Log InRegister
Quick Links : The Mindat ManualThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryMindat Newsletter [Free Download]
Home PageAbout MindatThe Mindat ManualHistory of MindatCopyright StatusWho We AreContact UsAdvertise on Mindat
Donate to MindatCorporate SponsorshipSponsor a PageSponsored PagesMindat AdvertisersAdvertise on Mindat
Learning CenterWhat is a mineral?The most common minerals on earthInformation for EducatorsMindat ArticlesThe ElementsThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryGeologic Time
Minerals by PropertiesMinerals by ChemistryMineral Visual ExplorerAdvanced Locality SearchRandom MineralRandom LocalitySearch by minIDLocalities Near MeSearch ArticlesSearch GlossaryMore Search Options
Search For:
Mineral Name:
Locality Name:
Keyword(s):
 
The Mindat ManualAdd a New PhotoRate PhotosLocality Edit ReportCoordinate Completion ReportAdd Glossary Item
Mining CompaniesStatisticsUsersMineral MuseumsClubs & OrganizationsMineral Shows & EventsThe Mindat DirectoryDevice SettingsThe Mineral QuizTime Machine
Photo SearchPhoto GalleriesSearch by ColorPhoto Colour ExplorerNew Photos TodayNew Photos YesterdayMembers' Photo GalleriesPast Photo of the Day GalleryPhotography

Afghanite

A valid IMA mineral species
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
Hide all sections | Show all sections

About AfghaniteHide

08708750017271920953520.jpg
Flag of Afghanistan
Formula:
(Na,K)22Ca10(Si24Al24O96)(SO4)6Cl6
Colour:
White, light blue, dark blue
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
5½ - 6
Specific Gravity:
2.55
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Name:
Named after the country of its discovery, Afghanistan.
Can be confused visually with lazurite and sodalite, but differs morphological.
Structurally related to UM2004-48-SiO:AlClCaNaS.




Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
41
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:41:9

IMA Classification of AfghaniteHide

Classification of AfghaniteHide

9.FB.05

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
F : Tektosilicates without zeolitic H2O
B : Tektosilicates with additional anions
76.2.5.1

76 : TECTOSILICATES Al-Si Framework
2 : Al-Si Framework Feldspathoids and related species
17.10.12

17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
10 : Silicates with sulphate, molybdate or tungstate

Mineral SymbolsHide

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

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

Physical Properties of AfghaniteHide

Vitreous
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
White, light blue, dark blue
Comment:
Colourless in thin section
Streak:
White
Hardness:
5½ - 6 on Mohs scale
Hardness Data:
Measured
Cleavage:
Perfect
{1010}
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
2.55 g/cm3 (Measured)    2.65 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of AfghaniteHide

Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 1.523 nε = 1.529
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.006
Based on recorded range of RI values above.

Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.

Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.

Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars.

Surface Relief:
Moderate

Chemistry of AfghaniteHide

Mindat Formula:
(Na,K)22Ca10(Si24Al24O96)(SO4)6Cl6
Element Weights:
Element% weight
O42.167 %
Si14.804 %
Al14.222 %
Na11.108 %
Ca8.802 %
Cl4.672 %
S4.225 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.

Crystallography of AfghaniteHide

Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m - Ditrigonal Pyramidal
Space Group:
P3 1c
Setting:
P3 1c
Cell Parameters:
a = 12.8013(7) Å, c = 21.4119(18) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 1.673
Unit Cell V:
3,038.74 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Hexagonal prisms with steep terminations ( scalenohera or rhombohedra?).
Also as stout to slender, thin tabular laths and as rounded grains.
Comment:
Cell data from Ballirano et al. (1996). Previously assumed space group P63mc is incorrect.

Crystal StructureHide

Load
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
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File    Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0018843AfghaniteBallirano P, Bosi F (2012) Thermal behavior of afghanite, an ABABACAC member of the cancrinite group American Mineralogist 97 630-6402012Case Collina, Latium, Italy0293
0006636AfghaniteBallirano P, Bonaccorsi E, Maras A, Merlino S (1997) Crystal structure of afghanite, the eight-layer member of the cancrinite-group: evidence for long-range Si,Al ordering European Journal of Mineralogy 9 21-3019970293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
3.688 Å(100)
3.298 Å(100)
4.82 Å(80)
3.997 Å(60)
2.865 Å(60)
2.130 Å(60)
1.792 Å(60)

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
High-? alteration and/or metamorphism
31 : Thermally altered carbonate, phosphate, and iron formations
Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks>3.0
35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks
Geological Setting:
In silicified limestone xenoliths in pumice (Pitigliano quarry, Italy).

