Greenalite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Greenalite
Formula:
(Fe2+,Fe3+)2-3Si2O5(OH)4
Colour:
green, light yellow-green
Lustre:
Dull, Earthy
Hardness:
2½
Specific Gravity:
2.85 - 3.15
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named in allusion to its green colour.
Type Locality:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1745
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1745:5
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
eac6fdb5-8a16-4e8b-9b68-bcc3a1f196f7
IMA Classification of Greenalite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
(Fe2+,Fe3+)2-3Si2O5(OH)4
Classification of Greenalite
9.ED.15
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
D : Phyllosilicates with kaolinite layers composed of tetrahedral and octahedral nets
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
D : Phyllosilicates with kaolinite layers composed of tetrahedral and octahedral nets
71.1.2b.4
71 : PHYLLOSILICATES Sheets of Six-Membered Rings
1 : Sheets of 6-membered rings with 1:1 layers
71 : PHYLLOSILICATES Sheets of Six-Membered Rings
1 : Sheets of 6-membered rings with 1:1 layers
14.19.6
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
19 : Silicates of Fe
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
19 : Silicates of Fe
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gre | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Gre | Siivolam & Schmid (2007) | Siivolam, J. and Schmid, R. (2007) Recommendations by the IUGS Subcommission on the Systematics of Metamorphic Rocks: List of mineral abbreviations. Web-version 01.02.07. IUGS Commission on the Systematics in Petrology. download |
| Gre | Whitney & Evans (2010) | Whitney, D.L. and Evans, B.W. (2010) Abbreviations for names of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 95, 185–187 doi:10.2138/am.2010.3371 |
| Gre | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
| Gre | Warr (2020) | Warr, L.N. (2020) Recommended abbreviations for the names of clay minerals and associated phases. Clay Minerals, 55, 261–264 doi:10.1180/clm.2020.30 |
Physical Properties of Greenalite
Dull, Earthy
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
green, light yellow-green
Streak:
greenish-gray
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Density:
2.85 - 3.15 g/cm3 (Measured)
Optical Data of Greenalite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.650 - 1.675 nβ = 1.674 nγ = 1.674
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.024
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:
High
Dispersion:
weak
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
Pale yellow to green
Comments:
Isotropic when fine grained. n = 1.670
Chemistry of Greenalite
Mindat Formula:
(Fe2+,Fe3+)2-3Si2O5(OH)4
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Al,Mn,Mg
Crystallography of Greenalite
Polytype:
Formula:
Crystal System:
Class (H-M)
Space Group:
Space Group Setting:
Cell Parameters:
Ratio:
Unit Cell Volume (calc):
Z:
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0000136 | Greenalite | Shirozu H, Bailey S W (1965) Chlorite polytypism: III. Crystal structure of an orthohexagonal iron chlorite American Mineralogist 50 868-885 |  | 1965 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 7.12 Å | (80) |
| 3.559 Å | (80) |
| 2.849 Å | (20) |
| 2.571 Å | (100) |
| 2.184 Å | (40) |
| 1.593 Å | (60) |
| 1.553 Å | (40) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 2: Planetesimal differentiation and alteration | 4.566-4.550 |
| 6 : Secondary asteroid phases | 4.566-4.560 |
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 21 : Chemically precipitated carbonate, phosphate, iron formations | |
| High-𝑇 alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 32 : Ba/Mn/Pb/Zn deposits, including metamorphic deposits |
Type Occurrence of Greenalite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 91160, 124953.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
banded iron formation
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Leith, C.K. (1903) The Mesabi iron-bearing district of Minnesota. Section II. The Biwabik Formation (iron-bearing). Monographs of the United States Geological Survey: 43: 100-115.
