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Elpasolite

A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About ElpasoliteHide

Formula:
K2NaAlF6
Colour:
Colourless
Lustre:
Sub-Vitreous, Greasy
Hardness:
Specific Gravity:
2.995
Crystal System:
Isometric
Name:
First described and named by Cross and Hillebrand (1883,1885) from quartz riebeckite microcline pegmatites at St.Peter’s Dome, El Paso County, Colorado, USA. Named for the type locality (El Paso County).
This page provides mineralogical data about Elpasolite.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
1369
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1369:3

IMA Classification of ElpasoliteHide

Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1883

Classification of ElpasoliteHide

3.CB.15

3 : HALIDES
C : Complex halides
B : Neso-aluminofluorides
11.6.2.1

11 : HALIDE COMPLEXES
6 : Aluminofluorides - Isolated Octahedra
8.6.7

8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
6 : Halides of Al

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference for Standard
ElpIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of ElpasoliteHide

Sub-Vitreous, Greasy
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Colourless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
2.995 g/cm3 (Measured)    3.015 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Chemistry of ElpasoliteHide

Mindat Formula:
K2NaAlF6
Element Weights:
Element% weight
F47.073 %
K32.292 %
Al11.142 %
Na9.494 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.

Crystallography of ElpasoliteHide

Crystal System:
Isometric
Class (H-M):
m3(2/m3) - Diploidal
Space Group:
Pa3
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.12 Å
Unit Cell V:
535.39 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Indistinct crystals at times with indistinct octahedral and cubic faces. Massive. Artificial crystals are cubo-octahedral.

Crystal StructureHide

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0014819ElpasoliteSabelli C (1987) Structure refinement of elpasolite from Cetine mine, Tuscany, Italy Neues Jahrbuch fur Mineralogie, Monatshefte 1987 481-4871987Cetine mine, Tuscany, Italy0293
0017967ElpasoliteMenzer G (1932) Ueber die Kristallstrukturen der Kryolithgruppe _cod_database_code 1011068 Fortschritte der Mineralogie 17 61-6119320293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
2.863 Å(100)
2.024 Å(100)
2.336 Å(80)
1.428 Å(60)
0.795 Å(60)
0.905 Å(50)
1.650 Å(40)
Comments:
Pikes Peak, Colorado, USA. Data from Frondel (1948).

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Near-surface Processes
22 : Hydration and low-? subsurface aqueous alteration (see also #23)

Type Occurrence of ElpasoliteHide

General Appearance of Type Material:
Compact irregular masses, colorless but not perfectly clear, with sparing traces of crystalline form. Rare small rounded crystal-like projections.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, numbers 162621, 83302.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Lining solution cavities in pachnolite in a cryolite-bearing pegmatite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Other Language Names for ElpasoliteHide

Relationship of Elpasolite to other SpeciesHide

Other Members of Cryolite Subgroup:
CryoliteNa2NaAlF6Mon. 2/m
SimmonsiteNa2LiAlF6Mon.

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
13 photos of Elpasolite associated with 'Amazonite'K(AlSi3O8)
12 photos of Elpasolite associated with CryoliteNa2NaAlF6
8 photos of Elpasolite associated with ProsopiteCaAl2F4[(OH)4-xFx]
7 photos of Elpasolite associated with Hydrokenoralstonite Na0.5(Al,Mg)2(F,OH)6 · H2O
6 photos of Elpasolite associated with ThomsenoliteNaCa[AlF6] · H2O
3 photos of Elpasolite associated with Native SulphurS8
3 photos of Elpasolite associated with GypsumCaSO4 · 2H2O
2 photos of Elpasolite associated with FluoriteCaF2
2 photos of Elpasolite associated with WeberiteNa2Mg[AlF6]F
2 photos of Elpasolite associated with GearksutiteCa[Al(F,OH)5(H2O)]

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

3.CB.05CryolithioniteNa3Al2(LiF4)3Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Ia3d
3.CB.15SimmonsiteNa2LiAlF6Mon.
3.CB.15CryoliteNa2NaAlF6Mon. 2/m
3.CB.20ColquiriiteCaLi[AlF6]Trig.
3.CB.25LeonardseniteMgAlF5 · 2H2O Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Imma
3.CB.25WeberiteNa2Mg[AlF6]FOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Immm
3.CB.30KarasugiteSrCa[Al(F,OH)7]Mon. 2/m : P21/b
3.CB.35UsoviteBa2CaMgAl2F14Mon. 2/m : B2/b
3.CB.40ThomsenoliteNaCa[AlF6] · H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
3.CB.40PachnoliteNaCa[AlF6] · H2OMon. 2/m
3.CB.45CarlhintzeiteCa2[AlF6]F · H2OTric.
3.CB.50YaroslaviteCa3Al2F10(OH)2 · H2OOrth.
3.CB.55SbacchiiteCa2AlF7Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma
3.CB.60VerneiteNa2Ca3Al2F14Iso. 23 : I213

