Nekoite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Nekoite
Formula:
Ca3Si6O15 · 7H2O
Colour:
White
Lustre:
Vitreous
Specific Gravity:
2.21 - 2.24
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
An anagram (reverse spelling in this case) of OKENite, for which it was originally mistaken.
This page provides mineralogical data about Nekoite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2872
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2872:7
Similar Names
IMA Classification of Nekoite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Ca3Si6O15(H2O)5·2H2O
First published:
1956
Classification of Nekoite
9.EA.45
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
A : Single nets of tetrahedra with 4-, 5-, (6-), and 8-membered rings
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
A : Single nets of tetrahedra with 4-, 5-, (6-), and 8-membered rings
72.3.2.7
72 : PHYLLOSILICATES Two-Dimensional Infinite Sheets with Other Than Six-Membered Rings
3 : Two-Dimensional Infinite Sheets with Other Than Six-Membered Rings with 3-, 4-, or 5-membered rings and 8-membered rings
72 : PHYLLOSILICATES Two-Dimensional Infinite Sheets with Other Than Six-Membered Rings
3 : Two-Dimensional Infinite Sheets with Other Than Six-Membered Rings with 3-, 4-, or 5-membered rings and 8-membered rings
14.5.25
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.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Nk | 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 Nekoite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
White
Streak:
White
Hardness Data:
Could not be measured
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
On {010}, distinct.
On {010}, distinct.
Density:
2.21 - 2.24 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.21 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Nekoite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
Dispersion:
r > v weak
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Nekoite
Mindat Formula:
Ca3Si6O15 · 7H2O
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Nekoite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pedial
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.58 Å, b = 9.79 Å, c = 7.33 Å
α = 111.77°, β = 103.5°, γ = 86.53°
α = 111.77°, β = 103.5°, γ = 86.53°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.774 : 1 : 0.749
Unit Cell V:
490.99 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Crystals acicular to 5 mm long, elongated parallel to [001].
Comprised of tetrahedral sheets interlayered with octahedral chains.
Comprised of tetrahedral sheets interlayered with octahedral chains.
Twinning:
Repeated with the lamellae parallel to the {010} cleavage.
Crystal Structure
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2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0000803 | Nekoite | Alberti A, Galli E (1980) The structure of nekoite, Ca3Si6O15*7H2O, a new type of sheet silicate American Mineralogist 65 1270-1276 |  | 1980 | Caxias do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 9.25 Å | (very strong) |
| 3.36 Å | (very strong |
| 2.82 Å | (very strong) |
| 2.47 Å | (moderately strong) |
| 1.83 Å | (moderately strong) |
| 1.90 Å | (moderately weak) |
| 1.79 Å | (moderately weak) |
Comments:
Crestmore, California, USA. Data from the type description.
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 Nekoite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Acicular white crystals.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
