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Aerinite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Aerinite
Formula:
(Ca5.1Na0.5)(Fe3+,Al,Fe2+,Mg)4(Al,Mg)6[HSi12O36(OH)12][(CO3)1.2(H2O)12]
According to Rius et al. (2009), the formula of the Fe3+-rich variety includes SO3 (sulphite) substitution for carbonate.
Colour:
Blue to blue-green
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
2.48
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Name:
From the Greek "aerinos," for sky-blue, alluding to its color.
A rare, chemically complex carbonate-bearing silicate. Found as a pigment in European murals.
NB: Some of the recorded Spanish localities for aerinite seem to be in reality misidentified riebeckite-magnesioriebeckite, especially for localities not in the Pyrenees mountains.
A closely related, darker blue mineral (intergrown with Fe3+-rich aerinite) is described by Rius et al. (2009).
NB: Some of the recorded Spanish localities for aerinite seem to be in reality misidentified riebeckite-magnesioriebeckite, especially for localities not in the Pyrenees mountains.
A closely related, darker blue mineral (intergrown with Fe3+-rich aerinite) is described by Rius et al. (2009).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
34
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:34:1
Similar Names
| Erinit | A synonym of 'Erinite (of van der Lingen)' |
| Erinite (of Beudant) | A synonym of Chalcophyllite |
| Erinite (of Haidinger) | A synonym of Cornwallite |
| Erinite (of van der Lingen) | A synonym of Spessartine |
| Erionit | A synonym of Erionite Subgroup |
| Ernite | A synonym of Grossular |
| Eurynite | A rock subtype |
IMA Classification of Aerinite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA status notes:
Redefined by the IMA
IMA Formula:
(Ca,Na)6(Fe3+,Fe2+,Mg,Al)4(Al,Mg)6Si12O36(OH)12(CO3)·12H2O
First published:
1876
Approval history:
Redefined 1988 s.p.: Azambre and Monchoux (1988).
Classification of Aerinite
9.DB.45
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
D : Inosilicates
B : Inosilicates with 2-periodic single chains, Si2O6; Pyroxene-related minerals
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
D : Inosilicates
B : Inosilicates with 2-periodic single chains, Si2O6; Pyroxene-related minerals
68.1.3.1
68 : INOSILICATES Structures with Chains of More Than One Width
1 : Structures with Chains of More Than One Width
68 : INOSILICATES Structures with Chains of More Than One Width
1 : Structures with Chains of More Than One Width
16.23.7
16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
23 : Aluminosilicates of Fe, Ca, and Mg
16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
23 : Aluminosilicates of Fe, Ca, and Mg
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aer | 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 Aerinite
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Blue to blue-green
Streak:
Bluish white
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Density:
2.48(2) g/cm3 (Measured) 2.52 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Aerinite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.51 nβ = 1.56 nγ = 1.58
2V:
Measured: 63° , Calculated: 62°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.070
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:
Low (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:
none
Pleochroism:
Strong
Comments:
X = bright blue; Y = Z = pale beige.
Chemistry of Aerinite
Mindat Formula:
(Ca5.1Na0.5)(Fe3+,Al,Fe2+,Mg)4(Al,Mg)6[HSi12O36(OH)12][(CO3)1.2(H2O)12]
According to Rius et al. (2009), the formula of the Fe3+-rich variety includes SO3 (sulphite) substitution for carbonate.
According to Rius et al. (2009), the formula of the Fe3+-rich variety includes SO3 (sulphite) substitution for carbonate.
Element Weights:
Common Impurities:
Ti,Mn,Na,K,P
Crystallography of Aerinite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m - Ditrigonal Pyramidal
Space Group:
P3c1
Cell Parameters:
a = 16.916 Å, c = 5.229 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.309
Unit Cell V:
1,295.82 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1
Morphology:
As masses of cryptocrystalline fibers; earthy, compact.
Comment:
Originally assumed to be monoclinic, a = 14.69 Å, b = 16.87 Å, c = 5.17 Å, β = 94.75°.
Crystal Structure
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0007273 | Aerinite | Rius J, Crespi A, Roig A, Melgarejo J C (2009) Crystal structure refinement of Fe3+-rich aerinite from synchrotron powder diffraction and Mossbauer data European Journal of Mineralogy 21 233-240 | 2009 | Tartareu, Catalunya, Spain | 0 | 293 | |
| 0007027 | Aerinite | Rius J, Elkaim E, Torrelles X (2004) Structure determination of the blue mineral pigment aerinite from synchrotron powder diffraction data: The solution of an old riddle European Journal of Mineralogy 16 127-134 | 2004 | Camporrells-Estopanya area, Huesca, Spain | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 14.65 Å | (100) |
| 4.050 Å | (80) |
| 2.721 Å | (75) |
| 2.812 Å | (50) |
| 3.798 Å | (35) |
| 3.651 Å | (35) |
| 2.135 Å | (35) |
Reference:
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 3a: Earth’s earliest Hadean crust | >4.50 |
| 10 : Basalt-hosted zeolite minerals |
Geological Setting:
A hydrothermal mineral of the zeolite facies, formed at relatively low temperature, in fractures cutting mafic igneous rocks.
