Betzite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Betzite
Volker Betz
Formula:
Na6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)Cl4
Colour:
Colorless
Hardness:
5½
Specific Gravity:
2.38
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Member of:
Name:
Named in honor of Volker Betz (b. 1947, Heilbronn, Germany), amateur mineral collector specializing in zeolite minerals and minerals from zeolite localities. He has also written a number of articles about those interests.
Dimorph of:
Betzite occurs as colourless hexagonal prismatic crystals visually identical to its dimorph quadridavyne (6/m), with which it is associated at the type locality. They can only be distinguished by SXRD.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
55549
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:55549:0
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
bc043246-86ee-4764-ab68-287f13918162
IMA Classification of Betzite
Approved
First published:
2023
Classification of Betzite
9.FB.
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
F : Tektosilicates without zeolitic H2O
B : Tektosilicates with additional anions
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
F : Tektosilicates without zeolitic H2O
B : Tektosilicates with additional anions
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Bzt | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Betzite
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colorless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
5½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
{1010}
{1010}
Parting:
parting on {0001}
Density:
2.38(2) g/cm3 (Measured) 2.363 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Betzite
Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 1.528(2) nε = 1.545(3)
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.017
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Low
Chemistry of Betzite
Mindat Formula:
Na6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)Cl4
Crystallography of Betzite
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Class (H-M):
6 - Pyramidal
Space Group:
P63
Cell Parameters:
a = 12.8166(9) Å, c = 5.3562(3) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.418
Unit Cell V:
761.96 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
3
Morphology:
Hexagonal prismatic crystals.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 11.14 Ã… | (31) |
| 4.833 Ã… | (93) |
| 3.715 Ã… | (95) |
| 3.313 Ã… | (100) |
| 2.787 Ã… | (37) |
| 2.681 Ã… | (56) |
| 2.474 Ã… | (35) |
| 2.146 Ã… | (24) |
Comments:
Bellerberg volcano, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. Data from the type description.
Type Occurrence of Betzite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Colorless hexagonal prismatic crystals up to 2 mm long and up to 0.5 mm thick.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Collections of the Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninskiy Prospekt 18-2, Moscow 119071, Russia, registration number 5706/1.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Metasomatically altered (pyrometamorphosed) calcic xenolith, hosted by alkaline basalt.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Betzite
