Ussingite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About Ussingite
Formula:
Na2AlSi3O8OH
Colour:
Pale to medium violet, reddish violet, colourless, white, purple
Lustre:
Sub-Vitreous
Hardness:
6 - 7
Specific Gravity:
2.48
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
Named after Niels Viggo Ussing (14 June 1864, Copenhagen, Denmark - 23 July 1911, Copenhagen, Denmark), Professor of Mineralogy, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
The structure is a unique, interrupted framework with strong H bonding. It is based on 4-, 6- and 8-membered rings of silicate tetrahedra, somewhat like these in feldspars but, as opposed to the latter, partially depolymerized.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
4122
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4122:1
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
4322d500-0758-4ef1-960f-e47cb999f07b
IMA Classification of Ussingite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Na2AlSi3O8(OH)
Classification of Ussingite
9.EH.20
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
H : Transitional structures between phyllosilicate and other silicate units
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
H : Transitional structures between phyllosilicate and other silicate units
76.3.3.1
76 : TECTOSILICATES Al-Si Framework
3 : Al-Si Framework with other Be/Al/Si frameworks
76 : TECTOSILICATES Al-Si Framework
3 : Al-Si Framework with other Be/Al/Si frameworks
16.2.3
16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
2 : Aluminosilicates of Na
16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
2 : Aluminosilicates of Na
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMAâCNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Symbol | Source | Reference |
---|---|---|
Usg | IMAâCNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMAâCNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Ussingite
Sub-Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Pale to medium violet, reddish violet, colourless, white, purple
Streak:
White
Hardness:
6 - 7 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
2.48 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.51 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Ussingite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.504 nβ = 1.509 nγ = 1.545
2V:
Measured: 32° to 39°, Calculated: 42°
Birefringence:
0.041
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.041
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:
Low
Dispersion:
none
Optical Extinction:
Z angle b = 3Ë
Chemistry of Ussingite
Mindat Formula:
Na2AlSi3O8OH
Common Impurities:
Ca,K,Cl,H2O,S
Crystallography of Ussingite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.256 Å, b = 7.686 Å, c = 8.683 Å
α = 90.75°, β = 99.75°, γ = 122.48°
α = 90.75°, β = 99.75°, γ = 122.48°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.944 : 1 : 1.13
Unit Cell V:
399.44 Ă
Âł (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Crystals uncommon; blocky to tabular with dominant pinacoidal forms {100}, {010}, and {001}
Twinning:
{010}
Comment:
Williams & Weller (2012) data: a=7.2474(1), b=7.6813(1), c=8.6423(1), α=90.8351(1), ÎČ=99.771(1), Îł=122.581(1)
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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0000399 | Ussingite | Rossi G, Tazzoli V, Ungaretti L (1974) The crystal structure of ussingite American Mineralogist 59 335-340 | 1974 | Lovozero alkali massif, Russia | 0 | 293 | |
0019374 | Ussingite | Williams E R, Weller M T (2012) A variable-temperature neutron diffraction study of ussingite; a strong asymmetric hydrogen bond in an aluminosilicate framework Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 39 471-478 | 2012 | Nakalaq, Ilimaussaq complex, Greenland | 0 | 4 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
6.88 Ă | (70) |
6.35 Ă | (90) |
4.92 Ă | (70) |
4.18 Ă | (70) |
3.84 Ă | (70) |
3.47 Ă | (70) |
2.95 Ă | (100) |
2.69 Ă | (100) |
Comments:
14-426
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Stage 3a: Earthâs earliest Hadean crust | >4.50 |
9 : Lava/xenolith minerals (hornfels, sanidinite facies) | |
Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks |
Type Occurrence of Ussingite
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Syenite pegmatite, also sodalite-bearing xenoliths
Other Language Names for Ussingite
German:Ussingit
Russian:ĐŁŃŃĐžĐœĐłĐžŃ
Simplified Chinese:玫èçł
玫èäșæŻ
玫èäșæŻ
Spanish:Ussingita
Traditional Chinese:玫èçł
玫èéČæŻ
玫èéČæŻ
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
53 photos of Ussingite associated with Serandite | NaMn2+2Si3O8(OH) |
52 photos of Ussingite associated with Vuonnemite | Na11Ti4+Nb2(Si2O7)2(PO4)2O3(F,OH) |
38 photos of Ussingite associated with Sodalite | Na4(Si3Al3)O12Cl |
33 photos of Ussingite associated with Chkalovite | Na2BeSi2O6 |
31 photos of Ussingite associated with Aegirine | NaFe3+Si2O6 |
28 photos of Ussingite associated with Umbozerite | Na3Sr4Th[Si(O,OH)3-4]8 |
24 photos of Ussingite associated with Steenstrupine-(Ce) | Na14Mn2+2Fe3+2Ce6Zr(Si6O18)2(PO4)6(PO3OH)(OH)2 · 2H2O |
19 photos of Ussingite associated with Manganoneptunite | KNa2Li(Mn2+)2Ti2[Si4O12]2 |
18 photos of Ussingite associated with Tugtupite | Na4BeAlSi4O12Cl |
17 photos of Ussingite associated with Sphalerite | ZnS |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
9.EH.05 | Manganoneptunite | KNa2Li(Mn2+)2Ti2[Si4O12]2 |
9.EH.05 | Neptunite | KNa2Li(Fe2+)2Ti2[Si4O12]2 |
9.EH.05 | Watatsumiite | KNa2Li(Mn2+)2V4+2[Si4O12]2 |
9.EH.05 | Magnesioneptunite | KNa2Li(Mg)2Ti2[Si4O12]2 |
9.EH.05 | Rotherkopfite | KNa2Fe2+(Fe2+)2(Ti1.5Fe2+0.5)[Si4O12]2 |
9.EH.10 | Grumantite | Na(HSi2O5) · H2O |
9.EH.15 | Sarcolite | Na4Ca12Al8Si12O46(SiO4,PO4)(OH,H2O)4(CO3,Cl) |
9.EH.25 | Leifite | (Na,H2O)Na6[Be2Al2(Al,Si)Si15O39]F2 |
9.EH.25 | Telyushenkoite | (Cs,Na,K)Na6[Be2Al3Si15O39]F2 |
9.EH.25 | Eirikite | KNa6Be2(Si15Al3)O39F2 |
9.EH.30 | Nafertisite | Na3Fe2+10Ti2(Si6O17)2O2(OH)6F(H2O)2 |
9.EH.35 | Veblenite | KNa(Fe2+5Fe3+4Mn7)Nb4(Si2O7)2(Si8O22)2O6(OH)10(H2O)3 |
Fluorescence of Ussingite
Not fluorescent
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 Ussingite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-4122.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
References for Ussingite
Reference List:
Böggild, Î. B. (1915) IX. Ussingit, ein neues Mineral von Kangerdluarsuk. Zeitschrift fĂŒr Kristallographie - Crystalline Materials, 54 (1) 120 doi:10.1524/zkri.1915.54.1.120
Rossi, Guiseppe, Tazzoli, Vittorio, Ungaretti, and Luciano (1974) The crystal structure of ussingite. American Mineralogist, 59 (3-4) 335-340
Localities for Ussingite
Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
â - 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.
Quick NavTopAbout UssingiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence Other LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Shkatulka pegmatite, Umbozero mine, Alluaiv Mountain, Lovozersky District, Murmansk Oblast, Russia