Bazzite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About Bazzite
Formula:
Be3Sc2(Si6O18)
Colour:
Deep blue or other shades of blue, blue-green.
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
6½ - 7
Specific Gravity:
2.77 - 2.8
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1915 for Alessandro Eugenio Bazzi (1892-1929), discoverer of the mineral.
The scandium analogue of Beryl.
Typically found as small to tiny hexagonal crystals with a deep blue or blue-green color. Hard to distinguish from beryl.
The blue colour is caused by appreciable iron contents, and, more specifically, the intensity of the blue colour by the ratio between Fe2+ and Fe3+ (Taran et al., 2017).
A Cs-bearing variety is known (see Caesian Bazzite).
Taran et al. (2017) report few chemical varieties, slightly differing in Fe admixture content (Telemark, Norway) and Fe (up to 6.73 wt.% FeO), Mn (up to 2.98 wt.% MnO), Mg (up to 1.86 wt.% MgO) and Al admixture/content (Kent, Kazakhstan). The oxidation state of Fe is variable. The presence of water molecules trapped in structural channels was confirmed, the molecules being always located between or near to the 6-membered rings having Na atoms in their centres.
Typically found as small to tiny hexagonal crystals with a deep blue or blue-green color. Hard to distinguish from beryl.
The blue colour is caused by appreciable iron contents, and, more specifically, the intensity of the blue colour by the ratio between Fe2+ and Fe3+ (Taran et al., 2017).
A Cs-bearing variety is known (see Caesian Bazzite).
Taran et al. (2017) report few chemical varieties, slightly differing in Fe admixture content (Telemark, Norway) and Fe (up to 6.73 wt.% FeO), Mn (up to 2.98 wt.% MnO), Mg (up to 1.86 wt.% MgO) and Al admixture/content (Kent, Kazakhstan). The oxidation state of Fe is variable. The presence of water molecules trapped in structural channels was confirmed, the molecules being always located between or near to the 6-membered rings having Na atoms in their centres.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
586
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:586:1
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
dc7ef081-9922-4970-a823-52b85b777626
IMA Classification of Bazzite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Be3(Sc,Fe3+,Mg)2Si6O18 · Na0.32 · nH2O
First published:
1915
Classification of Bazzite
9.CJ.05
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
C : Cyclosilicates
J : [Si6O18]12- 6-membered single rings (sechser-Einfachringe), without insular complex anions
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
C : Cyclosilicates
J : [Si6O18]12- 6-membered single rings (sechser-Einfachringe), without insular complex anions
Dana 7th ed.:
61.1.1.2
61.1.1.2
61 : CYCLOSILICATES Six-Membered Rings
1 : Six-Membered Rings with [Si6O18] rings; possible (OH) and Al substitution
61 : CYCLOSILICATES Six-Membered Rings
1 : Six-Membered Rings with [Si6O18] rings; possible (OH) and Al substitution
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bz | 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 Bazzite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Deep blue or other shades of blue, blue-green.
Comment:
The blue colour is caused by appreciable iron contents, and, more specifically, the ratio between Fe#2#+ and Fe#3#+ (Taran et al., 2017).
Streak:
White
Hardness:
6½ - 7 on Mohs scale
Hardness Data:
Measured
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Poor/Indistinct
Poor on {0001}.
Poor on {0001}.
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
2.77 - 2.8 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.82 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Bazzite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.622 - 1.637 nε = 1.602 - 1.622
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.020
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
Pleochroism:
Strong
Comments:
O = pale greenish yellow
E = intense sky-blue
E = intense sky-blue
Chemistry of Bazzite
Mindat Formula:
Be3Sc2(Si6O18)
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Fe,Mn,Mg,Li,Na,K,Rb,Cs
Crystallography of Bazzite
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Class (H-M):
6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) - Dihexagonal Dipyramidal
Space Group:
P6/mcc
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.521 (5) Å, c = 9.165(5) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.963
Unit Cell V:
719.50 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0005699 | Bazzite | Demartin F, Gramaccioli C M, Pilati T (2000) Structure refinement of bazzite from pegmatitic and miarolitic occurrences The Canadian Mineralogist 38 1419-1424 |  | 2000 | Baveno granite, Piemonte, Italy | 0 | 293 |
| 0005700 | Bazzite | Demartin F, Gramaccioli C M, Pilati T (2000) Structure refinement of bazzite from pegmatitic and miarolitic occurrences The Canadian Mineralogist 38 1419-1424 | | 2000 | Tordal, Norway | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.306 Å | (100) |
| 8.27 Å | (89) |
| 2.960 Å | (75) |
| 4.006 Å | (48) |
| 4.578 Å | (24) |
| 2.577 Å | (17) |
| 1.761 Å | (15) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 34 : Complex granite pegmatites |
Geological Setting:
Found in miarolitic cavities in granites, granite pegmatites and in Alpine veins associated with pegmatitic minerals.
