Chlorocalcite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About Chlorocalcite
Formula:
KCaCl3
Colour:
White, violet tinged
Hardness:
2½ - 3
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
In allusion to the composition, containing both CHLORine and CALCium.
Isostructural with:
The Ca analogue of javorieite.
Note: possibly isostructural with javorieite (if the synthetic KCaCl3 analogue is indeed structurally identical to chlorocalcite).
Note: possibly isostructural with javorieite (if the synthetic KCaCl3 analogue is indeed structurally identical to chlorocalcite).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1020
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1020:3
IMA Classification of Chlorocalcite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
Classification of Chlorocalcite
3.AA.40
3 : HALIDES
A : Simple halides, without H2O
A : M:X = 1:1, 2:3, 3:5, etc.
3 : HALIDES
A : Simple halides, without H2O
A : M:X = 1:1, 2:3, 3:5, etc.
11.1.3.1
11 : HALIDE COMPLEXES
1 : AmBX3
11 : HALIDE COMPLEXES
1 : AmBX3
8.4.10
8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
4 : Halides of the alkaline earths and Mg
8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
4 : Halides of the alkaline earths and Mg
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ccal | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Chlorocalcite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Chlorocalcite
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
White, violet tinged
Hardness:
2½ - 3 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Cube-like in two directions, one better than the other.
Cube-like in two directions, one better than the other.
Optical Data of Chlorocalcite
Type:
Biaxial
Dispersion:
not discernible
Chemistry of Chlorocalcite
Mindat Formula:
KCaCl3
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Chlorocalcite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pnma
Setting:
Pnma
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.35 Å, b = 10.44 Å, c = 7.25 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.704 : 1 : 0.694
Unit Cell V:
556.32 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Cube-like crystals, with octahedral or dodecahedral-like truncations at times. Prismatic with {100}, {010}, and {011} or tabular with {001}, {110}, and {100}.
Comment:
Space group for the synthetic phase
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 2.612 Å | (100) |
| 3.137 Å | (35) |
| 3.697 Å | (30) |
| 3.119 Å | (30) |
| 5.227 Å | (25) |
| 2.107 Å | (25) |
| 3.058 Å | (18) |
Comments:
Synthetic. Data from Swanson et al. (1969).
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 25 : Evaporites (prebiotic) | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45b : [Other oxidized fumarolic minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Chlorocalcite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
No defined type material.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Active volcanic fumaroles.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Chlorocalcite
Other Language Names for Chlorocalcite
Relationship of Chlorocalcite to other Species
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 3.AA. | Brontesite | (NH4)3PbCl5 |
| 3.AA.05 | Marshite | CuI |
| 3.AA.05 | Nantokite | CuCl |
| 3.AA.05 | 'UM1999-11:I:CuS' | Cu(I,S) |
| 3.AA.05 | Miersite | (Ag,Cu)I |
| 3.AA.10 | Tocornalite | (Ag,Hg)I (?) |
| 3.AA.10 | Iodargyrite | AgI |
| 3.AA.15 | Bromargyrite | AgBr |
| 3.AA.15 | Chlorargyrite | AgCl |
| 3.AA.20 | Sylvite | KCl |
| 3.AA.20 | Halite | NaCl |
| 3.AA.20 | Villiaumite | NaF |
| 3.AA.20 | Carobbiite | KF |
| 3.AA.20 | Griceite | LiF |
| 3.AA.25 | 'UM1998-03-Cl:Tl' | TlCl |
| 3.AA.25 | Nataliyamalikite | TlI |
| 3.AA.25 | Lafossaite | Tl(Cl,Br) |
| 3.AA.25 | Salammoniac | NH4Cl |
| 3.AA.30 | Calomel | [Hg2]2+Cl2 |
| 3.AA.30 | Moschelite | [Hg2]2+I2 |
| 3.AA.30 | Kuzminite | HgBr |
| 3.AA.35 | Neighborite | NaMgF3 |
| 3.AA.35 | Parascandolaite | KMgF3 |
| 3.AA.40 | Javorieite | KFeCl3 |
| 3.AA.45 | Kolarite | PbTeCl2 |
| 3.AA.50 | Radhakrishnaite | PbTe3(Cl,S)2 |
| 3.AA.55 | Challacolloite | KPb2Cl5 |
| 3.AA.60 | Hephaistosite | TlPb2Cl5 |
| 3.AA.90 | Pseudocotunnite | K2PbCl4 |
Radioactivity
Fluorescence of Chlorocalcite
None.
Other Information
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 Chlorocalcite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1020.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Chlorocalcite
Reference List:
Beudant, François-Sulpice (1832) Traité élémentaire de minéralogie. Deuxiéme Edition [Elementary Treatise on Mineralogy. Second Edition] (2nd ed.) Vol. 2 - Tome II [Volume II]. Chez Verdière. p.512
Localities for Chlorocalcite
Showing 6 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.
China | |
| Li et al. (2015) |
Germany | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
Italy (TL) | |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
| Pelloux (1927) +3 other references | |
Russia | |
| webmineral.ru (n.d.) |
Slovakia | |
| Kodera et al. (2025) |
Quick NavTopAbout ChlorocalciteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPronunciation Physical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography X-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatRadioactivityFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Vesuvius fumaroles, Metropolitan City of Naples, Campania, Italy