Named in honor of Evgeny Leonidovich Krinov (Евгений Леонидович Кринов) (3 March 1906, Tambov, Russian Empire - 2 January 1984), Russian expert on meteorites. It is pronounced kreen'-off-ite.

Type Locality:

ⓘ Canyon Diablo meteorite, Meteor Crater area, Coconino County, Arizona, USA

This page provides mineralogical data about Krinovite.

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Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:

2276

Long-form identifier:

mindat:1:1:2276:3

Similar NamesHide

Greenovite	A variety of Titanite	(Ca,Mn)Ti(SiO₄)O
Khrenovite	A valid IMA mineral species	Na₃Fe₂³⁺(AsO₄)₃

IMA Classification of KrinoviteHide

IMA status:

Approved

IMA Formula:

Na₄(Mg₈Cr³⁺₄)O₄[Si₁₂O₃₆]

Approval year:

1967

First published:

1968

Type description reference:

Olsen, E., Fuchs, L. (1968) Krinovite, NaMg2CrSi3O10: A New Meteorite Mineral. Science, 161 (3843). 786-787 doi:10.1126/science.161.3843.786

Classification of KrinoviteHide

Strunz-mindat (2026):

9.DH.40

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
D : Inosilicates
H : Inosilicates with 4-periodic single chains, Si₄O₁₂

Dana 8th ed.:

69.2.1a.4

69 : INOSILICATES Chains with Side Branches or Loops
2 : Chains with Side Branches or Loops with P>2

Hey's CIM Ref.:

14.15.4

14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
15 : Silicates of Cr

Mineral SymbolsHide

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
Kvi	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 KrinoviteHide

Lustre:

Sub-Adamantine

Transparency:

Translucent

Colour:

Emerald green

Streak:

Greenish white

Hardness:

5½ - 7 on Mohs scale

Cleavage:

None Observed

Density:

3.38 g/cm³ (Measured) 3.44 g/cm³ (Calculated)

Optical Data of KrinoviteHide

Type:

Biaxial (+)

RI values:

n_α = 1.712 n_β = 1.725 n_γ = 1.76

2V:

Measured: 61° , Calculated: 64°

Max. Birefringence:

δ = 0.048
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.

Thickness: 30 µm Order divisions

Rotation:

Surface Relief:

Very 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.

Focus:

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.

Thickness: 30 µm

Stage rotation: 0°

Dispersion:

relatively strong

Pleochroism:

Strong

Comments:

X = yellow-green; Y = blue-green; Z = greenish black, may be an anomalous dark reddish brown

Chemistry of KrinoviteHide

Mindat Formula:

Na₂Mg₄Cr³⁺₂(Si₆O₁₈)O₂

Element Weights:

Element	% weight
O	43.495 %
Si	22.905 %
Cr	14.135 %
Mg	13.215 %
Na	6.250 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.

Elements listed:

Cr, Mg, Na, O, Si - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Common Impurities:

Ti,Al,Fe,Mn,Ca,K

Crystallography of KrinoviteHide

Crystal System:

Triclinic

Class (H-M):

1 - Pinacoidal

Space Group:

Cell Parameters:

a = 10.23 Å, b = 10.64 Å, c = 8.78 Å
α = 105.15°, β = 96.5°, γ = 125.15°

Ratio:

a:b:c = 0.961 : 1 : 0.825

Unit Cell V:

710.91 Å³ (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Twinning:

Multiple twinning common.

Crystal StructureHide

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Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4

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CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c

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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)
0010992	Krinovite	Bonaccorsi E, Merlino S, Pasero M (1989) The crystal structure of the meteoritic mineral krinovite, NaNaMg2CrSi3O10 Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 187 133-138		1989	Wichita County, USA	0	293

