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Chabazite-Na
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Chabazite-Na
Formula:
(Na2,K2,Ca,Sr,Mg)2[Al2Si4O12]2 · 12H2O
Colour:
Colourless
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
4 - 5
Specific Gravity:
2.09
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1788 by Louis-Augustin Bosc d'Antic from the Greek chabazios, tune or melody, one of twenty stones named in the poem Peri lithos, which extolled the virtues of minerals. The poem is ascribed to Orpheus, legendary founder of the Orphic cult, which flourished in Greece in the early centuries. The suffix was added by the IMA in 1997 when chabazite (without suffix) was promoted to a series. It denotes the dominant extra-framework element.
The sodium-dominant member of the Chabazite series of the Zeolite Group.
Formerly called herschelite.
Formerly called herschelite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
6856
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:6856:3
Similar Names
| Chabazite-Ca | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | (Ca,K2,Na2)2[Al2Si4O12]2 · 12H2O |
IMA Classification of Chabazite-Na
Approved
IMA Formula:
(Na3K)Al4Si8O24·11H2O
First published:
1970
Type description reference:
Coombs, Douglas S., Alberti, Alberto, Armbruster, Thomas, Artioli, Gilberto, Colella, Carmine, Galli, Ermanno, Grice, Joel D., Liebau, Friedrich, Mandarino, Joseph A., Minato, Hideo, et al. (1997) Recommended nomenclature for zeolite minerals; report of the Subcommittee on Zeolites of the International Mineralogical Association, Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names. The Canadian Mineralogist, 35 (6). 1571-1606
Classification of Chabazite-Na
9.GD.10
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
G : Tektosilicates with zeolitic H2O; zeolite family
D : Chains of 6-membered rings – tabular zeolites
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
G : Tektosilicates with zeolitic H2O; zeolite family
D : Chains of 6-membered rings – tabular zeolites
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Cbz-Na | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Cbz | Kretz (1983) | Kretz, R. (1983) Symbols of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 68, 277–279. |
| Cbz | Siivolam & Schmid (2007) | Siivolam, J. and Schmid, R. (2007) Recommendations by the IUGS Subcommission on the Systematics of Metamorphic Rocks: List of mineral abbreviations. Web-version 01.02.07. IUGS Commission on the Systematics in Petrology. download |
| Cbz | Whitney & Evans (2010) | Whitney, D.L. and Evans, B.W. (2010) Abbreviations for names of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 95, 185–187 doi:10.2138/am.2010.3371 |
| Cbz | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Pronunciation of Chabazite-Na
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Chabazite-Na
Vitreous
Colour:
Colourless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
4 - 5 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Distinct on {10·1}.
Distinct on {10·1}.
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
2.09(2) g/cm3 (Measured) 2.035 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Chabazite-Na
Type:
Biaxial (+/-)
RI values:
nα = 1.478 - 1.485 nβ = 1.48 - 1.4895 nγ = 1.48 - 1.49
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.002 - 0.005
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:
Moderate (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
Dispersion:
none
Chemistry of Chabazite-Na
Mindat Formula:
(Na2,K2,Ca,Sr,Mg)2[Al2Si4O12]2 · 12H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Chabazite-Na
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m - Ditrigonal Pyramidal
Space Group:
R3m
Cell Parameters:
a = 13.86(3) Å, c = 15.16(3) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 1.094
Unit Cell V:
2,522.07 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
6
Comment:
Pseudo hexagonal triclinic P_1,
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0014782 | Chabazite-Na | Mazzi F, Galli E (1983) The tetrahedral framework of chabazite Neues Jahrbuch fur Mineralogie, Monatshefte 1983 461-480 | 1983 | Richmond, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia | 0 | 293 | |
| 0014781 | Chabazite-Na | Mazzi F, Galli E (1983) The tetrahedral framework of chabazite Neues Jahrbuch fur Mineralogie, Monatshefte 1983 461-480 | 1983 | Richmond, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia | 0 | 293 | |
| 0017687 | Chabazite-Na | Alberti A, Galli E, Vezzalini G, Passaglia E, Zanazzi P F (1982) Position of cations and water molecules in hydrated chabazite. Natural and Na-, Ca-, Sr- and K-exchanged chabazites Zeolites 2 303-309 | 1982 | Keller, Nidda, Germany | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 9.50 Å | (strong) |
| 5.11 Å | (moderate) |
| 4.36 Å | (strong) |
| 3.91 Å | (moderate) |
| 3.62 Å | (moderate) |
| 3.46 Å | (moderate) |
| 2.947 Å | (strong) |
| 2.910 Å | (moderate) |
| 2.612 Å | (moderately strong) |
| 2.523 Å | (moderately strong) |
| 1.807 Å | (moderately strong) |
| 1.722 Å | (moderate) |
Comments:
Biggest ‘Faraglione’ facing Aci Trezza, Sicily, Italy. Data are from Passaglia (1970), sample 1.
