Hectorite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered - questionable
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About Hectorite
Formula:
Na0.3(Mg,Li)3(Si4O10)(F,OH)2
Colour:
White, cream, pale brown, mottled.
Lustre:
Waxy, Dull, Earthy
Hardness:
1 - 2
Specific Gravity:
2.3
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1841
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1841:4
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
ca469c5f-203d-4a61-bac5-23c16e6177b7
IMA Classification of Hectorite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959), Questionable
IMA Formula:
Na0.3(Mg,Li)3Si4O10(F,OH)2 · nH2O
Classification of Hectorite
9.EC.45
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
C : Phyllosilicates with mica sheets, composed of tetrahedral and octahedral nets
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
C : Phyllosilicates with mica sheets, composed of tetrahedral and octahedral nets
71.3.1b.4
71 : PHYLLOSILICATES Sheets of Six-Membered Rings
3 : Sheets of 6-membered rings with 2:1 clays
71 : PHYLLOSILICATES Sheets of Six-Membered Rings
3 : Sheets of 6-membered rings with 2:1 clays
17.1.1
17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
1 : Silicates with fluoride (not containing Al)
17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
1 : Silicates with fluoride (not containing Al)
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 |
---|---|---|
Htr | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Htr | 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 Hectorite
Waxy, Dull, Earthy
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
White, cream, pale brown, mottled.
Hardness:
1 - 2 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
{001}
{001}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
2.3 g/cm3 (Measured)
Optical Data of Hectorite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.490 nβ = 1.500 nγ = 1.520
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:
Low
Dispersion:
none
Comments:
2V(meas.) = Small
Chemistry of Hectorite
Mindat Formula:
Na0.3(Mg,Li)3(Si4O10)(F,OH)2
Common Impurities:
Ti,Al,Fe,Ca,K,Cl
Crystallography of Hectorite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/m
Setting:
C2/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.25 Å, b = 9.18 Å, c = 16.0 Å
β = 99°
β = 99°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.572 : 1 : 1.743
Unit Cell V:
761.63 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0015819 | Hectorite | Breu J, Seidl W, Stoll A (2003) Fehlordnung bei smectiten in abhangigkeit vom zwischenschichtkation Zeitschrift fur Anorganische und Allgemeine Chemie 629 503-515 | 2003 | synthetic | 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 |
---|---|
4.58 Å | (100) |
1.53 Å | (100) |
15.8 Å | (80) |
2.66 Å | (80) |
1.32 Å | (80) |
1.30 Å | (80) |
2.48 Å | (60) |
Comments:
spacings variable by humidity, intensities variable by orientation
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Stage 3b: Earth’s earliest hydrosphere | >4.45 |
14 : Hot springs, geysers, and other subaerial geothermal minerals | |
16 : Low-𝑇 aqueous alteration of Hadean subaerial lithologies (see also #23) |
Type Occurrence of Hectorite
Geological Setting of Type Material:
bentonite deposit,
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Strese, V.H., Hofmann, U. (1941) Synthese von Magnesiumsilikat-Gelen mit zweidimensional regelmäßiger Struktur. Zeitschrift für Anorganische und Allgemeine Chemie: 247: 65-94.
