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Charlesite

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Franklin Mine, Franklin, Franklin Mining District, Sussex Co., New Jersey, USA
© Van King

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Formula:
Ca
 
6
(Al,Si)
 
2
[(OH,O)
 
12
|B(OH)
 
4
|(SO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 26H
 
2
O
System:TrigonalColour:Colorless, white, pale ...
Hardness:2½
Name:For Dr. Charles Palache, (1869-1954) Harvard University mineralogist
This page provides mineralogical data about Charlesite.

Classification of Charlesite

IMA status:Approved 1981
Strunz 8th edition ID:6/D.13-40
Strunz 9th edition ID:7.DG.15
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:7.DG.15

7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
G : With large and medium-sized cations; with NO3, CO3, B(OH)4, SiO4 or IO3
Dana 8th edition ID:32.4.4.1

32 : COMPOUND SULFATES
4 : Hydrated Compound Sulfates containing Hydroxyl or Halogen
Hey's CIM Ref.:10.3.3

10 : Borates with other anions
3 : Borates with sulphate
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Type Occurrence of Charlesite

Type Locality:Franklin Mine, Franklin, Franklin Mining District, Sussex Co., New Jersey, USA
General Appearance of Type Material:Vug and fracture coating
Place of Conservation of Type Material:Harvard University
Year of Discovery:1983
Geological Setting of type material:Metamorphosed stratiform zinc deposit

Physical Properties of Charlesite

Lustre:Vitreous, Dull
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent, Opaque
Colour:Colorless, white, pale yellow, pink
Streak:White
Hardness (Mohs):2½
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Perfect
1010
Density (measured):1.77 g/cm3
Density (calculated):1.79 g/cm3

Crystallography of Charlesite

Crystal System:Trigonal
Class (H-M):3m - Ditrigonal Pyramidal
Space Group:P3 1c
Cell Parameters:a = 11.16Å, c = 21.21Å
Ratio:a:c = 1 : 1.901
Unit Cell Volume:V 2,287.70 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:Tabular to 6 mm
Comment:Probable class, space group by analogy to ettringite

Optical Data of Charlesite

Type:Uniaxial (-)
RI values: nω = 1.492() nε = 1.475(3)
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.017

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Moderate

Chemical Properties of Charlesite

Formula:
Ca
 
6
(Al,Si)
 
2
[(OH,O)
 
12
|B(OH)
 
4
|(SO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 26H
 
2
O
Essential elements:Al, B, Ca, H, O, S
All elements listed in formula:Al, B, Ca, H, O, S, Si

Relationship of Charlesite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
7.DG.05Darapskite
Na
 
3
NO
 
3
SO
 
4
·H
 
2
O
7.DG.10Clinoungemachite
(Na, K, Fe, SO
 
4
)
7.DG.10Humberstonite
Na
 
7
K
 
3
Mg
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
(NO
 
3
)
 
2
·6H
 
2
O
7.DG.10Ungemachite
K
 
3
Na
 
8
Fe(SO
 
4
)
 
6
(NO
 
3
)
 
2
·6H
 
2
O
7.DG.15Bentorite
Ca
 
6
(Cr
3+
 
,Al)
 
2
[(OH)
 
4
|SO
 
4
]
 
3
 · 26H
 
2
O
7.DG.15Ettringite
Ca
 
6
Al
 
2
[(OH)
 
4
|SO
 
4
]
 
3
 · 26H
 
2
O
7.DG.15Jouravskite
Ca
 
6
Mn
3+
2
[(OH)
 
4
|(SO
 
4
,CO
 
3
)]
 
3
 · 26H
 
2
O
7.DG.15Sturmanite
Ca
 
6
(Fe
3+
 
,Al,Mn
3+
 
)
 
2
[(OH)
 
12
|B(OH)
 
4
|(SO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 25H
 
2
O
7.DG.15Thaumasite
Ca
 
3
[CO
 
3
|SO
 
4
|Si(OH)
 
6
] · 12H
 
2
O
7.DG.15Carraraite
Ca
 
3
Ge(OH)
 
6
(SO
 
4
)(CO
 
3
)·12H
 
2
O
7.DG.15Buryatite
Ca
 
3
(Si,Fe,Al)[SO
 
4
][B(OH)
 
