Stellerite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Stellerite
Formula:
Ca4(Si28Al8)O72 · 28H2O
Colour:
Colourless to white, pink, orange
Lustre:
Pearly
Hardness:
4½
Specific Gravity:
2.13
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
Named after Georg Wilhelm Steller (1709-1746), German explorer and zoologist.
Zeolite Group.
Easily confused with the chemically similar stilbite-Ca and other members of the stilbite subgroup.
Bladed crystals may be confused with colourless prehnite.
Stellerite is a zeolite mineral in the stilbite sub-group. It is the orthorhombic, Ca-rich end member of a series consisting of stellerite, the monoclinic stilbite-Ca and stilbite-Na, plus the Na-dominant, orthorhombic barrerite.
Stellerite can be found as individual crystals, as well as fan-, bow-tie-, sheaf-like and spherical aggregates that are also typical for stilbite-Ca. Stellerite has often been tentatively differentiated from stilbite-Ca on morphology. This is not a valid method, as stilbite-Ca can have the all the same shapes as stellerite (Deer et al., 2001). The only reliable method for distinguishing stellerite from the more common stilbite-Ca is a chemical analysis capable of identifying Na, in combination with an XRD study identifying the orthorhombic symmetry.
Although normally white, stellerite can be found in several other colors. The orange, pink and salmon colors often found in Garrawalla, Australia, are due to minute inclusions of hematite. Celadonite, or other clay inclusions, may give give greenish grey colors.
The most attractive crystals are found in cavities in basalt, but stellerite is also found in hydrothermal systems in a wide variety of host rocks, such as hornfels, granites, granitic gneiss, pegmatites, amphibolites etc.
Easily confused with the chemically similar stilbite-Ca and other members of the stilbite subgroup.
Bladed crystals may be confused with colourless prehnite.
Stellerite is a zeolite mineral in the stilbite sub-group. It is the orthorhombic, Ca-rich end member of a series consisting of stellerite, the monoclinic stilbite-Ca and stilbite-Na, plus the Na-dominant, orthorhombic barrerite.
Stellerite can be found as individual crystals, as well as fan-, bow-tie-, sheaf-like and spherical aggregates that are also typical for stilbite-Ca. Stellerite has often been tentatively differentiated from stilbite-Ca on morphology. This is not a valid method, as stilbite-Ca can have the all the same shapes as stellerite (Deer et al., 2001). The only reliable method for distinguishing stellerite from the more common stilbite-Ca is a chemical analysis capable of identifying Na, in combination with an XRD study identifying the orthorhombic symmetry.
Although normally white, stellerite can be found in several other colors. The orange, pink and salmon colors often found in Garrawalla, Australia, are due to minute inclusions of hematite. Celadonite, or other clay inclusions, may give give greenish grey colors.
The most attractive crystals are found in cavities in basalt, but stellerite is also found in hydrothermal systems in a wide variety of host rocks, such as hornfels, granites, granitic gneiss, pegmatites, amphibolites etc.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3760
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3760:6
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
19379f20-d140-4f50-8073-e81e57d2e31a
IMA Classification of Stellerite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1909
Classification of Stellerite
9.GE.15
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
G : Tektosilicates with zeolitic H2O; zeolite family
E : Chains of T10O20 Tetrahedra
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
G : Tektosilicates with zeolitic H2O; zeolite family
E : Chains of T10O20 Tetrahedra
77.1.4.4
77 : TECTOSILICATES Zeolites
1 : Zeolite group - True zeolites
77 : TECTOSILICATES Zeolites
1 : Zeolite group - True zeolites
16.9.30
16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
9 : Aluminosilicates of Ca
16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
9 : Aluminosilicates of Ca
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 |
---|---|---|
Ste | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Stl | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Physical Properties of Stellerite
Pearly
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless to white, pink, orange
Hardness:
4½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
on {010}
on {010}
Density:
2.13 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.12 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Stellerite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.485 nβ = 1.486 - 1.496 nγ = 1.498
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.013
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:
Moderate
Dispersion:
none
Optical Extinction:
X = a; Y = c; Z = b.
