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Serendibite

A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About SerendibiteHide

07035580017271926628693.jpg
Flag of Sri Lanka
Formula:
Ca4[Mg6Al6]O4[Si6B3Al3O36]
Colour:
pale yellow, blue-green, greyish blue
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
6½ - 7
Specific Gravity:
3.42 - 3.52
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
Named after Serendib, the old Arabic name for Sri Lanka. The mineral srilankite is also named after the country.
Aenigmatite Group.

May be confused with sapphirine.




Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
3623
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3623:4

IMA Classification of SerendibiteHide

Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Ca4(Mg6Al6)O4[Si6B3Al3O36]
First published:
1903

Classification of SerendibiteHide

9.DH.40

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
D : Inosilicates
H : Inosilicates with 4-periodic single chains, Si4O12
69.2.1a.6

69 : INOSILICATES Chains with Side Branches or Loops
2 : Chains with Side Branches or Loops with P>2
17.5.17

17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
5 : Borosilicates

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference for Standard
SerIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of SerendibiteHide

Vitreous
Colour:
Pale yellow, blue-green, greyish blue
Streak:
White
Hardness:
6½ - 7 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
None Observed
Density:
3.42 - 3.52 g/cm3 (Measured)    3.47 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of SerendibiteHide

Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.701 nβ = 1.703 nγ = 1.706
2V:
Measured: 80° , Calculated: 80°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.005
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.

Surface Relief:
Very High (positive)
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.
Dispersion:
strong

Chemistry of SerendibiteHide

Mindat Formula:
Ca4[Mg6Al6]O4[Si6B3Al3O36]
Element Weights:
Element% weight
O46.045 %
Al17.471 %
Si12.124 %
Ca11.534 %
Mg10.492 %
B2.334 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
O
Al
Si
Ca
Mg
B
Common Impurities:
Ti,Fe,Mn,Na,K,F,H2O,P

Crystallography of SerendibiteHide

Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.01 Å, b = 10.39 Å, c = 8.63 Å
α = 106.36°, β = 96.06°, γ = 124.36°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.963 : 1 : 0.831
Unit Cell V:
670.11 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Twinning:
Polysynthetic on {0-11} is common.

Crystal StructureHide

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0020622SerendibiteGrice J D, Belley P M, Fayek M (2014) Serendibite, a complex chemical borosilicate mineral from Pontiac, Quebec: Description, chemical composition, and crystallographic data The Canadian Mineralogist 52 1-142014Portage-du-Fort area, Pontiac Regional County Municipality, Quebec, Canada0293
0001546SerendibiteVan Derveer D G, Swihart G H, Sen Gupta P K, Grew E S (1993) Cation occupancies in serendibite: A crystal structure study Sample from Johnsburg, New York Displacement parameters obtained from ICSD American Mineralogist 78 195-20319930293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Near-surface Processes
23 : Subaerial aqueous alteration by non-redox-sensitive fluids (see also #47)

Type Occurrence of SerendibiteHide

Other Language Names for SerendibiteHide

German:Serendibit
Simplified Chinese:蓝硅硼钙石
Spanish:Serendibita

Relationship of Serendibite to other SpeciesHide

Other Members of Rhönite Group:
DorriteCa4(Mg3Fe3+9)O4(Si3Al8Fe3+O36)Tric.
HøgtuvaiteCa4[Fe2+6Fe3+6]O4[Si8Be2Al2O36]Tric. 1 : P1
KuratiteCa2(Fe2+5Ti)O2[Si4Al2O18]Tric. 1 : P1
'Leucorhönite'Ca2(Mg,Fe3+,Al)6(Si,Al)6O20Tric.
Makarochkinite(Ca,Na)4[Fe2+8Fe3+2Ti2]O4[Si8Be2Al2O36]Tric. 1 : P1
RhöniteCa4[Mg8Fe3+2Ti2]O4[Si6Al6O36]Tric. 1 : P1
WelshiteCa4Mg9Sb3O4[Si6Be3AlFe2O36]Tric. 1 : P1

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
23 photos of Serendibite associated with PhlogopiteKMg3(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
6 photos of Serendibite associated with 'Fayalite-Forsterite Series'
4 photos of Serendibite associated with UviteCaMg3(Al5Mg)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)
4 photos of Serendibite associated with SinhaliteMgAl(BO4)
3 photos of Serendibite associated with SpinelMgAl2O4
3 photos of Serendibite associated with Plagioclase(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi2]O8
3 photos of Serendibite associated with CalciteCaCO3
3 photos of Serendibite associated with DiopsideCaMgSi2O6
1 photo of Serendibite associated with QuartzSiO2

