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Eirikite

A valid IMA mineral species

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Photos of Eirikite (35)

Eirikite Gallery Search Photos of Eirikite

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Eirikite, etc.

Eudidymite-Epididymite locality, Vesle Arøya, Larvik, Vestfold, Norway

Eirikite

Eudidymite-Epididymite locality, Vesle Arøya, Larvik, Vestfold, Norway

Eirikite, etc.

Poudrette quarry, Mont Saint-Hilaire, La Vallée-du-Richelieu RCM, Montérégie, Québec, Canada

Eirikite, etc.

Eudidymite-Epididymite locality, Vesle Arøya, Larvik, Vestfold, Norway

Eirikite

Eudidymite-Epididymite locality, Vesle Arøya, Larvik, Vestfold, Norway

Eirikite, etc.

Poudrette quarry, Mont Saint-Hilaire, La Vallée-du-Richelieu RCM, Montérégie, Québec, Canada

Eirikite, etc.

Eudidymite-Epididymite locality, Vesle Arøya, Larvik, Vestfold, Norway

Eirikite

Eudidymite-Epididymite locality, Vesle Arøya, Larvik, Vestfold, Norway

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About EirikiteHide

Eric the Red (Eiríkur rauði)

Formula:

KNa₆Be₂(Si₁₅Al₃)O₃₉F₂

Colour:

White to colorless

Lustre:

Vitreous, Silky

Hardness:

Specific Gravity:

2.59

Crystal System:

Trigonal

Member of:

Leifite Group

Name:

Named after Eirik Raude (950-1003), discoverer of Greenland and father of Leiv (Leif) Eiriksson, after whom leifite is named.

Type Locality:

ⓘ Eudidymite-Epididymite locality, Vesle Arøya, Larvik, Vestfold, Norway

Leifite Group.
The K analogue of leifite and telyushenkoite.

Not to be confused with the discredited "erikite".

Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:

36060

Long-form identifier:

mindat:1:1:36060:7

GUID
(UUID V4):

15fdb4a0-f01c-4085-beef-f0a28dbf61f1

IMA Classification of EirikiteHide

IMA status:

Approved

Approval year:

2007

First published:

2010

Type description reference:

Larsen, Alf Olav, Kolitsch, Uwe, Gault, Robert A., Giester, Gerald (2010) Eirikite, a new mineral species of the leifite group from the Langesundsfjord district, Norway. European Journal of Mineralogy, 22 (6) 875-880 doi:10.1127/0935-1221/2010/0022-2068

Classification of EirikiteHide

Strunz-mindat (2024):

9.EH.25

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
H : Transitional structures between phyllosilicate and other silicate units

Dana 8th ed.:

76.2.11.3

76 : TECTOSILICATES Al-Si Framework
2 : Al-Si Framework Feldspathoids and related species

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
Eir	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 EirikiteHide

Lustre:

Vitreous, Silky

Colour:

White to colorless

Streak:

White

Hardness:

6 on Mohs scale

Tenacity:

Brittle

Cleavage:

Distinct/Good
{1010}

Fracture:

Irregular/Uneven, Conchoidal

Density:

2.59(1) g/cm³ (Measured) 2.577 g/cm³ (Calculated)

Optical Data of EirikiteHide

Type:

Uniaxial (+)

RI values:

n_ω = 1.517(1) n_ε = 1.521(1)

Max Birefringence:

δ = 0.004

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

Surface Relief:

Low

Pleochroism:

Non-pleochroic

Chemistry of EirikiteHide

Mindat Formula:

KNa₆Be₂(Si₁₅Al₃)O₃₉F₂

Elements listed:

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

Crystallography of EirikiteHide

Crystal System:

Trigonal

Class (H-M):

3m (3 2/m) - Hexagonal Scalenohedral

Space Group:

P3m1

Setting:

P3m1

Cell Parameters:

a = 14.3865(9) Å, c = 4.8733(4) Å

Ratio:

a:c = 1 : 0.339

Unit Cell V:

873.50 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)
0017881	Eirikite	Larsen A O, Kolitsch U, Gault R A, Giester G (2010) Eirikite, a new mineral species of the leifite group from the Langesundsfjord district, Norway European Journal of Mineralogy 22 875-880		2010	Langesundsfjord district, Norway	0	293

CIF Raw Data - click here to close

data_global
_chemical_name_mineral 'Eirikite'
loop_
_publ_author_name
'Larsen A O'
'Kolitsch U'
'Gault R A'
'Giester G'
_journal_name_full 'European Journal of Mineralogy'
_journal_volume 22 
_journal_year 2010
_journal_page_first 875
_journal_page_last 880
_publ_section_title
;
 Eirikite, a new mineral species of the leifite group from the Langesundsfjord district, Norway
;
_database_code_amcsd 0017881
_chemical_compound_source 'Langesundsfjord district, Norway'
_chemical_formula_sum 'K.983 Na6.017 Be2 (Si15 Al3) O39 F2'
_cell_length_a 14.386
_cell_length_b 14.386
_cell_length_c 4.873
_cell_angle_alpha 90
_cell_angle_beta 90
_cell_angle_gamma 120
_cell_volume 873.388
_exptl_crystal_density_diffrn      2.584
_symmetry_space_group_name_H-M 'P -3 m 1'
loop_
_space_group_symop_operation_xyz
  'x,y,z'
  '-y,-x,z'
  'y,-x+y,-z'
  '-x,-x+y,-z'
  '-x+y,-x,z'
  '-x+y,y,z'
  '-x,-y,-z'
  'y,x,-z'
  '-y,x-y,z'
  'x,x-y,z'
  'x-y,x,-z'
  'x-y,-y,-z'
loop_
_atom_site_label
_atom_site_fract_x
_atom_site_fract_y
_atom_site_fract_z
_atom_site_occupancy
_atom_site_U_iso_or_equiv
KA   0.00000   0.00000   0.00000   0.98300   0.04380
Na   0.75075  -0.75075   0.20243   1.00000   0.01861
NaB   0.00000   0.00000   0.50000   0.01700   0.04000
BeT4   0.33333   0.66667   0.36850   1.00000   0.00800
SiT1   0.00000   0.21580   0.50000   0.83333   0.00921
AlT1   0.00000   0.21580   0.50000   0.16667   0.00921
SiT2   0.00000   0.34389   0.00000   0.83333   0.00717
AlT2   0.00000   0.34389   0.00000   0.16667   0.00717
SiT3   0.44740  -0.44740   0.30818   0.83333   0.00624
AlT3   0.44740  -0.44740   0.30818   0.16667   0.00624
O1   0.09980  -0.09980   0.38138   1.00000   0.01764
O2   0.30843   0.25990   0.24793   1.00000   0.01445
O3   0.35937   0.45859   0.10578   1.00000   0.01207
O4   0.50000   0.00000   0.50000   1.00000   0.01390
O5   0.39429  -0.39429   0.48464   1.00000   0.01058
F   0.33333   0.66667   0.04480   1.00000   0.01360
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
KA 0.04600 0.04600 0.03940 0.02300 0.00000 0.00000
Na 0.01746 0.01746 0.01640 0.00540 0.00316 -0.00316
BeT4 0.00790 0.00790 0.00800 0.00400 0.00000 0.00000
SiT1 0.00949 0.00935 0.00883 0.00475 -0.00116 -0.00058
AlT1 0.00949 0.00935 0.00883 0.00475 -0.00116 -0.00058
SiT2 0.00752 0.00675 0.00750 0.00376 0.00040 0.00020
AlT2 0.00752 0.00675 0.00750 0.00376 0.00040 0.00020
SiT3 0.00725 0.00725 0.00607 0.00501 0.00005 -0.00005
AlT3 0.00725 0.00725 0.00607 0.00501 0.00005 -0.00005
O1 0.01640 0.01640 0.01540 0.00470 -0.00408 0.00408
O2 0.01570 0.01310 0.01520 0.00770 0.00540 0.00539
O3 0.01320 0.00940 0.01470 0.00642 -0.00411 -0.00318
O4 0.01750 0.00780 0.01340 0.00390 -0.00247 -0.00490
O5 0.01430 0.01430 0.00870 0.01130 0.00051 -0.00051
F 0.01680 0.01680 0.00730 0.00839 0.00000 0.00000

