Srilankite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Srilankite
Flag of Sri Lanka
Formula:
TiO2
Originally given as ZrTi2O6 which was misleading, as there is no evidence of stoichiometry or Ti-Zr ordering in the structure.
Colour:
Black, blackish brown
Lustre:
Sub-Adamantine, Resinous, Sub-Metallic
Hardness:
6½
Specific Gravity:
4.6
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1983 by Alexander Willgallis, Eveline Siegmann, and Theja Hettiaratchi after its discovery locality at Rakwana, Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka. The mineral serendibite is also named after the country.
A member of the ixiolite group. Ti and Zr in srilankite occupy the same crystallographic M1 site, similar to transition metals in the other ixiolite group minerals (Chukanov et al., 2023).
Gottman et al. (2018) assume the existence of a solid solution between srilankite (ZrTi2O6) and brannerite (UTi2O6).
Gottman et al. (2018) assume the existence of a solid solution between srilankite (ZrTi2O6) and brannerite (UTi2O6).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3737
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3737:8
IMA Classification of Srilankite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Ti4+O2
Approval year:
1982
First published:
1983
Type description reference:
Classification of Srilankite
4.DB.25
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
D : Metal: Oxygen = 1:2 and similar
B : With medium-sized cations; chains of edge-sharing octahedra
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
D : Metal: Oxygen = 1:2 and similar
B : With medium-sized cations; chains of edge-sharing octahedra
4.4.13.2
4 : SIMPLE OXIDES
4 : AX2
4 : SIMPLE OXIDES
4 : AX2
7.10.4
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
10 : Oxides of Zr and Th
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
10 : Oxides of Zr and Th
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sri | 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 Srilankite
Sub-Adamantine, Resinous, Sub-Metallic
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Black, blackish brown
Hardness:
6½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Poor/Indistinct
not given
not given
Fracture:
Sub-Conchoidal
Density:
4.6 g/cm3 (Measured) 4.77 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Srilankite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
n = 2.38
2V:
Measured: 16°
Surface Relief:
Very High (positive)
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
Anisotropism:
observed
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 (%) | R2 (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 480nm | 19.4% | 18.6% |
| 546nm | 18.4% | 16.0% |
| 589nm | 18.5% | 16.4% |
| 649nm | 18.7% | 17.0% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 19.4%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
gray white
Internal Reflections:
Brown, dark blue
Chemistry of Srilankite
Mindat Formula:
TiO2
Originally given as ZrTi2O6 which was misleading, as there is no evidence of stoichiometry or Ti-Zr ordering in the structure.
Originally given as ZrTi2O6 which was misleading, as there is no evidence of stoichiometry or Ti-Zr ordering in the structure.
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Srilankite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pbcn
Setting:
Pbcn
Cell Parameters:
a = 4.708(5) Å, b = 5.553(5) Å, c = 5.019(4) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.848 : 1 : 0.904
Unit Cell V:
131.21 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Tabular crystal, often twinned
Twinning:
Interpenetration and contact twins
Crystal Structure
