Åkermanite
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About Åkermanite
Formula:
Ca2Mg(Si2O7)
Colour:
Colorless, yellowish gray, green, brown
Lustre:
Vitreous, Resinous
Hardness:
5 - 6
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Member of:
Name:
First described from samples of slags from furnace iron production found at 3 furnace localities: Hofors, Löfsjöen and Mölnbo, Sweden (Vogt 1884).
Named by the Norwegian geologist, professor Johan Herman Lie Vogt (1858-1932) in honor of Anders Richard Åkerman(1837-1922), Swedish metallurgist. During his comprehensive study of the mineralogy of slag products, Vogt discovered a new Ca-Mg-silicate, and named the mineral Åkermanit. Åkerman had kindly given J.H.L.Vogt access to Stockholms Bergskolas large collection of slags. It was in samples from this collection Vogt discovered the mineral.
Named by the Norwegian geologist, professor Johan Herman Lie Vogt (1858-1932) in honor of Anders Richard Åkerman(1837-1922), Swedish metallurgist. During his comprehensive study of the mineralogy of slag products, Vogt discovered a new Ca-Mg-silicate, and named the mineral Åkermanit. Åkerman had kindly given J.H.L.Vogt access to Stockholms Bergskolas large collection of slags. It was in samples from this collection Vogt discovered the mineral.
Classification of Åkermanite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
8/C.02-10
9.BB.10
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
B : Sorosilicates
B : Si2O7 groups, without non-tetrahedral anions; cations in tetrahedral [4] and greater coordination
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
B : Sorosilicates
B : Si2O7 groups, without non-tetrahedral anions; cations in tetrahedral [4] and greater coordination
55.4.1.1
55 : SOROSILICATES Si2O7 Groups,Generally with no Additional Anions
4 : Si2O7 Groups, Generally with No Additional Anions with cations in [8] and lower coordination
55 : SOROSILICATES Si2O7 Groups,Generally with no Additional Anions
4 : Si2O7 Groups, Generally with No Additional Anions with cations in [8] and lower coordination
14.6.9
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
6 : Silicates of Ca with alkali or Mg or both
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
6 : Silicates of Ca with alkali or Mg or both
Physical Properties of Åkermanite
Vitreous, Resinous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Colorless, yellowish gray, green, brown
Comment:
in thin section, colorless to yellow
Streak:
white
Hardness:
5 - 6 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Distinct on {001} , poor on {110}
Distinct on {001} , poor on {110}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Conchoidal
Optical Data of Åkermanite
Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 1.632 nε = 1.640
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
Chemical Properties of Åkermanite
Formula:
Ca2Mg(Si2O7)
IMA Formula:
Ca2MgSi2O7
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Åkermanite
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Class (H-M):
4 2m - Scalenohedral
Space Group:
P4 21m
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.8288(8) Å, c = 5.0052(2) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.639
Unit Cell V:
306.77 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Crystals short prismatic to thin tabular, which may resemble squashed, octahedrally-modified cubes; granular, massive.
Twinning:
On {100} and 001 , cruciform.
Comment:
Synthetic material
Geological Environment
Geological Setting:
A product of contact metamorphism of siliceous limestones and dolostones, and in rocks of the sanidinite facies. Also forms from alkalic magmas rich in calcium.
