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Hsianghualite

A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About HsianghualiteHide

Formula:
Ca3Li2(Be3Si3O12)F2
Colour:
White, colorless
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
Specific Gravity:
2.97 - 3.0
Crystal System:
Isometric
Member of:
Name:
Named for the type locality of Hsianghualing mine, China. The Chinese name means fragrant flower.
This page provides mineralogical data about Hsianghualite.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
1937
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1937:4

IMA Classification of HsianghualiteHide

Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Li2Ca3(BeSiO4)3F2
First published:
1958

Classification of HsianghualiteHide

9.GB.05

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
G : Tektosilicates with zeolitic H2O; zeolite family
B : Chains of single connected 4-membered rings
77.1.1.5

77 : TECTOSILICATES Zeolites
1 : Zeolite group - True zeolites
17.1.7

17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
1 : Silicates with fluoride (not containing Al)

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference for Standard
HsiIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of HsianghualiteHide

Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
White, colorless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
6½ on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN100=896 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Density:
2.97 - 3.0 g/cm3 (Measured)    2.944 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of HsianghualiteHide

Type:
Isotropic
RI values:
n = 1.613
Surface Relief:
High (positive)
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 HsianghualiteHide

Mindat Formula:
Ca3Li2(Be3Si3O12)F2
Element Weights:
Element% weight
O40.386 %
Ca25.291 %
Si17.723 %
F7.993 %
Be5.687 %
Li2.920 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
O
Ca
Si
F
Be
Li
Common Impurities:
Al,Fe,Mg,Na,K

Crystallography of HsianghualiteHide

Crystal System:
Isometric
Class (H-M):
23 - Tetartoidal
Space Group:
I213
Cell Parameters:
a = 12.897(4) Å
Unit Cell V:
2,145.19 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
8
Morphology:
Crystals modifed by the dodecahedron, to 1.5 cm; granular, massive.

Crystal StructureHide

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0015620HsianghualiteRastsvetaeva R K, Rekhlova O Y, Andrianov V I, Malinovskii Y A (1991) Crystal structure of hsianghualite Soviet Physics Doklady 36 11-131991China0293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
2.746 Å(100)
2.209 Å(100)
2.090 Å(90)
1.753 Å(70)
3.443 Å(60)
1.691 Å(52)
1.228 Å(45)
Comments:
Hunan Province, China.

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Near-surface Processes
22 : Hydration and low-? subsurface aqueous alteration (see also #23)

Type Occurrence of HsianghualiteHide

General Appearance of Type Material:
White trisoctahedral or dodecahedral crystals and granular masses.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum for Geology, Beijing, China, number B00744 (type).
Musée Géologique Cantonal, Lausanne, Switzerland, number MGL 79982 (type).
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Phlogopite veins in metamorphosed Devonian limestone that was intruded by granite.

