Gaspéite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Gaspéite
Gaspé Peninsula, Quebec, Canada
Formula:
NiCO3
Colour:
Light green
Lustre:
Vitreous, Dull
Hardness:
4½ - 5
Specific Gravity:
3.71 - 3.91
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Member of:
Name:
Named after the Gaspé Peninsula, Québec, Canada, that includes the type locality.
Calcite Group.
Gaspéite-Magnesite Series.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Gaspéite.
Gaspéite-Magnesite Series.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Gaspéite.Name Encoding
ASCII-7:
Gaspeite
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1657
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1657:1
IMA Classification of Gaspéite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Ni2+CO3
Approval year:
1965
First published:
1966
Classification of Gaspéite
5.AB.05
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
A : Carbonates without additional anions, without H2O
B : Alkali-earth (and other M2+) carbonates
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
A : Carbonates without additional anions, without H2O
B : Alkali-earth (and other M2+) carbonates
14.1.1.8
14 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL CARBONATES
1 : A(XO3)
14 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL CARBONATES
1 : A(XO3)
11.14.9
11 : Carbonates
14 : Carbonates of Co and Ni
11 : Carbonates
14 : Carbonates of Co and Ni
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Gpé | 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 Gaspéite
Vitreous, Dull
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Light green
Streak:
Green, yellow
Hardness:
4½ - 5 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Good {1011}
Good {1011}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
3.71 - 3.91 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.748 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Density increases with nickel content.
Optical Data of Gaspéite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.83 nε = 1.61
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.220
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 uniaxial interference figure - the conoscopic
(convergent-light, Bertrand-lens-in) view, for a grain cut with the optic axis
centred and vertical. The coloured rings are isochromatics, computed with the
same physics as the Michel-Lévy bar above; the dark cross is the isogyre.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
Chemistry of Gaspéite
Mindat Formula:
NiCO3
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Gaspéite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m(32/m) - Hexagonal Scalenohedral
Space Group:
R3c
Cell Parameters:
a = 4.621 Å, c = 14.93 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 3.231
Unit Cell V:
276.10 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
6
Comment:
Range observed: a = 4.608-4.621, c = 14.805-14.93.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Loading XRD data...
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 2.741 Å | (100) |
| 1.692 Å | (45) |
| 3.543 Å | (36) |
| 2.098 Å | (36) |
| 1.932 Å | (25) |
| 2.317 Å | (20) |
| 1.337 Å | (11) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] | |
| 47i : [Terrestrial weathering of meteorites] |
Type Occurrence of Gaspéite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Light green rhombohedral crystals.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, S-75-4222.
National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian), Washington, D.C., USA, 119544.
National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian), Washington, D.C., USA, 119544.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Dolomite vein containing nickel.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Gaspéite
Other Language Names for Gaspéite
Relationship of Gaspéite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Calcite Group:
| Calcite | CaCO3 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3c |
| Magnesite | MgCO3 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3c |
| Otavite | CdCO3 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3c |
| Rhodochrosite | MnCO3 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3c |
| Siderite | FeCO3 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3c |
| Smithsonite | ZnCO3 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3c |
| Spherocobaltite | CoCO3 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3c |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 36 photos of Gaspéite associated with Gillardite | Cu3Ni(OH)6Cl2 |
| 23 photos of Gaspéite associated with Annabergite | Ni3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 22 photos of Gaspéite associated with Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
