Xonotlite
Combination piece with radial fibrous inesite and xonotlite
General
CategoryInosilicates
Formula
(repeating unit)		Ca6Si6O17(OH)2
IMA symbolXon[1]
Strunz classification9.DG.35
Dana classification66.3.1.1
Crystal systemMonoclinic
Crystal classPrismatic (2/m)
(same H-M symbol)
Space groupP2/a
Unit cell879.33
Identification
ColorWhite, grey, pale pink, lemon white, colorless
CleavagePerfect, Good
FractureSplintery, tough
Mohs scale hardness6.5
LusterVitreous, silky, pearly
StreakWhite
DiaphaneityTransparent, translucent
Specific gravity2.70 – 2.72
DensityMeasured: 2.70 – 2.72
Calculated: 2.71
Optical propertiesBiaxial (+)
Refractive indexnα = 1.583 nβ = 1.585 nγ = 1.595
Birefringence0.012
2V angle50°
Ultraviolet fluorescenceShort UV = weak gray-white
Long UV = weak white
Common impuritiesFe, Mn, H2O

Xonotlite, or eakleite, is a mineral of general formula Ca6Si6O17(OH)2 named by the German mineralogist Karl Friedrich August Rammelsberg in 1866. The name originates from its discovery locality, Tetela de Xonotla, Puebla, Mexico. Although it was discovered in 1866, it was first described in 1959. It is approved by the IMA, but it is a grandfathered species, meaning the name supposedly represents a valid species til this day.[2]

Properties

Xonotlite is an ino-silicate with double dreier chains, of which several polytypes are known. The known polytypes are Ma2bc, Ma2b2c and M2a2bc. It is a mineral related to the tobermorite group. It can be colorless, gray, light gray, lemon white, or pink. It is transparent with a vitreous to silky luster. It leaves a white streak. Xonotlite is rated 6.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness. It crystallizes in the monoclinic - prismatic crystal system,[2] with typically an acicular crystal form or habit, meaning it occurs as needle-like crystals. It is massive, meaning individual crystals are hard to tell apart as they form large masses. It mainly consists of oxygen (42.52%), calcium (33.63%) and silicon (23.57%), and includes hydrogen (0.28%). It is a luminescent mineral, under short ultraviolet light it has a weak gray-white fluorescence, and under long UV it is weak white. It isn't a magnetic mineral, and is not radioactive.[3]

Environment and mining

Xonotlite from Italy.

It occurs as veins in serpentinite and contact metamorphism aureoles.[3] Associated minerals include apophyllite, diopside, stilbite, tobermorite, clinohedrite, thaumasite, laumontite and wollastonite.[4] The most common impurities include iron, magnesium and carbon dioxyde (CO2) impurities. It has many type localities, the most notable one being Tetela de Ocampo, Mexico.[2]

See also

  • Gyrolite – Rare phyllosilicate mineral crystallizing in spherules
  • Tacharanite – Calcium aluminium silicate hydrate mineral
  • Tobermorite – Inosilicate alteration mineral in metamorphosed limestone and in skarn

References

  1. ↑ 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.
  2. 1 2 3 "Xonotlite". www.mindat.org. Retrieved 2021-11-08.
  3. 1 2 "Xonotlite Mineral Data". webmineral.com. Retrieved 2021-11-08.
  4. ↑ "Xonotlite" (PDF). Mineral Data Publishing. 2001.

Further reading

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