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Rhodesite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Rhodesite
Cecil Rhodes
Formula:
KHCa2Si8O19 · 5H2O
Colour:
White
Lustre:
Silky
Hardness:
3 - 4
Specific Gravity:
2.27 - 2.36
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
Named after Cecil John Rhodes (1853-1902), British colonial statesman and financier of the Rhodes University, South Africa. He ran the British South Africa Company, which operated in a territory that bacame known as Rhodesia (named after him, now the countries of Zimbabwe and Zambia). He also found the De Beers diamond company. Do not confuse with Rhodizite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3403
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3403:2
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
efdee5c8-5419-44d5-b1db-499c19bd5680
IMA Classification of Rhodesite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
Classification of Rhodesite
9.EB.05
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
B : Double nets with 4- and 6-membered rings
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
B : Double nets with 4- and 6-membered rings
72.5.1.1
72 : PHYLLOSILICATES Two-Dimensional Infinite Sheets with Other Than Six-Membered Rings
5 : Two-Dimensional Infinite Sheets with Other Than Six-Membered Rings with corrugated and complex layers
72 : PHYLLOSILICATES Two-Dimensional Infinite Sheets with Other Than Six-Membered Rings
5 : Two-Dimensional Infinite Sheets with Other Than Six-Membered Rings with corrugated and complex layers
14.6.7
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
6 : Silicates of Ca with alkali or Mg or both
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
6 : Silicates of Ca with alkali or Mg or both
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Rod | 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 Rhodesite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Rhodesite
Silky
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
White
Hardness:
3 - 4 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Good on {100}
Good on {100}
Density:
2.27 - 2.36 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.26 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Rhodesite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.501 - 1.504 nβ = 1.506 - 1.508 nγ = 1.513 - 1.518
2V:
Calculated: 68.1°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.012 - 0.014
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:
Low
Dispersion:
relatively strong
Chemistry of Rhodesite
Mindat Formula:
KHCa2Si8O19 · 5H2O
Common Impurities:
Al,Fe,Mg,Na
Crystallography of Rhodesite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Cell Parameters:
a = 23.60(18) Å, b = 6.57(2) Å, c = 7.03(2) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 3.592 : 1 : 1.07
Unit Cell V:
1,090.02 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Matted silky fibers, flattened rosettes, irregular segregations, crusts.
Comment:
Space Group: Pmam:
Crystal Structure
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Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0011013 | Rhodesite | Hesse K F, Liebau F, Merlino S (1992) Crystal structure of rhodesite, HK1-xNax+2yCa2-y{lB,3,2}[Si8O19]*(6-z)H2O, from three localities and its relation to other silicates with dreier double layers Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 199 25-48 |  | 1992 | Zeilberg, Germany | 0 | 293 |
| 0011014 | Rhodesite | Hesse K F, Liebau F, Merlino S (1992) Crystal structure of rhodesite, HK1-xNax+2yCa2-y(lB,3,22)(Si8O19)*(6-z)H2O, from three localities and its relation to other silicates with dreier double layers Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 199 25-48 | | 1992 | Trinity County, California, USA | 0 | 293 |
| 0011015 | Rhodesite | Hesse K F, Liebau F, Merlino S (1992) Crystal structure of rhodesite, HK1-xNax+2yCa2-y(lB,3,22)(Si8O19)*(6-z)H2O, from three localities and its relation to other silicates with dreier double layers Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 199 25-48 | | 1992 | San Venanzo, Italy | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 6.548 Å | (100) |
| 4.386 Å | (47) |
| 5.901 Å | (34) |
| 6.302 Å | (32) |
| 5.032 Å | (28) |
| 2.864 Å | (25) |
| 2.762 Å | (23) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 3a: Earth’s earliest Hadean crust | >4.50 |
| 7 : Ultramafic igneous rocks | |
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks |
Geological Setting:
Kimberlite, altered silicic lavas
Type Occurrence of Rhodesite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1957,18; National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 114793.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
kimberlite pipe
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Mountain, E.D. (1957) Rhodesite, a new mineral from the Bultfontein mine, Kimberley. Mineralogical Magazine: 31: 607-610.
Other Language Names for Rhodesite
Relationship of Rhodesite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
| Delhayelite | (Na,K)10Ca5Al6Si32O80(Cl2,F2,SO4)3 · 18H2O | Orth. |
| Fivegite | K4Ca2[AlSi7O17(O2-xOHx)][(H2O)2-xOHx]Cl | Orth. mm2 : Pmn21 |
| Hydrodelhayelite | KCa2AlSi7O17(OH)2 · 6H2O | Orth. mm2 |
| Melansonite | Na◻KZrSi8O19 · 5H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pmma |
| Monteregianite-(Y) | (Na,K)6(Y,Ca)2Si16O38 · 10H2O | Mon. 2/m |
| Natromelansonite | Na3Zr[Si7AlO19] · 4H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/m |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 1 photo of Rhodesite associated with Fluorapophyllite-(K) | KCa4(Si8O20)(F,OH) · 8H2O |
| 1 photo of Rhodesite associated with Tridymite | SiO2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.EB. | Natromelansonite | Na3Zr[Si7AlO19] · 4H2O |
| 9.EB.05 | Macdonaldite | BaCa4Si16O36(OH)2 · 10H2O |
| 9.EB.05 | Melansonite | Na◻KZrSi8O19 · 5H2O |
| 9.EB.10 | Delhayelite | (Na,K)10Ca5Al6Si32O80(Cl2,F2,SO4)3 · 18H2O |
| 9.EB.10 | Hydrodelhayelite | KCa2AlSi7O17(OH)2 · 6H2O |
| 9.EB.15 | Monteregianite-(Y) | (Na,K)6(Y,Ca)2Si16O38 · 10H2O |
| 9.EB.20 | Carletonite | KNa4Ca4Si8O18(CO3)4(OH,F) · H2O |
| 9.EB.20 | Fluorcarletonite | KNa4Ca4Si8O18(CO3)4F · H2O |
| 9.EB.25 | Günterblassite | (K,Ca,Ba)2(Fe,Ca,Mg,Na)[(Si,Al)13O25(OH)4] · 7H2O · |
| 9.EB.25 | Umbrianite | K7Na2Ca2[Al3Si10O29]F2Cl2 |
| 9.EB.25 | Hillesheimite | (K,Ca,Ba,◻)2(Mg,Fe,Ca,◻)2[(Si,Al )13O23(OH)6](OH) · 8H2O |
| 9.EB.30 | Fivegite | K4Ca2[AlSi7O17(O2-xOHx)][(H2O)2-xOHx]Cl |
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 Rhodesite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3403.html
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References for Rhodesite
Localities for Rhodesite
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.
Austria | |
| Exel (1993) +1 other reference |
| Postl (1987) +2 other references |
| Taucher (1989) |
Germany | |
| Hesse K F et al. (1992) +1 other reference |
| |
| [Blass et al. (Stuttgart) |
Italy | |
| Stoppa et al. (1997) +1 other reference |
South Africa (TL) | |
| Mountain E D (1957) +1 other reference |
Tanzania | |
| Tony Peterson Collection +1 other reference |
Ukraine | |
| Baranov et al. (2009) | |
USA | |
| Färber (n.d.) |
| Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 441 +3 other references |
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Stradner Kogel, Wilhelmsdorf, Bad Gleichenberg, Südoststeiermark District, Styria, Austria