Leifite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Leifite
Leif Ericson
Formula:
(Na,H2O)Na6[Be2Al2(Al,Si)Si15O39]F2
Colour:
Colorless
Lustre:
Vitreous, Silky
Hardness:
6
Specific Gravity:
2.57
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Member of:
Name:
Named after Leif Ericson (Old Norse: Leifr Eiríksson) (ca. 970 – ca. 1020) who was a Norse explorer regarded as the first European to land in North America (excluding Greenland), nearly 500 years before Christopher Columbus.
Leifite Group.
The sodium analogue of Telyushenkoite and Eirikite.
Note on the formula: the minor water content is located on a specific site ("B" site), not on the Na site ("A" site).
The sodium analogue of Telyushenkoite and Eirikite.
Note on the formula: the minor water content is located on a specific site ("B" site), not on the Na site ("A" site).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2368
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2368:5
Similar Names
IMA Classification of Leifite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Na7Be2(Si15Al3)O39(F,OH)2
First published:
1915
Type description reference:
Classification of Leifite
9.EH.25
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
H : Transitional structures between phyllosilicate and other silicate units
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
H : Transitional structures between phyllosilicate and other silicate units
78.7.10.1
78 : Unclassified Silicates
7 :
78 : Unclassified Silicates
7 :
17.2.3
17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
2 : Silicates with fluoride
17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
2 : Silicates with fluoride
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lf | 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 Leifite
Vitreous, Silky
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Colorless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
6 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Distinct on {1010}
Distinct on {1010}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Splintery
Density:
2.57 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.59 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Leifite
Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 1.511 - 1.518 nε = 1.5219 - 1.522
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.004 - 0.011
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:
Low (negative)
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 Leifite
Mindat Formula:
(Na,H2O)Na6[Be2Al2(Al,Si)Si15O39]F2
Element Weights:
Common Impurities:
Ti,Fe,Mn,Zn,Mg,K,H2O
Crystallography of Leifite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m - Ditrigonal Pyramidal
Space Group:
P3m1
Cell Parameters:
a = 14.352(2) Å, c = 4.852(3) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.338
Unit Cell V:
865.52 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
3
Morphology:
Hexagonal prisms, acicular, striated to 3cm.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0005040 | Leifite | Armstrong J A, Friis H, Lieb A, Finch A A, Weller M T (2010) Combined single-crystal X-ray and neutron powder diffraction structure analysis exemplified through full structure determinations of framework and layer beryllate minerals American Mineralogist 95 519-526 | 2010 | Vesle Aroya, Langesundsfjord, Norway | 0 | 293 | |
| 0005762 | Leifite | Sokolova E V, Huminicki D M C, Hawthorne F C, Agakhanov A A, Pautov L A, Grew E S (2002) The crystal chemistry of telyushenkoite and leifite, A Na6[Be2Al3Si15O39F2], A = Cs, Na The Canadian Mineralogist 40 183-192 |  | 2002 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.13 Å | (100) |
| 3.34 Å | (70) |
| 2.45 Å | (70) |
| 4.67 Å | (60) |
| 2.21 Å | (60) |
| 2.38 Å | (50) |
| 4.11 Å | (40) |
Comments:
Narssarssuk, Greenland, ICDD 18-710.
