Asbecasite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Asbecasite
Formula:
Ca3(Ti,Sn4+)Be2(AsO3)6(SiO4)2
Colour:
Yellow, pale yellow
Lustre:
Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous
Hardness:
6½ - 7
Specific Gravity:
3.70
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Name:
Named by S. Graeser in 1966 for the elements in its composition: As, Be, Ca, Si.
This page provides mineralogical data about Asbecasite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
382
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:382:7
IMA Classification of Asbecasite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Ca3Ti4+As3+6Be2Si2O20
Approval year:
1966
First published:
1966
Classification of Asbecasite
4.JB.30
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
B : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites; with additional anions, without H2O
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
B : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites; with additional anions, without H2O
45.1.3.1
45 : ACID AND NORMAL ANTIMONITES AND ARSENITES
1 : Miscellaneous
45 : ACID AND NORMAL ANTIMONITES AND ARSENITES
1 : Miscellaneous
17.7.9
17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
7 : Silicates with vanadate, arsenate or antimonate
17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
7 : Silicates with vanadate, arsenate or antimonate
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Abc | 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 Asbecasite
Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Yellow, pale yellow
Streak:
Pale yellow
Hardness:
6½ - 7 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
Rhombohedral {1011}
Rhombohedral {1011}
Density:
3.70 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.71 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Asbecasite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.86 nε = 1.83
Birefringence:
0.03
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.030
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. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
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).
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.
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.
Optical Extinction:
Parallel
Chemistry of Asbecasite
Mindat Formula:
Ca3(Ti,Sn4+)Be2(AsO3)6(SiO4)2
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Asbecasite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m - Ditrigonal Pyramidal
Space Group:
P3c1
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.364 Å, c = 15.304 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 1.83
Unit Cell V:
927.18 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Tabular rhombohedral, sometimes equant.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0014499 | Asbecasite | Sacerdoti M, Parodi G C, Mottana A, Maras A, Ventura G D (1993) Asbecasite: crystal structure refinement and crystal chemistry Mineralogical Magazine 57 315-322 |  | 1993 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 4.04 Å | (50) |
| 3.84 Å | (50) |
| 3.23 Å | (100) |
| 2.41 Å | (60) |
| 1.75 Å | (60) |
| 1.57 Å | (70) |
| 1.32 Å | (60) |
| 1.15 Å | (70) |
Comments:
19-0087
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates] |
Type Occurrence of Asbecasite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Rhombohedral crystals up to 5 mm in size.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Natural History Museum, Basel, Switzerland, SG750.
The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1966,222.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 143117.
The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1966,222.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 143117.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Alpine veins.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Asbecasite
Other Language Names for Asbecasite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 6 photos of Asbecasite associated with Chlorite Group | |
| 4 photos of Asbecasite associated with Tourmaline | AD3G6(T6O18)(BO3)3X3Z |
| 3 photos of Asbecasite associated with 'Amazonite' | K(AlSi3O8) |
| 3 photos of Asbecasite associated with Cafarsite | Ca5.9Mn1.7Fe3Ti3(AsO3)12 · 4-5H2O |
| 3 photos of Asbecasite associated with Albite | Na(AlSi3O8) |
| 2 photos of Asbecasite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 2 photos of Asbecasite associated with Rutile | TiO2 |
| 1 photo of Asbecasite associated with 'Adularia' | KAlSi3O8 |
| 1 photo of Asbecasite associated with Clinochlore | Mg5Al(AlSi3O10)(OH)8 |
| 1 photo of Asbecasite associated with 'Agardite' |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.JB. | Cuyaite | Ca2Mn3+As3+14O24Cl |
| 4.JB. | Brattforsite | Mn19(AsO 3)12Cl2 |
| 4.JB.05 | Fetiasite | (Fe3+,Fe2+,Ti)3(As2O5)O2 |
| 4.JB.10 | Manganarsite | Mn3(As2O4)(OH)4 |
| 4.JB.15 | 'UM1984-09-AsO:ClHMn' | Mn10As6O18(OH)Cl |
| 4.JB.15 | Magnussonite | Mn2+10(As3+O3)6(OH,Cl)2 |
| 4.JB.20 | Armangite | Mn2+26(AsO3)14(HAsO3)4(CO3) |
| 4.JB.25 | Nanlingite | Na(Ca5Li)Mg12(AsO3)2[Fe(AsO3)6]F14 |
| 4.JB.35 | Stenhuggarite | CaFeSb(AsO3)2O |
| 4.JB.40 | Trigonite | Pb3Mn2+(AsO3)2(HAsO3) |
| 4.JB.45 | Finnemanite | Pb5(AsO3)3Cl |
| 4.JB.50 | Gebhardite | Pb8(As2O5)2OCl6 |
| 4.JB.55 | Graeserite | Fe3+4Ti3As3+O13(OH) |
| 4.JB.55 | Tomichite | (V,Fe)4Ti3AsO13(OH) |
| 4.JB.55 | Derbylite | Fe3+4Ti3Sb3+O13(OH) |
| 4.JB.60 | Hemloite | (Ti,V3+,Fe3+,Al)12(As3+,Sb3+)2O23(OH) |
| 4.JB.65 | Freedite | Cu+Pb8(AsO3)2O3Cl5 |
| 4.JB.70 | Georgiadesite | Pb4(As3+O3)Cl4(OH) |
| 4.JB.75 | Szklaryite | ◻Al6BAs3+3O15 |
| 4.JB.75 | Ekatite | (Fe3+,Fe2+,Zn)12(AsO3)6(AsO3,HSiO4)2(OH)6 |
| 4.JB.85 | Lepageite | Mn2+3(Fe3+7Fe2+4)O3[Sb3+5As3+8O34] |
| 4.JB.90 | Bianchiniite | Ba2(TiV)(As2O5)2OF |
Fluorescence of Asbecasite
Not fluorescent
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 Asbecasite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-382.html
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References for Asbecasite
Localities for Asbecasite
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 | |
| Maras et al. (1995) |
| Guastoni et al. (2006) |
| Albertini (1991) +1 other reference | |
Norway | |
| Larsen (1990) +2 other references |
Switzerland | |
| Bracke (n.d.) |
| |
| Graeser et al. (1994) +1 other reference |
| Schweiz.Min.Petr.Mitt. (1966) +1 other reference | |
| Cuchet et al. (2005) |
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Wanni glacier - Scherbadung area, Binn, Goms, Valais, Switzerland