Other Language Names for HsianghualiteHide

Norwegian:Hsianghualitt
Simplified Chinese:香花石
Traditional Chinese:香花石

Relationship of Hsianghualite to other SpeciesHide

Member of:
Other Members of Zeolite Group:
AlflarseniteNaCa2Be3Si4O13(OH) · 2H2OMon. 2 : P21
AmiciteK2Na2Al4Si4O16 · 5H2OMon. 2
Ammonioleucite(NH4)(AlSi2O6)Tet. 4/m : I41/a
AnalcimeNa(AlSi2O6) · H2OTric. 1 : P1
ArzamastseviteK6Al5Si6O20(OH)4ClTet. 42m : I42m
Bellbergite(K,Ba,Sr)2Sr2Ca2(Ca,Na)4[Al3Si3O12]6 · 30H2OHex.
BikitaiteLiAlSi2O6 · H2OTric. 1 : P1
BoggsiteCa8Na3(Si,Al)96O192 · 70H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Imma
Brewsterite SubgroupZeolite Group.
Chabazite-Levyne SubgroupM[Al2Si4O12] · 6H2O
ChiavenniteCaMnBe2Si5O13(OH)2 · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
Clinoptilolite Subgroup(Na/Ca/K)3-6[Al6-7Si29-30O72] · 20H2O
CowlesiteCaAl2Si3O10 · 6H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
Dachiardite SubgroupZeolite Group.
DirenzoiteNaK6MgCa2(Al13Si47O120) · 36H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pmmn
EdingtoniteBa[Al2Si3O10] · 4H2OOrth. 222 : P212121
EpistilbiteCaAl2Si6O16 · 5H2OMon.
Erionite SubgroupM2[Al4Si14O36] · 15H2O
FabrièsiteNa3Al3Si3O12 · 2H2OOrth. mm2 : Pmm2
Faujasite SubgroupM3.5[Al7Si17O48] · 32H2O
Ferrierite SubgroupName used for unanalysed specimens that could be either ferrierite-K, ferrierite-Mg, ...
FerrochiavenniteCa1-2Fe[(Si,Al,Be)5Be2O13(OH)2] · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
Flörkeite(K3Ca2Na)[Al8Si8O32] · 12H2OTric. 1 : P1
Garronite Subgroup
GaultiteNa4Zn2Si7O18 · 5H2OOrth. mm2 : Fdd2
Gismondine SubgroupZeolite Group.
Gmelinite SubgroupIn 1997, gmelinite was split into Gmelinite-Ca, Gmelinite-Na and Gmelinite-K.
GobbinsiteNa5(Si11Al5)O32 · 11H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma
GoosecreekiteCa[Al2Si6O16] · 5H2OMon. 2 : P21
GottardiiteNa3Mg3Ca5Al19Si117O272 · 93H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Cmca
Heulandite Subgroup(Na/Ca/K)5-6[Al8-9 Si27-28 O72] · nH2O
KalborsiteK6Al4BSi6O20(OH)4ClTet. 42m : P421c
KirchhoffiteCs(BSi2O6)Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I41/acd
LaumontiteCaAl2Si4O12 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : B2/m
LeuciteK(AlSi2O6)Tet. 4/m : I41/a
LimousiniteBaCa[Be4P4O16] · 6H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
LithositeK6Al4Si8O25 · 2H2OMon.
Loomisite Ba[Be2P2O8] · H2OMon. m
LovdariteK2Na6Be4Si14O36 · 9H2OOrth. mm2
MaricopaitePb7Ca2(Si,Al)48O100 · 32H2OOrth.
MartinandresiteBa2(Al4Si12O32) · 10H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pmmn
Mazzite SubgroupZeolite Group.
MeieriteBa44Si66Al30O192Cl25(OH)33Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Im3m
MerlinoiteK5Ca2(Si23Al9)O64 · 24H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Immm
Montesommaite(K,Na)9Al9Si23O64 · 10H2OOrth. mm2 : Fdd2
Mordenite(Na2,Ca,K2)4(Al8Si40)O96 · 28H2OOrth.
MountainiteKNa2Ca2[Si8O19(OH)] · 6H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
MutinaiteNa3Ca4Si85Al11O192 · 60H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma
NabesiteNa2BeSi4O10 · 4H2OOrth. 222 : P212121
Natrolite SubgroupA subgroup of the Zeolite Group.
OffretiteKCaMg(Si13Al5)O36 · 15H2OHex. 6m2 : P6m2
PahasapaiteLi8(Ca,Li,K)10.5Be24(PO4)24 · 38H2OIso. 23 : I23
ParthéiteCa2(Si4Al4) O15 (OH)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
Paulingite SubgroupPaulingite was originally described in 1960.
PerlialiteK9Na(Ca,Sr)[Al2Si4O12]6 · 15H2OHex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mmm
Phillipsite Subgroup(Ca0.5,K,Na,Ba0.5)4-7[Al4-7Si12-9O32] . 12H2O
Pollucite(Cs,Na)2(Al2Si4O12) · 2H2OIso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Ia3d
RoggianiteCa2Be(OH)2Al2Si4O13 · 2.5H2OTet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I4/mcm
RongibbsitePb2(Si4Al)O11(OH) Mon. 2/m : B2/m
Stilbite SubgroupM6-7[Al8-9Si27-28O72] · nH2O
Terranovaite(Na,Ca)8(Si68Al12)O160 · 29H2OOrth.
Thomsonite SubgroupThe large majority of "thomsonite" is thomsonite-Ca.
ThornasiteNa12Th4+3(Si8O19)4 · 18H2OTrig. 3m : R3m
Tschernichite(Ca,Na2)[Al2Si4O12] · 4-8H2OTet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : P4/mmm
TschörtneriteCa4(Ca,Sr,K,Ba)3Cu3[Al3Si3O12]4(OH)8 · nH2OIso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fm3m
'UM1996-38-SiO:AlCaHNa'Na-Ca-Al-Si-O-H
'UM1999-33-SiO:AlHKNa'K7Na5Al12Si20O64 · 24H2O
'UM2002-40-SiO:AlCaHKMgNa'(Mg,Ca,Na,K)7.5(Al12.8Si51.2)O128 · 65H2OTet. 422 : P4122
'Unnamed (Ca analogue of Merlinoite)'(Ca,K,Na)5(Ca,Ba)2Al9Si23O64 · 23H2O ?
WairakiteCa(Al2Si4O12) · 2H2OMon. 2/m : B2/m
WeinebeneiteCaBe3(PO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2OMon. m : Bb
Wenkite(Ba,K)4(Ca,Na)6[(Si,Al)20O39(OH)2](SO4)3 · 0.5H2OHex. 6m2 : P62m
Wilancookite(Ba5Li2◻)Ba6Be24P24O96 · 26H2OIso. 23 : I23
WillhendersoniteKCa[Al3Si3O12] · 5H2OTric. 1 : P1
YugawaraliteCaAl2Si6O16 · 4H2OMon. m : Pb

