Berthierine
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Berthierine
Pierre Berthier
Formula:
(Fe2+,Fe3+,Al)3(Si,Al)2O5(OH)4
The chemically very pure berthierine described by Slack et al. (1992) contains nearly equal amounts of SiO2 and Al2O3.
Colour:
Dark olive green, yellowish green; reddish brown (Ti-bearing variety)
Lustre:
Pearly
Hardness:
2½
Specific Gravity:
3.06 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named in honor of Pierre Berthier (3 July 1782, Nemours, Seine-et-Marne, France â 24 August 1861, France), a chemist and mineralogist at the Ecole des Mines, France. He was also Inspector of Mines during his career. He named a number of species including chamosite, franklinite, halloysite, and nontronite. He is well-known for his study of bauxite. The mineral berthierite is also named after him.
Type Locality:
A member of the Kaolinite-Serpentine group.
Common in unmetamorphosed marine sediments; in lateritic and polar soils, rarely as a hydrothermal phase.
"Berthierine is generally considered to be a metastable phase that inverts to 14 à Fe-rich chlorite during diagenesis and metamorphism." (Slack et al., 1992). It was suggested that 7 à berthierine undergoes a polymorphic transformation to 14 à chlorite at temperatures of 25-100°C.
1M and 1H polytypes are known.
Easily confused with chamosite.
Berthierine is difficult to recognise by normal XRD methods because the critical identifying feature, the absence of a 14 Ă basal reflection, is commonly masked by a peak due to frequently admixed chlorite (Brindley, 1982; Slack et al., 1992).
Ahn & Peacor (1985) and Jahren & Aagaard (1989) have demonstrated that berthierine is generally more Fe-rich than chlorite, but that overlaps in chemistry occur. Thus, berthierine and chamosite cannot be distinguished on the basis of electron microprobe data alone.
Common in unmetamorphosed marine sediments; in lateritic and polar soils, rarely as a hydrothermal phase.
"Berthierine is generally considered to be a metastable phase that inverts to 14 à Fe-rich chlorite during diagenesis and metamorphism." (Slack et al., 1992). It was suggested that 7 à berthierine undergoes a polymorphic transformation to 14 à chlorite at temperatures of 25-100°C.
1M and 1H polytypes are known.
Easily confused with chamosite.
Berthierine is difficult to recognise by normal XRD methods because the critical identifying feature, the absence of a 14 Ă basal reflection, is commonly masked by a peak due to frequently admixed chlorite (Brindley, 1982; Slack et al., 1992).
Ahn & Peacor (1985) and Jahren & Aagaard (1989) have demonstrated that berthierine is generally more Fe-rich than chlorite, but that overlaps in chemistry occur. Thus, berthierine and chamosite cannot be distinguished on the basis of electron microprobe data alone.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
639
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:639:2
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
d5e36583-5dbf-4cbd-b48e-0486d346d5ca
IMA Classification of Berthierine
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
Classification of Berthierine
9.ED.15
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
D : Phyllosilicates with kaolinite layers composed of tetrahedral and octahedral nets
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
D : Phyllosilicates with kaolinite layers composed of tetrahedral and octahedral nets
71.1.2c.2
71 : PHYLLOSILICATES Sheets of Six-Membered Rings
1 : Sheets of 6-membered rings with 1:1 layers
71 : PHYLLOSILICATES Sheets of Six-Membered Rings
1 : Sheets of 6-membered rings with 1:1 layers
16.19.15
16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
19 : Aluminosilicates of Fe and Mg
16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
19 : Aluminosilicates of Fe and Mg
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMAâCNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMAâCNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMAâCNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Brh | IMAâCNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMAâCNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Brh | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
| Brh | Warr (2020) | Warr, L.N. (2020) Recommended abbreviations for the names of clay minerals and associated phases. Clay Minerals, 55, 261â264 doi:10.1180/clm.2020.30 |
Physical Properties of Berthierine
Pearly
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Dark olive green, yellowish green; reddish brown (Ti-bearing variety)
Streak:
Greenish white
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Density:
3.06 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Berthierine
Type:
Biaxial
RI values:
nα = 1.620 nγ = 1.650
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:
r < v strong
Chemistry of Berthierine
Mindat Formula:
(Fe2+,Fe3+,Al)3(Si,Al)2O5(OH)4
The chemically very pure berthierine described by Slack et al. (1992) contains nearly equal amounts of SiO2 and Al2O3.
The chemically very pure berthierine described by Slack et al. (1992) contains nearly equal amounts of SiO2 and Al2O3.
Crystallography of Berthierine
Polytype:
Formula:
Crystal System:
Class (H-M)
Space Group:
Space Group Setting:
Cell Parameters:
Ratio:
Unit Cell Volume (calc):
Z:
| Berthierine-1H | Berthierine-1M |
|---|---|
| Hexagonal | Monoclinic |
| a = 5.25 Å, b = 9.10 Å, c = 7.06 Å β = 104.5° | |
| a:b:c = 0.577 : 1 : 0.776 | |
| V 326.55 Ă
Âł (Calculated from Unit Cell) | |
| 2 |
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 7.04 Ă | (100) |
| 3.513 Ă | (100) |
| 2.673 Ă | (40) |
| 2.514 Ă | (90) |
| 2.399 Ă | (40) |
| 2.137 Ă | (60) |
| 1.552 Ă | (70) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 2: Planetesimal differentiation and alteration | 4.566-4.550 |
| 6 : Secondary asteroid phases | 4.566-4.560 |
| Stage 3b: Earthâs earliest hydrosphere | >4.45 |
| 17 : Marine authigenic Hadean minerals (see also #24) | |
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 48 : Soil leaching zone minerals | <0.6 |
Geological Setting:
Unmetamorphosed marine sediments, lateritic and polar soils, hydrothermally altered rocks, can be a late stage pneumatolitically altered mineral in some igneous rocks.
Type Occurrence of Berthierine
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
MusĂ©um Nationale dâHistoire Naturelle, Paris, France, number 28.134 (type, 1M polytype).
Synonyms of Berthierine
Other Language Names for Berthierine
Varieties of Berthierine
| Titanium-bearing Berthierine | A titanium-bearing berthierine. |
Relationship of Berthierine to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
| Amesite | Mg2Al(AlSiO5)(OH)4 | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Antigorite | Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4 | Mon. m : Bm |
| Brindleyite | (Ni,Al)3(Si,Al)2O5(OH)4 | Mon. |
| Caryopilite | Mn2+3Si2O5(OH)4 | Mon. |
| Chrysotile | Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4 | Mon. m : Bb |
| Cronstedtite | Fe2+2Fe3+((Si,Fe3+)2O5)(OH)4 | Trig. 3m : P3 1m |
| Fraipontite | (Zn,Al)3((Si,Al)2O5)(OH)4 | Mon. |
| Guidottiite | Mn2Fe3+(Fe3+SiO5)(OH)4 | Hex. 6 : P63 |
| Kellyite | Mn2+2Al(AlSiO5)(OH)4 | Hex. 6 : P63 |
| Lizardite | Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4 | Trig. 3m : P3 1m |
| NĂ©pouite | Ni3Si2O5(OH)4 | Orth. |
| Pecoraite | Ni3(Si2O5)(OH)4 | Mon. |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 5 photos of Berthierine associated with Ludlockite | PbFe3+4As3+10O22 |
| 5 photos of Berthierine associated with Leiteite | Zn(As2O4) |
| 5 photos of Berthierine associated with Tennantite-(Fe) | Cu6(Cu4Fe2+2)As4S12S |
| 4 photos of Berthierine associated with Siderite | FeCO3 |
| 2 photos of Berthierine associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
| 2 photos of Berthierine associated with Metavivianite | Fe2+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 6H2O |
| 1 photo of Berthierine associated with Ancylite-(Ce) | CeSr(CO3)2(OH) · H2O |
| 1 photo of Berthierine associated with Goethite | α-Fe3+O(OH) |
| 1 photo of Berthierine associated with Ancylite Group | (M3+ xM2+2-x)(CO3)2[(OH)x · (2-x)H2O] |
| 1 photo of Berthierine associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.ED. | Clinochrysotile | |
| 9.ED.05 | Dickite | Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.05 | Kaolinite | Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.05 | Nacrite | Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.05 | Odinite | (Fe,Mg,Al,Fe,Ti,Mn)2.4((Si,Al)2O5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.10 | Halloysite | Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.10 | Hisingerite | Fe3+2(Si2O5)(OH)4 · 2H2O |
| 9.ED.10 | Hydrohalloysite | Al2Si2O5(OH)4 · 2H2O |
| 9.ED.15 | Amesite | Mg2Al(AlSiO5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.15 | Antigorite | Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.15 | Brindleyite | (Ni,Al)3(Si,Al)2O5(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.15 | Caryopilite | Mn2+3Si2O5(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.15 | Cronstedtite | Fe2+2Fe3+((Si,Fe3+)2O5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.15 | Fraipontite | (Zn,Al)3((Si,Al)2O5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.15 | Greenalite | (Fe2+,Fe3+)2-3Si2O5(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.15 | Kellyite | Mn2+2Al(AlSiO5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.15 | Lizardite | Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.15 | Manandonite | Li2Al4(Si2AlB)O10(OH)8 |
