Larnite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Larnite
Aerial View of Larne
Formula:
Ca2SiO4
Colour:
White, gray, colorless in thin section
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
6
Specific Gravity:
3.28 - 3.33
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
The material was first identified from Portland cement and named belite by Törneborn in 1897. The natural substance, a mineral, was named by Tilley in 1929 after the town of Larne, North Ireland, UK. The town is near the type locality of Scawt Hill.
Type Locality:
Dimorph of:
The high-temperature, monoclinic polymorph of Calcio-Olivine.
Larnite crystallizes at high temperatures. It occurs in limestones or chalk zones in contact with molten basaltic rocks. Larnite is stable in the range of 520° to 670° C; otherwise, it is only metastable at lower temperatures and inverts to its low-temperature polymorph, Calcio-Olivine, when shocked.
An important phase (Belite, β-C2S) in cement clinker.
Five polymorphs of Ca2SiO4 are known; some are stabilised by impurities.
Larnite is NOT a member of the olivine group.
Larnite crystallizes at high temperatures. It occurs in limestones or chalk zones in contact with molten basaltic rocks. Larnite is stable in the range of 520° to 670° C; otherwise, it is only metastable at lower temperatures and inverts to its low-temperature polymorph, Calcio-Olivine, when shocked.
An important phase (Belite, β-C2S) in cement clinker.
Five polymorphs of Ca2SiO4 are known; some are stabilised by impurities.
Larnite is NOT a member of the olivine group.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2333
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2333:3
Similar Names
| Lardite (of Wallerius) | A synonym of Talc | |
| Lauraniite | A valid IMA mineral species | Cu6Cd2(SO4)2(OH)12 · 5H2O |
| Laurionite | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | PbCl(OH) |
IMA Classification of Larnite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1929
Classification of Larnite
9.AD.05
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
D : Nesosilicates without additional anions; cations in [6] and/or greater coordination
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
D : Nesosilicates without additional anions; cations in [6] and/or greater coordination
51.5.1.1
51 : NESOSILICATES Insular SiO4 Groups Only
5 : Insular SiO4 Groups Only with cations in >[6] coordination
51 : NESOSILICATES Insular SiO4 Groups Only
5 : Insular SiO4 Groups Only with cations in >[6] coordination
14.5.6
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
5 : Silicates of Ca
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
5 : Silicates of Ca
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lrn | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Lrn | 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 |
| Lar | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Physical Properties of Larnite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
White, gray, colorless in thin section
Hardness:
6 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
{100} good;
{010} imperfect
{100} good;
{010} imperfect
Density:
3.28 - 3.33 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.326 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Larnite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.700 - 1.715 nβ = 1.715 - 1.723 nγ = 1.725 - 1.740
2V:
Measured: 60° to 63°, Calculated: 74°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.025
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:
r > v
Chemistry of Larnite
Mindat Formula:
Ca2SiO4
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Al,Fe,Mg,Na,H2O,C,P
Crystallography of Larnite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.502(1) Å, b = 6.745(1) Å, c = 9.297(1) Å
β = 94.59(2)°
β = 94.59(2)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.816 : 1 : 1.378
Unit Cell V:
343.91 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Twinning:
Common. Polysynthetic parallel to {100}.
Comment:
Space Group: P21/n:
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0020214 | Larnite | Yamnova N A, Zubkova N V, Eremin N N, Zadov A E, Gazeev V M (2011) Crystal structure of larnite beta-Ca2SiO4 and specific features of polymorphic transitions in dicalcium orthosilicate Crystallography Reports 56 210-220 | 2011 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0012184 | Larnite | Tsurumi T, Hirano Y, Kato H, Kamiya T, Daimon M (1994) Crystal structure and hydration of belite Ceramic Transactions 40 19-25 | 1994 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0012183 | Larnite | Tsurumi T, Hirano Y, Kato H, Kamiya T, Daimon M (1994) Crystal structure and hydration of belite Ceramic Transactions 40 19-25 | 1994 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0012182 | Larnite | Tsurumi T, Hirano Y, Kato H, Kamiya T, Daimon M (1994) Crystal structure and hydration of belite Ceramic Transactions 40 19-25 | 1994 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0012181 | Larnite | Tsurumi T, Hirano Y, Kato H, Kamiya T, Daimon M (1994) Crystal structure and hydration of belite Ceramic Transactions 40 19-25 | 1994 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0012180 | Larnite | Tsurumi T, Hirano Y, Kato H, Kamiya T, Daimon M (1994) Crystal structure and hydration of belite Ceramic Transactions 40 19-25 | 1994 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0012179 | Larnite | Tsurumi T, Hirano Y, Kato H, Kamiya T, Daimon M (1994) Crystal structure and hydration of belite Ceramic Transactions 40 19-25 | 1994 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 2.795 Å | (100) |
| 2.744 Å | (95) |
| 2.780 Å | (90) |
| 2.608 Å | (65) |
| 2.188 Å | (65) |
| 2.731 Å | (40) |
| 2.716 Å | (40) |
Comments:
Synthetic. (ICDD 9-351).