CIF Raw Data - click here to close

data_global
_chemical_name_mineral 'Krinovite'
loop_
_publ_author_name
'Bonaccorsi E'
'Merlino S'
'Pasero M'
_journal_name_full 'Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie'
_journal_volume 187 
_journal_year 1989
_journal_page_first 133
_journal_page_last 138
_publ_section_title
;
 The crystal structure of the meteoritic mineral krinovite, NaNaMg2CrSi3O10
;
_database_code_amcsd 0010992
_chemical_compound_source 'Wichita County, USA'
_chemical_formula_sum 'Na (Mg1.9 Fe.1) Cr Si3 O10'
_cell_length_a 10.238
_cell_length_b 10.642
_cell_length_c 8.770
_cell_angle_alpha 105.15
_cell_angle_beta 96.50
_cell_angle_gamma 125.15
_cell_volume 710.794
_exptl_crystal_density_diffrn      3.467
_symmetry_space_group_name_H-M 'P -1'
loop_
_space_group_symop_operation_xyz
  'x,y,z'
  '-x,-y,-z'
loop_
_atom_site_label
_atom_site_fract_x
_atom_site_fract_y
_atom_site_fract_z
_atom_site_occupancy
_atom_site_U_iso_or_equiv
NaM8   0.20930   0.63000   0.39010   1.00000   0.01260
NaM9   0.66050   0.61160   0.37370   1.00000   0.01180
MgM3   0.31320   0.85080   0.17870   0.92000   0.00490
FeM3   0.31320   0.85080   0.17870   0.08000   0.00490
MgM4   0.77160   0.82010   0.15000   0.94000   0.00670
FeM4   0.77160   0.82010   0.15000   0.06000   0.00670
MgM5   0.09330   0.93810   0.06000   0.96000   0.00490
FeM5   0.09330   0.93810   0.06000   0.04000   0.00490
MgM6   0.59570   0.94100   0.06150   0.98000   0.00390
FeM6   0.59570   0.94100   0.06150   0.02000   0.00390
CrM1   0.00000   0.00000   0.50000   1.00000   0.00630
CrM2   0.00000   0.50000   0.00000   1.00000   0.00710
CrM7   0.99430   0.73800   0.26290   1.00000   0.00520
SiT1   0.47590   0.23390   0.33340   1.00000   0.00300
SiT2   0.98200   0.22970   0.33990   1.00000   0.00210
SiT3   0.78770   0.33700   0.23690   1.00000   0.00280
SiT4   0.27700   0.33930   0.22360   1.00000   0.00470
SiT5   0.64750   0.94790   0.44080   1.00000   0.00400
SiT6   0.35550   0.56090   0.04530   1.00000   0.00380
O1   0.35420   0.06610   0.16650   1.00000   0.00620
O2   0.85410   0.06330   0.16930   1.00000   0.00230
O3   0.55550   0.95700   0.28920   1.00000   0.00400
O4   0.01800   0.93310   0.27510   1.00000   0.00420
O5   0.24110   0.87520   0.39420   1.00000   0.00510
O6   0.75760   0.88680   0.38750   1.00000   0.00320
O7   0.49570   0.19830   0.49970   1.00000   0.00540
O8   0.95820   0.78550   0.49170   1.00000   0.00360
O9   0.89280   0.31790   0.37290   1.00000   0.00550
O10   0.40420   0.33850   0.35530   1.00000   0.00800
O11   0.65720   0.16910   0.06650   1.00000   0.00590
O12   0.15440   0.16640   0.06140   1.00000   0.00440
O13   0.52970   0.71320   0.03380   1.00000   0.00360
O14   0.05900   0.72380   0.06710   1.00000   0.00310
O15   0.24360   0.61220   0.11030   1.00000   0.00400
O16   0.75010   0.60580   0.13190   1.00000   0.00400
O17   0.40120   0.50350   0.18990   1.00000   0.00540
O18   0.93640   0.50620   0.21470   1.00000   0.00560
O19   0.16230   0.36630   0.31800   1.00000   0.00590
O20   0.67080   0.36400   0.33390   1.00000   0.00600

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:

d-spacing	Intensity
2.501 Å	(100)
2.655 Å	(90)
2.893 Å	(80)
2.080 Å	(70)
7.92 Å	(60)
3.639 Å	(60)
3.104 Å	(60)

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):

Paragenetic Mode	Earliest Age (Ga)
Stage 2: Planetesimal differentiation and alteration	4.566-4.550
5 : Primary asteroid phases	4.566–4.560

Type Occurrence of KrinoviteHide

Type Locality:

ⓘ Canyon Diablo meteorite, Meteor Crater area, Coconino County, Arizona, USA

Geological Setting of Type Material:

octahedrite iron meteorites

Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Graphite	Roedderite	'High Albite'	Richterite	Forsterite
Kosmochlor	Chromite

Reference:

Olsen, E., Fuchs, L. (1968) Krinovite, NaMg2CrSi3O10: A New Meteorite Mineral. Science, 161 (3843). 786-787 doi:10.1126/science.161.3843.786

Synonyms of KrinoviteHide

IMA1967-016

Other Language Names for KrinoviteHide

Dutch:Krinoviet

German:Krinovit

Russian:Криновит

Simplified Chinese:硅铬镁石
铬镁硅石

Spanish:Krinovita

Relationship of Krinovite to other SpeciesHide

Member of:

Aenigmatite Group > Sapphirine Supergroup

Other Members of Aenigmatite Group:

Aenigmatite	Na₄[Fe²⁺₁₀Ti₂]O₄[Si₁₂O₃₆]	Tric. 1 : P1
'UM1991-29-SiO:FeMgNa'	Na₄(Mg₅Fe³⁺₇)O₄[Si₉Fe³⁺₃O₃₆]
Wilkinsonite	Na₂Fe²⁺₄Fe³⁺₂(Si₆O₁₈)O₂	Tric. 1 : P1

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping Hide

9.DH.	Devilliersite	Ca₄Ca₂Fe³⁺₁₀O₄[(Fe³⁺₁₀Si₂)O₃₆]	Tric. 1 : P1
9.DH.	'Gageite-2M'	(Mn,Mg,Zn)₄₂Si₁₆O₅₄(OH)₄₀	Mon. 2/m
9.DH.	Bavsiite	Ba₂V₂O₂[Si₄O₁₂]	Tet. 4/m : I4/m
9.DH.	Yuzuxiangite	Sr₃Fe³⁺(Si₂O₆)₂(OH) · 3H₂O	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/m
9.DH.	Louisfuchsite	Ca₂(Mg₄Ti₂)(Al₄Si₂)O₂₀	Tric. 1 : P1
9.DH.05	Leucophanite	NaCaBeSi₂O₆F	Orth. 222 : P2₁2₁2₁
9.DH.10	Ohmilite	Sr₃(Ti,Fe³⁺)(Si₄O₁₂)(O,OH) · 2-3H₂O	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/m
9.DH.15	Haradaite	SrVSi₂O₇	Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
9.DH.15	Suzukiite	BaVSi₂O₇	Orth.
9.DH.20	Shcherbakovite	(K,Ba)KNa(Ti,Nb)₂(Si₄O₁₂)O₂	Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Imma
9.DH.20	Batisite	BaNaNaTi₂(Si₄O₁₂)O₂	Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Imma
9.DH.20	Noonkanbahite	BaKNaTi₂(Si₄O₁₂)O₂	Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Imma
9.DH.25	Taikanite	Sr₃BaMn²⁺₂(Si₄O₁₂)O₂	Mon. 2 : B2
9.DH.30	Krauskopfite	BaSi₂O₅ · 3H₂O	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b
9.DH.35	Gageite	Mn₂₁(Si₄O₁₂)₂O₃(OH)₂₀	Mon. 2/m
9.DH.35	Balangeroite	(Mg,Fe²⁺,Fe³⁺,Mn²⁺)₄₂Si₁₆O₅₄(OH)₄₀	Mon. 2/m
9.DH.40	Kuratite	Ca₂(Fe²⁺₅Ti)O₂[Si₄Al₂O₁₈]	Tric. 1 : P1
9.DH.40	Aenigmatite	Na₄[Fe²⁺₁₀Ti₂]O₄[Si₁₂O₃₆]	Tric. 1 : P1
9.DH.40	Dorrite	Ca₄(Mg₃Fe³⁺₉)O₄(Si₃Al₈Fe³⁺O₃₆)	Tric.
9.DH.40	Serendibite	Ca₄[Mg₆Al₆]O₄[Si₆B₃Al₃O₃₆]	Tric. 1 : P1
9.DH.40	Rhönite	Ca₄[Mg₈Fe³⁺₂Ti₂]O₄[Si₆Al₆O₃₆]	Tric. 1 : P1
9.DH.40	Khesinite	Ca₄(Mg₃Fe³⁺₉)O₄(Fe³⁺₉Si₃)O₃₆	Tric. 1 : P1
9.DH.40	'UM1991-29-SiO:FeMgNa'	Na₄(Mg₅Fe³⁺₇)O₄[Si₉Fe³⁺₃O₃₆]
9.DH.40	Høgtuvaite	Ca₄[Fe²⁺₆Fe³⁺₆]O₄[Si₈Be₂Al₂O₃₆]	Tric. 1 : P1
9.DH.40	'Leucorhönite'	Ca₂(Mg,Fe³⁺,Al)₆(Si,Al)₆O₂₀	Tric.
9.DH.40	Welshite	Ca₄Mg₉Sb₃O₄[Si₆Be₃AlFe₂O₃₆]	Tric. 1 : P1
9.DH.40	Wilkinsonite	Na₂Fe²⁺₄Fe³⁺₂(Si₆O₁₈)O₂	Tric. 1 : P1
9.DH.40	Makarochkinite	(Ca,Na)₄[Fe²⁺₈Fe³⁺₂Ti₂]O₄[Si₈Be₂Al₂O₃₆]	Tric. 1 : P1
9.DH.45	Sapphirine	Mg₄(Mg₃Al₉)O₄[Si₃Al₉O₃₆]	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b
9.DH.50	Khmaralite	(Mg,Al,Fe)₁₆[(Al,Si,Be)₁₂O₃₆]O₄	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b
9.DH.55	'UM1988-26-SiO:AlMg'	Mg₄Al₂O[Si₃Al₂O₁₅]
9.DH.55	Surinamite	(Mg,Fe)₃Al₄BeSi₃O₁₆	Mon. 2/m
9.DH.60	Deerite	Fe²⁺₆Fe³⁺₃(Si₆O₁₇)O₃(OH)₅	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b
9.DH.65	Taneyamalite	(Na,Ca)Mn²⁺₁₂(Si,Al)₁₂(O,OH)₄₄	Tric.
9.DH.65	Howieite	Na(Fe²⁺,Fe³⁺,Al,Mg)₁₂(Si₆O₁₇)₂(O,OH)₁₀	Tric. 1 : P1
9.DH.70	Johninnesite	Na₂Mn²⁺₉Mg₇(OH)₈[AsO₄]₂[Si₆O₁₇]₂	Tric.
9.DH.75	Agrellite	NaCa₂Si₄O₁₀F	Tric. 1 : P1

