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Sarcolite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Sarcolite
Formula:
Na4Ca12Al8Si12O46(SiO4,PO4)(OH,H2O)4(CO3,Cl)
Colour:
Flesh-pink, flesh-red, colourless
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
6
Specific Gravity:
2.91 - 2.96
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Name:
From Greek, Sarka, flesh, referring to its flesh-red color.
Type Locality:
This page provides mineralogical data about Sarcolite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3533
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3533:6
Similar Names
| Sarcolite (of Vauquelin) | A synonym of Gmelinite Subgroup |
| Sericolite | A synonym of 'Satin Spar' |
| Zircolite | A synonym of Corundum |
IMA Classification of Sarcolite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1807
Classification of Sarcolite
9.EH.15
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
H : Transitional structures between phyllosilicate and other silicate units
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
H : Transitional structures between phyllosilicate and other silicate units
76.3.2.1
76 : TECTOSILICATES Al-Si Framework
3 : Al-Si Framework with other Be/Al/Si frameworks
76 : TECTOSILICATES Al-Si Framework
3 : Al-Si Framework with other Be/Al/Si frameworks
17.2.6
17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
2 : Silicates with fluoride
17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
2 : Silicates with fluoride
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sco | 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 Sarcolite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Flesh-pink, flesh-red, colourless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
6 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
2.91 - 2.96 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.86(4) g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Sarcolite
Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 1.604(1) nε = 1.615(3)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.011
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 uniaxial interference figure - the conoscopic
(convergent-light, Bertrand-lens-in) view, for a grain cut with the optic axis
centred and vertical. The coloured rings are isochromatics, computed with the
same physics as the Michel-Lévy bar above; the dark cross is the isogyre.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
Chemistry of Sarcolite
Mindat Formula:
Na4Ca12Al8Si12O46(SiO4,PO4)(OH,H2O)4(CO3,Cl)
Element Weights:
Common Impurities:
Ti,Fe,Mn,Mg,Sr,K,Cl,P,S
Crystallography of Sarcolite
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Class (H-M):
4/m - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
I4/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 12.343(5) Å, c = 15.463(5) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 1.253
Unit Cell V:
2,355.78 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
equant pseudocubic hemihedral crystals, to 2.5 cm; in irregular masses
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0015662 | Sarcolite | Giuseppetti G, Mazzi F, Tadini C (1977) The crystal structure of sarcolite Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen 24 1-21 | 1977 | Vesuvius volcano, Bay of Naples, Italy | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 2.747 Å | (100) |
| 3.343 Å | (90) |
| 2.853 Å | (87) |
| 2.762 Å | (69) |
| 2.941 Å | (64) |
| 3.215 Å | (51) |
| 2.998 Å | (51) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45b : [Other oxidized fumarolic minerals] | |
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 50 : Coal and/or oil shale minerals | <0.36 |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 54 : Coal and other mine fire minerals (see also #51 and #56) |
Type Occurrence of Sarcolite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1960,629.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Sarcolite
Common Associates
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.EH.05 | Manganoneptunite | KNa2Li(Mn2+)2Ti2[Si4O12]2 |
| 9.EH.05 | Magnesioneptunite | KNa2Li(Mg)2Ti2[Si4O12]2 |
| 9.EH.05 | Neptunite | KNa2Li(Fe2+)2Ti2[Si4O12]2 |
| 9.EH.05 | Watatsumiite | KNa2Li(Mn2+)2V4+2[Si4O12]2 |
| 9.EH.05 | Rotherkopfite | KNa2Fe2+(Fe2+)2(Ti1.5Fe2+0.5)[Si4O12]2 |
| 9.EH.10 | Grumantite | Na(HSi2O5) · H2O |
| 9.EH.20 | Ussingite | Na2AlSi3O8OH |
| 9.EH.25 | Telyushenkoite | (Cs,Na,K)Na6[Be2Al3Si15O39]F2 |
| 9.EH.25 | Leifite | (Na,H2O)Na6[Be2Al2(Al,Si)Si15O39]F2 |
| 9.EH.25 | Eirikite | KNa6Be2(Si15Al3)O39F2 |
| 9.EH.30 | Nafertisite | Na3Fe2+10Ti2(Si6O17)2O2(OH)6F(H2O)2 |
| 9.EH.35 | Veblenite | KNa(Fe2+5Fe3+4Mn7)Nb4(Si2O7)2(Si8O22)2O6(OH)10(H2O)3 |
Other Information
Notes:
(Historical description) With a blowtorch, swells up and melts into a phosphorescent white enamel. This occurs after considerable time and difficulty.
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 Sarcolite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3533.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Sarcolite
Reference List:
Giuseppetti, G., Mazzi, F., Tadini, Carla (1977) The crystal structure of sarcolite. TMPM Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen, 24 (1). 1-21 doi:10.1007/bf01081742
Fleischer, Michael, Chao, George Y., Pabst, and Adolf (1979) New Mineral Names. American Mineralogist, 64 (1-2) 241-245 p.245
Livingstone, A. (1984) Fluorine in sarcolite: additional history and new chemical data. Mineralogical Magazine, 48 (346) 107-112 doi:10.1180/minmag.1984.048.346.14
Localities for Sarcolite
Showing 9 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The
Mount Somma, Metropolitan City of Naples, Campania, Italy