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:

d-spacing	Intensity
4.710 Å	(29)
4.153 Å	(21)
3.386 Å	(70)
3.161 Å	(100)
3.115 Å	(17)
2.466 Å	(31)
2.398 Å	(19)
2.217 Å	(20)

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 EirikiteHide

Type Locality:

ⓘ Eudidymite-Epididymite locality, Vesle Arøya, Larvik, Vestfold, Norway

General Appearance of Type Material:

finely or coarsely fibrous, monomineralic aggregates up to several centimetres across

Place of Conservation of Type Material:

Department of Geology, Natural History Museum, University of Oslo (catalogue no. 41773).

Geological Setting of Type Material:

A nepheline-syenite pegmatite

Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Zircon	Pyrochlore Group	Polylithionite	Microcline	Eudialyte
Catapleiite	Albite	Aegirine

Reference:

Larsen, A.O., Kolitsch, U., Gault, R.A., Giester, G. (2010): Eirikite, a new mineral species of the leifite group from the Langesundsfjord district, Norway. European Journal of Mineralogy, 22, 875-880.

Download:

https://rruff.info/rruff_1.0/uploads/EJM22_875.pdf

Synonyms of EirikiteHide

IMA2007-017

Relationship of Eirikite to other SpeciesHide

Member of:

Leifite Group

Other Members of this group:

Leifite	(Na,H₂O)Na₆[Be₂Al₂(Al,Si)Si₁₅O₃₉]F₂	Trig. 3m : P3m1
Telyushenkoite	(Cs,Na,K)Na₆[Be₂Al₃Si₁₅O₃₉]F₂	Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3 1m

Common AssociatesHide

Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:

6 photos of Eirikite associated with Zircon	Zr(SiO₄)
4 photos of Eirikite associated with Leifite	(Na,H₂O)Na₆[Be₂Al₂(Al,Si)Si₁₅O₃₉]F₂
4 photos of Eirikite associated with Analcime	Na(AlSi₂O₆) · H₂O
4 photos of Eirikite associated with Polylithionite	KLi₂Al(Si₄O₁₀)(F,OH)₂
3 photos of Eirikite associated with Microcline	K(AlSi₃O₈)
3 photos of Eirikite associated with Aegirine	NaFe³⁺Si₂O₆
2 photos of Eirikite associated with Natrolite	Na₂Al₂Si₃O₁₀ · 2H₂O
2 photos of Eirikite associated with Rhodochrosite	MnCO₃
1 photo of Eirikite associated with Gaidonnayite	Na₂Zr(Si₃O₉) · 2H₂O
1 photo of Eirikite associated with Catapleiite	Na₂Zr(Si₃O₉) · 2H₂O

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping Hide

9.EH.05	Manganoneptunite	KNa₂Li(Mn²⁺)₂Ti₂[Si₄O₁₂]₂	Mon. m : Bb
9.EH.05	Neptunite	KNa₂Li(Fe²⁺)₂Ti₂[Si₄O₁₂]₂	Mon. m : Bb
9.EH.05	Watatsumiite	KNa₂Li(Mn²⁺)₂V⁴⁺₂[Si₄O₁₂]₂	Mon. m : Bb
9.EH.05	Magnesioneptunite	KNa₂Li(Mg)₂Ti₂[Si₄O₁₂]₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.EH.05	Rotherkopfite	KNa₂Fe²⁺(Fe²⁺)₂(Ti_1.5Fe²⁺_0.5)[Si₄O₁₂]₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.EH.10	Grumantite	Na(HSi₂O₅) · H₂O	Orth. mm2 : Fdd2
9.EH.15	Sarcolite	Na₄Ca₁₂Al₈Si₁₂O₄₆(SiO₄,PO₄)(OH,H₂O)₄(CO₃,Cl)	Tet. 4/m : I4/m
9.EH.20	Ussingite	Na₂AlSi₃O₈OH	Tric. 1 : P1
9.EH.25	Leifite	(Na,H₂O)Na₆[Be₂Al₂(Al,Si)Si₁₅O₃₉]F₂	Trig. 3m : P3m1
9.EH.25	Telyushenkoite	(Cs,Na,K)Na₆[Be₂Al₃Si₁₅O₃₉]F₂	Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3 1m
9.EH.30	Nafertisite	Na₃Fe²⁺₁₀Ti₂(Si₆O₁₇)₂O₂(OH)₆F(H₂O)₂	Mon. 2/m
9.EH.35	Veblenite	KNa(Fe²⁺₅Fe³⁺₄Mn₇)Nb₄(Si₂O₇)₂(Si₈O₂₂)₂O₆(OH)₁₀(H₂O)₃	Tric. 1 : P1