Relationship of Betzite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
| Afghanite | (Na,K)22Ca10(Si24Al24O96)(SO4)6Cl6 | Trig. 3m : P3 1c |
| Alloriite | (Na,Ca,K)26Ca4(Al6Si6O24)4(SO4)6Cl6 | Trig. 3m : P3 1c |
| Balliranoite | (Na,K)6Ca2(Si6Al6O24)Cl2(CO3) | Hex. 6 : P63 |
| Biachellaite | (Na,Ca,K)8(Al6Si6O24)(SO4)2(OH)0.5 · H2O | Trig. 3 : P3 |
| Bystrite | (Na,K)7Ca(Al6Si6O24)(S5)Cl | Trig. 3m : P3 1c |
| Cancrinite | (Na,Ca,◻)8(Al6Si6O24)(CO3,SO4)2 · 2H2O | Hex. 6 : P63 |
| Cancrisilite | Na7(Al5Si7O24)(CO3) · 3H2O | Hex. 6mm : P63mc |
| Carbobystrite | Na8(Al6Si6O24)(CO3) · 3.5H2O | Trig. 3m : P3 1c |
| Davyne | (Na,K)6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)(Cl2,SO4)2 | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Depmeierite | Na8(Al6Si6O24)(PO4,CO3)1-x · 3H2O (x | Hex. 6 : P63 |
| Fantappièite | [Na82.5Ca33K16.5](Si99Al99O396)(SO4)33 · 4H2O | Trig. 3 : R3 |
| Farneseite | (Na,Ca,K)56(Al6Si6O24)7(SO4)12 · 6H2O | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Franzinite | (Na,K)6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)(SO4)2 · 0.5H2O | Hex. |
| Giuseppettite | (Na,K,Ca)7-8(Al6Si6O24)(SO4,Cl)1-2 | Trig. 3m : P3 1c |
| Hydroxycancrinite | Na8(Al6Si6O24)(OH)2 · 2H2O | Hex. 6 : P63 |
| Kircherite | Na5Ca2K(Al6Si6O24)(SO4)2 · 0.33H2O | Trig. 3 2 : R3 2 |
| Kyanoxalite | Na7(Al6-xSi6+xO24)(C2O4)0.5+x · 5H2O (0 < x < 0.5) | Hex. 6 : P63 |
| Liottite | (Na,K)16Ca8(Al6Si6O24)3(SO4)5Cl4 | Hex. 6 : P6 |
| Marinellite | (Na,K)42Ca6(Al6Si6O24)6(SO4)8Cl2 · 3H2O | Trig. 3m : P3 1c |
| Microsommite | Na4K2Ca2(Al6Si6O24)(SO4)Cl2 | Hex. 6 2 2 : P63 2 2 |
| Pitiglianoite | Na6K2(Al6Si6O24)(SO4) · 2H2O | Hex. 6 : P63 |
| Quadridavyne | (Na,K)6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)Cl4 | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Sacrofanite | (Na61K19Ca32)(Si84Al84O336)(SO4)26Cl2F6 · 2H2O | Hex. |
| Slyudyankaite | Na28Ca4(Si24Al24O96)(SO4)6(S6)1/3(CO2) · 2H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Steudelite | Na3(K17Ca7)Ca4(Al24Si24O96)(SO3)6F6 · 4H2O | Hex. 6 m2 : P62c |
| Sulfhydrylbystrite | Na5K2Ca[Al6Si6O24](S5)2(SH) | Trig. 3m : P3 1c |
| Tounkite | (Na,Ca,K)8(Al6Si6O24)(SO4)2Cl · H2O | Hex. 6 2 2 : P62 2 2 |
| UM2004-48-SiO:AlClCaNaS | (Na,Ca)8(Si6Al6)O24(SO4)1.7Cl1.3 | |
| UM2009-23-SiO:AlCCaClHKNaS | (Na,Ca)24K10[(Si,Al)60O120](SO4)5.6Cl1.5(CO3)0.4 · 11H2O | Trig. 3 : P3 |
| Vishnevite | (Na,K)8(Al6Si6O24)(SO4,CO3) · 2H2O | Hex. 6 : P63 |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 1 photo of Betzite associated with Anorthite | Ca(Al2Si2O8) |
| 1 photo of Betzite associated with Pyroxene Group | ADSi2O6 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.FB. | Steudelite | Na3(K17Ca7)Ca4(Al24Si24O96)(SO3)6F6 · 4H2O |
| 9.FB. | Sapozhnikovite | Na8(Al6Si6O24)(HS)2 |
| 9.FB. | Slyudyankaite | Na28Ca4(Si24Al24O96)(SO4)6(S6)1/3(CO2) · 2H2O |
| 9.FB. | Bolotinaite | (Na7◻)(Al6Si6O24)F · 4H2O |
| 9.FB. | Wenlanzhangite-(Y) | Y2V3+2V4+2(SiO4)2O4(OH)4 |