| 9.ED.15 | NĂ©pouite | Ni3Si2O5(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.15 | Pecoraite | Ni3(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.15 | Guidottiite | Mn2Fe3+(Fe3+SiO5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.15 va | Chromoamesite | Mg2(Al,Cr)(AlSiO5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.20 | Allophane | (Al2O3)(SiO2)1.3-2 · 2.5-3H2O |
| 9.ED.20 | Chrysocolla | Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1 |
| 9.ED.20 | Imogolite | Al2SiO3(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.20 | Neotocite | (Mn,Fe,Mg)SiO3 · H2O |
| 9.ED.25 | Bismutoferrite | Fe3+2Bi(SiO4)2(OH) |
| 9.ED.25 | Chapmanite | Fe3+2Sb3+(Si2O5)O3(OH) |
| 9.ED.30 | Pianlinite | Al2Si2O6(OH)2 |
Other Information
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 Berthierine
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-639.html
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References for Berthierine
Reference List:
Ahn, Jung Ho, Peacor, Donald (1985) Transmission Electron Microscopic Study of Diagenetic Chlorite in Gulf Coast Argillaceous Sediments1. Clays and Clay Minerals, 33 (3) 228-236 doi:10.1346/ccmn.1985.0330309
Jahren, J. S., Aargaard, P. (1989) Compositional Variations in Diagenetic Chlorites and Illites, and Relationships with Formation-Water Chemistry. Clay Minerals, 24 (2) 157-170 doi:10.1180/claymin.1989.024.2.04
Localities for Berthierine
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
â - 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.
Australia | |
| Riley (1975) |
Bolivia | |
| Ben DĂsraeli collection. |
Brazil | |
| Atencio et al. (1999) |
Bulgaria | |
| Damyanov (1998) +1 other reference |
Canada | |
| Pell (1994) |
| Wise et al. (1990) |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
| Jiang +1 other reference |
| Arma et al. (1985) |
| Smith (2021) |
| 166-175. +2 other references |
| Tarassoff collection |
China | |
| Heping Sun and Curtis (1988) |
| Guijia Zhang et al. (1991) |
| Zhang et al. (2024) |
Czech Republic | |
| Fojt B.: Ba-minerĂĄly ĆŸeleznorudnĂ© ... +1 other reference |
| Schreyer et al. (ferrocordierite) |
| StanÄk | |
Finland | |
| Ilkka Mikkola collection |
France | |
| |
| Pierrot et al. (1973) |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... +3 other references |
| Moëlo et al. (2006) |
Germany | |
| www.berthold-weber.de (2001) |
| Wittern (2001) |
Hungary | |
| SzakĂĄll et al. (2016) |
| |
| SzakĂĄll et al. (2005) |
Italy | |
| Ciriotti. M.E. et al. (2021) |
| Ciriotti et al. (2021) | |
| Parola et al. (2023) +1 other reference |
| Campostrini (2001) |
| Ciriotti et al. (2021) |
| Piccoli et al. (2007) |
| Grill (1935) |
| Piccoli et al. (2007) | |
| Stara et al. (1999) |
| Olmi et al. (1995) |
| Fernando Caboni et al. (2024) | |
| Fernando Caboni et al. (2024) | |
| Venzo et al. (2017) |
Japan | |
| The Mineral Species of Japan (5th ed) |
Kazakhstan | |
| Rudmin +7 other references |
Namibia | |
| - (n.d.) |
New Zealand | |
| Coombs et al. (2000) |
| Li et al. (1997) |
Niger | |
| Wolley (2001) |
| consequences. Bulletin de la Société géologique de France (6) +4 other references |
Poland | |
| KozĆowska et al. (2015) |
| KozĆowska et al. (2015) |
Russia | |
| Rudmin +7 other references |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... | |
| Mordberg (1999) |
| Mariya S. Alferova (2007) |
| ... |
| Laverov et al. (2008) |
Spain | |
| Maria del Mar Abad-Ortega and Fernando ... |
Sweden | |
| |
UK | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
| Jason Evans collection |
| FĂ€rber (n.d.) |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... | |
| Tindle (2008) | |
USA | |
| |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| www.rkci.org (2008) |
| Wise (2007) |
| Hausel et al. (2001) |
Uzbekistan | |
| Gromova +3 other references |
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Poudrette quarry, Mont Saint-Hilaire, La Vallée-du-Richelieu RCM, Montérégie, Québec, Canada