Learning Center What is a mineral?The most common minerals on earth Information for Educators Mindat Articles The Elements The Rock H. Currier Digital Library Geologic Time

Minerals by Properties Minerals by Chemistry Advanced Locality Search Random Mineral Random Locality Search by minID Localities Near Me Search Articles Search Glossary More Search Options

The Mindat Manual Add a New Photo Rate Photos Locality Edit Report Coordinate Completion Report Add Glossary Item

Mining Companies Statistics Users Mineral Museums Clubs & Organizations Mineral Shows & Events The Mindat Directory Device Settings The Mineral Quiz

Photo Search Photo Galleries Search by Color New Photos Today New Photos Yesterday Members' Photo Galleries Past Photo of the Day Gallery Photography

Kvanefjeldite

A valid IMA mineral species

This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.

Photos of Kvanefjeldite (2)

Search Photos of Kvanefjeldite

Edit Add Synonym Edit CIF structures Clear Cache

Kvanefjeldite, etc.

Kvanefjeld adit, Kvanefjeld deposit, Kuannersuit Plateau, Ilímaussaq complex, Kujalleq, Greenland

Kvanefjeldite, etc.

Kvanefjeld adit, Kvanefjeld deposit, Kuannersuit Plateau, Ilímaussaq complex, Kujalleq, Greenland

Kvanefjeldite, etc.

Kvanefjeld adit, Kvanefjeld deposit, Kuannersuit Plateau, Ilímaussaq complex, Kujalleq, Greenland

Kvanefjeldite, etc.

Kvanefjeld adit, Kvanefjeld deposit, Kuannersuit Plateau, Ilímaussaq complex, Kujalleq, Greenland

Kvanefjeldite, etc.

Kvanefjeld adit, Kvanefjeld deposit, Kuannersuit Plateau, Ilímaussaq complex, Kujalleq, Greenland

Kvanefjeldite, etc.

Kvanefjeld adit, Kvanefjeld deposit, Kuannersuit Plateau, Ilímaussaq complex, Kujalleq, Greenland

Hide all sections | Show all sections

About KvanefjelditeHide

The Kvanefjeld Mountain, Greenland.

Kvanefjeld adit, Kvanefjeld deposit, Kuannersuit Plateau, Ilímaussaq complex, Kujalleq, Greenland

Formula:

Na₄(Ca,Mn)(Si₃O₇)₂(OH)₂

Colour:

Pink with a distinct violet hue

Lustre:

Vitreous, Pearly

Hardness:

5½ - 6

Specific Gravity:

2.55

Crystal System:

Orthorhombic

Name:

Named after the type locality, Kvanefjeld mountain, Greenland.

Type Locality:

ⓘ Kvanefjeld adit, Kvanefjeld deposit, Kuannersuit Plateau (Kvanefjeld), Ilímaussaq complex, Kujalleq, Greenland

This page provides mineralogical data about Kvanefjeldite.

Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:

2302

Long-form identifier:

mindat:1:1:2302:9

GUID
(UUID V4):

fb24ea09-ee7f-4b89-bc1f-a6d977ea01ec

IMA Classification of KvanefjelditeHide

IMA status:

Approved

IMA Formula:

Na₄CaSi₆O₁₄(OH)₂

First published:

1984

Type description reference:

Petersen, Ole V., Johnsen, Ole, Leonardsen, Erik S., Ronsbo, Jorn G. (1984) Kvanefjeldite, a new mineral species from the Ilimaussaq alkaline complex, Southwest Greenland. The Canadian Mineralogist, 22 (3) 465-467

Classification of KvanefjelditeHide

Strunz-mindat (2024):

9.DP.30

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
D : Inosilicates
P : Transitional ino-phyllosilicate structures

Dana 8th ed.:

72.5.3.1

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

Hey's CIM Ref.:

14.18.28

14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
18 : Silicates of Mn and Na, K, Mg, Ca or Fe

