Denisovite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Denisovite
Formula:
K14+x(Ca,Na,Mn,Fe)48[Si60O162]F16(Ox,OH4-x) · 2H2O
Colour:
Gray with greenish tint
Lustre:
Pearly
Hardness:
4 - 5
Specific Gravity:
2.76
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named in honor of Alexander Petrovich Denisov (Александр Петрович Денисов) (06 June 1918, Chausy, Tsaritsynsky, Saratov province, Russian SFSR - 31 January 1972, Apatity, USSR), geologist with the Geological Institute, Kola Branch, Acadademy of Science, U.S.S.R. He was an expert in X-ray methods for studying minerals.
The currently accepted formula, K14+x(Ca,Na,Mn,Fe)48[Si60O162]F16(Ox,OH4−x)·2H2O, places the mineral among the most structurally complex ones.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1261
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1261:0
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
7eafb989-4936-42ff-85f3-f13cf350239a
IMA Classification of Denisovite
Approved
IMA Formula:
KCa2Si3O8F
Approval year:
1982
First published:
1984
Approval history:
IMA1982-031
Classification of Denisovite
9.HA.85
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
H : Unclassified silicates
A : With Alkali and Alkali-earth Elements
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
H : Unclassified silicates
A : With Alkali and Alkali-earth Elements
65.2.1.7
65 : INOSILICATES Single-Width,Unbranched Chains,(W=1)
2 : Single-Width Unbranched Chains, W=1 with chains P=3
65 : INOSILICATES Single-Width,Unbranched Chains,(W=1)
2 : Single-Width Unbranched Chains, W=1 with chains P=3
14.6.4
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
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Dnv | 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 Denisovite
Pearly
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Gray with greenish tint
Comment:
Colorless under microscope
Hardness:
4 - 5 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Cleavage or parting observed perpendicular to elongation of crystals
Cleavage or parting observed perpendicular to elongation of crystals
Fracture:
Splintery
Density:
2.76 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.81 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Denisovite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.567 nβ = 1.568 nγ = 1.576
2V:
Measured: 20° to 30°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.009
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:
r > v strong
Chemistry of Denisovite
Mindat Formula:
K14+x(Ca,Na,Mn,Fe)48[Si60O162]F16(Ox,OH4-x) · 2H2O
Common Impurities:
Ti,Al,Fe,Nb,Mn,Mg,Sr,Ba,Li,Rb,P
Crystallography of Denisovite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Cell Parameters:
a = 30.92 Å, b = 7.20 Å, c = 18.27 Å
β = 95°
β = 95°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 4.294 : 1 : 2.538
Unit Cell V:
4,051.86 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
20
Morphology:
As acicular crystals, in parallel columnar aggregates, to 15 cm.
Comment:
Point Group: n.d.; Space Group: n.d.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.65 Å | (80) |
| 3.32 Å | (100) |
| 3.24 Å | (90) |
| 3.08 Å | (80) |
| 3.03 Å | (90) |
| 2.79 Å | (80) |
| 2.78 Å | (80) |
| 2.75 Å | (100) |
| 2.69 Å | (80) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks |
Type Occurrence of Denisovite
Co-Type Localities:
General Appearance of Type Material:
parallel columnar aggregates up to 10-15 cm across, consisting of acicular individuals
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Geology Museum, Kola Branch, Academy of Sciences, Apatity, 5774/1{2;
Mining Institute, St. Petersburg, 1295/1{2; Il'menskii Preserve Museum, Miass, 5392;
A.E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, 82762, vis4773;
The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1994,7..
Mining Institute, St. Petersburg, 1295/1{2; Il'menskii Preserve Museum, Miass, 5392;
A.E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, 82762, vis4773;
The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1994,7..
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Men´shikov, Y.P. (1984) Denisovite Ca4(K1.4Na0.6)2 Si6O16(F,OH)2 - a new mineral from the Khibina massif. Zapiski Vsesoyuznogo Mineralogicheskogo Obshchestva: 113(6): 718-723.
Synonyms of Denisovite
Other Language Names for Denisovite
German:Denisovit
Spanish:Denisovita
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.HA. | Qeltite | Ca3TiSi2(Fe3+2Si)O14 |
| 9.HA. | Kalyuzhnyite-(Ce) | NaKCaSrCeTi(Si8O21)OF(H2O)3 |
| 9.HA. | Shinichengite | Ca5[BSi2O7(OH)2]2 · 6H2O |
| 9.HA. | Moragite | Ca3TiSi2(Al2Si)O14 |
| 9.HA.05 | Ertixiite | Na2Si4O9 |
| 9.HA.10 | Kenyaite | Na2Si22O41(OH)8 · 6H2O |
| 9.HA.20 | Wawayandaite | Ca6Mn2BBe9Si6O23(OH,Cl)15 |
| 9.HA.25 | Magbasite | KBaFe3+Mg7Si8O22(OH)2F6 |
| 9.HA.35 | Demagistrisite | BaCa2Mn3+4(Si3O10)(Si2O7)(OH)4 · 3H2O |
| 9.HA.37 | Donwilhelmsite | CaAl4Si2O11 |
| 9.HA.40 | Igumnovite | Ca3Al2[SiO4]2[◻Cl4] |
| 9.HA.40 | Kasatkinite | Ba2Ca8B5Si8O32(OH)3 · 6H2O |
| 9.HA.42 | Paqueite | Ca3TiSi2(Al,Ti,Si)3O14 |
| 9.HA.45 | Rippite | K2(Nb,Ti)2(Si4O12)O(O,F) |
| 9.HA.47 | Zagamiite | CaAl2Si3.5O11 |
| 9.HA.50 | α-Carnegieite | NaAlSiO4 |
| 9.HA.50 | Rudenkoite | Sr3(Al3.5Si3.5)O10(OH,O)8Cl2 · H2O |
| 9.HA.52 | Atheriastite | near Ca5MgFeAl6Si8O32 · 5H2O |
| 9.HA.55 | Balvraidite | |
| 9.HA.55 | Foshallasite | Ca3[Si2O7] · 3H2O(?) |
| 9.HA.57 | Bhreckite | Ca, Mg, Fe, Si, O, H |
| 9.HA.60 | Bravaisite | |
| 9.HA.60 | Nagelschmidtite | Ca7(SiO4)2(PO4)2 |
| 9.HA.65 | Caryochroite | (Na,Sr)3(Fe3+,Mg)10[Ti2Si12O37] · (H2O,O,OH)17 |
| 9.HA.70 | Juanite | Ca10Mg4Al2Si11O39 · 4H2O or near |
| 9.HA.75 | Tacharanite | Ca12Al2Si18O33 (OH)36 |
| 9.HA.80 | Oyelite | Ca10Si8B2O29 · 12.5H2O |
| 9.HA.90 | Tiettaite | K4Na12Fe3+Si16O41(OH)4 · 2H2O |
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 Denisovite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1261.html
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References for Denisovite
Localities for Denisovite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The 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.
Russia | |
| Konev et al. (1987) +1 other reference |
| Men´shikov (1984) +1 other reference |
| Men´shikov (1984) +2 other references |
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Eveslogchorr Mt, Khibiny Massif, Murmansk Oblast, Russia