Shortite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About Shortite
Maxwell N. Short
Formula:
Na2Ca2(CO3)3
Colour:
Colourless, light yellow, light green
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
2.6
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named in honor of Maxwell Naylor Short (1 March 1889, Pembina, North Dakota, USA - 23 March 1952, Tucson, Arizona, USA), Professor of Mineralogy, University of Arizona, Tucson, USA and President of the Mineralogical Society of America. At different times he was a professor at Harvard and worked for the United States Geological Survey.
Type Locality:
Visit gemdat.org for Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3640
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3640:1
IMA Classification of Shortite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1939
Classification of Shortite
5.AC.25
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
A : Carbonates without additional anions, without H2O
C : Alkali and alkali-earth carbonates
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
A : Carbonates without additional anions, without H2O
C : Alkali and alkali-earth carbonates
14.4.1.1
14 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL CARBONATES
4 : Miscellaneous
14 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL CARBONATES
4 : Miscellaneous
11.1.9
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sot | 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 Shortite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless, light yellow, light green
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
On {010}.
On {010}.
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
2.6 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.605 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Shortite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.531 nβ = 1.555 nγ = 1.57
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.
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
Dispersion:
r < v moderate
Optical Extinction:
Parallel. X = c; Y = a; Z = b.
Chemistry of Shortite
Mindat Formula:
Na2Ca2(CO3)3
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Shortite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mm2 - Pyramidal
Space Group:
Amm2
Cell Parameters:
a = 4.96 Å, b = 11.03 Å, c = 7.12 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.45 : 1 : 0.646
Unit Cell V:
389.53 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Crystals wedge-shaped, tabular {100} or equant to short prismatic [100]. {011} striated [100] and in oscillatory combination with {001}.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0013288 | Shortite | Dickens B, Hyman A, Brown W E (1971) Crystal structure of Ca2Na2(CO3)3 (shortite) Journal of Research of the National Bureau of Standards - Physics and Chemistry 75A 129-135 | 1971 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Loading XRD data...
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 2.562 Å | (100) |
| 5.515 Å | (71) |
| 4.957 Å | (71) |
| 2.179 Å | (71) |
| 1.996 Å | (60) |
| 5.985 Å | (50) |
| 3.818 Å | (50) |
Comments:
John Hay, Jr. Well No. 1, Wyoming, USA.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 3a: Earth’s earliest Hadean crust | >4.50 |
| 7 : Ultramafic igneous rocks | |
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 24 : Authigenic minerals in terrestrial sediments (see also #17) | |
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks | |
| 36 : Carbonatites, kimberlites, and related igneous rocks |
Type Occurrence of Shortite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Nearly equant crystals from 1-3 millimeters in size, and tabular crystals up to 15 millimeters across and 2-3 millimeters thick.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Harvard Mineralogical Museum, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, number 98093 (type).
Geological Setting of Type Material:
From a drill core in Eocene clay and oil shale.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Shortite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 8 photos of Shortite associated with Pectolite | NaCa2Si3O8(OH) |
| 5 photos of Shortite associated with 'Shale' | |
| 3 photos of Shortite associated with Sheldrickite | NaCa3(CO3)2F3 · H2O |
| 3 photos of Shortite associated with Niveolanite | NaBe(CO3)(OH) · 2H2O |
| 3 photos of Shortite associated with Sabinaite | Na4Zr2TiO4(CO3)4 |
| 3 photos of Shortite associated with Feldspar Group | |
| 2 photos of Shortite associated with Hochelagaite | (Ca,Na,Sr)(Nb,Ti,Si,Al)4O11 · 8H2O |
| 2 photos of Shortite associated with Vaterite | CaCO3 |
| 1 photo of Shortite associated with Schairerite | Na21(SO4)7ClF6 |
| 1 photo of Shortite associated with Loughlinite | Na2Mg3Si6O16 · 8H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.AC.05 | Eitelite | Na2Mg(CO3)2 |
| 5.AC.10 | Zemkorite | Na2Ca(CO3)2 |
| 5.AC.10 | Nyerereite | Na2Ca(CO3)2 |
| 5.AC.15 | Bütschliite | K2Ca(CO3)2 |
| 5.AC.20 | Fairchildite | K2Ca(CO3)2 |
| 5.AC.30 | Burbankite | (Na,Ca)3(Sr,Ba,Ce)3(CO3)5 |
| 5.AC.30 | Calcioburbankite | Na3(Ca,REE,Sr)3(CO3)5 |
| 5.AC.30 | Sanrománite | Na2CaPb3[CO3]5 |
| 5.AC.30 | Khanneshite | (Na,Ca)3(Ba,Sr,Ce,Ca)3(CO3)5 |
| 5.AC.30 | Lishiite | (Ca2◻)Sr3(CO3)5 |
Fluorescence of Shortite
Fluoresces pale amber (UV).
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:
Strongly pyroelectric. Inverts at about 200° C. Melts incongruently at about 600° C.
Notes:
Decomposed by water with separation of CaCO3.
