Aerinite
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About Aerinite
Formula:
(Ca5.1Na0.5)(Fe3+,Al,Fe2+,Mg)4(Al,Mg)6[HSi12O36(OH)12][(CO3)1.2(H2O)12]
According to Rius et al. (2009), the formula of the Fe3+-rich variety includes SO3 (sulphite) substitution for carbonate.
Colour:
blue to blue-green
Hardness:
3
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
From the Greek "aerinos," for sky-blue, alluding to its color.
A rare, chemically complex carbonate-bearing silicate. Found as a pigment in European murals.
NB: Some of the recorded localities for aerinite seem to be in reality misidentified riebeckite-magnesioriebeckite, especially for localities not in the Pyrenees mountains.
A closely related, darker blue mineral (intergrown with Fe3+-rich aerinite) is described by Rius et al. (2009).
NB: Some of the recorded localities for aerinite seem to be in reality misidentified riebeckite-magnesioriebeckite, especially for localities not in the Pyrenees mountains.
A closely related, darker blue mineral (intergrown with Fe3+-rich aerinite) is described by Rius et al. (2009).
Classification of Aerinite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
8/F.32-20
9.DB.45
9.DB.45
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
D : Inosilicates
B : Inosilicates with 2-periodic single chains, Si2O6; Pyroxene-related minerals
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
D : Inosilicates
B : Inosilicates with 2-periodic single chains, Si2O6; Pyroxene-related minerals
68.1.3.1
68 : INOSILICATES Structures with Chains of More Than One Width
1 : Structures with Chains of More Than One Width
68 : INOSILICATES Structures with Chains of More Than One Width
1 : Structures with Chains of More Than One Width
16.23.7
16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
23 : Aluminosilicates of Fe, Ca, and Mg
16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
23 : Aluminosilicates of Fe, Ca, and Mg
Physical Properties of Aerinite
Optical Data of Aerinite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.510 nβ = 1.560 nγ = 1.580
2V:
Measured: 63° , Calculated: 62°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.070

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
Chemical Properties of Aerinite
Formula:
(Ca5.1Na0.5)(Fe3+,Al,Fe2+,Mg)4(Al,Mg)6[HSi12O36(OH)12][(CO3)1.2(H2O)12]
According to Rius et al. (2009), the formula of the Fe3+-rich variety includes SO3 (sulphite) substitution for carbonate.
According to Rius et al. (2009), the formula of the Fe3+-rich variety includes SO3 (sulphite) substitution for carbonate.
IMA Formula:
(Ca,Na)6(Fe3+,Fe2+,Mg,Al)4(Al,Mg)6Si12O36(OH)12(CO3) · 12H2O
Common Impurities:
Ti,Mn,Na,K,P
Crystallography of Aerinite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Cell Parameters:
a = 14.69 Å, b = 16.87 Å, c = 5.17 Å
β = 94.75°
β = 94.75°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.871 : 1 : 0.306
Unit Cell V:
1,276.83 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
As masses of cryptocrystalline fibers; earthy, compact.
Comment:
P3c1
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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0007027 | Aerinite | Rius J, Elkaim E, Torrelles X (2004) Structure determination of the blue mineral pigment aerinite from synchrotron powder diffraction data: The solution of an old riddle European Journal of Mineralogy 16 127-134 | 2004 | Camporrells-Estopanya area, Huesca, Spain | 0 | 293 | |
0007273 | Aerinite | Rius J, Crespi A, Roig A, Melgarejo J C (2009) Crystal structure refinement of Fe3+-rich aerinite from synchrotron powder diffraction and Mossbauer data European Journal of Mineralogy 21 233-240 | 2009 | Tartareu, Catalunya, Spain | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
Geological Environment
Geological Setting:
A hydrothermal mineral of the zeolite facies, formed at relatively low temperature, in fractures cutting mafic igneous rocks
Type Occurrence of Aerinite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Wroclaw University, Wroclaw, Poland;
National School of Mines, Paris, France.
National School of Mines, Paris, France.
Other Language Names for Aerinite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping
9.DB.05 | Balipholite | BaLiMg2Al3(Si2O6)2(OH)4 | Orth. |
9.DB.05 | Carpholite | Mn2+Al2(Si2O6)(OH)4 | Orth. |
9.DB.05 | Ferrocarpholite | Fe2+Al2Si2O6(OH)4 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Ccca |
9.DB.05 | Magnesiocarpholite | MgAl2Si2O6(OH)4 | Orth. |
9.DB.05 | Potassiccarpholite | K(Mn2+,Li)2Al4Si4O12(OH,F)8 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Ccca |
9.DB.05 | Vanadiocarpholite | Mn2+V3+Al(Si2O6)(OH)4 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Ccca |
9.DB.10 | Lorenzenite | Na2Ti2(Si2O6)O3 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbcn |
9.DB.15 | Lintisite | LiNa3Ti2(Si2O6)2O2 · 2H2O | Mon. |
9.DB.15 | Punkaruaivite | LiTi2(HSi4O12)(OH)2 · H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
9.DB.17 | Eliseevite | LiNa1.5Ti2(H1.5Si4O12)O2 · 2H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
9.DB.20 | Kukisvumite | Na6ZnTi4(Si8O24)O4 · 4H2O | Orth. |
9.DB.20 | Manganokukisvumite | Na6MnTi4(Si8O24)O4 · 4H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pccn |
9.DB.25 | Vinogradovite | Na4Ti4(Si2O6)2[(Si,Al)4O10]O4 · (H2O,Na,K)3 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
9.DB.25 | Paravinogradovite | Na1-2(Ti,Fe3+)4(Si2O6)2(AlSi3O10)(OH)4 · H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
9.DB.30 | Nchwaningite | Mn2+2(SiO3)(OH)2 · H2O | Orth. |
9.DB.35 | Plancheite | Cu8(Si8O22)(OH)4 · H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
9.DB.40 | Shattuckite | Cu5(Si2O6)2(OH)2 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
9.DB.40 | UM2005-31-SiO:CuH | Cu11(SiO4)(OH)18 · 9H2O (?) | |
9.DB.50 | Capranicaite | KCaNaAl4B4Si2O18 | Mon. 2/m : P21/m |
Related Minerals - Hey's Chemical Index of Minerals Grouping
16.23.1 | Augite | (CaxMgyFez)(Mgy1Fez1)Si2O6 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
16.23.2 | Dorrite | Ca4(Mg3Fe3+9)O4(Si3Al8Fe3+O36) | Tric. |
16.23.3 | Vesuvianite | Ca19Fe3+Al4(Al6Mg2)(◻4)◻[Si2O7]4[(SiO4)10]O(OH)9 | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : P4/nnc |
16.23.5 | Ferro-hornblende | ◻Ca2(Fe2+4Al)(Si7Al)O22(OH)2 | Mon. |
16.23.6 | Magnesio-hornblende | ◻Ca2(Mg4Al)(Si7Al)O22(OH)2 | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
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 Aerinite
Reference List:
Sort by Year (asc) | by Year (desc) | by Author (A-Z) | by Author (Z-A)
von Lasaulx, A. (1876) Aërinit, ein neues Mineral. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie: 175: 352-358.
Rafales, J. B., San José, M. L., Juan, A. P., Cuairán, J. B., Amigó, J. M., & Moliner, R. (1985). Nuevos datos mineralógicos sobre un inclasificado aluminosilicato," Aerinita", y consideraciones sobre su atribución al grupo de las Ceolitas. Acta geológica hispánica, 20(3), 257-266.
Azambre, B., Monchoux, P. (1988) Précisions minéralogiques sur l'aérinite: nouvelle occurrence à Saint-Pandelon (Landes, France). Bulletin de Minéralogie: 111: 39-47.
Grice, J.D. (1988) New mineral names. American Mineralogist: 73: 1498-1499.
Rius, J., Plana, F., Queralt, I., Louër, D. (1998) Preliminary structure type determination of the fibrous aluminosilicate “aerinite” from powder X-ray diffraction data. Anales de Química International Edition: 94: 101–106.
Jambor, J.L. (1999) New mineral names. American Mineralogist: 84: 1467.
Rius, J., Elkaim, E., Torrelles, X. (2004) Structure determination of the blue mineral pigment aerinite from synchrotron powder diffraction data: The solution of an old riddle. European Journal of Mineralogy: 16(1): 127-134.
Rius, J., Crespi, A., Roig, A., Melgarejo, J.C. (2009) Crystal structure refinement of Fe3+-rich aerinite from synchrotron powder diffraction and Moessbauer data. European Journal of Mineralogy: 21: 233-240.
Rius, J., Crespi, A., Roig, A., & Melgarejo, J. C. (2009). Crystal-structure refinement of Fe3+-rich aerinite from synchrotron powder diffraction and Mossbauer data. European Journal of Mineralogy, 21(1), 233-240.
Calvo, M.(2017). Aerinita, la piedra azul del Pirineo. Naturaleza Aragonesa, (34), 63-68.
Internet Links for Aerinite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-34.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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Localities for Aerinite
Locality List




All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Antarctica | |
| Mozer, A. (2012). Pre-glacial sedimentary facies of the Point Thomas Formation (Eocene) at Cytadela, Admiralty Bay, King George Island, West Antarctica. Polish Polar Research, 33(1), 41-62. |
China | |
| Lu, L. N., Li, J., Yang, M., & Zheng, C. J. (2016). Mineralogy Analysis of Granites in Diaoyutai Area of Western Liaoning Province. DEStech Transactions on Engineering and Technology Research, (mcee). |
France | |
| Azambre, B., & Monchoux, P. (1988). Aerinite-New Mineralogical Data on Aerinite from a New Occurrence at Saint-Pandelon (Landes, France). Bulletin de Mineralogie, 111(1), 39-47.; [Clark, 1993 - "Hey's Mineral Index, 3rd Edition"] |
Malaysia | |
| Syed Hasan, S., Mohd Kusin, F., Jusop, S., & Mohamat Yusuff, F. (2018). Potential of Soil, Sludge and Sediment for Mineral Carbonation Process in Selinsing Gold Mine, Malaysia. Minerals, 8(6), 257. |
Mexico | |
| Parker, R. (2010). Geology And Mineral Resources Of The Bilbao Silver-Lead-Zinc Deposit, State Of Zacatecas, Mexico. Private Company Report for Xtierra Inc. |
Morocco | |
| Christopher O'Neill specimen |
| Handbook of Mineralogy |
Nicaragua | |
| Hynek, B. M., McCollom, T. M., Marcucci, E. C., Brugman, K. K., & Rogers, K. L. (2013, March). Assessing environmental controls on acid-sulfate alteration at active volcanoes in Nicaragua: applications to relic hydrothermal systems on mars. In 44th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, March (pp. 18-22).; Hynek, B. M., McCollom, T. M., Marcucci, E. C., Brugman, K., & Rogers, K. L. (2013). Assessment of environmental controls on acid‐sulfate alteration at active volcanoes in Nicaragua: Applications to relic hydrothermal systems on Mars. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 118(10), 2083-2104. |
Spain | |
| [MinRec 27:103] |
| [MinRec 27:103] |
| Mineralogical Record Magazine (1996) Blue quartz from Antequera-Olvera ophite: 27(2); Juan C.Romero Silva Calvo, M. (2016). Minerales y Minas de España. Vol VIII. Cuarzo y otros minerales de la sílice. Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros de Minas de Madrid. Fundación Gómez Pardo. 399 págs.; Romero Silva, J.C (2003). Minerales y Rocas de la Provincia de Málaga. CEDMA County Council 318 pp 1 map |
| Calvo, M. (2018). Minerales y Minas de España. Vol IX. Silicatos. Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros de Minas de Madrid. Fundación Gómez Pardo. 767 págs. |
| Lasaulx, A. v. (1876). Aërinit, ein neues Mineral. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Geologie und Palaeontologie, 352-358 Vidal, M. (1882). Yacimiento de la aerinita. Boletín de la Comisión del Mapa Geológico de España, 9, 113-121. Calvo, M. (2018). Minerales y Minas de España. Vol IX. Silicatos. Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros de Minas de Madrid. Fundación Gómez Pardo. 767 págs. |
- Calvo, M. (2018). Minas y Minerales de España, Volumen IX. Silicatos. E.T.S. Ingenieros de Minas y Fundación Gómez Pardo (Madrid). 767 pages. | |
Calvo, M. (2008). Minerales de Aragón. Prames (Zaragoza) 462 pages; Frost, R. L., Scholz, R., & López, A. (2015). Infrared and Raman spectroscopic characterization of the carbonate bearing silicate mineral aerinite–Implications for the molecular structure. Journal of Molecular Structure, 1097, 1-5. | |
Calvo, M. (2008).Minerales de Aragón. Prames (Zaragoza). 463 pages | |
| Handbook of Mineralogy |
| Fernando Gascón Collection |
| |
| Calvo, M. (2018). Minerales y Minas de España. Vol IX. Silicatos. Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros de Minas de Madrid. Fundación Gómez Pardo. 767 págs.; Rius, J., Crespi, A., Roig, A., & Melgarejo, J. C. (2009). Crystal-structure refinement of Fe3+-rich aerinite from synchrotron powder diffraction and Mossbauer data. European Journal of Mineralogy, 21(1), 233-240. |
| Casanova Honrubia, Juan Miguel & Canseco Caballé, Manuel, 2002, Minerales de la Comunidad Valenciana : 237 p. Ed. Caja de Ahorros del Mediterráneo. Alicante |
Casanova Honrubia, Juan Miguel & Canseco Caballé, Manuel, 2002, Minerales de la Comunidad Valenciana : 237 p. Ed. Caja de Ahorros del Mediterráneo. Alicante | |
| Casanova Honrubia, Juan Miguel & Canseco Caballé, Manuel, 2002, Minerales de la Comunidad Valenciana : 237 p. Ed. Caja de Ahorros del Mediterráneo. Alicante |
| Adrian Pesudo collection |
| Casanova Honrubia, Juan Miguel & Canseco Caballé, Manuel, 2002, Minerales de la Comunidad Valenciana : 237 p. Ed. Caja de Ahorros del Mediterráneo. Alicante |
USA | |
| Handbook of Mineralogy |
| Maertens, J. (2007) Collecting Minerals at Tilcon's Millington Quarry. The Tilcon Times, Summer:10. |
Lleida, Catalonia, Spain