Helvine
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Helvine
Formula:
Be3Mn2+4(SiO4)3S
Colour:
Golden yellow, brown, red, gray-yellow, yellow-green
Lustre:
Vitreous, Resinous
Hardness:
6 - 6½
Specific Gravity:
3.2 - 3.44
Crystal System:
Isometric
Member of:
Name:
from Latin 'helvus' = 'yellow', for the colour
Helvine Group. Danalite-Helvine Series, and the Genthelvite-Helvine Series.
The IMA officially recognized name (2012 IMA list) is helvine, not helvite, although the synonym "helvite" may be more common in the literature.
The largest crystals known are the 15 cm-long edge helvine crystals found at the Chingolo skarn mine in the Córdoba province, Argentina
(Lira et al., 2023).
The IMA officially recognized name (2012 IMA list) is helvine, not helvite, although the synonym "helvite" may be more common in the literature.
The largest crystals known are the 15 cm-long edge helvine crystals found at the Chingolo skarn mine in the Córdoba province, Argentina
(Lira et al., 2023).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1855
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1855:1
IMA Classification of Helvine
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Mn2+4(BeSiO4)3S2-
Classification of Helvine
9.FB.10
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
F : Tektosilicates without zeolitic H2O
B : Tektosilicates with additional anions
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
F : Tektosilicates without zeolitic H2O
B : Tektosilicates with additional anions
Dana 7th ed.:
76.2.4.1
76.2.4.1
76 : TECTOSILICATES Al-Si Framework
2 : Al-Si Framework Feldspathoids and related species
76 : TECTOSILICATES Al-Si Framework
2 : Al-Si Framework Feldspathoids and related species
17.9.4
17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
9 : Silicates with sulphide or sulphite
17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
9 : Silicates with sulphide or sulphite
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Hlv | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Hlv | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Pronunciation of Helvine
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Helvine
Vitreous, Resinous
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Golden yellow, brown, red, gray-yellow, yellow-green
Streak:
White
Hardness:
6 - 6½ on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN100=741 - 873 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Distinct on {111} {111}
Distinct on {111} {111}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Conchoidal
Density:
3.2 - 3.44 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.23 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Helvine
Type:
Isotropic
RI values:
n = 1.728 - 1.749
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
Chemistry of Helvine
Mindat Formula:
Be3Mn2+4(SiO4)3S
Element Weights:
Common Impurities:
Al,Fe,Zn,Ca
Chemical Analysis
Oxide wt%:
| 1 | |
|---|---|
| SiO2 | 32.08 % |
| Al2O3 | 0.23 % |
| MnO | 27.02 % |
| FeO | 16.14 % |
| ZnO | 7.40 % |
| CaO | 0.15 % |
| MgO | 0.26 % |
| BeO | 13.26 % |
| S | 5.86 % |
| O=S | -2.92 % |
| Total: | 99.48 % |
Sample references:
| ID | Locality | Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hørtekollen, Sylling, Lier, Buskerud, Norway | A single, brown transparent crystal 20 mm across |
