Leucophanite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Leucophanite
Formula:
NaCaBeSi2O6F
Colour:
Pale yellow, greenish white, yellowish green, colourless,
Lustre:
Vitreous, Greasy
Hardness:
4
Specific Gravity:
2.96 - 3.07
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
First found, around 1824, by the Norwegian priest and mineral collector Hans Morten Thrane Esmark (1801-1882) and later named as leucophan by him in 1829. From the Greek for white λευκός, and to appear, φαίνομαι, in allusion to its property of throwing back a white shine when observing it from certain angles. The first description was published by Erdmann (1840). The name was later changed, in the 20th century, to leucophanite. The crystal structure was solved by Cannillo et al. (1967).
Type Locality:
This page provides mineralogical data about Leucophanite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2383
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2383:8
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
68eff48c-8066-4cdf-88f5-2a7e823125d1
IMA Classification of Leucophanite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1840
Classification of Leucophanite
9.DH.05
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
D : Inosilicates
H : Inosilicates with 4-periodic single chains, Si4O12
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
D : Inosilicates
H : Inosilicates with 4-periodic single chains, Si4O12
55.4.2.4
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
17.1.8
17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
1 : Silicates with fluoride (not containing Al)
17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
1 : Silicates with fluoride (not containing Al)
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 |
---|---|---|
Lph | 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 Leucophanite
Vitreous, Greasy
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Pale yellow, greenish white, yellowish green, colourless,
Streak:
White
Hardness:
4 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Very brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {001}, distinct on {100},{010} and [201}.
On {001}, distinct on {100},{010} and [201}.
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Conchoidal
Density:
2.96 - 3.07 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.961 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Leucophanite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.571 nβ = 1.595 nγ = 1.598
2V:
Measured: 36° to 50°, Calculated: 38°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.027
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
Dispersion:
r > v
Optical Extinction:
X = c; Y = a; Z = b.
Chemistry of Leucophanite
Mindat Formula:
NaCaBeSi2O6F
Common Impurities:
Al,Fe,Mg,K,H2O
Crystallography of Leucophanite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
2 2 2 - Disphenoidal
Space Group:
P21 21 21
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.401(2) Å, b = 7.412 Å, c = 9.990(2) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.999 : 1 : 1.348
Unit Cell V:
548.01 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Pinacoids {100}, {010} and {001}, prisms {110}, {201}, sphenoids {111} and{111}. Other forms include {101}, {102}, {113}.
Twinning:
Penetration fourlings; polysynthetic parallel to {110}.
Comment:
Pseudotetragonal. Space Group: P 1: a = 7.417(4) b = 7.398(4) c = 9.986(4) ® = 90:00(2) ± ¯ = 90:00(2) ± ° = 90:00(2) ± Z = 2
Crystallographic forms of Leucophanite
Crystal Atlas:
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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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0005227 | Leucophanite | Grice J D, Hawthorne F C (1989) Refinement of the crystal structure of leucophanite The Canadian Mineralogist 27 193-197 | 1989 | 0 | 293 | ||
0011026 | Leucophanite | Cannillo E, Giuseppetti G, Mazzi F, Tazzoli V (1992) The crystal structure of a rare earth bearing leucophanite: (Ca,RE)CaNa2Be2Si4O12(F,O)2 Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 202 71-79 | 1992 | Mt Saint Hilaire, Quebec, Canada | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
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Radiation - Copper Kα
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
2.75 Å | (100) |
3.60 Å | (50) |
2.97 Å | (50) |
1.69 Å | (50) |
2.31 Å | (40) |
2.20 Å | (40) |
1.98 Å | (40) |
Comments:
Eikaholmen, Langesundsfjord, Norway. ICDD 18-711.
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 Leucophanite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Masses.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Mineralogical-Geological Museum, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway, number 24918.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Nepheline syenite pegmatite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Leucophanite
Norwegian:Leukofan
Russian:Лейкофанит
Simplified Chinese:白铍石
Spanish:Leucophanita
Traditional Chinese:白鈹石
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
