Humite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
This page kindly sponsored by Robert M. Hazen
About Humite
Sir Abraham Hume
Formula:
Mg7(SiO4)3F2
a n=3 member of the polysomatic series; the above Mindat Formula is the now-accepted (IMA CNMNC Newsletter 63) end-member formula
Colour:
White, yellow, dark orange or brown.
Lustre:
Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous, Resinous
Hardness:
6
Specific Gravity:
3.20 - 3.32
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1813 by Jacques Louis, Comte de Bournon in honour of Sir Abraham Hume [February 20, 1749 London, England, UK – March 24, 1838 Wormley Bury. England, UK], English connoisseur and collector of gems, minerals and artwork.
Dimorph of:
Humite is a mineral closely related to and resembling norbergite, chondrodite and clinohumite. These minerals are very difficult to distinguish. Humite appears to have a narrower field of stability (bulk chemistry and temperature) than clinohumite, chondrodite and norbergite. Humite is often associated with one or more of the other humite-group minerals, often as intergrowths. Humite may in such cases often be a late stage overgrowth.
NOTE: Many papers and articles do not distinguish between the mineral humite and the humite group of minerals, consequently several literature references and also MinDat locality entries may be incorrectly attributed to the mineral humite rather than the mineral group.
A synthetic, isotypic hydroxyl analogue is known (Wunder et al., 1995); the Unnamed (OH-analogue of humite) has subsequently been found in nature.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Humite.
NOTE: Many papers and articles do not distinguish between the mineral humite and the humite group of minerals, consequently several literature references and also MinDat locality entries may be incorrectly attributed to the mineral humite rather than the mineral group.
A synthetic, isotypic hydroxyl analogue is known (Wunder et al., 1995); the Unnamed (OH-analogue of humite) has subsequently been found in nature.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Humite.Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1947
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1947:3
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
d380cc9b-6552-4255-a504-2deed4998ed3
IMA Classification of Humite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
Classification of Humite
9.AF.50
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
F : Nesosilicates with additional anions; cations in [4], [5] and/or only [6] coordination
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
F : Nesosilicates with additional anions; cations in [4], [5] and/or only [6] coordination
52.3.2c.1
52 : NESOSILICATES Insular SiO4 Groups and O,OH,F,H2O
3 : Insular SiO4 Groups and O, OH, F, and H2O with cations in [6] coordination only
52 : NESOSILICATES Insular SiO4 Groups and O,OH,F,H2O
3 : Insular SiO4 Groups and O, OH, F, and H2O with cations in [6] coordination only
17.1.11
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Hu | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Hu | Kretz (1983) | Kretz, R. (1983) Symbols of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 68, 277–279. |
| Hu | Siivolam & Schmid (2007) | Siivolam, J. and Schmid, R. (2007) Recommendations by the IUGS Subcommission on the Systematics of Metamorphic Rocks: List of mineral abbreviations. Web-version 01.02.07. IUGS Commission on the Systematics in Petrology. download |
| Hu | 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 |
| Hu | 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 Humite
Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous, Resinous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
White, yellow, dark orange or brown.
Streak:
White
Hardness:
6 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Poor/Indistinct
Poor on {100}
Poor on {100}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Sub-Conchoidal
Density:
3.20 - 3.32 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.201 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Humite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.607 - 1.643 nβ = 1.619 - 1.653 nγ = 1.639 - 1.675
2V:
Measured: 68° to 81°, Calculated: 70° to 78°
Birefringence:
0.032
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.032
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:
weak
Optical Extinction:
Parallel
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Humite
Mindat Formula:
Mg7(SiO4)3F2
a n=3 member of the polysomatic series; the above Mindat Formula is the now-accepted (IMA CNMNC Newsletter 63) end-member formula
a n=3 member of the polysomatic series; the above Mindat Formula is the now-accepted (IMA CNMNC Newsletter 63) end-member formula
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Ti,Al,Mn,Ca
Crystallography of Humite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pnma
Setting:
Pnma
Cell Parameters:
a = 4.7408(1) Å, b = 10.2580(2) Å, c = 20.8526(4) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.462 : 1 : 2.033
Unit Cell V:
1,014.09 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Comment:
Non-standard space-group setting Pbnm, data from Ribbe & Gibbs (1971).
