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Nordite-(La)
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Nordite-(La)
Formula:
(La,Ce)(Sr,Ca)Na2(Na,Mn)(Zn,Mg)Si6O17
Colour:
Light brown
Lustre:
Vitreous, Greasy
Hardness:
5 - 6
Specific Gravity:
3.43 - 3.48
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
Originally named nordite for the northern latitudes, where the mineral was discovered. The suffix was added by Levinson in 1966 to denote the dominant rare earth element.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2929
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2929:8
Similar Names
IMA Classification of Nordite-(La)
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Na3Sr2+La3+Zn2+Si6O17
Classification of Nordite-(La)
9.DO.15
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
D : Inosilicates
O : Inosilicates with 7-, 8-, 10-, 12- and 14-periodic chains
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
D : Inosilicates
O : Inosilicates with 7-, 8-, 10-, 12- and 14-periodic chains
72.5.2.3
72 : PHYLLOSILICATES Two-Dimensional Infinite Sheets with Other Than Six-Membered Rings
5 : Two-Dimensional Infinite Sheets with Other Than Six-Membered Rings with corrugated and complex layers
72 : PHYLLOSILICATES Two-Dimensional Infinite Sheets with Other Than Six-Membered Rings
5 : Two-Dimensional Infinite Sheets with Other Than Six-Membered Rings with corrugated and complex layers
14.8.10
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
8 : Silicates of Group III metals other than Al
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
8 : Silicates of Group III metals other than Al
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 for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Nor-La | 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 Nordite-(La)
Vitreous, Greasy
Transparency:
Translucent
Comment:
Greasy on fracture
Colour:
Light brown
Streak:
White
Hardness:
5 - 6 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Very brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Good on {100}.
Good on {100}.
Density:
3.43 - 3.48 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.41 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Nordite-(La)
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.619 - 1.620 nβ = 1.630 - 1.640 nγ = 1.642 - 1.644
2V:
Measured: 31° to 32°, Calculated: 46° to 90°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.023 - 0.024
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
High (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure
- the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using
this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points
where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the
field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are
isogyres.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Dispersion:
r < v strong
Chemistry of Nordite-(La)
Mindat Formula:
(La,Ce)(Sr,Ca)Na2(Na,Mn)(Zn,Mg)Si6O17
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Nordite-(La)
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pcca
Setting:
Pcca
Cell Parameters:
a = 14.27(3) Å, b = 5.16(1) Å, c = 19.45(15) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 2.766 : 1 : 3.769
Unit Cell V:
1,432.17 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Comment:
may be metamict.
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
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Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
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Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
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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
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0000207 | Nordite-(La) | Bakakin V V, Belov N V, Borisov S V, Solovyeva L P (1970) The crystal structure of nordite and its relationship to melilite and datolite-gadolinite American Mineralogist 55 1167-1181 |  | 1970 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 2.95 Å | (100) |
| 2.86 Å | (100) |
| 1.764 Å | (80) |
| 1.144 Å | (80) |
| 3.31 Å | (60) |
| 2.77 Å | (60) |
| 2.42 Å | (60) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks |
Type Occurrence of Nordite-(La)
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Nordite-(La)
Nordite (in part)
Other Language Names for Nordite-(La)
Dutch:Nordiet-(La)
German:Nordit-(La)
Russian:Нордит-(La)
Simplified Chinese:硅钠锶镧石
Traditional Chinese:矽鈉鍶鑭石
Relationship of Nordite-(La) to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Nordite Group:
| Ferronordite-(Ce) | Na3SrCeFe2+Si6O17 | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pcca |
| Ferronordite-(La) | Na3Sr(La,Ce)FeSi6O17 | Orth. |
| Illoqite-(Ce) | Na2NaBaCeZnSi6O17 | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pcca |
| Manganonordite-(Ce) | Na3SrCeMn2+Si6O17 | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pcca |
| Nordite-(Ce) | (Ce,La)(Sr,Ca)Na2(Na,Mn)(Zn,Mg)Si6O17 | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pcca |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 1 photo of Nordite-(La) associated with Magnesio-arfvedsonite | NaNa2(Mg4Fe3+)(Si8O22)(OH)2 |
| 1 photo of Nordite-(La) associated with Natrolite | Na2Al2Si3O10 · 2H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.DO. | Braccoite | NaMn2+5[Si5As5+O17(OH)](OH) |
| 9.DO. | Illoqite-(Ce) | Na2NaBaCeZnSi6O17 |
| 9.DO.05 | Pyroxferroite | (Fe,Mn,Ca)SiO3 |
| 9.DO.05 | Pyroxmangite | Mn2+SiO3 |
| 9.DO.10 | Pellyite | Ba2CaFe2+2Si6O17 |
| 9.DO.15 | Manganonordite-(Ce) | Na3SrCeMn2+Si6O17 |
| 9.DO.15 | Ferronordite-(Ce) | Na3SrCeFe2+Si6O17 |
| 9.DO.15 | Nordite-(Ce) | (Ce,La)(Sr,Ca)Na2(Na,Mn)(Zn,Mg)Si6O17 |
| 9.DO.15 | Ferronordite-(La) | Na3Sr(La,Ce)FeSi6O17 |
| 9.DO.15 | Meieranite | Na2Sr3MgSi6O17 |
| 9.DO.20 | Alamosite | PbSiO3 |
| 9.DO.25 | Liebauite | Ca3Cu5Si9O26 |
| 9.DO.30 | Vladykinite | Na3Sr4(Fe2+Fe3+)Si8O24 |
| 9.DO.30 | Rundqvistite-(Ce) | Na3(Sr3Ce)[Zn2Si8O24] |
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 Nordite-(La)
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2929.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Nordite-(La)
Reference List:
Levinson, A. A. (1966) A system of nomenclature for rare-earth minerals. American Mineralogist, 51 (1-2) 152-158
Kirovskii apatite mine, Kukisvumchorr Mt, Murmansk Oblast, Russia