Mindat Logo
Home Page Log In Messageboard The Mindat Directory
Register Search Pages Mineral Chatroom The Mindat Store

Weberite

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

Perzhanskoe ore field (Perga Be deposit), Zhytomyr Oblast' (Zhitomir Oblast'), Ukraine
© Pavel M. Kartashov

Show Weberite Photos (8)



Formula:
Na
 
2
Mg[AlF
 
6
]F
System:OrthorhombicColour:Grayish white; ...
Hardness:3½
Name:Named after Theobald Weber (1823-1886), a founder of the Danish cryolite industry in 1857.
This page provides mineralogical data about Weberite.

Classification of Weberite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:3/C.03-30
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:3.CB.25

3 : HALIDES
C : Complex halides
B : Neso-aluminofluorides
Dana 8th edition ID:11.6.13.1

11 : HALIDE COMPLEXES
6 : Aluminofluorides - Isolated Octahedra
Hey's CIM Ref.:8.6.8

8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
6 : Halides of Al
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-4253.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Type Occurrence of Weberite

Type Locality:Ivigtut Cryolite deposit, Ivittuut (Ivigtut), Arsuk Firth, Arsuk, Kitaa (West Greenland) Province, Greenland
Year of Discovery:1938
Associated Minerals at type locality:
TopazPyriteMica GroupFluoriteCryolite
Chiolite

Physical Properties of Weberite

Lustre:Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Translucent
Colour:Grayish white; colourless in transmitted light.
Streak:White
Hardness (Mohs):3½
Cleavage:Poor/Indistinct
On {101} poor; on {010} indistinct.
Fracture:Irregular/Uneven
Density (measured):2.96 g/cm3
Density (calculated):2.97 g/cm3

Crystallography of Weberite

Crystal System:Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:Immm {I2/m 2/m 2/m}
Cell Parameters:a = 7.31Å, b = 7.06Å, c = 9.99Å
Ratio:a:b:c = 1.035 : 1 : 1.415
Unit Cell Volume:V 515.57 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:Irregular grains and masses. Inclusions in cryolite.

Optical Data of Weberite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.346 nβ = 1.348 nγ = 1.350
2V:Measured: 83° , Calculated: 88°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.004

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Moderate
Dispersion:none

Chemical Properties of Weberite

Formula:
Na
 
2
Mg[AlF
 
6
]F
Essential elements:Al, F, Mg, Na
All elements listed in formula:Al, F, Mg, Na

Relationship of Weberite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
3.CB.05Cryolithionite
Na
 
3
Li
 
3
[AlF
 
6
]
 
2
3.CB.15Cryolite
Na
 
3
[AlF
 
6
]
3.CB.15Elpasolite
NaK
 
2
[AlF
 
6
]
3.CB.15Simmonsite
Na
 
2
Li[AlF
 
6
]
3.CB.20Colquiriite
CaLi[AlF
 
6
]
3.CB.30Karasugite
SrCa[Al(F,OH)
 
7
]
3.CB.35Usovite
Ba
 
2
CaMgAl
 
2
F
 
14
3.CB.40Pachnolite
NaCa[AlF
 
6
] · H
 
2
O
3.CB.40Thomsenolite
NaCa[AlF
 
6
] · H
 
2
O
3.CB.45Carlhintzeite
Ca
 
2
[AlF
 
6
]F · H
 
2
O
3.CB.50Yaroslavite
Ca
 
3
Al
 
2
F
 
10
(OH)
 
2
 · H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
8.6.1Zharchikhite
AlF(OH)
 
2
8.6.2Chloraluminite
AlCl
 
3
 · 6H
 
2
O
8.6.3Cadwaladerite
AlCl(OH)
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
8.6.4Cryolithionite
Na
 
3
Li
 
3
[AlF
 
6
]
 
2
8.6.5Cryolite
Na
 
3
[AlF
 
6
]
8.6.6Chiolite
Na
 
5
Al
 
3
F
 
14
8.6.7Elpasolite
NaK
 
2
[AlF
 
6
]
8.6.9Ralstonite
NaMg[Al(F,OH)
 
6
] · H
 
2
O
8.6.10Koenenite
Na
 
4
Mg
 
9
Al
 
4
Cl
 
12
(OH)
 
22
8.6.11 Chlor-manasseite
Mg
 
x
Al(OH)
 
2x+2
Cl · (x-0.8)H
 
2
O x about 1.75
8.6.12Gearksutite
Ca[Al(F,OH)
 
5
(H
 
2
O)]
8.6.13Prosopite
CaAl
 
2
(F,OH)
 
8
8.6.14Yaroslavite
Ca
 
3
Al
 
2
F
 
10
(OH)
 
2
 · H
 
2
O
8.6.15Carlhintzeite
Ca
 
2
[AlF
 
6
]F · H
 
2
O
8.6.16Colquiriite
CaLi[AlF
 
6
]
8.6.17Thomsenolite
NaCa[AlF
 
6
] · H
 
2
O
8.6.18Pachnolite
NaCa[AlF
 
6
] · H
 
2
O
8.6.19Zirklerite
(Fe,Mg,Ca)
 
9
Al
 
4
Cl
 
18
(OH)
 
12
 · 14H
 
2
O (?)

Other Names for Weberite

Other Languages:
German:Weberit
Russian:Веберит
Spanish:Weberita

Other Information

Other Information:Slightly soluble in water. Readily soluble in an AlCl3 solution.
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 Weberite

Reference List:

- +
Bøgvad (1938) Meddelelser om Grønland: 119(7): 1.

