Afghanite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Afghanite
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
Member of:
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.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Afghanite.
Structurally related to UM2004-48-SiO:AlClCaNaS.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Afghanite.Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
41
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:41:9
IMA Classification of Afghanite
Approved
IMA Formula:
(Na,K)22Ca10(Si24Al24)O96(SO4)6Cl6
Approval year:
1967
First published:
1968
Classification of Afghanite
9.FB.05
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
F : Tektosilicates without zeolitic H2O
B : Tektosilicates with additional anions
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
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
17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
10 : Silicates with sulphate, molybdate or tungstate
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 for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Afg | 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 Afghanite
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}
{1010}
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
2.55 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.65 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Afghanite
Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 1.523 nε = 1.529
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.006
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
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.
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 Afghanite
Mindat Formula:
(Na,K)22Ca10(Si24Al24O96)(SO4)6Cl6
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Afghanite
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.
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 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0018843 | Afghanite | Ballirano P, Bosi F (2012) Thermal behavior of afghanite, an ABABACAC member of the cancrinite group American Mineralogist 97 630-640 | 2012 | Case Collina, Latium, Italy | 0 | 293 | |
| 0006636 | Afghanite | Ballirano 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 21-30 | 1997 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 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 Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest 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 Afghanite
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.
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 Afghanite
Other Language Names for Afghanite
Relationship of Afghanite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Cancrinite Group:
| Alloriite | (Na,Ca,K)26Ca4(Al6Si6O24)4(SO4)6Cl6 | Trig. 3m : P3 1c |
| Balliranoite | (Na,K)6Ca2(Si6Al6O24)Cl2(CO3) | Hex. 6 : P63 |
| Betzite | Na6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)Cl4 | Hex. 6 : P63 |
| Biachellaite | (Na,Ca,K)8(Al6Si6O24)(SO4)2(OH)0.5 · H2O | Trig. 3 : P3 |
| Bystrite | (Na,K)7Ca(Al6Si6O24)(S5)Cl | Trig. 3m : P3 1c |
| Cancrinite | (Na,Ca,◻)8(Al6Si6O24)(CO3,SO4)2 · 2H2O | Hex. 6 : P63 |
| Cancrisilite | Na7(Al5Si7O24)(CO3) · 3H2O | Hex. 6mm : P63mc |
| Carbobystrite | Na8(Al6Si6O24)(CO3) · 3.5H2O | Trig. 3m : P3 1c |
| Davyne | (Na,K)6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)(Cl2,SO4)2 | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Depmeierite | Na8(Al6Si6O24)(PO4,CO3)1-x · 3H2O (x<0.5) | Hex. 6 : P63 |
| Fantappièite | [Na82.5Ca33K16.5](Si99Al99O396)(SO4)33 · 4H2O | Trig. 3 : R3 |