Other Language Names for Greenalite
Relationship of Greenalite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
| Kaolinite Subgroup | Al2Si2O5(OH)4 | |
| Manandonite | Li2Al4(Si2AlB)O10(OH)8 | Orth. 2 2 2 : C2 2 21 |
| Odinite | (Fe,Mg,Al,Fe,Ti,Mn)2.4((Si,Al)2O5)(OH)4 | Mon. m : Bm |
| Serpentine Subgroup | D3[Si2O5](OH)4 |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 7 photos of Greenalite associated with Galena | PbS |
| 5 photos of Greenalite associated with Siderite | FeCO3 |
| 4 photos of Greenalite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 2 photos of Greenalite associated with Fluorite | CaF2 |
| 2 photos of Greenalite associated with Chert | |
| 2 photos of Greenalite associated with Anglesite | PbSO4 |
| 1 photo of Greenalite associated with Blue Chalcedony | SiO2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.ED. | Clinochrysotile | |
| 9.ED.05 | Dickite | Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.05 | Kaolinite | Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.05 | Nacrite | Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.05 | Odinite | (Fe,Mg,Al,Fe,Ti,Mn)2.4((Si,Al)2O5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.10 | Halloysite | Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.10 | Hisingerite | Fe3+2(Si2O5)(OH)4 · 2H2O |
| 9.ED.10 | Hydrohalloysite | Al2Si2O5(OH)4 · 2H2O |
| 9.ED.15 | Amesite | Mg2Al(AlSiO5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.15 | Antigorite | Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.15 | Berthierine | (Fe2+,Fe3+,Al)3(Si,Al)2O5(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.15 | Brindleyite | (Ni,Al)3(Si,Al)2O5(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.15 | Caryopilite | Mn2+3Si2O5(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.15 | Cronstedtite | Fe2+2Fe3+((Si,Fe3+)2O5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.15 | Fraipontite | (Zn,Al)3((Si,Al)2O5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.15 | Kellyite | Mn2+2Al(AlSiO5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.15 | Lizardite | Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.15 | Manandonite | Li2Al4(Si2AlB)O10(OH)8 |
| 9.ED.15 | Népouite | Ni3Si2O5(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.15 | Pecoraite | Ni3(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.15 | Guidottiite | Mn2Fe3+(Fe3+SiO5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.15 va | Chromoamesite | Mg2(Al,Cr)(AlSiO5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.20 | Allophane | (Al2O3)(SiO2)1.3-2 · 2.5-3H2O |
| 9.ED.20 | Chrysocolla | Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1 |
| 9.ED.20 | Imogolite | Al2SiO3(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.20 | Neotocite | (Mn,Fe,Mg)SiO3 · H2O |
| 9.ED.25 | Bismutoferrite | Fe3+2Bi(SiO4)2(OH) |
| 9.ED.25 | Chapmanite | Fe3+2Sb3+(Si2O5)O3(OH) |
| 9.ED.30 | Pianlinite | Al2Si2O6(OH)2 |
Other Information
Notes:
Moderately magnetic.
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 Greenalite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1745.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Greenalite
Reference List:
Localities for Greenalite
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.
Australia | |
| Birch (1999) |
| Skirrow (1993) |
| Miningdataonline +1 other reference |
| Kwak et al. (1988) |
| Zolensky et al. (1987) |
| Gole (1980) |
| Angerer et al. (2022) |
| Mining Annual Review (1985) |
| Lascelles (2006) |
| Gole (1980) |
Bolivia | |
| A.R. Kampf |
Brazil | |
| Villas et al. (2001) +3 other references |
| Huang et al. (2022) |
Canada | |
| |
| Canadian Mineralogist Vol.22 (1984) +1 other reference |
| Klein et al. (1976) |
| Robertson (1976) |
| Vos (1976) |
| Econ Geol. (1995) +1 other reference |
| Klein et al. (1976) |
China | |
| Zeng et al. (1999) |
Czech Republic | |
| Novotný et al. (2003) |
Finland | |
| Paakkola (1971) |
France | |
| Chauris (2014) |
| Chauris (2014) |
Iran | |
| Nezafati et al. (2017) |
| Nezafati et al. (2017) | |
Italy | |
| Carbone et al. (2002) |
| D'Angeli et al. (2018) |
Japan | |
| Dr. Matsuo Nambu collection (curated at Geological Survey of Japan) |
| Matsubara et al. (1989) |
| Dr. Matsuo Nambu collection (curated at Geological Survey of Japan) |
| Kato (2010) |
Mexico | |
| Stone +1 other reference |
Middle East | |
| Vapnik et al. (2006) | |
Norway | |
| Harald Folvik collection. +1 other reference |
Pacific Ocean | |
| Fryer et al. (1992) |
Romania | |
| Udubasa et al. (1996) +1 other reference |
| minerals-of-the-carpathians.eu (2008) |
Russia | |
| - (2014) |
| Mikhailova et al. (2015) |
| Bazai et al. (2009) |
| Bernard et al. (2004) |
South Africa | |
| Weinert (2006) |
| Siemes (2013) |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) | |
Spain | |
| Berbain +2 other references |
| Tanago et al. (2012) |
| Lopez (1987) |
| Garcia (2011) |
| Calvo Rebollar (2015) | |
Sweden | |
| Baker (1985) |
Switzerland | |
| Dietrich (1972) |
| Stalder et al. (1998) | |
Tajikistan | |
| Sharygin et al. (2009) |
Tanzania | |
| Kühn (2009) |
USA | |
| Dean (1995) |
| Cook et al. (1982) |
| Cook et al. (1982) | |
| Heinrich et al. (2004) |
| Thomas M. Bee specimens | |
| ... | |
| ... | |
| ... | |
| Heinrich et al. (2004) |
| - (2005) |
| Ransom (1974) |
| Ransom (1974) | |
| Jolliffe (1935) | |
| Ripley +4 other references |
| Wood (1982) |
| Can Mineral February 1998 v. 36 no. 1 ... +2 other references |
| USGS Bul.1460:96 |
Yemen | |
| Zolensky et al. (2003) |
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Biwabik, St. Louis County, Minnesota, USA