Howieite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Howieite
Formula:
Na(Fe2+,Fe3+,Al,Mg)12(Si6O17)2(O,OH)10
Colour:
Dark green to black.
Lustre:
Greasy
Specific Gravity:
3.378
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named by Stewart Olof Agrell, Michael G. Bown, and Duncan McKie in 1964 in honour of Prof. Robert Andrew Howie (4 June 1923, Olney, Buckinghamshire, England, UK - 10 March 2012, Derby, England, UK), British petrologist and mineralogist of King's College, London University, United Kingdom. Prof. Howie was one of the authors of the Rock-Forming Minerals book series (Deer, Howie and Zussman).
This page provides mineralogical data about Howieite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1935
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1935:0
Similar Names
IMA Classification of Howieite
Approved
Approval year:
1964
Classification of Howieite
9.DH.65
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
D : Inosilicates
H : Inosilicates with 4-periodic single chains, Si4O12
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
D : Inosilicates
H : Inosilicates with 4-periodic single chains, Si4O12
69.2.3.1
69 : INOSILICATES Chains with Side Branches or Loops
2 : Chains with Side Branches or Loops with P>2
69 : INOSILICATES Chains with Side Branches or Loops
2 : Chains with Side Branches or Loops with P>2
16.16.13
16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
16 : Aluminosilicates of Mn
16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
16 : Aluminosilicates of Mn
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Hw | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Hw | 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 |
Physical Properties of Howieite
Greasy
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Dark green to black.
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Good on {010}, fair on {100}, poor on {210}.
Good on {010}, fair on {100}, poor on {210}.
Density:
3.378 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.34 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Howieite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.701 nβ = 1.720 nγ = 1.734
2V:
Measured: 65° , Calculated: 80°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.033
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:
Moderate
Dispersion:
weak
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X = golden; Y = dark lilac gray; Z = green.
Chemistry of Howieite
Mindat Formula:
Na(Fe2+,Fe3+,Al,Mg)12(Si6O17)2(O,OH)10
Element Weights:
Common Impurities:
Ca,Mg,Ti
Crystallography of Howieite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.170(4) Å, b = 9.774(4) Å, c = 9.589(4) Å
α = 91.225°, β = 70.765°, γ = 108.09(5)°
α = 91.225°, β = 70.765°, γ = 108.09(5)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.041 : 1 : 0.981
Unit Cell V:
851.98 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1
Morphology:
bladed crystals, to 1 cm; in plumose aggregates and rosettes
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0000396 | Howieite | Wenk H R (1974) Howieite, a new type of chain silicate American Mineralogist 59 86-97 |  | 1974 | 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 |
|---|---|
| 9.18 Å | (100) |
| 7.91 Å | (80) |
| 3.25 Å | (65) |
| 2.62 Å | (60) |
| 2.68 Å | (45) |
| 2.78 Å | (40) |
| 3.06 Å | (35) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 26 : Hadean detrital minerals | |
| High-? alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 32 : Ba/Mn/Pb/Zn deposits, including metamorphic deposits | |
| Stage 5: Initiation of plate tectonics | <3.5-2.5 |
| 39 : High-? metamorphism (blueschist, eclogite, ultrahigh ? facies) | |
| 40 : Regional metamorphism (greenschist, amphibolite, granulite facies) |
Geological Setting:
Iron-rich metasediments from the blueschist facies of metamorphism.