Chemistry of Stellerite
Mindat Formula:
Ca4(Si28Al8)O72 · 28H2O
Common Impurities:
Fe,Mn,Mg,Sr,Ba,Na,K
Chemical Analysis
wt%
1 | |
---|---|
Al | 16.79 % |
Si | 68.02 % |
K | 1.62 % |
Ca | 13.57 % |
Total: | 100 % |
Sample references:
ID | Locality | Reference | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Schwarzhorn, Geisspfad area, Binn, Goms, Valais, Switzerland | crystals up to 5mm within Quarzmatrix - EDX- / XRD-Analyzis |
Crystallography of Stellerite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Fmmm
Cell Parameters:
a = 13.599(4) Å, b = 18.222(4) Å, c = 17.863(3) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.746 : 1 : 0.98
Unit Cell V:
4,426.47 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
8
Morphology:
Commonly in spheres of radiating crystals. Individual crystal are thin to thick tabular, brick-shaped or with roof-shaped crystal terminations.
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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0004140 | Stellerite | Arletti R, Mazzucato E, Vezzalini G (2006) Influence of dehydration kinetics on T-O-T bridge breaking in zeolites with framework type STI: The case of stellerite American Mineralogist 91 628-634 | 2006 | Seremida, Sardinia, Italy | 0 | 293 | |
0004141 | Stellerite | Arletti R, Mazzucato E, Vezzalini G (2006) Influence of dehydration kinetics on T-O-T bridge breaking in zeolites with framework type STI: The case of stellerite American Mineralogist 91 628-634 | 2006 | Seremida, Sardinia, Italy | 0 | 293 | |
0004142 | Stellerite | Arletti R, Mazzucato E, Vezzalini G (2006) Influence of dehydration kinetics on T-O-T bridge breaking in zeolites with framework type STI: The case of stellerite American Mineralogist 91 628-634 | 2006 | Seremida, Sardinia, Italy | 0 | 293 | |
0007338 | Stellerite | Alberti A, Rinaldi R, Vezzalini G (1978) Dynamics of dehydration in stilbite-type structures; stellerite phase B Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 2 365-375 | 1978 | 0 | 293 | ||
0012083 | Stellerite | Sacerdoti M, Gomedi I (1984) Crystal structural refinement of Ca-exchanged barrerite Bulletin de Mineralogie 107 799-804 | 1984 | Capo Pula, Sardegna, Italy | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
9.03 Å | (100) |
4.057 Å | (45) |
3.028 Å | (23) |
4.655 Å | (15) |
3.003 Å | (10) |
2.771 Å | (8) |
3.397 Å | (7) |
Comments:
Villanova Monteleone, Sardinia, Italy. Data from Galli and Passaglia (1973). The pattern is indistinguishable from that of barrerite.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Stage 3a: Earth’s earliest Hadean crust | >4.50 |
10 : Basalt-hosted zeolite minerals |
Geological Setting:
Cavities and fracture surfaces in hydrothermally altered volcanic and metamorphic rocks.
Type Occurrence of Stellerite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom, number BM 1934,550 (holotype).
