Tobermorite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Tobermorite
Formula:
Ca4Si6O17(H2O)2 · (Ca · 3H2O)
Colour:
White, light pink
Lustre:
Vitreous, Silky
Hardness:
2½
Specific Gravity:
2.423 - 2.458
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named after its discovery locality, Tobermory, Isle of Mull, Scotland. Tobermorite was first described by Heddle (1880) from four Scottish localities, three near Tobermory, Isle of Mull and the fourth being Dunvegan, Isle of Skye. Heddle's material was examinated with XRD by Claringbull & Hey (1952), and found that the powder XRD pattern was characterized by a 11.3 Å basal reflection. After McConnell (1954) the name tobermorite was used for the C-S-H phases having a 11 Å basal spacing. Further studies of crystal structures of "tobermorites" (Merlino et al. 1999, 2000, 2001) showed that tobermorite is actually a series between two endmembers, Ca4Si6O15(OH)2·5H2O and Ca5Si6O17·5H2O. Tobermorite was consequently redefined into two species, tobermorite and clinotobermorite, respectively by IMA in 2014 (Biagioni et al 2015).
Type Locality:
Tobermorite has been redefined by IMA in 2014 as two minerals: tobermorite and kenotobermorite.
Some specimens of Tobermorite-11 Å shrink on dehydration and are called "normal tobermorite", while others do not shrink and are therefore called "anomalous".
May appear visually similar to Tacharanite.
NOTE: All localities listed here under "tobermorite" should be checked if they are to be assigned to tobermorite or kenotobermorite.
Compare paratobermorite, with an untypical space group setting.
Some specimens of Tobermorite-11 Å shrink on dehydration and are called "normal tobermorite", while others do not shrink and are therefore called "anomalous".
May appear visually similar to Tacharanite.
NOTE: All localities listed here under "tobermorite" should be checked if they are to be assigned to tobermorite or kenotobermorite.
Compare paratobermorite, with an untypical space group setting.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3985
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3985:3
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
ef26f637-9b2e-4fd4-99d3-2a51706c8f5c
IMA Classification of Tobermorite
Approved
IMA status notes:
Renamed by the IMA
Approval history:
Renamed by IMA: 2014
Classification of Tobermorite
9.DG.10
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
D : Inosilicates
G : Inosilicates with 3-periodic single and multiple chains
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
D : Inosilicates
G : Inosilicates with 3-periodic single and multiple chains
72.3.2.1
72 : PHYLLOSILICATES Two-Dimensional Infinite Sheets with Other Than Six-Membered Rings
3 : Two-Dimensional Infinite Sheets with Other Than Six-Membered Rings with 3-, 4-, or 5-membered rings and 8-membered rings
72 : PHYLLOSILICATES Two-Dimensional Infinite Sheets with Other Than Six-Membered Rings
3 : Two-Dimensional Infinite Sheets with Other Than Six-Membered Rings with 3-, 4-, or 5-membered rings and 8-membered rings
14.5.23
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
5 : Silicates of Ca
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
5 : Silicates 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tbm | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Tbm | 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 Tobermorite
Vitreous, Silky
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Comment:
silky in fibrous aggregates.
Colour:
White, light pink
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect on {001}, imperfect on {100}.
Perfect on {001}, imperfect on {100}.
