Malayaite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Malayaite
Peninsular Malaysia
Formula:
CaSnO(SiO4)
Colour:
Pale creamy-yellow, deep orange-yellow, white, colorless
Lustre:
Resinous, Dull
Hardness:
3½ - 4
Specific Gravity:
4.3
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named after the type locality of Malaya, Malaysia. That is the mainland part of Malaysia (Peninsular Malaysia), located on the Malaysian Peninsula.
Titanite Group.
The tin (Sn4+) analogue of Titanite. Malayaite from Okehampton, England fluoresces very dull to very pale yellow in shortwave and barely perceptibly in longwave. The wollastonite associated with malayaite fluoresces a moderately bright creamy-yellow and is frequently confused as malayaite.
The tin (Sn4+) analogue of Titanite. Malayaite from Okehampton, England fluoresces very dull to very pale yellow in shortwave and barely perceptibly in longwave. The wollastonite associated with malayaite fluoresces a moderately bright creamy-yellow and is frequently confused as malayaite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2552
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2552:8
IMA Classification of Malayaite
Approved
IMA Formula:
CaSn4+O(SiO4)
Approval year:
1964
First published:
1960
Classification of Malayaite
9.AG.15
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
G : Nesosilicates with additional anions; cations in > [6] +- [6] coordination
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
G : Nesosilicates with additional anions; cations in > [6] +- [6] coordination
52.4.3.2
52 : NESOSILICATES Insular SiO4 Groups and O,OH,F,H2O
4 : Insular SiO4 Groups and O, OH, F, and H2O with cations in [6] and/or >[6] coordination
52 : NESOSILICATES Insular SiO4 Groups and O,OH,F,H2O
4 : Insular SiO4 Groups and O, OH, F, and H2O with cations in [6] and/or >[6] coordination
14.12.2
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
12 : Silicates of Sn
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
12 : Silicates of Sn
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mly | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Malayaite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Malayaite
Resinous, Dull
Transparency:
Translucent, Opaque
Colour:
Pale creamy-yellow, deep orange-yellow, white, colorless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3½ - 4 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Density:
4.3(2) g/cm3 (Measured) 4.55 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Malayaite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.764 - 1.765 nβ = 1.783 - 1.786 nγ = 1.798 - 1.801
2V:
Measured: 84° to 86°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.034 - 0.036
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:
Very 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 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.
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.
Dispersion:
none
Chemistry of Malayaite
Mindat Formula:
CaSnO(SiO4)
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Fe
Crystallography of Malayaite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.156(6) Å, b = 8.895(9) Å, c = 6.668(4) Å
β = 113.4(1)°
β = 113.4(1)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.804 : 1 : 0.75
Unit Cell V:
389.53 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Crystals wedge-shaped, up to 3 cm; massive, as a coating on cassiterite
Comment:
Space Group: A2/a
