Sylvite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Sylvite
Formula:
KCl
Colour:
Colourless, grey, white, yellowish to reddish, seldom blue or violet
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
1½ - 2
Specific Gravity:
1.993
Crystal System:
Isometric
Member of:
Name:
From Latin "sal digestibus Sylvii", salts of Sylvius, named after François Sylvius de le Boe (1614-1672), a physician and chemist of Leyden, Netherlands.
May deposit from volcanic gas, as shown in an experiment of Africano et al. (2002), in which it is a predominant precipitate at 550°C.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3850
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3850:4
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
0ed0299f-3e5f-4da3-a88a-ee934400dfe9
Classification of Sylvite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
3.AA.20
3 : HALIDES
A : Simple halides, without H2O
A : M:X = 1:1, 2:3, 3:5, etc.
3 : HALIDES
A : Simple halides, without H2O
A : M:X = 1:1, 2:3, 3:5, etc.
9.1.1.2
9 : NORMAL HALIDES
1 : AX
9 : NORMAL HALIDES
1 : AX
8.1.6
8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
1 : Halides of the alkali metals and ammonium
8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
1 : Halides of the alkali metals and ammonium
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Symbol | Source | Reference |
---|---|---|
Syl | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Syl | Whitney & Evans (2010) | Whitney, D.L. and Evans, B.W. (2010) Abbreviations for names of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 95, 185–187 doi:10.2138/am.2010.3371 |
Syv | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Syl | Warr (2020) | Warr, L.N. (2020) Recommended abbreviations for the names of clay minerals and associated phases. Clay Minerals, 55, 261–264 doi:10.1180/clm.2020.30 |
Physical Properties of Sylvite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Colourless, grey, white, yellowish to reddish, seldom blue or violet
Streak:
White
Hardness:
1½ - 2 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {001}
On {001}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
1.993(5) g/cm3 (Measured) 1.987 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Sylvite
Type:
Isotropic
RI values:
n = 1.4903
Birefringence:
Isotropic minerals have no birefringence
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
Distinct pleochroism observed in colored crystals with weak anomalous birefringence (especially noted in mechanically deformed crystals).
Comments:
Anomalously anisotropic when strained.
Chemical Properties of Sylvite
Formula:
KCl
Elements listed:
CAS Registry number:
Common Impurities:
Br,CO2=C,O
Crystallography of Sylvite
Crystal System:
Isometric
Class (H-M):
m3m (4/m 3 2/m) - Hexoctahedral
Space Group:
Fm3m
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.2931 Å
Unit Cell V:
249.23 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Crystals cubic; cubooctahedral or octahedral habits less common. Massive, coarsely granular to compact. Columnar structure rare; as crusts.
Twinning:
On {111} (artificial crystals only).
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) |
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0003201 | Sylvite | Walker D, Verma P K, Cranswick L M D, Jones R L, Clark S M, Buhre S (2004) Halite-sylvite thermoelasticity American Mineralogist 89 204-210 | 2004 | 0 | 298 | ||
