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Tschernichite

A valid IMA mineral species
This page kindly sponsored by Douglas Merson
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About TschernichiteHide

08931880017056434888328.jpg
Rudy W. Tschernich
Formula:
(Ca,Na2)[Al2Si4O12] · 4-8H2O
Colour:
Colourless to white
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
Specific Gravity:
2.02
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Member of:
Name:
Named in honor of Rudy Warren Tschernich (1945, Snohomish, Washington (USA) – December 26, 2017), geologist, curator, and an expert on zeolitic minerals who found the first specimens. He wrote the book 'Zeolites of the World' and was curator at the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals in Hillsboro. Pronounced cher-nich-ite.
Zeolite Group. Faujasite Subgroup.

A possible Mg analogue of a tetragonal polymorph of tschernichite is known as UM2002-40-SiO:AlCaHKMgNa.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
4037
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4037:8
GUID
(UUID V4):
3baff79d-607d-47f6-98a4-6c7955475bdc

IMA Classification of TschernichiteHide

Approved
IMA Formula:
CaAl2Si6O16 · 8H2O
Approval year:
1989
First published:
1991
Approval history:
IMA1989-037

Classification of TschernichiteHide

9.GF.30

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
G : Tektosilicates with zeolitic H2O; zeolite family
F : Other Rare Zeolites
Dana 7th ed.:
77.1.8.2
77.1.8.2

77 : TECTOSILICATES Zeolites
1 : Zeolite group - True zeolites

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference
TniIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of TschernichiteHide

Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Colourless to white
Streak:
White
Hardness:
4½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
2.02(1) g/cm3 (Measured)    2.12 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Measured value is probably low due to fluid inclusions.

Optical Data of TschernichiteHide

Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.484 nε = 1.483
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.001
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Optical Extinction:
Crystals are in part biaxial (-), and show somewhat wavy extinction.

Thin sections cut perpendicular to (100) show areas of parallel extinction, as well as apparent twin lamellae perpendicular to (001), which show inclined extinction.

Chemistry of TschernichiteHide

Mindat Formula:
(Ca,Na2)[Al2Si4O12] · 4-8H2O
Common Impurities:
Fe

Crystallography of TschernichiteHide

Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Class (H-M):
4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) - Ditetragonal Dipyramidal
Space Group:
P4/mmm
Cell Parameters:
a = 12.88 Å, c = 25.02 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 1.943
Unit Cell V:
4150.68 ų
Z:
8
Morphology:
Type material: Steep dipyramids {302}, terminated by {001}, striated parallel to {001}. Three other minor dipyramids, {104}, {101}, and {502}, are rarely observed.
Twinning:
Common contact twins on {302}, {304}, and {101}. Multiple twinning involving both twin planes often occurs, resulting in complex ball-like groups.

Crystallographic forms of TschernichiteHide

Crystal Atlas:
Image Loading
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Tschernichite - {302}, {001}
Tschernichite - Contact twin on {101}
Tschernichite - Contact twin on {302}
Tschernichite - Contact twin on {304}
Tschernichite - Multiple contact twin on {101}
3d models and HTML5 code kindly provided by www.smorf.nl.

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Crystal StructureHide

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0013153TschernichiteAlberti A, Cruciani G, Galli E, Merlino S, Millini R, Quartieri S, Vezzalini G, Zanardi S (2002) Crystal structure of tetragonal and monoclinic polytypes of tschernichite, the natural counterpart of synthetic zeolite beta Journal of Physical Chemistry B106 10277-102842002Mt. Adamson, Northern Victoria Land, Antarctica0293
0013154TschernichiteAlberti A, Cruciani G, Galli E, Merlino S, Millini R, Quartieri S, Vezzalini G, Zanardi S (2002) Crystal structure of tetragonal and monoclinic polytypes of tschernichite, the natural counterpart of synthetic zeolite beta Journal of Physical Chemistry B106 10277-102842002Mt. Adamson, Northern Victoria Land, Antarctica0293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
4.03 Å(100)
11.6 Å(32)
3.156 Å(16)
2.114 Å(16)
3.062 Å(15)
4.22 Å(14)
12.5 Å(10)

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 3a: Earth’s earliest Hadean crust>4.50
10 : Basalt-hosted zeolite minerals

Type Occurrence of TschernichiteHide

General Appearance of Type Material:
Steep tetragonal dipyramids to 0.1-10 mm as drusy linings, radiating hemispherical groups, and single and twinned crystals.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
In small vesicles in dense Eocene basalt. Formed through local hydrothermal activity.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Smith, J.V., Pluth, J.J., Boggs, R.C., Howard, D.G. (1991) Tschernichite, the mineral analogue of zeolite beta. Journal of the Chemical Society, Chemical Communications: 1991: 363-364.