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0016662 | Srilankite | Bordet P, McHale A, Santoro A, Roth R (1986) Powder neutron diffraction study of ZrTiO4, Zr5Ti7O24, and FeNb2O6 _cod_database_code 1008790 Journal of Solid State Chemistry 64 30-46 | 1986 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0010854 | Srilankite | Willgallis A, Hartl H (1983) (Zr0.33Ti0.67)O2 - ein naturliches zirkonium-titanoxid mit alpha-PbO2-struktur Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 164 59-66 |  | 1983 | Rakwana, Sri Lanka | 0 | 293 |
| 0008989 | Srilankite | Troitzsch U, Christy A G, Ellis D J (2005) The crystal structure of disordered (Zr,Ti)O2 solid solution Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 32 504-514 | 2005 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0008988 | Srilankite | Troitzsch U, Christy A G, Ellis D J (2005) The crystal structure of disordered (Zr,Ti)O2 solid solution Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 32 504-514 | 2005 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0008987 | Srilankite | Troitzsch U, Christy A G, Ellis D J (2005) The crystal structure of disordered (Zr,Ti)O2 solid solution Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 32 504-514 | 2005 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0008986 | Srilankite | Troitzsch U, Christy A G, Ellis D J (2005) The crystal structure of disordered (Zr,Ti)O2 solid solution Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 32 504-514 | 2005 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0008985 | Srilankite | Troitzsch U, Christy A G, Ellis D J (2005) The crystal structure of disordered (Zr,Ti)O2 solid solution Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 32 504-514 | 2005 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0008984 | Srilankite | Troitzsch U, Christy A G, Ellis D J (2005) The crystal structure of disordered (Zr,Ti)O2 solid solution Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 32 504-514 | 2005 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0008983 | Srilankite | Troitzsch U, Christy A G, Ellis D J (2005) The crystal structure of disordered (Zr,Ti)O2 solid solution Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 32 504-514 | 2005 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.61 Å | (25) |
| 2.92 Å | (100) |
| 1.864 Å | (15) |
| 1.793 Å | (15) |
| 1.721 Å | (30) |
| 1.692 Å | (25) |
| 1.516 Å | (35) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 26 : Hadean detrital minerals |
Type Occurrence of Srilankite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 165370.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Alluvial deposit
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Synonyms of Srilankite
Other Language Names for Srilankite
Relationship of Srilankite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Ixiolite Group:
| Ixiolite-(Fe2+) | (Ta0.67Fe2+0.33)O2 | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbcn |
| Ixiolite-(Mn2+) | (Ta0.67Mn2+0.33)O2 | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbcn |
| Ixiolite-(Sc) | (Ta0.5Sc0.5)O2 | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbcn |
| Nioboixiolite-(Fe2+) | (Nb0.67Fe2+0.33)O2 | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbcn |
| Nioboixiolite-(Fe3+) | (Nb0.5Fe3+0.5)O2 | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbcn |
| Nioboixiolite-(Mn2+) | (Nb0.67Mn2+0.33)O2 | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbcn |
| Nioboixiolite-([]) | (Nb0.8◻0.2)4+O2 | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbcn |
| Scrutinyite | α-PbO2 | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbcn |
| Seifertite | SiO2 | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbcn |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 1 photo of Srilankite associated with Baddeleyite | ZrO2 |
