Lonsdaleite
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Kathleen Lonsdale
Formula:
C
Colour:
Transparent brownish-yellow, grayish
Lustre:
Adamantine
Hardness:
7 - 8
Specific Gravity:
3.2
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Name:
For Dame Kathleen Lonsdale (1903-1971), Irish crystallographer who established the structure of benzene by X-ray diffraction methods in 1929. She also worked on the synthesis of diamonds, and was a pioneer in the use of X-rays to study crystals.
Originally described as an allotrope of carbon based on a hexagonal lattice (Bundy & Kasper, 1967).
Németh et al. (2014) demonstrated "lonsdaleite" to be a faulted and twinned cubic diamond. He also showed that other reported carbon polymorphs can be explained by twinning and stacking faults.
Németh et al. (2014) demonstrated "lonsdaleite" to be a faulted and twinned cubic diamond. He also showed that other reported carbon polymorphs can be explained by twinning and stacking faults.
Classification of Lonsdaleite
Approved
First Published:
1967
1/B.02-50
1.CB.10b
1 : ELEMENTS (Metals and intermetallic alloys; metalloids and nonmetals; carbides, silicides, nitrides, phosphides)
C : Metalloids and Nonmetals
B : Carbon-silicon family
1 : ELEMENTS (Metals and intermetallic alloys; metalloids and nonmetals; carbides, silicides, nitrides, phosphides)
C : Metalloids and Nonmetals
B : Carbon-silicon family
Dana 7th ed.:
1.3.5.3
1.3.6.3
1 : NATIVE ELEMENTS AND ALLOYS
3 : Semi-metals and non-metals
1 : NATIVE ELEMENTS AND ALLOYS
3 : Semi-metals and non-metals
1.27
1 : Elements and Alloys (including the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au)
1 : Elements and Alloys (including the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au)
Physical Properties of Lonsdaleite
Adamantine
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Transparent brownish-yellow, grayish
Hardness:
7 - 8 on Mohs scale
Hardness Data:
Measured
Comment:
imperfections in natural Lonsdaleite reduce hardness, artificial material has tested harder than diamond (>10) , See Physical Review letters (2009)
Density:
3.2 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.51 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Lonsdaleite
Type:
Uniaxial (+/-)
RI values:
nα = 2.404 nβ = 2.404
Max Birefringence:
δ = 2.404
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:
Very High
Chemical Properties of Lonsdaleite
Formula:
C
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Lonsdaleite
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Class (H-M):
6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) - Dihexagonal Dipyramidal
Space Group:
P63/mmc
Cell Parameters:
a = 2.51 Å, c = 4.12 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 1.641
Unit Cell V:
22.48 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Fine grained aggregates
Type Occurrence of Lonsdaleite
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Meteorite
Synonyms of Lonsdaleite
Other Language Names for Lonsdaleite
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping
Related Minerals - Dana Grouping (8th Ed.)
Related Minerals - Hey's Chemical Index of Minerals Grouping
| 1.1 | Copper | Cu | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fm3m |
| 1.2 | Silver | Ag | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fm3m |
| 1.5 | Gold | Au | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fm3m |
| 1.6 | Auricupride | Cu3Au | Orth. |
| 1.7 | Tetra-auricupride | AuCu | Tet. |
| 1.8 | Zinc | Zn | Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P63/mmc |
| 1.9 | Cadmium | Cd | Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P63/mmc |
| 1.10 | Danbaite | CuZn2 | Iso. |
| 1.11 | Zhanghengite | CuZn | Iso. |
| 1.12 | Mercury | Hg | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
| 1.13 | Kolymite | Cu7Hg6 | Iso. |
| 1.14 | Moschellandsbergite | Ag2Hg3 | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) |
| 1.15 | Eugenite | Ag11Hg2 | Iso. |
| 1.16 | Schachnerite | Ag1.1Hg0.9 | Hex. |
| 1.17 | Paraschachnerite | Ag3Hg2 | Orth. |
| 1.18 | Luanheite | Ag3Hg | Hex. |