Synonyms of TschernichiteHide

Other Language Names for TschernichiteHide

Relationship of Tschernichite to other SpeciesHide

Member of:
Other Members of this group:
AlflarseniteNaCa2Be3Si4O13(OH) · 2H2OMon. 2 : P21
AmiciteK2Na2Al4Si4O16 · 5H2OMon. 2
Ammonioleucite(NH4)(AlSi2O6)Tet. 4/m : I41/a
AnalcimeNa(AlSi2O6) · H2OTric. 1 : P1
Bellbergite(K,Ba,Sr)2Sr2Ca2(Ca,Na)4[Al3Si3O12]6 · 30H2OHex.
BikitaiteLiAlSi2O6 · H2OTric. 1 : P1
BoggsiteCa8Na3(Si,Al)96O192 · 70H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Imma
Brewsterite SubgroupZeolite Group.
Chabazite-Levyne SubgroupM[Al2Si4O12] · 6H2O
ChiavenniteCaMnBe2Si5O13(OH)2 · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
Clinoptilolite SubgroupM3-6(Si30Al6)O72 · 20H2O
CowlesiteCaAl2Si3O10 · 6H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
Dachiardite SubgroupZeolite Group.
DirenzoiteNaK6MgCa2(Al13Si47O120) · 36H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pmmn
EdingtoniteBa[Al2Si3O10] · 4H2OOrth. 2 2 2 : P21 21 21
EpistilbiteCaAl2Si6O16 · 5H2OMon.
Erionite SubgroupM2[Al4Si14O36] · 15H2O
Faujasite SubgroupM3.5[Al7Si17O48] · 32H2O
Ferrierite SubgroupZeolite Group.
FerrochiavenniteCa1-2Fe[(Si,Al,Be)5Be2O13(OH)2] · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
Flörkeite(K3Ca2Na)[Al8Si8O32] · 12H2OTric. 1 : P1
Garronite Subgroup
GaultiteNa4Zn2Si7O18 · 5H2OOrth. mm2 : Fdd2
Gismondine SubgroupZeolite Group.
Gmelinite SubgroupIn 1997, gmelinite was split into Gmelinite-Ca, Gmelinite-Na and Gmelinite-K.
GobbinsiteNa5(Si11Al5)O32 · 11H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma
GoosecreekiteCa[Al2Si6O16] · 5H2OMon. 2 : P21
GottardiiteNa3Mg3Ca5Al19Si117O272 · 93H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Cmca
Heulandite Subgroup(Na/Ca/K)5-6[Al8-9 Si27-28 O72] · nH2O
HsianghualiteCa3Li2(Be3Si3O12)F2Iso. 4 3 2 : I41 3 2
KirchhoffiteCs(BSi2O6)Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : I41/acd
LaumontiteCaAl2Si4O12 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : B2/m
Loomisite Ba[Be2P2O8] · H2OMon. m
LovdariteK2Na6Be4Si14O36 · 9H2OOrth. mm2
MaricopaitePb7Ca2(Si,Al)48O100 · 32H2OOrth.
MartinandresiteBa2(Al4Si12O32) · 10H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pmmn
Mazzite SubgroupZeolite Group.
Merlinoite(K,Na)5(Ca,Ba)2Al9Si23O64 · 23H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Immm
Montesommaite(K,Na)9Al9Si23O64 · 10H2OOrth. mm2 : Fdd2
Mordenite(Na2,Ca,K2)4(Al8Si40)O96 · 28H2OOrth.
MutinaiteNa3Ca4Si85Al11O192 · 60H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma
NabesiteNa2BeSi4O10 · 4H2OOrth. 2 2 2 : P21 21 21
Natrolite SubgroupA subgroup of the Zeolite Group.
OffretiteKCaMg(Si13Al5)O36 · 15H2OHex. 6 m2 : P6m2
PahasapaiteLi8(Ca,Li,K)10.5Be24(PO4)24 · 38H2OIso. 2 3 : I2 3
ParthéiteCa2(Si4Al4) O15 (OH)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
Paulingite SubgroupPaulingite was originally described in 1960.
PerlialiteK9Na(Ca,Sr)[Al2Si4O12]6 · 15H2OHex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P6/mmm
Phillipsite SubgroupZeolite Group.
Pollucite(Cs,Na)2(Al2Si4O12) · 2H2OIso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Ia3d
RoggianiteCa2Be(OH)2Al2Si4O13 · 2.5H2OTet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : I4/mcm
Stilbite SubgroupM6-7[Al8-9Si27-28O72] · nH2O
Terranovaite(Na,Ca)8(Si68Al12)O160 · 29H2OOrth.
Thomsonite SubgroupThe large majority of "thomsonite" is thomsonite-Ca.
TschörtneriteCa4(Ca,Sr,K,Ba)3Cu3[Al3Si3O12]4(OH)8 · nH2OIso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fm3m
UM1996-38-SiO:AlCaHNaNa-Ca-Al-Si-O-H
UM1999-33-SiO:AlHKNaK7Na5Al12Si20O64 · 24H2O
UM2002-40-SiO:AlCaHKMgNa(Mg,Ca,Na,K)7.5(Al12.8Si51.2)O128 · 65H2OTet. 4 2 2 : P41 2 2
Unnamed (Ca analogue of Merlinoite)(Ca,K,Na)5(Ca,Ba)2Al9Si23O64 · 23H2O ?
WairakiteCa(Al2Si4O12) · 2H2OMon. 2/m : B2/m
WeinebeneiteCaBe3(PO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2OMon. m : Bb
Wenkite(Ba,K)4(Ca,Na)6[(Si,Al)20O39(OH)2](SO4)3 · 0.5H2OHex. 6 m2 : P62m
WillhendersoniteKCa[Al3Si3O12] · 5H2OTric. 1 : P1
YugawaraliteCaAl2Si6O16 · 4H2OMon. m : Pb