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 |
Geological Setting:
Alkalic rocks
Type Occurrence of Leifite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Prisms with a hexagonal to nearly circular cross section and strong lengthwise striations. Masses, more or less loosely connected. Crystals to 2 cm x 5 mm, but also needles or hairlike. Poorly terminated.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark, 1915-1918.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 136173.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 136173.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Leifite
Relationship of Leifite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Leifite Group:
| Eirikite | KNa6Be2(Si15Al3)O39F2 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1 |
| Telyushenkoite | (Cs,Na,K)Na6[Be2Al3Si15O39]F2 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : P31m |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 56 photos of Leifite associated with Rhodochrosite | MnCO3 |
| 39 photos of Leifite associated with Serandite | NaMn2+2Si3O8(OH) |
| 37 photos of Leifite associated with Albite | Na(AlSi3O8) |
| 25 photos of Leifite associated with Aegirine | NaFe3+Si2O6 |
| 24 photos of Leifite associated with Elpidite | Na2ZrSi6O15 · 3H2O |
| 14 photos of Leifite associated with Nenadkevichite | (Na,◻)8Nb4(Si4O12)2(O,OH)4 · 8H2O |
| 8 photos of Leifite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 6 photos of Leifite associated with Polylithionite | KLi2Al(Si4O10)(F,OH)2 |
| 6 photos of Leifite associated with Eirikite | KNa6Be2(Si15Al3)O39F2 |
| 5 photos of Leifite associated with Catapleiite | Na2Zr(Si3O9) · 2H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.EH.05 | Manganoneptunite | KNa2Li(Mn2+)2Ti2[Si4O12]2 |
| 9.EH.05 | Magnesioneptunite | KNa2Li(Mg)2Ti2[Si4O12]2 |
| 9.EH.05 | Neptunite | KNa2Li(Fe2+)2Ti2[Si4O12]2 |
| 9.EH.05 | Watatsumiite | KNa2Li(Mn2+)2V4+2[Si4O12]2 |
| 9.EH.05 | Rotherkopfite | KNa2Fe2+(Fe2+)2(Ti1.5Fe2+0.5)[Si4O12]2 |
| 9.EH.10 | Grumantite | Na(HSi2O5) · H2O |
| 9.EH.15 | Sarcolite | Na4Ca12Al8Si12O46(SiO4,PO4)(OH,H2O)4(CO3,Cl) |
| 9.EH.20 | Ussingite | Na2AlSi3O8OH |
| 9.EH.25 | Telyushenkoite | (Cs,Na,K)Na6[Be2Al3Si15O39]F2 |
| 9.EH.25 | Eirikite | KNa6Be2(Si15Al3)O39F2 |
| 9.EH.30 | Nafertisite | Na3Fe2+10Ti2(Si6O17)2O2(OH)6F(H2O)2 |
| 9.EH.35 | Veblenite | KNa(Fe2+5Fe3+4Mn7)Nb4(Si2O7)2(Si8O22)2O6(OH)10(H2O)3 |
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 Leifite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2368.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Leifite
Reference List:
Bøggild, O.B. (1915): Leifit et nyt mineral fra Narsarsuk. Meddelelser om Grønland: 51: 427-433. (English abstract: Mineralogical Abstracts 1, (19) (1915) 123)
Böggild, Ο. Β. (1915) Leifit, ein neues Mineral von Narsarsuk, Grönland. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, 55 (1-6). 425-429 doi:10.1524/zkri.1915.55.1.425
Coda, A., Ungaretti, L., Giusta, A. D. (1974) The crystal structure of leifite, Na6[Si16Al(BeOH)2O39]·1.5H2O. Acta Crystallographica Section B Structural Crystallography and Crystal Chemistry, 30 (2) 396-401 doi:10.1107/s0567740874002883
Liebau, Friedrich (1985) Structural Chemistry of Silicates. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. doi:10.1007/978-3-642-50076-3
Larsen, Alf Olav, Åsheim, Arne (1995) Leifite from a nepheline syenite pegmatite on Vesle Arøya in the Langesundsfjord district, Oslo Region, Norway. Norsk Geologisk Tidsskrift [Norwegian Journal of Geology], 75 (4) 243-246
Localities for Leifite
Showing 15 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 | |
| Boissonault (1966) +2 other references |
| Birkett et al. (1992) +2 other references | |
Greenland (TL) | |
| Bøggild (1915) +1 other reference |
| Petersen (2001) | |
| Petersen et al. (1994) |
Norway | |
| Engvoldsen et al. (1991) +1 other reference |
Russia | |
| [World of Stones 95:5-6 |
| Pekov et al. (2005) |
| Arzamastsev et al. (2008) | |
| Pekov et al. (2004) | |
| Krivovichev et al. (2023) |
| Pekov (2000) |
| [World of Stones 95:5-6 +1 other reference | |
| Pavel M. Kartashov (n.d.) +2 other references | |
| [World of Stones 95:5-6 |
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Poudrette quarry, Mont Saint-Hilaire, La Vallée-du-Richelieu RCM, Montérégie, Québec, Canada