Mindat Logo
Home Page Log In Message Board The Mindat Directory
Register Search Pages Chat Now! (6 online) Mindat Auctions

Chesterite

Big Photo

Missoula, Missoula Co., Montana, USA
© 2007, J. Weissman

Formula:
(Mg,Fe)
 
17
Si
 
20
O
 
54
(OH)
 
6
System:OrthorhombicHardness:2 - 2½
This page provides mineralogical data about Chesterite.

Classification of Chesterite

IMA status:Approved
Strunz 8th edition ID:8/F.13-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:9.DF.05

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
D : Inosilicates
F : Inosilicates with 2-periodic multiple chains
Dana 8th edition ID:68.1.1.1

68 : INOSILICATES Structures with Chains of More Than One Width
1 : Structures with Chains of More Than One Width
Hey's CIM Ref.:14.21.10

14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
21 : Silicates of Fe and Mg
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-997.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Type Occurrence of Chesterite

Type Locality:Carlton Mine, Carlton farm, Chester, Windsor Co., Vermont, USA
Year of Discovery:1977

Physical Properties of Chesterite

Hardness (Mohs):2 - 2½

Crystallography of Chesterite

Crystal System:Orthorhombic
Cell Parameters:a = 18.61Å, b = 45.3Å, c = 5.29Å
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.411 : 1 : 0.117
Unit Cell Volume:V 4,459.64 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Optical Data of Chesterite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.617 nβ = 1.632 nγ = 1.640
2V:Measured: 71° , Calculated: 70°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.023

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

Chemical Properties of Chesterite

Formula:
(Mg,Fe)
 
17
Si
 
20
O
 
54
(OH)
 
6
Essential elements:H, Mg, O, Si
All elements listed in formula:Fe, H, Mg, O, Si
Common Impurities:Al,Mn,Ca,Na

Relationship of Chesterite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):
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.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
9.DF.30Bigcreekite
BaSi
 
2
O
 
5
·4H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:
14.21.1Olivine
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)
 
2
[SiO
 
4
]
14.21.2Ringwoodite
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)
 
2
[SiO
 
4
]
14.21.3Wadsleyite
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)
 
2
[SiO
 
4
]
14.21.4Clinoferrosilite
Fe
2+
 
(Fe
2+
 
,Mg)[Si
 
2
O
 
6
]
14.21.5Anthophyllite
☐[Mg
 
2
][Mg
 
5
][(OH)
 
2
|Si
 
8
O
 
22
]
14.21.6Cummingtonite
[ ][Mg
 
2
][Mg
 
5
][(OH)
 
2
|Si
 
8
O
 
22
]
14.21.7 Magnesiocummingtonite
14.21.8Grunerite
[ ][Fe
2+
2
][Fe
2+
5
][(OH)
 
2
|Si
 
8
O
 
22
]
14.21.9Minnesotaite
(Fe,Mg)
 
3
Si
 
4
O
 
10
(OH)
 
2
14.21.11Jimthompsonite
(Mg,Fe)
 
5
Si
 
6
O
 
16
(OH)
 
2
14.21.12Clinojimthompsonite
(Mg,Fe)
 
5
Si
 
6
O
 
16
(OH)
 
2
14.21.13Majorite
Mg
 
3
(Fe
2+
 
,Si,Al)
 
2
[SiO
 
4
]
 
3
14.21.14Balangeroite
(Mg,Fe,Fe,Mn)
 
42
Si
 
16
O
 
54
(OH)
 
40

Other Names for Chesterite

Synonyms:
IMA1977-010
German names:
Chesterit
Russian names:
Честерит
Spanish names:
Chesterita

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 Chesterite

Reference List:American Mineralogist: 63: 1000-1009., 1053-1073.

Internet Links for Chesterite

Search Engines:
  • Look for Chesterite on Google
  • Look for Chesterite images on Google
    • External Links:
  • Look for Chesterite on Webmineral
  • Look for Chesterite on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Chesterite on Wikipedia
  • Look for Chesterite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Chesterite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Chesterite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
    • Mineral Dealers:
  • e-Rocks - Mineral Auctions and Sales
  • Search for Chesterite on minvision.com
  • Buy from David K Joyce minerals
  • Mineral Classics - Worldwide Collector Quality Minerals and Gems
  • Wright's Rock Shop - excellent mineral specimens since 1970
  • Buy Fine Minerals from mineralsweb.com
  • Fabre Minerals - search for Chesterite specimens
  • rare and unusual minerals mainly crystallized
  • Search for Chesterite at Thames Valley Minerals
  • The Arkenstone - Fine Minerals
  • Find Chesterite on www.crystalclassics.co.uk
  • Buy fine minerals and gemstones from Pala International
    • Jobs:
  • Mining & Geology Jobs

    • Page Sponsor

    Sponsorship:This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to find out how you can sponsor this page.

    Localities for Chesterite

    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.
    These maps work faster with Firefox!
    (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.
    Greenland
     
    • Kitaa (West Greenland) Province
      • Nuuk (Godthåb)
    		http://epsc.wustl.edu/admin/whatsnew/photo_album/week/pw2006-12-06.htm
    Japan
     
    • Honshu Island
      • Tohoku Region
        • Iwate Prefecture
          • Kitakami Mts
    		Konishi, et al (1991) Abstract of the Meeting of the Mineralogical Society of Japan, 101.
    UK
     
    • Scotland
      • North West Highlands (Sutherland)
    		Droop, G.T.R. (1994) Triple-chain pyriboles in Lewisian ultramafic rocks. Mineralogical Magazine, 58, 11, 1-20.
    USA
     
    • Montana
    		http://webmineral.com/data/Chesterite.shtml
    • Vermont
      • Windsor Co.
        • Chester
          • Carlton farm
    		Rocks & Min. Vol. 71, (1996)
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
    www.mindat.org Web
    Copyright © Jolyon & Ida Ralph 1993-2008. 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.