Simmonsite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Simmonsite
Formula:
Na2LiAlF6
Colour:
Cloudy white, Cream white, pale buff
Lustre:
Waxy, Greasy
Hardness:
2½ - 3
Specific Gravity:
3.05
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named in 1999 by Eugene Edward Foord, Joseph T. O'Connor, John M. Hughes, Stephen J. Sutley, Alexander U. Falster, Arthur E. Soregaroli, Frederick E. Lichte, and Daniel E. Kile in honor of William B. "Skip" Simmons [b. November 5, 1943], University of New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.A., specialist in the mineralogy and petrology of granitic pegmatites, especially those of Colorado and of NYF type.
Found as lumps (to > 2 cm) of cloudy white interlocking grains which may or may not have a distinct graular appearance. Simmonsite may be distinguished from the many other aluminofluorides with which it may be associated by its orange fluorescence in SW UV only. Cryolithionite fluoresces white to pale creamy white in SW and LW UV and briefly phosphoresces. Commonly associated and/or intergrown with cryolite and minor elpasoite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
7297
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:7297:3
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
31ad8467-62f7-492b-8a29-2b71fb8a0702
IMA Classification of Simmonsite
Classification of Simmonsite
3.CB.15
3 : HALIDES
C : Complex halides
B : Neso-aluminofluorides
3 : HALIDES
C : Complex halides
B : Neso-aluminofluorides
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sim | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Simmonsite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Simmonsite
Waxy, Greasy
Transparency:
Translucent
Comment:
Low luster waxy or low luster greasy
Colour:
Cloudy white, Cream white, pale buff
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2½ - 3 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
3.05 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.06 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Simmonsite
Type:
Biaxial
RI values:
nα = 1.359 nβ = 1.359 nγ = 1.359
Birefringence:
0.0009
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.000
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:
Moderate
Dispersion:
r < v weak
Optical Extinction:
Nearly isotropic
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Simmonsite
Mindat Formula:
Na2LiAlF6
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Simmonsite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.5006 Å, b = 7.474 Å, c = 7.503 Å
β = 90.848°
β = 90.848°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.004 : 1 : 1.004
Unit Cell V:
420.57 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Crystals not observed.
Twinning:
Abundant polysynthetic twinning.
Comment:
space group P21 or P21/m
Crystal Structure
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2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0014032 | Simmonsite | Ross K C, Mitchell R H, Chakhmouradian A R (2003) The crystal structure of synthetic simmonsite, Na2LiAlF6 Journal of Solid State Chemistry 172 95-101 | 2003 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 4.33 Å | (100) |
| 3.78 Å | (10) |
| 3.36 Å | (5) |
| 2.65 Å | (60) |
| 2.37 Å | (15) |
| 2.25 Å | (70) |
| 2.18 Å | (50) |
| 2.158 Å | (40) |
| 2.076 Å | (5) |
| 2.008 Å | (10) |
| 1.877 Å | (90) |
| 1.526 Å | (25) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 22 : Hydration and low-𝑇 subsurface aqueous alteration (see also #23) |
Type Occurrence of Simmonsite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Low luster waxy masses.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
U.S. National Museum (Smithsonian Institution), Washington, D.C., USA.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Aluminofluoride pods (to 20 cm) in amazonite-rich granite pegmatite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Simmonsite
Other Language Names for Simmonsite
Relationship of Simmonsite to other Species
Other Members of this group:
| Cryolite | Na2NaAlF6 | Mon. 2/m |
| Elpasolite | K2NaAlF6 | Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3 |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 2 photos of Simmonsite associated with Cryolite | Na2NaAlF6 |
| 2 photos of Simmonsite associated with Cryolithionite | Na3Al2(LiF4)3 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 3.CB.05 | Cryolithionite | Na3Al2(LiF4)3 |
| 3.CB.15 | Cryolite | Na2NaAlF6 |
| 3.CB.15 | Elpasolite | K2NaAlF6 |
| 3.CB.20 | Colquiriite | CaLi[AlF6] |
| 3.CB.25 | Weberite | Na2Mg[AlF6]F |
| 3.CB.25 | Leonardsenite | MgAlF5 · 2H2O |
| 3.CB.30 | Karasugite | SrCa[Al(F,OH)7] |
| 3.CB.35 | Usovite | Ba2CaMgAl2F14 |
| 3.CB.40 | Pachnolite | NaCa[AlF6] · H2O |
| 3.CB.40 | Thomsenolite | NaCa[AlF6] · H2O |
| 3.CB.45 | Carlhintzeite | Ca2[AlF6]F · H2O |
| 3.CB.50 | Yaroslavite | Ca3Al2F10(OH)2 · H2O |
| 3.CB.55 | Sbacchiite | Ca2AlF7 |
| 3.CB.60 | Verneite | Na2Ca3Al2F14 |
Fluorescence of Simmonsite
Fluoresces moderately bright orange in Short Wave UV, but the fluorescent response may be patchy due to alterations. May be associated with cryolithionite which fluoresces white to pale creamy white in both Short Wave and Long Wave.
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 Simmonsite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-7297.html
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References for Simmonsite
Reference List:
Foord, Eugene E., O'Connor, Joseph T., Hughes, John M., Sutley, Stephen J., Falster, Alexander U., Soregaroli, Arthur E., Lichte, Frederick E., Kile, Daniel E. (1999) Simmonsite, Na2LiAlF6, a new mineral from the Zapot amazonite-topaz-zinnwaldite pegmatite, Hawthorne, Nevada, U.S.A. American Mineralogist, 84 (5) 769-772 doi:10.2138/am-1999-5-609
Localities for Simmonsite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - 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).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Russia | |
| Victor Sharygin's analytical data (2013) +2 other references |
USA (TL) | |
| Mineralogical Record: 31: 204. +1 other reference |
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Zapot pegmatite, Gillis Range, Fitting Mining District, Mineral County, Nevada, USA