106 photos of Leucophanite associated with Aegirine | NaFe3+Si2O6 |
60 photos of Leucophanite associated with Serandite | NaMn2+2Si3O8(OH) |
58 photos of Leucophanite associated with Polylithionite | KLi2Al(Si4O10)(F,OH)2 |
45 photos of Leucophanite associated with Albite | Na(AlSi3O8) |
35 photos of Leucophanite associated with Microcline | K(AlSi3O8) |
25 photos of Leucophanite associated with Analcime | Na(AlSi2O6) · H2O |
16 photos of Leucophanite associated with Zircon | Zr(SiO4) |
14 photos of Leucophanite associated with Astrophyllite | K2NaFe2+7Ti2Si8O26(OH)4F |
13 photos of Leucophanite associated with Fluorite | CaF2 |
11 photos of Leucophanite associated with Catapleiite | Na2Zr(Si3O9) · 2H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
9.DH. | Gageite-2M | (Mn,Mg,Zn)42Si16O54(OH)40 |
9.DH. | Bavsiite | Ba2V2O2[Si4O12] |
9.DH. | Devilliersite | Ca4Ca2Fe3+10O4[(Fe3+10Si2)O36] |
9.DH. | Yuzuxiangite | Sr3Fe3+(Si2O6)2(OH) · 3H2O |
9.DH. | Louisfuchsite | Ca2(Mg4Ti2)(Al4Si2)O20 |
9.DH.10 | Ohmilite | Sr3(Ti,Fe3+)(Si4O12)(O,OH) · 2-3H2O |
9.DH.15 | Haradaite | SrVSi2O7 |
9.DH.15 | Suzukiite | BaVSi2O7 |
9.DH.20 | Batisite | BaNaNaTi2(Si4O12)O2 |
9.DH.20 | Shcherbakovite | (K,Ba)KNa(Ti,Nb)2(Si4O12)O2 |
9.DH.20 | Noonkanbahite | BaKNaTi2(Si4O12)O2 |
9.DH.25 | Taikanite | Sr3BaMn2+2(Si4O12)O2 |
9.DH.30 | Krauskopfite | BaSi2O5 · 3H2O |
9.DH.35 | Balangeroite | (Mg,Fe2+,Fe3+,Mn2+)42Si16O54(OH)40 |
9.DH.35 | Gageite | Mn21(Si4O12)2O3(OH)20 |
9.DH.40 | Aenigmatite | Na4[Fe2+10Ti2]O4[Si12O36] |
9.DH.40 | Dorrite | Ca4(Mg3Fe3+9)O4(Si3Al8Fe3+O36) |
9.DH.40 | Høgtuvaite | Ca4[Fe2+6Fe3+6]O4[Si8Be2Al2O36] |
9.DH.40 | Krinovite | Na2Mg4Cr3+2(Si6O18)O2 |
9.DH.40 | Makarochkinite | (Ca,Na)4[Fe2+8Fe3+2Ti2]O4[Si8Be2Al2O36] |
9.DH.40 | Rhönite | Ca4[Mg8Fe3+2Ti2]O4[Si6Al6O36] |
9.DH.40 | Serendibite | Ca4[Mg6Al6]O4[Si6B3Al3O36] |
9.DH.40 | Welshite | Ca4Mg9Sb3O4[Si6Be3AlFe2O36] |
9.DH.40 | Wilkinsonite | Na2Fe2+4Fe3+2(Si6O18)O2 |
9.DH.40 | Leucorhönite | Ca2(Mg,Fe3+,Al)6(Si,Al)6O20 |
9.DH.40 | Kuratite | Ca2(Fe2+5Ti)O2[Si4Al2O18] |
9.DH.40 | Khesinite | Ca4(Mg3Fe3+9)O4(Fe3+9Si3)O36 |
9.DH.40 | UM1991-29-SiO:FeMgNa | Na4(Mg5Fe3+7)O4[Si9Fe3+3O36] |
9.DH.45 | Sapphirine | Mg4(Mg3Al9)O4[Si3Al9O36] |
9.DH.50 | Khmaralite | (Mg,Al,Fe)16[(Al,Si,Be)12O36]O4 |
9.DH.55 | Surinamite | (Mg,Fe)3Al4BeSi3O16 |
9.DH.55 | UM1988-26-SiO:AlMg | Mg4Al2O[Si3Al2O15] |
9.DH.60 | Deerite | (Fe,Mn)6(Fe,Al)3[Si6O17]O3(OH)5 |
9.DH.65 | Howieite | Na(Fe,Mn)10(Fe,Al)2Si12O31(OH)13 |
9.DH.65 | Taneyamalite | (Na,Ca)(Mn,Mg,Fe)12Si12(O,OH)44 |
9.DH.70 | Johninnesite | Na2Mn2+9Mg7(OH)8[AsO4]2[Si6O17]2 |
9.DH.75 | Agrellite | NaCa2Si4O10F |
Fluorescence of Leucophanite
Triboluminescent with orange red light (http://www.mindat.org/mesg-6-204391.html). Pink, rarely blue in SW and LW UV light. strongly phosphorescent.
Other Information
Electrical:
Pyroelectric.
Thermal Behaviour:
Heated in a closed tube, it whitens and phosphoresces bluish. Before the blowpipe in forceps it phosphoresces and fuses with intumescence at 8 to a clear colorless glass, which becomes white on flaming, imparting an intense yellow color to the flame.
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 Leucophanite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2383.html
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References for Leucophanite
Reference List:
Chao, G. Y. (1967) Leucophanite, elpidite, and narsarsukite from the Desourdy quarry, Mont St. Hilaire, Quebec. The Canadian Mineralogist, 9 (2) 286-287
Cannilo, E., Giuseppetti, G., Tazzoli, V. (1967) The crystal structure of leucophanite. Acta Crystallographica, 23 (2) 255-259 doi:10.1107/s0365110x67002567
Cannillo, E., Giuseppetti, G., Tazzoli, U. (1969) On the crystal structure of leucophanite. Acta Crystallographica Section B Structural Crystallography and Crystal Chemistry, 25 (5) 993-994 doi:10.1107/s0567740869003347
Grice, Joel D., Hawthorne, Frank C. (1989) Refinement of the crystal structure of leucophanite. The Canadian Mineralogist, 27 (2) 193-197
Cannillo, Elio, Giuseppetti, Giuseppe, Mazzi, Fiorenzo, Tazzoli, Vittorio (1992) The crystal structure of a rare earth bearing leucophanite: (Ca,RE)CaNa2Be2Si4O12(F,O)2. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie - Crystalline Materials, 202 (1) 71-79 doi:10.1524/zkri.1992.202.1-2.71
Jambor, L., Burke, Ernst A. J., Grew, Edward S., Puziewicz, Jacek (1993) New Mineral Names. American Mineralogist, 78 (5-6) 672-678
Bohse, Henning, Petersen, Ole V., Niedermayr, Gerhard (2001) Notes on leucophanite from the Ilímaussaq alkaline complex, South Greenland. Geology of Greenland Survey Bulletin, 190 (190) 119-121 doi:10.34194/ggub.v190.5180
Grice, J. D., Hawthorne, F. C. (2002) New data on meliphanite, Ca4(Na,Ca)4Be4AlSi7O24(F,O)4. The Canadian Mineralogist, 40 (3) 971-980 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.40.3.971
Localities for Leucophanite
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).
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.
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Eikaholmen, Larvik, Vestfold, Norway