| 9.FB.05 | Afghanite | (Na,K)22Ca10(Si24Al24O96)(SO4)6Cl6 |
| 9.FB.05 | Bystrite | (Na,K)7Ca(Al6Si6O24)(S5)Cl |
| 9.FB.05 | Cancrinite | (Na,Ca,◻)8(Al6Si6O24)(CO3,SO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 9.FB.05 | Cancrisilite | Na7(Al5Si7O24)(CO3) · 3H2O |
| 9.FB.05 | Davyne | (Na,K)6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)(Cl2,SO4)2 |
| 9.FB.05 | Franzinite | (Na,K)6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)(SO4)2 · 0.5H2O |
| 9.FB.05 | Giuseppettite | (Na,K,Ca)7-8(Al6Si6O24)(SO4,Cl)1-2 |
| 9.FB.05 | Hydroxycancrinite | Na8(Al6Si6O24)(OH)2 · 2H2O |
| 9.FB.05 | Liottite | (Na,K)16Ca8(Al6Si6O24)3(SO4)5Cl4 |
| 9.FB.05 | Microsommite | Na4K2Ca2(Al6Si6O24)(SO4)Cl2 |
| 9.FB.05 | Pitiglianoite | Na6K2(Al6Si6O24)(SO4) · 2H2O |
| 9.FB.05 | Quadridavyne | (Na,K)6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)Cl4 |
| 9.FB.05 | Sacrofanite | (Na61K19Ca32)(Si84Al84O336)(SO4)26Cl2F6 · 2H2O |
| 9.FB.05 | Tounkite | (Na,Ca,K)8(Al6Si6O24)(SO4)2Cl · H2O |
| 9.FB.05 | Vishnevite | (Na,K)8(Al6Si6O24)(SO4,CO3) · 2H2O |
| 9.FB.05 | Marinellite | (Na,K)42Ca6(Al6Si6O24)6(SO4)8Cl2 · 3H2O |
| 9.FB.05 | Farneseite | (Na,Ca,K)56(Al6Si6O24)7(SO4)12 · 6H2O |
| 9.FB.05 | Alloriite | (Na,Ca,K)26Ca4(Al6Si6O24)4(SO4)6Cl6 |
| 9.FB.05 | Biachellaite | (Na,Ca,K)8(Al6Si6O24)(SO4)2(OH)0.5 · H2O |
| 9.FB.05 | Fantappièite | [Na82.5Ca33K16.5](Si99Al99O396)(SO4)33 · 4H2O |
| 9.FB.05 | Kyanoxalite | Na7(Al6-xSi6+xO24)(C2O4)0.5+x · 5H2O (0 < x < 0.5) |
| 9.FB.05 | Balliranoite | (Na,K)6Ca2(Si6Al6O24)Cl2(CO3) |
| 9.FB.05 | Carbobystrite | Na8(Al6Si6O24)(CO3) · 3.5H2O |
| 9.FB.05 | Depmeierite | Na8(Al6Si6O24)(PO4,CO3)1-x · 3H2O (x |
| 9.FB.05 | Kircherite | Na5Ca2K(Al6Si6O24)(SO4)2 · 0.33H2O |
| 9.FB.05 | Sulfhydrylbystrite | Na5K2Ca[Al6Si6O24](S5)2(SH) |
| 9.FB.10 | Bicchulite | Ca2(Al2SiO6)(OH)2 |
| 9.FB.10 | Danalite | Be3Fe2+4(SiO4)3S |
| 9.FB.10 | Genthelvite | Be3Zn4(SiO4)3S |
| 9.FB.10 va | Hackmanite | Na8Al6Si6O24(Cl2,S) |
| 9.FB.10 | Haüyne | Na3Ca(Si3Al3)O12(SO4) |
| 9.FB.10 | Helvine | Be3Mn2+4(SiO4)3S |
| 9.FB.10 | Kamaishilite | Ca2(Al2SiO6)(OH)2 |
| 9.FB.10 | Lazurite | Na7Ca(Al6Si6O24)(SO4)(S3) · H2O |
| 9.FB.10 | Nosean | Na8(Al6Si6O24)(SO4) · H2O |
| 9.FB.10 | Sodalite | Na4(Si3Al3)O12Cl |
| 9.FB.10 | Tsaregorodtsevite | (N(CH3)4)(AlSi5O12) |
| 9.FB.10 | Tugtupite | Na4BeAlSi4O12Cl |
| 9.FB.10 | Vladimirivanovite | Na6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)(SO4,S3,S2,Cl)2 · H2O |
| 9.FB.15 | Marialite | Na4Al3Si9O24Cl |
| 9.FB.15 | Meionite | Ca4Al6Si6O24CO3 |
| 9.FB.15 | Silvialite | (Ca,Na)4(Al6Si6O24)(SO4,CO3) |
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Betzite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-55549.html
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References for Betzite
Localities for Betzite
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality.
Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Germany (TL) | |
| Miyawaki et al. (2021) +1 other reference |
Bellerberg volcano, Vordereifel, Mayen-Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany