Aerinite
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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.
System:
Monoclinic
Colour:
blue to blue-green
Hardness:
3
Name:
From the Greek "aerinos," for sky-blue, alluding to its color.
A rare, chemically complex carbonate-bearing silicate.
A closely related, darker blue mineral (intergrown with Fe3+-rich aerinite) is described by Rius et al. (2009).
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
Diaphaneity (Transparency):
Transparent
Colour:
blue to blue-green
Streak:
bluish white
Hardness (Mohs):
3
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.
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)6[Si12O36(OH)12](CO3) · 12H2O
Elements listed in formula:
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 Volume:
V 1,276.83 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
As masses of cryptocrystalline fibers; earthy, compact.
Occurrences of Aerinite
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.
Empirical Formula:
(Ca5.1Na0.5)(Fe3+AlFe2+1.7Mg0.3)(Al5.1Mg0.7)[Si12O36(OH)12H][(CO3)1.2(H2O)12]
Relationship of Aerinite to other Species
| 9.DB.05 | Balipholite | BaLiMg2Al3(Si2O6)2(OH)4 |
| 9.DB.05 | Carpholite | Mn2+Al2(Si2O6)(OH)4 |
| 9.DB.05 | Ferrocarpholite | (Fe2+,Mg)Al2(Si2O6)(OH)4 |
| 9.DB.05 | Magnesiocarpholite | (Mg,Fe2+)Al2(Si2O6)(OH)4 |
| 9.DB.05 | Potassiccarpholite | (K,☐)(Li,Mn2+)2Al4(Si2O6)2(OH,F)8 |
| 9.DB.05 | Vanadiocarpholite | Mn2+V3+Al(Si2O6)(OH)4 |
| 9.DB.10 | Lorenzenite | Na2Ti2(Si2O6)O3 |
| 9.DB.15 | Lintisite | LiNa3Ti2(Si2O6)2O2 · 2H2O |
| 9.DB.15 | Punkaruaivite | LiTi2(HSi4O12)(OH)2 · H2O |
| 9.DB.17 | Eliseevite | LiNa1.5Ti2(H1.5Si4O12)O2 · 2H2O |
| 9.DB.20 | Kukisvumite | Na6ZnTi4(Si8O24)O4 · 4H2O |
| 9.DB.20 | Manganokukisvumite | Na6MnTi4(Si8O24)O4 · 4H2O |
| 9.DB.25 | Vinogradovite | Na4Ti4(Si2O6)2[(Si,Al)4O10]O4 · (H2O,Na,K)3 |
| 9.DB.25 | Paravinogradovite | Na1-2(Ti,Fe3+)4(Si2O6)2(AlSi3O10)(OH)4 · H2O |
| 9.DB.30 | Nchwaningite | Mn22+(SiO3)(OH)2 · H2O |
| 9.DB.35 | Plancheite | Cu8(Si8O22)(OH)4 · H2O |
| 9.DB.40 | Shattuckite | Cu5(Si2O6)2(OH)2 |
| 9.DB.40 | UM2005-31-SiO:CuH | Cu11(SiO4)(OH)18 · 9H2O ? |
| 9.DB.50 | Capranicaite | KCaNaAl4B4Si2O18 |
| 16.23.1 | Augite | (Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe2+,Al,Fe3+,Ti)[(Si,Al)2O6] |
| 16.23.2 | Dorrite | Ca4(Mg3Fe93+)O4(Si3Al8Fe3+O36) |
| 16.23.3 | Vesuvianite | (Ca,Na,☐)19(Al,Mg,Fe3+)13(☐,B,Al,Fe3+)5(Si2O7)4(SiO4)10(OH,F,O)10 |
| 16.23.5 | Ferro-hornblende | ☐{Ca2}{Fe42+Al}(AlSi7O22)(OH)2 |
| 16.23.6 | Magnesio-hornblende | ☐{Ca2}{Mg4Al}(AlSi7O22)(OH)2 |
Other Names for Aerinite
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:
von Lasaulx, A. (1876) Aërinit, ein neues Mineral. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie: 175: 352-358.
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.
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.
Internet Links for Aerinite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-34.html
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Specimens:
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Localities for Aerinite
This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the 
symbol to view information about a locality.
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can be used to jump to that position on the map.
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(TL) indicates type locality for a valid mineral species. (FRL) indicates first recorded locality for everything else. ? indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. All other localities listed without reference should be considered as uncertain and unproven until references can be found.
France | |
| [Clark, 1993 - "Hey's Mineral Index, 3rd Edition"] |
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 |
| [Neues Jahrb.Min.(1876) 352-358; Clark, 1993 - "Hey's Mineral Index, 3rd Edition"] |
| Calvo, M. (2008). Minerales de Aragón. Prames (Zaragoza) 462 pages | |
| Calvo, M. (2008).Minerales de Aragón. Prames (Zaragoza). 463 pages | |
| Handbook of Mineralogy | |
| Fernando Gascón Collection |
| |
| 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. |
| 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. |
Soriana Quarry, Estopiñán del Castillo, Huesca, Aragón, Spain