4
](OH)
 
5
O•
 
12
H
 
2
O
7.DG.20Rapidcreekite
Ca
 
2
[CO
 
3
|SO
 
4
] · 4H
 
2
O
7.DG.20Korkinoite
Ca, SO
 
4
, H
 
2
O reported
7.DG.25Tatarskite
Ca
 
6
Mg
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(CO
 
3
)
 
2
Cl
 
4
(OH)
 
4
·7H
 
2
O
7.DG.30Nakauriite
Cu
 
8
[(OH)
 
6
|CO
 
3
|(SO
 
4
)
 
4
] · 48H
 
2
O
7.DG.35Chessexite
(Na,K)
 
4
Ca
 
2
(Mg,Zn)
 
3
Al
 
8
[(SO
 
4
)
 
10
|(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 40H
 
2
O
7.DG.40Carlosruizite
K
 
6
(Na,K)
 
4
Na
 
6
Mg
 
10
(SeO
 
4
)
 
12
(IO
 
3
)
 
12
·12H
 
2
O
7.DG.40Fuenzalidaite
K
 
6
(Na,K)
 
4
Na
 
6
Mg
 
10
(SO
 
4
)
 
12
(IO
 
3
)
 
12
·12H
 
2
O
7.DG.45Chelyabinskite
(Ca,Mg)
 
3
[(SO
 
4
,CO
 
3
)
 
2
|Si(OH)
 
6
] · 9H
 
2
O (?)
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
10.3.1Sulfoborite
Mg
 
3
[(OH,F)
 
2
|SO
 
4
|{B(OH)
 
4
}
 
2
]
10.3.2Heidornite
Na
 
2
Ca
 
3
B
 
5
O
 
8
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
Cl(OH)
 
2

Other Names for Charlesite

Synonyms:
IMA1981-043
Other Languages:
German:Charlesit
Spanish:Charlesita

Other Information

Fluorescence in UV light:Pale violet to pale green in SW
weaker in LW
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 Charlesite

Reference List:American Mineralogist: 68: 1033-1037.

Isao KUSACHI, Naoko SHIRAISHI, Kazumasa SHIMADA, Masayuki OHNISHI and Shoichi KOBAYASHI (2008): CO3-rich charlesite from the Fuka mine, Okayama Prefecture, Japan. Journal of Mineralogical and Petrological Sciences, 103, 47-51.

Internet Links for Charlesite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Charlesite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Charlesite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    Localities for Charlesite

    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.
    Japan
     
    • Honshu Island
      • Chugoku Region
        • Okayama Prefecture
          • Takahashi
            • Bitchu-cho (Bicchu-cho)
    		Tanimoto et al (2001) Koubutsu-Gakkai Kou'en-Youshi (Abstracts of the Meeting of the Mineralogical Society of Japan), 113; Isao KUSACHI, Naoko SHIRAISHI, Kazumasa SHIMADA, Masayuki OHNISHI and Shoichi KOBAYASHI (2008): CO3-rich charlesite from the Fuka mine, Okayama Prefecture, Japan. Journal of Mineralogical and Petrological Sciences, 103, 47-51.
    Norway
     
    • Sør-Trøndelag
      • Meldal
        • Grutseter
    		Jørgensen, L. B. & Sagvold, E. B. (2001): Geologiske severdigheter og mineralforekomster i Løkkenfeltet. Orkla Industrimuseum 42p
    Slovakia
     
    • Prešov Region
      • Northern Slanské Mts
    		Ďuďa,R., et al., 1981: Mineralógia severnej časti Slanských vrchov. Min.Slovaca, Monografia 2, 98s
    South Africa
     
    • Northern Cape Province
      • Kalahari manganese fields
        • Hotazel
    		Minerals of South Africa
        • Kuruman
          • N'Chwaning Mines
    		Minerals of South Africa
    USA
     
    • New Jersey
      • Sussex Co.
        • Franklin Mining District
          • Franklin
    		Dunn, et al: Am. Min.:68:1033-1037 (1983); Dunn (1995):Pt5:631.
    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: 11th Nov 2009 08:32:25