U.S. National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Contact metamorphic limestone formation.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Nekoite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 14 photos of Nekoite associated with Johannsenite | CaMn2+Si2O6 |
| 5 photos of Nekoite associated with Galena | PbS |
| 4 photos of Nekoite associated with Axinite-(Mn) | Ca2Mn2+Al2BSi4O15(OH) |
| 4 photos of Nekoite associated with Hydroxyapophyllite-(K) | KCa4(Si8O20)(OH,F) · 8H2O |
| 1 photo of Nekoite associated with Kutnohorite | CaMn2+(CO3)2 |
| 1 photo of Nekoite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 1 photo of Nekoite associated with Creedite | Ca3Al2(SO4)(OH)2F8 · 2H2O |
| 1 photo of Nekoite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.EA. | Hydroxymcglassonite-(K) | KSr4Si8O20(OH) · 8H2O |
| 9.EA. | Miyawakiite-(Y) | ◻Y4Fe2(Si8O20)(CO3)4(H2O)3 |
| 9.EA. | Bussyite-(Y) | (Y,REE,Ca)3(Na,Ca)6MnSi9Be5(O,OH,F)34 |
| 9.EA. | Fluorapophyllite-(NH4) | NH4Ca4(Si8O20)F · 8H2O |
| 9.EA.05 | Gillespite | BaFe2+Si4O10 |
| 9.EA.05 | Cuprorivaite | CaCuSi4O10 |
| 9.EA.05 | Wesselsite | SrCuSi4O10 |
| 9.EA.05 | Effenbergerite | BaCuSi4O10 |
| 9.EA.07 | Fluorapophyllite-(Cs) | CsCa4(Si8O20)F · 8H2O |
| 9.EA.10 | Ekanite | Ca2ThSi8O20 |
| 9.EA.15 | Fluorapophyllite-(Na) | NaCa4(Si8O20)F · 8H2O |
| 9.EA.15 | Fluorapophyllite-(K) | KCa4(Si8O20)(F,OH) · 8H2O |
| 9.EA.15 | Hydroxyapophyllite-(K) | KCa4(Si8O20)(OH,F) · 8H2O |
| 9.EA.20 | Magadiite | Na2Si14O29 · 11H2O |
| 9.EA.25 | Dalyite | K2ZrSi6O15 |
| 9.EA.25 | Davanite | K2TiSi6O15 |
| 9.EA.30 | Sazhinite-(La) | Na3La[Si6O15] · 2H2O |
| 9.EA.30 | Sazhinite-(Ce) | Na3CeSi6O15 · 2H2O |
| 9.EA.35 | Armstrongite | CaZr[Si6O15] · 3H2O |
| 9.EA.40 | Okenite | Ca10Si18O46 · 18H2O |
| 9.EA.45 | Perettiite-(Y) | Y2Mn4FeSi2B8O24 |
| 9.EA.45 | Badakhshanite-(Y) | Y2Mn4Al(Si2B7BeO24) |
| 9.EA.47 | Shlykovite | KCa[Si4O9(OH)] · 3H2O |
| 9.EA.50 | Diegogattaite | Na2CaCu2Si8O20 · H2O |
| 9.EA.50 | Cavansite | Ca(VO)Si4O10 · 4H2O |
| 9.EA.52 | Yangite | PbMnSi3O8 · H2O |
| 9.EA.55 | Pentagonite | Ca(VO)Si4O10 · 4H2O |
| 9.EA.60 | Penkvilksite | Na4Ti2Si8O22 · 4H2O |
| 9.EA.60 | Tumchaite | Na2Zr(Si4O11) · 2H2O |
| 9.EA.65 | Nabesite | Na2BeSi4O10 · 4H2O |
| 9.EA.70 | Ajoite | (K,Na)Cu7AlSi9O24(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 9.EA.75 | Zeravshanite | Na2Cs4Zr3[Si18O45]*2H2O |
| 9.EA.80 | Bussyite-(Ce) | (Ce,REE)3(Na,H2O)6MnSi9Be5(O,OH)30F4 |
| 9.EA.85 | Plumbophyllite | Pb2Si4O10 · H2O |
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 Nekoite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2872.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Nekoite
Reference List:
Gard, J. A., Taylor, H. F. W. (1956) Okenite and nekoite (a new mineral) Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 31 (232) 5-20 doi:10.1180/minmag.1956.031.232.02
Chalmers, R. A., Nicol, A. W., Taylor, H. F. W. (1962) The composition of nekoite. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 33 (256) 70-71 doi:10.1180/minmag.1962.033.256.14
Localities for Nekoite
Showing 9 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.
Azerbaijan | |
| Novgorodova M.I. (caspian Sea) |
Brazil | |
| Vezzalini (1979) |
Chile | |
| Maurizio Dini & Robert Jenkins ... +1 other reference |
Hungary | |
| |
| Fehér et al. (2000) |
Italy | |
| Passaglia et al. (1995) +2 other references |
USA | |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
| Gard et al. (1956) +2 other references |
Uzbekistan | |
| Anthony et al. (2016) |
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Iron Cap Mine, Landsman Camp, Aravaipa, Aravaipa Mining District, Graham County, Arizona, USA