| 1 photo of Srilankite associated with Spinel | MgAl2O4 |
| 1 photo of Srilankite associated with Enstatite | Mg2Si2O6 |
| 1 photo of Srilankite associated with Pyrope | Mg3Al2(SiO4)3 |
| 1 photo of Srilankite associated with Forsterite | Mg2(SiO4) |
| 1 photo of Srilankite associated with Zircon | Zr(SiO4) |
| 1 photo of Srilankite associated with Ilmenite | Fe2+TiO3 |
| 1 photo of Srilankite associated with Rutile | TiO2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.DB. | Tianhongqiite | CrTiO3(OH) |
| 4.DB. | Nioboheftetjernite | ScNbO4 |
| 4.DB. | Huangshanite | Fe3+TaO4 |
| 4.DB. | Nioboixiolite-(Mn2+) | (Nb0.67Mn2+0.33)O2 |
| 4.DB. | Shakhdaraite-(Y) | ScYNb2O8 |
| 4.DB.05 | Varlamoffite | Sn1-xFexO2-x(OH) |
| 4.DB.05 | Argutite | GeO2 |
| 4.DB.05 | Cassiterite | SnO2 |
| 4.DB.05 | Rutile | TiO2 |
| 4.DB.05 | Plattnerite | PbO2 |
| 4.DB.05 | Tripuhyite | Fe3+Sb5+O4 |
| 4.DB.05 | Tugarinovite | MoO2 |
| 4.DB.05 | Pyrolusite | Mn4+O2 |
| 4.DB.10 | Byströmite | MgSb2O6 |
| 4.DB.10 | Ordoñezite | ZnSb2O6 |
| 4.DB.10 | Tredouxite | NiSb2O6 |
| 4.DB.10 | Tapiolite-(Mn) | Mn2+Ta2O6 |
| 4.DB.10 | Tapiolite-(Fe) | Fe2+Ta2O6 |
| 4.DB.15a | Paramontroseite | V4+O2 |
| 4.DB.15a | Ramsdellite | Mn4+O2 |
| 4.DB.15b | Akhtenskite | ε-Mn4+O2 |
| 4.DB.15c | Nsutite | (Mn4+,Mn2+)(O,OH)2 |
| 4.DB.20 | Scrutinyite | α-PbO2 |
| 4.DB.20 | Nioboixiolite-([]) | (Nb0.8◻0.2)4+O2 |
| 4.DB.25 | Ishikawaite | U4+Fe2+Nb2O8 |
| 4.DB.25 | Yttrocolumbite-(Y) | Y(U4+,Fe2+)Nb2O8 |
| 4.DB.25 | Calciosamarskite | (Ca,U4+)Fe3+(Nb,Ta,Ti)2O8 |
| 4.DB.25 | Samarskite-(Yb) | YbFe3+(Nb,Ta)2O8 |
| 4.DB.25 | Ixiolite-(Sc) | (Ta0.5Sc0.5)O2 |
| 4.DB.25 | Ixiolite-(Fe2+) | (Ta0.67Fe2+0.33)O2 |
| 4.DB.25 | Ixiolite-(Mn2+) | (Ta0.67Mn2+0.33)O2 |
| 4.DB.25 | Nioboixiolite-(Fe2+) | (Nb0.67Fe2+0.33)O2 |
| 4.DB.25 | Samarskite-(Y) | YFe3+Nb2O8 |
| 4.DB.25 | Nioboixiolite-(Fe3+) | (Nb0.5Fe3+0.5)O2 |
| 4.DB.30 va | Wolframite Group | |
| 4.DB.30 | Rossovskyite | (Fe3+,Ta)(Nb,Ti)O4 |
| 4.DB.30 | Huanzalaite | MgWO4 |
| 4.DB.30 | Heftetjernite | ScTaO4 |
| 4.DB.30 | Hübnerite | MnWO4 |
| 4.DB.30 | Sanmartinite | (Zn,Fe)WO4 |
| 4.DB.30 | Ferberite | FeWO4 |
| 4.DB.30 | 'Krasnoselskite' | CoWO4 |
| 4.DB.35 | Qitianlingite | (Fe,Mn)2(Nb,Ta)2WO10 |
| 4.DB.35 | Tantalaeschynite-(Ce) | Ce(TiTa)O6 |
| 4.DB.35 | Tantalite-(Mg) | (Mg,Fe2+)(Ta,Nb)2O6 |
| 4.DB.35 | Columbite-(Mn) | Mn2+Nb2O6 |
| 4.DB.35 | Tantalite-(Mn) | Mn2+Ta2O6 |
| 4.DB.35 | Columbite-(Fe) | Fe2+Nb2O6 |
| 4.DB.35 | Columbite-(Mg) | (Mg,Fe,Mn)(Nb,Ta)2O6 |
| 4.DB.35 | Tantalite-(Fe) | Fe2+Ta2O6 |
| 4.DB.40 | Ferrotitanowodginite | Fe2+TiTa2O8 |
| 4.DB.40 | 'Wolframowodginite' | Mn(Mn,Sn,Fe,Ta)(W,Ta,Nb)2O8 |
| 4.DB.40 | Lithiotantite | LiTa3O8 |
| 4.DB.40 | Lithiowodginite | LiTa3O8 |
| 4.DB.40 | Titanowodginite | Mn2+TiTa2O8 |
| 4.DB.40 | Tantalowodginite | (Mn2+0.5◻0.5)TaTa2O8 |
| 4.DB.40 | Wodginite | Mn2+Sn4+Ta2O8 |
| 4.DB.40 | Ferrowodginite | Fe2+Sn4+Ta2O8 |
| 4.DB.45 | Tivanite | V3+TiO3(OH) |
| 4.DB.50 | Carmichaelite | (Ti,Cr,Fe)[O2-x(OH)x] |
| 4.DB.55 | Alumotantite | AlTaO4 |
| 4.DB.60 | Biehlite | ((Sb,As)O)2[MoO4] |
Fluorescence of Srilankite
Not fluorescent in UV
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 Srilankite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3737.html
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References for Srilankite
Reference List:
Willgallis, Alexander, Hartl, Hans (1983) (Zr0,33Ti0,67)O2 – ein natürliches Zirkonium-Titanoxid mit α-PbO2-Struktur. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, 164 (1-2). 59-66 doi:10.1524/zkri.1983.164.1-2.59
Dunn, Pete J., Grice, Joel D. Fleischer, Michael, Pabst, Adolf (1984) New mineral names. American Mineralogist, 69 (1-2) 210-215
