Thomsenolite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About Thomsenolite
Formula:
NaCa[AlF6] · H2O
Colour:
Colourless, white, pale lilac; brownish or reddish tinted due to staining; colourless in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Vitreous, Pearly
Hardness:
3 - 3½
Specific Gravity:
2.981
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named after Hans Peter Jorgen Julius Thomsen (1826-1909), Professor of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen (Denmark), and founder of the Greenland cryolite industry.
Dimorph of:
This page provides mineralogical data about Thomsenolite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3940
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3940:2
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
4eee34b9-6a4d-4268-917e-ce03abbb1a5a
IMA Classification of Thomsenolite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
NaCaAlF6 · H2O
First published:
1866
Type description reference:
Classification of Thomsenolite
3.CB.40
3 : HALIDES
C : Complex halides
B : Neso-aluminofluorides
3 : HALIDES
C : Complex halides
B : Neso-aluminofluorides
11.6.6.1
11 : HALIDE COMPLEXES
6 : Aluminofluorides - Isolated Octahedra
11 : HALIDE COMPLEXES
6 : Aluminofluorides - Isolated Octahedra
8.6.17
8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
6 : Halides of Al
8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
6 : Halides of Al
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Symbol | Source | Reference |
---|---|---|
Tse | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Thomsenolite
Vitreous, Pearly
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Comment:
Pearly on cleavages
Colour:
Colourless, white, pale lilac; brownish or reddish tinted due to staining; colourless in transmitted light.
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3 - 3½ on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN25=220 - 320 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Comment:
Typically given as Mohs 2. Modern measurement and discussion by Pauly (1985).
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {001}; {110} distinct.
On {001}; {110} distinct.
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
2.981 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.986(3) g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Thomsenolite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.407 nβ = 1.414 nγ = 1.415
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.008
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
Optical Extinction:
X ∧ c = –52°; Z = b.
Chemistry of Thomsenolite
Mindat Formula:
NaCa[AlF6] · H2O
Crystallography of Thomsenolite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/b
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.563(2) Å, b = 5.541(2) Å, c = 16.115(1) Å
β = 96.35(3)°
β = 96.35(3)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.004 : 1 : 2.908
Unit Cell V:
493.69 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Crystals commonly prismatic [001]; cubic in aspect with equal development of {001} and {110}. Grouped in parallel aggregates. Also tabular {001}. {110} and terminal prisms strongly striated parallel to the intersection with {001}. {h0l} often curved. Opaline or chalcedony-like crusts and stalactitic masses.
Twinning:
None observed.
Crystallographic forms of Thomsenolite
Crystal Atlas:
Image Loading
Click on an icon to view
3d models and HTML5 code kindly provided by
www.smorf.nl.
Toggle
Edge Lines | Miller Indices | Axes
Transparency
Opaque | Translucent | Transparent
View
Along a-axis | Along b-axis | Along c-axis | Start rotation | Stop rotation
Toggle
Edge Lines | Miller Indices | Axes
Transparency
Opaque | Translucent | Transparent
View
Along a-axis | Along b-axis | Along c-axis | Start rotation | Stop rotation
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0009312 | Thomsenolite | Cocco G, Castiglione P C, Vagliasindi G (1967) The crystal structure of thomsenolite Acta Crystallographica 23 162-166 | 1967 | Ivigtut, Greenland | 0 | 293 | |
0012167 | Thomsenolite | Adhikesavalu D, Cameron T S, Knop O (1985) Thomsenolite, NaCaAlF6*H2O: hydrogen bonding and comparison with pachnolite Canadian Journal of Chemistry 63 3322-3327 | 1985 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
Epitaxial Relationships of Thomsenolite
Epitaxial Minerals:
Pachnolite | NaCa[AlF6] · H2O |
Epitaxy Comments:
Oriented growths of thomsenolite on pachnolite, with thomsenolite (001) and (110) quasi-parallel to pachnolite (110) and (001). Also with thomsenolite (110) and (110) quasi-parallel to pachnolite (110) and (001).