Density:
2.423 - 2.458 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.49 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Tobermorite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.570(2) nβ = 1.571(2) nγ = 1.575(2)
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.005
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:
weak r > v
Chemistry of Tobermorite
Mindat Formula:
Ca4Si6O17(H2O)2 · (Ca · 3H2O)
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Al,Fe,Mg,Na,K,H2O
Crystallography of Tobermorite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2 - Sphenoidal
Space Group:
P21
Setting:
P21
Cell Parameters:
a = 11.17 Å, b = 7.38 Å, c = 27.94 Å
β = 90°
β = 90°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.514 : 1 : 3.786
Unit Cell V:
2,303.22 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Comment:
14 ºA hydrate
Crystal Structure
Load
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0002329 | Tobermorite | Merlino S, Bonaccorsi E, Armbruster T (1999) Tobermorites: Their real structure and order-disorder (OD) character American Mineralogist 84 1613-1621 |  | 1999 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0002330 | Tobermorite | Merlino S, Bonaccorsi E, Armbruster T (1999) Tobermorites: Their real structure and order-disorder (OD) character American Mineralogist 84 1613-1621 | | 1999 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0006833 | Tobermorite | Merlino S, Bonaccorsi E, Armbruster T (2000) The real structure of clinotobermorite and tobermorite 9 A: OD character, polytypes, and structural relationships European Journal of Mineralogy 12 411-429 | 2000 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 14.0 Å | (100) |
| 5.50 Å | (25) |
| 3.076 Å | (65) |
| 3.001 Å | (45) |
| 2.812 Å | (30) |
| 2.798 Å | (13) |
| 1.835 Å | (35) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| High-𝑇 alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 31 : Thermally altered carbonate, phosphate, and iron formations |
Type Occurrence of Tobermorite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1937,1490; National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 119008.
Reference:
Sort by Year (asc) | by Year (desc) | by Author (A-Z) | by Author (Z-A) Heddle, M.F. (1880) Preliminary notice of substances which may prove to be new minerals. Mineralogical Magazine: 4: 117-123.
Synonyms of Tobermorite
Tobermorite-11Å (in part)
Other Language Names for Tobermorite
German:Tobermorit
Russian:Тоберморит
Simplified Chinese:雪硅钙石
Spanish:Tobermorita
Traditional Chinese:雪矽鈣石
Relationship of Tobermorite to other Species
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 21 photos of Tobermorite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 14 photos of Tobermorite associated with Natrolite | Na2Al2Si3O10 · 2H2O |
| 13 photos of Tobermorite associated with Stringhamite | CaCu(SiO4) · H2O |
| 11 photos of Tobermorite associated with Phillipsite Subgroup | |
| 11 photos of Tobermorite associated with Ellestadite | |
| 10 photos of Tobermorite associated with Datolite | CaB(SiO4)(OH) |
| 7 photos of Tobermorite associated with Thaumasite | Ca3(SO4)[Si(OH)6](CO3) · 12H2O |