Bordet, P., McHale, A., Santoro, A., Roth, R.S. (1986) Powder neutron diffraction study of ZrTiO4, Zr5Ti7O24, and FeNb2O6. Journal of Solid State Chemistry, 64. 30-46 doi:10.1016/0022-4596(86)90119-2
Wang, Liping, Essene, Eric J., Zhang, Youxue (1999) Mineral inclusions in pyrope crystals from Garnet Ridge, Arizona, USA: implications for processes in the upper mantle. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 135 (2) 164-178 doi:10.1007/s004100050504
Morishita, Tomoaki, Maeda, Jinichiro, Miyashita, Sumio, Matsumoto, Takeshi, Dick, Henry J. B. (2004) Magmatic srilankite (Ti2ZrO6) in gabbroic vein cutting oceanic peridotites: An unusual product of peridotite-melt interactions beneath slow-spreading ridges. American Mineralogist, 89 (5) 759-766 doi:10.2138/am-2004-5-609
Troitzsch, Ulrike, Ellis, David J. (2004) High-PT study of solid solutions in the system ZrO2-TiO2: The stability of srilankite. European Journal of Mineralogy, 16 (4). 577-584 doi:10.1127/0935-1221/2004/0016-0577
Troitzsch, U., Christy, A. G., Ellis, D. J. (2005) The crystal structure of disordered (Zr,Ti)O2 solid solution including srilankite: evolution towards tetragonal ZrO2 with increasing Zr. Physics and Chemistry of Minerals, 32 (7) 504-514 doi:10.1007/s00269-005-0027-0
Akaogi, Masaki, Horiuchi, Nanami, Ishii, Takayuki, Kojitani, Hiroshi (2012) High-pressure phase relations in the system TiO2–ZrO2 to 12 GPa: stability of αPbO2-type srilankite solid solutions of (Ti1−x, Zrx)O2 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.6). Physics and Chemistry of Minerals, 39 (10). 797-802 doi:10.1007/s00269-012-0534-8
Korinevsky, V. G., Blinov, I. A. (2016) First find of srilankite in the Urals. Doklady Earth Sciences, 470 (1) 957-960 doi:10.1134/s1028334x16090129
Gottman, I. A., Pushkarev, E. V., Khiller, V. V. (2018) Uranium-Bearing Srilankite from High-Pressure Garnetites of the Southern Urals: First Data. Doklady Earth Sciences, 479 (2) 529-533 doi:10.1134/s1028334x18040244
Biller, A. Ya., Logvinova, A. M., Babushkina, S. A., Oleynikov, O. B., Sobolev, N. V. (2018) Shrilankite Inclusions in Garnets from Kimberlite Bodies and Diamondiferous Volcanic–Sedimentary Rocks of the Yakutian Kimberlite Province, Russia. Doklady Earth Sciences, 478 (1) 15-19 doi:10.1134/s1028334x18010117
[1]Gottman, I. A., Pushkarev, E. V., Khiller, V. V. (2018) Uranium-Bearing Srilankite from High-Pressure Garnetites of the Southern Urals: First Data. Doklady Earth Sciences, 479 (2) 529-533 doi:10.1134/s1028334x18040244
Localities for Srilankite
Showing 25 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.
Antarctica | |
| Osanai; Yasuhito; Toyoshima; Tsuyoshi; Owada; Masaaki (2001) |
| Mallik et al. (2024) |
Australia | |
| Kirby et al. (2022) |
| Habibi et al. (2026) |
| Brenner et al. (2025) |
Austria | |
| Kohn et al. (2024) |
Canada | |
| Canadian Museum of Nature collection |
| Piilonen et al. (2025) | |
China | |
| Chen et al. (2013) |
Colombia | |
| Betancur-Figueroa et al. (2020) |
Cuba | |
| Pujol-Solà et al. (2020) |
Eurasian Plate | |
| Gottman et al. (2018) |
Indian Ocean | |
| Morishita +4 other references |
Italy | |
| Tumiati et al. (2018) |
Mexico | |
| León et al. (2016) |
Myanmar | |
| Themelis (2008) |
Norway | |
| Cempírek J. et al. (2010) +1 other reference |
Russia | |
| Gottman et al. (2018) |
| Korinevsky et al. (2016) |
| Mikhailova et al. (2007) |
South Africa | |
| Konzett et al. (2013) |
Sri Lanka (TL) | |
| Willgallis et al. (1983) +1 other reference |
USA | |
| Mandarino (2001) +1 other reference |
| Ague et al. (2012) |
The Moon | |
| Stadermann et al. (2024) |
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Atlantis II Fracture Zone, Southwest Indian Ridge, Indian Ocean