Neptunite

Neptunite
Neptunite

Neptunite crystals
General
Category Phyllosilicate
Chemical formula KNa2Li(Fe2+,Mn2+)2Ti2Si8O24
Strunz classification 09.EH.05
Dana classification 70.04.01.01
Crystal symmetry Monoclinic domatic H-M Symbol (m) Space Group: Cc
Unit cell a = 16.427(2) Å, b = 12.478(2) Å, c = 9.975(1) Å; β = 115.56(1)°; Z = 4
Identification
Color Black; deep red-brown in thin fragments
Crystal habit Prismatic or tabular
Crystal system Monoclinic
Twinning Interpenetrant on {301}
Cleavage {110} good
Fracture Conchoidal
Tenacity Brittle
Mohs scale hardness 5-6
Luster Vitreous
Streak Brown to red brown
Diaphaneity Nearly opaque
Specific gravity 3.19 - 3.23
Optical properties Biaxial (+)
Refractive index nα=1.69-1.6908, nβ=1.6927-1.7, nγ=1.7194-1.736
Birefringence 0.0294-0.0452
Pleochroism x=yellow-orange, y=orange, z=deep red
2V angle 36° to 49°
Other characteristics Piezoelectric
References [1][2][3]

Neptunite is a silicate mineral with the formula KNa2Li(Fe2+, Mn2+)2Ti2Si8O24. With increasing manganese it forms a series with mangan-neptunite. Watatsumiite is the variety with vanadium replacing the titanium in the formula.

It was first described in 1893 for an occurrence in the Narssârssuk pegmatite of West Greenland.[2] It is also found within natrolite veins in glaucophane schist within serpentinite in San Benito County, California, USA. It also occurs in Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec and in the Kola Peninsula of Russia.[1]

The mineral is named for Neptune, Roman god of the sea because of its association with aegirine from Àgir, the Scandinavian sea-god.[2]

Neptunite crystal from the New Idria District, Diablo Range, San Benito County, California (Crystal size 2.5 cm)

References

  1. ^ a b http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/doclib/hom/neptunite.pdf Mineral Handbook
  2. ^ a b c http://www.mindat.org/min-2883.html Mindat with location data
  3. ^ http://webmineral.com/data/Neptunite.shtml Webmineral
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