0003202 | Sylvite | Walker D, Verma P K, Cranswick L M D, Jones R L, Clark S M, Buhre S (2004) Halite-sylvite thermoelasticity American Mineralogist 89 204-210 | 2004 | 0.04 | 309 | ||
0003203 | Sylvite | Walker D, Verma P K, Cranswick L M D, Jones R L, Clark S M, Buhre S (2004) Halite-sylvite thermoelasticity American Mineralogist 89 204-210 | 2004 | 0 | 373 | ||
0003204 | Sylvite | Walker D, Verma P K, Cranswick L M D, Jones R L, Clark S M, Buhre S (2004) Halite-sylvite thermoelasticity American Mineralogist 89 204-210 | 2004 | 0.19 | 373 | ||
0003205 | Sylvite | Walker D, Verma P K, Cranswick L M D, Jones R L, Clark S M, Buhre S (2004) Halite-sylvite thermoelasticity American Mineralogist 89 204-210 | 2004 | 0.39 | 373 | ||
0003206 | Sylvite | Walker D, Verma P K, Cranswick L M D, Jones R L, Clark S M, Buhre S (2004) Halite-sylvite thermoelasticity American Mineralogist 89 204-210 | 2004 | 0.86 | 373 | ||
0003207 | Sylvite | Walker D, Verma P K, Cranswick L M D, Jones R L, Clark S M, Buhre S (2004) Halite-sylvite thermoelasticity American Mineralogist 89 204-210 | 2004 | 1.5 | 373 | ||
0003208 | Sylvite | Walker D, Verma P K, Cranswick L M D, Jones R L, Clark S M, Buhre S (2004) Halite-sylvite thermoelasticity American Mineralogist 89 204-210 | 2004 | 0 | 473 | ||
0003209 | Sylvite | Walker D, Verma P K, Cranswick L M D, Jones R L, Clark S M, Buhre S (2004) Halite-sylvite thermoelasticity American Mineralogist 89 204-210 | 2004 | 0.31 | 473 | ||
0003210 | Sylvite | Walker D, Verma P K, Cranswick L M D, Jones R L, Clark S M, Buhre S (2004) Halite-sylvite thermoelasticity American Mineralogist 89 204-210 | 2004 | 0.55 | 473 | ||
0003211 | Sylvite | Walker D, Verma P K, Cranswick L M D, Jones R L, Clark S M, Buhre S (2004) Halite-sylvite thermoelasticity American Mineralogist 89 204-210 | 2004 | 1.02 | 473 | ||
0003212 | Sylvite | Walker D, Verma P K, Cranswick L M D, Jones R L, Clark S M, Buhre S (2004) Halite-sylvite thermoelasticity American Mineralogist 89 204-210 | 2004 | 1.57 | 473 | ||
0003213 | Sylvite | Walker D, Verma P K, Cranswick L M D, Jones R L, Clark S M, Buhre S (2004) Halite-sylvite thermoelasticity American Mineralogist 89 204-210 | 2004 | 0 | 573 | ||
0003214 | Sylvite | Walker D, Verma P K, Cranswick L M D, Jones R L, Clark S M, Buhre S (2004) Halite-sylvite thermoelasticity American Mineralogist 89 204-210 | 2004 | 0.67 | 573 | ||
0003215 | Sylvite | Walker D, Verma P K, Cranswick L M D, Jones R L, Clark S M, Buhre S (2004) Halite-sylvite thermoelasticity American Mineralogist 89 204-210 | 2004 | 1.17 | 573 | ||
0003216 | Sylvite | Walker D, Verma P K, Cranswick L M D, Jones R L, Clark S M, Buhre S (2004) Halite-sylvite thermoelasticity American Mineralogist 89 204-210 | 2004 | 1.62 | 573 | ||
0003217 | Sylvite | Walker D, Verma P K, Cranswick L M D, Jones R L, Clark S M, Buhre S (2004) Halite-sylvite thermoelasticity American Mineralogist 89 204-210 | 2004 | 0 | 673 | ||
0003218 | Sylvite | Walker D, Verma P K, Cranswick L M D, Jones R L, Clark S M, Buhre S (2004) Halite-sylvite thermoelasticity American Mineralogist 89 204-210 | 2004 | 0.61 | 673 | ||
0003219 | Sylvite | Walker D, Verma P K, Cranswick L M D, Jones R L, Clark S M, Buhre S (2004) Halite-sylvite thermoelasticity American Mineralogist 89 204-210 | 2004 | 0.86 | 673 | ||
0003220 | Sylvite | Walker D, Verma P K, Cranswick L M D, Jones R L, Clark S M, Buhre S (2004) Halite-sylvite thermoelasticity American Mineralogist 89 204-210 | 2004 | 1.34 | 673 | ||
0003221 | Sylvite | Walker D, Verma P K, Cranswick L M D, Jones R L, Clark S M, Buhre S (2004) Halite-sylvite thermoelasticity American Mineralogist 89 204-210 | 2004 | 1.65 | 673 | ||
0003222 | Sylvite | Walker D, Verma P K, Cranswick L M D, Jones R L, Clark S M, Buhre S (2004) Halite-sylvite thermoelasticity American Mineralogist 89 204-210 | 2004 | 0 | 773 | ||
0003223 | Sylvite | Walker D, Verma P K, Cranswick L M D, Jones R L, Clark S M, Buhre S (2004) Halite-sylvite thermoelasticity American Mineralogist 89 204-210 | 2004 | 0.89 | 773 | ||
0003224 | Sylvite | Walker D, Verma P K, Cranswick L M D, Jones R L, Clark S M, Buhre S (2004) Halite-sylvite thermoelasticity American Mineralogist 89 204-210 | 2004 | 1.5 | 773 | ||
0003225 | Sylvite | Walker D, Verma P K, Cranswick L M D, Jones R L, Clark S M, Buhre S (2004) Halite-sylvite thermoelasticity American Mineralogist 89 204-210 | 2004 | 1.71 | 773 | ||
0003226 | Sylvite | Walker D, Verma P K, Cranswick L M D, Jones R L, Clark S M, Buhre S (2004) Halite-sylvite thermoelasticity American Mineralogist 89 204-210 | 2004 | 0 | 873 | ||
0003227 | Sylvite | Walker D, Verma P K, Cranswick L M D, Jones R L, Clark S M, Buhre S (2004) Halite-sylvite thermoelasticity American Mineralogist 89 204-210 | 2004 | 0.99 | 873 | ||
0003228 | Sylvite | Walker D, Verma P K, Cranswick L M D, Jones R L, Clark S M, Buhre S (2004) Halite-sylvite thermoelasticity American Mineralogist 89 204-210 | 2004 | 1.73 | 873 | ||
0003229 | Sylvite | Walker D, Verma P K, Cranswick L M D, Jones R L, Clark S M, Buhre S (2004) Halite-sylvite thermoelasticity American Mineralogist 89 204-210 | 2004 | 1.73 | 873 | ||
0011329 | Sylvite | Wyckoff R W G (1963) Second edition. Interscience Publishers, New York, New York rocksalt structure Crystal Structures 1 85-237 | 1963 | 0 | 293 | ||
0011994 | Sylvite | Ahtee M (1969) Lattice constants of some binary alkali halide solid solutions. Annales Academiae Scientiarum Fennicae Series A6: Physica 313 1-11 | 1969 | 0 | 293 | ||
0012650 | Sylvite | Will G (1981) Energiedispersion und Synchrotronstrahlung: Eine neue Methode und eine neue Strahlenquelle fuer die Roentgenbeugung _cod_database_code 1000050 Fortschritte der Mineralogie 59 31-94 | 1981 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
Epitaxial Relationships of Sylvite
Epitaxy Comments:
Hematite inclusions with {0001} of hematite parallel to {001}, {111}, or {011} of halite. Minute halite inclusions oriented in parallel position to the sylvite.
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 |
---|---|
3.146 Å | (100) |
2.224 Å | (59) |
1.816 Å | (23) |
1.407 Å | (20) |
1.284 Å | (13) |
1.573 Å | (8) |
1.0490 Å | (6) |
0.8410 Å | (6) |
Comments:
Synthetic. Data from Swanson and Tatge (1953).
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Stage 2: Planetesimal differentiation and alteration | 4.566-4.550 |
5 : Primary asteroid phases | 4.566–4.560 |
Near-surface Processes | |
21 : Chemically precipitated carbonate, phosphate, iron formations | |
25 : Evaporites (prebiotic) | |
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
45b : [Other oxidized fumarolic minerals] |
Geological Setting:
Evaporites in sedimentary basins, sublimate in volcanic fumaroles, burning coal.