Synonyms of Åkermanite
Other Language Names for Åkermanite
German:Åkermanit
Oakermanit
Okermanit
Oakermanit
Okermanit
Norwegian:Åkermanitt
Russian:Окерманит
Simplified Chinese:镁黄长石
Spanish:Åkermanita
Oakermanita
Okermanita
Oakermanita
Okermanita
Varieties of Åkermanite
Justite (of Hofmann-Degen) | An artificial (anthropogenic) mineral found as crystals in lead furnaces in Clausthal, Harz, Germany. A ferroan zincian Åkermanite. |
Relationship of Åkermanite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
Alumoåkermanite | (Ca,Na)2(Al,Mg,Fe2+)(Si2O7) | Tet. 4 2m : P4 21m |
Bennesherite | Ba2Fe2+Si2O7 | Tet. 4 2m : P4 21m |
Ferri-gehlenite | Ca2Fe3+[AlSiO7] | |
Gehlenite | Ca2Al(AlSiO7) | Tet. 4 2m : P4 21m |
Gugiaite | Ca2Be(Si2O7) | Tet. |
Hardystonite | Ca2Zn(Si2O7) | Tet. 4 2m : P4 21m |
Hydroxylgugiaite | (Ca,◻)2(Be,Si)[(Si,Be)2O5(OH)2] | Tet. 4 2m : P4 21m |
Okayamalite | Ca2B(BSiO7) | Tet. |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Diopside | CaMgSi2O6 |
Forsterite | Mg2SiO4 |
Larnite | Ca2SiO4 |
Merwinite | Ca3Mg(SiO4)2 |
Merwinite | Ca3Mg(SiO4)2 |
Monticellite | CaMgSiO4 |
Spurrite | Ca5(SiO4)2(CO3) |
Wollastonite | CaSiO3 |
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
1 photo of Åkermanite associated with Kalsilite | KAlSiO4 |
1 photo of Åkermanite associated with Kottenheimite | Ca 3Si(SO4)2(OH)6 · 12H2O |
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping
9.BB.10 | Cebollite | Ca5Al2(SiO4)3(OH)4 | Orth. |
9.BB.10 | Gehlenite | Ca2Al(AlSiO7) | Tet. 4 2m : P4 21m |
9.BB.10 | Gugiaite | Ca2Be(Si2O7) | Tet. |
9.BB.10 | Hardystonite | Ca2Zn(Si2O7) | Tet. 4 2m : P4 21m |
9.BB.10 | Jeffreyite | (Ca,Na)2(Be,Al)(Si2O7,HSi2O7) | Orth. |
9.BB.10 | Okayamalite | Ca2B(BSiO7) | Tet. |
9.BB.10 | Alumoåkermanite | (Ca,Na)2(Al,Mg,Fe2+)(Si2O7) | Tet. 4 2m : P4 21m |
9.BB.15 | Barylite | Be2Ba(Si2O7) | Orth. |
9.BB.15 | Barylite-1O | Be2Ba(Si2O7) | Mon. m : Pm |
9.BB.20 | Andrémeyerite | BaFe2+2(Si2O7) | Mon. |
Related Minerals - Dana Grouping (8th Ed.)
55.4.1.2 | Gehlenite | Ca2Al(AlSiO7) | Tet. 4 2m : P4 21m |
55.4.1.3 | Melilite | Ca2(Al,Mg,Fe)((Al,Si,B)SiO7) | Tet. |
55.4.1.5 | Alumoåkermanite | (Ca,Na)2(Al,Mg,Fe2+)(Si2O7) | Tet. 4 2m : P4 21m |
Related Minerals - Hey's Chemical Index of Minerals Grouping
14.6.1 | Combeite | Na4.5Ca3.5Si6O17.5(OH)0.5 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
14.6.2 | Pectolite | NaCa2Si3O8(OH) | Tric. 1 : P1 |
14.6.3 | Pectolite-M2abc | NaCa2[HSi3O9] | |
14.6.4 | Denisovite | K14+x(Ca,Na,Mn,Fe)48[Si60O162]F16(Ox,OH4-x) · 2H2O | Mon. |
14.6.5 | Tokkoite | K2Ca4[Si7O18(OH)](OH,F) | Tric. |
14.6.6 | Mountainite | KNa2Ca2[Si8O19(OH)] · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : P2/b |
14.6.7 | Rhodesite | KHCa2Si8O19 · 5H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
14.6.8 | Miserite | K1.5-x(Ca,Y,REE)5(Si6O15)(Si2O7)(OH,F)2 · yH2O | Tric. |
14.6.10 | Monticellite | CaMgSiO4 | Orth. |
14.6.11 | Merwinite | Ca3Mg(SiO4)2 | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
14.6.12 | Diopside | CaMgSi2O6 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
14.6.13 | Tremolite | ◻{Ca2}{Mg5}(Si8O22)(OH)2 | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
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.
Åkermanite in petrology
An essential component of rock names highlighted in red, an accessory component in rock names highlighted in green.
References for Åkermanite
Reference List:
Sort by Year (asc) | by Year (desc) | by Author (A-Z) | by Author (Z-A)
Vogt, I.H.L. (1884) Studier over slagger. I. Kongliga Svenska Vetenskaps-Akademiens Handlingar: 9: 3-302.
Vogt, I.H.L. (1890) Die Mineralien der Melilithgruppe - nämlich Gehlenit, Melilith und ein neues tetragonales, nicht Al2O3-führendes (Ca,Mg)O-Silikat (Åkermanit), nebst Zwischengliedern. Archiv for Mathematik og Naturvidenskab: 13: 310-402.
Schairer, J.F. and Bowen, N.L. (1942) The binary system CaSiO3-diopside, and the relations between CaSiO3 and akermanite. American Journal of Science, 240: 10: 725-742.
Christie, O.H.J. (1961) On sub-solidus relations of silicates; IV. The system åkermanite-sodium-gehlenite and gehlenite-sodium-gehlenite. Norsk Geologisk Tidsskrift: 42: 31-44.
Valley, J.W., Essene, E.J. (1979) Vesuvianite, akermanite, monticellite and wollastonite equlibria and high X H2O/CO2 at Cascade slide, Mt Marcy Quad, Adirondack Mts. EOS: 60: 423.
Kimata, M., Ii, N. (1981) The crystal structure of synthetic akermanite, Ca2MgSi2O7. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Monatshefte: 1981: 1-10.
Hemingway, B.S., Evans, H.T., Nord, G.L., Haselton, H.T., Robie, R.A., McGee, J.J. (1986) Åkermanite: phase transitions in heat capacity and thermal expansion, and revised thermodynamic data. The Canadian Mineralogist: 24: 425-434.
Kusaka, K., Ohmasa, M., Hagiya, K., Iishi, K., Haga, N. (1998) On variety of the Ca coordination in the incommensurate structure of synthetic iron-bearing åkermanite, Ca2(Mg0.55Fe0.45)Si2O7. Mineralogical Journal: 20: 47-58.
Courtial, P., Téqui, C., Richet, P. (2000) Thermodynamics of diopside, anorthite, pseudowollastonite, CaMgGeO4 olivine, and åkermanite up to near the melting point. Physics and Chemistry of Minerals: 27: 242-250.
Gemmi, M., Merlini, M., Cruciani, G., Artioli, G. (2007) Non-ideality and defectivity of the åkermanite-gehlenite solid solution: An X-ray diffraction and TEM study. American Mineralogist: 92: 1685-1694.
Merlini, M., Gemmi, M., Cruciani, G., Artioli, G. (2008) High-temperature behaviour of melilite: in situ X-ray diffraction study of gehlenite-åkermanite-Na melilite solid solution. Physics and Chemistry of Minerals: 35: 147-155.
Merlini, M., Gemmi, M., Hanfland, M., Crichton, W. (2009) High-pressure behavior of akermanite and gehlenite and phase stability of the normal structures in melelites. American Mineralogist: 94: 704-709.
Internet Links for Åkermanite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-70.html
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Localities for Åkermanite
Locality List




All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Atlantic Ocean | |
| Gablina, I. F., Dobretzova, I. G., Laiba, A. A., Narkevsky, E. V., Maksimov, F. E., & Kuznetsov, V. Y. (2018). Specific Features of Sulfide Ores in the Pobeda Hydrothermal Cluster, Mid-Atlantic Rise 17° 07′–17° 08′ N. Lithology and Mineral Resources, 53(6), 431-454. |
Gablina, I. F., Dobretzova, I. G., Laiba, A. A., Narkevsky, E. V., Maksimov, F. E., & Kuznetsov, V. Y. (2018). Specific Features of Sulfide Ores in the Pobeda Hydrothermal Cluster, Mid-Atlantic Rise 17° 07′–17° 08′ N. Lithology and Mineral Resources, 53(6), 431-454. | |
Austria | |
| Kolitsch, U. (2013): 1799) Anglesit, Brochantit, Calcit, Callaghanit, Connellit, Cuprit, Diopsid, Elyit, Forsterit, Kupfer, Lithargit, Magnesiochromit, Malachit, Monohydrocalcit, Phoenicochroit, Rouait und Willemit in Schlacken der Montanwerke Brixlegg, Tirol. Pp. 111-114 in Niedermayr, G. et al. (2013): Neue Mineralfunde aus Österreich LXII. Carinthia II, 203./123., 91-146. |
Canada | |
| OWENS, B.E. & KREMSER, P.T. (2010) Åkermanite breakdown to cuspidine-bearing sympectite in a calc-silicate xenolith, Kiglapait intrusion, Labrador, Canada. Canadian Mineralogist 48, 809-819. |
Am Min 85:1595–1605, (2000) | |
| Sabina (1968) |
Handbook of Mineralogy | |
| Sabina (1968) |
China | |
| Xiyue Wang, Huimin Zhang, Sichao Wang, and Yuezhen Wu (1987): Acta Petrologica et Mineralogica 6(4), 296-306 |
Czech Republic | |
| Pauliš P. Mineralogické lokality okolí Kutné Hory. Kuttna, Kutná Hora 1999. ISBN 80-902719-0-1. |
| Žáček V., Skála R., Chlupáčová M., Dvořák Z. 2005: Ca-Fe3+-rich, Si-undersaturated buchite from Želénky, North-Bohemian Brown Coal Basin, Czech Republic. Eur. J. Mineral., 17, 623-633 |
DR Congo | |
| Andersen, T., Elburg, M. A., & Erambert, M. (2014). Extreme peralkalinity in delhayelite-and andremeyerite-bearing nephelinite from Nyiragongo volcano, East African Rift. Lithos, 206, 164-178. |
France | |
| Kruszewski, Ł., Gatel, P., Thiéry, V., Moszumańska, I., and Kusy, D. (2018) Crystallochemical Behavior of Slag Minerals and the Occurrence of Potentially New Mineral Species from Lapanouse-de-Sévérac, France. In: Stracher, G.B. (Ed.) Coal and Peat Fires: A Global Perspective, Vol. 5: Case Studies - Advances in Field and Laboratory Research, xx-xx (in press; publication date: November 2018). |
Germany | |
| Keller, J., Williams T. (1995): Niocalite and Wöhlerite from the alkaline and carbonatite rocks at Kaiserstuhl, Germany, Mineralogical Magazine, Vol.: 59, 561-566 |
| No reference listed |
| Bender, D. and Krimmelbein, W. (1994) Aktuelle Übersicht: Mineralien der Zinkhütte Genna/Sauerland. Stand Juni 1994. Mineralien-Welt, 4/94, 10.; Blaß, G. & Graf, H.W. (1995) Neufunde von bekannten Fundstellen (13). Mineralien-Welt 6 (3), 47-51. |
| Blaß, G. & Graf, H. W. (1995): Neufunde von Schlackenhalden in der nördlichen Eifel (II). Mineralien-Welt, 6 (3), 28-31. |
Rolf Luetcke specimen; Blaß, G. & Graf, H. W. (1995): Neufunde von Schlackenhalden in der nördlichen Eifel (II). Mineralien-Welt, 6 (3), 28-31. | |
| Peter Neschen Collection |
| Christof Schäfer |
| [Blass, G., Graf, H.W., Neue Mineralienfunde aus der Eifel und dem Siegerland, Mineralien-Welt 10/3, 23, 1999] [A. Wittern: Mineralfundorte in Deutschland, Schweizerbart (Stuttgart), 2001] |
| Aksenov, S. M., Rastsvetaeva, R. K., & Chukanov, N. V. (2014). The crystal structure of emmerichite Ва 2Na 3Fe 3+ Ti 2 (Si 2O 7) 2O 2F 2, a new lamprophyllite-group mineral. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie–Crystalline Materials, 229(1), 1-7. |
| in the collection of Christof Schäfer; Chukanov, N. V., Zubkova, N. V., Pekov, I. V., Belakovskiy, D. I., Schüller, W., Ternes, B., ... & Pushcharovsky, D. Y. (2013). Hillesheimite,(K, Ca,□) 2 (Mg, Fe, Ca,□) 2 [(Si, Al) 13O23 (OH) 6](OH)· 8H2O, a new phyllosilicate mineral of the Günterblassite group. Geology of Ore Deposits, 55(7), 549-557. |
Iraq | |
| |
Italy | |
| [Lapis 1994:5 p.13-23,58] |
| |
| Vik Vanrusselt Collection |
| Stoppa F., Sharygin V.V., 2009. Melilitolite intrusion and pelite digestion by high temperature kamafugitic magma at Colle Fabbri, Spoleto, Italy. Lithos, 112, 306-320. |
| Joel Dyer Collection |
Japan | |
| The Mineral Species of Japan (5th ed) Matsubara |
Middle East | |
Gross, S. (1977): The Mineralogy of the Hatrurim Formation, Israel. Geological Survey of Israel, Bulletin no. 70, 80 pp. | |
Morocco | |
| Berger, J., Ennih, N., Mercier, J. C., Liégeois, J. P., & Demaiffe, D. (2009). The role of fractional crystallization and late-stage peralkaline melt segregation in the mineralogical evolution of Cenozoic nephelinites/phonolites from Saghro (SE Morocco). Mineralogical magazine, 73(1), 59-82. |
Namibia | |
| Ettler, V., Johan, Z., Kříbek, B., Šebek, O. & Mihaljevič, M. (2009): Mineralogy and environmental stability of slags from the Tsumeb smelter, Namibia. Applied Geochemistry 24, 1-15. |
Norway | |
| Jamtveit B., Dahlgren S. and Austrheim H. (1997): High-grade contact metamorphism of calcareous rocks from the Oslo Rift, Southern Norway. American Mineralogist. 82 : 1241 - 1254 |
Romania | |
| Szakáll, S., Kristály, F., 2010. Mineralogy of Székelyland, Eastern Transylvania, Romania. Sfântu Gheorghe-Miercurea Ciuc-Târgu Mureş. 2010. |
