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Meliphanite

A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered

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Photos of Meliphanite (56)

Meliphanite Gallery Search Photos of Meliphanite

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Meliphanite

Langesundsfjorden, Norway

Meliphanite, etc.

Ermakovskoe Be Deposit, Kizhinginsky District, Buryatia, Russia

Meliphanite

Meliphanite locality, Arøyskjærene, Larvik, Vestfold, Norway

Meliphanite

Langesundsfjorden, Norway

Meliphanite, etc.

Ermakovskoe Be Deposit, Kizhinginsky District, Buryatia, Russia

Meliphanite

Meliphanite locality, Arøyskjærene, Larvik, Vestfold, Norway

Meliphanite

Langesundsfjorden, Norway

Meliphanite, etc.

Ermakovskoe Be Deposit, Kizhinginsky District, Buryatia, Russia

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About MeliphaniteHide

Formula:

(Ca,Na)₂(Be,Al)[Si₂O₆(OH,F)]

Colour:

yellow, yellowish red, nearly colourless

Lustre:

Vitreous

Hardness:

5 - 5½

Crystal System:

Tetragonal

Name:

Named for the colour (Mel- = Greek for honey and honey-yellow) and the chemical relation to leucophanite.

Co-Type Localities:

ⓘ Langesundsfjorden, Norway
ⓘ Stavern (Fredriksvärn), Larvik, Vestfold, Norway

This page provides mineralogical data about Meliphanite.

Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:

2636

Long-form identifier:

mindat:1:1:2636:5

GUID
(UUID V4):

94a14447-a3e9-4af0-b6f8-49218dc6e429

IMA Classification of MeliphaniteHide

IMA status:

Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)

IMA Formula:

Ca₄(Na,Ca)₄Be₄AlSi₇O₂₄(F,O)₄

First published:

1852

Classification of MeliphaniteHide

Strunz-mindat (2024):

9.DP.05

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
D : Inosilicates
P : Transitional ino-phyllosilicate structures

Dana 8th ed.:

55.4.2.5

55 : SOROSILICATES Si₂O₇ Groups,Generally with no Additional Anions
4 : Si₂O₇ Groups, Generally with No Additional Anions with cations in [8] and lower coordination

Hey's CIM Ref.:

17.2.5

17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
2 : Silicates with fluoride

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

Symbol	Source	Reference
Mph	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 MeliphaniteHide

Lustre:

Vitreous

Transparency:

Transparent, Translucent

Colour:

yellow, yellowish red, nearly colourless

Streak:

white

Hardness:

5 - 5½ on Mohs scale

Cleavage:

Perfect

Fracture:

Conchoidal

Optical Data of MeliphaniteHide

Type:

Uniaxial (-)

RI values:

n_ω = 1.611 - 1.664 n_ε = 1.592 - 1.672

Max Birefringence:

δ = 0.019

Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.

Surface Relief:

Moderate

Chemistry of MeliphaniteHide

Mindat Formula:

(Ca,Na)₂(Be,Al)[Si₂O₆(OH,F)]

Elements listed:

Al, Be, Ca, F, H, Na, O, Si - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Common Impurities:

Mg,K,H₂O

Crystallography of MeliphaniteHide

Crystal System:

Tetragonal

Class (H-M):

4 - Disphenoidal

Space Group:

Cell Parameters:

a = 10.51 Å, c = 9.88 Å

Ratio:

a:c = 1 : 0.94

Unit Cell V:

1,091.35 Å³ (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Crystal StructureHide

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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)
0005779	Meliphanite	Grice J D, Hawthorne F C (2002) New data on meliphanite, Ca4(Na,Ca)4Be4AlSi7O24(F,O)4 The Canadian Mineralogist 40 971-980		2002		0	293