Type Occurrence of Bazzite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Municipal Museum of Natural History, Milan, Italy.
University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1925,534.
Natural History Museum, Paris, France, 115.132.
University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1925,534.
Natural History Museum, Paris, France, 115.132.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Granite
Other Language Names for Bazzite
Varieties of Bazzite
| Caesian Bazzite | Juve & Bergstøl (1990) described a bazzite with ca. 3 weight% Cs2O from Heftetjern, Tørdal, Telemark, Norway, which they designated as a caesian bazzite. Later, a cesian bazzite from Italy was described by Gramaccioli et al. (2000). |
Relationship of Bazzite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
| Avdeevite | NaAl4(Be5Li)(Si6O18)2(H2O)1-2 | Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P63/mmc |
| Beryl | Be3Al2(Si6O18) | Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P6/mcc |
| Johnkoivulaite | Cs[Be2B]Mg2Si6O18 | Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P6/mcc |
| Pezzottaite | Cs(Be2Li)Al2(Si6O18) | Trig. 3 : R3 |
| Stoppaniite | Be3Fe3+2(Si6O18) · H2O | Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P6/mcc |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 20 photos of Bazzite associated with Bertrandite | Be4(Si2O7)(OH)2 |
| 18 photos of Bazzite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 8 photos of Bazzite associated with Adularia | KAlSi3O8 |
| 7 photos of Bazzite associated with Chlorite Group | |
| 6 photos of Bazzite associated with Hematite | Fe2O3 |
| 5 photos of Bazzite associated with Albite | Na(AlSi3O8) |
| 5 photos of Bazzite associated with Aeschynite-(Y) | (Y,Ln,Ca,Th)(Ti,Nb)2(O,OH)6 |
| 5 photos of Bazzite associated with Muscovite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| 4 photos of Bazzite associated with Orthoclase | K(AlSi3O8) |
| 3 photos of Bazzite associated with Fluorite | CaF2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.CJ. | Avdeevite | NaAl4(Be5Li)(Si6O18)2(H2O)1-2 |
| 9.CJ. | Nakkaalaaqite | K2[Na3Ca]LiCa2Ti2Be4Si12O38 |
| 9.CJ. | Zolotarevite | Na5Zr[Si6O15(OH)3] · 3H2O |
| 9.CJ. | Beryllocordierite-Na | NaMg4(Al5Be)(AlSi5O18)2 · 2H2O |
| 9.CJ. | Beryllosachanbińskiite-Na | NaMn4(Al5Be)(AlSi5O18)2 · 2H2O |
| 9.CJ.05 | Beryl | Be3Al2(Si6O18) |
| 9.CJ.05 | Indialite | Mg2Al3(AlSi5O18) |
| 9.CJ.05 va | Vorobyevite | Be3Al2(Si6O18) |
| 9.CJ.05 | Stoppaniite | Be3Fe3+2(Si6O18) · H2O |
| 9.CJ.05 | Ferroindialite | (Fe2+,Mg)2Al4Si5O18 |
| 9.CJ.05 | Johnkoivulaite | Cs[Be2B]Mg2Si6O18 |
| 9.CJ.10 | Cordierite | (Mg,Fe)2Al3(AlSi5O18) |
| 9.CJ.10 | Sekaninaite | (Fe,Mg)2Al3(AlSi5O18) |
| 9.CJ.15a | Combeite | Na4.5Ca3.5Si6O17.5(OH)0.5 |
| 9.CJ.15b | Imandrite | Na12Ca3Fe3+2(Si6O18)2 |
| 9.CJ.15a | Kazakovite | Na6Mn2+Ti(Si6O18) |
| 9.CJ.15c | Koashvite | Na6(Ca,Mn)(Ti,Fe)Si6O18 · H2O |
| 9.CJ.15a | Lovozerite | Na2Ca(Zr,Ti)(Si6O12)[(OH)4O2] · H2O |
| 9.CJ.15a | Tisinalite | Na3H3(Mn,Ca,Fe)TiSi6(O,OH)18 · 2H2O |
| 9.CJ.15a | Zirsinalite | Na6(Ca,Mn2+,Fe2+)Zr(Si6O18) |
| 9.CJ.15a | Litvinskite | Na2(◻,Na,Mn)ZrSi6O12(OH,O)6 |
| 9.CJ.15a | Kapustinite | Na6ZrSi6O16(OH)2 |
| 9.CJ.15a | Townendite | Na8ZrSi6O18 |
| 9.CJ.25 | Baratovite | KCa7(Ti,Zr)2Li3Si12O36F2 |
| 9.CJ.25 | Katayamalite | KLi3Ca7Ti2(SiO3)12(OH)2 |
| 9.CJ.25 | Aleksandrovite | KCa7Sn2Li3Si12O36F2 |
| 9.CJ.30 | Dioptase | CuSiO3 · H2O |
| 9.CJ.35 | Kostylevite | K2Zr(Si3O9) · H2O |
| 9.CJ.40 | Petarasite | Na5Zr2(Si6O18)(Cl,OH) · 2H2O |
| 9.CJ.45 | Gerenite-(Y) | (Ca,Na)2(Y,REE)3Si6O18 · 2H2O |
| 9.CJ.50 | Odintsovite | K2Na4Ca3Ti2Be4Si12O38 |
| 9.CJ.55 | Mathewrogersite | Pb7FeAl3GeSi12O36(OH,H2O)6 |
| 9.CJ.60 | Pezzottaite | Cs(Be2Li)Al2(Si6O18) |
Other Information
IR Spectrum:
Water type II molecules (H–H vector perpendicular to the c-axis) are only observed in samples from Kent (Kazakhstan); H2O IId type is indicated by the bands at 1621 and 3663 cm−1, while the ones at 1633 and 3643 are indicative for th
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 Bazzite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-586.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Bazzite
Reference List:
Juve, G., Bergstøl, S. (1990) Caesian Bazzite in Granite pegmatite in Tørdal, Telemark, Norway. Mineralogy and Petrology, 43 (2) 131-136 doi:10.1007/bf01164306
Demartin, F., Gramaccioli, C. M., Pilati, T. (2000) Structure refinement of bazzite from pegmatitic and miarolitic occurrences. The Canadian Mineralogist, 38 (6) 1419-1424 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.38.6.1419
Gramaccioli, C. M., Diella, V., Demartin, F., Orlandi, P., Campostrini, I. (2000) Cesian bazzite and thortveitite from Cuasso al Monte, Varese, Italy: A comparison with the material from Baveno, and inferred origin. The Canadian Mineralogist, 38 (6) 1409-1418 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.38.6.1409
Localities for Bazzite
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.
Austria | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
| Niedermayr et al. (1995) |
Canada | |
| Canadian Museum of Nature collection |
| Canadian Museum of Nature collection ... |
Czech Republic | |
| Výravský et al. (2017) |
France | |
| JF-LANOE / N° inv. 0308-01 / 07-2011 |
| De Ascenção Guedes et al. (2011) +1 other reference | |
| De Ascençao Guedes et al. (2000) |
| Germain C. (1988) |
Germany | |
| Weiß (1990) +1 other reference |
| T. Witzke & T. Giesler (2001) |
| Aufschluss 49 (1998) |
| T. Witzke & T. Giesler (2001) |
Italy | |
| Piccoli et al. (2007) |
| Bedognè et al. (2011) +1 other reference |
| Guastoni A. +1 other reference |
| Gramaccioli et al. (2000) +1 other reference |
| Guastoni et al. (2004) +1 other reference | |
| Biffi et al. (2004) +1 other reference | |
| Giuseppe Finello Collection - EDS |
| Giuseppe Finello Collection - EDS | |
| Bruno Marello find & collection | |
| Sorlini A. (2016) |
| Albertini (1983) |
| Piccoli et al. (2007) |
Japan | |
| Endo (2007) |
Kazakhstan | |
| Evseev (1995) +2 other references |
Mozambique | |
| Gomes et al. (2022) |
Norway | |
| Bergstøl et al. (1988) +2 other references |
| Kristiansen (2008) | |
| Larsen et al. (2017) |
| Amli (1977) +1 other reference |
| Kristiansen (2003) |
| Kvamsdal (1993) |
Russia | |
| Liferovich et al. (1998) |
| ... |
Switzerland | |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
| Stalder et al. (1998) | |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
| Alex Salzmann collection |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
| Cuchet et al. (2003) |
| Stalder et al. (1998) | |
| Armbruster +9 other references |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
| Die Mineralien der Schweiz |
USA | |
| Min Rec 18: 360n |
| Eckel et al. (1997) | |
| From Richard Schooner collection |
| Sherwood et al. (1998) |
| Rocks & Minerals 80:4 pp242-261 & Dr ... +1 other reference |
| Rocks&Min. 76:256 +1 other reference |
| Art Smith (2001) |
| B. Janules +2 other references |
Quick NavTopAbout BazziteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence Other LanguagesVarietiesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Bonneval-Tarentaise, La Léchère, Albertville, Savoie, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France