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

Symbol	Source	Reference
Kva	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 KvanefjelditeHide

Lustre:

Vitreous, Pearly

Transparency:

Transparent

Comment:

almost pearly on the {010} cleavage

Colour:

Pink with a distinct violet hue

Hardness:

5½ - 6 on Mohs scale

Cleavage:

Distinct/Good
Good on f010g; poor on {101}

Density:

2.55 g/cm³ (Measured) 2.53 g/cm³ (Calculated)

Optical Data of KvanefjelditeHide

Type:

Biaxial (+)

RI values:

n_α = 1.522(1) n_β = 1.522(1) n_γ = 1.543(1)

Max Birefringence:

δ = 0.021

Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.

Surface Relief:

Low

Dispersion:

r < v distinct

Chemistry of KvanefjelditeHide

Mindat Formula:

Na₄(Ca,Mn)(Si₃O₇)₂(OH)₂

Elements listed:

Ca, H, Mn, Na, O, Si - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Common Impurities:

Ti,Al,Y,Fe,Mg,K

Crystallography of KvanefjelditeHide

Crystal System:

Orthorhombic

Class (H-M):

mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal

Cell Parameters:

a = 10.213(2) Å, b = 15.878(4) Å, c = 9.058(1) Å

Ratio:

a:b:c = 0.643 : 1 : 0.57

Unit Cell V:

1,468.86 Å³ (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Comment:

Space Group: Pcab

Crystal StructureHide

Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4

View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c

Rotation
Stop | Start

Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow

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)
0014783	Kvanefjeldite	Johnsen O, Leonardsen E S, Falth L, Annehed H (1983) Crystal structure of kvanefjeldite: The introduction of [Si3O7OH] layers with eight-membered rings Neues Jahrbuch fur Mineralogie, Monatshefte 1983 505-512		1983	Ilimaussaq alkaline intrusion, South Greenland	0	293