Other Language Names for Stellerite
Relationship of Stellerite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
Barrerite | Na2(Si7Al2)O18 · 6H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
Stilbite-Ca | NaCa4(Si27Al9)O72 · 28H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
Stilbite-Na | Na9(Si27Al9)O72 · 28H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
87 photos of Stellerite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
72 photos of Stellerite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
45 photos of Stellerite associated with Chabazite | |
22 photos of Stellerite associated with Stilbite-Ca | NaCa4(Si27Al9)O72 · 28H2O |
19 photos of Stellerite associated with Laumontite | CaAl2Si4O12 · 4H2O |
19 photos of Stellerite associated with Celadonite | K(MgFe3+◻)(Si4O10)(OH)2 |
17 photos of Stellerite associated with Stilbite Subgroup | M6-7[Al8-9Si27-28O72] · nH2O |
16 photos of Stellerite associated with Heulandite Subgroup | (Na/Ca/K)5-6[Al8-9 Si27-28 O72] · nH2O |
13 photos of Stellerite associated with Epidote | (CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH) |
11 photos of Stellerite associated with Fluorite | CaF2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
9.GE.05 | Clinoptilolite-Ca | Ca3(Si30Al6)O72 · 20H2O |
9.GE.05 | Clinoptilolite-K | K6(Si30Al6)O72 · 20H2O |
9.GE.05 | Clinoptilolite-Na | Na6(Si30Al6)O72 · 20H2O |
9.GE.05 | Heulandite-Ca | (Ca,Na)5(Si27Al9)O72 · 26H2O |
9.GE.05 | Heulandite-K | (K,Ca,Na)5(Si27Al9)O72 · 26H2O |
9.GE.05 | Heulandite-Na | (Na,Ca,K)6(Si,Al)36O72 · 22H2O |
9.GE.05 | Heulandite-Sr | (Sr,Na,Ca)5(Si27Al9)O72 · 24H2O |
9.GE.05 | Heulandite-Ba | (Ba,Ca,K)5(Si27Al9)O72 · 22H2O |
9.GE.10 | Stilbite-Ca | NaCa4(Si27Al9)O72 · 28H2O |
9.GE.10 | Stilbite-Na | Na9(Si27Al9)O72 · 28H2O |
9.GE.15 | Barrerite | Na2(Si7Al2)O18 · 6H2O |
9.GE.20 | Brewsterite-Ba | (Ba,Sr)[Al2Si6O16] · 5H2O |
9.GE.20 | Brewsterite-Sr | (Sr,Ba,Ca)[Al2Si6O16] · 5H2O |
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 Stellerite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3760.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 Stellerite
Reference List:
Pabst, Adolf (1939) The relation of stellerite and epidesmine to stilbite. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 25 (164) 271-276 doi:10.1180/minmag.1939.025.164.06
Galli, Ermanno, Alberti, Alberto (1975) The crystal structure of stellerite. Bulletin de Minéralogie, 98 (1) 11-18 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1975.6952
Passaglia, Elio, Galli, Ermanno, Leoni, Leonardo, Rossi, Giuseppe (1978) The crystal chemistry of stilbites and stellerites. Bulletin de Minéralogie, 101 (3) 368-375 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1978.7200
Mortier, Wilfried J. (1983) Thermal stability of the stilbite-type framework: crystal structure of the dehydrated sodium/ammonium exchange form. American Mineralogist, 68 (3-4) 414-419
Miller, S.A., Taylor, J.C. (1985) Neutron single crystal diffraction study of an Australian Stellerite. Zeolites, 5 (1) 7-10 doi:10.1016/0144-2449(85)90003-x
Akizuki, Mizuhiko, Kudoh, Yasuhiro, Satoh, Yukο (1993) Crystal structure of the orthorhombic {001} growth sector of stilbite. European Journal of Mineralogy, 5 (5) 839-844 doi:10.1127/ejm/5/5/0839
Localities for Stellerite
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).
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.