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
10 photos of Hsianghualite associated with EucryptiteLiAlSiO4
6 photos of Hsianghualite associated with CalciteCaCO3
6 photos of Hsianghualite associated with ScheeliteCa(WO4)
5 photos of Hsianghualite associated with LiberiteLi2BeSiO4
4 photos of Hsianghualite associated with BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
4 photos of Hsianghualite associated with AlbiteNa(AlSi3O8)
4 photos of Hsianghualite associated with FluoriteCaF2
2 photos of Hsianghualite associated with PhlogopiteKMg3(AlSi3O10)(OH)2

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

9.GB.05FabrièsiteNa3Al3Si3O12 · 2H2OOrth. mm2 : Pmm2
9.GB.05LithositeK6Al4Si8O25 · 2H2OMon.
9.GB.05WairakiteCa(Al2Si4O12) · 2H2OMon. 2/m : B2/m
9.GB.05KirchhoffiteCs(BSi2O6)Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I41/acd
9.GB.05LeuciteK(AlSi2O6)Tet. 4/m : I41/a
9.GB.05Pollucite(Cs,Na)2(Al2Si4O12) · 2H2OIso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Ia3d
9.GB.05Ammonioleucite(NH4)(AlSi2O6)Tet. 4/m : I41/a
9.GB.05AnalcimeNa(AlSi2O6) · H2OTric. 1 : P1
9.GB.10LaumontiteCaAl2Si4O12 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : B2/m
9.GB.15YugawaraliteCaAl2Si6O16 · 4H2OMon. m : Pb
9.GB.20RoggianiteCa2Be(OH)2Al2Si4O13 · 2.5H2OTet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I4/mcm
9.GB.25GoosecreekiteCa[Al2Si6O16] · 5H2OMon. 2 : P21
9.GB.30Montesommaite(K,Na)9Al9Si23O64 · 10H2OOrth. mm2 : Fdd2
9.GB.35ParthéiteCa2(Si4Al4) O15 (OH)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b

Other InformationHide

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 HsianghualiteHide

References for HsianghualiteHide

Reference List:

Localities for HsianghualiteHide

Showing 3 localities.

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
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Locality ListHide

- 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). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
China
 
  • Hunan
    • Chenzhou
      • Linwu Co.
Li et al. (2023)
[Ti-chih-yueh-k'an +3 other references
Yuzhou Li (1990)
 
and/or  
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