Type Occurrence of AfghaniteHide

General Appearance of Type Material:
In thin veinlets cutting lazurite crystals.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Mineralogy-Crystallography Laboratory, University Pierre and Marie Curie, Paris;
National School of Mines, Paris, France;
The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1969,72.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Lapis lazuli-bearing skarn
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Synonyms of AfghaniteHide

Other Language Names for AfghaniteHide

Dutch:Afghaniet
French:Afghanite
German:Afghanit
Italian:Afghanite
Latvian:Afganīts
Norwegian:Afghanitt
Spanish:Afghanita

Relationship of Afghanite to other SpeciesHide

Other Members of Cancrinite Group:
Alloriite(Na,Ca,K)26Ca4(Al6Si6O24)4(SO4)6Cl6Trig. 3m : P3 1c
Balliranoite(Na,K)6Ca2(Si6Al6O24)Cl2(CO3)Hex. 6 : P63
BetziteNa6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)Cl4Hex. 6 : P63
Biachellaite(Na,Ca,K)8(Al6Si6O24)(SO4)2(OH)0.5 · H2OTrig. 3 : P3
Bystrite(Na,K)7Ca(Al6Si6O24)(S5)ClTrig. 3m : P3 1c
Cancrinite(Na,Ca,◻)8(Al6Si6O24)(CO3,SO4)2 · 2H2OHex. 6 : P63
CancrisiliteNa7(Al5Si7O24)(CO3) · 3H2OHex. 6mm : P63mc
CarbobystriteNa8(Al6Si6O24)(CO3) · 3.5H2OTrig. 3m : P3 1c
Davyne(Na,K)6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)(Cl2,SO4)2Hex. 6/m : P63/m
DepmeieriteNa8(Al6Si6O24)(PO4,CO3)1-x · 3H2O (x<0.5)Hex. 6 : P63
Fantappièite[Na82.5Ca33K16.5](Si99Al99O396)(SO4)33 · 4H2OTrig. 3 : R3
Farneseite(Na,Ca,K)56(Al6Si6O24)7(SO4)12 · 6H2OHex. 6/m : P63/m
Franzinite(Na,K)6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)(SO4)2 · 0.5H2OHex.
Giuseppettite(Na,K,Ca)7-8(Al6Si6O24)(SO4,Cl)1-2Trig. 3m : P3 1c
HydroxycancriniteNa8(Al6Si6O24)(OH)2 · 2H2OHex. 6 : P63
KircheriteNa5Ca2K(Al6Si6O24)(SO4)2 · 0.33H2OTrig. 3 2 : R3 2
KyanoxaliteNa7(Al6-xSi6+xO24)(C2O4)0.5+x · 5H2O (0 < x < 0.5)Hex. 6 : P63
Liottite(Na,K)16Ca8(Al6Si6O24)3(SO4)5Cl4Hex. 6 : P6
Marinellite(Na,K)42Ca6(Al6Si6O24)6(SO4)8Cl2 · 3H2OTrig. 3m : P3 1c
MicrosommiteNa4K2Ca2(Al6Si6O24)(SO4)Cl2Hex. 6 2 2 : P63 2 2
PitiglianoiteNa6K2(Al6Si6O24)(SO4) · 2H2OHex. 6 : P63
Quadridavyne(Na,K)6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)Cl4Hex. 6/m : P63/m
Sacrofanite(Na61K19Ca32)(Si84Al84O336)(SO4)26Cl2F6 · 2H2OHex.
SteudeliteNa3(K17Ca7)Ca4(Al24Si24O96)(SO3)6F6 · 4H2OHex. 6 m2 : P62c
SulfhydrylbystriteNa5K2Ca[Al6Si6O24](S5)2(SH)Trig. 3m : P3 1c
Tounkite(Na,Ca,K)8(Si6Al6)O24(SO4)2Cl · 0.5H2OHex. 6 2 2 : P62 2 2
'UM2004-48-SiO:AlClCaNaS'(Na,Ca)8(Si6Al6)O24(SO4)1.7Cl1.3
'UM2009-23-SiO:AlCCaClHKNaS'(Na,Ca)24K10[(Si,Al)60O120](SO4)5.6Cl1.5(CO3)0.4 · 11H2OTrig. 3 : P3
Vishnevite(Na,K)8(Al6Si6O24)(SO4,CO3) · 2H2OHex. 6 : P63

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
142 photos of Afghanite associated with CalciteCaCO3
95 photos of Afghanite associated with PyriteFeS2
57 photos of Afghanite associated with LazuriteNa7Ca(Al6Si6O24)(SO4)(S3) · H2O
18 photos of Afghanite associated with PhlogopiteKMg3(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
12 photos of Afghanite associated with MarialiteNa4Al3Si9O24Cl
8 photos of Afghanite associated with Sodalite Group
8 photos of Afghanite associated with DiopsideCaMgSi2O6
8 photos of Afghanite associated with NephelineNa3K(Al4Si4O16)
7 photos of Afghanite associated with 'Wernerite'
6 photos of Afghanite associated with 'Marble'