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

9.DH.DevilliersiteCa4Ca2Fe3+10O4[(Fe3+10Si2)O36]Tric. 1 : P1
9.DH.'Gageite-2M'(Mn,Mg,Zn)42Si16O54(OH)40Mon. 2/m
9.DH.BavsiiteBa2V2O2[Si4O12]Tet. 4/m : I4/m
9.DH.YuzuxiangiteSr3Fe3+(Si2O6)2(OH) · 3H2OMon. 2/m : P21/m
9.DH.LouisfuchsiteCa2(Mg4Ti2)(Al4Si2)O20Tric. 1 : P1
9.DH.05LeucophaniteNaCaBeSi2O6FOrth. 222 : P212121
9.DH.10OhmiliteSr3(Ti,Fe3+)(Si4O12)(O,OH) · 2-3H2OMon. 2/m : P21/m
9.DH.15HaradaiteSrVSi2O7Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
9.DH.15SuzukiiteBaVSi2O7Orth.
9.DH.20Shcherbakovite(K,Ba)KNa(Ti,Nb)2(Si4O12)O2Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Imma
9.DH.20BatisiteBaNaNaTi2(Si4O12)O2Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Imma
9.DH.20NoonkanbahiteBaKNaTi2(Si4O12)O2Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Imma
9.DH.25TaikaniteSr3BaMn2+2(Si4O12)O2Mon. 2 : B2
9.DH.30KrauskopfiteBaSi2O5 · 3H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
9.DH.35GageiteMn21(Si4O12)2O3(OH)20Mon. 2/m
9.DH.35Balangeroite(Mg,Fe2+,Fe3+,Mn2+)42Si16O54(OH)40Mon. 2/m
9.DH.40KuratiteCa2(Fe2+5Ti)O2[Si4Al2O18]Tric. 1 : P1
9.DH.40AenigmatiteNa4[Fe2+10Ti2]O4[Si12O36]Tric. 1 : P1
9.DH.40DorriteCa4(Mg3Fe3+9)O4(Si3Al8Fe3+O36)Tric.
9.DH.40RhöniteCa4[Mg8Fe3+2Ti2]O4[Si6Al6O36]Tric. 1 : P1
9.DH.40KhesiniteCa4(Mg3Fe3+9)O4(Fe3+9Si3)O36Tric. 1 : P1
9.DH.40'UM1991-29-SiO:FeMgNa'Na4(Mg5Fe3+7)O4[Si9Fe3+3O36]
9.DH.40HøgtuvaiteCa4[Fe2+6Fe3+6]O4[Si8Be2Al2O36]Tric. 1 : P1
9.DH.40'Leucorhönite'Ca2(Mg,Fe3+,Al)6(Si,Al)6O20Tric.
9.DH.40WelshiteCa4Mg9Sb3O4[Si6Be3AlFe2O36]Tric. 1 : P1
9.DH.40WilkinsoniteNa2Fe2+4Fe3+2(Si6O18)O2Tric. 1 : P1
9.DH.40KrinoviteNa2Mg4Cr3+2(Si6O18)O2Tric. 1 : P1
9.DH.40Makarochkinite(Ca,Na)4[Fe2+8Fe3+2Ti2]O4[Si8Be2Al2O36]Tric. 1 : P1
9.DH.45SapphirineMg4(Mg3Al9)O4[Si3Al9O36]Mon. 2/m : P21/b
9.DH.50Khmaralite(Mg,Al,Fe)16[(Al,Si,Be)12O36]O4Mon. 2/m : P21/b
9.DH.55'UM1988-26-SiO:AlMg'Mg4Al2O[Si3Al2O15]
9.DH.55Surinamite(Mg,Fe)3Al4BeSi3O16Mon. 2/m
9.DH.60DeeriteFe2+6Fe3+3(Si6O17)O3(OH)5Mon. 2/m : P21/b
9.DH.65Taneyamalite(Na,Ca)Mn2+12(Si,Al)12(O,OH)44Tric.
9.DH.65HowieiteNa(Fe2+,Fe3+,Al,Mg)12(Si6O17)2(O,OH)10Tric. 1 : P1
9.DH.70JohninnesiteNa2Mn2+9Mg7(OH)8[AsO4]2[Si6O17]2Tric.
9.DH.75AgrelliteNaCa2Si4O10FTric. 1 : P1

Other InformationHide

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 SerendibiteHide

References for SerendibiteHide

Reference List:

Localities for SerendibiteHide

Showing 24 localities.

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
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Locality ListHide

- 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). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Canada
 
Hutcheon et al. (1977)
  • Québec
    • Outaouais
      • Pontiac RCM
Belley (2013) +2 other references
Madagascar
 
  • Anosy
    • Amboasary Sud District
Moore (2023)
      • Behara
Razakamanana et al. (2010)
  • Atsimo-Andrefana
    • Benenitra District
      • Ianapera
... +3 other references
  • Ihorombe
    • Ihosy District
      • Sahambano
Nicollet (1990)
Myanmar
 
  • Mandalay Region
    • Pyin-Oo-Lwin District
Lavinsky (n.d.) +1 other reference
        • Mogok Valley
Themelis (2008)
Themelis (2008)
Themelis (2008)
Russia
 
  • Sakha
    • Aldan
Shabynin et al. (1956) +2 other references
Sri Lanka
 
  • North Western Province
    • Kurunegala District
      • Ambakotte
Nature (1902) +1 other reference
  • Sabaragamuwa Province
    • Ratnapura District
      • Embilipitiya
        • Kolonne
Müller et al. (2006)
Tanzania
 
  • Tanga Region
Research Institute for African Geology
USA
 
  • California
    • Riverside County
      • Jurupa Valley
        • Crestmore
          • Crestmore quarries
            • Sky Blue Hill
Murdoch (1966)
      • Riverside
Richmond (1939) +2 other references
  • New York
    • Orange County
      • Town of Warwick
www.colgate.edu (2014)
departments.colgate.edu (2006)
departments.colgate.edu (2006)
    • St. Lawrence County
      • Canton
Grew et al. (1990)
    • Warren County
www.excaliburmineral.com +2 other references
        • Johnsburg Village
Harvard Museum of Natural History +1 other reference
Smithsonian collection
 
and/or  
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