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 KrinoviteHide

mindat.org URL:

https://www.mindat.org/min-2276.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

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External Links:

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Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project

References and PDF downloads at RRUFF project

American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database

Handbook of Mineralogy page PDF

Mineral Dealers:

Buy from D. Joyce minerals

References for KrinoviteHide

Reference List:

Olsen, E., Fuchs, L. (1968) Krinovite, NaMg2CrSi3O10: A New Meteorite Mineral. Science, 161 (3843). 786-787 doi:10.1126/science.161.3843.786

Fleischer, Michael (1969) New Mineral Names. American Mineralogist, 54 (3-4) 573-580

Merlino, S. (1972) X-ray crystallography of krinovite. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie: 136: 81-88.

Bonaccorsi, Elena, Merlino, Stefano, Pasero, Marco (1989) The crystal structure of the meteoritic mineral krinovite, NaMg2CrSi3O10. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie - Crystalline Materials, 187 (1) 133-138 doi:10.1524/zkri.1989.187.1-2.133

Burt, D.M. (1994) Vector representation of some mineral compositions in the aenigmatite group, with special reference to hogtuvaite. The Canadian Mineralogist: 32: 449-457.

Jensen, B. B. (1996) Solid solution among members of the aenigmatite group. Mineralogical Magazine, 60 (403) 982-986 doi:10.1180/minmag.1996.060.403.14

Kunzmann, Thomas (1999) The aenigmatite-rhönite mineral group. European Journal of Mineralogy, 11 (4) 743-756 doi:10.1127/ejm/11/4/0743

(2001) Krinovite. Handbook of Mineralogy. Mineralogical Society of America

Grew, E. S.; Hålenius, U.; Pasero, M.; Barbier, J. (2008) Recommended nomenclature for the sapphirine and surinamite groups (sapphirine supergroup). Mineralogical Magazine, 72 (4). p.839-876. doi:10.1180/minmag.2008.072.4.839

Localities for KrinoviteHide

Showing 5 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.

Hide all sections | Show all sections

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.


Australia
Western Australia Bruce Rock Shire ⓘ Youndegin meteorite	Merlino (1972)

Mexico
Zacatecas Vetagrande Municipality ⓘ Sauceda de la Borda meteorite ?	Meteoritical Bulletin: MB 107 (2018)

Poland
Greater Poland Voivodeship Poznań ⓘ Morasko meteorite	Galuskin et al. (2026)

USA (TL)
Arizona Coconino County Meteor Crater area ⓘ Canyon Diablo meteorite (TL)	Olsen et al. (1968) +3 other references
Texas Wichita County Electra ⓘ Wichita County meteorite	rruff.geo.arizona.edu (n.d.)

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Krinovite

Unique IdentifiersHide

Similar NamesHide

IMA Classification of KrinoviteHide

Classification of KrinoviteHide

Mineral SymbolsHide

Physical Properties of KrinoviteHide

Optical Data of KrinoviteHide

Chemistry of KrinoviteHide

Crystallography of KrinoviteHide

Crystal StructureHide

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Geological EnvironmentHide

Type Occurrence of KrinoviteHide

Synonyms of KrinoviteHide

Other Language Names for KrinoviteHide

Relationship of Krinovite to other SpeciesHide

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

Other InformationHide

Internet Links for KrinoviteHide

References for KrinoviteHide

Localities for KrinoviteHide

Locality ListHide

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping Hide