Jacinto de Compostela
A variety of Quartz
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About Jacinto de Compostela
Formula:
SiO2
Colour:
red, orange
Lustre:
Vitreous
Name:
Named after pilgrims traveling to Santiago de Compostela, who carried it from other parts of Spain and used it as a kind of talisman, although the mineral does NOT occur in Santiago de Compostela itself.
In Spanish mineralogical literature, the name is traditionally used exclusively for the red "floater" variety of authigenic quartzes from continental gypsum-bearing marls of the Triassic Keuper formation. (They may also be found occasionally in younger Tertiary or Quaternary sediments, but in these cases the crystals were eroded out of the Keuper F.)
Two types are found: 1. Isolated biterminated crystals, 2. hedgehog-like spheroidal aggregates. Both characteristically occur as "floaters" embedded in marl, or as inclusions in gypsum masses or, less commonly, aragonite crystals.
It used to be thought that "Jacinto"-type quartzes were colored by hematite, but it has been determined that the color is dominantly due to clay mineral inclusions. (Gil Marco, J., 2013) (Alleged brown "jacintos" are colored by organic matter and should not be classified here. Some of the brown ones have also been mis-classified as "smoky quartz".)
Two types are found: 1. Isolated biterminated crystals, 2. hedgehog-like spheroidal aggregates. Both characteristically occur as "floaters" embedded in marl, or as inclusions in gypsum masses or, less commonly, aragonite crystals.
It used to be thought that "Jacinto"-type quartzes were colored by hematite, but it has been determined that the color is dominantly due to clay mineral inclusions. (Gil Marco, J., 2013) (Alleged brown "jacintos" are colored by organic matter and should not be classified here. Some of the brown ones have also been mis-classified as "smoky quartz".)
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
27377 (as Jacinto de Compostela)
3337 (as Quartz)
3337 (as Quartz)
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:27377:2 (as Jacinto de Compostela)
mindat:1:1:3337:0 (as Quartz)
mindat:1:1:3337:0 (as Quartz)
Physical Properties of Jacinto de Compostela
Chemistry of Jacinto de Compostela
Mindat Formula:
SiO2
Elements listed:
Geological Environment
Geological Setting:
Marl and gypsum beds.
Synonyms of Jacinto de Compostela
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
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 Jacinto de Compostela
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-27377.html
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References for Jacinto de Compostela
Reference List:
Localities for Jacinto de Compostela
Showing 53 localities.
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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.
Chella, Valencia, Valencian Community, Spain