Type Occurrence of Sylvite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
No designated type material.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Evaporite deposit
Synonyms of Sylvite
Other Language Names for Sylvite
Russian:Сильвин
Varieties of Sylvite
Bromian Sylvite | A Br-bearing variety (2-6 wt.% Br), synthetic: experimentally deposited from volcanic (Iodake crater, Satsuma-Ioujima) gas in silica tubes (850oC at the inlet). |
Rubidium-bearing Sylvite | A variety containing 0.5 wt.% Rb, synthetic: deposited from fumarolic gas of Iodake crater, Satsuma-Ioujima volcano, in silica tubes (850oC at the inlet). |
Relationship of Sylvite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
Carobbiite | KF | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fm3m |
Griceite | LiF | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fm3m |
Halite | NaCl | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fm3m |
Villiaumite | NaF | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fd3m |
Common Associates
Anhydrite | CaSO4 |
Carnallite | KMgCl3 · 6H2O |
Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
Halite | NaCl |
Kainite | KMg(SO4)Cl · 3H2O |
Kieserite | MgSO4 · H2O |
Polyhalite | K2Ca2Mg(SO4)4 · 2H2O |
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
96 photos of Sylvite associated with Halite | NaCl |
9 photos of Sylvite associated with Carnallite | KMgCl3 · 6H2O |
6 photos of Sylvite associated with Langbeinite | K2Mg2(SO4)3 |
5 photos of Sylvite associated with Bastnäsite-(Ce) | Ce(CO3)F |
4 photos of Sylvite associated with Ytterbium | Yb |
4 photos of Sylvite associated with Molybdenum | Mo |
2 photos of Sylvite associated with Congolite | (Fe2+,Mg)3(B7O13)Cl |
2 photos of Sylvite associated with Evaporite | |
2 photos of Sylvite associated with Glass | |
2 photos of Sylvite associated with Saltonseaite | K3NaMnCl6 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
3.AA. | Brontesite | (NH4)3PbCl5 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma |
3.AA.05 | Marshite | CuI | Iso. 4 3m : F4 3m |
3.AA.05 | Miersite | (Ag,Cu)I | Iso. 4 3m : F4 3m |
3.AA.05 | Nantokite | CuCl | Iso. 4 3m : F4 3m |
3.AA.05 | UM1999-11:I:CuS | Cu(I,S) | |
3.AA.10 | Iodargyrite | AgI | Hex. 6mm : P6mm |
3.AA.10 | Tocornalite | (Ag,Hg)I | Hex. |
3.AA.15 | Bromargyrite | AgBr | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fm3m |
3.AA.15 | Chlorargyrite | AgCl | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fm3m |
3.AA.20 | Carobbiite | KF | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fm3m |
3.AA.20 | Griceite | LiF | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fm3m |
3.AA.20 | Halite | NaCl | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fm3m |
3.AA.20 | Villiaumite | NaF | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fd3m |
3.AA.25 | Salammoniac | NH4Cl | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) |
3.AA.25 | UM1998-03-Cl:Tl | TlCl | |
3.AA.25 | Lafossaite | Tl(Cl,Br) | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Pm3m |
3.AA.25 | Nataliyamalikite | TlI | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Cmcm |
3.AA.30 | Calomel | [Hg2]2+Cl2 | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : I4/mmm |
3.AA.30 | Kuzminite | [Hg2]2+(Br,Cl)2 | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : I4/mmm |
3.AA.30 | Moschelite | [Hg2]2+I2 | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : I4/mmm |
3.AA.35 | Neighborite | NaMgF3 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
3.AA.35 | Parascandolaite | KMgF3 | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Pm3m |
3.AA.40 | Chlorocalcite | KCaCl3 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma |
3.AA.40 | Javorieite | KFeCl3 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma |
3.AA.45 | Kolarite | PbTeCl2 | Orth. |
3.AA.50 | Radhakrishnaite | PbTe3(Cl,S)2 | Tet. |
3.AA.55 | Challacolloite | KPb2Cl5 | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
3.AA.60 | Hephaistosite | TlPb2Cl5 | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
3.AA.90 | Pseudocotunnite | K2PbCl4 | Orth. |
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:
Melts at 790°. Highly diathermanous.
Notes:
Water soluble. Taste salty but more astringent than halite.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Industrial Uses:
Source for potassium
Sylvite in petrology
An essential component of rock names highlighted in red, an accessory component in rock names highlighted in green.
Internet Links for Sylvite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3850.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Sylvite
Reference List:
Localities for Sylvite
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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Quick NavTopAbout SylviteUnique IdentifiersClassification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemical Properties Crystallography Crystal StructureEpitaxial Relationships X-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesVarietiesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationSylvite in petrologyInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Vesuvius fumaroles, Mount Vesuvius, Somma-Vesuvius Complex, Naples, Campania, Italy