Gittinsite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Gittinsite
John Gittins
Formula:
CaZrSi2O7
Colour:
Chalky-white
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
3½ - 4
Specific Gravity:
3.624 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named by H.G. Ansell, A.C. Roberts, A.G. Plant, and B.D. Sturman in 1980 in honor of John Gittins, Canadian petrologist and professor at the University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, who first noted its occurrence and reported it as an unidentified mineral.
Type Locality:
Isostructural with:
This page provides mineralogical data about Gittinsite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1702
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1702:8
IMA Classification of Gittinsite
Approved
IMA Formula:
CaZr4+Si2O7
First published:
1980
Classification of Gittinsite
9.BC.05
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
B : Sorosilicates
C : Si2O7 groups, without non-tetrahedral anions; cations in octahedral [6] and greater coordination
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
B : Sorosilicates
C : Si2O7 groups, without non-tetrahedral anions; cations in octahedral [6] and greater coordination
55.2.1a.1
55 : SOROSILICATES Si2O7 Groups,Generally with no Additional Anions
2 : Si2O7 Groups, Generally with no Additional Anions with cations in [6] coordination
55 : SOROSILICATES Si2O7 Groups,Generally with no Additional Anions
2 : Si2O7 Groups, Generally with no Additional Anions with cations in [6] coordination
14.10.19
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
10 : Silicates of Zr or Hf
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
10 : Silicates of Zr or Hf
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Git | 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 Gittinsite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Chalky-white
Comment:
Colorless in thin section
Hardness:
3½ - 4 on Mohs scale
Density:
3.624 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Gittinsite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.720(2) nβ = 1.736(2) nγ = 1.738(2)
2V:
Measured: 30° , Calculated: 20° to 40°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.018
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:
relatively strong
Optical Extinction:
X ∧ c = 5°-10°; Y and Z ≈ ⊥ to elongation.
Chemistry of Gittinsite
Mindat Formula:
CaZrSi2O7
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Gittinsite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2 - Sphenoidal
Space Group:
B2
Setting:
C2
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.87 Å, b = 8.76 Å, c = 4.69 Å
β = 101.74°
β = 101.74°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.784 : 1 : 0.535
Unit Cell V:
276.35 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
As radiating sheaves of crystals and fibrous masses
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
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Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
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2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0005233 | Gittinsite | Roelofsen-Ahl J N, Peterson R C (1989) Gittinsite: A modification of the thortveitite structure The Canadian Mineralogist 27 703-708 |  | 1989 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.155 Å | (100) |
| 3.232 Å | (80) |
| 3.026 Å | (80) |
| 2.660 Å | (80) |
| 1.677 Å | (70) |
| 5.32 Å | (60) |
| 2.226 Å | (50) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks |
Type Occurrence of Gittinsite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Fibrous to radiating masses intimately associated with apophyllite.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Canadian Geological Survey, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, 19558.
University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Canada, M37321.
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, 117030, 117031.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 147002.
University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Canada, M37321.
