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Bigcreekite

Big Photo

Esquire No. 7 claim, Big Creek, Fresno Co., California, USA
© Knut Eldjarn

Formula:
BaSi
 
2
O
 
5
·4H
 
2
O
System:OrthorhombicColour:White to colourless
Lustre:Vitreous, PearlyHardness:2 - 3
Name:For the type locality at the Esquire No. 7 claim, Big Creek, Fresno County, California, USA.
This page provides mineralogical data about Bigcreekite.

Classification of Bigcreekite

IMA status:Approved 1999
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:9.DF.30

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
D : Inosilicates
F : Inosilicates with 2-periodic multiple chains
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Type Occurrence of Bigcreekite

Type Locality:Esquire No. 7 claim, Big Creek, Fresno Co., California, USA
Geological Setting of type material:In fractures in gneissic rocks.
Associated Minerals at type locality:
SanborniteQuartzPyrrhotiteDiopside

Physical Properties of Bigcreekite

Lustre:Vitreous, Pearly
Colour:White to colourless
Streak:White
Hardness (Mohs):2 - 3
Hardness Data:Measured
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Perfect
{010} and {001}
Fracture:Irregular/Uneven
Density (measured):2.66 g/cm3
Density (calculated):2.76 g/cm3

Crystallography of Bigcreekite

Crystal System:Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:Pnma {P21/n 21/m 21/a}
Cell Parameters:a = 5.038Å, b = 9.024Å, c = 18.321Å
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.558 : 1 : 2.03
Unit Cell Volume:V 833 ų
Z:4
Twinning:None mentioned

Optical Data of Bigcreekite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.537 nβ = 1.538 nγ = 1.541
2V:Measured: 59° , Calculated: 62°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.004

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Low
Dispersion:r < v moderate
Pleochroism:Non-pleochroic

Chemical Properties of Bigcreekite

Formula:
BaSi
 
2
O
 
5
·4H
 
2
O
Essential elements:Ba, H, O, Si
All elements listed in formula:Ba, H, O, Si
Analytical Data:Measure of four sets of electron microprobe data with H2O calculated to give 4H2O.
Na2O (0.11)
CaO (0.03)
BaO (48.88)
SrO (0.02)
SiO2 (38.16)
H2O (22.94)
Empirical Formula:
(Ba
 
1.00
Na
 
0.01
)
 
&Σ
psilon;
 
1.01
Si
 
1.99
O
 
5.00
·4H
 
2
O
Common Impurities:Ca,Sr,Na

Relationship of Bigcreekite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
9.DF.05Chesterite
(Mg,Fe)
 
17
Si
 
20
O
 
54
(OH)
 
6
9.DF.05Clinojimthompsonite
(Mg,Fe)
 
5
Si
 
6
O
 
16
(OH)
 
2
9.DF.05Jimthompsonite
(Mg,Fe)
 
5
Si
 
6
O
 
16
(OH)
 
2
9.DF.15Ershovite
Na
 
4
K
 
3
(Fe,Mn,Ti)
 
2
Si
 
8
O
 
22
(OH)
 
4
·4H
 
2
O
9.DF.15IMA2009-025
Na
 
3
K
 
3
Fe
3+
2
Si
 
8
O
 
20
(OH)
 
4
·4H
 
2
O
9.DF.20Tvedalite
(Ca,Mn)
 
4
Be
 
3
Si
 
6
O
 
17
(OH)
 
4
·3H
 
2
O
9.DF.25Bavenite
Ca
 
4
Be
 
2
Al
 
2
Si
 
9
O
 
26
(OH)
 
2

Other Names for Bigcreekite

Synonyms:
IMA1999-015
Other Languages:
German:Bigcreekit
Russian:Бигкрикит
Spanish:Bigcreekita

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 Bigcreekite

Reference List:Canadian Mineralogist: 39: 761-768.

Internet Links for Bigcreekite

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    Localities for Bigcreekite

    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.
    USA
     
    • California
      • Fresno Co.
        • Big Creek
    		[Can.Min.(2001) 39, 761-768; MinRec 33:161]
        • Rush Creek
      • Mariposa Co.
        • Incline
    		Can.Min.39:1059-1064
    Mineral and/or Locality
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    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2009. 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. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register. Current server date and time: 9th Oct 2009 01:16:09