Crystallography of Helvine
Crystal System:
Isometric
Class (H-M):
43m - Hextetrahedral
Space Group:
P43n
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.29 Å
Unit Cell V:
569.72 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Tetrahedra, dodecahedra, octahedra
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0010952 | Helvine | Kudoh Y, Takeuchi Y (1985) The effect of pressure on helvite Mn8S2[Be6Si6O24] Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 173 305-312 |  | 1985 | Schwarzenberg, Saxony | 1.4 | 293 |
| 0010953 | Helvine | Kudoh Y, Takeuchi Y (1985) The effect of pressure on helvite Mn8S2[Be6Si6O24] Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 173 305-312 | | 1985 | Schwarzenberg, Saxony | 2.7 | 293 |
| 0010954 | Helvine | Kudoh Y, Takeuchi Y (1985) The effect of pressure on helvite Mn8S2[Be6Si6O24] Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 173 305-312 | | 1985 | Schwarzenberg, Saxony | 3.6 | 293 |
| 0010955 | Helvine | Kudoh Y, Takeuchi Y (1985) The effect of pressure on helvite Mn8S2[Be6Si6O24] Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 173 305-312 | | 1985 | Schwarzenberg, Saxony | 4 | 293 |
| 0010956 | Helvine | Kudoh Y, Takeuchi Y (1985) The effect of pressure on helvite Mn8S2[Be6Si6O24] Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 173 305-312 | | 1985 | Schwarzenberg, Saxony | 4.5 | 293 |
| 0000974 | Helvine | Hassan I, Grundy H D (1985) The crystal structures of helvite group minerals, (MnFeZn)8(Be6Si6O24)S2 American Mineralogist 70 186-192 | | 1985 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0000973 | Helvine | Hassan I, Grundy H D (1985) The crystal structures of helvite group minerals, (MnFeZn)8(Be6Si6O24)S2 American Mineralogist 70 186-192 | | 1985 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
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 |
|---|---|
| 3.382 Å | (100) |
| 1.955 Å | (80) |
| 2.215 Å | (70) |
| 2.618 Å | (65) |
| 1.692 Å | (65) |
| 1.510 Å | (50) |
| 1.466 Å | (50) |
Comments:
Butte, Montana, USA.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 23 : Subaerial aqueous alteration by non-redox-sensitive fluids (see also #47) | |
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 34 : Complex granite pegmatites | |
| 35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks | |
| Stage 5: Initiation of plate tectonics | <3.5-2.5 |
| 40 : Regional metamorphism (greenschist, amphibolite, granulite facies) |
Geological Setting:
Granites, pegmatites, gneisses, contact zones, skarns.
Type Occurrence of Helvine
Co-Type Localities:
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Mining Academy, Freiberg, 22941.
Synonyms of Helvine
Other Language Names for Helvine
Relationship of Helvine to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Helvine Group:
| Danalite | Be3Fe2+4(SiO4)3S | Iso. 43m : P43n |
| Genthelvite | Be3Zn4(SiO4)3S | Iso. 43m : P43n |
| Tugtupite | (BeAlSi)Na4(SiO4)3Cl | Tet. 4 : I4 |
Structurally related to group(s):
| Sodalite Group | The Sodalite Group is characterised by sodalite-type stacking of alumosilicate building units that produces Cubo ... |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 235 photos of Helvine associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 80 photos of Helvine associated with Spessartine | Mn2+3Al2(SiO4)3 |
