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Silinaite
A valid IMA mineral species
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Formula:
NaLiSi2O5 · 2H2O
Colour:
Colourless, white
Lustre:
Vitreous, Earthy
Hardness:
4½
Specific Gravity:
2.24
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
The name is derived from its chemical composition: silicon (Si), lithium (Li) and sodium (Na).
This page provides mineralogical data about Silinaite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3661
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3661:6
Similar Names
| Sahlinite | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | Pb14(AsO4)2O9Cl4 |
| Selenite | A variety of Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
| Selenite (of Rau) | A synonym of Berzelianite | |
| Sillénite | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | Bi12SiO20 |
IMA Classification of Silinaite
Classification of Silinaite
9.EF.20
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
F : Single nets with 6-membered rings, connected by M[4], M[8], etc.
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
F : Single nets with 6-membered rings, connected by M[4], M[8], etc.
74.3.5.3
74 : PHYLLOSILICATES Modulated Layers
3 : Modulated Layers with joined strips
74 : PHYLLOSILICATES Modulated Layers
3 : Modulated Layers with joined strips
14.1.8
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
1 : Silicates of the alkali metals
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
1 : Silicates of the alkali metals
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sln | 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 Silinaite
Vitreous, Earthy
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent, Opaque
Colour:
Colourless, white
Streak:
White
Hardness:
4½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
{001} perfect, {010} good, and {110} distinct
{001} perfect, {010} good, and {110} distinct
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
2.24(1) g/cm3 (Measured) 2.225(5) g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Silinaite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.515(1) nβ = 1.516(1) nγ = 1.518(1)
2V:
Measured: 64° to 71°, Calculated: 72°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.003
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 (negative)
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:
strong, r > v
Optical Extinction:
X = b; Y ∧ c = 16° in the acute β angle
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Silinaite
Mindat Formula:
NaLiSi2O5 · 2H2O
Element Weights:
Common Impurities:
Al,Ca
Crystallography of Silinaite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.061 Å, b = 8.334 Å, c = 14.383 Å
β = 96.67°
β = 96.67°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.607 : 1 : 1.726
Unit Cell V:
602.55 ų
Z:
4
Comment:
cell param. A2/n
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
Remove metal-metal sticks
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
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
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0005263 | Silinaite | Grice J D (1991) The crystal structure of silinaite, NaLiSi2O6.2H20: a monophyllosilicate The Canadian Mineralogist 29 363-367 |  | 1991 | Mont Saint-Hilaire, Rouville County, Quebec, Canada | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 7.14 Å | (100) |
| 4.14 Å | (100) |
| 2.847 Å | (100) |
| 4.24 Å | (80) |
| 4.02 Å | (80) |
| 2.698 Å | (50) |
| 1.610 Å | (40) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 3a: Earth’s earliest Hadean crust | >4.50 |
| 9 : Lava/xenolith minerals (hornfels, sanidinite facies) |
Type Occurrence of Silinaite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Clear tabular crystals up to 2 mm, fibrous clusters, poorly formed prismatic crystals, and chalky to earthy or powdery patches.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; 56467, 56468.
Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; M44516, M44517.
Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; M44516, M44517.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
In sodalite syenite xenoliths in nepheline syenite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Silinaite
Other Language Names for Silinaite
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.EF.05 | Petalite | LiAl(Si4O10) |
| 9.EF.10 | Sanbornite | BaSi2O5 |
| 9.EF.15 | Searlesite | Na(H2BSi2O7) |
| 9.EF.25 | Kanemite | HNaSi2O5 · 3H2O |
| 9.EF.30 | Yakovenchukite-(Y) | K3NaCaY2[Si12O30] · 4H2O |
Fluorescence of Silinaite
Not fluorescent
Other Information
Notes:
Dissolves slowly in concentrated HCl and HNO3, and more slowly in H2SO4, leaving a gelatinous residue.
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 Silinaite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3661.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
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References for Silinaite
Reference List:
Chao, George Y., Grice, Joel D., Gault, Robert A. (1991) Silinaite, a new sodium lithium silicate hydrate mineral from Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec. The Canadian Mineralogist, 29 (2) 359-362
Grice, J. D. (1991) The crystal structure of silinaite, NaLiSi2O5·2H2O: a monophyllosilicate. The Canadian Mineralogist, 29 (2) 363-367
Beneke, Klaus, Thiesen, Peter, Lagaly, Gerhard (1995) Synthesis and Properties of the Sodium Lithium Silicate Silinaite. Inorganic Chemistry, 34 (4) 900-907 doi:10.1021/ic00108a022
Localities for Silinaite
Showing 2 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.
Canada (TL) | |
| Chao et al. (1991) |
China | |
| Wang et al. (2015) |
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