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Stishovite

A valid IMA mineral species
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About StishoviteHide

Formula:
SiO2
Colour:
Colourless
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
7½ - 8
Specific Gravity:
4.35
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Member of:
Name:
Named in honor of Sergei Mikhailovich Stishov (Сергей Михайлович Стишов) (12 December 1937, Moscow, USSR -), crystallographer, Institute of Crystallography, Academy of Sciences, Moscow (Russia) who synthesized the compound. He has also worked the the Institute of High Pressure Physics of RAS.
Isostructural with:
Rutile Group. The Si analogue of argutite.

A high-pressure polymorph of SiO2. Found as microscopic grains in impact craters and in ultra-high pressure rocks.

Important component of subducted oceanic basalts. May potentially incorporate large (wt. percents level) of water and may thus play a key role in water transport / lower mantle storage on Earth (Lin et al., 2020).


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
3790
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3790:3

IMA Classification of StishoviteHide

Classification of StishoviteHide

4.DA.40

4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
D : Metal: Oxygen = 1:2 and similar
A : With small cations: Silica family
4.4.1.9

4 : SIMPLE OXIDES
4 : AX2
7.8.4

7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
8 : Oxides of Si

Mineral SymbolsHide

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

Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.

SymbolSourceReference for Standard
StiIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43
StvSiivolam & Schmid (2007)Siivolam, J. and Schmid, R. (2007) Recommendations by the IUGS Subcommission on the Systematics of Metamorphic Rocks: List of mineral abbreviations. Web-version 01.02.07. IUGS Commission on the Systematics in Petrology. download
StiWhitney & Evans (2010)Whitney, D.L. and Evans, B.W. (2010) Abbreviations for names of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 95, 185–187 doi:10.2138/am.2010.3371
StiThe Canadian Mineralogist (2019)The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download

Physical Properties of StishoviteHide

Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
7½ - 8 on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN100=1700 - 2800 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Comment:
Synthetic; 2080 parallel to [001], 1700 perpendicular [001]
Density:
4.35 g/cm3 (Measured)    4.29 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Synthetic material

Optical Data of StishoviteHide

Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 1.799 - 1.800 nε = 1.826 - 1.845
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.027 - 0.045
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 uniaxial interference figure - the conoscopic (convergent-light, Bertrand-lens-in) view, for a grain cut with the optic axis centred and vertical. The coloured rings are isochromatics, computed with the same physics as the Michel-Lévy bar above; the dark cross is the isogyre.

For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.

Chemistry of StishoviteHide

Mindat Formula:
SiO2
Element Weights:
Element% weight
O53.257 %
Si46.744 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.

Crystallography of StishoviteHide

Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Class (H-M):
4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) - Ditetragonal Dipyramidal
Space Group:
P42/mnm
Cell Parameters:
a = 4.1772(7) Å, c = 2.6651(4) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.638
Unit Cell V:
46.50 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Aggregates of submicron particles.
Comment:
Synthetic material

