Bementite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Bementite
Formula:
Mn7Si6O15(OH)8
Mn may be replaced by minor Fe, Mg and Zn.
Colour:
Brown, dark brown, golden brown, grayish-yellow
Lustre:
Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Greasy
Hardness:
6
Specific Gravity:
2.9 - 3.1
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named for Clarence Sweet Bement [1843-1923] by George Augustus Koenig in 1887. Bement assembled the finest mineral collection in the USA. He also assembled the finest collection of U.S. coins and was interested in a variety of collectibles. Bement had a keen interest in Franklin, New Jersey minerals from whence his namesake was discovered.
Compare the very similar innsbruckite and the similar friedelite, as well as ganophyllite and parsettensite.
Raman spectroscopy or diffraction techniques are required to differentiate between bementite and innsbruckite (KrΓΌger et al., 2014).
Raman spectroscopy or diffraction techniques are required to differentiate between bementite and innsbruckite (KrΓΌger et al., 2014).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
621
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:621:3
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
2b7111f4-8dc6-49da-be6b-6576fd1f0064
IMA Classification of Bementite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1888
Classification of Bementite
9.EE.05
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
E : Single tetrahedral nets of 6-membered rings connected by octahedral nets or octahedral bands
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
E : Single tetrahedral nets of 6-membered rings connected by octahedral nets or octahedral bands
78.5.2.1
78 : Unclassified Silicates
5 :
78 : Unclassified Silicates
5 :
14.17.8
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
17 : Silicates of Mn
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
17 : Silicates of Mn
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMAβCNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMAβCNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMAβCNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Symbol | Source | Reference |
---|---|---|
Bem | IMAβCNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMAβCNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Bem | Warr (2020) | Warr, L.N. (2020) Recommended abbreviations for the names of clay minerals and associated phases. Clay Minerals, 55, 261β264 doi:10.1180/clm.2020.30 |
Physical Properties of Bementite
Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Greasy
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Brown, dark brown, golden brown, grayish-yellow
Comment:
Lighter when fresh, weathering darker. Fresh material is transparent in splinters, weathering opaque.
Streak:
White
Hardness:
6 on Mohs scale
Comment:
Sometimes given as variable 4-6, softer mineral due to alteration
Tenacity:
Flexible
Cleavage:
Perfect
{001} perfect, {100} and {010} very good.
{001} perfect, {100} and {010} very good.
Fracture:
Splintery
Density:
2.9 - 3.1 g/cm3 (Measured)
Comment:
Density does not support calculations for Z
Optical Data of Bementite
Type:
Biaxial
RI values:
nα = 1.602 - 1.624 nβ = 1.632 - 1.650 nγ = 1.632 - 1.650
Birefringence:
0.028
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.030
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:
weak
Optical Extinction:
X β₯ {001}.
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
Colorless, pale yellow
Chemistry of Bementite
Mindat Formula:
Mn7Si6O15(OH)8
Mn may be replaced by minor Fe, Mg and Zn.
Mn may be replaced by minor Fe, Mg and Zn.
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Al,Fe,Zn,Mg,Ca
Crystallography of Bementite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.5 Å, b = 9.8 Å, c = 5.65 Å
β = 90°
β = 90°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.765 : 1 : 0.577
Unit Cell V:
415.28 Γ
Β³ (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1
Morphology:
Micaceous aggregates or plates are typical. Felted aggregates of fibers or plates.
Comment:
Better calculations obtained from Orthorhombic cell.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
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Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0001635 | Bementite | Heinrich A R, Eggleton R A, Guggenheim S (1994) Structure and polytypism of bementite, a modulated layer silicate American Mineralogist 79 91-106 | 1994 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Image Loading
Radiation - Copper Kα
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
7.25 Γ | (90) |
4.60 Γ | (2) |
4.40 Γ | (2) |
4.06 Γ | (3) |
3.97 Γ | (4) |
3.66 Γ | (100) |
3.58 Γ | (90) |
3.43 Γ | (9) |
3.30 Γ | (6) |
3.09 Γ | (5) |
3.01 Γ | (2) |
2.823 Γ | (4) |
2.722 Γ | (4) |
2.436 Γ | (14) |
2.212 Γ | (2) |
2.113 Γ | (7) |
2.099 Γ | (6) |
2.053 Γ | (2) |
1.859 Γ | (2) |
1.852 Γ | (2) |
1.828 Γ | (4) |
1.759 Γ | (2) |
1.639 Γ | (2) |
1.621 Γ | (2) |
1.478 Γ | (2) |
Comments:
ICDD PDF 25-546.
Very similar to pattern of innsbruckite.