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0002981 | Malayaite | Rath S, Kunz M, Miletich R (2003) Pressure-induced phase transition in malayaite, CaSnOSiO4 American Mineralogist 88 293-300 |  | 2003 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0008237 | Malayaite | Zhang M, Meyer H W, Groat L A, Bismayer U, Salje E K H, Adiwidjaja G (1999) An infrared spectroscopic and single-crystal X-ray study of malayaite, CaSnSiO5 Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 26 546-553 | 1999 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0008236 | Malayaite | Zhang M, Meyer H W, Groat L A, Bismayer U, Salje E K H, Adiwidjaja G (1999) An infrared spectroscopic and single-crystal X-ray study of malayaite, CaSnSiO5 Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 26 546-553 | 1999 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0008235 | Malayaite | Zhang M, Meyer H W, Groat L A, Bismayer U, Salje E K H, Adiwidjaja G (1999) An infrared spectroscopic and single-crystal X-ray study of malayaite, CaSnSiO5 Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 26 546-553 | 1999 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0008234 | Malayaite | Zhang M, Meyer H W, Groat L A, Bismayer U, Salje E K H, Adiwidjaja G (1999) An infrared spectroscopic and single-crystal X-ray study of malayaite, CaSnSiO5 Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 26 546-553 | 1999 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0008233 | Malayaite | Zhang M, Meyer H W, Groat L A, Bismayer U, Salje E K H, Adiwidjaja G (1999) An infrared spectroscopic and single-crystal X-ray study of malayaite, CaSnSiO5 Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 26 546-553 | 1999 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0000586 | Malayaite | Higgins J B, Ribbe P H (1977) The structure of malayaite, CaSnOSiO4, a tin analog of titanite American Mineralogist 62 801-806 | | 1977 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0002982 | Malayaite | Rath S, Kunz M, Miletich R (2003) Pressure-induced phase transition in malayaite, CaSnOSiO4 American Mineralogist 88 293-300 | | 2003 | 4.238 | 293 | |
| 0002983 | Malayaite | Rath S, Kunz M, Miletich R (2003) Pressure-induced phase transition in malayaite, CaSnOSiO4 American Mineralogist 88 293-300 | | 2003 | 4.505 | 293 | |
| 0002984 | Malayaite | Rath S, Kunz M, Miletich R (2003) Pressure-induced phase transition in malayaite, CaSnOSiO4 American Mineralogist 88 293-300 | | 2003 | 5.769 | 293 | |
| 0002985 | Malayaite | Rath S, Kunz M, Miletich R (2003) Pressure-induced phase transition in malayaite, CaSnOSiO4 American Mineralogist 88 293-300 | | 2003 | 7.33 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.28 Å | (100) |
| 5.05 Å | (50) |
| 2.639 Å | (45) |
| 3.06 Å | (35) |
| 2.665 Å | (30) |
| 2.412 Å | (20) |
| 2.099 Å | (20) |
Comments:
Synthetic
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| High-? alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 31 : Thermally altered carbonate, phosphate, and iron formations |
Type Occurrence of Malayaite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Yellow coatings on cassiterite crystals.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
n.d.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Hydrothermal alteration of a cassiterite-quartz assemblage.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Malayaite
Other Language Names for Malayaite
Relationship of Malayaite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Titanite Group:
| Natrotitanite | (Na0.5Y0.5)TiO(SiO4) | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Titanite | CaTiO(SiO4) | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Vanadomalayaite | CaVO(SiO4) | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Żabińskiite | Ca[Al0.5(Ta,Nb)0.5)]O(SiO4) | Tric. 1 |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 15 photos of Malayaite associated with Wollastonite | Ca3(Si3O9) |
| 7 photos of Malayaite associated with Axinite-(Fe) | Ca2Fe2+Al2BSi4O15OH |
| 6 photos of Malayaite associated with Hedenbergite | CaFe2+Si2O6 |
| 6 photos of Malayaite associated with Cassiterite | SnO2 |
| 4 photos of Malayaite associated with Varlamoffite | Sn1-xFexO2-x(OH) |
| 4 photos of Malayaite associated with Fluorite | CaF2 |
| 3 photos of Malayaite associated with Andradite | Ca3Fe3+2(SiO4)3 |
| 2 photos of Malayaite associated with Garnet Group | X3Z2(SiO4)3 |
| 2 photos of Malayaite associated with Scheelite | Ca(WO4) |
| 2 photos of Malayaite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.AG. | Aluminotaipingite-(CeCa) | (Ce6Ca3)◻Al(SiO4)3[SiO3(OH)]4F3 |
| 9.AG. | 'Ivanyukite-Na-T' | Na2Ti4(SiO4)3(OH)O3 · 7H2O |
| 9.AG. | 'Ivanyukite-Na-C' | Na2Ti4(SiO4)3(OH)2O2 · 6H2O |
| 9.AG. | Edgrewite | Ca9(SiO4)4F2 |
| 9.AG.02 | Gatedalite | ZrMn2+2Mn3+4SiO12 |
| 9.AG.05 | Abswurmbachite | CuMn3+6(SiO4)O8 |
| 9.AG.05 | Neltnerite | CaMn3+6(SiO4)O8 |
| 9.AG.05 | Skogbyite | Zr(Mg2Mn3+4)SiO12 |
| 9.AG.05 | Braunite | Mn2+Mn3+6(SiO4)O8 |
| 9.AG.05 | 'Braunite-II' | Ca(Mn3+,Fe)14(SiO4)O20 |
| 9.AG.10 | Långbanite | Mn2+4Mn3+9Sb5+O16(SiO4)2 |
| 9.AG.12 | Taipingite-(CeCa) | (Ce7Ca2)◻Mg(SiO4)3[SiO3(OH)]4F3 |
| 9.AG.15 | Żabińskiite | Ca[Al0.5(Ta,Nb)0.5)]O(SiO4) |
| 9.AG.15 | Titanite | CaTiO(SiO4) |
| 9.AG.15 | Vanadomalayaite | CaVO(SiO4) |
| 9.AG.15 | Natrotitanite | (Na0.5Y0.5)TiO(SiO4) |
| 9.AG.20 | Ferricerite-(LaCa) | (La6Ca3)◻Fe3+(SiO4)3(SiO3OH)4(OH)3 |
| 9.AG.20 | Aluminocerite-(CeCa) | (Ce6Ca3)◻Al(SiO4)3[SiO3(OH)]4(OH)3 |
| 9.AG.20 | Cerite-(CeCa) | (Ce7Ca2)◻Mg(SiO4)3(SiO3OH)4(OH)3 |
| 9.AG.20 | Nipeiite-(Ce) | Ce9Fe3+(SiO4)6[SiO3(OH)](OH)3 |
| 9.AG.25 | 'Yftisite-(Y)' | (Y,Dy,Er)4(Ti,Sn)(SiO4)2O(F,OH)6 |
| 9.AG.25 | Mieite-(Y) | Y4Ti(SiO4)2O[F,(OH)]6 |
| 9.AG.25 | Trimounsite-(Y) | Y2Ti2(SiO4)O5 |
| 9.AG.30 | Sitinakite | KNa2Ti4(SiO4)2O5(OH) · 4H2O |
| 9.AG.35 | Kittatinnyite | Ca2Mn2Mn(SiO4)2(OH)4 · 9H2O |
| 9.AG.40b | Paranatisite | Na2Ti(SiO4)O |
| 9.AG.40a | Natisite | Na2Ti(SiO4)O |
| 9.AG.45 | Törnebohmite-(Ce) | Ce2Al(SiO4)2(OH) |
| 9.AG.45 | Törnebohmite-(La) | La2Al(SiO4)2(OH) |
| 9.AG.50 | Ivanyukite-Na | Na2Ti4(SiO4)3(OH)2O2 · 6H2O |
| 9.AG.50 | Ivanyukite-K | K2Ti4(SiO4)3(OH)2O2 · 9H2O |
| 9.AG.50 | Ivanyukite-Cu | CuTi4(SiO4)3(OH)2O2 · 7H2O |
| 9.AG.50 | Kuliokite-(Y) | Y4Al(SiO4)2(OH)2F5 |
| 9.AG.50 | Hydroxyledgrewite | Ca9(SiO4)4(OH)2 |
| 9.AG.52 | Ulfanderssonite-(Ce) | (Ce15Ca)Σ16Mg2(SiO4)10(SiO3OH)(OH,F)5Cl3 |
| 9.AG.55 | Chantalite | CaAl2(SiO4)(OH)4 |
| 9.AG.60 | Vuagnatite | CaAl(SiO4)(OH) |
| 9.AG.60 | Mozartite | CaMn3+(SiO4)(OH) |
| 9.AG.65 | Hatrurite | Ca3(SiO4)O |
| 9.AG.70 | Jasmundite | Ca11(SiO4)4O2S |
| 9.AG.75 | Afwillite | Ca3[SiO4][SiO2(OH)2] · 2H2O |
| 9.AG.80 | Bultfonteinite | Ca2(HSiO4)F · H2O |
| 9.AG.85 | Zoltaiite | BaV4+2V3+12(SiO4)2O19 |
| 9.AG.90 | Tranquillityite | (Fe2+,Ca)8(Zr,Y)2Ti3(SiO4)3O12 |
Fluorescence of Malayaite
very pale to very dull orange-yellow or yellow-green under SW UV. May be associated with much brighter yellow-fluorescing species such as wollastonite.
