Burckhardtite
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About Burckhardtite
Formula:
Pb2(Fe3+Te6+)[AlSi3O8]O6
Was originally assumed to be mica-like, Pb2(Fe3+,Mn3+)Te4+(AlSi3O10)O2(OH)2.H2O. Structure determination shows that Te is 6+, formula is anhydrous, and the aluminosilicate layer is actually a kampfite/cymrite-like double sheet; the sheets alternate with phyllotellurate [(FeTe)O6]3- layers; there is a Pb2[FeTeO6] module of a topology similar to a slab in rosiaite
Colour:
carmine-red to violet-red, pink , brown (Mn-poor)
Lustre:
Adamantine, Pearly
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
4.96 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Name:
Named in 1979 by Richard V. Gaines, Peter B. Leavens, and Joseph A. Nelen in honor of Carl "Carlos" Emanuel Burckhardt (March 26, 1869 Bâle, Switzerland; d. August 26, 1935 Mexico), Mexican geologist and paleontologist.
Minute pink to red brown crystals in white to pink dickite and other clays in quartz matrix.
Classification of Burckhardtite
Approved
Approval Year:
1976
8/H.32-10
9.EC.70
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
C : Phyllosilicates with mica sheets, composed of tetrahedral and octahedral nets
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
C : Phyllosilicates with mica sheets, composed of tetrahedral and octahedral nets
78.5.3.1
78 : Unclassified Silicates
5 :
78 : Unclassified Silicates
5 :
16.14.17
16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
14 : Aluminosilicates of Ti, Zr, Sn and Pb
16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
14 : Aluminosilicates of Ti, Zr, Sn and Pb
Physical Properties of Burckhardtite
Adamantine, Pearly
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
carmine-red to violet-red, pink , brown (Mn-poor)
Comment:
Pink when very tiny
Streak:
pale red
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
basal {001}
basal {001}
Density:
4.96 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Burckhardtite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.820 nβ = 1.850 nγ = 1.850
Birefringence:
0.03
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.030

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:
Very High
Dispersion:
2V = small
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
e = pale magenta, o = carmine
Chemical Properties of Burckhardtite
Formula:
Pb2(Fe3+Te6+)[AlSi3O8]O6
Was originally assumed to be mica-like, Pb2(Fe3+,Mn3+)Te4+(AlSi3O10)O2(OH)2.H2O. Structure determination shows that Te is 6+, formula is anhydrous, and the aluminosilicate layer is actually a kampfite/cymrite-like double sheet; the sheets alternate with phyllotellurate [(FeTe)O6]3- layers; there is a Pb2[FeTeO6] module of a topology similar to a slab in rosiaite
Was originally assumed to be mica-like, Pb2(Fe3+,Mn3+)Te4+(AlSi3O10)O2(OH)2.H2O. Structure determination shows that Te is 6+, formula is anhydrous, and the aluminosilicate layer is actually a kampfite/cymrite-like double sheet; the sheets alternate with phyllotellurate [(FeTe)O6]3- layers; there is a Pb2[FeTeO6] module of a topology similar to a slab in rosiaite
IMA Formula:
Pb2(Fe3+Te6+)(AlSi3O8)O6
Crystallography of Burckhardtite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m (3 2/m) - Hexagonal Scalenohedral
Space Group:
P3 1m
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.2566(5) Å, c = 13.0221(10) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 2.477
Unit Cell V:
311.62 ų
Z:
1
Morphology:
equant crystals, also rosettes of plates.
Comment:
ICDD 33-730; data here updated after Christy et al. (2014)
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
13.03 | (83) |
4.547 | (17) |
4.294 | (18) |
3.730 | (81) |
3.141 | (100) |
2.627 | (60) |
2.578 | (10) |
2.433 | (4) |
2.262 | (29) |
2.151 | (30) |
2.0164 | (21) |
1.9557 | (5) |
1.8497 | (38) |
1.7148 | (8) |
1.6680 | (33) |
1.5992 | (29) |
1.5684 | (3) |
1.5309 | (12) |
1.5155 | (17) |
1.4356 | (5) |
1.3233 | (8) |
1.3120 | (15) |
Comments:
from Christy et al. (2014)
Type Occurrence of Burckhardtite
General Appearance of Type Material:
minute rosettes of carmine-red crystals averaging 0.1mm (also hexagonal platelets)
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Smithsonian Institution (NMNH no. 144110), Harvard University, University of Delaware
Geological Setting of Type Material:
oxidized zone on 2nd and 3rd levels of an oxidized tellurium deposit.