CIF Raw Data - click here to close

data_global
_chemical_name_mineral 'Meliphanite'
loop_
_publ_author_name
'Grice J D'
'Hawthorne F C'
_journal_name_full 'The Canadian Mineralogist'
_journal_volume 40 
_journal_year 2002
_journal_page_first 971
_journal_page_last 980
_publ_section_title
;
 New data on meliphanite, Ca4(Na,Ca)4Be4AlSi7O24(F,O)4
;
_database_code_amcsd 0005779
_chemical_formula_sum 'Ca4 Na4 Al Si7 Be4 O24 F4'
_cell_length_a 10.5257
_cell_length_b 10.5257
_cell_length_c 9.8868
_cell_angle_alpha 90
_cell_angle_beta 90
_cell_angle_gamma 90
_cell_volume 1095.362
_exptl_crystal_density_diffrn      2.947
_symmetry_space_group_name_H-M 'I -4'
loop_
_space_group_symop_operation_xyz
  'x,y,z'
  '1/2+x,1/2+y,1/2+z'
  'y,-x,-z'
  '1/2+y,1/2-x,1/2-z'
  '-x,-y,z'
  '1/2-x,1/2-y,1/2+z'
  '-y,x,-z'
  '1/2-y,1/2+x,1/2-z'
loop_
_atom_site_label
_atom_site_fract_x
_atom_site_fract_y
_atom_site_fract_z
_atom_site_U_iso_or_equiv
Ca   0.25462   0.09040   0.25568   0.01020
Na   0.23900   0.08693   0.75073   0.02420
Al   0.00000   0.00000   0.00000   0.00630
Si1   0.00000   0.00000   0.50000   0.00690
Si2   0.50000   0.00000   0.00573   0.00960
Si3   0.25251   0.88834   0.97402   0.00850
Be   0.24830   0.89319   0.47330   0.00850
O1   0.25297   0.25601   0.08835   0.00930
O2   0.12502   0.96902   0.40747   0.01080
O3   0.12831   0.95323   0.90262   0.01010
O4   0.37662   0.95923   0.40499   0.00930
O5   0.37771   0.96106   0.90772   0.01100
O6   0.25369   0.89533   0.13478   0.00960
F   0.24825   0.89211   0.63154   0.01390
loop_
_atom_site_aniso_label
_atom_site_aniso_U_11
_atom_site_aniso_U_22
_atom_site_aniso_U_33
_atom_site_aniso_U_12
_atom_site_aniso_U_13
_atom_site_aniso_U_23
Ca 0.01290 0.00830 0.00940 0.00000 -0.00130 0.00100
Na 0.03870 0.01470 0.01920 0.00070 0.00540 0.00250
Al 0.00610 0.00610 0.00690 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000
Si1 0.00570 0.00570 0.00940 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000
Si2 0.00890 0.00910 0.01090 -0.00030 0.00000 0.00000
Si3 0.00880 0.00810 0.00850 0.00020 -0.00070 -0.00040
Be 0.00920 0.00660 0.00970 0.00000 0.00020 0.00120
O1 0.00760 0.01260 0.00780 -0.00020 -0.00110 0.00010
O2 0.00830 0.01180 0.01240 0.00180 0.00190 0.00250
O3 0.00800 0.01220 0.01000 0.00230 -0.00110 0.00200
O4 0.00690 0.01040 0.01070 -0.00190 -0.00160 0.00200
O5 0.00960 0.01290 0.01050 -0.00300 -0.00110 0.00130
O6 0.01070 0.01060 0.00760 0.00030 -0.00080 -0.00040
F 0.01550 0.01570 0.01040 -0.00110 0.00060 -0.00160

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:

d-spacing	Intensity
2.75 Å	(100)
2.96 Å	(50)
3.59 Å	(40)
2.346 Å	(40)
2.342 Å	(40)
2.316 Å	(40)
1.978 Å	(40)

Comments:

Stokkø Island, Langesundsfjord, Norway. ICDD 31-304.

Geological EnvironmentHide

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 MeliphaniteHide

Co-Type Localities:

ⓘ Langesundsfjorden, Norway
ⓘ Stavern (Fredriksvärn), Larvik, Vestfold, Norway

Place of Conservation of Type Material:

Technische Universität, Bergakademie, Freiberg, Germany, number 26856 (type).