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 Malayaite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2552.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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Mineral Dealers:
References for Malayaite
Reference List:
Alexander, J. B., Fliter, B. H. (1965) A note on varlamoffite and associated minerals from the Batang Padang district, Perak, Malaya, Malaysia. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 35 (272) 622-627 doi:10.1180/minmag.1965.035.272.05
Takenouchi, S. (1971) Hydrothermal synthesis and consideration of the genesis of malayaite. Mineralium Deposita, 6 (4) 335-347 doi:10.1007/bf00201891
Higgins, John B., Ribbe, Paul H. (1977) The structure of malayaite, CaSnOSiO4, a tin analog of titanite. American Mineralogist, 62 (7-8) 801-806
Mulholland, I. R. (1984) Malayaite and tin-bearing garnet from a skarn at Gumble, NSW, Australia. Mineralogical Magazine, 48 (346) 27-30 doi:10.1180/minmag.1984.048.346.04
Groat, Lee A., Kek, Stefan, Bismayer, Ulrich, Schmidt, Claudia, Krane, Hans Georg, Meyer, Hinrich, Nistor, Leona, van Tendeloo, Gustaaf (1996) A synchrotron radiation, HRTEM, X-ray powder diffraction, and Raman spectroscopic study of malayaite, CaSnSiO5. American Mineralogist, 81 (5) 595-602 doi:10.2138/am-1996-5-606
Rath, Stephanie, Kunz, Martin, Miletich, Ronald (2003) Pressure-induced phase transition in malayaite, CaSnOSiO4. American Mineralogist, 88 (2) 293-300 doi:10.2138/am-2003-2-306
Localities for Malayaite
Showing 60 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.
Australia | |
| Mulholland (1984) |
| Carter et al. (2026) |
| Byrnes (1993) | |
| Byrnes (1993) | |
| Byrnes (1993) | |
| Byrnes (1993) | |
| Burton et al. (2007) | |
| Bottrill et al. (2008) |
Canada | |
| King et al. (1993) |
| Rocks & Min.: 60 (1) |
| Layne et al. (1988) | |
| Liverton et al. (eds.) | |
| Layne et al. (1988) |
China | |
| Da Zhang et al. (1999) |
| Hosking et al. (CaSnO2SiO2) |
| Yan Shuang et al. (2009) +1 other reference |
| Tian et al. (2026) |
| Wenxue Zhou and Wenliang Gao (1987) +1 other reference |
| Shudong Lu et al. (2004) |
| Hansheng Cao (1982) +2 other references | |
| He et al. (2022) |
Czech Republic | |
| Šrein +1 other reference |
| Malỳ et al. (2019) |
| Houzar | |
| Švestka et al. (2010) |
| Houzar et al. (2009) +1 other reference |
Finland | |
| Martin et al. (2026) |
Germany | |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Meyer et al. (2024) |
| www.mineralienatlas.de (n.d.) |
India | |
| Baidya (1981) |
Indonesia | |
| Handoko et al. (2025) |
Italy | |
| Guelfi F. et al. (1985) |
Japan | |
| Takenouchi (1971) +1 other reference |
| Miyahisa et al (1975) +2 other references |
| Takenouchi (1971) +1 other reference |
| Imai (1978) +1 other reference |
| USGS Bulletin 1930 +1 other reference |
| SOEDA et al. (1982) | |
| Alfredo Petrov collection |
| Takenouchi (1971) +1 other reference | |
| Imai (1978) | |
| Imai (1978) | |
| Nagashima et al. (2016) |
Malaysia | |
| Wan Hassan (2003) |
| Alexander et al. (1965) +1 other reference |
Morocco | |
| Econ Geol (1989) |
| Sonnet (1981) +1 other reference |
Poland | |
| Pieczka et al. (2006) +1 other reference |
| Mil et al. (2026) |
| Ł. Kruszewski PXRD & pXRF data (paper in preparation) |
Portugal | |
| Ramos et al. (2024) |
Russia | |
| Политов В.К. (1983) |
| Ivashchenko et al. (2006) +1 other reference |
Spain | |
| Losantos et al. (2025) |
Thailand | |
| Charusiri et al. (1990) |
UK | |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| Michael S. Rumsey (2011) |
| el-Sharkawi et al. (1966) +4 other references | |
USA | |
| Foord et al. (1986) |
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Canyonsk Sn deposit, Magadan Oblast, Russia