Khanneshite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Khanneshite
Formula:
(Na,Ca)3(Ba,Sr,Ce,Ca)3(CO3)5
Colour:
Light yellow, almost colourless
Hardness:
3 - 4
Specific Gravity:
3.8 - 3.9
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Member of:
Name:
After the type locality at Khanneshin, Afghanistan.
This page provides mineralogical data about Khanneshite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2195
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2195:7
IMA Classification of Khanneshite
Approved
IMA Formula:
(Na,Ca)3(Ba,Sr,Ce3+,Ca)3(CO3)5
Approval year:
1981
Classification of Khanneshite
5.AC.30
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
A : Carbonates without additional anions, without H2O
C : Alkali and alkali-earth carbonates
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
A : Carbonates without additional anions, without H2O
C : Alkali and alkali-earth carbonates
14.4.4.2
14 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL CARBONATES
4 : Miscellaneous
14 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL CARBONATES
4 : Miscellaneous
11.8.15
11 : Carbonates
8 : Carbonates of the rare earths
11 : Carbonates
8 : Carbonates of the rare earths
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kha | 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 Khanneshite
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Light yellow, almost colourless
Hardness:
3 - 4 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Poor/Indistinct
One, parallel elongation, indistinct.
One, parallel elongation, indistinct.
Parting:
Transverse parting.
Density:
3.8 - 3.9 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.94 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Khanneshite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.62 - 1.623 nε = 1.609 - 1.61
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.011 - 0.013
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:
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 Khanneshite
Mindat Formula:
(Na,Ca)3(Ba,Sr,Ce,Ca)3(CO3)5
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Khanneshite
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Class (H-M):
6mm - Dihexagonal Pyramidal
Space Group:
P63mc
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.5790(1) Å, c = 6.5446(1) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.619
Unit Cell V:
634.31 ų
Z:
3
Morphology:
Elongated hexagonal crystals, to 1 cm, in radially fibrous or fine-grained aggregates
Comment:
Cell parameters from Belovitskaya et al. (2002).
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0012375 | Khanneshite | Belovitskaya Y V, Pekov I V, Gobechiya E R, Kabalov Y K, Schneider J (2002) Determination of the crystal structure of khanneshite by the Rietveld method Crystallography Reports 47 39-42 | 2002 | Khibiny massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 2.66 Å | (100) |
| 3.08 Å | (62) |
| 2.19 Å | (55) |
| 3.78 Å | (50) |
| 2.09 Å | (42) |
| 1.691 Å | (40) |
| 5.34 Å | (30) |
Comments:
Khanneshin complex, Afghanistan. Data from the type description.
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 | |
| 36 : Carbonatites, kimberlites, and related igneous rocks |
Type Occurrence of Khanneshite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Elongated prismatic crystals 5-10 mm long and 2-3 mm in diameter. Commonly altered and replaced by baryte.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Mining Institute, St. Petersburg; A.E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Disseminated in fine-grained carbonatite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Khanneshite
Other Language Names for Khanneshite
Relationship of Khanneshite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Burbankite Group:
| Burbankite | (Na,Ca)3(Sr,Ba,Ce)3(CO3)5 | Hex. 6mm : P63mc |
| Calcioburbankite | Na3(Ca,REE,Sr)3(CO3)5 | Hex. 6mm : P63mc |
| Lishiite | (Ca2◻)Sr3(CO3)5 | Hex. 6mm : P63mc |
| Petersenite-(Ce) | Na4(Ce,La,Nd)2(CO3)5 | Mon. 2 : P21 |
| Rémondite-(Ce) | Na3(Ce,Ca,Na)3(CO3)5 | Mon. 2 : P21 |
| Rémondite-(La) | Na3(La,Ca,Na)3(CO3)5 | Mon. 2 : P21 |
| Sanrománite | Na2CaPb3[CO3]5 | Hex. 6mm : P63mc |
Common Associates
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.AC.05 | Eitelite | Na2Mg(CO3)2 |
| 5.AC.10 | Zemkorite | Na2Ca(CO3)2 |
| 5.AC.10 | Nyerereite | Na2Ca(CO3)2 |
| 5.AC.15 | Bütschliite | K2Ca(CO3)2 |
| 5.AC.20 | Fairchildite | K2Ca(CO3)2 |
| 5.AC.25 | Shortite | Na2Ca2(CO3)3 |
| 5.AC.30 | Burbankite | (Na,Ca)3(Sr,Ba,Ce)3(CO3)5 |
| 5.AC.30 | Calcioburbankite | Na3(Ca,REE,Sr)3(CO3)5 |
| 5.AC.30 | Sanrománite | Na2CaPb3[CO3]5 |
| 5.AC.30 | Lishiite | (Ca2◻)Sr3(CO3)5 |
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:
DTA shows endothermic peaks at 590° and 645°, and a small one at 360° associated with loss of water.
Notes:
Readily dissolved by HCl.
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 Khanneshite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2195.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Khanneshite
Localities for Khanneshite
Showing 11 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.
Afghanistan | |
| Asadzadeh et al. (2025) |
| Yeremenko et al. (1982) +2 other references | |
Russia | |
| Sharygin +11 other references |
| Belovitskaya et al. (2004) |
| Pekov et al. (1998) +1 other reference | |
| Arzamastsev et al. (2006) | |
| PEKOV et al. (2013) | |
| Belovitskaya et al. (2004) |
| maurice.strahlen.org (2003) | |
| Bea et al. (2001) |
| Sharygin et al. (2017) |
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N'orkpakhk Mt, Murmansk Oblast, Russia