| 55 photos of Helvine associated with 'Smoky Quartz' | SiO2 |
| 54 photos of Helvine associated with Muscovite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| 50 photos of Helvine associated with Microcline | K(AlSi3O8) |
| 40 photos of Helvine associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 40 photos of Helvine associated with Genthelvite | Be3Zn4(SiO4)3S |
| 35 photos of Helvine associated with Albite | Na(AlSi3O8) |
| 35 photos of Helvine associated with Fluorite | CaF2 |
| 30 photos of Helvine associated with Chlorite Group |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.FB. | Perchukite-(Y) | PbYAsSi2O8 |
| 9.FB. | Åsgruvanite-(Ce) | Ce16Ca5Al(SiO4)6(AsO3)8(CO3)2Cl4F3(OH)2 |
| 9.FB. | Steudelite | Na3(K17Ca7)Ca4(Al24Si24O96)(SO3)6F6 · 4H2O |
| 9.FB. | Wenlanzhangite-(Y) | Y2V3+2V4+2(SiO4)2O4(OH)4 |
| 9.FB. | Slyudyankaite | Na28Ca4(Si24Al24O96)(SO4)6(S6)1/3(CO2) · 2H2O |
| 9.FB. | Bolotinaite | (Na7◻)(Al6Si6O24)F · 4H2O |
| 9.FB. | Sapozhnikovite | Na8(Al6Si6O24)(HS)2 |
| 9.FB. | Betzite | Na6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)Cl4 |
| 9.FB.05 | Quadridavyne | (Na,K)6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)Cl4 |
| 9.FB.05 | Sulfhydrylbystrite | Na5K2Ca[Al6Si6O24](S5)2(SH) |
| 9.FB.05 | Marinellite | (Na,K)42Ca6(Al6Si6O24)6(SO4)8Cl2 · 3H2O |
| 9.FB.05 | Afghanite | (Na,K)22Ca10(Si24Al24O96)(SO4)6Cl6 |
| 9.FB.05 | Bystrite | (Na,K)7Ca(Al6Si6O24)(S5)Cl |
| 9.FB.05 | Franzinite | (Na,K)6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)(SO4)2 · 0.5H2O |
| 9.FB.05 | Kyanoxalite | Na7(Al6-xSi6+xO24)(C2O4)0.5+x · 5H2O (0 < x < 0.5) |
| 9.FB.05 | Vishnevite | (Na,K)8(Al6Si6O24)(SO4,CO3) · 2H2O |
| 9.FB.05 | Farneseite | (Na,Ca,K)56(Al6Si6O24)7(SO4)12 · 6H2O |
| 9.FB.05 | Alloriite | (Na,Ca,K)26Ca4(Al6Si6O24)4(SO4)6Cl6 |
| 9.FB.05 | Liottite | (Na,K)16Ca8(Al6Si6O24)3(SO4)5Cl4 |
| 9.FB.05 | Depmeierite | Na8(Al6Si6O24)(PO4,CO3)1-x · 3H2O (x<0.5) |
| 9.FB.05 | Biachellaite | (Na,Ca,K)8(Al6Si6O24)(SO4)2(OH)0.5 · H2O |
| 9.FB.05 | Cancrinite | (Na,Ca,◻)8(Al6Si6O24)(CO3,SO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 9.FB.05 | Cancrisilite | Na7(Al5Si7O24)(CO3) · 3H2O |
| 9.FB.05 | Fantappièite | [Na82.5Ca33K16.5](Si99Al99O396)(SO4)33 · 4H2O |
| 9.FB.05 | Carbobystrite | Na8(Al6Si6O24)(CO3) · 3.5H2O |
| 9.FB.05 | Microsommite | Na4K2Ca2(Al6Si6O24)(SO4)Cl2 |
| 9.FB.05 | Pitiglianoite | Na6K2(Al6Si6O24)(SO4) · 2H2O |
| 9.FB.05 | Tounkite | (Na,Ca,K)8(Si6Al6)O24(SO4)2Cl · 0.5H2O |
| 9.FB.05 | Balliranoite | (Na,K)6Ca2(Si6Al6O24)Cl2(CO3) |
| 9.FB.05 | Giuseppettite | (Na,K,Ca)7-8(Al6Si6O24)(SO4,Cl)1-2 |
| 9.FB.05 | Sacrofanite | (Na61K19Ca32)(Si84Al84O336)(SO4)26Cl2F6 · 2H2O |
| 9.FB.05 | Kircherite | Na5Ca2K(Al6Si6O24)(SO4)2 · 0.33H2O |
| 9.FB.05 | Hydroxycancrinite | Na8(Al6Si6O24)(OH)2 · 2H2O |
| 9.FB.05 | Davyne | (Na,K)6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)(Cl2,SO4)2 |
| 9.FB.10 | Haüyne | Na3Ca(Si3Al3)O12(SO4) |
| 9.FB.10 | Lazurite | Na7Ca(Al6Si6O24)(SO4)(S3) · H2O |
| 9.FB.10 | Danalite | Be3Fe2+4(SiO4)3S |
| 9.FB.10 | Kamaishilite | Ca2(Al2SiO6)(OH)2 |
| 9.FB.10 | Sodalite | Na4(Si3Al3)O12Cl |
| 9.FB.10 | Nosean | Na8(Al6Si6O24)(SO4) · H2O |
| 9.FB.10 | Genthelvite | Be3Zn4(SiO4)3S |
| 9.FB.10 | Bicchulite | Ca2(Al2SiO6)(OH)2 |
| 9.FB.10 | Tsaregorodtsevite | (N(CH3)4)(AlSi5O12) |
| 9.FB.10 | Vladimirivanovite | Na6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)(SO4,S3,S2,Cl)2 · H2O |