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, 117030, 117031.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 147002.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Pegmatitic lenses in a regionally metamomhosed agpaitic syenite complex.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Gittinsite
Other Language Names for Gittinsite
Relationship of Gittinsite to other Species
Structurally related to group(s):
| Thortveitite Group | REE2Si2O7 |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 70 photos of Gittinsite associated with Eudialyte | Na15Ca6Fe3Zr3Si(Si25O73)(O,OH,H2O)3(Cl,OH)2 |
| 67 photos of Gittinsite associated with Vlasovite | Na2ZrSi4O11 |
| 18 photos of Gittinsite associated with Albite | Na(AlSi3O8) |
| 12 photos of Gittinsite associated with Agrellite | NaCa2Si4O10F |
| 9 photos of Gittinsite associated with Katophorite | Na(CaNa){Mg4Al)(AlSi7O22)(OH)2 |
| 4 photos of Gittinsite associated with Zircon | Zr(SiO4) |
| 4 photos of Gittinsite associated with Nepheline | Na3K(Al4Si4O16) |
| 3 photos of Gittinsite associated with Mosandrite-(Ce) | (Ca3REE)[(H2O)2Ca0.5◻0.5]Ti(Si2O7)2(OH)2(H2O)2 |
| 3 photos of Gittinsite associated with Richterite | Na(CaNa)Mg5(Si8O22)(OH)2 |
| 3 photos of Gittinsite associated with Rinkite-(Ce) | (Ca3Ce)Na(NaCa)Ti(Si2O7)2(OF)F2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.BC. | Anorthoyttrialite-(Y) | Y4(SiO4)(Si3O10) |
| 9.BC. | Kozłowskiite | Ca4(Fe2+Sn3)[Si2O7]2[Si2O6OH]2 |
| 9.BC.05 | Yttrialite-(Y) | (Y,Th)2Si2O7 |
| 9.BC.05 | Thortveitite | Sc2Si2O7 |
| 9.BC.05 | Keiviite-(Y) | Y2Si2O7 |
| 9.BC.05 | Keiviite-(Yb) | Yb2Si2O7 |
| 9.BC.10 | Parakeldyshite | Na2ZrSi2O7 |
| 9.BC.10 | Keldyshite | (Na,H)2ZrSi2O7 |
| 9.BC.10 | Khibinskite | K2ZrSi2O7 |
| 9.BC.10 | Brunovskyite | NaZrSi2O6(OH) |
| 9.BC.15 | Rankinite | Ca3Si2O7 |
| 9.BC.20 | Barysilite | Pb8Mn2+[Si2O7]3 |
| 9.BC.25 | Edgarbaileyite | [Hg2]2+3[Si2O7] |
| 9.BC.30 | Kristiansenite | Ca4(Sc2Sn2)[Si2O7]2[Si2O6OH]2 |
| 9.BC.30 | Nybergite | Ca4Sc3Sn(Si2O7)(Si2O6OH)3 |
| 9.BC.30 | Silesiaite | Ca4(Fe3+2Sn2)[Si2O7]2[Si2O6OH]2 |
| 9.BC.35 | Percleveite-(Ce) | Ce2Si2O7 |
| 9.BC.35 | Percleveite-(La) | La2Si2O7 |
| 9.BC.40 | Scottyite | BaCu2Si2O7 |
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 Gittinsite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1702.html
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References for Gittinsite
Reference List:
Ansell, H. G., Roberts, A. C., Plant, A. G., Sturman, B. D. (1980) Gittinsite, a new calcium zirconium silicate from the Kipawa agpaitic syenite complex, Quebec. The Canadian Mineralogist, 18 (2) 201-203
Localities for Gittinsite
Showing 33 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.
Argentina | |
| Bardelli et al. (2018) |
Canada | |
| Vale SA |
| Pohlner et al. (2020) |
| Sheard (2010) +1 other reference |
| Ansell et al. (1980) +1 other reference |
| Birkett et al. (1992) +4 other references | |
China | |
| Wang et al. (2021) |
Czech Republic | |
| Novak et al. (2010) +2 other references |
Egypt | |
| Abdalla (2006) |
| Mahmoud et al. (2018) | |
Greenland | |
| Borst et al. (2016) |
India | |
| Shaikh et al. (2017) |
| Kaur et al. (2016) |
| Shaikh et al. (2018) | |
| Bhushan et al. (2019) |
| Bhushan et al. (2019) | |
| Bhushan et al. (2019) | |
| Bhushan et al. (2019) | |
Japan | |
| Imaoka et al. (2024) |
Kyrgyzstan | |
| Pautov et al. (2013) |
Madagascar | |
| presentation given at the University of ... +1 other reference |
Mongolia | |
| Tsareva G.M. et al. (1993) +2 other references |
| Kovalenko et al. (1995) +4 other references | |
| Kynicky et al. (2011) +2 other references |
Norway | |
| Larsen (2021) |
Russia | |
| Chakhmouradian et al. (2002) +1 other reference |
| Macdonald et al. (2022) |
Spain | |
| Dill et al. (2023) |
| Casillas et al. (2011) | |
USA | |
| Chakhmouradian et al. (2002) |
| Philpotts et al. (1998) |
| Chakhmouradian et al. (2002) |
Quick NavTopAbout GittinsiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Kipawa alkaline complex, Les Lacs-du-Témiscamingue, Témiscamingue RCM, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Québec, Canada