| 1.19 | Weishanite | (Au,Ag,Hg) | Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P63/mmc |
| 1.20 | Indium | In | Tet. |
| 1.21 | Aluminium | Al | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fm3m |
| 1.22 | Khatyrkite | (Cu,Zn)Al2 | Tet. |
| 1.23 | Cupalite | (Cu,Zn)Al | Orth. |
| 1.24 | Diamond | C | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fd3m |
| 1.25 | Graphite | C | Hex. 6mm : P63mc |
| 1.26 | Chaoite | C | Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P6/mmm |
| 1.28 | Silicon | Si | |
| 1.29 | Tin | Sn | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : I41/amd |
| 1.30 | Lead | Pb | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fm3m |
| 1.31 | Anyuiite | AuPb2 | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : I4/mcm |
| 1.31 | Novodneprite | AuPb3 | Tet. 4 2m : I4 2m |
| 1.32 | Leadamalgam | Pb0.7Hg0.3 | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : I4/mmm |
| 1.33 | Arsenic | As | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
| 1.34 | Arsenolamprite | As | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
| 1.35 | Paxite | CuAs2 | Mon. |
| 1.36 | Koutekite | Cu5As2 | Hex. |
| 1.37 | Domeykite | Cu3As | Iso. 4 3m : I4 3d |
| 1.38 | Algodonite | (Cu1-xAsx) | Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P63/mmc |
| 1.39 | Novákite | Cu20AgAs10 | Mon. |
| 1.40 | Kutinaite | Ag6Cu14As7 | Iso. |
| 1.41 | Antimony | Sb | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
| 1.42 | Stibarsen | AsSb | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
| 1.43 | Paradocrasite | Sb3As | Mon. 2 : B2 |
| 1.44 | Horsfordite | Cu, Sb | |
| 1.45 | Cuprostibite | Cu2(Sb,Tl) | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : P4/nmm |
| 1.46 | Allargentum | (Ag1-xSbx) | Hex. |
| 1.47 | Aurostibite | AuSb2 | Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3 |
| 1.48 | Dyscrasite | Ag3Sb | Orth. mm2 : Pmm2 |
| 1.49 | Bismuth | Bi | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
| 1.50 | Maldonite | Au2Bi | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fd3m |
| 1.51 | Sulphur | S8 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Fddd |
| 1.52 | Rosickýite | S | Mon. 2/m : P2/b |
| 1.53 | Selenium | Se | Trig. 3 2 : P31 2 1 |
| 1.54 | Tellurium | Te | Trig. 3 2 : P31 2 1 |
| 1.55 | Chromium | Cr | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Im3m |
| 1.56 | Rhenium | Re | Hex. |
| 1.57 | Iron | Fe | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Im3m |
| 1.58 | Chromferide | Fe3Cr1-x (x=0.6) | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Pm3m |
| 1.59 | Ferchromide | Cr3Fe1-x | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Pm3m |
| 1.60 | Wairauite | CoFe | |
| 1.61 | Nickel | Ni | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fm3m |
| 1.62 | Kamacite | (Fe,Ni) | Iso. |
| 1.63 | Taenite | (Fe,Ni) | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fm3m |
| 1.64 | Tetrataenite | FeNi | Tet. |
| 1.65 | Awaruite | Ni3Fe | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fm3m |
| 1.66 | Palladium | (Pd,Pt) | |
| 1.67 | Potarite | PdHg | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : P4/mmm |
| 1.68 | Paolovite | Pd2Sn | Orth. |
| 1.69 | Stannopalladinite | (Pd,Cu)3Sn2 | Hex. |
| 1.70 | Cabriite | Pd2CuSn | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pmmm |
| 1.71 | Taimyrite | (Pd,Cu,Pt)3Sn | Orth. |
| 1.72 | Atokite | (Pd,Pt)3Sn | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fm3m |
| 1.73 | Rustenburgite | (Pt,Pd)3Sn | |
| 1.74 | Zvyagintsevite | Pd3Pb | Iso. |
| 1.75 | Plumbopalladinite | Pd3Pb2 | Hex. |
| 1.76 | Osmium | (Os,Ir,Ru) | Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P63/mmc |
| 1.77 | Iridium | (Ir,Os,Ru) | Iso. |
| 1.82 | Platinum | Pt | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fm3m |
| 1.83 | Hongshiite | PtCu | Trig. |
| 1.84 | Niggliite | PtSn | Hex. |
| 1.85 | Isoferroplatinum | Pt3Fe | Iso. |
| 1.86 | Tetraferroplatinum | PtFe | Tet. |
| 1.87 | Tulameenite | Pt2CuFe | Tet. |
| 1.88 | Ferronickelplatinum | Pt2FeNi | Tet. |
| 1.89 | Rhodium | (Rh,Pt) | Iso. |
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.
References for Lonsdaleite
Reference List:
Sort by Year (asc) | by Year (desc) | by Author (A-Z) | by Author (Z-A)
Frondel, C. & Marvin, U.B. (1967): Lonsdaleite, a new hexagonal polymorph of diamond. Nature 214, 587-589.
Frondel, C. & Marvin, U.B. (1967): Lonsdaleite, a hexagonal polymorph of diamond. American Mineralogist 52, 1579-xx.
Hanneman RE, Strong HM, Bundy FP (1967): Hexagonal diamonds in meteorites: implications. Science 155, 995-997.
Bundy, F. P., Kasper, J. S. (1967): Hexagonal Diamond—A New Form of Carbon. Journal of Chemical Physics 46 (9), 3437-3446.
Kaminskii, F.V., G.K. Blinova, E.M. Galimov, G.A. Gurkina, Y.A. Klyuev, L.A. Kodina, V.I. Koptil, V.F. Krivonos, L.N. Frolova, and A.Y. Khrenov (1985): Polycrystalline aggregates of diamond with lonsdaleite from Yakutian [Sakhan] placers. Mineral. Zhurnal 7, 27-36.
He, Hongliang, Sekine, T. & Kobayashi, T. (2002): Direct transformation of cubic diamond to hexagonal diamond. Applied Physics Letters 81 (4), 610.
Physical Review letters (2009) 102, 055503 DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.102.055503
Péter Németh, Laurence A. J. Garvie, Toshihiro Aoki, Natalia Dubrovinskaia, Leonid Dubrovinsky & Peter R. Buseck (2014): Lonsdaleite is faulted and twinned cubic diamond and does not exist as a discrete material. Nature Communications, 5, article 5447.
Internet Links for Lonsdaleite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2431.html
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Localities for Lonsdaleite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for 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 | |
| Nature 291:396-398 (1981) |
Australia | |
| Gennady P. Vdovykin (1970). Ureilites. Space Science Reviews 10, #4, 483-510. |
| Vdovykin, G. P. (1970) Ureilites: Space Science Reviews 10(4): 483-510. (Feb 1970). | |
China | |
| I. Leung and R. Winston, Eos. Trans. AGU, 83(47), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract #####-##, 2002, MR61A-1028 0830h POSTER |
Finland | |
| Vdovykin, G.P. 1972. Forms of carbon in the new Haverö ureilite of Finland. Meteoritics 7 (4) 547-552. |
India | |
| Gennady P. Vdovykin (1970). Ureilites. Space Science Reviews 10, #4, 483-510. |
| Gennady P. Vdovykin (1970). Ureilites. Space Science Reviews 10, #4, 483-510. |
Russia | |
| Kvasnytsya, V., Wirth, R., Dobrzhinetskaya, L., Matzel, J., Jacobsen, B., Hutcheon, I., ... & Kovalyukh, M. (2013). New evidence of meteoritic origin of the Tunguska cosmic body. Planetary and Space Science, 84, 131-140. |
| P.H. Nixon, (1995) The morphology and nature of primary diamondiferous occurrences, Journal of Geochemical Exploration, Volume 53, Issues 1–3, March 1995, Pages 41-71 | |
| Ohfuji, H., Irifune, T., Litasov, K. D., Yamashita, T., Isobe, F., Afanasiev, V. P., & Pokhilenko, N. P. (2015). Natural occurrence of pure nano-polycrystalline diamond from impact crater. Scientific reports, 5, 14702. | |
| Gennady P. Vdovykin (1970). Ureilites. Space Science Reviews 10, #4, 483-510. |
| Seliverstov V.A., Gorshkov A.I., Shcheka S.A., Sivtsov A.V. (1996) Diamonds and carbonadoof Primorskii Krai: mineralogy, crystal; chemistry and genesis, - Geologiya Rudnyh Mestorozhdenii, v.38, №6, p.485-499 (in Russian). |
USA (TL) | |
| Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 203, 280; Frondel, C. & U.B. Marvin (1967a), Lonsdaleite, a new hexagonal polymorph of diamond. Nature: 214: 587-589; Frondel, C. & U.B. Marvin (1967b), Lonsdaleite, a hexagonal polymorph of diamond, Am.Min.: 52: 1576. |
| Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, vol. 40, Dec. 1976, p. 1429-1437. |