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| High-? alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 31 : Thermally altered carbonate, phosphate, and iron formations | |
| Stage 5: Initiation of plate tectonics | <3.5-2.5 |
| 40 : Regional metamorphism (greenschist, amphibolite, granulite facies) | |
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 50 : Coal and/or oil shale minerals | <0.36 |
| 51 : Pyrometamorphic minerals (see also #54 and #56) | <0.36 |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 54 : Coal and other mine fire minerals (see also #51 and #56) |
Geological Setting:
Metamorphosed sedimentary carbonate formations in contact with basaltic rocks.
Type Occurrence of Larnite
Geological Setting of Type Material:
contact metamorphic terranes involving sedimentary carbonate rocks.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Larnite
Other Language Names for Larnite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 9 photos of Larnite associated with Gehlenite | Ca2Al[AlSiO7] |
| 6 photos of Larnite associated with Srebrodolskite | Ca2Fe3+2O5 |
| 6 photos of Larnite associated with Shulamitite | Ca3TiFe3+AlO8 |
| 5 photos of Larnite associated with Fluorkyuygenite | Ca12Al14O32[(H2O)4F2] |
| 5 photos of Larnite associated with Oldhamite | CaS |
| 4 photos of Larnite associated with Spinel | MgAl2O4 |
| 4 photos of Larnite associated with Hillebrandite | Ca2(SiO3)(OH)2 |
| 3 photos of Larnite associated with Chegemite | Ca7(SiO4)3(OH)2 |
| 3 photos of Larnite associated with Rondorfite | Ca8Mg(SiO4)4Cl2 |
| 3 photos of Larnite associated with Scawtite | Ca7(Si3O9)2CO3 · 2H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.AD. | Adrianite | Ca12(Al4Mg3Si7)O32Cl6 |
| 9.AD.10 | Calcio-olivine | Ca2SiO4 |
| 9.AD.15 | Merwinite | Ca3Mg(SiO4)2 |
| 9.AD.20 | Bredigite | Ca7Mg(SiO4)4 |
| 9.AD.25 | Midbarite | Ca3Mg2(V5+2Si)O12 |
| 9.AD.25 | Menzerite-(Y) | (Y2Ca)Mg2(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Uvarovite | Ca3Cr3+2(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Eltyubyuite | Ca12Fe3+10Si4O32Cl6 |
| 9.AD.25 | Eringaite | Ca3Sc2(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Henritermierite | Ca3Mn3+2(SiO4)2[◻(OH)4] |
| 9.AD.25 va | 'Hydrougrandite' | (Ca,Mg,Fe2+)3(Fe3+,Al)2[(OH)4(SiO4)2] |
| 9.AD.25 | Calderite | Mn2+3Fe3+2(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Nikmelnikovite | Ca12(Fe2+Fe3+3Al3◻)[SiO4]6[◻(OH)4]5◻4 |
| 9.AD.25 | Hutcheonite | Ca3Ti2(SiO4)(AlO4)2 |
| 9.AD.25 | Wadalite | (Ca,Mg)6(Al,Fe3+)4((Si,Al)O4)3O4Cl3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Rubinite | Ca3Ti3+2(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Kerimasite | Ca3Zr2(SiO4)(Fe3+O4)2 |
| 9.AD.25 | Holtstamite | Ca3Al2(SiO4)2[◻(OH)4] |
| 9.AD.25 | Spessartine | Mn2+3Al2(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Toturite | Ca3Sn2(SiO4)(Fe3+O4)2 |
| 9.AD.25 | Kimzeyite | Ca3Zr2(SiO4)(AlO4)2 |
| 9.AD.25 | 'Khoharite' | Mg3Fe3+2(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Irinarassite | Ca3Sn2(SiO4)(AlO4)2 |
| 9.AD.25 | Knorringite | Mg3Cr3+2(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Goldmanite | Ca3V3+2(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 | 'Blythite' | Mn2+3Mn3+2[SiO4]3 |
| 9.AD.25 | 'Skiagite' | Fe2+3Fe3+2[SiO4]3 |