Synonyms of MeliphaniteHide

Melinophane

Other Language Names for MeliphaniteHide

German:Melinophan
Meliphan
Meliphanit

Norwegian:Melinofan

Russian:Мелифанит

Spanish:Meliphanita

Common AssociatesHide

Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:

9 photos of Meliphanite associated with Microcline	K(AlSi₃O₈)
8 photos of Meliphanite associated with Fluorite	CaF₂
6 photos of Meliphanite associated with Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
5 photos of Meliphanite associated with Homilite	Ca₂(Fe²⁺,Mg)B₂Si₂O₁₀
4 photos of Meliphanite associated with Sodalite	Na₄(Si₃Al₃)O₁₂Cl
3 photos of Meliphanite associated with Quartz	SiO₂
2 photos of Meliphanite associated with Aegirine-augite	(Na_aCa_bFe²⁺_cMg_d)(Fe³⁺_eAl_fFe²⁺_gMg_h)Si₂O₆
2 photos of Meliphanite associated with Nepheline	Na₃K(Al₄Si₄O₁₆)
2 photos of Meliphanite associated with Pyrochlore Group	A₂Nb₂(O,OH)₆Z
2 photos of Meliphanite associated with Clinozoisite	(CaCa)(AlAlAl)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping Hide

9.DP.	Ferriprehnite	Ca₂Fe³⁺(Si₃AlO₁₀)(OH)₂	Orth. mm2 : Pma2
9.DP.15	Leucosphenite	BaNa₄Ti₂B₂Si₁₀O₃₀	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.DP.20	Prehnite	Ca₂Al₂Si₃O₁₀(OH)₂	Orth. mm2
9.DP.25	Amstallite	CaAl[(Al,Si)₄O₈(OH)₂](OH)₂ · (H₂O,Cl)	Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.DP.30	Kvanefjeldite	Na₄(Ca,Mn)(Si₃O₇)₂(OH)₂	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
9.DP.35	Lemoynite	(Na,K)₂CaZr₂Si₁₀O₂₆ · 5H₂O	Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.DP.35	Natrolemoynite	Na₄Zr₂Si₁₀O₂₆ · 9H₂O	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.DP.35	Hogarthite	(Na,K)₂CaTi₂Si₁₀O₂₆ · 8H₂O	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.DP.40	Altisite	Na₃K₆Ti₂Al₂Si₈O₂₆Cl₃	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.DP.45	Chiappinoite-(Y)	Y₂Mn(Si₃O₇)₄	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Ibam
9.DP.50	Esquireite	BaSi₆O₁₃ · 7H₂O	Mon. 2 : B2

Other InformationHide

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 MeliphaniteHide

mindat.org URL:

https://www.mindat.org/min-2636.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

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External Links:

Look for Meliphanite on Webmineral

Look for Meliphanite on Wikipedia

Look for Meliphanite on Mineralien Atlas

Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project

References and PDF downloads at RRUFF project

American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database

Handbook of Mineralogy page PDF

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References for MeliphaniteHide

Reference List:

Scheerer, T. (1852): Melinophan, eine neue Mineralspecies. Journal für Praktische Chemie, 55, 449-451.

Dal Negro, A., Rossi, G., Ungaretti, L. (1967) The crystal structure of meliphanite. Acta Crystallographica, 23 (2) 260-264 doi:10.1107/s0365110x67002579

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

Lyalina, L. M., Savchenko, Ye. E., Kadyrova, G. I., Selivanova, E. A. (2020) Meliphanite and Leucophanite from the Sakharjok Alkaline Massif, Kola Peninsula. Geology of Ore Deposits, 62 (8) 764-772 doi:10.1134/s1075701520080097

forum.amiminerals.it (n.d.) https://forum.amiminerals.it/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=16997

(2023) Meliphanite. Handbook of Mineralogy. Mineralogical Society of America

Localities for MeliphaniteHide

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the

symbol to view information about a locality. The

symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.

Locality ListHide

- 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.


Italy
Piedmont Verbano-Cusio-Ossola Province Druogno Orcesco ⓘ Alpe Rosso	Mattioli V. (1987)
Trontano Pizzo Marcio ⓘ Pizzo Marcio North dyke	Appiani et al. (1995) +5 other references