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Albania | |
| Acta Mineralogica-Petrographica |
Argentina | |
| Pablo Rodrigo Leal et al. (2011) |
Asia | |
Martin Gruell | |
Australia | |
| Head (1979) +4 other references |
| |
| England et al. (1988) +1 other reference |
specimen in collection | |
A. M. I. Martins collection | |
Head (1979) | |
Keith Compton collection | |
| www.crocoite.com (2003) |
| Bottrill +1 other reference |
| Bottrill et al. (2008) |
| |
| Martins da Pedra collection |
Bottrill et al. (2008) | |
| |
| |
| Birch (1989) |
| Birch (1983) |
| |
Austria | |
| Niedermayr et al. (1995) |
| Niedermayr et al. (1995) |
| Niedermayr et al. (1995) |
| Niedermayr et al. (1995) |
| Kolitsch et al. (2023) |
| Neschen (n.d.) |
Löffler et al. (2011) | |
| Kolitsch et al. (2010) |
| Kolitsch (2016) |
| Kolitsch (2016) |
| Kolitsch et al. (2022) |
| KOLITSCH (2008) |
| Kolitsch (2008) |
| Postl (2007) |
| Jakely et al. (2012) |
| Kolitsch (2022) |
| Kolitsch (2017) |
| Kolitsch (2015) |
Kolitsch (2014) | |
| Kolitsch (2017) |
Brazil | |
| |
| Ricardo Pimentel collection. Specimen ... |
| Zeolite collection of Volker Betz |
| |
| Fernando Brederodes Collection |
| Frank (2008) |
| Ricardo Pimentel collection. Specimen ... |
| www.museumin.ufrgs.br |
| www.museumin.ufrgs.br (2003) |
Manfred Bergmann (2009) | |
Manfred Bergmann (2009) | |
| Ruiz (2001) |
Canada | |
| Groat et al. (2003) |
| Pe-Piper et al. (2002) |
| Pe-Piper et al. (2002) |
| Pe-Piper et al. (2002) |
Pe-Piper (2000) | |
Pe-Piper (2000) | |
| Amabili et al. (2009) |
| Horváth collection - XRD |
China | |
| Liangju Zhang (1997) |
| Minzhi Yang (2006) |
| Yingxia Xu et al. (2006) +1 other reference |
Cyprus | |
| Prüfer (2012) |
Czech Republic | |
| Färber (n.d.) |
| Tvrdý et al. (2023) |
Ethiopia | |
| Gebregziabher (1998) |
Faroe Islands | |
| Jørgensen (2006) |
Finland | |
| Mattinen (1952) |
France | |
| De Ascenção Guedes et al. (2002) |
| Giret et al. (1992) |
| Laurent Gayraud collection |
| Gatel (1990) |
| Herve Osana specimen |
Germany | |
| Schwarzmeier (2015) +2 other references |
| Weiß (1990) |
| SEM-EDS by Joy Desor and Gerhard Möhn |
| Blaß et al. (1999) |
| Witzke et al. (2008) |
Hungary | |
| Szakáll et al. (1996) |
| |
| Szakáll et al. (1996) |
| Mineral Species of Hungary |
| Mineral Species of Hungary |
Mineral Species of Hungary | |
| |
Iceland | |
| Weisenberger et al. (2009) |
Selbekk et al. (2005) | |
| Tamjidi +1 other reference |
| self collected by Jamison Turnbull |
India | |
| Ottens (2011) |
| Makki - Matrix India Minerals |
| Ottens et al. (2019) |
| |
António Manuel Ináçio Martins ... | |
Mineralogical Record | |
| Ottens et al. (2019) |
| Claeys (2009) |
| Ottens et al. (2019) |
Ottens et al. (2019) | |
| Claeys (2009) |
Ottens (2011) | |
| Ottens et al. (2019) |
Martins da Pedra collection | |
Indian Ocean | |
Herzig et al. (1988) | |
Italy | |
| Ghizzoni et al. (2005) |
Ghizzoni et al. (2005) | |
Ghizzoni et al. (2005) | |
| Bedognè et al. (2006) |
| Martini et al. (2012) |
Martini et al. (2012) | |
| Piccoli et al. (2007) |
| Piccoli et al. (2007) |
| Preite (2003) |
Calanchi N. et al. (1980) | |
| Domenico Preite |
Boscardin. M. (1975) | |
| Ferretti et al. (2013) |
| AA. VV. |
L. Giannettoni et al. (1993) | |
Japan | |
| |
Kazakhstan | |
| Evseev (1995) |
Evseev (1995) | |
Korean Peninsula | |
Madagascar | |
| Wolfgang Hampel (2011) |
Mali | |
| Viale Davide collection |
Mexico | |
| Peter Megaw specimens |
| Megaw (2023) |
| Cecil Cosse |
Namibia | |
| von Bezing (2007) |
| von Bezing (2007) |