CIF Raw Data - click here to close

data_global
_chemical_name_mineral 'Kvanefjeldite'
loop_
_publ_author_name
'Johnsen O'
'Leonardsen E S'
'Falth L'
'Annehed H'
_journal_name_full 'Neues Jahrbuch fur Mineralogie, Monatshefte'
_journal_volume 1983 
_journal_year 1983
_journal_page_first 505
_journal_page_last 512
_publ_section_title
;
 Crystal structure of kvanefjeldite: The introduction of [Si3O7OH]
 layers with eight-membered rings
;
_database_code_amcsd 0014783
_chemical_compound_source 'Ilimaussaq alkaline intrusion, South Greenland'
_chemical_formula_sum 'Na4 (Ca.5 Mn.5) Si6 O16 H2'
_cell_length_a 10.213
_cell_length_b 15.878
_cell_length_c 9.058
_cell_angle_alpha 90
_cell_angle_beta 90
_cell_angle_gamma 90
_cell_volume 1468.864
_exptl_crystal_density_diffrn      2.559
_symmetry_space_group_name_H-M 'P c a b'
loop_
_space_group_symop_operation_xyz
  'x,y,z'
  'x,1/2+y,1/2-z'
  '-x,1/2-y,1/2+z'
  '1/2-x,y,1/2+z'
  '1/2+x,-y,1/2-z'
  '1/2+x,1/2-y,z'
  '1/2-x,1/2+y,-z'
  '-x,-y,-z'
loop_
_atom_site_label
_atom_site_fract_x
_atom_site_fract_y
_atom_site_fract_z
_atom_site_occupancy
_atom_site_U_iso_or_equiv
Na1   0.68082  -0.04507   0.79810   1.00000   0.02178
Na2   0.84529   0.30661   0.49949   1.00000   0.02128
Ca   0.00000   0.00000   0.00000   0.50000   0.01102
Mn   0.00000   0.00000   0.00000   0.50000   0.01102
Si1   0.58291   0.18032   0.30192   1.00000   0.01127
Si2   0.54817   0.37446   0.32987   1.00000   0.01254
Si3   0.79795   0.11392   0.50797   1.00000   0.01153
O1   0.51802   0.27299   0.32541   1.00000   0.01710
O2   0.47871   0.11050   0.33835   1.00000   0.01646
O3   0.71924   0.03448   0.56521   1.00000   0.01583
O4   0.59159   0.41076   0.17584   1.00000   0.01836
O5   0.70948   0.18010   0.41214   1.00000   0.01646
O6   0.63873   0.17636   0.13244   1.00000   0.01646
O7   0.66459   0.38868   0.45356   1.00000   0.01900
O8   0.41495   0.41813   0.39743   1.00000   0.01545
H   0.69700   0.43300   0.44500   1.00000   0.06206
loop_
_atom_site_aniso_label
_atom_site_aniso_U_11
_atom_site_aniso_U_22
_atom_site_aniso_U_33
_atom_site_aniso_U_12
_atom_site_aniso_U_13
_atom_site_aniso_U_23
Na1 0.02050 0.02376 0.02103 0.00107 -0.00244 -0.00306
Na2 0.02235 0.01903 0.02245 -0.00025 0.00000 0.00175
Si1 0.01141 0.01213 0.01039 0.00033 0.00047 -0.00022
Si2 0.01173 0.01316 0.01280 0.00082 0.00080 0.00000
Si3 0.01104 0.01290 0.01081 -0.00033 -0.00056 0.00007
O1 0.01517 0.01584 0.02020 0.00189 0.00108 -0.00146
O2 0.01654 0.01673 0.01629 -0.00255 0.00009 0.00124
O3 0.01300 0.01520 0.01949 -0.00058 0.00075 0.00175
O4 0.01812 0.02082 0.01621 0.00025 0.00258 0.00146
O5 0.01575 0.01635 0.01725 0.00016 -0.00356 0.00131
O6 0.01871 0.01750 0.01318 0.00090 0.00253 0.00095
O7 0.01839 0.01877 0.01987 -0.00082 -0.00356 0.00102
O8 0.01527 0.01379 0.01762 0.00222 0.00319 0.00197

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:

d-spacing	Intensity
3.117 Å	(10)
4.355 Å	(7)
3.880 Å	(7)
4.447 Å	(6)
3.388 Å	(6)
3.313 Å	(5)
2.576 Å	(5)

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):

Paragenetic Mode	Earliest Age (Ga)
Near-surface Processes
22 : Hydration and low-𝑇 subsurface aqueous alteration (see also #23)

Type Occurrence of KvanefjelditeHide

Type Locality:

ⓘ Kvanefjeld adit, Kvanefjeld deposit, Kuannersuit Plateau (Kvanefjeld), Ilímaussaq complex, Kujalleq, Greenland

General Appearance of Type Material:

Streaks and veinlets

Place of Conservation of Type Material:

University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark, 1983.136, GGU 47887; Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 127475; National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 162234.

Geological Setting of Type Material:

Alkaline intrusive complex

Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Villiaumite

Analcime

Reference:

Petersen, O.V., Johnsen, O., Leonardsen, E.S., Rønsbo, J.G. (1984) Kvanefjeldite, a new mineral species from the Ilímaussaq Alkaline Complex, southwest Greenland. The Canadian Mineralogist: 22: 465-467.

Download:

http://rruff.info/rruff_1.0/uploads/CM22_465.pdf

Synonyms of KvanefjelditeHide

IMA1982-079

Other Language Names for KvanefjelditeHide

German:Kvanefjeldit

Spanish:Kvanefjeldita

Common AssociatesHide

Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:

2 photos of Kvanefjeldite associated with Villiaumite

NaF

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping Hide

9.DP.	Ferriprehnite	Ca₂Fe³⁺(Si₃AlO₁₀)(OH)₂	Orth. mm2 : Pma2
9.DP.05	Meliphanite	(Ca,Na)₂(Be,Al)[Si₂O₆(OH,F)]	Tet. 4 : I4
9.DP.15	Leucosphenite	BaNa₄Ti₂B₂Si₁₀O₃₀	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.DP.20	Prehnite	Ca₂Al₂Si₃O₁₀(OH)₂	Orth. mm2
9.DP.25	Amstallite	CaAl[(Al,Si)₄O₈(OH)₂](OH)₂ · (H₂O,Cl)	Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.DP.35	Lemoynite	(Na,K)₂CaZr₂Si₁₀O₂₆ · 5H₂O	Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.DP.35	Natrolemoynite	Na₄Zr₂Si₁₀O₂₆ · 9H₂O	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.DP.35	Hogarthite	(Na,K)₂CaTi₂Si₁₀O₂₆ · 8H₂O	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.DP.40	Altisite	Na₃K₆Ti₂Al₂Si₈O₂₆Cl₃	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.DP.45	Chiappinoite-(Y)	Y₂Mn(Si₃O₇)₄	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Ibam
9.DP.50	Esquireite	BaSi₆O₁₃ · 7H₂O	Mon. 2 : B2

Other InformationHide

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 KvanefjelditeHide

mindat.org URL:

https://www.mindat.org/min-2302.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Search Engines:

Look for Kvanefjeldite on Google

Look for Kvanefjeldite images on Google

Look for Kvanefjeldite on Bing

Look for Kvanefjeldite images on Bing

Look for Kvanefjeldite on DuckDuckGo

Look for Kvanefjeldite images on DuckDuckGo

Look for Kvanefjeldite in the Rock H. Currier Digital Library

External Links:

Look for Kvanefjeldite on Webmineral

Look for Kvanefjeldite on Wikipedia

Look for Kvanefjeldite on Mineralien Atlas

Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project

References and PDF downloads at RRUFF project

American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database

Handbook of Mineralogy page PDF

Mineral Dealers:

High-end worldwide specimens & outstanding customer service

Fine Minerals from Weinrich Minerals, Inc.

Buy from David K Joyce minerals

The Arkenstone - Fine Minerals

Buy rare minerals from Excalibur Minerals

Buy from McDougall Minerals

Wilensky Exquisite Minerals

Blue Gems Australian & International

References for KvanefjelditeHide

Reference List:

Johnsen, O., Leonardsen, E.S., Faelth, L., Annehed, H. (1983) Crystal structure of kvanefjeldite: The introduction of 2(Si3O7OH) layers with eight-membered rings. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Monatshefte: 1983: 505-512.

Dunn, Pete J., Fleischer, Michael, Langley, Richard H., Shigley, James E., Zilczer, Janet A. (1985) New mineral names. American Mineralogist, 70 (7-8) 871-881

(2023) Kvanefjeldite. Handbook of Mineralogy. Mineralogical Society of America

Localities for KvanefjelditeHide

This 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.

Locality ListHide

- 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). ~~Struck out~~ - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.


Greenland
Kujalleq ⓘ Ilímaussaq complex	Petersen (2001)
Kuannersuit Plateau (Kvanefjeld) Kvanefjeld deposit ⓘ Kvanefjeld adit (TL)	Knut Eldjarn collection and photo ID: ... +1 other reference

Kvanefjeldite

About KvanefjelditeHide

Unique IdentifiersHide

IMA Classification of KvanefjelditeHide

Classification of KvanefjelditeHide

Mineral SymbolsHide

Physical Properties of KvanefjelditeHide

Optical Data of KvanefjelditeHide

Chemistry of KvanefjelditeHide

Crystallography of KvanefjelditeHide

Crystal StructureHide

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Geological EnvironmentHide

Type Occurrence of KvanefjelditeHide

Synonyms of KvanefjelditeHide

Other Language Names for KvanefjelditeHide

Common AssociatesHide

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

Other InformationHide

Internet Links for KvanefjelditeHide

References for KvanefjelditeHide

Localities for KvanefjelditeHide

Locality ListHide

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping Hide