Norway (TL)
ⓘ Langesundsfjorden (TL)	Scheerer (1852)
Telemark Porsgrunn Auenlandet Sagåsen ⓘ Saga 1 Quarry	Engvoldsen et al. (1991)
ⓘ Torbjørnsås Quarry	Engvoldsen et al. (1991)
Bassebu ⓘ Eikevegåsen Quarry	Peter Andresen collection +1 other reference
Langangen ⓘ Kokkersvold - Blåfjell E18 roadcuts	Larsen et al. (1976)
ⓘ Rønningen E 18 roadcuts	Engvoldsen et al. (1991)
Slevolden ⓘ E18 roadcuts	Engvoldsen et al. (1991)
Vestfold Larvik ⓘ Arøyskjærene (Arøy skerries)	Brøgger (1890, January) +2 other references
ⓘ Meliphanite locality	Berg (1997)
Brunlanes ⓘ Nalum	Oftedal (1964) +1 other reference
ⓘ Thorstein Quarry	Tom Engvoldsen collection 1990 +1 other reference
Hedrum Lågendalen ⓘ Bratthagen 1	Berge et al. (1981) +1 other reference
ⓘ Hedrum Quarry	Andersen (1993)
ⓘ Lille Arøya	Larsen et al. (2010)
Malerød ⓘ Midtfjellet Quarry	Andresen (2011)
ⓘ Vardåsen Quarry	Knut Edvard Larsen collection # 904 +1 other reference
ⓘ Stavern (Fredriksvärn) (TL)	Scheerer (1852)
ⓘ Stokkøya	Andersen et al. (1996)
ⓘ Båtbukta	Brøgger (1890, January) +1 other reference
ⓘ Dalheim	Knut Eldjarn Collection
ⓘ Zircon prospect	Larsen (1979)
Stokksund ⓘ Kuholmen	Brøgger (1890, January)
Store Arøya (Arøy) ⓘ Nordenskiöldine type locality	Brøgger (1890, January)
ⓘ Paradisbukta	Åsheim et al. (1980)
Tjølling Håkestad ⓘ Håkestad Quarry	Engvoldsen et al. (1991)
Klåstad ⓘ Hasle Quarry	Berge et al. (1981) +1 other reference
ⓘ Klåstad Quarry	Berge et al. (1981)
ⓘ Skallist Quarry	Berge (n.d.) +2 other references
Stålaker ⓘ Stålaker Quarry	Engvoldsen et al. (1991)
Tvedalen ⓘ Almenningen Quarry (Treschow-Fritzøe Quarry)	Engvoldsen et al. (1991)
ⓘ Askedalsbotn Quarry	Engvoldsen et al. (1991)
ⓘ Bjørndalen Quarry	Engvoldsen et al. (1991)
ⓘ Blåbærmyr Quarry	Knut Eldjarn Collection
ⓘ Hauane Quarry (Walter Rimstad Quarry)	Engvoldsen et al. (1991)
ⓘ Østskogen Quarry	Larsen et al. (2010)
ⓘ Saga Pearl Quarry	Larsen et al. (2010)
ⓘ Torpevannet Quarry	Engvoldsen et al. (1991)
ⓘ Tuften	Engvoldsen et al. (1991)
ⓘ A/S Granit Quarry	Peter Andresen collection +1 other reference
ⓘ Vevja 2 Quarry	Frode Andersen collection/observation ...
ⓘ Vevja Quarry	Larsen (1988) +1 other reference
Sandefjord Vesterøya ⓘ Kamfjord Quarry	Engvoldsen et al. (1991)

Romania
Harghita County ⓘ ~~Ditrău Complex~~	Ianovici (1933)

Russia
Buryatia Kizhinginsky District ⓘ Ermakovskoe Be Deposit	Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) +1 other reference
Murmansk Oblast ⓘ Khibiny Massif	...
Lovozersky District Keivy Mountains Western Keivy Massif West Keivy Block ⓘ Rovgora Mountain (Rov-gora)	in Coll. Martin Slama
ⓘ Sakharjok Massif (Sakhariok Massif; Sakharjok deposit)	Liferovich et al. (2006) +3 other references

USA
Alaska Fairbanks North Star Borough Fairbanks Mining District ⓘ Stepovich Mine	USGS OFR 98-287 (Freeman,1998)

Meliphanite

About MeliphaniteHide

Unique IdentifiersHide

IMA Classification of MeliphaniteHide

Classification of MeliphaniteHide

Mineral SymbolsHide

Physical Properties of MeliphaniteHide

Optical Data of MeliphaniteHide

Chemistry of MeliphaniteHide

Crystallography of MeliphaniteHide

Crystal StructureHide

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Geological EnvironmentHide

Type Occurrence of MeliphaniteHide

Synonyms of MeliphaniteHide

Other Language Names for MeliphaniteHide

Common AssociatesHide

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

Other InformationHide

Internet Links for MeliphaniteHide

References for MeliphaniteHide

Localities for MeliphaniteHide

Locality ListHide

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping Hide