
 
3
)|Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
] · 2H
 
2
O
17.10.4Haüyne
(Na,Ca)
 
4-8
[Al
 
6
Si
 
6
(O,S)
 
24
](SO
 
4
,Cl)
 
1-2
17.10.5Liottite
(Na,K)
 
16
Ca
 
8
[Cl
 
4
|(SO
 
4
)
 
5
|(Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
)
 
3
]
17.10.6Latiumite
K
 
2
Ca
 
6
(Si,Al)
 
11
O
 
25
(SO
 
4
,CO
 
3
)
17.10.7Tuscanite
(K(Ca,Na)
 
6
(Si,Al)
 
10
O
 
22
[SO
 
4
,CO
 
3
,(OH)
 
2
]·H
 
2
O
17.10.8Microsommite
Na
 
4
K
 
2
Ca
 
2
[Cl
 
2
|SO
 
4
|Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
]
17.10.9Delhayelite
(Na,K)
 
10
Ca
 
5
Al
 
6
Si
 
32
O
 
80
(Cl
 
2
,F
 
2
,SO
 
4
)
 
3
·18H
 
2
O
17.10.10Hydrodelhayelite
KCa
 
2
AlSi
 
7
O
 
17
(OH)
 
2
·6H
 
2
O
17.10.11Davyne
(Na,K)
 
6
Ca
 
2
[(Cl
 
2
,SO
 
4
)
 
2
|Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
]
17.10.13Franzinite
(Na,K)
 
6
Ca
 
2
[(SO
 
4
)
 
2
|Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
] · 0.5H
 
2
O
17.10.14Giuseppettite
(Na,K,Ca)
 
7-8
[(SO
 
4
,Cl)
 
1-2
|Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
]
17.10.15Sacrofanite
(Na,K)
 
98
Ca
 
20
(Si
 
84
Al
 
84
O
 
336
)(SO
 
4
)
 
26
Cl
 
2
·8H
 
2
O
17.10.16Chessexite
(Na,K)
 
4
Ca
 
2
(Mg,Zn)
 
3
Al
 
8
[(SO
 
4
)
 
10
|(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 40H
 
2
O
17.10.17Innelite
Na
 
2
(Ba,K)
 
4
(Mg,Ca,Fe)Ti
 
3
Si
 
4
O
 
18
(OH,F)
 
1.5
SO
 
4
17.10.18Thaumasite
Ca
 
3
[CO
 
3
|SO
 
4
|Si(OH)
 
6
] · 12H
 
2
O
17.10.19Ellestadite
17.10.20Ellestadite-(Cl)
Ca
 
10
[Cl
 
2
|(SO
 
4
)
 
3
|(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
]
17.10.21Ellestadite-(OH)
Ca
 
10
[(OH,Cl,F)
 
2
|(SO
 
4
)
 
3
|(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
]
17.10.22Ellestadite-(F)
Ca
 
10
[(F,Cl,OH)
 
2
|(SO
 
4
)
 
3
|(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
]
17.10.23Mattheddleite
Pb
 
5
(Si
 
1.5
S
 
1.5
)O
 
12
(Cl,OH)
17.10.24Queitite
Pb
 
4
Zn
 
2
[SO
 
4
|SiO
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
7
]
17.10.25Roeblingite
Pb
 
2
Ca
 
6
Mn
2+
 
[OH|SO
 
4
|Si
 
3
O
 
9
]
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
17.10.26Yoshimuraite
Ba
 
2
Mn
 
2
TiOSi
 
2
O
 
7
(PO
 
4
)(OH)
17.10.27Kegelite
Pb
 
12
(Zn,Fe)
 
2
Al
 
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
4
Si
 
11
O
 
38
 or near
17.10.28Wenkite
(Ba,K)
 
4
(Ca,Na)
 
6
[(SO
 
4
)
 
3
|(Si,Al)
 
20
O
 
39
(OH)
 
2
] · 0.5H
 
2
O
17.10.29Macquartite
Pb
 
3
Cu(CrO
 
4
)(SiO
 
3
)(OH)
 
4
·2H
 
2
O
17.10.30Welinite
Mn
2+
6
(W
6+
 
,Mg)
 
2
[(O,OH)
 
3
|SiO
 
4
]
 
2

Other Names for Afghanite

Synonyms:
IMA1967-041
Other Languages:
Dutch:Afghaniet
German:Afghanit
Italian:Afghanite
Latvian:Afganīts
Russian:Афганит
Spanish:Afghanita

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 Afghanite

Reference List:Bull. Soc. Fr. Min. Crist. (1968): 91, 34-42.

