Sarcolite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About Sarcolite
Formula:
Na4Ca12Al8Si12O46(SiO4,PO4)(OH,H2O)4(CO3,Cl)
Colour:
Flesh-pink, flesh-red, colourless
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
6
Specific Gravity:
2.91 - 2.96
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Name:
From Greek, Sarka, flesh, referring to its flesh-red color.
Type Locality:
This page provides mineralogical data about Sarcolite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3533
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3533:6
Similar Names
| Sarcolite (of Vauquelin) | A synonym of Gmelinite Subgroup | |
| Sericolite | A synonym of 'Satin Spar' | |
| Zircolite | A synonym of Corundum |
IMA Classification of Sarcolite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1807
Classification of Sarcolite
9.EH.15
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
H : Transitional structures between phyllosilicate and other silicate units
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
H : Transitional structures between phyllosilicate and other silicate units
76.3.2.1
76 : TECTOSILICATES Al-Si Framework
3 : Al-Si Framework with other Be/Al/Si frameworks
76 : TECTOSILICATES Al-Si Framework
3 : Al-Si Framework with other Be/Al/Si frameworks
17.2.6
17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
2 : Silicates with fluoride
17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
2 : Silicates with fluoride
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sco | 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 Sarcolite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Flesh-pink, flesh-red, colourless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
6 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
2.91 - 2.96 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.86(4) g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Sarcolite
Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 1.604(1) nε = 1.615(3)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.011
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.
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.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Chemistry of Sarcolite
Mindat Formula:
Na4Ca12Al8Si12O46(SiO4,PO4)(OH,H2O)4(CO3,Cl)
Element Weights:
Common Impurities:
Ti,Fe,Mn,Mg,Sr,K,Cl,P,S
Crystallography of Sarcolite
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Class (H-M):
4/m - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
I4/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 12.343(5) Å, c = 15.463(5) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 1.253
Unit Cell V:
2,355.78 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
equant pseudocubic hemihedral crystals, to 2.5 cm; in irregular masses
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
Remove metal-metal sticks
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
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0015662 | Sarcolite | Giuseppetti G, Mazzi F, Tadini C (1977) The crystal structure of sarcolite Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen 24 1-21 | 1977 | Vesuvius volcano, Bay of Naples, Italy | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 2.747 Å | (100) |
| 3.343 Å | (90) |
| 2.853 Å | (87) |
| 2.762 Å | (69) |
| 2.941 Å | (64) |
| 3.215 Å | (51) |
| 2.998 Å | (51) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45b : [Other oxidized fumarolic minerals] | |
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 50 : Coal and/or oil shale minerals | <0.36 |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 54 : Coal and other mine fire minerals (see also #51 and #56) |
Type Occurrence of Sarcolite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1960,629.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Sarcolite
Common Associates
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.EH.05 | Manganoneptunite | KNa2Li(Mn2+)2Ti2[Si4O12]2 |
| 9.EH.05 | Magnesioneptunite | KNa2Li(Mg)2Ti2[Si4O12]2 |
| 9.EH.05 | Neptunite | KNa2Li(Fe2+)2Ti2[Si4O12]2 |
| 9.EH.05 | Watatsumiite | KNa2Li(Mn2+)2V4+2[Si4O12]2 |
| 9.EH.05 | Rotherkopfite | KNa2Fe2+(Fe2+)2(Ti1.5Fe2+0.5)[Si4O12]2 |
| 9.EH.10 | Grumantite | Na(HSi2O5) · H2O |
| 9.EH.20 | Ussingite | Na2AlSi3O8OH |
| 9.EH.25 | Telyushenkoite | (Cs,Na,K)Na6[Be2Al3Si15O39]F2 |
| 9.EH.25 | Leifite | (Na,H2O)Na6[Be2Al2(Al,Si)Si15O39]F2 |
| 9.EH.25 | Eirikite | KNa6Be2(Si15Al3)O39F2 |
| 9.EH.30 | Nafertisite | Na3Fe2+10Ti2(Si6O17)2O2(OH)6F(H2O)2 |
| 9.EH.35 | Veblenite | KNa(Fe2+5Fe3+4Mn7)Nb4(Si2O7)2(Si8O22)2O6(OH)10(H2O)3 |
Other Information
Notes:
(Historical description) With a blowtorch, swells up and melts into a phosphorescent white enamel. This occurs after considerable time and difficulty.
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 Sarcolite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3533.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 Sarcolite
Reference List:
Giuseppetti, G., Mazzi, F., Tadini, Carla (1977) The crystal structure of sarcolite. TMPM Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen, 24 (1). 1-21 doi:10.1007/bf01081742
Fleischer, Michael, Chao, George Y., Pabst, and Adolf (1979) New Mineral Names. American Mineralogist, 64 (1-2) 241-245 p.245
Livingstone, A. (1984) Fluorine in sarcolite: additional history and new chemical data. Mineralogical Magazine, 48 (346) 107-112 doi:10.1180/minmag.1984.048.346.14
Localities for Sarcolite
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.
Italy | |
| Ciriotti et al. (2011) |
| Vauquelin (1807) +2 other references |
| Achille Panunzi collection. |
| Stoppani et al. (1982) |
| De Michele (1974) |
| Exel (1987) |
Poland | |
| - (Poland) +1 other reference |
USA | |
| Januzzi et al. (1976) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
Quick NavTopAbout SarcoliteUnique IdentifiersSimilar NamesIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence Other LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Mount Somma, Metropolitan City of Naples, Campania, Italy