| 15 photos of Gaspéite associated with Hydrohonessite | (Ni1-xFe3+x)(OH)2(SO4)x/2 · nH2O |
| 12 photos of Gaspéite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 11 photos of Gaspéite associated with Kambaldaite | NaNi4(CO3)3(OH)3 · 3H2O |
| 8 photos of Gaspéite associated with Millerite | NiS |
| 8 photos of Gaspéite associated with Nullaginite | Ni2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 8 photos of Gaspéite associated with Widgiemoolthalite | Ni5(CO3)4(OH)2 · 5H2O |
| 7 photos of Gaspéite associated with Siderite | FeCO3 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.AB.05 | Siderite | FeCO3 |
| 5.AB.05 | Rhodochrosite | MnCO3 |
| 5.AB.05 | Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 5.AB.05 | Smithsonite | ZnCO3 |
| 5.AB.05 | Spherocobaltite | CoCO3 |
| 5.AB.05 | Magnesite | MgCO3 |
| 5.AB.05 | Otavite | CdCO3 |
| 5.AB.05 va | 'Parakutnohorite' | |
| 5.AB.10 | Dolomite | CaMg(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.10 | Minrecordite | CaZn(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.10 | Škáchaite | CaCo(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.10 | Ankerite | Ca(Fe2+,Mg)(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.10 | Kutnohorite | CaMn2+(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.15 | Aragonite | CaCO3 |
| 5.AB.15 | Cerussite | PbCO3 |
| 5.AB.15 | Witherite | BaCO3 |
| 5.AB.15 | Strontianite | SrCO3 |
| 5.AB.20 | Vaterite | CaCO3 |
| 5.AB.25 | Huntite | CaMg3(CO3)4 |
| 5.AB.30 | Norsethite | BaMg(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.35 | Alstonite | BaCa(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.40 | Paralstonite | BaCa(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.40 | Olekminskite | Sr(Sr,Ca,Ba)(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.45 | Barytocalcite | BaCa(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.50 | Carbocernaite | (Ca,Na)(Sr,Ce,Ba)(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.55 | Benstonite | Ba6Ca6Mg(CO3)13 |
| 5.AB.60 | Juangodoyite | Na2Cu(CO3)2 |
Fluorescence of Gaspéite
White fluorescence under short- and long-wave ultraviolet light (from Dubostica).
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 Gaspéite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1657.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Gaspéite
Reference List:
Kohls, D. W., Rodda, J. L. (1966) Gaspéite, (Ni,Mg,Fe)(CO3)2, a new carbonate from the Gaspe Peninsula, Quebec. American Mineralogist, 51 (5-6) 677-684
Gaines, Alan M.; Goldsmith, Julian Κ. (1971) Crystal chemistry and stability relations in the system MgCO3—NiCO3. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, 133 (1-6). p.432-444. doi:10.1524/zkri.1971.133.16.432
Pertlik, F. (1986) Structures of hydrothermally synthesized cobalt(II) carbonate and nickel(II) carbonate. Acta Crystallographica Section C Crystal Structure Communications, 42 (1) 4-5 doi:10.1107/s0108270186097524
Tareen, Jalees A.K. (1991) Hydrothermal decomposition curves and thermodynamic data for spherocobaltite (CoCO3) and gaspeite (NiCO3). European Journal of Mineralogy, 3 (3). 501-506 doi:10.1127/ejm/3/3/0501
Bermanec, V., Sijaric, G., Kniewald, G., Mandarino, J. A. (2000) Gaspéite and associated Ni-rich minerals from veins in altered ultrabasic rocks from Dubostica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Canadian Mineralogist, 38 (6) 1371-1376 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.38.6.1371
Localities for Gaspéite
Showing 30 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.
Australia | |
| Witzke et al. (2022) +1 other reference |
| Bottrill et al. (2008) |
| Canadian Mineralogist (1973) |
| Mineralogical Magazine 1981 44 : ... +2 other references |
| Am.Min.: 78: 819-821. +2 other references |
| Jim Daly collection. +1 other reference | |
| Nickel +2 other references |
| Nickel et al. (1977) |
| Bridge et al. (1979) +1 other reference |
| boyuan zhang Collection |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | |
| Bermanec et al. (2000) |
Canada (TL) | |
| Kohls et al. (1966) |
China | |
| Li et al. (2022) |
DR Congo | |
| Aganze (2018) |
Germany | |
| Weiß (1990) |
| www.meteorite-lab.org (n.d.) | |
Greece | |
| Heymann (1981) |
Italy | |
| - (n.d.) |
| Cadorni et al. (1986) | |
Japan | |
| Matsubara et al. (1993) |
Kazakhstan | |
| Pavel M. Kartashov (n.d.) |
South Africa | |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) | |
| De Waal et al. (1974) +1 other reference |
Spain | |
| Joan Abella i Creus (2008) |
Tanzania | |
| Graetsch (2011) |
USA | |
| Garcia-Guinea et al. (2014) |
| Garcia-Guinea et al. (2014) |
Zimbabwe | |
| Williams (1979) |
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132 North Ni Mine, Widgiemooltha, Coolgardie Shire, Western Australia, Australia