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

9.FB.Perchukite-(Y)PbYAsSi2O8Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.FB.Åsgruvanite-(Ce)Ce16Ca5Al(SiO4)6(AsO3)8(CO3)2Cl4F3(OH)2Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1
9.FB.SteudeliteNa3(K17Ca7)Ca4(Al24Si24O96)(SO3)6F6 · 4H2OHex. 6 m2 : P62c
9.FB.Wenlanzhangite-(Y)Y2V3+2V4+2(SiO4)2O4(OH)4Tric. 1 : P1
9.FB.SlyudyankaiteNa28Ca4(Si24Al24O96)(SO4)6(S6)1/3(CO2) · 2H2OTric. 1 : P1
9.FB.Bolotinaite(Na7◻)(Al6Si6O24)F · 4H2OIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
9.FB.SapozhnikoviteNa8(Al6Si6O24)(HS)2Iso. 4 3m : P4 3n
9.FB.BetziteNa6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)Cl4Hex. 6 : P63
9.FB.05Quadridavyne(Na,K)6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)Cl4Hex. 6/m : P63/m
9.FB.05SulfhydrylbystriteNa5K2Ca[Al6Si6O24](S5)2(SH)Trig. 3m : P3 1c
9.FB.05Marinellite(Na,K)42Ca6(Al6Si6O24)6(SO4)8Cl2 · 3H2OTrig. 3m : P3 1c
9.FB.05Bystrite(Na,K)7Ca(Al6Si6O24)(S5)ClTrig. 3m : P3 1c
9.FB.05Franzinite(Na,K)6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)(SO4)2 · 0.5H2OHex.
9.FB.05KyanoxaliteNa7(Al6-xSi6+xO24)(C2O4)0.5+x · 5H2O (0 < x < 0.5)Hex. 6 : P63
9.FB.05Vishnevite(Na,K)8(Al6Si6O24)(SO4,CO3) · 2H2OHex. 6 : P63
9.FB.05Farneseite(Na,Ca,K)56(Al6Si6O24)7(SO4)12 · 6H2OHex. 6/m : P63/m
9.FB.05Alloriite(Na,Ca,K)26Ca4(Al6Si6O24)4(SO4)6Cl6Trig. 3m : P3 1c
9.FB.05Liottite(Na,K)16Ca8(Al6Si6O24)3(SO4)5Cl4Hex. 6 : P6
9.FB.05DepmeieriteNa8(Al6Si6O24)(PO4,CO3)1-x · 3H2O (x<0.5)Hex. 6 : P63
9.FB.05Biachellaite(Na,Ca,K)8(Al6Si6O24)(SO4)2(OH)0.5 · H2OTrig. 3 : P3
9.FB.05Cancrinite(Na,Ca,◻)8(Al6Si6O24)(CO3,SO4)2 · 2H2OHex. 6 : P63
9.FB.05CancrisiliteNa7(Al5Si7O24)(CO3) · 3H2OHex. 6mm : P63mc
9.FB.05Fantappièite[Na82.5Ca33K16.5](Si99Al99O396)(SO4)33 · 4H2OTrig. 3 : R3
9.FB.05CarbobystriteNa8(Al6Si6O24)(CO3) · 3.5H2OTrig. 3m : P3 1c
9.FB.05MicrosommiteNa4K2Ca2(Al6Si6O24)(SO4)Cl2Hex. 6 2 2 : P63 2 2
9.FB.05PitiglianoiteNa6K2(Al6Si6O24)(SO4) · 2H2OHex. 6 : P63
9.FB.05Tounkite(Na,Ca,K)8(Si6Al6)O24(SO4)2Cl · 0.5H2OHex. 6 2 2 : P62 2 2
9.FB.05Balliranoite(Na,K)6Ca2(Si6Al6O24)Cl2(CO3)Hex. 6 : P63
9.FB.05Giuseppettite(Na,K,Ca)7-8(Al6Si6O24)(SO4,Cl)1-2Trig. 3m : P3 1c
9.FB.05Sacrofanite(Na61K19Ca32)(Si84Al84O336)(SO4)26Cl2F6 · 2H2OHex.
9.FB.05KircheriteNa5Ca2K(Al6Si6O24)(SO4)2 · 0.33H2OTrig. 3 2 : R3 2
9.FB.05HydroxycancriniteNa8(Al6Si6O24)(OH)2 · 2H2OHex. 6 : P63
9.FB.05Davyne(Na,K)6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)(Cl2,SO4)2Hex. 6/m : P63/m
9.FB.10HaüyneNa3Ca(Si3Al3)O12(SO4)Iso. 4 3m : P4 3n
9.FB.10LazuriteNa7Ca(Al6Si6O24)(SO4)(S3) · H2OIso. 4 3m : P4 3n
9.FB.10DanaliteBe3Fe2+4(SiO4)3SIso. 4 3m : P4 3n
9.FB.10HelvineBe3Mn2+4(SiO4)3SIso. 4 3m : P4 3n
9.FB.10KamaishiliteCa2(Al2SiO6)(OH)2Tet.
9.FB.10SodaliteNa4(Si3Al3)O12ClIso. 4 3m : P4 3n
9.FB.10NoseanNa8(Al6Si6O24)(SO4) · H2OIso. 4 3m : P4 3n
9.FB.10GenthelviteBe3Zn4(SiO4)3SIso. 4 3m : P4 3n
9.FB.10BicchuliteCa2(Al2SiO6)(OH)2Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m
9.FB.10Tsaregorodtsevite(N(CH3)4)(AlSi5O12)Orth. 2 2 2 : I2 2 2
9.FB.10VladimirivanoviteNa6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)(SO4,S3,S2,Cl)2 · H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
9.FB.10Tugtupite(BeAlSi)Na4(SiO4)3ClTet. 4 : I4
9.FB.15MarialiteNa4Al3Si9O24ClTet. 4/m : I4/m
9.FB.15MeioniteCa4Al6Si6O24CO3Tet. 4/m : I4/m
9.FB.15Silvialite(Ca,Na)4(Al6Si6O24)(SO4,CO3)Tet. 4/m : I4/m