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Image Loading
Radiation - Copper Kα
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
4.02 Å | (100) |
1.963 Å | (90) |
1.996 Å | (80) |
2.92 Å | (50) |
1.761 Å | (30) |
2.16 Å | (20) |
1.640 Å | (20) |
Comments:
Ivigtut, Greenland.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Near-surface Processes | |
22 : Hydration and low-𝑇 subsurface aqueous alteration (see also #23) | |
Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
56 : Slag and smelter minerals (see also #51 and #55) |
Geological Setting:
Granitic pegmatites
Type Occurrence of Thomsenolite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark, 1868.1499.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Hagemann, G. (1866) On some minerals associated with the Cryolite in Greenland. American Journal of Science: 42: 93-94 (as Dimetric Pachnolite).
Synonyms of Thomsenolite
Other Language Names for Thomsenolite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
73 photos of Thomsenolite associated with Hydrokenoralstonite | Na0.5(Al,Mg)2(F,OH)6 · H2O |
73 photos of Thomsenolite associated with Cryolite | Na2NaAlF6 |
50 photos of Thomsenolite associated with Pachnolite | NaCa[AlF6] · H2O |
27 photos of Thomsenolite associated with Prosopite | CaAl2F4[(OH)4-xFx] |
25 photos of Thomsenolite associated with Siderite | FeCO3 |
18 photos of Thomsenolite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
11 photos of Thomsenolite associated with Limonite | |
9 photos of Thomsenolite associated with Hagemannite | |
9 photos of Thomsenolite associated with Tridymite | SiO2 |
8 photos of Thomsenolite associated with Sphalerite | ZnS |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
3.CB.05 | Cryolithionite | Na3Al2(LiF4)3 |
3.CB.15 | Cryolite | Na2NaAlF6 |
3.CB.15 | Elpasolite | K2NaAlF6 |
3.CB.15 | Simmonsite | Na2LiAlF6 |
3.CB.20 | Colquiriite | CaLi[AlF6] |
3.CB.25 | Weberite | Na2Mg[AlF6]F |
3.CB.25 | Leonardsenite | MgAlF5 · 2H2O |
3.CB.30 | Karasugite | SrCa[Al(F,OH)7] |
3.CB.35 | Usovite | Ba2CaMgAl2F14 |
3.CB.40 | Pachnolite | NaCa[AlF6] · H2O |
3.CB.45 | Carlhintzeite | Ca2[AlF6]F · H2O |
3.CB.50 | Yaroslavite | Ca3Al2F10(OH)2 · H2O |
3.CB.55 | Sbacchiite | Ca2AlF7 |
3.CB.60 | Verneite | Na2Ca3Al2F14 |
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:
Heated in a closed tube it yields water with an acid reaction that etches the glass. At a higher temperature it melts to a clear glass, fusing even more easily than cryolite.
Notes:
Readily soluble in H2SO4.
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 Thomsenolite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3940.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Thomsenolite
Reference List:
Localities for Thomsenolite
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).
Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality.
Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Brazil | |
| 7. symposium on volcanism and ... +2 other references |
Canada | |
| Horváth et al. (1998) |
Horváth et al. (1998) | |
Finland | |
| Marttila |
Greece | |
| Schnorrer-Köhler et al. (1988) |
Gelaude et al. (1996) | |
Greenland (TL) | |
| Palache et al. (1951) +2 other references |
Iceland | |
| Mitolo et al. (2008) |
Japan | |
| Kotora Jimboh (1899) |
Kazakhstan | |
| Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) +1 other reference |
Nigeria | |
| Am Min 51:299-323 |
Bailey | |
Norway | |
| Sæbø (1966) +1 other reference |
Russia | |
| Bailey |
| Bailey +1 other reference |
| Bailey |
Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) +1 other reference | |
| P.M. Karashov data +2 other references |
Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha | |
Bailey | |
Ukraine | |
| Bailey +1 other reference |
USA | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference | |
Gross et al. (1966) +1 other reference | |
Pavel M. Kartashov analytical data | |
Gross et al. (1966) +1 other reference | |
| Mineralogical Record: 31: 204. |
| O'Neill (2014) |
| Mineralogical Record: 12 (6) |
| Kearns (1995) +1 other reference |
Quick NavTopAbout ThomsenoliteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystallographic forms Crystal StructureEpitaxial Relationships X-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Ivigtut Mine, Ivigtut stock, Arsuk Fjord, Sermersooq, Greenland