| 7 photos of Tobermorite associated with Scawtite | Ca7(Si3O9)2CO3 · 2H2O |
| 6 photos of Tobermorite associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
| 6 photos of Tobermorite associated with Inesite | Ca2(Mn,Fe)7Si10O28(OH)2 · 5H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.DG. | Calcinaksite | KNaCa(Si4O10) · H2O |
| 9.DG. | Barrydawsonite-(Y) | Na1.5Y0.5CaSi3O8(OH) |
| 9.DG. | Paratobermorite | Ca4(Al0.5Si0.5)2Si4O16(OH)(H2O)2 · (Ca · 3H2O) |
| 9.DG. | Alvesite | NaKZrSi6O15 · 2H2O |
| 9.DG.02 | Steedeite | NaMn2[Si3BO9](OH)2 |
| 9.DG.02 | Nolzeite | NaMn2[Si3BO9](OH)2 · 2H2O |
| 9.DG.05 | Bustamite | CaMn2+(Si2O6) |
| 9.DG.05 | Ferrobustamite | CaFe2+(Si2O6) |
| 9.DG.05 | Pectolite | NaCa2Si3O8(OH) |
| 9.DG.05 | Serandite | NaMn2+2Si3O8(OH) |
| 9.DG.05 | Wollastonite | Ca3(Si3O9) |
| 9.DG.05 | Wollastonite-1A | CaSiO3 |
| 9.DG.05 | Tanohataite | LiMn2Si3O8(OH) |
| 9.DG.05 | Schizolite | NaCaMnSi3O8(OH) |
| 9.DG.05 | Murakamiite | LiCa2Si3O8(OH) |
| 9.DG.05 | Dalnegorskite | Ca5Mn(Si3O9)2 |
| 9.DG.07 | Cascandite | CaScSi3O8(OH) |
| 9.DG.08 | Plombièrite | [Ca4Si6O16(OH)2 · 2H2O] · (Ca · 5H2O) |
| 9.DG.10 | Clinotobermorite | [Ca4Si6O17 · 2H2O] · (Ca · 3H2O) |
| 9.DG.10 | Riversideite | Ca5(HSi3O9)2 · 2H2O |
| 9.DG.12 | Jusite | Na2Ca15Al4Si16O54 · 17H2O |
| 9.DG.12 | Kenotobermorite | Ca4Si6O15(OH)2(H2O)2 · 3H2O |
| 9.DG.15 | Foshagite | Ca4(Si3O9)(OH)2 |
| 9.DG.20 | Jennite | Ca9(Si3O9)2(OH)8 · 8H2O |
| 9.DG.20 | Kamenevite | K2TiSi3O9 · H2O |
| 9.DG.25 | Paraumbite | K3Zr2H(Si3O9)2 · nH2O |
| 9.DG.25 | Umbite | K2(Zr,Ti)Si3O9 · H2O |
| 9.DG.30 | Sørensenite | Na4SnBe2Si6O16(OH)4 |
| 9.DG.32 | Escheite | Ca2NaMnTi5[Si12O34]O2(OH)3 · 12H2O |
| 9.DG.35 | Xonotlite | Ca6(Si6O17)(OH)2 |
| 9.DG.40 | Hillebrandite | Ca2(SiO3)(OH)2 |
| 9.DG.45 | Zorite | Na8(Ti,Nb)5(Si6O17)2(OH,O)5 · 14H2O |
| 9.DG.45 | Chivruaiite | Ca4(Ti,Nb)5(Si6O17)2(OH,O)5 · 13-14H2O |
| 9.DG.50 | Haineaultite | (Na,Ca)5Ca(Ti,Nb)5(Si6O17)2(OH,F)8 · 5H2O |
| 9.DG.55 | Epididymite | Na2Be2Si6O15 · H2O |
| 9.DG.60 | Eudidymite | Na2Be2Si6O15 · H2O |
| 9.DG.65 | Elpidite | Na2ZrSi6O15 · 3H2O |
| 9.DG.65 | Patynite | NaKCa4[Si9O23] |
| 9.DG.67 | Whelanite | Cu2+2Ca6[Si6O17(OH)](CO3)(OH)3 · 2H2O |
| 9.DG.70 | Fenaksite | (K,Na)4(Fe,Mn)2(Si4O10)2(OH,F) |
| 9.DG.70 | Litidionite | CuNaKSi4O10 |
| 9.DG.70 | Manaksite | KNaMnSi4O10 |
| 9.DG.70 | Yusupovite | Na2Zr(Si6O15) · 2.5H2O |
| 9.DG.70 | Enricofrancoite | KNaCaSi4O10 |
| 9.DG.75 | Tinaksite | K2Na(Ca,Mn2+)2TiO[Si7O18(OH)] |
| 9.DG.75 | Tokkoite | K2Ca4[Si7O18(OH)](OH,F) |
| 9.DG.75 | Senkevichite | CsKNaCa2TiO[Si7O18](OH) |
| 9.DG.80 | Canasite | K3Na3Ca5Si12O30(OH)4 |
| 9.DG.80 | Fluorcanasite | K3Na3Ca5Si12O30F4 · H2O |
| 9.DG.85 | Miserite | K1.5-x(Ca,Y,REE)5(Si6O15)(Si2O7)(OH,F)2 · yH2O |
| 9.DG.90 | Frankamenite | K3Na3Ca5(Si12O30)(F,OH)4 · H2O |
| 9.DG.92 | Charoite | (K,Sr)15-16(Ca,Na)32[Si6O11(O,OH)6]2[Si12O18(O,OH)12]2[Si17O25(O,OH)18]2(OH,F)4 · ~3H2O |
| 9.DG.95 | Yuksporite | K4(Ca,Na)14(Sr,Ba)2(◻,Mn,Fe)(Ti,Nb)4(O,OH)4(Si6O17)2(Si2O7)3(H2O,OH)3 |
| 9.DG.97 | Eveslogite | (Na,K,Ca,Sr,Ba)48 [(Ti,Nb,Mn,Fe2+)12Si48O144(OH)12](F,OH,Cl)14 |
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:
the 11Å phase dehydrates in the 100-300oC range; at ~300oC it is replaced by the 9Å phase, which undergoes dehydroxylation in the 300-700oC range; from here wollastonite starts to form
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 Tobermorite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3985.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Tobermorite
Reference List:
Currie, James (1905) Note on some new localities for Gyrolite and Tobermorite. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 14 (64) 93-95 doi:10.1180/minmag.1905.014.64.06
McConnell, J. D. C. (1954) The hydrated calcium silicates riversideite, tobermorite, and plombierite. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 30 (224) 293-305 doi:10.1180/minmag.1954.030.224.02
Merlino, Stefano, Bonaccorsi, Elena, Armbruster, Thomas (1999) Tobermorites; their real structure and order-disorder (OD) character. American Mineralogist, 84 (10) 1613-1621 doi:10.2138/am-1999-1015
Merlino, Stefano, Bonaccorsi, Elena, Armbruster, Thomas (2000) The real structures of clinotobermorite and tobermorite 9 Å: OD character, polytypes, and structural relationships. European Journal of Mineralogy, 12 (2) 411-429 doi:10.1127/0935-1221/2000/0012-0411
Localities for Tobermorite
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 | |
| Bottrill et al. (2008) |
| Bottrill et al. (2008) | |
| Tschernich (1992) +1 other reference |
| www.crocoite.com (2003) |
| Bottrill et al. (2008) |
| www.crocoite.com (2001) |
| Henry (1999) |
Austria | |
| Postl et al. (1996) |
| Exel (1993) +1 other reference |
Azerbaijan | |
| Novgorodova M.I. (caspian Sea) |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | |
| Stojanovic et al. (1974) |
Canada | |
| Canadian Museum of Nature & Horvath ... |
Chile | |
| Aguirre et al. (1998) |
China | |
| Cao Zhengmin et al. (1986) |
| Cao Zhengmin et al. (1987) |
Cuba | |
| А.Е.Задов и др. Новые ... +1 other reference |
Czech Republic | |
| Pauliš et al. (2023) |
| Z.Dvořák (čas. Minerál 2/2009) |
| Pauliš |
France | |
| XRD analysis (B. Devouard and E. Médard, Clermont-Ferrand) |
| Boisson et al. (2014) |
| Boutry et al. (1986) |
| Favreau G. et al. (2004) |
Germany | |
| Weiß (1990) +1 other reference |
| Pöllmann (1991) |
| Zeolite collection of Volker Betz |
| Kolitsch (1997) |
| Hentschel (1987) |
| Hentschel et al. (1983) |
| in the collection of Christof Schäfer |
| Skrzyńska et al. (2023) | |
| Hentschel (1983) |
| [Hentschel et al. (5) |
| in the collection of Christof Schäfer | |
| Hentschel (1983) |
| Hentschel (1983) |
| Hentschel (1973) +1 other reference |
Hungary | |
| Kovács-Pálffy (2005) |
| Kónya-MÁFI |
| Szakáll & Gatter: Hun. Min. Spec. +1 other reference |
| Szakáll & Gatter: Hun. Min.Spec. +1 other reference |
Iceland | |
| Jakobsson et al. (1992) |
| JAKOBSSON et al. (1986) +2 other references | |
Israel | |
| Britvin et al. (2021) |
| Krzątała et al. (2023) | |
Italy | |
| Caponera et al. (2007) |
| Stoppani et al. (1982) |
| Pucci (2004) |
| Passaglia et al. (1982) |
| |
| Sicurella et al. (2010) |
| Sicurella et al. (2010) | |
| Exel R. (1980) +1 other reference |
| Gottardi G. (1965) +1 other reference |
| G. Gottardi (1967) |
| Wheeler et al. (1996) +1 other reference |