| Szakáll, S. & Kristály, F., Eds. (2010): Mineralogy of Székelyland, Eastern Transylvania, Romania. Csík County Nature and Conservation Society, Miercurea-Ciuc, Romania, 321 pp. |
Russia | |
| Pavel M. Kartashov data |
| www.koeln.netsurf.de/~w.steffens/khib.htm |
Arzamastsev, A.A. [Арзамасцев, А.А.] (1990): Alkaline ultramafites in the Khibiny massif: new data and petrological implications [Щелочные ультрамафиты в Хибинском массиве: новые данные и петрологические следствия]. In: Alkaline magmatism of the north-eastern sector of the Baltic Shield [Щелочной магматизм северо-восточной части Балтийского щита]. Kola Scientific Centre, USSR Academy of Science Press [Издательство Кольского НЦ АН СССР], Apatity, pages 4-19 (in Russian); Arzamastsev, A.A., Arzamastseva, L.V., Glaznev, V.N., Raevskiy, A.B. [Арзамасцев, А.А., Арзамасцева, Л.В., Глазнев, В.Н., Раевский, А.Б.] (1998): Deep structure and composition of the bottom horizons of the Khibiny and Lovozero complexes, Kola Peninsula: petrological-geophysical model [Глубинное строение и состав нижних горизонтов Хибинского и Ловозерского комплексов, Кольский полуостров: петролого-геофизическая модель]. Petrology [Петрология], 6, 5, 478-496 (in Russian); Yakovenchuk, V.N., Ivanyuk, G.Yu., Pakhomovsky, Ya.A., Men'shikov, Yu.P. (2005): Khibiny. Laplandia Minerals Ltd. (in association with the Mineralogical Society of Great Britain and Ireland), Apatity, 468 pp. | |
Kalinkina, E. V., Kalinkin, A. M., Forsling, W., & Makarov, V. N. (2001). Sorption of atmospheric carbon dioxide and structural changes of Ca and Mg silicate minerals during grinding: II. Enstatite, åkermanite and wollastonite. International journal of mineral processing, 61(4), 289-299. | |
Slovakia | |
| Martin Števko-unpublished, PXRD and EMPA-WDS confirmed |
South Africa | |
| Cairncross, B., Dixon, R. (1995) Minerals of South Africa. Geological Society of South Africa, PO Box 44283, Linden 2104, South Africa pg 181 |
| Von Bezing, K. L. et al. (1991) The Kalahari manganese field: An Update, Mineralogical Record 22(4) 279-302; |
Sweden | |
| Sandström, F., Binett, T., Wiklund, C. & Vikström, J. (2010): Alnöområdets geologi och mineralogi. Litiofilen. 27 (2) :14-42 |
UK | |
| P. A. Sabine, M. T. Styles and B. R. Young (1985) The Nature and Paragenesis of Natural Bredigite and Associated Minerals from Carneal and Scawt Hill, Co. Antrim. Mineralogical Magazine 49:663-670. |
| Tilley, C.E., Harwood, H.F. (1931) The Dolerite-Chalk Contact of Scawt Hill, Co. Antrim. The Production of Basic Alkali-Rocks by the Assimilation of Limestone by Basaltic Magma. Mineralogical Magazine: 22(132): 439-468. |
Tindle, A.G. (2008) Minerals of Britian and Ireland | |
| Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, & Nichols, Handbook of Mineralogy.; Agrell, S.O. (1965) Polythermal metamorphism of limestones at Kilchoan, Ardnamurchan. Mineralogical Magazine, vol. 34, n° 268, p. 1-15.; Embrey, P.G. (1978) Fourth supplementary list of British Minerals. Mineralogical Magazine, vol. 42, n° 322, p. 169-177. |
USA | |
| Handbook of Mineralogy |
| "Minerals of Colorado, updated & revised", p. 17, by Eckel, Edwin B., 1997 |
| Handbook of Mineralogy |
| Handbook of Mineralogy |
| EOS: 60: 423.; Contrib. Mineral. Petrol. 74, 143-152 (1980) |
| Rocks & Minerals: 66(3): 196-224. |
Outer Space | |
Posch, Th., Baier, A., Mutschke, H., Henning, Th. (2007): Carbonates in Space: The Challenge of Low-Temperature Data. Astrophysical Journal: 668: 993-1000 |
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Graulay, Hillesheim, Gerolstein, Vulkaneifel District, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany