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Londonite

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Big Photo

Antsongombato gem mine, FKT Antsentsindrano, Andrembesoa Commune, Betafo District, Vakinankaratra Region, Antananarivo Province, Madagascar
© Rob Lavinsky

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Formula:
(Cs,K,Rb)Al
 
4
Be
 
4
(B,Be)
 
12
O
 
28
System:IsometricColour:Milky white to yellow
Lustre:VitreousHardness:8
Name:After Dr. David London (1953– ), Professor of Geology and Geophysics, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA, for his contributions to the understanding of granite pegmatites.


The cesium-dominant analogue of Rhodizite. Londonite-Rhodizite Series.

Classification of Londonite

IMA status:Approved
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:6.GC.05

6 : BORATES
G : Heptaborates and other megaborates
C : Tekto-dodecaborates
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Type Occurrence of Londonite

Type Locality:Antandrokomby pegmatite, Manandona Valley, Sahatany Pegmatite Field (Mt Ibity area), Vakinankaratra Region, Antananarivo Province, Madagascar
General Appearance of Type Material:Two wellformed crystals 1 cm across (type locality)
Geological Setting of type material:In the pocket zone of complex LCT pegmatite
Associated Minerals at type locality:
QuartzMicroclineDanburiteAlbiteAlbite

Physical Properties of Londonite

Lustre:Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent, Translucent
Colour:Milky white to yellow
Streak:White
Hardness (Mohs):8
Fracture:Conchoidal
Density (measured):3.34 g/cm3
Density (calculated):3.42 g/cm3

Crystallography of Londonite

Crystal System:Isometric
Class (H-M):4 3m - Hextetrahedral
Space Group:P4 3m
Morphology:Dodecahedron {110}, tristetrahedron {211}, tetrahedron {111}, deltoid dodecahedron {221} and rare cube {100}
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
d-spacingIntensity
7.320(20)
3.274(50)
2.9898(100)
2.4410(50)
2.2072(20)
2.1132(35)
1.9565(20)
1.8301(20)
1.7755(25)

Optical Data of Londonite

Type:Isotropic

Chemical Properties of Londonite

Formula:
(Cs,K,Rb)Al
 
4
Be
 
4
(B,Be)
 
12
O
 
28
Essential elements:Al, B, Be, Cs, O
All elements listed in formula:Al, B, Be, Cs, K, O, Rb

Relationship of Londonite to other Species

Series:Forms a series with Rhodizite (see here)
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
6.GC.05Rhodizite
(K,Cs)Al
 
4
Be
 
4
(B,Be)
 
12
O
 
28

Other Names for Londonite

Synonyms:
IMA1999-014
Other Languages:
German:Londonit
Russian:Лондонит
Spanish:Londonita

Other Information

Fluorescence in UV light:weak yellow-green fluorescence under short-wave UV light
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 Londonite

Reference List:

- +
Frondel, C. and J. Ito (1965) Composition of rhodizite. Tschermaks Mineral. Petrog. Mitt., 10, 409–412.

Grew, E.S., and Anovitz, L.M. (1996) BORON: Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry, second edition, as revised (2002).

Simmons, W.B., F. Pezzotta, A.U. Falster, and K.L. Webber (2001) Londonite, a new mineral species: the Cs-dominant analogue of rhodizite from the Antandrokomby granitic pegmatite, Madagascar. Canadian Mineralogist (2001): 39: 747-755.

Internet Links for Londonite

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

    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.
    Madagascar
     
    • Antananarivo Province
      • Vakinankaratra Region
        • Betafo District
          • Andrembesoa Commune
            • Ampanivana area
    		Simmons, W. B; Pezzotta, F; Falster, A.U & Webber, K. L. (2001): Londonite, a new mineral species: The Cs-dominant analogue of Rhodizite from the Antandrokomby granitic pegmatite, Madagascar. Canadian Mineralogist 39: 747-755/ [MinRec 33:165]
            • FKT Antsentsindrano
    		Simmons, W.B; Pezzotta,F; Falster, A.U & Webber, K.L.(2001): Londonite, a new mineral species: The Cs-dominant analogue of Rhodizite from the Antandrokomby granitic pegmatite, Madagascar. Can. Min., 39, 747-755; [MinRec 33:165]
          • Manapa pegmatite Field
    		Knut Edvard Larsen collection, obtained & analyzed by Dr. Federico Pezzotta, Italy.
    Arliguie M collection
        • Sahatany Pegmatite Field (Mt Ibity area)
          • Manandona Valley
    		Simmons, W. B; Pezzotta, F; Falster, A.U & Webber, K. L. (2001): Londonite, a new mineral species: The Cs-dominant analogue of Rhodizite from the Antandrokomby granitic pegmatite, Madagascar. Canadian Mineralogist 39: 747-755/ MinRec 33:165]
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    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2011. 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.
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