Crystal StructureHide

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0013504StishoviteHill R J, Newton M D, Gibbs G V (1983) A crystal chemical study of stishovite Journal of Solid State Chemistry 47 185-2001983synthetic0293
0009403StishoviteBaur W H, Khan A A (1971) Rutile-type compounds. VI. SiO2, GeO2 and a comparison with other rutile-type structures Acta Crystallographica B27 2133-21391971Meteor Crater, Arizona, USA0293
0008735StishoviteYamanaka T, Fukuda T, Tsuchiya J (2002) Bonding character of SiO2 stishovite under high pressures up to 30 GPa Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 29 633-64120020293
0001739StishoviteSmyth J R, Swope R J, Pawley A R (1995) H in rutile-type compounds: II. Crystal chemistry of Al substitution in H-bearing stishovite American Mineralogist 80 454-45619950293
0001738StishoviteSmyth J R, Swope R J, Pawley A R (1995) H in rutile-type compounds: II. Crystal chemistry of Al substitution in H-bearing stishovite American Mineralogist 80 454-45619950293
0001306StishoviteRoss N L, Shu J F, Hazen R M, Gasparik T (1990) High-pressure crystal chemistry of stishovite American Mineralogist 75 739-74719900293
0007437StishoviteSpackman M A, Hill R J, Gibbs G V (1987) Exploration of structure and bonding in stishovite with Fourier and Pseudoaton Refinement methods using single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction data Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 14 139-15019870293
0007436StishoviteSpackman M A, Hill R J, Gibbs G V (1987) Exploration of structure and bonding in stishovite with Fourier and Pseudoaton Refinement methods using single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction data Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 14 139-15019870293
0007435StishoviteSpackman M A, Hill R J, Gibbs G V (1987) Exploration of structure and bonding in stishovite with Fourier and Pseudoaton Refinement methods using single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction data Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 14 139-15019870293
0007434StishoviteSpackman M A, Hill R J, Gibbs G V (1987) Exploration of structure and bonding in stishovite with Fourier and Pseudoaton Refinement methods using single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction data Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 14 139-15019870293
0007382StishoviteEndo S, Akai T, Akahama Y, Wakatsuki M, Nakamura T, Tomii Y, Koto K, Ito Y, Tokonami M (1986) High temperature X-ray study of single crystal stishovite synthesized with Li2WO4 as flux Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 13 146-15119860293
0007381StishoviteEndo S, Akai T, Akahama Y, Wakatsuki M, Nakamura T, Tomii Y, Koto K, Ito Y, Tokonami M (1986) High temperature X-ray study of single crystal stishovite synthesized with Li2WO4 as flux Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 13 146-15119860293
0007380StishoviteEndo S, Akai T, Akahama Y, Wakatsuki M, Nakamura T, Tomii Y, Koto K, Ito Y, Tokonami M (1986) High temperature X-ray study of single crystal stishovite synthesized with Li2WO4 as flux Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 13 146-15119860293
0007379StishoviteEndo S, Akai T, Akahama Y, Wakatsuki M, Nakamura T, Tomii Y, Koto K, Ito Y, Tokonami M (1986) High temperature X-ray study of single crystal stishovite synthesized with Li2WO4 as flux Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 13 146-15119860293
0007378StishoviteEndo S, Akai T, Akahama Y, Wakatsuki M, Nakamura T, Tomii Y, Koto K, Ito Y, Tokonami M (1986) High temperature X-ray study of single crystal stishovite synthesized with Li2WO4 as flux Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 13 146-15119860293
0001307StishoviteRoss N L, Shu J F, Hazen R M, Gasparik T (1990) High-pressure crystal chemistry of stishovite American Mineralogist 75 739-74719901.7293
0001308StishoviteRoss N L, Shu J F, Hazen R M, Gasparik T (1990) High-pressure crystal chemistry of stishovite American Mineralogist 75 739-74719902.5293
0001309StishoviteRoss N L, Shu J F, Hazen R M, Gasparik T (1990) High-pressure crystal chemistry of stishovite American Mineralogist 75 739-74719904293
0001310StishoviteRoss N L, Shu J F, Hazen R M, Gasparik T (1990) High-pressure crystal chemistry of stishovite American Mineralogist 75 739-74719904.7293
0008736StishoviteYamanaka T, Fukuda T, Tsuchiya J (2002) Bonding character of SiO2 stishovite under high pressures up to 30 GPa Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 29 633-64120025.23293
0001311StishoviteRoss N L, Shu J F, Hazen R M, Gasparik T (1990) High-pressure crystal chemistry of stishovite American Mineralogist 75 739-74719909293
0008737StishoviteYamanaka T, Fukuda T, Tsuchiya J (2002) Bonding character of SiO2 stishovite under high pressures up to 30 GPa Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 29 633-64120029.26293
0001312StishoviteRoss N L, Shu J F, Hazen R M, Gasparik T (1990) High-pressure crystal chemistry of stishovite American Mineralogist 75 739-747199011293
0008738StishoviteYamanaka T, Fukuda T, Tsuchiya J (2002) Bonding character of SiO2 stishovite under high pressures up to 30 GPa Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 29 633-641200212.3293
0001313StishoviteRoss N L, Shu J F, Hazen R M, Gasparik T (1990) High-pressure crystal chemistry of stishovite American Mineralogist 75 739-747199015293
0008739StishoviteYamanaka T, Fukuda T, Tsuchiya J (2002) Bonding character of SiO2 stishovite under high pressures up to 30 GPa Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 29 633-641200229.1293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
2.959 Å(100)
1.530 Å(50)
1.981 Å(35)
1.235 Å(25)
2.246 Å(18)
1.478 Å(18)
1.870 Å(13)