| 9.FB.10 | Tugtupite | (BeAlSi)Na4(SiO4)3Cl |
| 9.FB.15 | Marialite | Na4Al3Si9O24Cl |
| 9.FB.15 | Meionite | Ca4Al6Si6O24CO3 |
| 9.FB.15 | Silvialite | (Ca,Na)4(Al6Si6O24)(SO4,CO3) |
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 Helvine
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1855.html
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References for Helvine
Reference List:
Pauling, Linus (1930) The Structure of Sodalite and Helvite. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, 74 (1-6). p.213-225. doi:10.1524/zkri.1930.74.1.213
Glass, Jewell J., Jahns, Richard H., Stevens, and Rollin E (1944) Helvite and danalite from New Mexico and the helvite group. American Mineralogist, 29 (5-6) 163-191
Kingsbury, Arthur W. G. (1961) Beryllium minerals in Cornwall and Devon: helvine, genthelvite, and danalite. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 32 (255) 921-940 doi:10.1180/minmag.1961.032.255.01
Sainsbury, C. L. (1962) Mineralogical Notes: Helvite near Beaver, Utah. American Mineralogist, 47 (3-4) 395-398
Lahiri, Dipankar (1972) Helvine in the gondite of Kajlidongri,
Madhya Pradesh, India. Mineralogical Magazine, 38 (300) 974-975 doi:10.1180/minmag.1972.038.300.11
Dunn, Pete J. (1976) Genthelvite and the helvine group. Mineralogical Magazine, 40 (314) 627-636 doi:10.1180/minmag.1976.040.314.10
Hassan, I., Grundy, H. D. (1984) The crystal structures of sodalite-group minerals. Acta Crystallographica Section B Structural Science, 40 (1) 6-13 doi:10.1107/s0108768184001683
ISHIDA, Kiyotaka, MAEDA, Yonezo, AOKI, Yohikazu (1984) Mössbauer Spectra of Helvine Group. Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Japan, 16 (4) 317-325 doi:10.2465/gkk1952.16.317
Hassan, Ishmael, Grundy, H. Douglas (1985) The crystal structures of helvite group minerals, (Mn,Fe,Zn)8(Be6Si6O24)S2. American Mineralogist, 70 (1-2) 186-192
Kudoh, Yasuhiro; Takéuchi, Yoshio (1985) The effect of pressure on helvite Mn8S2[Be6Si6O24]. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, 173 (3-4). 305-312 doi:10.1524/zkri.1985.173.3-4.305
Antao, S. M., Hassan, I. (2002) Thermal Analyses of Sodalite, Tugtupite, Danalite and Helvite. The Canadian Mineralogist, 40 (1) 163-172 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.40.1.163
Antao, Sytle (2021) Linear Structural Trends and Multi-Phase Intergrowths in Helvine-Group Minerals, (Zn,Fe,Mn)8[Be6Si6O24]S2. Minerals, 11 (3) 325 doi:10.3390/min11030325
Zhu, Yiting, Li, Xiaofeng, Wei, Xinglin (2023) The Chemical Composition of Helvine-Group Minerals and Implications for Ore Genesis: Case Studies from the Dawan, Qidushan, and Taoxikeng Deposits. The Canadian Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology, 61 (3). 569-592 doi:10.3749/2200067
Lira, Raúl, Espeche, María J., Bonadeo, Natalia A., Dorais, Michael J. (2023) Helvine Mineralization in Devonian-Carboniferous Skarns of the Oriental Pampean Ranges, Córdoba, Argentina: Mineralogy and Nature of Ore-Forming Fluids. The Canadian Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology, 61 (2). 313-350 doi:10.3749/2200047
Localities for Helvine
Showing 306 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.
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Navegadora claim, Penha do Norte, Conselheiro Pena, Minas Gerais, Brazil