| Farneseite | (Na,Ca,K)56(Al6Si6O24)7(SO4)12 · 6H2O | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Franzinite | (Na,K)6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)(SO4)2 · 0.5H2O | Hex. |
| Giuseppettite | (Na,K,Ca)7-8(Al6Si6O24)(SO4,Cl)1-2 | Trig. 3m : P3 1c |
| Hydroxycancrinite | Na8(Al6Si6O24)(OH)2 · 2H2O | Hex. 6 : P63 |
| Kircherite | Na5Ca2K(Al6Si6O24)(SO4)2 · 0.33H2O | Trig. 3 2 : R3 2 |
| Kyanoxalite | Na7(Al6-xSi6+xO24)(C2O4)0.5+x · 5H2O (0 < x < 0.5) | Hex. 6 : P63 |
| Liottite | (Na,K)16Ca8(Al6Si6O24)3(SO4)5Cl4 | Hex. 6 : P6 |
| Marinellite | (Na,K)42Ca6(Al6Si6O24)6(SO4)8Cl2 · 3H2O | Trig. 3m : P3 1c |
| Microsommite | Na4K2Ca2(Al6Si6O24)(SO4)Cl2 | Hex. 6 2 2 : P63 2 2 |
| Pitiglianoite | Na6K2(Al6Si6O24)(SO4) · 2H2O | Hex. 6 : P63 |
| Quadridavyne | (Na,K)6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)Cl4 | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Sacrofanite | (Na61K19Ca32)(Si84Al84O336)(SO4)26Cl2F6 · 2H2O | Hex. |
| Steudelite | Na3(K17Ca7)Ca4(Al24Si24O96)(SO3)6F6 · 4H2O | Hex. 6 m2 : P62c |
| Sulfhydrylbystrite | Na5K2Ca[Al6Si6O24](S5)2(SH) | Trig. 3m : P3 1c |
| Tounkite | (Na,Ca,K)8(Si6Al6)O24(SO4)2Cl · 0.5H2O | Hex. 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 · 11H2O | Trig. 3 : P3 |
| Vishnevite | (Na,K)8(Al6Si6O24)(SO4,CO3) · 2H2O | Hex. 6 : P63 |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 142 photos of Afghanite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 95 photos of Afghanite associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
| 57 photos of Afghanite associated with Lazurite | Na7Ca(Al6Si6O24)(SO4)(S3) · H2O |
| 18 photos of Afghanite associated with Phlogopite | KMg3(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| 12 photos of Afghanite associated with Marialite | Na4Al3Si9O24Cl |
| 8 photos of Afghanite associated with Sodalite Group | |
| 8 photos of Afghanite associated with Diopside | CaMgSi2O6 |
| 8 photos of Afghanite associated with Nepheline | Na3K(Al4Si4O16) |
| 7 photos of Afghanite associated with 'Wernerite' | |
| 6 photos of Afghanite associated with 'Marble' |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.FB. | Perchukite-(Y) | PbYAsSi2O8 |
| 9.FB. | Åsgruvanite-(Ce) | Ce16Ca5Al(SiO4)6(AsO3)8(CO3)2Cl4F3(OH)2 |
| 9.FB. | Steudelite | Na3(K17Ca7)Ca4(Al24Si24O96)(SO3)6F6 · 4H2O |
| 9.FB. | Wenlanzhangite-(Y) | Y2V3+2V4+2(SiO4)2O4(OH)4 |
| 9.FB. | Slyudyankaite | Na28Ca4(Si24Al24O96)(SO4)6(S6)1/3(CO2) · 2H2O |
| 9.FB. | Bolotinaite | (Na7◻)(Al6Si6O24)F · 4H2O |
| 9.FB. | Sapozhnikovite | Na8(Al6Si6O24)(HS)2 |
| 9.FB. | Betzite | Na6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)Cl4 |
| 9.FB.05 | Quadridavyne | (Na,K)6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)Cl4 |
| 9.FB.05 | Sulfhydrylbystrite | Na5K2Ca[Al6Si6O24](S5)2(SH) |
| 9.FB.05 | Marinellite | (Na,K)42Ca6(Al6Si6O24)6(SO4)8Cl2 · 3H2O |
| 9.FB.05 | Bystrite | (Na,K)7Ca(Al6Si6O24)(S5)Cl |
| 9.FB.05 | Franzinite | (Na,K)6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)(SO4)2 · 0.5H2O |
| 9.FB.05 | Kyanoxalite | Na7(Al6-xSi6+xO24)(C2O4)0.5+x · 5H2O (0 < x < 0.5) |
| 9.FB.05 | Vishnevite | (Na,K)8(Al6Si6O24)(SO4,CO3) · 2H2O |
| 9.FB.05 | Farneseite | (Na,Ca,K)56(Al6Si6O24)7(SO4)12 · 6H2O |
| 9.FB.05 | Alloriite | (Na,Ca,K)26Ca4(Al6Si6O24)4(SO4)6Cl6 |
| 9.FB.05 | Liottite | (Na,K)16Ca8(Al6Si6O24)3(SO4)5Cl4 |
| 9.FB.05 | Depmeierite | Na8(Al6Si6O24)(PO4,CO3)1-x · 3H2O (x<0.5) |
| 9.FB.05 | Biachellaite | (Na,Ca,K)8(Al6Si6O24)(SO4)2(OH)0.5 · H2O |
| 9.FB.05 | Cancrinite | (Na,Ca,◻)8(Al6Si6O24)(CO3,SO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 9.FB.05 | Cancrisilite | Na7(Al5Si7O24)(CO3) · 3H2O |
| 9.FB.05 | Fantappièite | [Na82.5Ca33K16.5](Si99Al99O396)(SO4)33 · 4H2O |