Type Occurrence of Aerinite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Wroclaw University, Wroclaw, Poland , II-8890;
National School of Mines, Paris, France.
National School of Mines, Paris, France.
Other Language Names for Aerinite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 13 photos of Aerinite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 5 photos of Aerinite associated with Prehnite | Ca2Al2Si3O10(OH)2 |
| 3 photos of Aerinite associated with Scolecite | CaAl2Si3O10 · 3H2O |
| 3 photos of Aerinite associated with 'Dolerite' | |
| 1 photo of Aerinite associated with Magnesio-riebeckite | ◻Na2(Mg3Fe3+2)(Si8O22)(OH)2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.DB.05 | Potassiccarpholite | K(Mn2+,Li)2Al4Si4O12(OH,F)8 |
| 9.DB.05 | Carpholite | Mn2+Al2(Si2O6)(OH)4 |
| 9.DB.05 | Vanadiocarpholite | Mn2+V3+Al(Si2O6)(OH)4 |
| 9.DB.05 | Magnesiocarpholite | MgAl2Si2O6(OH)4 |
| 9.DB.05 | Ferrocarpholite | Fe2+Al2Si2O6(OH)4 |
| 9.DB.05 | Balipholite | BaLiMg2Al3(Si2O6)2(OH)4 |
| 9.DB.10 | Lorenzenite | Na2Ti2(Si2O6)O3 |
| 9.DB.15 | Punkaruaivite | LiTi2(HSi4O12)(OH)2 · H2O |
| 9.DB.15 | Lintisite | LiNa3Ti2(Si2O6)2O2 · 2H2O |
| 9.DB.17 | Eliseevite | LiNa1.5Ti2(H1.5Si4O12)O2 · 2H2O |
| 9.DB.20 | Kukisvumite | Na6ZnTi4(Si8O24)O4 · 4H2O |
| 9.DB.20 | Manganokukisvumite | Na6MnTi4(Si8O24)O4 · 4H2O |
| 9.DB.25 | Vinogradovite | Na4Ti4(Si2O6)2[(Si,Al)4O10]O4 · (H2O,Na,K)3 |
| 9.DB.25 | Paravinogradovite | Na1-2(Ti,Fe3+)4(Si2O6)2(AlSi3O10)(OH)4 · H2O |
| 9.DB.30 | Nchwaningite | Mn2+2(SiO3)(OH)2 · H2O |
| 9.DB.40 | Shattuckite | Cu5(Si2O6)2(OH)2 |
| 9.DB.40 | 'UM2005-31-SiO:CuH' | Cu11(SiO4)(OH)18 · 9H2O (?) |
| 9.DB.50 | Capranicaite | KCaNaAl4B4Si2O18 |
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 Aerinite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-34.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Aerinite
Reference List:
Azambre, Bernard; Monchoux, Pierre (1988) Précisions minéralogiques sur l'aérinite : nouvelle occurrence à Saint-Pandelon (Landes, France). Bulletin de Minéralogie, 111 (1). 39-47 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1988.8069
Jambor, John L., Ercit, Ernst A. J. Burke T. Scott, Grice, Joel D. (1988) New Mineral Names. American Mineralogist, 73 (11-12) 1492-1499 pp.1498-1499
Nihtianova, D.; Kolb, U.; Li, J.; Queralt, I. (2004) TEM investigation of aerinite, compared with synchrotron and X-ray powder diffraction data. Acta Crystallographica Section A Foundations of Crystallography, 60 (a1). s44 doi:10.1107/s0108767304099143
Rius, Jordi, Elkaim, Erik, Torrelles, Xavier (2004) Structure determination of the blue mineral pigment aerinite from synchrotron powder diffraction data: The solution of an old riddle. European Journal of Mineralogy, 16 (1) 127-134 doi:10.1127/0935-1221/2004/0016-0127
Rius, Jordi, Crespi, Anna, Roig, Anna, Melgarejo, Joan, Carles, (2009) Crystal-structure refinement of Fe3+-rich aerinite from synchrotron powder diffraction and Mossbauer data. European Journal of Mineralogy, 21 (1) 233-240 doi:10.1127/0935-1221/2009/0021-1895
Localities for Aerinite
Showing 29 localities.
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.
Antarctica | |
| Mozer (2012) |
China | |
| Lu et al. (2016) |
France | |
| Azambre et al. (1988) +1 other reference |
Malaysia | |
| Syed Hasan et al. (2018) |
Mexico | |
| Parker (2010) |
Morocco | |
| Christopher O'Neill specimen |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
Nicaragua | |
| Hynek et al. (2013, March) +1 other reference |
Spain | |
| Calvo Rebollar (2018) |
| Silva (1996) |
| Juan C.Romero Silva |
Lleida, Catalonia, Spain