Esseneite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Esseneite
Eric J. Essene
Formula:
CaFe3+[AlSiO6]
Colour:
Red-brown
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
6
Specific Gravity:
3.54 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named in honor of Eric J. Essene (26 April 1939, Berkeley, California – 20 May 2010, Ann Arbor, Michigan), Professor at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, and discoverer of the first specimens. He was a leader in the development of geothermobarometry and was awarded the 2010 Penrose Medal by the Geological Society of America.
Pyroxene Group - Clinopyroxene Subgroup. The Fe3+ analogue of burnettite (V), davisite (Sc), grossmanite (Ti3+), and kushiroite (Al).
A high-temperature, low-pressure, oxidised and quenched clinopyroxene species.
Chemically similar to 'ferri-gehlenite'.
Compare UM2004-50-SiO:AlFeGd.
A high-temperature, low-pressure, oxidised and quenched clinopyroxene species.
Chemically similar to 'ferri-gehlenite'.
Compare UM2004-50-SiO:AlFeGd.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1413
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1413:3
Similar Names
| Essonite | A synonym of 'Hessonite' |
IMA Classification of Esseneite
Approved
IMA Formula:
CaFe3+AlSiO6
First published:
1987
Classification of Esseneite
9.DA.15
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
D : Inosilicates
A : Inosilicates with 2-periodic single chains, Si2O6; pyroxene family
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
D : Inosilicates
A : Inosilicates with 2-periodic single chains, Si2O6; pyroxene family
65.1.3a.6
65 : INOSILICATES Single-Width,Unbranched Chains,(W=1)
1 : Single-Width Unbranched Chains, W=1 with chains P=2
65 : INOSILICATES Single-Width,Unbranched Chains,(W=1)
1 : Single-Width Unbranched Chains, W=1 with chains P=2
16.21.1
16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
21 : Aluminosilicates of Fe and Ca
16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
21 : Aluminosilicates of Fe and Ca
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ess | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Ess | 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 |
| Ess | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Physical Properties of Esseneite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Red-brown
Streak:
White
Hardness:
6 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
Density:
3.54 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Esseneite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.795(5) nβ = 1.815(5) nγ = 1.825(5)
2V:
Measured: 77° , Calculated: 68°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.030
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:
Very High (positive)
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
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure
- the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using
this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points
where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the
field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are
isogyres.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Dispersion:
r << v
Optical Extinction:
Y = b; Z ∧ c = 9°+/-3° in the acute angle β.
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X = lemon yellow; Y = greenish yellow; and Z = apple-green.
Chemistry of Esseneite
Mindat Formula:
CaFe3+[AlSiO6]
Element Weights:
Common Impurities:
Ti,Mn,Mg,Na
Crystallography of Esseneite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/b
Setting:
C2/c
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.79(1) Å, b = 8.822(9) Å, c = 5.37(1) Å
β = 105.81(9)°
β = 105.81(9)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.11 : 1 : 0.609
Unit Cell V:
446.25 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Prismatic crystals.
Crystal Structure
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Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
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CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0001063 | Esseneite | Cosca M A, Peacor D R (1987) Chemistry and structure of esseneite (CaFeAlSiO6), a new pyroxene produced by pyrometamorphism American Mineralogist 72 148-156 |  | 1987 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.000 Å | (100) |
| 2.526 Å | (70) |
| 2.960 Å | (60) |
| 2.554 Å | (40) |
| 2.576 Å | (30) |
| 1.545 Å | (30) |
| 1.430 Å | (25) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45b : [Other oxidized fumarolic minerals] | |
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 50 : Coal and/or oil shale minerals | <0.36 |
| 51 : Pyrometamorphic minerals (see also #54 and #56) | <0.36 |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 54 : Coal and other mine fire minerals (see also #51 and #56) |
Type Occurrence of Esseneite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Prismatic crystals 2-8 mm in length.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian Institution), Washington, D.C., USA, number 163357.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
A fusion product of sediments overlying and associated with naturally combusted coal seam.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Esseneite
Relationship of Esseneite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Clinopyroxene Subgroup:
| Aegirine | NaFe3+Si2O6 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Aegirine-augite | (NaaCabFe2+cMgd)(Fe3+eAlfFe2+gMgh)Si2O6 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Augite | (CaxMgyFez)(Mgy1Fez1)Si2O6 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Burnettite | CaVAlSiO6 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Clinoenstatite | MgSiO3 | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Clinoferrosilite | Fe2+2Si2O6 | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Colomeraite | NaTi3+Si2O6 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Davisite | CaScAlSiO6 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Diopside | CaMgSi2O6 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Grossmanite | CaTi3+ AlSiO6 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Hedenbergite | CaFe2+Si2O6 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Jadeite | Na(Al,Fe3+)Si2O6 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Jervisite | NaSc3+Si2O6 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Johannsenite | CaMn2+Si2O6 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Kanoite | Mn2+MgSi2O6 | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Kosmochlor | NaCrSi2O6 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Kushiroite | CaAlAlSiO6 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Namansilite | NaMn3+Si2O6 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Natalyite | NaV3+Si2O6 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Omphacite | (NaaCabFe2+cMgd)(AleFe3+fFe2+gMgh)Si2O6 | Mon. 2/m |
| Petedunnite | CaZnSi2O6 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Pigeonite | (CaxMgyFez)(Mgy1Fez1)Si2O6 | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Ryabchikovite | CuMgSi2O6 | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Spodumene | LiAlSi2O6 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Tissintite | (Ca,◻)AlSi2O6 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| 'UM2003-36-SiO:CaNa' | NaCrSi2O6 - CaMgSi2O6 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 10 photos of Esseneite associated with Melilite Group | Ca2M(XSiO7) |
| 9 photos of Esseneite associated with Wollastonite | Ca3(Si3O9) |
| 3 photos of Esseneite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 2 photos of Esseneite associated with Gehlenite | Ca2Al[AlSiO7] |
| 2 photos of Esseneite associated with Dorrite | Ca4(Mg3Fe3+9)O4(Si3Al8Fe3+O36) |
| 2 photos of Esseneite associated with Leucite | K(AlSi2O6) |
| 2 photos of Esseneite associated with Portlandite | Ca(OH)2 |
| 1 photo of Esseneite associated with Anorthite | Ca(Al2Si2O8) |
| 1 photo of Esseneite associated with Andradite | Ca3Fe3+2(SiO4)3 |
| 1 photo of Esseneite associated with 'K-petalite' | KAlSi4O10 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.DA. | Colomeraite | NaTi3+Si2O6 |
| 9.DA. | Protoenstatite | Mg2Si2O6 |
| 9.DA. | Ryabchikovite | CuMgSi2O6 |
| 9.DA.05 | Donpeacorite | Mn2+MgSi2O6 |
| 9.DA.05 | Enstatite | Mg2Si2O6 |
| 9.DA.05 | Ferrosilite | Fe2+2Si2O6 |
| 9.DA.10 | Clinoenstatite | MgSiO3 |
| 9.DA.10 | Clinoferrosilite | Fe2+2Si2O6 |
| 9.DA.10 | Kanoite | Mn2+MgSi2O6 |
| 9.DA.10 | Pigeonite | (CaxMgyFez)(Mgy1Fez1)Si2O6 |
| 9.DA.15 | Grossmanite | CaTi3+ AlSiO6 |
| 9.DA.15 | Diopside | CaMgSi2O6 |
| 9.DA.15 va | 'Jeffersonite' | Ca(Mn,Zn,Fe)Si2O6 |
| 9.DA.15 | Hedenbergite | CaFe2+Si2O6 |
| 9.DA.15 | Johannsenite | CaMn2+Si2O6 |
| 9.DA.15 | Petedunnite | CaZnSi2O6 |
| 9.DA.15 | Kushiroite | CaAlAlSiO6 |
| 9.DA.15 | Augite | (CaxMgyFez)(Mgy1Fez1)Si2O6 |
| 9.DA.15 | Davisite | CaScAlSiO6 |
| 9.DA.20 | Aegirine-augite | (NaaCabFe2+cMgd)(Fe3+eAlfFe2+gMgh)Si2O6 |
| 9.DA.20 | Omphacite | (NaaCabFe2+cMgd)(AleFe3+fFe2+gMgh)Si2O6 |
| 9.DA.25 | Jadeite | Na(Al,Fe3+)Si2O6 |
| 9.DA.25 | Namansilite | NaMn3+Si2O6 |
| 9.DA.25 | Natalyite | NaV3+Si2O6 |
| 9.DA.25 | Aegirine | NaFe3+Si2O6 |
| 9.DA.25 | Jervisite | NaSc3+Si2O6 |
| 9.DA.25 | Tissintite | (Ca,◻)AlSi2O6 |
| 9.DA.25 | Kosmochlor | NaCrSi2O6 |
| 9.DA.30 | Spodumene | LiAlSi2O6 |
| 9.DA.35 | Hiroseite | FeSiO3 |
Fluorescence of Esseneite
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 Esseneite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1413.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Esseneite
Reference List:
Cosca, Michael A., Peacor, Donald R. (1987) Chemistry and structure of esseneite (CaFe2+AlSiO6), a new pyroxene produced by pyrometamorphism. American Mineralogist, 72 (1-2) 148-156
Morimoto, N., Fabries, J., Ferguson, A. K., Ginzburg, I. V., Ross, M., Seifert, F. A., Zussman, J., Aoki, K., Gottardi, G. (1988) Nomenclature of Pyroxenes. Mineralogical Magazine, 52 (367) 535-550 doi:10.1180/minmag.1988.052.367.15
Localities for Esseneite
Showing 26 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.
Antarctica | |
| Ciesielczuk et al. (2015) |
Argentina | |
| Ciesielczuk et al. (2015) |
Bulgaria | |
| Yana Tzvetanova et al. (2018) |
Canada | |
| Klein (1966) |
| Klein (1966) |
Czech Republic | |
| Žáček et al. (2005) |
France | |
| publication date: November 2018 +2 other references |
| Favreau G. et al. (2004) |
Israel | |
| Krüger et al. (2021) |
| Kruszewski et al. (2021) | |
| Galuskina et al. (2026) | |
Italy | |
| Ciesielczuk et al. (2015) |
| SCXRD analysis by F.Scordari +1 other reference |
Japan | |
| Ciesielczuk et al. (2015) |
Middle East | |
| Vapnik et al. (2006) | |
Poland | |
| Kruszewski et al. (Lower Silesian Coal Basin) |
Romania | |
| Marincea et al. (2023) |
Russia | |
| Cesnokov et al. (1998) |
| |
| Shchipalkina et al. (2020) |
| Sharygin et al. (2018) |
| Zhitova et al. (2025) |
Slovakia | |
| Reato et al. (2022) |
Turkey | |
| Lefevre et al. (1983) +4 other references |
USA (TL) | |
| Am.Min. 72 (1987) +1 other reference |
Outer Space | |
| Ciesielczuk et al. (2015) |
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Želénky, Zabrušany, Teplice District, Ústí nad Labem Region, Czech Republic