| 9.AD.25 | 'UM1984-37-SiO:CrMn' | Mn2+3Cr3+2(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Almandine | Fe2+3Al2(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 va | 'Yamatoite' | (Mn2+,Ca)3(V3+,Al)2(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Momoiite | Mn2+3V3+2(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Grossular | Ca3Al2(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Andradite | Ca3Fe3+2(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Morimotoite | Ca3(TiFe2+)(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Majorite | Mg3(MgSi)(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Pyrope | Mg3Al2(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Schorlomite | Ca3Ti2(SiO4)(Fe3+O4)2 |
| 9.AD.30 | Hafnon | Hf(SiO4) |
| 9.AD.30 | Zircon | Zr(SiO4) |
| 9.AD.30 | Coffinite | U(SiO4) · nH2O |
| 9.AD.30 | Thorite | Th(SiO4) |
| 9.AD.30 va | 'Auerlite' | near Th(Si,P)O4 |
| 9.AD.30 | Stetindite-(Ce) | Ce4+SiO4 |
| 9.AD.35 | 'Tombarthite-(Y)' | Y4(Si,H4)4O12-x(OH)4+2x |
| 9.AD.35 | Huttonite | ThSiO4 |
| 9.AD.40 | Eulytine | Bi4(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.45 | Reidite | Zr(SiO4) |
| 9.AD.55 | Jeffbenite | Mg3Al2Si3O12 |
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 Larnite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2333.html
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References for Larnite
Reference List:
Tilley, C. E. (1929) On larnite (calcium orthosilicate, a new mineral) and its associated minerals from the limestone contact-zone of Scawt Hill, Co. Antrim. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 22 (125) 77-86 doi:10.1180/minmag.1929.022.125.01
Tilley, C. E. (1929) On larnite (calcium orthosilicate, a new mineral) and its associated minerals from the limestone contact-zone of Scawt Hill, Co. Antrim. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 22 (125) 77-86 doi:10.1180/minmag.1929.022.125.01
Bridge, Thomas E. (1966) Bredigite, larnite, and γ dicalcium silicates from Marble Canyon. American Mineralogist, 51 (11-12) 1766-1774
Moore, Paul Brian (1973) Bracelets and pinwheels: A topological-geometrical approach to the calcium orthosilicate and alkali sulfate structures. American Mineralogist, 58 (1-2) 32-42
Jost, K. H., Ziemer, B., Seydel, R. (1977) Redetermination of the structure of β-dicalcium silicate. Acta Crystallographica Section B Structural Crystallography and Crystal Chemistry, 33 (6) 1696-1700 doi:10.1107/s0567740877006918
Wang, Y. G., Zou, B. S., Kuo, K. H., Feng, X. J., Wang, L., Long, S. Z. (1989) High-resolution electron microscopy study of belite. Journal of Materials Science, 24. 877-880 doi:10.1007/bf01148771(as belite)
BRENKER, F, VINCZE, L, VEKEMANS, B, NASDALA, L, STACHEL, T, VOLLMER, C, KERSTEN, M, SOMOGYI, A, ADAMS, F, JOSWIG, W (2005) Detection of a Ca-rich lithology in the Earth's deep (>300 km) convecting mantle. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 236 (3) 579-587 doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2005.05.021
Yamnova, N. A., Zubkova, N. V., Eremin, N. N., Zadov, A. E., Gazeev, V. M. (2011) Crystal structure of larnite β-Ca2SiO4 and specific features of polymorphic transitions in dicalcium orthosilicate. Crystallography Reports, 56 (2) 210-220 doi:10.1134/s1063774511020209
Plana-Ruiz, Sergi, Götz, Emilia, Neumann, Thomas, Schwesig, Peter, Kolb, Ute (2024) Three-dimensional electron diffraction on clinkers: the belite α′ H incommensurate modulated structure. Acta Crystallographica Section B Structural Science, Crystal Engineering and Materials, 80 (2) 105-116 doi:10.1107/s205252062400146x
Localities for Larnite
Showing 80 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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Scawt Hill, Larne, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, UK