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0000250 | Humite | Ribbe P H, Gibbs G V (1971) Crystal structures of the humite minerals: III. Mg/Fe ordering in humite and its relation to other ferromagnesian silicates American Mineralogist 56 1155-1173 |  | 1971 | 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 |
|---|---|
| 10.42 Å | (6) |
| 5.17 Å | (10) |
| 5.11 Å | (10) |
| 4.97 Å | (18) |
| 4.59 Å | (20) |
| 4.20 Å | (2) |
| 3.97 Å | (6) |
| 3.90 Å | (12) |
| 3.66 Å | (6) |
| 3.64 Å | (50) |
| 3.47 Å | (6) |
| 3.453 Å | (30) |
| 3.430 Å | (25) |
| 3.312 Å | (30) |
| 3.119 Å | (8) |
| 3.102 Å | (8) |
| 2.980 Å | (6) |
| 2.885 Å | (6) |
| 2.770 Å | (20) |
| 2.744 Å | (30) |
| 2.691 Å | (50) |
| 2.674 Å | (6) |
| 2.589 Å | (8) |
| 2.572 Å | (40) |
| 2.490 Å | (4) |
| 2.453 Å | (4) |
| 2.443 Å | (30) |
| 2.438 Å | (70) |
| 2.399 Å | (20) |
| 2.308 Å | (8) |
| 2.304 Å | (12) |
| 2.297 Å | (8) |
| 2.256 Å | (100) |
| 2.251 Å | (35) |
| 2.218 Å | (18) |
| 2.189 Å | (8) |
| 2.158 Å | (6) |
| 2.107 Å | (40) |
| 2.103 Å | (30) |
| 2.057 Å | (6) |
| 1.920 Å | (6) |
| 1.881 Å | (8) |
| 1.867 Å | (8) |
| 1.850 Å | (2) |
| 1.814 Å | (6) |
| 1.794 Å | (2) |
| 1.779 Å | (6) |
| 1.772 Å | (6) |
| 1.7477 Å | (6) |
| 1.7387 Å | (65) |
Comments:
ICDD 12-755 and 12-755a with 22 more lines including 1.4786 (70)
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 3a: Earth’s earliest Hadean crust | >4.50 |
| 7 : Ultramafic igneous rocks | |
| High-𝑇 alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 31 : Thermally altered carbonate, phosphate, and iron formations | |
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 36 : Carbonatites, kimberlites, and related igneous rocks | |
| Stage 5: Initiation of plate tectonics | <3.5-2.5 |
| 40 : Regional metamorphism (greenschist, amphibolite, granulite facies) |
Type Occurrence of Humite
Synonyms of Humite
Other Language Names for Humite
Relationship of Humite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
| Chondrodite | Mg5(SiO4)2F2 | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Clinohumite | Mg9(SiO4)4F2 | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Hydroxylchondrodite | Mg5(SiO4)2(OH)2 | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Hydroxylclinohumite | Mg9(SiO4)4(OH)2 | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Norbergite | Mg3(SiO4)F2 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
| Unnamed (OH-analogue of humite) | Mg7(SiO4)3(OH)2 | Orth. |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 20 photos of Humite associated with Spinel | MgAl2O4 |
| 19 photos of Humite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 8 photos of Humite associated with Phlogopite | KMg3(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| 7 photos of Humite associated with Magnetite | Fe2+Fe3+2O4 |
| 6 photos of Humite associated with Aragonite | CaCO3 |
| 3 photos of Humite associated with Biotite | K(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2 |
| 3 photos of Humite associated with Chondrodite | Mg5(SiO4)2F2 |
| 3 photos of Humite associated with Franklinite | Zn2+Fe3+2O4 |