Synonyms of Burckhardtite
Other Language Names for Burckhardtite
German:Burckhardtit
Spanish:Burckhardtita
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping
9.EC.05 | Minnesotaite | Fe2+3Si4O10(OH)2 | Tric. 1 : P1 |
9.EC.05 | Talc | Mg3Si4O10(OH)2 | Tric. 1 : P1 |
9.EC.05 | Willemseite | Ni3Si4O10(OH)2 | Mon. |
9.EC.10 | Ferripyrophyllite | Fe3+Si2O5(OH) | Mon. |
9.EC.10 | Pyrophyllite | Al2Si4O10(OH)2 | Tric. 1 |
9.EC.15 | Boromuscovite | KAl2(BSi3O10)(OH)2 | Mon. |
9.EC.15 | Celadonite | K(Mg,Fe2+)Fe3+(Si4O10)(OH)2 | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
9.EC.15 | Chernykhite | (Ba,Na)(V3+,Al,Mg)2((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2 | Mon. |
9.EC.15 | Montdorite | (K,Na)2(Fe2+,Mn2+,Mg)5(Si4O10)2(OH,F)4 | |
9.EC.15 | Muscovite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
9.EC.15 | Nanpingite | CsAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH,F)2 | Mon. |
9.EC.15 | Paragonite | NaAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 | Mon. |
9.EC.15 | Roscoelite | K(V3+,Al)2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
9.EC.15 | Tobelite | (NH4,K)Al2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 | Mon. |
9.EC.15 | Aluminoceladonite | K(Mg,Fe2+)Al(Si4O10)(OH)2 | Mon. |
9.EC.15 | Chromphyllite | K(Cr,Al)2(AlSi3O10)(OH,F)2 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
9.EC.15 | Ferroaluminoceladonite | K(Fe2+,Mg)(Al,Fe3+)(Si4O10)(OH)2 | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
9.EC.15 | Ferroceladonite | K(Fe2+,Mg)(Fe3+,Al)(Si4O10)(OH)2 | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
9.EC.15 | Chromceladonite | K(Mg,Fe2+)(Cr,Al)(Si4O10)(OH)2 | Mon. |
9.EC.15 | Tainiolite | KLiMg2(Si4O10)F2 | Mon. |
9.EC.15 | Ganterite | (Ba,Na,K)(Al,Mg)2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 | Mon. |
9.EC.20 | Annite | KFe2+3(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
9.EC.20 | Ephesite | LiNaAl2(Al2Si2O10)(OH)2 | Tric. |
9.EC.20 | Hendricksite | K(Zn,Mg,Mn2+)3(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
9.EC.20 | Masutomilite | (K,Rb)(Li,Mn3+,Al)3(AlSi3O10)(F,OH)2 | Mon. |
9.EC.20 | Norrishite | KLiMn3+2(Si4O10)O2 | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
9.EC.20 | Phlogopite | KMg3(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
9.EC.20 | Polylithionite | KLi2Al(Si4O10)(F,OH)2 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
9.EC.20 | Preiswerkite | NaMg2Al(Al2Si2O10)(OH)2 | Mon. |
9.EC.20 | Siderophyllite | KFe2+2Al(Al2Si2O10)(OH)2 | Mon. |
9.EC.20 | Tetraferriphlogopite | KMg3(Fe3+Si3O10)(OH,F)2 | |
9.EC.20 | Fluorotetraferriphlogopite | KMg3(Fe3+Si3O10)F2 | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