Very similar to pattern of innsbruckite.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Near-surface Processes | |
23 : Subaerial aqueous alteration by non-redox-sensitive fluids (see also #47) | |
High-π alteration and/or metamorphism | |
32 : Ba/Mn/Pb/Zn deposits, including metamorphic deposits |
Geological Setting:
Found in low-grade metamorphic manganese silicate deposits
Type Occurrence of Bementite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Pale grayish yellow stellate masses, resembling karpholite or pyrophyllite.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
MusΓ©um Nationale dβHistoire Naturelle, Paris, France, number 115.290.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Zinc-iron oxide ore deposit hosted in marble.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Bementite
Other Language Names for Bementite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
15 photos of Bementite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
15 photos of Bementite associated with Willemite | Zn2SiO4 |
11 photos of Bementite associated with Rhodonite | CaMn3Mn[Si5O15] |
8 photos of Bementite associated with Franklinite | Zn2+Fe3+2O4 |
6 photos of Bementite associated with Cahnite | Ca2[B(OH)4](AsO4) |
6 photos of Bementite associated with Axinite-(Mn) | Ca2Mn2+Al2BSi4O15(OH) |
6 photos of Bementite associated with Ganophyllite | (K,Na,Ca)2Mn8(Si,Al)12(O,OH)32 Β· 8H2O |
4 photos of Bementite associated with Andradite | Ca3Fe3+2(SiO4)3 |
3 photos of Bementite associated with Sussexite | Mn2+BO2(OH) |
3 photos of Bementite associated with Rhodochrosite | MnCO3 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
9.EE. | Cairncrossite | Sr2Ca7-xNa2x(Si4O10)4(OH)2(H2O)15-x |
9.EE.07 | Innsbruckite | Mn33(Si2O5)14(OH)38 |
9.EE.10 | Brokenhillite | Mn8Si6O15(OH)10 |
9.EE.10 | Pyrosmalite-(Fe) | Fe2+8Si6O15(OH,Cl)10 |
9.EE.10 | Friedelite | Mn2+8Si6O15(OH,Cl)10 |
9.EE.10 | Pyrosmalite-(Mn) | Mn2+8Si6O15(OH,Cl)10 |
9.EE.10 | Mcgillite | (Mn,Fe)8Si6O15(OH)8Cl2 |
9.EE.15 | Nelenite | (Mn,Fe)16(Si12O30)(OH)14[As3+3O6(OH)3] |
9.EE.15 | Schallerite | Mn2+16As3Si12O36(OH)17 |
9.EE.20 | Palygorskite | β»Al2Mg2β»2Si8O20(OH)2(H2O)4 Β· 4H2O |
9.EE.20 | Tuperssuatsiaite | Fe3+Fe3+2(Naβ»)β»2Si8O20(OH)2(H2O)4 Β· 2H2O |
9.EE.20 | Yofortierite | Mn2+Mn2+2Mn2+2β»2Si8O20(OH)2(H2O)4 Β· 4H2O |
9.EE.20 | Windhoekite | Fe3+(Fe3+1.67β»0.33)Ca2β»2Si8O20(OH)2(H2O)4(OH)2 Β· 6H2O |
9.EE.20 | Unnamed (Na-Ca-Fe-Silicate-Hydrate) | NaCa(Fe2+,Al,Mn)5[Si8O19(OH)](OH)7 Β· 5H2O |
9.EE.20 | Windmountainite | β»Fe3+2Mg2β»2Si8O20(OH)2(H2O)4 Β· 4H2O |
9.EE.25 | Falcondoite | (Ni,Mg)4Si6O15(OH)2 Β· 6H2O |
9.EE.25 | Loughlinite | Na2Mg3Si6O16 Β· 8H2O |
9.EE.25 | Sepiolite | Mg4(Si6O15)(OH)2 Β· 6H2O |
9.EE.25 | Kalifersite | (K,Na)5Fe3+7Si20O50(OH)6 Β· 12H2O |
9.EE.30 | Gyrolite | NaCa16Si23AlO60(OH)8 Β· 14H2O |
9.EE.30 | Orlymanite | Ca4Mn3Si8O20(OH)6 Β· 2H2O |
9.EE.30 | Tungusite | Ca4Fe2Si6O15(OH)6 |
9.EE.35 | Reyerite | (Na,K)2Ca14(Si,Al)24O58(OH)8 Β· 6H2O |
9.EE.35 | Truscottite | (Ca,Mn)14Si24O58(OH)8 Β· 2H2O |
9.EE.35 | Kodamaite | Na3(Ca5Na)Si16O36(OH)4F2 Β· (14-x)H2O |
9.EE.40 | Natrosilite | Na2Si2O5 |
9.EE.45 | Makatite | Na2Si4O8(OH)2 Β· 4H2O |
9.EE.50 | Varennesite | Na8Mn2Si10O25(OH,Cl)2 Β· 12H2O |
9.EE.55 | Raite | Mn2+Mn2+2Na2(β»1.75Ti0.25)Si8O20(OH)2(H2O)4 Β· Na(H2O)6 |
9.EE.60 | Intersilite | Na6Mn2+Ti[Si10O24(OH)](OH)3 Β· 4H2O |
9.EE.65 | Shafranovskite | Na3K2(Mn,Fe,Na)4[Si9(O,OH)27](OH)2 Β· nH2O |
9.EE.65 | Zakharovite | Na4Mn5Si10O24(OH)6 Β· 6H2O |
9.EE.70 | Zeophyllite | Ca13Si10O28(OH)2F8 Β· 6H2O |
9.EE.75 | Minehillite | (K,Na)2-3Ca28Zn4Al4Si40O112(OH)16 |
9.EE.80 | Fedorite | (Na,K)2-3(Ca4Na3)Si16O38(OH,F)2 Β· 3.5H2O |
9.EE.80 | Martinite | (Na,β»,Ca)12Ca4(Si,S,B)14B2O38(OH,Cl)2F2 Β· 4H2O |
9.EE.80 | Ellingsenite | Na5Ca6Si18O38(OH)13 Β· 6H2O |
9.EE.85 | Lalondeite | (Na,Ca)6(Ca,Na)3Si16O38(F,OH)2 Β· 3H2O |
Fluorescence of Bementite
Not fluorescent in UV.
Other Information
Notes:
Decomposed by hot acid, but does not gelatinize.
Fuses easily to a black glass.
In closed tube it gives abundant water at a red heat, changing its color to dark brown.
In a borax bead, the bead remains colorless at first, gradually changing to the characteristic manganese color.
Fuses easily to a black glass.
In closed tube it gives abundant water at a red heat, changing its color to dark brown.
In a borax bead, the bead remains colorless at first, gradually changing to the characteristic manganese color.
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 Bementite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-621.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Bementite
Reference List:
Localities for Bementite
Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
β - 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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Gambatesa Mine, Reppia, Ne, Genoa, Liguria, Italy