| 2 photos of Humite associated with Diopside | CaMgSi2O6 |
| 2 photos of Humite associated with Sodalite | Na4(Si3Al3)O12Cl |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.AF. | Chegemite | Ca7(SiO4)3(OH)2 |
| 9.AF. | Barwoodite | Mn2+6Nb5+(SiO4)2O3(OH)3 |
| 9.AF. | Jingwenite-(Y) | YAlV4+(SiO4)O2(OH)2 |
| 9.AF.05 | Sillimanite | Al2(SiO4)O |
| 9.AF.05 | Xenolite | Al10Si8O31 |
| 9.AF.10 | Andalusite | Al2(SiO4)O |
| 9.AF.10 | Kanonaite | Mn3+Al(SiO4)O |
| 9.AF.15 | Kyanite | Al2(SiO4)O |
| 9.AF.20 | Mullite | Al4+2xSi2-2xO10-x |
| 9.AF.20 | Krieselite | Al2(GeO4)F2 |
| 9.AF.23 | Boromullite | Al9BSi2O19 |
| 9.AF.25 | Yoderite | Mg(Al,Fe3+)3(SiO4)2O(OH) |
| 9.AF.30 | Magnesiostaurolite | Mg(Mg,Li)3(Al,Mg)18Si8O44(OH)4 |
| 9.AF.30 | Staurolite | Fe2+2Al9Si4O23(OH) |
| 9.AF.30 | Zincostaurolite | Zn2Al9Si4O23(OH) |
| 9.AF.35 | Topaz | Al2(SiO4)(F,OH)2 |
| 9.AF.40 | Norbergite | Mg3(SiO4)F2 |
| 9.AF.45 | Alleghanyite | Mn2+5(SiO4)2(OH)2 |
| 9.AF.45 | Chondrodite | Mg5(SiO4)2F2 |
| 9.AF.45 | Reinhardbraunsite | Ca5(SiO4)2(OH,F)2 |
| 9.AF.45 | Kumtyubeite | Ca5(SiO4)2F2 |
| 9.AF.45 | Hydroxylchondrodite | Mg5(SiO4)2(OH)2 |
| 9.AF.50 | Manganhumite | (Mn2+,Mg)7(SiO4)3(OH)2 |
| 9.AF.50 | Unnamed (Ca-analogue of Humite) | Ca7(SiO4)4F2 |
| 9.AF.50 | Fluorchegemite | Ca7(SiO4)3F2 |
| 9.AF.50 | Unnamed (OH-analogue of humite) | Mg7(SiO4)3(OH)2 |
| 9.AF.55 | Clinohumite | Mg9(SiO4)4F2 |
| 9.AF.55 | Sonolite | Mn2+9(SiO4)4(OH)2 |
| 9.AF.55 | Hydroxylclinohumite | Mg9(SiO4)4(OH)2 |
| 9.AF.60 | Leucophoenicite | Mn2+7(SiO4)3(OH)2 |
| 9.AF.65 | Ribbeite | Mn2+5(SiO4)2(OH)2 |
| 9.AF.70 | Jerrygibbsite | Mn2+9(SiO4)4(OH)2 |
| 9.AF.75 | Franciscanite | Mn2+6(V5+,◻)2(SiO4)2(O,OH)6 |
| 9.AF.75 | Örebroite | Mn2+3(Sb5+,Fe3+)(SiO4)(O,OH)3 |
| 9.AF.75 | Welinite | Mn2+6(W6+,Mg)2(SiO4)2(O,OH)6 |
| 9.AF.75 | Scorticoite | Mn6(Sb,◻)Σ2(SiO4)2O3(OH)3 |
| 9.AF.80 | Ellenbergerite | Mg6(Mg,Ti,Zr,◻)2(Al,Mg)6Si8O28(OH)10 |
| 9.AF.85 | Chloritoid | (Fe2+,Mg,Mn2+)Al2(SiO4)O(OH)2 |
| 9.AF.85 | Magnesiochloritoid | MgAl2(SiO4)O(OH)2 |
| 9.AF.85 | Ottrélite | (Mn2+,Fe2+,Mg)Al2(SiO4)O(OH)2 |
| 9.AF.90 | Poldervaartite | CaCa[SiO3(OH)](OH) |
| 9.AF.90 | Olmiite | CaMn2+[SiO3(OH)](OH) |
| 9.AF.95 | Pilawite-(Y) | Ca2Y2Al4(SiO4)4O2(OH)2 |
Fluorescence of Humite
Sometimes fluoresces weak pale-yellow in SW. May be confused with norbergite or chondrodite that may have a bright fluorescent response, but chondrodite does not always fluoresce.
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 Humite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1947.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 Humite
Reference List:
Ribbe, P. H., Gibbs, G. V. (1971) Crystal structures of the humite minerals: III. Mg /Fe ordering in humite and its relation to other ferromagnesian silicates. American Mineralogist, 56 (5-6) 1155-1173
Frost, Ray L., Palmer, Sara J., Bouzaid, Jocelyn M., Reddy, B. Jagannadha (2007) A Raman spectroscopic study of humite minerals. Journal of Raman Spectroscopy, 38 (1). 68-77 doi:10.1002/jrs.1601
Localities for Humite
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.
Antarctica | |
| Andronikov et al. (2021) |
Australia | |
| D.J Kilpatrick and P.A Roberts (1982) +1 other reference |
Austria | |
| Niedermayr et al. (1995) |
| Stephan Hoernes and Edgar Hoffer (1973) |
Brazil | |
| Mesquita et al. (2017) |
| Souza Neto et al. (2008) |
Canada | |
| Abersteiner et al. (2018) |
| 162-165. +1 other reference |
| Hull-Maniwaki +1 other reference |
| Tenney et al. (1967-1980) |
China | |
| Jingwen Mao et al. (2009) +3 other references |
| Zhao et al. (1999) +1 other reference |
| Yuanming Pan and Ping Dong (1999) |
| Laigeng Yang (1989) |
| Jinyan Yao (1994) |
| Xiangzhen Meng and Meifang Zhao (1985) |
| Guoxi Ma (2002) | |
| Sergey M. Rodionov et al. (2010) |
| Huang et al. (2024) |
| Yuanming Pan and Ping Dong (1999) |
| Jianwei Li et al. (2008) | |
| Dequan Zhang and Lihua Wang (1988) |
| Zhang et al. (2017) |
| Zhang Peishan et al. (1996) +1 other reference | |
| Yi-Li et al. (2023) | |
| Wang et al. (2018) |
| Baogui Zhang (1996) |
| Mingshou Yang (1983) |
| Matsuda (1969) +1 other reference |
| - (1978) +3 other references |
| - (1978) | |
| Jingdang Liu et al. (2005) | |
| wrgis.wr.usgs.gov (2004) |
| Wang +10 other references |
| Xiaoyu Li (2005) |
| Yushuai Yu et al. (2012) |
| Fang et al. (2024) |
| Yunnan Metallurgical Geology Team No. 310 (1977) |
Finland | |
| Arhe |
| Hytönen (1999) |
France | |
| De Ascenção Guedes et al. (2002) |
Germany | |
| Weiß (1990) +1 other reference |
| Weiß (1990) |
Greenland | |
| Dymek (1987) |
India | |
| Srinivasan (1977) +1 other reference |
| Satish-Kumar et al. (2001) |
Indonesia | |
| New (2006) |
Italy | |
| Balassone et al. (2024) +1 other reference |
| Chukanov (2014) |
| Russo et al. (2004) +2 other references |
| Carati M. |
| www.gmgn.it (n.d.) |
| Balassone et al. (2002) +1 other reference |
| D. Colzada - V. De Michele - località mineralogiche consigliate: S. Giorgio di Novate Mezola (SO) |
Japan | |
| Fukuoka et al. (1988) |
Kyrgyzstan | |
| Soloviev (2011) |
Madagascar | |
| Wolfgang Hampel |
Mexico | |
| Espinosa Perea (1999) |
Myanmar | |
| Myint et al. (2022) |
Poland | |
| Schumacher K. (1878) |
Romania | |
| Hîrtopanu et al. (2003) | |
| Marincea (2000) |
| Hirtopanu et al. (2013) |
| Hirtopanu (2006) +1 other reference |
Russia | |
| Koneva A.A. et al. (2010) |
| Mills et al. (2012) | |
| Lennikov et al. (2004) |
| Potter et al. (2017) |
| Chukanov (2014) |
| Aleksandrov et al. (2009) |
| [World of Stones 12:49] | |
| Sharygin I.S. (2001) +1 other reference |
| Sharygin (2016) |
| Svetlitskaya et al. (2022) |
Spain | |
| Curras et al. (1992) |
| Dill et al. (2023) |
| Laverov et al. (2008) |
Sweden | |
| Öhman et al. (2000) |
| Jansson et al. (2013) |
| Gatedal (n.d.) |
| G von Rath (?) |
| Gatedal (n.d.) |
| Wilke (1997) |
| Gatedal (n.d.) |
| Hj. Sjøgren (1894) |
| Sandström et al. (2009) |
| Rocks & Min.: 63:145 +3 other references | |
| Östra Värmlands Mineral Society | |
| Imaña et al. (2005, January) +1 other reference |
| geonord.se (n.d.) |
| Holtstam et al. (2023) |
| Gatedal (n.d.) +1 other reference |
Tajikistan | |
| Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) |
UK | |
| Render (n.d.) |
| |
USA | |
| Min Rec 35:5 pp383-404 |
| Barton (1987) +1 other reference |
| [micromounts@yahoogroups.com] |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| King et al. (1994) |
| Shannon (1923) |
| Dunn (1995) |
| Dunn (1995) | |
| Dunn (1995) |
| Virginia T. McLemore et al. (2000) |
| - (Januzzi, 1966, 1989) +1 other reference |
| A Listing of North Carolina Minerals- ... | |
| Staargaard (2009) |
| Nolan et al. (1935) +1 other reference |
| Nolan et al. (1935) +2 other references | |
| Rocks & Min. Vol. 71 (1996) |
| R. Derkey +1 other reference |
Vietnam | |
| Garnier et al. (2008) |
| Malsy et al. (2010) | |
| Christian Bracke Collection. | |
| Pham Van Long et al. (2004) |
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Mount Somma, Somma-Vesuvius Complex, Naples, Campania, Italy