Fichtelite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Fichtelite
Formula:
C19H34
structural formula: (CH2)3CH(CH3)C(H)C(H)(CH2)2C(H)C(H)(CH2)3C(C3H7)
Colour:
Colorless, white, pale yellow
Lustre:
Greasy
Specific Gravity:
0.631 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named by C. Bromeis in 1841 for the original locality in the Fichtelgebirge, Germany.
Chemically identical to Dimethyl-isopropyl-perhydrophenanthrene (also known as norabietane, or more specifically 18-norabietane).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1545
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1545:1
Similar Names
| Fitchtelit | A synonym of 'Fitchtelite' |
IMA Classification of Fichtelite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1841
Type description reference:
Classification of Fichtelite
10.BA.05
10 : ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
B : Hydrocarbons
A : Hydrocarbons
10 : ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
B : Hydrocarbons
A : Hydrocarbons
50.3.4.1
50 : ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
3 : Hydrocarbons
50 : ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
3 : Hydrocarbons
32.2
32 : Hydrocarbons, Resins and other Organic Compounds
32 : Hydrocarbons, Resins and other Organic Compounds
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Fic | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Fichtelite
Greasy
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colorless, white, pale yellow
Comment:
"Soft"
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
{001} and {100}
{001} and {100}
Density:
0.631 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Fichtelite
Type:
Biaxial
Chemistry of Fichtelite
Mindat Formula:
C19H34
structural formula: (CH2)3CH(CH3)C(H)C(H)(CH2)2C(H)C(H)(CH2)3C(C3H7)
structural formula: (CH2)3CH(CH3)C(H)C(H)(CH2)2C(H)C(H)(CH2)3C(C3H7)
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Fichtelite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2 - Sphenoidal
Space Group:
P21
Setting:
P21
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.7 Å, b = 7.45 Å, c = 10.82 Å
β = 105.85°
β = 105.85°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.436 : 1 : 1.452
Unit Cell V:
829.72 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Elongated along [010], and tabular on {001}.
Crystal Structure
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0005418 | Fichtelite | Mace H A, Peterson R C (1995) The crystal structure of fichtelite, a naturally occuring hydrocarbon The Canadian Mineralogist 33 7-11 |  | 1995 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 5.206 Å | (100) |
| 6.100 Å | (90) |
| 4.292 Å | (90) |
| 5.644 Å | (20) |
| 10.533 Å | (10) |
| 3.029 Å | (10) |
| 3.710 Å | (5) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 3b: Earth’s earliest hydrosphere | >4.45 |
| 17 : Marine authigenic Hadean minerals (see also #24) | |
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 53 : Other minerals with taphonomic origins | <0.4 |
Type Occurrence of Fichtelite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
No designated type material.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
In fossilized pine wood from a peat bog.
Synonyms of Fichtelite
Other Language Names for Fichtelite
Varieties of Fichtelite
| Tecoretin | A resin from pine trees |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 10.BA. | Freitalite | C14H10 |
| 10.BA.10 | Branchite | C20H34 |
| 10.BA.15 | Dinite | C20H36 |
| 10.BA.20 | Idrialite | C22H14 |
| 10.BA.25 | Kratochvílite | C13H10 |
| 10.BA.30 | Carpathite | C24H12 |
| 10.BA.35 | Phylloretine | C18H18 |
| 10.BA.40 | Ravatite | C14H10 |
| 10.BA.45 | Simonellite | C19H24 |
| 10.BA.50 | Evenkite | C21H44 |
| 10.BA.55 | Wampenite | C18H16 |
| 10.BA.60 | 'Scharizerite' |
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:
Melting point 44.2–45.0 C
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 Fichtelite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1545.html
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References for Fichtelite
Reference List:
Localities for Fichtelite
Showing 7 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.
Czech Republic | |
| J. Kratochvil (1961) |
Denmark | |
| [var: Tecoretin] Dana et al. (1892) |
Germany (TL) | |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Handbook of Mineralogy. +1 other reference |
Slovakia | |
| Koděra et al. (1986) |
| Koděra et al. (1986) |
Quick NavTopAbout FichteliteUnique IdentifiersSimilar NamesIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesVarietiesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Wampen, Thiersheim, Wunsiedel im Fichtelgebirge, Upper Franconia, Bavaria, Germany