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 Shortite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3640.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 Shortite
Reference List:
Fahey, Joseph J. (1939) Shortite, a new carbonate of sodium and calcium. American Mineralogist, 24 (8) 514-518
Dickens, B., Hyman, A., Brown, W.E. (1971) Crystal structure of Ca2Na2(CO3)3 (shortite) Journal of Research of the National Bureau of Standards Section A: Physics and Chemistry, 75 (2) 129-135 doi:10.6028/jres.075a.013
Frost, Ray L., Dickfos, Marilla (2007) Hydrated double carbonates – A Raman and infrared spectroscopic study. Polyhedron, 26 (15). 4503-4508 doi:10.1016/j.poly.2007.06.003
Zaitsev, A. N.; Keller, J.; Spratt, J.; Perova, E. N.; Kearsley, A. (2008) Nyerereite–pirssonite–calcite–shortite relationships in altered natrocarbonatites, Oldoinyo Lengai, Tanzania. The Canadian Mineralogist, 46 (4). 843-860 doi:10.3749/canmin.46.4.843
Frost, Ray L., Dickfos, Marilla J. (2008) Raman and infrared spectroscopic study of the anhydrous carbonate minerals shortite and barytocalcite. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 71 (1) 143-146 doi:10.1016/j.saa.2007.11.021
Jagniecki, Elliot A., Jenkins, David M., Lowenstein, Tim K., Carroll, Alan R. (2013) Experimental study of shortite (Na2Ca2(CO3)3) formation and application to the burial history of the Wilkins Peak Member, Green River Basin, Wyoming, USA. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 115. 31-45 doi:10.1016/j.gca.2013.04.005
Luo, Min; Lin, Chensheng; Zou, Guohong; Ye, Ning; Cheng, Wendan (2014) Sodium–rare earth carbonates with shorite structure and large second harmonic generation response. CrystEngComm, 16 (21). p.4414. doi:10.1039/c4ce00183d("shorite" in title = shortite)
Shatskiy, Anton, Gavryushkin, Pavel N., Litasov, Konstantin D., Koroleva, Olga N., Kupriyanov, Igor N., Borzdov, Yuri M., Sharygin, Igor S., Funakoshi, Kenichi, Palyanov, Yuri N., Ijiohtani, E (2015) Na-Ca carbonates synthesized under upper-mantle conditions: Raman spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction studies. European Journal of Mineralogy, 27 (2) 175-184 doi:10.1127/ejm/2015/0027-2426
Localities for Shortite
Showing 57 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.
Angola | |
| Castellano Calvo A et al. (2014) |
| Castellano Calvo A et al. (2014) |
Australia | |
| White et al. (1980) |
Canada | |
| Kamenetsky et al. (2013) |
| Watkinson et al. (1973) +1 other reference |
| Chen et al. (2013) |
| Chen et al. (2013) +1 other reference | |
| Horváth et al. (1990) |
China | |
| Jianmin Zhaou and Jiping Wang (1989) +1 other reference |
| Youxun Zhang (1983) | |
| ZHANG et al. (2018) +2 other references |
Germany | |
| Harries (2021, March) |
India | |
| Parthasarathy et al. (2002) |
Myanmar | |
| Giuliani et al. (2015) |
Poland | |
| Cu +2 other references |
Russia | |
| Golovin et al. (2023) |
| Sharygin +11 other references |
| ... +1 other reference |
| Pekov (1998) |
| PEKOV et al. (2013) | |
| Khomyakov et al. (1982) +4 other references |
| [World of Stones 95:5-6 +1 other reference | |
| [World of Stones 95:5-6 +1 other reference |
| Pekov (1998) +1 other reference |
| Pekov et al. (1999) +1 other reference |
| Zaitsev et al. (2004) |
| ... | |
| Khomyakov et al. (1982) | |
| Khomyakov et al. (1982) | |
| Khomyakov et al. (1982) +2 other references | |
| Pekov (1998) +4 other references |
| Golovin (2025) | |
| Sharygin et al. (2021) |
| Sharygin (2016) +1 other reference |
South Africa | |
| Giuliani et al. (2012) +2 other references |
Tajikistan | |
| www.koeln.netsurf.de (1999) |
Tanzania | |
| Mitchell et al. (2021) |
| ZAITSEV et al. (2006) +1 other reference |
Turkey | |
| Dayan et al. (2008) |
| Helvaci (1998) +1 other reference |
Uganda | |
| Aspden (1981) |
USA | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) | |
| Palache et al. (1951) +3 other references | |
| Pabst (1973) |
| Smith et al. (1972) |
| Bullock (1981) | |
| gsa.confex.com (n.d.) | |
| Milton et al. (1960) | |
| Pabst (1973) | |
| U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report ... | |
| Erickson (1952) +2 other references |
| Maggie Wilson |
| RRUFF Project Specimen ID: R050248 | |
| Excalibur Mineral Corp. - Mineral News | |
| Mrose et al. (1961) | |
| Fahey (1939) |
Quick NavTopAbout ShortiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence Other LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
FMC Green River Trona Mine, Green River Basin, Sweetwater County, Wyoming, USA