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) | |
| 10 : Basalt-hosted zeolite minerals | |
| Stage 3b: Earth’s earliest hydrosphere | >4.45 |
| 17 : Marine authigenic Hadean minerals (see also #24) | |
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 22 : Hydration and low-? subsurface aqueous alteration (see also #23) | |
| 24 : Authigenic minerals in terrestrial sediments (see also #17) | |
| Stage 5: Initiation of plate tectonics | <3.5-2.5 |
| 40 : Regional metamorphism (greenschist, amphibolite, granulite facies) |
Type Occurrence of Chabazite-Na
General Appearance of Type Material:
Spherical aggregates of hexagonal plates.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
No designated type material.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Basalt.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Coombs, Douglas S., Alberti, Alberto, Armbruster, Thomas, Artioli, Gilberto, Colella, Carmine, Galli, Ermanno, Grice, Joel D., Liebau, Friedrich, Mandarino, Joseph A., Minato, Hideo, et al. (1997) Recommended nomenclature for zeolite minerals; report of the Subcommittee on Zeolites of the International Mineralogical Association, Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names. The Canadian Mineralogist, 35 (6). 1571-1606
Synonyms of Chabazite-Na
Other Language Names for Chabazite-Na
Relationship of Chabazite-Na to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Chabazite:
| Chabazite-Ca | (Ca,K2,Na2)2[Al2Si4O12]2 · 12H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Chabazite-K | (K2,Ca,Na2,Sr,Mg)2[Al2Si4O12]2 · 12H2O | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m |
| Chabazite-Mg | (Mg0.7K0.5Ca0.5Na0.1)[Al3Si9O24] · 10H2O | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m |
| Chabazite-Sr | Sr2[Al2Si4O12]2 · 12H2O | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 37 photos of Chabazite-Na associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 32 photos of Chabazite-Na associated with Natrolite | Na2Al2Si3O10 · 2H2O |
| 31 photos of Chabazite-Na associated with Phillipsite-Na | (Na,K,Ca0.5,Ba0.5)4-7[Al4-7Si12-9O32] · 12H2O |
| 29 photos of Chabazite-Na associated with Phillipsite Subgroup | (Ca0.5,K,Na,Ba0.5)4-7[Al4-7Si12-9O32] . 12H2O |
| 25 photos of Chabazite-Na associated with Saponite | Ca0.25(Mg,Fe)3((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O |
| 25 photos of Chabazite-Na associated with Thomsonite-Ca | NaCa2[Al5Si5O20] · 6H2O |
| 22 photos of Chabazite-Na associated with Siderite | FeCO3 |
| 20 photos of Chabazite-Na associated with Mesolite | Na2Ca2Si9Al6O30 · 8H2O |
| 19 photos of Chabazite-Na associated with Gonnardite | (Na,Ca)2(Si,Al)5O10 · 3H2O |
| 18 photos of Chabazite-Na associated with Analcime | Na(AlSi2O6) · H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.GD.05 | Gmelinite-Ca | Ca2(Si8Al4)O24 · 11H2O |
| 9.GD.05 | Gmelinite-K | K4(Si8Al4O24) · 11H2O |
| 9.GD.05 | Gmelinite-Na | Na4(Si8Al4)O24 · 11H2O |
| 9.GD.10 | Chabazite-Mg | (Mg0.7K0.5Ca0.5Na0.1)[Al3Si9O24] · 10H2O |
| 9.GD.10 |






Cairns Bay, Flinders area, Mornington Peninsula Shire, Victoria, Australia