Synonyms of Hectorite
Other Language Names for Hectorite
Relationship of Hectorite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
Beidellite | (Na,Ca0.5)0.3Al2((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
Ferrosaponite | Ca0.3(Fe2+,Mg,Fe3+)3((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2 · 4H2O | Mon. |
Montmorillonite | (Na,Ca)0.33(Al,Mg)2(Si4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
Nontronite | Na0.3Fe2((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
Pimelite | Ni3Si4O10(OH)2 · 4H2O | Hex. |
Saliotite | (Li,Na)Al3(AlSi3O10)(OH)5 | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
Saponite | Ca0.25(Mg,Fe)3((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O | Mon. |
Sauconite | Na0.3Zn3((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2 · 4H2O | Mon. |
Stevensite | (Ca,Na)xMg3-x(Si4O10)(OH)2 | Mon. |
Swinefordite | Li(Al,Li,Mg)3((Si,Al)4O10)2(OH,F)4 · nH2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
Vermiculite | Mg0.7(Mg,Fe,Al)6(Si,Al)8O20(OH)4 · 8H2O | Mon. 2/m |
Volkonskoite | Ca0.3(Cr,Mg,Fe)2((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2 · 4H2O | Mon. |
Yakhontovite | (Ca,Na)0.5(Cu,Fe,Mg)2(Si4O10)(OH)2 · 3H2O | Mon. |
Zincsilite | Zn3Si4O10(OH)2 · 4H2O (?) | Mon. |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
9.EC. | Balestraite | KLi2V5+Si4O12 |
9.EC. | Meifuite | KFe6(Si7Al)O19(OH)4Cl2 |
9.EC.05 | Minnesotaite | Fe2+3Si4O10(OH)2 |
9.EC.05 | Talc | Mg3Si4O10(OH)2 |
9.EC.05 | Willemseite | Ni3Si4O10(OH)2 |
9.EC.9.EC. | Voloshinite | Rb(LiAl1.5◻0.5)(Al0.5Si3.5)O10F2 |
9.EC.10 | Ferripyrophyllite | Fe3+Si2O5(OH) |
9.EC.10 | Pyrophyllite | Al2Si4O10(OH)2 |
9.EC.10 | Luanshiweiite | KLiAl1.5(Si3.5Al0.5)O10(OH)2 |
9.EC.10 | Fluorluanshiweiite | KLiAl1.5(Si3.5Al0.5)O10F2 |
9.EC.10 | Manganiceladonite | K(MgMn3+◻)(Si4O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.10 | Garmite | CsLiMg2(Si4O10)F2 |
9.EC.10 | Gorbunovite | CsLi2(Ti,Fe)Si4O10(F,OH,O)2 |
9.EC.15 | Boromuscovite | KAl2(BSi3O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.15 | Celadonite | K(MgFe3+◻)(Si4O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.15 | Chernykhite | (Ba,Na)(V3+,Al,Mg)2((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.15 | Montdorite | (K,Na)2(Fe2+,Mn2+,Mg)5(Si4O10)2(OH,F)4 |
9.EC.15 | Muscovite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.15 | Nanpingite | CsAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH,F)2 |
9.EC.15 | Paragonite | NaAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.15 | Roscoelite | K(V3+,Al)2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.15 | Tobelite | (NH4,K)Al2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.15 | Aluminoceladonite | K(MgAl◻)(Si4O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.15 | Chromphyllite | K(Cr,Al)2(AlSi3O10)(OH,F)2 |
9.EC.15 | Ferroaluminoceladonite | K(Fe2+Al◻)(Si4O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.15 | Ferroceladonite | K(Fe2+Fe3+◻)(Si4O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.15 | Chromceladonite | K(MgCr◻)(Si4O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.15 | Tainiolite | KLiMg2(Si4O10)F2 |
9.EC.15 | Ganterite | (Ba,Na,K)(Al,Mg)2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.15 | UM1988-22-SiO:AlCaFFeHKLiMg | KLiMgAl2Si3O10F2 |
9.EC.15 | Kreiterite | CsLi2Fe3+(Si4O10)F2 |
9.EC.20 | Annite | KFe2+3(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.20 | Ephesite | NaLiAl2(Al2Si2O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.20 | Hendricksite | KZn3(Si3Al)O10(OH)2 |
9.EC.20 | Masutomilite | (K,Rb)(Li,Mn3+,Al)3(AlSi3O10)(F,OH)2 |
9.EC.20 | Norrishite | KLiMn3+2(Si4O10)O2 |
9.EC.20 | Phlogopite | KMg3(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.20 | Polylithionite | KLi2Al(Si4O10)(F,OH)2 |
9.EC.20 | Preiswerkite | NaMg2Al(Al2Si2O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.20 | Siderophyllite | KFe2+2Al(Al2Si2O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.20 | Tetraferriphlogopite | KMg3(Fe3+Si3O10)(OH,F)2 |
9.EC.20 | Fluorotetraferriphlogopite | KMg3(Fe3+Si3O10)F2 |
9.EC.20 | Wonesite | (Na,K)(Mg,Fe,Al)6((Al,Si)4O10)2(OH,F)4 |
9.EC.20 | Eastonite | KMg2Al(Al2Si2O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.20 | Tetraferriannite | KFe2+3(Si3Fe3+)O10(OH)2 |
9.EC.20 | Trilithionite | K(Li1.5Al1.5)(AlSi3O10)(F,OH)2 |
9.EC.20 | Fluorannite | KFe2+3(Si3Al)O10F2 |
9.EC.20 | Shirokshinite | K(NaMg2)(Si4O10)F2 |
9.EC.20 | Shirozulite | KMn2+3(Si3Al)O10(OH)2 |
9.EC.20 | Sokolovaite | CsLi2Al(Si4O10)F2 |
9.EC.20 | Aspidolite | NaMg3(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.20 | Fluorophlogopite | KMg3(Si3Al)O10F2 |
9.EC.20 | UM2004-49-SiO:AlCsFHKLi | (Cs,K)(Al,Li)2.6((Si,Al)4O10)(F,OH)2 |
9.EC.20 | Suhailite | (NH4)Fe2+3(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.20 | Yangzhumingite | KMg2.5(Si4O10)F2 |
9.EC.20 | Orlovite | KLi2Ti(Si4O10)OF |
9.EC.20 | Oxyphlogopite | K(Mg,Ti,Fe)3[(Si,Al)4O10](O,F)2 |
9.EC.20 | Chloroferrokinoshitalite | (Ba,K)(Fe2+,Mg)3(Al2Si2O10)(Cl,OH,F)2 |
9.EC.22 | Pimelite | Ni3Si4O10(OH)2 · 4H2O |
9.EC.30 | Chlorophaeite | (Ca,Mg,Fe)2Fe2Si4O13 · 10H2O |
9.EC.30 | Margarite | CaAl2(Al2Si2O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.35 | Anandite | (Ba,K)(Fe2+,Mg)3((Si,Al,Fe)4O10)(S,OH)2 |
9.EC.35 | Bityite | CaLiAl2(AlBeSi2O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.35 | Clintonite | CaAlMg2(SiAl3O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.35 | Kinoshitalite | (Ba,K)(Mg,Mn2+,Al)3(Al2Si2O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.35 | Ferrokinoshitalite | (Ba,K)(Fe2+,Mg)3(Al2Si2O10)(OH,F)2 |
9.EC.35 | Oxykinoshitalite | (Ba,K)(Mg,Ti,Fe3+,Fe2+)3((Si,Al)4O10)(O,OH,F)2 |
9.EC.35 | Fluorokinoshitalite | BaMg3(Al2Si2O10)F2 |
9.EC.40 | Beidellite | (Na,Ca0.5)0.3Al2((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O |
9.EC.40 | Kurumsakite | (Zn,Ni,Cu)8Al8V5+2Si5O35 · 27H2O (?) |
9.EC.40 | Montmorillonite | (Na,Ca)0.33(Al,Mg)2(Si4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O |
9.EC.40 | Nontronite | Na0.3Fe2((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O |
9.EC.40 | Volkonskoite | Ca0.3(Cr,Mg,Fe)2((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2 · 4H2O |
9.EC.40 | Yakhontovite | (Ca,Na)0.5(Cu,Fe,Mg)2(Si4O10)(OH)2 · 3H2O |
9.EC.45 | Saponite | Ca0.25(Mg,Fe)3((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O |
9.EC.45 | Sauconite | Na0.3Zn3((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2 · 4H2O |
9.EC.45 | Spadaite | MgSiO2(OH)2 · H2O (?) |
9.EC.45 | Stevensite | (Ca,Na)xMg3-x(Si4O10)(OH)2 |
9.EC.45 | Swinefordite | Li(Al,Li,Mg)3((Si,Al)4O10)2(OH,F)4 · nH2O |
9.EC.45 | Zincsilite | Zn3Si4O10(OH)2 · 4H2O (?) |
9.EC.45 | Ferrosaponite | Ca0.3(Fe2+,Mg,Fe3+)3((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2 · 4H2O |
9.EC.45 | Hanjiangite | Ba2CaV3+Al(H2AlSi3O12)(CO3)2F |
9.EC.50 | Vermiculite | Mg0.7(Mg,Fe,Al)6(Si,Al)8O20(OH)4 · 8H2O |
9.EC.52 | Tarasovite | near NaKAl11Si13O40(OH)9 · 3H2O |
9.EC.55 | Baileychlore | (Zn,Fe2+,Al,Mg)6(Si,Al)4O10(OH)8 |
9.EC.55 | Chamosite | (Fe2+)5Al(Si,Al)4O10(OH,O)8 |
9.EC.55 | Clinochlore | Mg5Al(AlSi3O10)(OH)8 |
9.EC.55 | Cookeite | (LiAl4◻)[AlSi3O10](OH)8 |
9.EC.55 | Franklinfurnaceite | Ca2Fe3+Mn2+3Mn3+(Zn2Si2O10)(OH)8 |
9.EC.55 | Gonyerite | (Mn2+,Mg)5Fe3+(Fe3+Si3O10)(OH)8 |
9.EC.55 | Nimite | (Ni,Mg,Al)6((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)8 |
9.EC.55 | Orthochamosite | (Fe2+,Mg,Fe3+)5Al(AlSi3O10)(OH,O)8 |
9.EC.55 | Pennantite | Mn2+5Al(AlSi3O10)(OH)8 |
9.EC.55 | Sudoite | Mg2Al3(Si3Al)O10)(OH)8 |
9.EC.55 | Donbassite | Al4.33(Si3Al)O10(OH)8 |
9.EC.55 | Glagolevite | Na(Mg,Al)6(AlSi3O10)(OH,O)8 |
9.EC.55 | Borocookeite | (LiAl4◻)[BSi3O10](OH)8 |
9.EC.60 | Aliettite | Ca0.2Mg6((Si,Al)8O20)(OH)4 · 4H2O |
9.EC.60 | Corrensite | (Mg,Fe)9((Si,Al)8O20)(OH)10 · nH2O |
9.EC.60 | Dozyite | Mg7Al2(Al2Si4O15)(OH)12 |
9.EC.60 | Hydrobiotite | K(Mg,Fe2+)6((Si,Al)8O20)(OH)4 · nH2O |
9.EC.60 | Karpinskite | (Ni,Mg)2Si2O5(OH)2 (?) |
9.EC.60 | Kulkeite | Mg8Al(AlSi7O20)(OH)10 |
9.EC.60 | Lunijianlaite | Li0.7Al6.2(AlSi7O20)(OH,O)10 |
9.EC.60 | Rectorite | (Na,Ca)Al4((Si,Al)8O20)(OH)4 · 2H2O |
9.EC.60 | Saliotite | (Li,Na)Al3(AlSi3O10)(OH)5 |
9.EC.60 | Tosudite | Na0.5(Al,Mg)6((Si,Al)8O18)(OH)12 · 5H2O |
9.EC.60 | Brinrobertsite | Na0.3Al4(Si4O10)2(OH)4 · 3.5 H2O |
9.EC.65 | Macaulayite | (Fe,Al)24Si4O43(OH)2 |
9.EC.70 | Burckhardtite | Pb2(Fe3+Te6+)[AlSi3O8]O6 |
9.EC.75 | Ferrisurite | (Pb,Ca)2.4Fe3+2(Si4O10)(CO3)1.7(OH)3 · nH2O |
9.EC.75 | Surite | (Pb,Ca)3(Al,Fe2+,Mg)2((Si,Al)4O10)(CO3)2(OH)2 |
9.EC.75 | Niksergievite | (Ba,Ca)2Al3(AlSi3O10)(CO3)(OH)6 · nH2O |
9.EC.80 | Kegelite | Pb8Al4(Si8O20)(SO4)2(CO3)4(OH)8 |
Other Information
Notes:
Swells on addition of H2O
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Hectorite in petrology
An essential component of rock names highlighted in red, an accessory component in rock names highlighted in green.
Internet Links for Hectorite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1841.html
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References for Hectorite
Reference List:
Localities for Hectorite
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.
Brazil | |
| Robinson et al. (1998) |
France | |
| Chauris (2014) |
Mexico | |
| Gazquez et al. (1) |
Namibia | |
| Fuchsloch et al. (2018) |
| Ashworth (2014) |
Bezing et al. (2007) +1 other reference | |
Romania | |
| Ianovici et al. (1983) |
South America Plate | |
| Schrank et al. (2024) |
USA | |
| azminerals.com |
| Eyde (1986) +1 other reference |
| - (2005) |
| Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 439. +2 other references |
| Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 440. +3 other references |
Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 440. +2 other references | |
Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 440. +2 other references | |
- (2005) | |
Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 377. +3 other references | |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| - (2005) |
| - (2005) |
- (2005) | |
Castor et al. (2004) +1 other reference | |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| - (2005) |
Castor et al. (2004) | |
- (2005) | |
- (2005) | |
Castor et al. (2004) | |
| - (2005) |
| Bullock (1981) |
| Bullock (1981) |
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Lyles Hectorite Mine, Hillside, Thompson Valley, Yavapai County, Arizona, USA