Asbecasite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Asbecasite
Formula:
Ca3(Ti,Sn4+)Be2(AsO3)6(SiO4)2
Colour:
Yellow, pale yellow
Lustre:
Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous
Hardness:
6½ - 7
Specific Gravity:
3.70
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Name:
Named by S. Graeser in 1966 for the elements in its composition: As, Be, Ca, Si.
This page provides mineralogical data about Asbecasite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
382
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:382:7
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
b34feb4b-c376-4d12-95ac-e540532835f1
IMA Classification of Asbecasite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Ca3TiAs6Be2Si2O20
Approval year:
1966
First published:
1966
Classification of Asbecasite
4.JB.30
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
B : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites; with additional anions, without H2O
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
B : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites; with additional anions, without H2O
45.1.3.1
45 : ACID AND NORMAL ANTIMONITES AND ARSENITES
1 : Miscellaneous
45 : ACID AND NORMAL ANTIMONITES AND ARSENITES
1 : Miscellaneous
17.7.9
17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
7 : Silicates with vanadate, arsenate or antimonate
17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
7 : Silicates with vanadate, arsenate or antimonate
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Abc | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Asbecasite
Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Yellow, pale yellow
Streak:
Pale yellow
Hardness:
6½ - 7 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
Rhombohedral {1011}
Rhombohedral {1011}
Density:
3.70 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.71 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Asbecasite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.860 nε = 1.830
Birefringence:
0.03
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.030
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:
Very High
Optical Extinction:
Parallel
Chemistry of Asbecasite
Mindat Formula:
Ca3(Ti,Sn4+)Be2(AsO3)6(SiO4)2
Crystallography of Asbecasite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m - Ditrigonal Pyramidal
Space Group:
P3c1
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.364 Å, c = 15.304 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 1.83
Unit Cell V:
927.18 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Tabular rhombohedral, sometimes equant.
Crystal Structure
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0014499 | Asbecasite | Sacerdoti M, Parodi G C, Mottana A, Maras A, Ventura G D (1993) Asbecasite: crystal structure refinement and crystal chemistry Mineralogical Magazine 57 315-322 |  | 1993 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 4.04 Å | (50) |
| 3.84 Å | (50) |
| 3.23 Å | (100) |
| 2.41 Å | (60) |
| 1.75 Å | (60) |
| 1.57 Å | (70) |
| 1.32 Å | (60) |
| 1.15 Å | (70) |
Comments:
19-0087
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates] |
Type Occurrence of Asbecasite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Rhombohedral crystals up to 5 mm in size.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Natural History Museum, Basel, Switzerland, SG750.
The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1966,222.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 143117.
The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1966,222.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 143117.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Alpine veins.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Graeser, S. (1966) Asbecasit und Cafarsit, zwei neue Mineralien aus dem Binnatal (Kt. Wallis). Schweizerische Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen: 46: 367-375.
Synonyms of Asbecasite
Other Language Names for Asbecasite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 6 photos of Asbecasite associated with Chlorite Group | |
| 4 photos of Asbecasite associated with Tourmaline | AD3G6 (T6O18)(BO3)3X3Z |
| 3 photos of Asbecasite associated with Cafarsite | Ca5.9Mn1.7Fe3Ti3(AsO3)12 · 4-5H2O |
| 2 photos of Asbecasite associated with Amazonite | K(AlSi3O8) |
| 2 photos of Asbecasite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 2 photos of Asbecasite associated with Albite | Na(AlSi3O8) |
| 2 photos of Asbecasite associated with Rutile | TiO2 |
| 1 photo of Asbecasite associated with Hematite | Fe2O3 |
| 1 photo of Asbecasite associated with Metazeunerite | Cu(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 1 photo of Asbecasite associated with Schorl | NaFe2+3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH) |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.JB. | Cuyaite | Ca2Mn3+As3+14O24Cl |
| 4.JB. | Brattforsite | Mn19(AsO 3)12Cl2 |
| 4.JB.05 | Fetiasite | (Fe3+,Fe2+,Ti)3(As2O5)O2 |
| 4.JB.10 | Manganarsite | Mn3(As2O4)(OH)4 |
| 4.JB.15 | Magnussonite | Mn2+10(As3+O3)6(OH,Cl)2 |
| 4.JB.15 | UM1984-09-AsO:ClHMn | Mn10As6O18(OH)Cl |
| 4.JB.20 | Armangite | Mn2+26(AsO3)14(HAsO3)4(CO3) |
| 4.JB.25 | Nanlingite | Na(Ca5Li)Mg12(AsO3)2[Fe(AsO3)6]F14 |
| 4.JB.35 | Stenhuggarite | CaFeSb(AsO3)2O |
| 4.JB.40 | Trigonite | Pb3Mn2+(AsO3)2(HAsO3) |
| 4.JB.45 | Finnemanite | Pb5(AsO3)3Cl |
| 4.JB.50 | Gebhardite | Pb8(As2O5)2OCl6 |
| 4.JB.55 | Derbylite | Fe3+4Ti3Sb3+O13(OH) |
| 4.JB.55 | Tomichite | (V,Fe)4Ti3AsO13(OH) |
| 4.JB.55 | Graeserite | Fe3+4Ti3As3+O13(OH) |
| 4.JB.60 | Hemloite | (Ti,V3+,Fe3+,Al)12(As3+,Sb3+)2O23(OH) |
| 4.JB.65 | Freedite | Cu+Pb8(AsO3)2O3Cl5 |
| 4.JB.70 | Georgiadesite | Pb4(As3+O3)Cl4(OH) |
| 4.JB.75 | Ekatite | (Fe3+,Fe2+,Zn)12(AsO3)6(AsO3,HSiO4)2(OH)6 |
| 4.JB.75 | Szklaryite | ◻Al6BAs3+3O15 |
| 4.JB.85 | Lepageite | Mn2+3(Fe3+7Fe2+4)O3[Sb3+5As3+8O34] |
| 4.JB.90 | Bianchiniite | Ba2(TiV)(As2O5)2OF |
Fluorescence of Asbecasite
Not fluorescent
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 Asbecasite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-382.html
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References for Asbecasite
Reference List:
Localities for Asbecasite
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.
Italy | |
| A. Maras et al. |
| Guastoni et al. (2006) |
| Albertini C. (1991) +1 other reference | |
Norway | |
| Larsen (1990) +1 other reference |
Switzerland | |
| Christian Bracke Collection. |
| |
| Graeser et al. (1994) +1 other reference |
| Schweiz.Min.Petr.Mitt. (1966) | |
| Cuchet et al. (2005) |
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Wanni glacier - Scherbadung area, Binn, Goms, Valais, Switzerland