RadioactivityHide

Radioactivity:
Element % Content Activity (Bq/kg) Radiation Type
Uranium (U) 0.0000% 0 α, β, γ
Thorium (Th) 0.0000% 0 α, β, γ
Potassium (K) 32.2915% 10,010 β, γ

For comparison:

  • Banana: ~15 Bq per fruit
  • Granite: 1,000–3,000 Bq/kg
  • EU exemption limit: 10,000 Bq/kg

Note: Risk is shown relative to daily recommended maximum exposure to non-background radiation of 1000 µSv/year. Note that natural background radiation averages around 2400 µSv/year so in reality these risks are probably extremely overstated! With infrequent handling and safe storage natural radioactive minerals do not usually pose much risk.

Interactive Simulator:

Note: The mass selector refers to the mass of radioactive mineral present, not the full specimen, also be aware that the matrix may also be radioactive, possibly more radioactive than this mineral!

Activity:

DistanceDose rateRisk
1 cm
10 cm
1 m

The external dose rate (D) from a radioactive mineral is estimated by summing the gamma radiation contributions from its Uranium, Thorium, and Potassium content, disregarding daughter-product which may have a significant effect in some cases (eg 'pitchblende'). This involves multiplying the activity (A, in Bq) of each element by its specific gamma ray constant (Γ), which accounts for its unique gamma emissions. The total unshielded dose at 1 cm is then scaled by the square of the distance (r, in cm) and multiplied by a shielding factor (μshield). This calculation provides a 'worst-case' or 'maximum risk' estimate because it assumes the sample is a point source and entirely neglects any self-shielding where radiation is absorbed within the mineral itself, meaning actual doses will typically be lower. The resulting dose rate (D) is expressed in microsieverts per hour (μSv/h).

D = ((AU × ΓU) + (ATh × ΓTh) + (AK × ΓK)) / r2 × μshield

Fluorescence of ElpasoliteHide

May fluoresce in SW medium blue with a violet tinge.

Other InformationHide

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 ElpasoliteHide

References for ElpasoliteHide

Reference List:

Localities for ElpasoliteHide

Showing 21 localities.

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
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Locality ListHide

- 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). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Antarctica
 
  • East Antarctica
    • Victoria Land
      • Ross Archipelago
        • Ross Island
Kammerer (2011)
Canada
 
  • British Columbia
    • Golden Mining Division
      • Canal Flats
Peatfield (n.d.)
Czech Republic
 
  • Moravian-Silesian Region
    • Ostrava-City District
      • Ostrava
        • Heřmanice
Matýsek et al. (2022)
DR Congo
 
  • North Kivu
    • Nyiragongo Territory
Bailey (1980)
Greenland
 
  • Sermersooq
    • Arsuk Fjord
      • Ivigtut stock
Pauly (1979) +1 other reference
Italy
 
  • Campania
    • Metropolitan City of Naples
Balassone et al. (2019)
  • Tuscany
    • Siena Province
      • Chiusdino
Sabelli C. (1987) +1 other reference
Russia
 
  • Chelyabinsk Oblast
    • Ilmen Mountains
Galina Gubko (2009)
Polyakov (1985)
  • Murmansk Oblast
    • Koashva Mt
Pekov et al. (2008)
    • Lovozersky District
Pakhomovsky et al. (2014)
Pekov et al. (2008)
  • Zabaykalsky Krai
    • Kalarsky District
Victor V. Sharygin analytycal data (2013) +2 other references
Ukraine
 
  • Zhytomyr Oblast
    • Korosten Raion
Yurk Yu.Yu. et al. (1973) +1 other reference
    • Zhytomyr Raion
Kalyuzhnyi V.A. (1958) +2 other references
USA (TL)
 
  • Colorado
    • El Paso County
      • Cheyenne Mining District (St. Peters Dome Mining District)
Cross et al. (1883) +1 other reference
Gross et al. (1966)
    • Fremont County
Eckel et al. (1997)
  • Nevada
    • Mineral County
      • Fitting Mining District
        • Gillis Range
Foord et al. (1999)
  • Texas
    • Hudspeth County
      • Sierra Blanca Peaks
O'Neill (2014)
  • Virginia
    • Amelia County
      • Winterham
Kearns (1995) +1 other reference
 
and/or  
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