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 2: Planetesimal differentiation and alteration4.566-4.550
6 : Secondary asteroid phases4.566-4.560
Near-surface Processes
30 : Terrestrial impact minerals
Geological Setting:
Meteorite impact craters

Type Occurrence of StishoviteHide

General Appearance of Type Material:
Aggregates of submicron size.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
n.d.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
A meteor impact crater in sandstone.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Synonyms of StishoviteHide

Other Language Names for StishoviteHide

Relationship of Stishovite to other SpeciesHide

Member of:
Other Members of Silica:
ChibaiteSiO2 · n(CH4, C2H6, C3H8, i-C4H10) (n = 3/17 (max))Iso. m3(2/m3) : Fd3
CoesiteSiO2Mon. 2/m : B2/b
CristobaliteSiO2Tet. 422 : P41212
'Keatite'SiO2Tet. 422 : P43212
LechatelieriteSiO2Amor.
Melanophlogite46SiO2 · 6(N2,CO2) · 2(CH4,N2)Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m)
MogániteSiO2Mon. 2/m
'Opal-AG'SiO2 · nH2O
'Opal-AN'SiO2 · nH2O
'Opal-C'SiO2 · nH2O
'Opal-CT'SiO2 · nH2O
QuartzSiO2Trig. 32 : P3121
'Quartz-beta'SiO2Hex. 622 : P6422
TridymiteSiO2Tric. 1
'β-Cristobalite'SiO2Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
'β-Tridymite'SiO2

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
4 photos of Stishovite associated with 'Kamacite'(Fe,Ni)
4 photos of Stishovite associated with Taenite(Ni,Fe)
3 photos of Stishovite associated with TroiliteFeS
3 photos of Stishovite associated with MagadiiteNa2Si14O29 · 11H2O
3 photos of Stishovite associated with KenyaiteNa2Si22O41(OH)8 · 6H2O
3 photos of Stishovite associated with CoesiteSiO2
2 photos of Stishovite associated with Pigeonite(CaxMgyFez)(Mgy1Fez1)Si2O6
1 photo of Stishovite associated with ZagamiiteCaAl2Si3.5O11
1 photo of Stishovite associated with 'Maskelynite'
1 photo of Stishovite associated with LiebermanniteKAlSi3O8

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

4.DA.BosoiteSiO2 · nCxH2x+2Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mmm
4.DA.ChibaiteSiO2 · n(CH4, C2H6, C3H8, i-C4H10) (n = 3/17 (max))Iso. m3(2/m3) : Fd3
4.DA.'Carbon Dioxide Ice'CO2
4.DA.05QuartzSiO2Trig. 32 : P3121
4.DA.10TridymiteSiO2Tric. 1
4.DA.10OpalSiO2 · nH2O
4.DA.15CristobaliteSiO2Tet. 422 : P41212
4.DA.20MogániteSiO2Mon. 2/m
4.DA.25Melanophlogite46SiO2 · 6(N2,CO2) · 2(CH4,N2)Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m)
4.DA.30LechatelieriteSiO2Amor.
4.DA.35CoesiteSiO2Mon. 2/m : B2/b
4.DA.35XiexiandeiteSiO2Mon. 2/m : P21/b
4.DA.45'Keatite'SiO2Tet. 422 : P43212
4.DA.50SeifertiteSiO2Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbcn
4.DA.55'Quartz-beta'SiO2Hex. 622 : P6422