Common AssociatesHide

Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
28 photos of Tschernichite associated with BoggsiteCa8Na3(Si,Al)96O192 · 70H2O
19 photos of Tschernichite associated with AnalcimeNa(AlSi2O6) · H2O
16 photos of Tschernichite associated with Erionite-K(K2,Ca,Na2)2[Al4Si14O36] · 15H2O
13 photos of Tschernichite associated with Smectite GroupA0.3D2-3[T4O10]Z2 · nH2O
11 photos of Tschernichite associated with Heulandite Subgroup(Na/Ca/K)5-6[Al8-9 Si27-28 O72] · nH2O
7 photos of Tschernichite associated with Lévyne
4 photos of Tschernichite associated with CowlesiteCaAl2Si3O10 · 6H2O
4 photos of Tschernichite associated with ChalcedonySiO2
4 photos of Tschernichite associated with Fluorapophyllite-(K)KCa4(Si8O20)(F,OH) · 8H2O
4 photos of Tschernichite associated with CopperCu

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

9.GF.05Terranovaite(Na,Ca)8(Si68Al12)O160 · 29H2OOrth.
9.GF.10GottardiiteNa3Mg3Ca5Al19Si117O272 · 93H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Cmca
9.GF.15LovdariteK2Na6Be4Si14O36 · 9H2OOrth. mm2
9.GF.20GaultiteNa4Zn2Si7O18 · 5H2OOrth. mm2 : Fdd2
9.GF.25ChiavenniteCaMnBe2Si5O13(OH)2 · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
9.GF.25FerrochiavenniteCa1-2Fe[(Si,Al,Be)5Be2O13(OH)2] · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
9.GF.35MutinaiteNa3Ca4Si85Al11O192 · 60H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma
9.GF.40TschörtneriteCa4(Ca,Sr,K,Ba)3Cu3[Al3Si3O12]4(OH)8 · nH2OIso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fm3m
9.GF.50Thornasite(Na,K)12Th3[Si8O19]4 · 18H2OTrig. 3m : R3m
9.GF.55DirenzoiteNaK6MgCa2(Al13Si47O120) · 36H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pmmn
9.GF.60MeieriteBa44Si66Al30O192Cl25(OH)33Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Im3m
9.GF.65RongibbsitePb2(Si4Al)O11(OH) Mon. 2/m : B2/m

Fluorescence of TschernichiteHide

May show pale yellow fluorescence under SW and LW UV.

Other InformationHide

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 TschernichiteHide

References for TschernichiteHide

Reference List:

Localities for TschernichiteHide

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.

Locality ListHide

- 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.
Antarctica
 
  • Eastern Antarctica
    • Victoria Land
Valange et al. (1996) +2 other references
Costa Rica
 
  • San José Province
    • Puriscal Canton
      • Candelarita District
Micro Probe Volume VII Number 7 Spring ... +1 other reference
Dana VIII
Czech Republic
 
  • Ústí nad Labem Region
    • Děčín District
      • Česká Kamenice
Pauliš et al. (2015) +1 other reference
Hungary
 
  • Heves County
    • Gyöngyös District
      • Markaz
Analyzed by Szakáll-Fehér +1 other reference
New Zealand
 
  • Auckland Region
NZ Zeolite list and locations. Neville ... +1 other reference
Rod Martin personal collection. +1 other reference
Poland
 
  • Silesian Voivodeship
    • Bytom
      • Bobrek
Kruszewski (2018)
USA (TL)
 
  • Oregon
    • Columbia County
      • Goble
Micro Probe: 6 (5) +2 other references
 
Mineral and/or Locality  
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