| Passaglia et al. (1995) +2 other references |
| Fabris et al. (2014) |
| Antonio Zordan collection |
| Boscardin M. et al. (2011) |
| 50. +2 other references |
| Boscardin M. et al. (2011) |
| "Minerali del Vicentino - La natrolite" ... |
| Boscardin M. et al. (2011) |
| Boscardin et al. (2011) +2 other references |
| Boscardin M. et al. (Vicenza) |
Japan | |
| Dr. Kameki Kinoshita collection (curated at Geological Survey of Japan) |
| Masutomi Museum specimen (Kyoto) +1 other reference |
| Matsuyama (2001) |
| Dr. Kameki Kinoshita collection (curated at Geological Survey of Japan) |
| Mineralogical Journal Vol. 13 (1986) |
| Minakawa et al. (1986) |
| Yamada (2004) |
| Yamada (2004) | |
| Kusachi et al. (1991) +1 other reference |
Jordan | |
| Pitty et al. (2010) |
| Galuskin et al. (2023) | |
| Khoury et al. (1982) +2 other references |
Mexico | |
| Specimen in the collection of Miguel ... |
| Mitsuda et al. (1978) +1 other reference |
Middle East | |
| Gross (1977) | |
Mongolia | |
| Peretyazhko et al. (2017) +1 other reference |
| Peretyazhko et al. (2018) | |
Namibia | |
| Yakovenchuk et al. (2011) |
New Zealand | |
| Black |
| Black |
| Baker et al. (1980) | |
| Baker et al. (1980) | |
Norway | |
| Andresen. P. & Friis (2020) |
| Raade (1983) +1 other reference |
| Larsen et al. (2010) | |
| Jamtveit et al. (1997) |
Palestine | |
| Sokol et al. (2011) |
Philippines | |
| Shimbashi +7 other references |
| Shimbashi et al. (2018) | |
Poland | |
| Kruszewski et al. (2012) |
| Kruszewski et al. (2019) |
Romania | |
| Marincea +4 other references |
| Szakáll |
| Szakáll et al. (2010) | |
| Marincea et al. (2011) |
| Marincea et al. (2014, September) +1 other reference |
| Marincea +2 other references |
Russia | |
| Pekov et al. (2004) |
| Yakovenchuk et al. (2017) +1 other reference |
| Antonov A.A. [Антонов А.А.] (2003) |
| Zadov +6 other references |
Slovakia | |
| Ďuďa et al. (1993) |
South Africa | |
| Gutzmer et al. (1993) +3 other references |
Spain | |
| Calvo et al. (2013) |
| Bareche (2005) |
Sweden | |
| The Swedish Museum of Natural History ... |
Taiwan | |
| Kung-Suan Ho et al (2009) |
Turkey | |
| Am Min 73:11-12 p 1497 +2 other references |
UK | |
| McConnell (1954) +2 other references |
| Henmi et al. (1973) |
| e-rocks.com (n.d.) | |
| Heddle (1880) +2 other references |
| Livingstone (1988) |
| McConnell (1954) |
| [Specimen in the Natural History Museum |
| Sweet et al. (1961) | |
| Webb (1971) |
USA | |
| Cesbron et al. (1980) +1 other reference |
| Erickson +1 other reference |
| |
| Bob Walstrom | |
| American Mineralogist: 51: 56-74 +2 other references |
| Fred DeVito collection |
| Woodford et al. (1941) | |
| Ream (2004) |
| Ream (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Kenny Gay message 15.09.2005 ... |
| Micro Probe Volume VII Number 8 Fall ... |
| Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology NBMG ... |
| Rocks & Minerals: 66 (3) +1 other reference |
| Mitsuda et al. (1978) +2 other references |
| R. S. Mirchell and W. F. Giannini (1987) +1 other reference |
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Crestmore quarries, Crestmore, Jurupa Valley, Riverside County, California, USA