Grandidierite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Grandidierite
Formula:
(Mg,Fe2+)(Al,Fe3+)3(SiO4)(BO3)O2
Colour:
Bluish green, greenish blue
Lustre:
Vitreous, Pearly
Hardness:
7½
Specific Gravity:
2.98 - 2.99
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named by A. Lacroix in 1902 in honor of Alfred Grandidier (20 December 1836, Paris, France - 13 September 1912, Paris, France), French explorer and naturalist. He visited Madagascar three times between 1865-1870, crossing the island three times. With others, he wrote L'Histoire physique, naturelle et politique de Madagascar, a work spanning 40 volumes.
The Mg analogue of Ominelite. Chemically close to kornerupine.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Grandidierite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1737
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1737:0
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
3a88251c-8344-496f-a90d-f7c6a1454dd7
IMA Classification of Grandidierite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
MgAl3O2(BO3)(SiO4)
First published:
1902
Classification of Grandidierite
9.AJ.05
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
J : Nesosilicates with BO3 triangles and/or B[4], Be[4] tetrahedra, cornersharing with SiO4
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
J : Nesosilicates with BO3 triangles and/or B[4], Be[4] tetrahedra, cornersharing with SiO4
54.1.1.1
54 : NESOSILICATES Borosilicates and Some Beryllosilicates
1 : Borosilicates and Some Beryllosilicates with (BO3)
54 : NESOSILICATES Borosilicates and Some Beryllosilicates
1 : Borosilicates and Some Beryllosilicates with (BO3)
17.5.49
17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
5 : Borosilicates
17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
5 : Borosilicates
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 |
---|---|---|
Gdd | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Gdd | 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 |
Gdd | 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 Grandidierite
Vitreous, Pearly
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Comment:
Somewhat pearly on cleavage
Colour:
Bluish green, greenish blue
Comment:
Increasingly greener with greater Fe content; colourless to blue or green in thin section
Hardness:
7½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
more perfect {100}, and {010}
more perfect {100}, and {010}
Density:
2.98 - 2.99 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.00 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Grandidierite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.590 - 1.602 nβ = 1.618 - 1.636 nγ = 1.623 - 1.639
2V:
Measured: 24° to 32°, Calculated: 32°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.033 - 0.037
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:
very strong (r < v)
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X= beep blue to blue green
Y= colorless
Z= light greenish blue to deep green
Y= colorless
Z= light greenish blue to deep green
Comments:
Orientation: X=a, Y=b, Z=c; absorption: Z>X>Y
Chemistry of Grandidierite
Mindat Formula:
(Mg,Fe2+)(Al,Fe3+)3(SiO4)(BO3)O2
Common Impurities:
Ti,Mn,Na,K
Chemical Analysis
Oxide wt%:
1 | |
---|---|
SiO2 | 20.05 % |
Al2O3 | 53.68 % |
FeO | 6.81 % |
MnO | 0.18 % |
MgO | 9.44 % |
B2O3 (assumed) | 10 % |
Total: | 100.16 % |
Sample references:
ID | Locality | Reference | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Grandidierite occurrence, Vestpolltind, Lødingen, Nordland, Norway | Total iron calculated as FeO |
Crystallography of Grandidierite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.335(2) Å, b = 10.978(2) Å, c = 5.760(2) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.941 : 1 : 0.525
Unit Cell V:
653.52 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Anhedral elongated individuals to 8cm; usually strongly corroded
Comment:
Pbnm space group