Other InformationHide

Thermal Behaviour:
Forms at > 1200C and ~100 kilobars. Metastable, alters above 300C.
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 StishoviteHide

References for StishoviteHide

Reference List:

Localities for StishoviteHide

Showing 38 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.
Antarctica
 
  • East Antarctica
    • Queen Maud Land
      • Sør Rondane Mountains
Ohtani et al. (2011)
Brazil
 
  • Mato Grosso
    • Juína
Bulanova et al. (2010)
Thomson et al. (2014)
Cid et al. (2014)
Canada
 
  • Québec
    • Côte-Nord
      • Manicouagan RCM
Boonsue et al. (2012)
Egypt
 
  • New Valley Governorate
    • East Uweinat Desert
Gian Paolo Sighinolfi et al. (2014)
Germany
 
  • Baden-Württemberg
    • Stuttgart Region
      • Ostalbkreis
        • Unterschneidheim
          • Zipplingen
Tschauner +4 other references
  • Bavaria
    • Swabia
      • Donau-Ries District
        • Nördlingen
geosciences.smsu.edu (2004)
Stähle et al. (2008)
  • Saxony
    • Mittelsachsen
      • Waldheim
Thomas et al. (2022)
India
 
  • Bihar
    • Gaya District
Ma et al. (2021)
  • Maharashtra
    • Amravati Division
      • Buldhana District
Anthony et al. (2016)
Kazakhstan
 
  • Aktobe Region
    • Yrgyz District
Florenskii et al. (1980)
Morocco
 
Pang et al. (2016) +1 other reference
  • Souss-Massa Region
    • Tata Province
      • Tata Cercle
Baziotis et al. (2013)
Nigeria
 
  • Katsina
    • Faskari
Zhidong Xie et al. (2005) +2 other references
  • Yobe
    • Bogga Dingare
Garvie +2 other references
Northwest Africa Meteorites
 
www2.jpl.nasa.gov/snc/news51.html
Gu et al. (2025)
Shohei Kaneko et al. (2011) +1 other reference
Barrat et al. (2001)
Jambon et al. (2002) +2 other references
www.lpi.usra.edu (2015) +5 other references
Norway
 
  • Buskerud
    • Nesbyen
Kvamsdal (2023)
Russia
 
  • Chukotka Autonomous Okrug
    • Anadyrsky District
GUROV et al. (2004) +1 other reference
      • Iomrautvaam massif
Bindi et al. (2011)
  • Republic of Karelia
Zamiatina et al. (2023)
Saudi Arabia
 
  • Eastern Province
    • Rub' al-Khali
      • Wabar impact craters
Gnos et al. (2013)
South Africa
 
  • Free State
    • Fezile Dabi District Municipality
      • Ngwathe Local Municipality
Cairncross et al. (1995)
www.unb.ca (2002)
Sweden
 
  • Norrbotten County
    • Pajala
      • Kitkiöjärvi
Broman +3 other references
USA (TL)
 
  • Arizona
    • Coconino County
      • Meteor Crater area
Chao et al. (1962) +5 other references
  • Indiana
    • Newton County
      • Kentland
        • Kentland impact crater
  • New Mexico
    • Colfax County
Northrop et al. (1996)
  • Oklahoma
    • Johnston County
Corrigan et al. (2005)
  • Texas
    • Randall County
Zhidong Xie et al. (2005) +1 other reference
The Moon
 
  • Mare Imbrium
    • Palus Putredinis
Kaneko et al. (2015)
  • Oceanus Procellarum (Ocean of Storms)
Pang et al. (2022) +1 other reference
 
and/or  
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