Nitrocalcite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Nitrocalcite
Formula:
Ca(NO3)2 · 4H2O
Colour:
White, grey; colourless in transmitted light
Lustre:
Silky
Hardness:
1 - 2
Specific Gravity:
1.90
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
In allusion to the composition, being a NITRate of CALCIum.
This page provides mineralogical data about Nitrocalcite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2919
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2919:9
Similar Names
| Natrocalcit | A synonym of Gaylussite |
IMA Classification of Nitrocalcite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Ca(N5+O3)2(H2O)4
Classification of Nitrocalcite
5.NC.10
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
N : NITRATES
C : With H2O
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
N : NITRATES
C : With H2O
Dana 7th ed.:
18.2.2.1
18.2.2.1
18 : NORMAL NITRATES
2 : A(XO3)2·xH2O, where x can equal zero
18 : NORMAL NITRATES
2 : A(XO3)2·xH2O, where x can equal zero
13.5
13 : Nitrates
13 : Nitrates
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ncal | 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 Nitrocalcite
Silky
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
White, grey; colourless in transmitted light
Hardness:
1 - 2 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Imperfect/Fair
observed
observed
Density:
1.90 g/cm3 (Measured) 1.91 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Nitrocalcite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.465(3) nβ = 1.498(3) nγ = 1.504(3)
2V:
Measured: 48° to 52°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.039
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 (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 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:
r > v strong
Chemistry of Nitrocalcite
Mindat Formula:
Ca(NO3)2 · 4H2O
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Nitrocalcite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:
a = 14.8999(12) Å, b = 9.1551(5) Å, c = 6.2786(7) Å
β = 106.22(1)°
β = 106.22(1)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.627 : 1 : 0.686
Unit Cell V:
822.37 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Efflorescent crusts, tufts and masses; rarely as acicular crystals. Artificial crystals long prismatic [001].
Comment:
Space Group: P21/n (synthetic).
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
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Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
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Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
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Rotation
Stop | Start
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0009594 | Nitrocalcite | Leclaire A, Monier J C (1977) Liaisons hydrogene dans les cristaux de Ca(NO3)2*4H2Oalpha Acta Crystallographica B33 1861-1866 |  | 1977 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0018699 | Nitrocalcite | Ribar B, Divjakovic V, Herak R, Prelesnik B (1973) A new crystal structure study of Ca(NO3)2*(H2O) Acta Crystallographica B29 1546-1548 | | 1973 | Synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0012286 | Nitrocalcite | Leclaire A, Monier J (1970) Structure cristalline du nitrate de calcium tetrahydrate _cod_database_code 1001743 Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Seances de l'Academie des Sciences 271 1555-1557 | 1970 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 7.72 Å | (70) |
| 5.42 Å | (65) |
| 5.14 Å | (100) |
| 4.36 Å | (55) |
| 3.580 Å | (70) |
| 3.121 Å | (55) |
| 2.810 Å | (55) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 48 : Soil leaching zone minerals | <0.6 |
| 52 : Guano- and urine-derived minerals | <0.4 |
Geological Setting:
Efflorescences in limestone caves or upon calcareous rocks and soils.
Type Occurrence of Nitrocalcite
Synonyms of Nitrocalcite
Other Language Names for Nitrocalcite
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.NC.05 | Nitromagnesite | Mg(NO3)2 · 6H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
Readily soluble in water. taste sharp and bitter;
Special Storage/
Display Requirements:
Display Requirements:
deliquescent above about 54% relative humidity.
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 Nitrocalcite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2919.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 Nitrocalcite
Reference List:
Hausmann, Johann Friedrich Ludwig (1813) Handbuch der Mineralogie (1st ed.). Vandenhoeck und Ruprecht. p.858 - as Kalksalpeter
Beudant, François-Sulpice (1824) Traité élémentaire de minéralogie. (Première Edition)) [Elementary Treatise on Mineralogy. (First Edition)]. Chez Verdière.p.421 - as Nitrate de chaux
Beudant, François-Sulpice (1832) Traité élémentaire de minéralogie. Deuxiéme Edition [Elementary Treatise on Mineralogy. Second Edition] (2nd ed.) Vol. 2 - Tome II [Volume II]. Chez Verdière. p.383
Lacroix, A. (1907) Minéralogie de la France et de ses colonies Vol. 3. Library Polytechnique, Paris. p.412
Localities for Nitrocalcite
Showing 52 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 | |
| McQueen et al. (1988) |
| McQueen +3 other references |
China | |
| Zhaoxin Han et al. (2004) |
Hungary | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
Italy | |
| Zimmerman E.A.G. (1789) +2 other references |
| De Vecchi et al. (pp. 417-443) |
South Africa | |
| Martini et al. (1978) |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) +1 other reference |
| Martini et al. (1978) |
Spain | |
| Mendoza et al. (2006) |
| Martínez-Arkarazo et al. (2007) |
| Tony Nikischer and Luis Menezes | |
Tajikistan | |
| Evseev et al. (2004) |
USA | |
| www.cave.org +1 other reference |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
| Raman analyzed at the University of ... |
| Anthony et al. (1982) |
| Anthony et al. (1995) | |
| Erd et al. (1960) |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference | |
| Erd et al. (1960) |
| Erd et al. (1960) |
| Erd et al. (1960) |
| Erd et al. (1960) |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| Paris (2011) |
| Paris (2011) |
| Paris (2011) | |
| Paris (2011) |
| Paris (2011) | |
| Paris (2011) | |
| Paris (2011) |
| Paris (2011) |
| Paris (2011) |
| Paris (2011) |
| Acta Cryst. B33 (1977) |
| Coskren et al. (2000) |
| Paris (2011) |
| Paris (2011) |
| Paris (2011) | |
| Paris (2011) | |
| Paris (2011) |
| Paris (2011) | |
| Paris (2011) |
| Paris (2011) |
| Paris (2011) |
| Paris (2011) | |
| Paris (2011) |
| Dietrich (1990) | |
| A GUIDE TO THE GEOLOGY OF THE ... |
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Gila River, Winkelman area, Gila & Pinal Cos., Arizona, USA