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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0004348 | Grandidierite | Dzikowski T J, Groat L A, Grew E S (2007) The geometric effects of VFe2+ for VMg substitution on the crystal structures of the grandidierite-ominelite series American Mineralogist 92 863-872 | 2007 | Madagascar | 0 | 293 | |
0004349 | Grandidierite | Dzikowski T J, Groat L A, Grew E S (2007) The geometric effects of VFe2+ for VMg substitution on the crystal structures of the grandidierite-ominelite series American Mineralogist 92 863-872 | 2007 | Long Lake, Larsemann Hills, Antarctica | 0 | 293 | |
0004350 | Grandidierite | Dzikowski T J, Groat L A, Grew E S (2007) The geometric effects of VFe2+ for VMg substitution on the crystal structures of the grandidierite-ominelite series American Mineralogist 92 863-872 | 2007 | Sahakondra, Ampamatoa, Madagascar | 0 | 293 | |
0004351 | Grandidierite | Dzikowski T J, Groat L A, Grew E S (2007) The geometric effects of VFe2+ for VMg substitution on the crystal structures of the grandidierite-ominelite series American Mineralogist 92 863-872 | 2007 | Zimbabwe | 0 | 293 | |
0004352 | Grandidierite | Dzikowski T J, Groat L A, Grew E S (2007) The geometric effects of VFe2+ for VMg substitution on the crystal structures of the grandidierite-ominelite series American Mineralogist 92 863-872 | 2007 | Karibe area, Zimbabwe | 0 | 293 | |
0004353 | Grandidierite | Dzikowski T J, Groat L A, Grew E S (2007) The geometric effects of VFe2+ for VMg substitution on the crystal structures of the grandidierite-ominelite series American Mineralogist 92 863-872 | 2007 | Andrahomana, Madagascar | 0 | 293 | |
0009346 | Grandidierite | Stephenson D A, Moore P B (1968) The crystal structure of grandidierite, (Mg,Fe)Al3SiBO9 Acta Crystallographica B24 1518-1522 | 1968 | Fort Dauphin, Madagascar | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
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Radiation - Copper Kα
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
5.17 Å | (vvs) |
5.04 Å | (vvs) |
5.482 Å | (vs) |
2.744 Å | (vs) |
2.166 Å | (s) |
3.708 Å | (ms) |
2.584 Å | (ms) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
34 : Complex granite pegmatites | |
Stage 5: Initiation of plate tectonics | <3.5-2.5 |
40 : Regional metamorphism (greenschist, amphibolite, granulite facies) |
Geological Setting:
Accessory mineral from aluminous boron rich rocks that underwent thermal and regionally metamorposed (low-pressure conditions); found in aplites, pegmatites; gneisses; xenoliths
Type Occurrence of Grandidierite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Bluish green masses up to several centimeters across, in quartz
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, registration no. 86382
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Pegmatite cross-cuts migmatitic high-grade granulite-facies metapelite gneisses and leptynites
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Lacroix A (1902) Note préliminaire sur une nouvelle espèce minérale. Bulletin de la Société Française de Minéralogie: 25: 85-86
Other Language Names for Grandidierite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
18 photos of Grandidierite associated with Feldspar Group | |
10 photos of Grandidierite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
7 photos of Grandidierite associated with Diopside | CaMgSi2O6 |
6 photos of Grandidierite associated with Plagioclase | (Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi2]O8 |
5 photos of Grandidierite associated with Phlogopite | KMg3(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
4 photos of Grandidierite associated with Mica Group | |
2 photos of Grandidierite associated with Schorl | NaFe2+3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH) |
2 photos of Grandidierite associated with Smoky Quartz | SiO2 |
1 photo of Grandidierite associated with Muscovite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
9.AJ. | Hingganite-(Nd) | Nd2◻Be2Si2O8(OH)2 |
9.AJ. | Arrheniusite-(Ce) | CaMg[(Ce7Y3)Ca5](SiO4)4(Si2B3AsO18)(BO3)F11 |
9.AJ.05 | Ominelite | (Fe2+,Mg)(Al,Fe3+)3(SiO4)(BO3)O2 |
9.AJ.10 | Dumortierite | Al(Al2O)(Al2O)2(SiO4)3(BO3) |
9.AJ.10 | Holtite | (Ta0.6◻0.4)Al6BSi3O18(O,OH)2.25 |
9.AJ.10 | Magnesiodumortierite | Mg(Al2OH)(Al2O)2(SiO4)3(BO3) |
9.AJ.10 | Nioboholtite | (Nb0.6◻0.4)Al6BSi3O18 |
9.AJ.10 | Titanoholtite | (Ti0.75◻0.25)Al6BSi3O18 |
9.AJ.15 | Garrelsite | Ba3NaSi2B7O16(OH)4 |
9.AJ.20 | Muromontite | near Be2FeY2Si3O12 |
9.AJ.20 | Datolite | CaB(SiO4)(OH) |
9.AJ.20 | Gadolinite-(Ce) | (Ce,La,Nd,Y)2Fe2+Be2Si2O10 |
9.AJ.20 | Gadolinite-(Y) | Y2Fe2+Be2Si2O10 |
9.AJ.20 | Hingganite-(Ce) | (Ce,REE)2(◻,Fe2+)Be2[SiO4]2(OH)2 |
9.AJ.20 | Hingganite-(Y) | (Y,REE,Ca)2(◻,Fe2+)Be2[SiO4]2(OH)2 |
9.AJ.20 | Hingganite-(Yb) | (Yb,Y,REE)2◻Be2[SiO4]2(OH)2 |
9.AJ.20 | Homilite | Ca2(Fe2+,Mg)B2Si2O10 |
9.AJ.20 | Melanocerite-(Ce) | (Ce,Ca)5(SiO4,BO4)3(OH,0) |
9.AJ.20 | Minasgeraisite-(Y) | (Ca2Y2)◻2(Be2B2)[SiO4]4(OH)4 |
9.AJ.20 | Calcybeborosilite-(Y) | (Y,Ca)2(◻,Fe2+)(B,Be)2[SiO4]2(OH,O)2 |
9.AJ.20 | Gadolinite-(Nd) | Nd2Fe2+Be2O2(SiO4)2 |
9.AJ.20 | Unnamed (OH-analogue of Gadolinite-(Y)) | (Y,Ca)2(Fe,◻)Be2Si2O8(OH,O)2 |
9.AJ.25 | Stillwellite-(Ce) | (Ce,La,Ca)BSiO5 |
9.AJ.30 | Cappelenite-(Y) | Ba(Y,Ce)6Si3B6O24F2 |
9.AJ.35 | Okanoganite-(Y) | (Na,Ca)3(Y,Ce)12Si6B2O27F14 |
9.AJ.35 | Vicanite-(Ce) | (Ca,Ce,La,Th)15As5+(As3+0.5,Na0.5)Fe3+Si6B4O40F7 |
9.AJ.35 | Hundholmenite-(Y) | (Y,REE,Ca,Na)15(Al,Fe3+)(CaxAs3+1-x)(Si,As5+)Si6B3(O,F)48 |
9.AJ.35 | Proshchenkoite-(Y) | Ca(Y,REE,Ca,Na,Mn)15Fe2+(P,Si)Si6B3O34F14 |
9.AJ.35 | Laptevite-(Ce) | Ca6(Fe2+,Mn2+)Y3REE7(SiO4)3(PO4)(B3Si3O18)(BO3)F11 |
9.AJ.40 | Jadarite | LiNaSiB3O7(OH) |
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 Grandidierite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1737.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Grandidierite
Reference List:
Lacroix, Alfred (1902) Note préliminaire sur une nouvelle espèce minérale. Bulletin de la Société française de Minéralogie, 25 (4-5) 85-86
Grew, Edward S. (1983) A grandidierite-sapphirine association from India. Mineralogical Magazine, 47 (344) 401-403 doi:10.1180/minmag.1983.047.344.20
Nicollet, Christian (1990) Occurrences of grandidierite, serendibite and tourmaline near Ihosy, southern Madagascar. Mineralogical Magazine, 54 (374) 131-133 doi:10.1180/minmag.1990.054.374.16
Localities for Grandidierite
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.
Algeria | |
| van Bergen (1980) +1 other reference |
Antarctica | |
| Maas et al. (2015) +1 other reference |
C. J. Carson (1995) | |
C. J. Carson (1995) | |
| Grew et al. (2006) |
| Hiroi et al. (2023) |
Australia | |
| Am Min 93:283-299 |
Buick et al. (2008) | |
Canada | |
| Lonker (1980) |
Lonker (1980) +1 other reference | |
Czech Republic | |
| CEMPÍREK |
Germany | |
| Hentschel (1987) |
| [Blass et al. (Stuttgart) |
Greenland | |
| Petersen et al. (1993) |
India | |
| Grew (1983) |
Italy | |
| van Bergen (1980) +1 other reference |
| van Bergen (1980) +1 other reference |
Madagascar | |
Jason Evans photo & +1 other reference | |
von Knorring et al. (1969) | |
| Tesseron (2020) |
Behier (1960) | |
| Behier (1957) |
| McKie (1965) |
www.musee.ensmp.fr (2001) +1 other reference | |
McKie (1965) +1 other reference | |
Vertriest et al. (2015) | |
www.gia.edu (2016) | |
Bruyère et al. (2016) | |
| Vry et al. (1990) |
| Behier (1960) |
| Lacroix (1902) |
| Nicollet (1990) |
Malawi | |
| Haslam (1980) |
Namibia | |
| Bonardo et al. (2008) |
New Zealand | |
| Black (1970) +1 other reference |
Norway | |
| Nijland et al. (1998) |
| Krogh (1975) |
| Grew et al. (1998) |
Slovakia | |
| Hlawatsch (1918) +1 other reference |
South Africa | |
| De Villiers (1940) |
| Moore et al. (1990) +1 other reference |
Hokada et al. (2001) | |
Suriname | |
| De Roever et al. (1976) |
UK | |
| Gribble (1968) +2 other references |
| Livingstone et al. (1983) +1 other reference |
USA | |
| Grew et al. (1990) |
| Anthony et al. (2016) |
| AmMin 87:160 |
Zimbabwe | |
| Grew et al. (1997) |
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Vohibola phlogopite deposit, Behara, Amboasary Sud District, Anosy, Madagascar