Type Occurrence of Howieite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 109453, 144184; The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1964,544.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Howieite
Other Language Names for Howieite
Relationship of Howieite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Deerite-Howieite Group:
| Deerite | Fe2+6Fe3+3(Si6O17)O3(OH)5 | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Johninnesite | Na2Mn2+9Mg7(OH)8[AsO4]2[Si6O17]2 | Tric. |
| Taneyamalite | (Na,Ca)Mn2+12(Si,Al)12(O,OH)44 | Tric. |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 2 photos of Howieite associated with Zussmanite | K(Fe,Mg,Mn)13(Si,Al)18O42(OH)14 |
| 1 photo of Howieite associated with Riebeckite | ◻Na2(Fe2+3Fe3+2)Si8O22(OH)2 |
| 1 photo of Howieite associated with Stilpnomelane | K4Fe2+48[Si64Al8]O164(OH)52 · nH2O |
| 1 photo of Howieite associated with Spessartine | Mn2+3Al2(SiO4)3 |
| 1 photo of Howieite associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
| 1 photo of Howieite associated with Pumpellyite-(Mg) | Ca2MgAl2[Si2O6OH][SiO4](OH)2(OH) |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.DH. | Devilliersite | Ca4Ca2Fe3+10O4[(Fe3+10Si2)O36] |
| 9.DH. | 'Gageite-2M' | (Mn,Mg,Zn)42Si16O54(OH)40 |
| 9.DH. | Bavsiite | Ba2V2O2[Si4O12] |
| 9.DH. | Yuzuxiangite | Sr3Fe3+(Si2O6)2(OH) · 3H2O |
| 9.DH. | Louisfuchsite | Ca2(Mg4Ti2)(Al4Si2)O20 |
| 9.DH.05 | Leucophanite | NaCaBeSi2O6F |
| 9.DH.10 | Ohmilite | Sr3(Ti,Fe3+)(Si4O12)(O,OH) · 2-3H2O |
| 9.DH.15 | Haradaite | SrVSi2O7 |
| 9.DH.15 | Suzukiite | BaVSi2O7 |
| 9.DH.20 | Shcherbakovite | (K,Ba)KNa(Ti,Nb)2(Si4O12)O2 |
| 9.DH.20 | Batisite | BaNaNaTi2(Si4O12)O2 |
| 9.DH.20 | Noonkanbahite | BaKNaTi2(Si4O12)O2 |
| 9.DH.25 | Taikanite | Sr3BaMn2+2(Si4O12)O2 |
| 9.DH.30 | Krauskopfite | BaSi2O5 · 3H2O |
| 9.DH.35 | Gageite | Mn21(Si4O12)2O3(OH)20 |
| 9.DH.35 | Balangeroite | (Mg,Fe2+,Fe3+,Mn2+)42Si16O54(OH)40 |
| 9.DH.40 | Kuratite | Ca2(Fe2+5Ti)O2[Si4Al2O18] |
| 9.DH.40 | Aenigmatite | Na4[Fe2+10Ti2]O4[Si12O36] |
| 9.DH.40 | Dorrite | Ca4(Mg3Fe3+9)O4(Si3Al8Fe3+O36) |
| 9.DH.40 | Serendibite | Ca4[Mg6Al6]O4[Si6B3Al3O36] |
| 9.DH.40 | Rhönite | Ca4[Mg8Fe3+2Ti2]O4[Si6Al6O36] |
| 9.DH.40 | Khesinite | Ca4(Mg3Fe3+9)O4(Fe3+9Si3)O36 |
| 9.DH.40 | 'UM1991-29-SiO:FeMgNa' | Na4(Mg5Fe3+7)O4[Si9Fe3+3O36] |
| 9.DH.40 | Høgtuvaite | Ca4[Fe2+6Fe3+6]O4[Si8Be2Al2O36] |
| 9.DH.40 | 'Leucorhönite' | Ca2(Mg,Fe3+,Al)6(Si,Al)6O20 |
| 9.DH.40 | Welshite | Ca4Mg9Sb3O4[Si6Be3AlFe2O36] |
| 9.DH.40 | Wilkinsonite | Na2Fe2+4Fe3+2(Si6O18)O2 |
| 9.DH.40 | Krinovite | Na2Mg4Cr3+2(Si6O18)O2 |
| 9.DH.40 | Makarochkinite | (Ca,Na)4[Fe2+8Fe3+2Ti2]O4[Si8Be2Al2O36] |
| 9.DH.45 | Sapphirine | Mg4(Mg3Al9)O4[Si3Al9O36] |
| 9.DH.50 | Khmaralite | (Mg,Al,Fe)16[(Al,Si,Be)12O36]O4 |
| 9.DH.55 | 'UM1988-26-SiO:AlMg' | Mg4Al2O[Si3Al2O15] |
| 9.DH.55 | Surinamite | (Mg,Fe)3Al4BeSi3O16 |
| 9.DH.60 | Deerite | Fe2+6Fe3+3(Si6O17)O3(OH)5 |
| 9.DH.65 | Taneyamalite | (Na,Ca)Mn2+12(Si,Al)12(O,OH)44 |
| 9.DH.70 | Johninnesite | Na2Mn2+9Mg7(OH)8[AsO4]2[Si6O17]2 |
| 9.DH.75 | Agrellite | NaCa2Si4O10F |
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 Howieite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1935.html
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References for Howieite
Localities for Howieite
Showing 16 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.
Canada | |
| Ghent et al. (1990) |
Japan | |
| Royal Ontario Museum specimen +1 other reference |
| Matsubara et al. (1989) |
| Aoki et al. (1968) +1 other reference |
Kosovo | |
| Muir Wood (1979) |
USA (TL) | |
| Agrell (1964) +6 other references |
| RRUFF specimen |
| Muir Wood (1979) |
| Muir Wood (1979) |
| Muir Wood (1979) |
| Pemberton (1983) +2 other references |
| Muir Wood (1979) | |
| Pemberton (1983) +1 other reference |
| Muir Wood (1979) | |
| Muir Wood (1979) |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... +2 other references |
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Laytonville Quarry, Laytonville, Coastal Range, California, USA