Cebollite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered - questionable
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About Cebollite
Cebolla Creek, Colorado, USA
Formula:
Ca5Al2(SiO4)3(OH)4
Colour:
Colorless, white, greenish gray, reddish brown
Lustre:
Dull
Hardness:
5
Specific Gravity:
2.96 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named for Cebolla Creek, "in whose drainage the mineral was collected." Pronounced cĕ-vŏi-'īte.
Low-temperature mineral formed by the deuteric alteration of melilite or plagioclase.
Often intergrown with natrolite.
Christie (1964) studied the type material by X-ray powder diffration. The obtained pattern was mainly that of a phase corresponding to synthetic "hydrovesuvianite" plus weak lines of melilite.
Compare also High-Hydrated Si-Deficient Vesuvianite.
Often intergrown with natrolite.
Christie (1964) studied the type material by X-ray powder diffration. The obtained pattern was mainly that of a phase corresponding to synthetic "hydrovesuvianite" plus weak lines of melilite.
Compare also High-Hydrated Si-Deficient Vesuvianite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
924
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:924:7
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
b0e6f3f2-97fd-45ce-9a4d-86f9b6e79a0e
IMA Classification of Cebollite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959), Questionable
First published:
1914
Classification of Cebollite
9.BB.10
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
B : Sorosilicates
B : Si2O7 groups, without non-tetrahedral anions; cations in tetrahedral [4] and greater coordination
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
B : Sorosilicates
B : Si2O7 groups, without non-tetrahedral anions; cations in tetrahedral [4] and greater coordination
78.1.1.1
78 : Unclassified Silicates
1 : Miscellaneous
78 : Unclassified Silicates
1 : Miscellaneous
16.9.15
16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
9 : Aluminosilicates of Ca
16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
9 : Aluminosilicates of Ca
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cbl | 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 Cebollite
Dull
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Colorless, white, greenish gray, reddish brown
Hardness:
5 on Mohs scale
Density:
2.96 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Cebollite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.595 nβ = 1.600 nγ = 1.628
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.033
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 Cebollite
Mindat Formula:
Ca5Al2(SiO4)3(OH)4
Common Impurities:
Na,K
Crystallography of Cebollite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Morphology:
Fibrous aggregates.
Comment:
Orthorhombic (?). Point Group: n.d.; Space Group: n.d. Z = n.d.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.49 Å | (30) |
| 3.29 Å | (80) |
| 3.08 Å | (90) |
| 2.90 Å | (100) |
| 2.73 Å | (50) |
| 2.58 Å | (50) |
| 2.47 Å | (30) |
| 2.33 Å | (50) |
| 2.28 Å | (60) |
| 2.14 Å | (40) |
| 1.753 Å | (70) |
| 1.712 Å | (50) |
| 1.548 Å | (30) |
| 1.485 Å | (50) |
| 1.464 Å | (60) |
Comments:
PXRD data from Kruger (1980).
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 3a: Earth’s earliest Hadean crust | >4.50 |
| 7 : Ultramafic igneous rocks | |
| 10 : Basalt-hosted zeolite minerals | |
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 36 : Carbonatites, kimberlites, and related igneous rocks | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Cebollite
General Appearance of Type Material:
compact masses of minute radiating fibers.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1923, 1022.
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 85726.
National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian), Washington, D.C., USA, 87530, C3217, R6451.
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 85726.
National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian), Washington, D.C., USA, 87530, C3217, R6451.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
alteration product of melilite in a carbonatite
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Larsen, E.S., Schaller, W.T. (1914) Cebollite, a new mineral. Journal of the Washington Academy of Sciences: 4: 480-482.
Other Language Names for Cebollite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.BB.10 | Åkermanite | Ca2Mg[Si2O7] |
| 9.BB.10 | Gehlenite | Ca2Al[AlSiO7] |
| 9.BB.10 | Gugiaite | Ca2Be[Si2O7] |
| 9.BB.10 | Hardystonite | Ca2Zn[Si2O7] |
| 9.BB.10 | Jeffreyite | (Ca,Na)2(Be,Al)(Si2O7,HSi2O7) |
| 9.BB.10 | Okayamalite | Ca2B[BSiO7] |
| 9.BB.10 | Ferri-gehlenite | Ca2Fe3+[AlSiO7] |
| 9.BB.10 | Alumoåkermanite | (CaNa)Al[Si2O7] |
| 9.BB.10 | Hydroxylgugiaite | (Ca,◻)2(Si,Be)[(Be,Si)2O5.5(OH)1.5] |
| 9.BB.15 | Barylite | Be2Ba(Si2O7) |
| 9.BB.15 | Barylite-1O | Be2Ba(Si2O7) |
| 9.BB.20 | Andrémeyerite | BaFe2+2(Si2O7) |
| 9.BB.20 | Bennesherite | Ba2Fe2+[Si2O7] |
Other Information
Notes:
Gelatinizes with acids and gives off water when heated in a closed tube.
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 Cebollite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-924.html
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References for Cebollite
Reference List:
Localities for Cebollite
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.
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Iron Hill deposit, White Earth Mining District, Gunnison County, Colorado, USA