New Zealand | |
| Ko Jansen |
| Courtney (1991) |
Norway | |
| Bugge (1954) |
Bugge (1954) | |
Bugge (1954) | |
| Bugge (1954) |
| Stensrud (2004) |
| Nordrum +1 other reference |
| Henrik Sundland information to Knut ... |
| Larsen et al. (2015) |
| Neumann (1944) |
| Neumann (1944) |
| Nordrum et al. (2003) |
Knut Edvard Larsen collection july 2007 | |
| Nordrum (2002) +1 other reference |
| Knut Eldjarn Collection |
| Sæbø et al. (1959) |
| Witsø (1995) |
| Nordrum (2007) |
Nordrum (2004) | |
Pakistan | |
| Canadian Mineralogist +2 other references |
imported from Shigar District +1 other reference | |
Russia | |
| Alexei Kuznetsov data |
| Pekov (1998) |
| Antonov A.A. [Антонов А.А.] (2003) |
| |
Popova et al. (2002) | |
| Pavel Kartashov - ... |
| Natural History Museum Vienna collection ("Malechansk") |
South Africa | |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) |
| PMPB Meulenbeld collection photo ID ... |
South Korea | |
| Choo +2 other references |
| Kinosaki (1941) |
Spain | |
| Tanago et al. (2012) |
Sweden | |
| Lyckberg (2006) |
| Colella et al. (2007) |
| Gavelin |
Switzerland | |
| Stellerit aus Arvigo/Schweiz. Lapis (10-2010) |
| Stefan Weiss and Mischa Crumbach (2013) |
| Van der Burgt et al. (2015) |
| Uwe Kolitsch collection (powder XRD + SEM-EDS) |
'Michael Brandtner' Collection (confirmed by EDX-/ XRD-Analyzis) +1 other reference | |
Kolitsch (1998) | |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
| Christian Bracke Collection. |
| Lapis 7-8/2006 |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
Ansermet et al. (2012) | |
| Ansermet et al. (2012) |
Ansermet et al. (2012) | |
| Van Hove C. Collection +1 other reference |
UK | |
| Preston et al. (1986) +1 other reference |
Preston et al. (1986) +1 other reference | |
Preston et al. (1986) +1 other reference | |
Preston et al. (1986) +1 other reference | |
| Preston et al. (1986) +1 other reference |
| BMS Collection |
Day (1999) | |
| Green et al. (1996) |
| |
Ukraine | |
| Dvoichenko (1914) |
USA | |
| Eberlein et al. (1971) |
AmMin 12:365 | |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
| Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 380 +4 other references |
| Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 380. +2 other references |
| www.mineralsocal.org (1999) |
| Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 380. +2 other references |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
Eckel et al. (1997) | |
| Moritz (n.d.) |
| Moritz (n.d.) |
| Moritz (n.d.) |
| Moritz (n.d.) |
| King et al. (1994) |
| Parker (2014) |
| - (n.d.) |
| Tschernich (1992) |
| Structures in the continental pit: A ... |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| CONF-910435-37 +2 other references |
| Amer. Jour. of Sci. (1843) |
| Mineralogical Record |
| Bradley D. Plotkin collection |
| |
| Cummings (1987) |
| Frank A. Imbriacco III collection (confirmed by X-ray analysis) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| NY State Museum spec. no. 15561 |
Marian Lupulescu (2010) | |
| Field collected by Casper Voogt. |
| Rudy Tschernich Zeolite Collection |
Micro Probe (1993) | |
Rudy Tschernich Zeolite Collection | |
| XRD and EDS analysis by Lance Kearns of ... |
| Bill Lorah - PA collector/dealer. +1 other reference |
| Bullock (1981) |
| Kearns et al. (2007) |
| analyzed by Lance Kearns |
| members of the Northern Virginia ... |
| PXRD by Alfredo Petrov |
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Tambar Springs, Pottinger Co., New South Wales, Australia