9.EC.20 | Wonesite | (Na,K)(Mg,Fe,Al)6((Al,Si)4O10)2(OH,F)4 | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
9.EC.20 | Eastonite | KMg2Al(Al2Si2O10)(OH)2 | Mon. |
9.EC.20 | Tetraferriannite | KFe2+3((Fe3+,Al)Si3O10)(OH)2 | Mon. |
9.EC.20 | Trilithionite | K(Li1.5Al1.5)(AlSi3O10)(F,OH)2 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
9.EC.20 | Fluorannite | KFe2+3(AlSi3O10)(F,OH)2 | Mon. |
9.EC.20 | Shirokshinite | KNaMg2(Si4O10)F2 | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
9.EC.20 | Shirozulite | K(Mn2+,Mg)3(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
9.EC.20 | Sokolovaite | CsLi2Al(Si4O10)F2 | Mon. |
9.EC.20 | Aspidolite | NaMg3(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
9.EC.20 | Fluorophlogopite | KMg3(AlSi3O10)(F,OH)2 | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
9.EC.20 | UM2004-49-SiO:AlCsFHKLi | (Cs,K)(Al,Li)2.6((Si,Al)4O10)(F,OH)2 | |
9.EC.20 | Suhailite | (NH4)Fe2+3(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
9.EC.20 | Yangzhumingite | KMg2.5(Si4O10)F2 | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
9.EC.20 | Orlovite | KLi2Ti(Si4O10)OF | Mon. 2 : B2 |
9.EC.20 | Oxyphlogopite | K(Mg,Ti,Fe)3[(Si,Al)4O10](O,F)2 | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
9.EC.30 | Margarite | CaAl2(Al2Si2O10)(OH)2 | Mon. |
9.EC.35 | Anandite | (Ba,K)(Fe2+,Mg)3((Si,Al,Fe)4O10)(S,OH)2 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
9.EC.35 | Bityite | LiCaAl2(AlBeSi2O10)(OH)2 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
9.EC.35 | Clintonite | Ca(Mg,Al)3(Al3SiO10)(OH)2 | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
9.EC.35 | Kinoshitalite | (Ba,K)(Mg,Mn2+,Al)3(Al2Si2O10)(OH)2 | Mon. |
9.EC.35 | Ferrokinoshitalite | (Ba,K)(Fe2+,Mg)3(Al2Si2O10)(OH,F)2 | Mon. |
9.EC.35 | Oxykinoshitalite | (Ba,K)(Mg,Ti,Fe3+,Fe2+)3((Si,Al)4O10)(O,OH,F)2 | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
9.EC.35 | Fluorokinoshitalite | BaMg3(Al2Si2O10)F2 | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
9.EC.40 | Beidellite | (Na,Ca0.5)0.3Al2((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O | Mon. |
9.EC.40 | Kurumsakite | (Zn,Ni,Cu)8Al8V5+2Si5O35 · 27H2O (?) | |
9.EC.40 | Montmorillonite | (Na,Ca)0.33(Al,Mg)2(Si4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
9.EC.40 | Nontronite | Na0.3Fe2((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O | Mon. |
9.EC.40 | Volkonskoite | Ca0.3(Cr,Mg,Fe)2((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2 · 4H2O | Mon. |
9.EC.40 | Yakhontovite | (Ca,Na)0.5(Cu,Fe,Mg)2(Si4O10)(OH)2 · 3H2O | Mon. |
9.EC.45 | Hectorite | Na0.3(Mg,Li)3(Si4O10)(F,OH)2 | Mon. |
9.EC.45 | Saponite | Ca0.25(Mg,Fe)3((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O | Mon. |
9.EC.45 | Sauconite | Na0.3Zn3((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2 · 4H2O | Mon. |
9.EC.45 | Spadaite | MgSiO2(OH)2 · H2O (?) | |
9.EC.45 | Stevensite | (Ca,Na)xMg3-x(Si4O10)(OH)2 | Mon. |
9.EC.45 | Swinefordite | Li(Al,Li,Mg)4((Si,Al)4O10)2(OH,F)4 · nH2O | Mon. |
9.EC.45 | Zincsilite | Zn3(Si4O10)(OH)2 · 4H2O | Mon. |
9.EC.45 | Ferrosaponite | Ca0.3(Fe2+,Mg,Fe3+)3((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2 · 4H2O | |
9.EC.50 | Vermiculite | Mg0.7(Mg,Fe,Al)6(Si,Al)8O20(OH)4 · 8H2O | Mon. 2/m |
9.EC.55 | Baileychlore | (Zn,Fe2+,Al,Mg)6(Si,Al)4O10(OH)8 | Tric. 1 |
9.EC.55 | Chamosite | (Fe2+,Mg,Al,Fe3+)6(Si,Al)4O10(OH,O)8 | Mon. |
9.EC.55 | Clinochlore | Mg5Al(AlSi3O10)(OH)8 | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
9.EC.55 | Cookeite | (Al2Li)Al2(AlSi3O10)(OH)8 | Mon. 2/m |
9.EC.55 | Franklinfurnaceite | Ca2Fe3+Mn2+3Mn3+(Zn2Si2O10)(OH)8 | Mon. 2 : B2 |
9.EC.55 | Gonyerite | (Mn2+,Mg)5Fe3+(Fe3+Si3O10)(OH)8 | |
9.EC.55 | Nimite | (Ni,Mg,Al)6((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)8 | Mon. |
9.EC.55 | Orthochamosite | (Fe2+,Mg,Fe3+)5Al(AlSi3O10)(OH,O)8 | |
9.EC.55 | Pennantite | Mn2+5Al(AlSi3O10)(OH)8 | Tric. |
9.EC.55 | Sudoite | Mg2Al3(Si3Al)O10)(OH)8 | Mon. |
9.EC.55 | Donbassite | Al4.33(AlSi3O10)(OH)8 | Mon. 2 : B2 |
9.EC.55 | Glagolevite | Na(Mg,Al)6(AlSi3O10)(OH,O)8 | Tric. 1 : P1 |
9.EC.55 | Borocookeite | Li1+3xAl4-x(BSi3O10)(OH)8 | |
9.EC.60 | Aliettite | Ca0.2Mg6((Si,Al)8O20)(OH)4 · 4H2O | Mon. |
9.EC.60 | Corrensite | (Mg,Fe)9((Si,Al)8O20)(OH)10 · nH2O | Orth. |
9.EC.60 | Dozyite | Mg7Al2(Al2Si4O15)(OH)12 | Mon. |
9.EC.60 | Hydrobiotite | K(Mg,Fe2+)6((Si,Al)8O20)(OH)4 · nH2O | Mon. |
9.EC.60 | Karpinskite | (Ni,Mg)2Si2O5(OH)2 (?) | |
9.EC.60 | Kulkeite | Mg8Al(AlSi7O20)(OH)10 | Mon. |
9.EC.60 | Lunijianlaite | Li0.7Al6.2(AlSi7O20)(OH,O)10 | Mon. |
9.EC.60 | Rectorite | (Na,Ca)Al4((Si,Al)8O20)(OH)4 · 2H2O | Mon. |
9.EC.60 | Saliotite | (Li,Na)Al3(AlSi3O10)(OH)5 | Mon. |
9.EC.60 | Tosudite | Na0.5(Al,Mg)6((Si,Al)8O18)(OH)12 · 5H2O | Mon. 2 : B2 |
9.EC.60 | Brinrobertsite | Na0.3Al4(Si4O10)2(OH)4 · 3.5 H2O | Mon. |
9.EC.65 | Macaulayite | (Fe,Al)24Si4O43(OH)2 | Mon. |
9.EC.75 | Ferrisurite | (Pb,Ca)2.4Fe3+2(Si4O10)(CO3)1.7(OH)3 · nH2O | Mon. |
9.EC.75 | Surite | (Pb,Ca)3(Al,Fe2+,Mg)2((Si,Al)4O10)(CO3)2(OH)2 | Mon. |
9.EC.75 | Niksergievite | (Ba,Ca)2Al3(AlSi3O10)(CO3)(OH)6 · nH2O | Mon. |
9.EC.80 | Kegelite | Pb8Al4(Si8O20)(SO4)2(CO3)4(OH)8 | Mon. |
Related Minerals - Hey's Chemical Index of Minerals Grouping
16.14.1 | Zorite | Na8(Ti,Nb)5(Si6O17)2(OH,O)5 · 14H2O | Orth. |
16.14.2 | Vinogradovite | Na4Ti4(Si2O6)2[(Si,Al)4O10]O4 · (H2O,Na,K)3 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
16.14.3 | Rhönite | Ca2(Mg,Fe2+,Fe3+,Ti)6[O2|(Si,Al)6O18] | Tric. 1 : P1 |
16.14.4 | Kaersutite | {Na}{Ca2}{Mg3AlTi}(Al2Si6O22)O2 | Mon. |
16.14.5 | Ferro-kaersutite | {Na}{Ca2}{Fe2+3AlTi}(Al2Si6O22)O2 | Mon. |
16.14.6 | Jonesite | Ba4(K,Na)2Ti4Al2(Si3O9)2(SiO4)4O2 · 6H2O | Orth. |
16.14.7 | Lourenswalsite | (K,Ba)2(Ti,Mg,Ca,Fe)4(Si,Al,Fe)6O14(OH)12 | Hex. |
16.14.8 | Labuntsovite-Mn | Na4K4(Ba,K)2Mn2+(Ti,Nb)8(Si4O12)4(O,OH)8 · 10-12H2O | Mon. |
16.14.9 | Kimzeyite | Ca3(Zr,Ti)2((Si,Al,Fe3+)O4)3 | Iso. |
16.14.10 | Ellenbergerite | Mg6(Mg,Ti,Zr,◻)2(Al,Mg)6Si8O28(OH)10 | Hex. |
16.14.11 | Carlosturanite | (Mg,Fe,Ti)21(Si,Al)12O28(OH)34•H2O | Mon. |
16.14.12 | Eakerite | Ca2SnAl2Si6O18(OH)2 · 2H2O | Mon. |
16.14.13 | Plumalsite | Pb4Al2(SiO3)7 | |
16.14.14 | Wickenburgite | CaPb3Al2Si10O24(OH)6 | Trig. 3m : P3 1c |
16.14.15 | Maricopaite | Pb7Ca2(Si,Al)48O100 · 32H2O | Orth. |
16.14.16 | Hancockite | {CaPb}{Al2Fe3+}(Si2O7)(SiO4)O(OH) | Mon. |
16.14.18 | Mathewrogersite | Pb7FeAl3GeSi12O36(OH,H2O)6 | Trig. |
Fluorescence of Burckhardtite
Not Fluorescent in UV
Other Information
Magnetism:
Paramagnetic
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
References for Burckhardtite
Reference List:
Sort by Year (asc) | by Year (desc) | by Author (A-Z) | by Author (Z-A)
Gaines, R.V., Leavens, P.B., and Nelen, J.A. (1979): Burckhardtite, a new silicate-tellurite from Mexico. American Mineralogist 64, 355-358.
Christy, A.G., Kampf, A.R., Mills, S.J., Housley, R.M. and Thorne, B. (2014) Crystal structure and revised chemical formula for burckhardtite, Pb2(Fe3+Te6+)[AlSi3O8]O6: a double-sheet silicate with intercalated phyllotellurate layers. Mineralogical Magazine, 78, 1763-1773.
Internet Links for Burckhardtite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-804.html
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
Localities for Burckhardtite
Locality List




All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Mexico (TL) | |
| AM 64 (1979), 355; HB2/1 (1995) |
USA | |
| "The Accidental Pocket" talk presented by Robert E. Walstrom at 2012 NCMA meeting. |
| Robert M. Housley (2005) Recent rare mineral finds in southern California and Nevada desert mines. Abstracts from the 2005 Desert Symposium. California State University, Desert Studies Consortium and LSA Associates, Inc. |
Collected by and in the collection of Brent Thorne. EDS confirmed by Bob Housley. |
Moctezuma Mine, Moctezuma, Mun. de Moctezuma, Sonora, Mexico