Natron
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About Natron
Formula:
Na2CO3 · 10H2O
Colour:
Colourless to white, greyish, yellowish; colourless in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
1 - 1½
Specific Gravity:
1.478
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
In allusion to its sodium content (Latin = NATRium).
This page provides mineralogical data about Natron.
Classification of Natron
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
5/D.02-20
5.CB.10
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
C : Carbonates without additional anions, with H2O
B : With large cations (alkali and alkali-earth carbonates)
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
C : Carbonates without additional anions, with H2O
B : With large cations (alkali and alkali-earth carbonates)
15.1.2.1
15 : HYDRATED NORMAL CARBONATES
1 : A(XO3)·xH2O
15 : HYDRATED NORMAL CARBONATES
1 : A(XO3)·xH2O
11.1.7
11 : Carbonates
1 : Carbonates of the alkali metals and ammonium
11 : Carbonates
1 : Carbonates of the alkali metals and ammonium
Pronounciation of Natron
Pronounciation:
Play | Recorded by | Country |
---|---|---|
Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Natron
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Colourless to white, greyish, yellowish; colourless in transmitted light.
Hardness:
1 - 1½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
On {001} distinct; on {010} imperfect; on {110} in traces.
On {001} distinct; on {010} imperfect; on {110} in traces.
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
1.478 g/cm3 (Measured)
Optical Data of Natron
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.405 nβ = 1.425 nγ = 1.440
2V:
Measured: 71° , Calculated: 80°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.035

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:
r > v
Chemical Properties of Natron
Formula:
Na2CO3 · 10H2O
IMA Formula:
Na2(CO3) · 10H2O
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Natron
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P2/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 12.75 Å, b = 9 Å, c = 12.6 Å
β = 115.85°
β = 115.85°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.417 : 1 : 1.4
Unit Cell V:
1,301.18 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Occurs naturally only as crystalline, granular, and columnar crusts. Artificial crystals somewhat tabular {010} with varying development of the [100] and [001] zones.
Twinning:
On {001}.
Synonyms of Natron
Other Language Names for Natron
Common Associates
Calcite | CaCO3 |
Gaylussite | Na2Ca(CO3)2 · 5H2O |
Thermonatrite | Na2CO3 · H2O |
Trona | Na3H(CO3)2 · 2H2O |
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping
5.CB.05 | Thermonatrite | Na2CO3 · H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pmmm |
5.CB.15 | Trona | Na3H(CO3)2 · 2H2O | Mon. 2/m |
5.CB.20 | Monohydrocalcite | CaCO3 · H2O | Trig. 3 : P31 |
5.CB.25 | Ikaite | CaCO3 · 6H2O | Mon. |
5.CB.30 | Pirssonite | Na2Ca(CO3)2 · 2H2O | Orth. mm2 : Fdd2 |
5.CB.35 | Gaylussite | Na2Ca(CO3)2 · 5H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
5.CB.40 | Chalconatronite | Na2Cu(CO3)2 · 3H2O | Mon. 2/m |
5.CB.45 | Baylissite | K2Mg(CO3)2 · 4H2O | Mon. |
5.CB.50 | Tuliokite | Na6BaTh(CO3)6 · 6H2O | Trig. |
Related Minerals - Hey's Chemical Index of Minerals Grouping
11.1.1 | Zabuyelite | Li2CO3 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
11.1.2 | Natrite | Na2CO3 | Mon. |
11.1.3 | Nahcolite | NaHCO3 | Mon. 2/m |
11.1.4 | Wegscheiderite | Na5H3(CO3)4 | Tric. 1 : P1 |
11.1.5 | Thermonatrite | Na2CO3 · H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pmmm |
11.1.6 | Trona | Na3H(CO3)2 · 2H2O | Mon. 2/m |
11.1.8 | Kalicinite | KHCO3 | Mon. 2/m |
11.1.9 | Shortite | Na2Ca2(CO3)3 | Orth. mm2 : Amm2 |
11.1.10 | Nyerereite | Na2Ca(CO3)2 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Cmcm |
11.1.11 | Natrofairchildite | Na2Ca(CO3)2 | Orth. |
11.1.12 | Zemkorite | Na2Ca(CO3)2 | Hex. |
11.1.13 | Pirssonite | Na2Ca(CO3)2 · 2H2O | Orth. mm2 : Fdd2 |
11.1.14 | Gaylussite | Na2Ca(CO3)2 · 5H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
11.1.15 | Baylissite | K2Mg(CO3)2 · 4H2O | Mon. |
11.1.16 | Fairchildite | K2Ca(CO3)2 | Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P63/mmc |
11.1.17 | Bütschliite | K2Ca(CO3)2 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
11.1.18 | Teschemacherite | (NH4)HCO3 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pccn |
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:
Melting Point: 34.5°.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Natron in petrology
An essential component of rock names highlighted in red, an accessory component in rock names highlighted in green.
References for Natron
Reference List:
Sort by Year (asc) | by Year (desc) | by Author (A-Z) | by Author (Z-A)
de Lisle, Romé (1783) Cristallographie, ou description des formes propres à tous les corps du regne minéral. 4 volumes, Paris: 1: 149 (as Cristaux d'alkali fixe minéral).
Haüy, R.J. (1801) Traité de minéralogie. First edition: in 4 volumes with atlas in fol., Paris: 2: 374 (as Souda carbonatée).
Hausmann, J.F.L. (1813) Handbuch der Mineralogie 3 volumes, Göttingen. Second edition: 832 (as Soda).
Brooke (1823) Annalen der Physik, Halle, Leipzig: 6: 287 (as Subcarbonate of Soda)
Mohs, F. (1824) Grundriss der Mineralogie. 2 volumes, Dresden: 2: 27 (as Hemiprismatisches Natronsalz).
Zippe, F.X.M. (1839) Physiographie des Mineralreichs. Vienna: 2: 29.
Weisbach, Albin (1875) Synopsis mineralogical, systematische Übersicht des Mineralreiches. 78 pp., Freiberg: 7 (as Natrit).
Goldschmidt, V. (1886) Index der Krystallformen der Mineralien. 3 volumes, vol. 3, 420p.: 139.
Hintze, Carl (1916) Handbuch der Mineralogie. Berlin and Leipzig. 6 volumes: I(3A): 2778.
Goldschmidt, V. (1922) Atlas der Krystallformen. 9 volumes, atlas, and text, vol. 8: 63.
Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: Halides, Nitrates, Borates, Carbonates, Sulfates, Phosphates, Arsenates, Tungstates, Molybdates, Etc. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged: 230-231.
Acta Crystallographica (1969): B25: 2656-2658.
Internet Links for Natron
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2858.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
Localities for Natron
Locality List




All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Antarctica | |
| Liu, T. and Bish, D.L. (2010) MINERALOGICAL COMPOSITIONS OF THE EVAPORITES AT LEWIS CLIFF ICE TONGUE, ANTARCTICA: A POTENTIAL MARTIAN ANALOG. 41st Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (2010) |
Austria | |
| A.Csaplovics (2014) |
Götzinger, M. A. (2009): Die Salzminerale des Seewinkels, Burgenland. | |
Bolivia | |
| USGS Bulletin # 1975, (1992) |
Canada | |
| Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 231. |
| Horváth, L and Gault, R.A. (1990), The mineralogy of Mont Saint-Hilaire Quebec. Mineralogical Record: 21: 284-359. |
| Last, W. M. (1990). Paleochemistry and paleohydrology of Ceylon Lake, a salt-dominated playa basin in the northern Great Plains, Canada. Journal of Paleolimnology, 4(3), 219-238. |
China | |
| Zhenmi Liu (2000): Journal of Salt Lake Research 29(3), 21-26 |
| Xiyu Zheng and Shengsong Yu (1981): Scientia Geographica Sinica 1(1), 66-76; Shaoxiu Yang (1991): Journal of Lake Sciences 3(1), 1-10 |
| Qian Wu, Mianping Zheng, Zhen Nie, and Lingzhong Bu (2013): Chinese Journal of Inorganic Chemistry 29(1), 36-44 |
Xifang Liu and Mianping Zheng (2010): Acta Geologica Sinica 89(11), 1601-1612 | |
Xiyu Zheng and Shengsong Yu (1981): Scientia Geographica Sinica 1(1), 66-76; Shaoxiu Yang (1991): Journal of Lake Sciences 3(1), 1-10 | |
Kezao Chen (1992): Quaternary Sciences 3(8), 193-202 | |
| Bingxiao Li (1992): Journal of Lake Sciences 4(1), 48-55 |
Egypt | |
| Marchesini, M., Barresi, A. (2009) I minerali di Wadi natrun, Deserto Occidentale, Egitto, Rivista Mineralogica Italiana, 4/2009, 228-258. |
Salem, S.M., Sayed Ahmed El Gammal, El. (2018) Salt Minerals at Wadi El Natrun Saline Lakes, Egypt. New Implications from Remote Sensing Data. European Chemical Bulletin, 7(2), 72-80. [DOI: 10.17628/ecb.2018.7.72-80]. | |
Salem, S.M., Sayed Ahmed El Gammal, El. (2018) Salt Minerals at Wadi El Natrun Saline Lakes, Egypt. New Implications from Remote Sensing Data. European Chemical Bulletin, 7(2), 72-80. [DOI: 10.17628/ecb.2018.7.72-80]. | |
Ethiopia | |
| Field collected by Alfredo Petrov, ID by wet chemistry by Dr Fred Riley, chemistry teacher at Ethiopian Adventist College. |
France | |
| Chauris, L. (2014): Minéraux de Bretagne, Les Editions du Piat, 156. |
Germany | |
| Abandoned puzzolane quarries located in the Brohltal, north of Laach lake |
Hungary | |
| Szakáll-Gatter-Szendrei: Mineral Species of Hungary, 2006 |
| Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 231. |
| Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 231. |
| Szakáll-Gatter-Szendrei: Mineral Species of Hungary, 2006 |
Italy | |
| Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 231; www.dinet.it/Mineral-GMC/AMI/vesuvio.html. |
| Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 231. |
Kenya | |
| Bowell, R. J., Warren, A., & Redmond, I. (1996). Formation of cave salts and utilization by elephants in the Mount Elgon region, Kenya. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 113(1), 63-79. |
Mongolia | |
| Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 231. |
Russia | |
| PEKOV, I.V. & NIKOLAEV, A.P. (2013) Minerals of the pegmatites and hydrothermal assemblages of the Koashva deposit (Khibiny, Kola Peninsula, Russia). Mineralogical Almanac 189(2), 7-65. |
Pekov, I.V. & Podlesnyi, A.S. (2004): Kukisvumchorr Deposit: Mineralogy of Alkaline Pegmatites and Hydrotermalites. Mineralogical Almanac, vol. 7, 140 pages + xxiv photo's pages | |
| Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow |
| Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow; Pekov, I.V. (2000): Lovozero Massif. Moscow, Ocean Pictures Ltd, 480 pp. |
| Mineralogical Record: 36(4): 397-416. |
Spain | |
| Vizcayno, C., Garcia-Gonzalez, M. T., Gutierrez, M., & Rodriguez, R. (1995). Mineralogical, chemical and morphological features of salt accumulations in the Flumen-Monegros district, NE Spain. Geoderma, 68(3), 193-210. |
Vizcayno, C., Garcia-Gonzalez, M. T., Gutierrez, M., & Rodriguez, R. (1995). Mineralogical, chemical and morphological features of salt accumulations in the Flumen-Monegros district, NE Spain. Geoderma, 68(3), 193-210. | |
Vizcayno, C., Garcia-Gonzalez, M. T., Gutierrez, M., & Rodriguez, R. (1995). Mineralogical, chemical and morphological features of salt accumulations in the Flumen-Monegros district, NE Spain. Geoderma, 68(3), 193-210. | |
Switzerland | |
| Stalder, H. A., Wagner, A., Graeser, S. and Stuker, P. (1998): "Mineralienlexikon der Schweiz", Wepf (Basel), p. 288. |
Turkmenistan | |
| Evseev, A. A. (1995) Kazaknstan and Middle Asia. A brief Mineralogical Guide. World of Stone 8:24-30 |
UK | |
| Bowell, R.J. (1992): Journal of the Russell Society 4(2), 51; Golley, P. & Williams, R. (1995): Cornish Mineral Reference Manual. Endsleigh Publications (Truro), 104 pp. |
USA | |
| Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 231; Chatard, T.M. (1890b), Natural soda; Its occurrence and utilization: USGS Bulletin 60: 75; Murdoch, Joseph & Robert W. Webb (1966), Minerals of California, Centennial Volume (1866-1966): California Division Mines & Geology Bulletin 189: 277-278. |
| Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 231. |
| Gale, Hoyt Stoddard (1915), Salines in the Owens, Searles, and Panamint basins, southeastern California: USGS Bulletin 580: 297; Murdoch, Joseph & Robert W. Webb (1966), Minerals of California, Centennial Volume (1866-1966): California Division Mines & Geology Bulletin 189: 278.; Gale, Hoyt Stoddard (1915), Mineralogy of the Searles Lake deposits in Salines in the Owens, Searles, and Panamint basins, southeastern California: USGS Bulletin 580: 296-308 |
| Minerals of Colorado (1997) E.B. Eckel |
| NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada |
Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 231; NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada | |
NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada | |
| NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada |
| USBM Inf Circ 6941 (1938) |
| Am.Min.54:1034 |
| Bennett, W. A. G. (1962), Saline Lake Deposits in Washington, Bulletin 49, State of Washington Division of Mines and Geology. |
| W. A. G. Bennett, 1962, Bulletin 49, State of Washington Division of Mines and Geology |
www.dnr.wa.gov/geology/okanogan.htm. | |
| MILTON, C. (1977): Mineralogy of the Green River Formation. Mineralogical Record 8, 368-379. |
Mars | |
| SILICA-RICH DEPOSITS AND HYDRATED MINERALS AT GUSEV CRATER, MARS. M. S. Rice1, J. F. |
Atlin, Atlin Mining Division, British Columbia, Canada