American Mineralogist: 53: 2105.

European Journal of Mineralogy: 9: 21-30.

Internet Links for Afghanite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Afghanite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Afghanite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    Localities for Afghanite

    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.
    Afghanistan
     
    Canadian Mineralogist (1979) 17:47-52
      • Koksha Valley (Kokscha; Kokcha)
    		Dudley Blauwet priv. comm.(2008), RWMW collection
    Bull.Soc.fr.Min.Crist.(1968) 91, 34-42; Canadian Mineralogist (1979) 17:47-52
    Canada
     
    • Nunavut Territory
      • Baffin Island
    		Canadian Mineralogist (1979) 17:47-52
    Germany
     
    • Rhineland-Palatinate
      • Eifel Mts
        • Mayen
          • Ettringen
            • Bellerberg volcano
              • Ettringer Bellerberg Mt. (Bellberg Mt.; Bellenberg Mt.; Billenberg Mt.; Boilenberg Mt.)
    		Blass, G., Graf, H.W., Interessante Neuigkeiten über Cancrinit, Fluorit und Fuchsit aus der Vulkaneifel, Mineralien-Welt 12/1, 26-29, 2001
    Italy
     
    • Campania
      • Naples Province
        • Somma-Vesuvius Complex
    		- Parodi, G., Ballirano, P., Maras, A. (1996): Afghanite from Mt Vesuvius: A Rediscovery, The Mineralogical Record, Vol. 27, 109-114; www.dinet.it/Mineral-GMC/AMI/vesuvio.html.
    • Latium
      • Rome Province
        • Campagnano di Roma
    		Min Rec (1996) 27:109-114
        • Magliano Romano
    		Stoppani, F.S. & Curti, E. (1982): I minerali del Lazio. Editoriale Olimpia, Firenze, 291 pp.
      • Viterbo Province
    		Stoppani, F.S., Curti, E. (1982): I Minerali del Lazio. Ed. Olimpia, Firenze, 154-158; Min Rec (1996) 27:109-114
        • Onano
    		Cresta, S., Duronio, F., Mancinella, D. (2002): Geositi e sistema delle arre protette del Lazio: idee per la geoconservazione. Il Cercapietre, 1-2/2002, 48-55
        • Vico Lake
          • Vetralla
    		Bill Henderson specimens
    American Mineralogist, Volume 91, pages 1170–-1177, 2006
    Carlini, R., Signoretti, E., 2003. Località minori del vulcano Vicano: Villa S.Giovanni in Tuscia e Mazzocchio. Il Cercapietre. Not. del Gruppo Mineralogico Romano, 1-2: 33-41
    • Tuscany
      • Grosseto Province
    		Min Rec (1996) 27:109-114
    Liotti L., 1991. I minerali dei vulcani laziali a Pitigliano (Grosseto). Riv. Mineral. Ital., 15: 121-139.
    Russia
     
    • Eastern-Siberian Region
      • Prebaikalia (Pribaikal'e)
        • Irkutskaya Oblast'
          • Lake Baikal area
            • Slyudyanka (Sludyanka)
              • Tounkinskaya valley
                • Malaya Bystraya River
    		Canadian Mineralogist (1979) 17:47-52; P.M. Kartashov data
    Hadacz, R. and Kynický, J. (2006): Lapis Lazuli z oblasti Bajkalu. In SAMEC, P. -- KYNICKÝ, J. Hlavní výsledky průzkumu území Mongolska v projektu Mongolsko 2000 -- 2005: shrnutí, hodnocení a interpretace (II). Brno: Mendelova zemědělská a lesnická univerzita v Brně, 2006, p. 95--96. ISBN 80-7157-920-3.; Canadian Mineralogist (1979) 17:47-52
    Tajikistan
     
    • Viloyati Mukhtori Gorno-Badakhshan (Viloyati Badakhshoni Kuni)
      • Pamir Mts
    		Canadian Mineralogist (1979) 17:47-52
    USA
     
    • New York
      • St Lawrence Co.
        • Balmat-Edwards Zinc District
          • Edwards
    		Canadian Mineralogist (1979) 17:47-52
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
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