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 AfghaniteHide

References for AfghaniteHide

Reference List:

Localities for AfghaniteHide

Showing 29 localities.

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.
Hide all sections | Show all sections

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.
Afghanistan
 
Hogarth (1979)
    • Kuran wa Munjan District
Dudley Blauwet priv. comm. (2008)
      • Sar-e-Sang
Bariand et al. (1968) +1 other reference
Woodside et al. (2014)
Fernando Camara (2013)
Canada
 
  • Nunavut
    • Qikiqtaaluk Region
      • Baffin Island
Hogarth (1979)
Germany
 
  • Rhineland-Palatinate
    • Mayen-Koblenz
      • Vordereifel
Blaß et al. (2003)
        • Ettringen
Blaß et al. (2001)
Italy
 
  • Campania
    • Metropolitan City of Naples
... +5 other references
in the collection of Luigi Mattei
  • Lazio
    • Metropolitan City of Rome Capital
      • Magliano Romano
Stoppani et al. (1982)
Parodi et al. (1996)
Gresta et al. (2002)
    • Viterbo Province
Stoppani et al. (1982) +1 other reference
Di Domenico Dario
      • Gradoli
Signoretti et al. (2001)
      • Onano
Cresta et al. (2002)
      • Valentano
Burli et al. (2007)
      • Vetralla
Signoretti et al. (2004) +1 other reference
Boiocchi (2006)
Carlini
      • Viterbo
Bill Henderson specimens
www.gminromano.it (2005) +1 other reference
Stoppani et al. (1982)
  • Tuscany
    • Grosseto Province
      • Pitigliano
Liotti (1991)
Russia
 
  • Slyudyanka
    • Malaya Bystraya River Valley
Hogarth (1979) +2 other references
Pavel M. Kartashov (n.d.) +2 other references
Tajikistan
 
  • Gorno-Badakhshan
    • Roshtqal'a
      • Shakhdara range
        • Badom-Dara
Hogarth (1979)
USA
 
  • New York
    • St. Lawrence County
      • Edwards
Hogarth (1979)
 
and/or  
Mindat.org® is an outreach project of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Mindat® and mindat.org® are registered trademarks of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy.
Copyright © mindat.org and the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy 1993-2026, except where stated. Most political location boundaries are © OpenStreetMap contributors. Mindat.org relies on the contributions of thousands of members and supporters. Founded in 2000 by Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau.
To cite: Ralph, J., Von Bargen, D., Martynov, P., Zhang, J., Que, X., Prabhu, A., Morrison, S. M., Li, W., Chen, W., & Ma, X. (2025). Mindat.org: The open access mineralogy database to accelerate data-intensive geoscience research. American Mineralogist, 110(6), 833–844. doi:10.2138/am-2024-9486.
Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Contact Us / DMCA issues - Report a bug/vulnerability Current server date and time: June 3, 2026 22:44:18 Page updated: May 13, 2026 14:06:07
Go to top of page