American Mineralogist (1939): 24: 278.

Brosset (1943) American Chemical Society: 37: 13.

Ferguson (1949) American Mineralogist: 34: 383.

Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: Halides, Nitrates, Borates, Carbonates, Sulfates, Phosphates, Arsenates, Tungstates, Molybdates, Etc. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged: 127-128.

Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen (1978): 25: 57-62.

Journal of Solid State Chemistry (1982): 43: 213.

Internet Links for Weberite

Search Engines:
  • Look for Weberite on Google
  • Look for Weberite images on Google
    • External Links:
  • Look for Weberite on Webmineral
  • Look for Weberite on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Weberite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Weberite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
    • Mineral Dealers:
  • High-end worldwide specimens & outstanding customer service
  • Top quality minerals from Kristalle of California
  • Search for Weberite on Well-Arranged Molecules
  • The Arkenstone - Fine Minerals
  • Search for - Weberite - on e-Rocks Mineral Sales & Auctions
  • Fabre Minerals - search for Weberite specimens
  • Buy fine minerals and gemstones from Pala International
  • rare and unusual minerals mainly crystallized
  • Buy from David K Joyce minerals
  • SpiriferMinerals.com - high quality low prices
  • Search for minerals at Heliodor
  • Fine and rare minerals from mintreasure.com
    • Jobs:
  • Mining & Geology Jobs

    • Localities for Weberite

    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.
    Antarctica
     
    • Western Antarctica
      • Antarctic Peninsula
        • South Shetland Islands
    		Viramonte, J.G., Sureda, R.J., Bossi, G.E., Fourcade, N.H., Omarini, R.H., Geochemical and mineralogical study of the high temperature fumaroles from Decepcion Island, South Shetland, Antarctica. Inst. Assoc. of Volc. and chemistry of the erath interior. Symposium Andean and Antarctic Volcanology Problems. Chile (1974).
    Australia
     
    • South Australia
      • Eyre Peninsula
        • Middleback Range
          • Iron Knob
    • Tasmania
      • Waratah district
        • Waratah
    		Bottrill
    Greenland
     
    • Kitaa (West Greenland) Province
      • Arsuk
        • Arsuk Firth
          • Ivittuut (Ivigtut)
    		Meddelelser om Grønland (1938), 119(7), 1; Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 112, 128.; Petersen, O. V and K Secher (1993) The Minerals of Greenland. Mineralogical Record 24:36
    Kazakhstan
     
    • Eastern Kazakhstan Province (Shyghys Qazaqstan Oblysy; Vostochno-Kazakhstanskaya Oblast')
      • Tarbagatai Range
        • Akzhaylyautas Mts (Akzhailyautas Mts; Akjaylautas Mts; Akzhalautas Mts)
    		Bailey, J. C: Formation of cryolite and other aluminofluorides: A petrologic review. Bull. geol. Soc. Denmark, vol. 29, pp. 1-45. Copenhagen, June 10th, 1980.
    Ukraine
     
    • Zhytomyr Oblast' (Zhitomir Oblast')
    		Yurk Yu.Yu., Gurov E.P., Gurova E.P. (1973) Pecularities of fluorin mineralogy of Ukrainian crystalline shield, - Naukova Dumka, Kiev, pp.184 (in Russian).; Bailey, J. C: Formation of cryolite and other aluminofluorides: A petrologic review. Bull. geol. Soc. Denmark, vol. 29, pp. 1-45. Copenhagen, June 10th, 1980.
    USA
     
    • Colorado
      • Boulder Co.
        • Jamestown District
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) E.B. Eckels
      • El Paso Co.
        • Cheyenne District (St. Peters Dome District)
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckel, E. B.
          • St Peters Dome
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.; Am Min 51:299-323
      • Fremont Co.
    		"Minerals of Colorado, updated & revised", p. 16, by Eckel, Edwin B., 1997; Armbrustmacher, T. J. (1988) Geology and resources of thorium and associated elements in the Wet Mountains area, Fremont and Custer counties, Colorado. USGS Professional Paper: 1049-F
    • Nevada
      • Mineral Co.
        • Fitting District
          • Gillis Range
    		Mineralogical Record: 31: 204.
    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 01:36:47
    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