Natron
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Natron
Formula:
Na2CO3 · 10H2O
Colour:
Colourless to white, greyish, yellowish; colourless in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
1 - 1½
Specific Gravity:
1.478
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
In allusion to its sodium content (Latin = NATRium).
This page provides mineralogical data about Natron.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2858
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2858:1
IMA Classification of Natron
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Na2CO3(H2O)10
Classification of Natron
5.CB.10
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
C : Carbonates without additional anions, with H2O
B : With large cations (alkali and alkali-earth carbonates)
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
C : Carbonates without additional anions, with H2O
B : With large cations (alkali and alkali-earth carbonates)
15.1.2.1
15 : HYDRATED NORMAL CARBONATES
1 : A(XO3)·xH2O
15 : HYDRATED NORMAL CARBONATES
1 : A(XO3)·xH2O
11.1.7
11 : Carbonates
1 : Carbonates of the alkali metals and ammonium
11 : Carbonates
1 : Carbonates of the alkali metals and ammonium
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nt | 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 Natron
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Natron
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Colourless to white, greyish, yellowish; colourless in transmitted light.
Streak:
White
Hardness:
1 - 1½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
On {001} distinct; on {010} imperfect; on {110} in traces.
On {001} distinct; on {010} imperfect; on {110} in traces.
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
1.478 g/cm3 (Measured) 1.458 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Natron
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.405 nβ = 1.425 nγ = 1.44
2V:
Measured: 71° , Calculated: 80°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.035
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
Optical Extinction:
X = b; Z ∧ c ≃ 41°.
Chemistry of Natron
Mindat Formula:
Na2CO3 · 10H2O
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Natron
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P2/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 12.75 Å, b = 9 Å, c = 12.6 Å
β = 115.85°
β = 115.85°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.417 : 1 : 1.4
Unit Cell V:
1,301.18 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Occurs naturally only as crystalline, granular, and columnar crusts. Artificial crystals somewhat tabular {010} with varying development of the [100] and [001] zones.
Twinning:
On {001}.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0009366 | Natron | Taga T (1969) Crystal structure of Na2CO3*10H2O Acta Crystallographica B25 2656-2657 |  | 1969 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.04 Å | (100) |
| 3.02 Å | (70) |
| 2.894 Å | (60) |
| 5.37 Å | (45) |
| 3.94 Å | (30) |
| 3.45 Å | (25) |
| 4.50 Å | (20) |
Comments:
Synthetic. ICDD 15-800.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 25 : Evaporites (prebiotic) | |
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] |
Geological Setting:
In solution in soda lakes.
Synonyms of Natron
Other Language Names for Natron
Common Associates
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.CB. | Piilonenite-(Nd) | NaNd(CO3)2(H2O)3 |
| 5.CB. | Paulišite | Ca2Zn(CO3)3 · 2H2O |
| 5.CB.05 | Thermonatrite | Na2CO3 · H2O |
| 5.CB.15 | Trona | Na3H(CO3)2 · 2H2O |
| 5.CB.20 | Monohydrocalcite | CaCO3 · H2O |
| 5.CB.25 | Ikaite | CaCO3 · 6H2O |
| 5.CB.30 | Pirssonite | Na2Ca(CO3)2 · 2H2O |
| 5.CB.35 | Gaylussite | Na2Ca(CO3)2 · 5H2O |
| 5.CB.40 | Chalconatronite | Na2Cu(CO3)2 · 3H2O |
| 5.CB.45 | Baylissite | K2Mg(CO3)2 · 4H2O |
| 5.CB.50 | Tuliokite | Na6BaTh(CO3)6 · 6H2O |
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:
Melting Point: 34.5°.
Notes:
Soluble in H2O. Gives an alkaline taste.
Dehydrates rapidly in air forming thermonatrite.
Dehydrates rapidly in air forming thermonatrite.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Natron in petrology
An essential component of rock names highlighted in red, an accessory component in rock names highlighted in green.
Internet Links for Natron
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2858.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Natron
Reference List:
Haüy, René Just (1801) Traité de Minéralogie (1st ed.) Vol. 2. Chez Louis.p.374 - as Souda carbonatée
Hausmann, Johann Friedrich Ludwig (1813) Handbuch der Mineralogie (1st ed.). Vandenhoeck und Ruprecht. p.832 - as Soda
Goldschmidt, Victor (1891) Index der Krystallformen der Mineralien Vol. 3. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. doi:10.1007/978-3-662-25554-4 p.139
Localities for Natron
Showing 68 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.
Antarctica | |
| Liu et al. (2010) +1 other reference |
Australia | |
| White et al. (1980) |
Austria | |
| A.Csaplovics (2014) |
| Götzinger (2009) |
Bolivia | |
| USGS Bulletin #1975 (1992) |
Canada | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Peatfield (n.d.) |
| Peatfield (n.d.) |
| Grice (1989) +1 other reference |
| Last (1990) |
China | |
| Zhenmi Liu (2000) |
| Xiyu Zheng and Shengsong Yu (1981) +1 other reference |
| Qian Wu et al. (2013) |
| Xifang Liu and Mianping Zheng (2010) | |
| Xiyu Zheng and Shengsong Yu (1981) +1 other reference | |
| Kezao Chen (1992) | |
| Bingxiao (1992) |
| Zhang et al. (2019, December) +1 other reference |
Egypt | |
| Marchesini et al. (2009) +1 other reference |
| Salem et al. (2018) | |
| Salem et al. (2018) | |
Ethiopia | |
| Field collected by Alfredo Petrov |
France | |
| Chauris (2014) |
Germany | |
| Abandoned puzzolane quarries located in ... |
Hungary | |
| Sándor et al. (2005) |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Sándor et al. (2005) |
Italy | |
| ... +1 other reference |
| Pelloux (1927) +1 other reference | |
| Balsamo Crivelli (1864) +1 other reference |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
Kenya | |
| Bowell et al. (1996) |
Mongolia | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
Romania | |
| BURUIANA et al. (2024) |
Russia | |
| Vladykin et al. (2018) |
| PEKOV et al. (2013) |
| Pekov et al. (2004) | |
| Pekov (1998) |
| Pekov (1998) +1 other reference |
| Pekov (2005) |
Spain | |
| Vizcayno et al. (1995) |
| Vizcayno et al. (1995) |
| Vizcayno et al. (1995) |
| Buey et al. (2025) |
| Buey et al. (2025) | |
| Sanz-Montero et al. (2019) +1 other reference | |
| Joan Rosell. RosellMinerals (2021) |
Switzerland | |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
Tanzania | |
| Hay (1970) |
Turkmenistan | |
| Evseev (1995) |
Uganda | |
| Kasedde et al. (2014) |
UK | |
| Bowell (1992) +1 other reference |
USA | |
| Its occurrence and utilization: USGS ... +4 other references |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Gale (1915) +2 other references |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Milton (1977) +1 other reference | |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) | |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| USBM Inf Circ 6941 (1938) |
| Rooney et al. (1969) |
| Bennett (1962) |
| W. A. G. Bennett |
| www.dnr.wa.gov/geology/okanogan.htm. | |
| - (2004) |
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Atlin, Atlin Mining Division, British Columbia, Canada