| 9.FB.05 | Carbobystrite | Na8(Al6Si6O24)(CO3) · 3.5H2O |
| 9.FB.05 | Microsommite | Na4K2Ca2(Al6Si6O24)(SO4)Cl2 |
| 9.FB.05 | Pitiglianoite | Na6K2(Al6Si6O24)(SO4) · 2H2O |
| 9.FB.05 | Tounkite | (Na,Ca,K)8(Si6Al6)O24(SO4)2Cl · 0.5H2O |
| 9.FB.05 | Balliranoite | (Na,K)6Ca2(Si6Al6O24)Cl2(CO3) |
| 9.FB.05 | Giuseppettite | (Na,K,Ca)7-8(Al6Si6O24)(SO4,Cl)1-2 |
| 9.FB.05 | Sacrofanite | (Na61K19Ca32)(Si84Al84O336)(SO4)26Cl2F6 · 2H2O |
| 9.FB.05 | Kircherite | Na5Ca2K(Al6Si6O24)(SO4)2 · 0.33H2O |
| 9.FB.05 | Hydroxycancrinite | Na8(Al6Si6O24)(OH)2 · 2H2O |
| 9.FB.05 | Davyne | (Na,K)6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)(Cl2,SO4)2 |
| 9.FB.10 | Haüyne | Na3Ca(Si3Al3)O12(SO4) |
| 9.FB.10 | Lazurite | Na7Ca(Al6Si6O24)(SO4)(S3) · H2O |
| 9.FB.10 | Danalite | Be3Fe2+4(SiO4)3S |
| 9.FB.10 | Helvine | Be3Mn2+4(SiO4)3S |
| 9.FB.10 | Kamaishilite | Ca2(Al2SiO6)(OH)2 |
| 9.FB.10 | Sodalite | Na4(Si3Al3)O12Cl |
| 9.FB.10 | Nosean | Na8(Al6Si6O24)(SO4) · H2O |
| 9.FB.10 | Genthelvite | Be3Zn4(SiO4)3S |
| 9.FB.10 | Bicchulite | Ca2(Al2SiO6)(OH)2 |
| 9.FB.10 | Tsaregorodtsevite | (N(CH3)4)(AlSi5O12) |
| 9.FB.10 | Vladimirivanovite | Na6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)(SO4,S3,S2,Cl)2 · H2O |
| 9.FB.10 | Tugtupite | (BeAlSi)Na4(SiO4)3Cl |
| 9.FB.15 | Marialite | Na4Al3Si9O24Cl |
| 9.FB.15 | Meionite | Ca4Al6Si6O24CO3 |
| 9.FB.15 | Silvialite | (Ca,Na)4(Al6Si6O24)(SO4,CO3) |
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.
Internet Links for Afghanite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-41.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Afghanite
Reference List:
Bariand, Pierre, Cesbron, Fabien, Giraud, Roger (1968) Une nouvelle espèce minérale : l'afghanite de Sar-e-Sang, Badakhshan, Afghanistan. Comparaison avec les minéraux de groupe de la cancrinite. Bulletin de Minéralogie, 91 (1) 34-42 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1968.6184
Bariand, Pierre, Cesbron, Fabien, Giraud, Roger (1968) Une nouvelle espèce minérale : l'afghanite de Sar-e-Sang, Badakhshan, Afghanistan. Comparaison avec les minéraux de groupe de la cancrinite. Bulletin de Minéralogie, 91 (1) 34-42 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1968.6184
Hogarth, Donald D. (1979) Afghanite: new occurrences and chemical composition. The Canadian Mineralogist, 17 (1) 47-52
Rinaldi, R., Wenk, H. R. (1979) Stacking variations in cancrinite minerals. Acta Crystallographica Section A: Crystal Physics, Diffraction, Theoretical and General Crystallography, 35 (5). 825-828 doi:10.1107/s0567739479001868
Hassan, I., Grundy, H. D. (1984) The crystal structures of sodalite-group minerals. Acta Crystallographica Section B Structural Science, 40 (1) 6-13 doi:10.1107/s0108768184001683
Ballirano, Paolo, Bonaccorsi, Elena, Maras, Adriana, Merlino, Stefanο (1996) Crystal structure of afghanite, the eight-layer member of the cancrinite-group: evidence for long-range Si,Al ordering. European Journal of Mineralogy, 9 (1) 21-30 doi:10.1127/ejm/9/1/0021
Ballirano, P., Maras, A., Buseck, P. R. (1996) Crystal chemistry and IR spectroscopy of Cl- and SO4-bearing cancrinite-like minerals. American Mineralogist, 81 (7) 1003-1012 doi:10.2138/am-1996-7-822
Lane, M. D. (2007) Mid-infrared emission spectroscopy of sulfate and sulfate-bearing minerals. American Mineralogist, 92 (1) 1-18 doi:10.2138/am.2007.2170
Localities for Afghanite
Showing 29 localities.
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).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
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The 
Ladjuar Medam, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan