| Hsianghualite | |
|---|---|
 Hsianghualite from the type locality. Specimen size 1.5 cm | |
| General | |
| Category | Zeolite |
| Formula (repeating unit) | Li2Ca3(BeSiO4)3F2 |
| IMA symbol | Hsi[1] |
| Strunz classification | 9.GB.05 (10 ed) 8/J.16-10 (8 ed) |
| Dana classification | 77.1.1.5 |
| Crystal system | Isometric |
| Crystal class | Tetartoidal (23) H-M symbol: (23) |
| Space group | I213,[2] originally reported as 4 3 2[3] |
| Identification | |
| Formula mass | 475.4 g/mol |
| Color | White or colorless |
| Crystal habit | trisoctahedral or dodecahedral crystals or granular masses[3] |
| Cleavage | None |
| Tenacity | Brittle[4] |
| Mohs scale hardness | 6.5 |
| Luster | Vitreous |
| Streak | White |
| Diaphaneity | Transparent to translucent |
| Specific gravity | 2.97 to 3.00, measured[5] |
| Refractive index | n = 1.6132[3] |
Hsianghualite is a tectosilicate (framework silicate) of lithium, calcium and beryllium, with fluorine, a member of the zeolite group. It was discovered in 1958 and named for the type locality, Hsiang Hua, 香花, meaning fragrant flower.
Structure[edit]
Structure is analogous to that of analcime with Be and Si in tetrahedral co-ordination forming a three-dimensional framework.[2] Its space group is I213[2] (Previously reported as I4132[3]). Unit cell parameters are a = 12.879 or 12.897,[3][5] and Z = 8.
Environment[edit]
It occurs within phlogopite veins in the light-coloured band of green and white banded metamorphosed Devonian limestone which has been intruded by beryllium-bearing granite.[6] Associated mineral include fluorite, liberite, chrysoberyl, taaffeite and nigerite.[2]
Localities[edit]
Hsianghualite has been found only at the type locality, the Xianghualing Mine in Linwu County, Hunan Province, China.
References[edit]
- ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
- ^ a b c d Gaines et al (1997) Dana's New Mineralogy Eighth Edition
- ^ a b c d e American Mineralogist (1959) 44:1327 English language abstract of Huang Yung-hwei, Tu Shaohua, Wang K'ung-hai, Chao Chun-Lin, and Yu Cheng-Chih (1958)Ti-chih-yueh-k'an 7: 35 (in Chinese)
- ^ Anthony, John W.; Bideaux, Richard A.; Bladh, Kenneth W.; Nichols, Monte C. (2005). "Hsianghualite" (PDF). Handbook of Mineralogy. Mineral Data Publishing. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
- ^ a b American Mineralogist (1961) 46:244. Data from A A Beus (1960) Akademii Nauk SSSR 1-329 (in Russian).
- ^ Roberts, Campbell and Rapp (1990) Encyclopedia of Minerals, 2nd edition
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