Fluorescence of EirikiteHide

In UV light:

none

Other InformationHide

Notes:

insoluble in warm 6 M HCl, melts relatively easily using a gas torch, leaving a white, vesicular globule

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 EirikiteHide

mindat.org URL:

https://www.mindat.org/min-36060.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

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External Links:

Look for Eirikite on Webmineral

Look for Eirikite on Wikipedia

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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 EirikiteHide

Reference List:

Larsen, Alf Olav, Åsheim, Arne (1995) Leifite from a nepheline syenite pegmatite on Vesle Arøya in the Langesundsfjord district, Oslo Region, Norway. Norsk Geologisk Tidsskrift [Norwegian Journal of Geology], 75 (4) 243-246 As leifite

HORVÁTH, L. (2009) Bertrandite, eirikite and a review of beryllium minerals from Mont Saint-Hilaire. MICRONEWS, 43(5), 9-12.

Armstrong, J.A., Friis, H., Lieb, A., Finch, A.A., Weller, M.T. (2010): Combined single-crystal X-ray and neutron powder diffraction structure analysis exemplified through full structure determinations of framework and layer beryllate minerals. American Mineralogist, 95, 519-526. [refinement of Na-bearing leifite]

Larsen, Alf Olav, Andersen, Frode, Dahlgren, Sven, Larsen, Knut Edvard, Burvald, Ingulv - Ed. (2010) The Langesundsfjord - History, geology, pegmatites, minerals. Bode Verlag Gmbh, Salzhemmendorf. p.1-240.pp.112-113

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

Localities for EirikiteHide

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.


Canada
Québec Montérégie La Vallée-du-Richelieu RCM ⓘ Mont Saint-Hilaire	Can. Museum of Nature & Horváth ... +1 other reference
ⓘ Poudrette quarry (De-Mix quarry; Demix quarry; Uni-Mix quarry; Carrière Mont Saint-Hilaire; MSH)	HORVÁTH (2009)

Norway (TL)
Vestfold Larvik Vesle Arøya ⓘ Eudidymite-Epididymite locality (TL)	Larsen et al. (2010)

Russia
Murmansk Oblast Khibiny Massif ⓘ Eveslogchorr Mt	In Coll. Martin Slama
Lovozersky District Alluaiv Mountain Umbozero mine ⓘ Nastrophitovyi pegmatite	Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.)

Eirikite

About EirikiteHide

Unique IdentifiersHide

IMA Classification of EirikiteHide

Classification of EirikiteHide

Mineral SymbolsHide

Physical Properties of EirikiteHide

Optical Data of EirikiteHide

Chemistry of EirikiteHide

Crystallography of EirikiteHide

Crystal StructureHide

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Geological EnvironmentHide

Type Occurrence of EirikiteHide

Synonyms of EirikiteHide

Relationship of Eirikite to other SpeciesHide

Common AssociatesHide

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

Fluorescence of EirikiteHide

Other InformationHide

Internet Links for EirikiteHide

References for EirikiteHide

Localities for EirikiteHide

Locality ListHide

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping Hide