Tacharanite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Tacharanite
Formula:
Ca12Al2Si18O33(OH)36
Colour:
White
Lustre:
Vitreous, Dull
Hardness:
5
Specific Gravity:
2.33 - 2.36
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
From Gaelic "tacharan", a changeling, because the mineral breaks down into other compounds if left standing in air. (Note, however, that some specimens stored in collections for years showed no indication of any alteration when checked by powder X-ray diffraction.) Pronounced TĂ·KHERENAIT.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3864
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3864:1
Similar Names
| Tasheranit | A synonym of Tazheranite |
IMA Classification of Tacharanite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1961
Classification of Tacharanite
9.HA.75
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
H : Unclassified silicates
A : With Alkali and Alkali-earth Elements
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
H : Unclassified silicates
A : With Alkali and Alkali-earth Elements
72.3.2.6
72 : PHYLLOSILICATES Two-Dimensional Infinite Sheets with Other Than Six-Membered Rings
3 : Two-Dimensional Infinite Sheets with Other Than Six-Membered Rings with 3-, 4-, or 5-membered rings and 8-membered rings
72 : PHYLLOSILICATES Two-Dimensional Infinite Sheets with Other Than Six-Membered Rings
3 : Two-Dimensional Infinite Sheets with Other Than Six-Membered Rings with 3-, 4-, or 5-membered rings and 8-membered rings
16.11.8
16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
11 : Aluminosilicates of Ca and Mg with or without alkalis
16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
11 : Aluminosilicates of Ca and Mg with or without alkalis
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tch | 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 Tacharanite
Vitreous, Dull
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
White
Hardness:
5 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
{001}
{001}
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Comment:
tenacity: tough
Density:
2.33 - 2.36 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.28 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Tacharanite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.518 - 1.525 nγ = 1.53 - 1.537
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.012
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:
None to Very Low
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 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.
No measured or calculated 2V is on file for this mineral, so the value used here (90°) is estimated from its recorded refractive indices and optic sign, not from a direct 2V measurement.
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.
No measured or calculated 2V is on file for this mineral, so the value used here (90°) is estimated from its recorded refractive indices and optic sign, not from a direct 2V measurement.
Dispersion:
relatively strong
Chemistry of Tacharanite
Mindat Formula:
Ca12Al2Si18O33(OH)36
Element Weights:
Common Impurities:
Fe,Mg,Na,K
Crystallography of Tacharanite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Cell Parameters:
a = 17.07 Å, b = 3.65 Å, c = 27.9 Å
β = 114.1°
β = 114.1°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 4.677 : 1 : 7.644
Unit Cell V:
1,586.80 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1
Comment:
Point Group: n.d.; Space Group: A-centered monoclinic pseudocell.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 12.7 Å | (vvs) |
| 3.048 Å | (vs) |
| 2.775 Å | (s) |
| 1.822 Å | (s) |
| 5.19 Å | (ms) |
| 2.888 Å | (ms) |
| 2.853 Å | (ms) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 3a: Earth’s earliest Hadean crust | >4.50 |
| 10 : Basalt-hosted zeolite minerals | |
| Stage 3b: Earth’s earliest hydrosphere | >4.45 |
| 16 : Low-? aqueous alteration of Hadean subaerial lithologies (see also #23) |
Type Occurrence of Tacharanite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Dense, white cryptocrystalline
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Natural History Museum, London, England, 1961,163.
National School of Mines, Paris, France.
National School of Mines, Paris, France.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Tacharanite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 69 photos of Tacharanite associated with Phillipsite Subgroup | (Ca0.5,K,Na,Ba0.5)4-7[Al4-7Si12-9O32] . 12H2O |
| 18 photos of Tacharanite associated with Gyrolite | NaCa16Si23AlO60(OH)8 · 14H2O |
| 14 photos of Tacharanite associated with Natrolite | Na2Al2Si3O10 · 2H2O |
| 7 photos of Tacharanite associated with Thomsonite-Ca | NaCa2[Al5Si5O20] · 6H2O |
| 4 photos of Tacharanite associated with Gmelinite Subgroup | |
| 3 photos of Tacharanite associated with Phillipsite-Na | (Na,K,Ca0.5,Ba0.5)4-7[Al4-7Si12-9O32] · 12H2O |
| 3 photos of Tacharanite associated with Tobermorite | Ca5Si6O17 · 5H2O |
| 2 photos of Tacharanite associated with Fluorapophyllite-(K) | KCa4(Si8O20)(F,OH) · 8H2O |
| 2 photos of Tacharanite associated with Aragonite | CaCO3 |
| 2 photos of Tacharanite associated with Chabazite-Na | (Na2,K2,Ca,Sr,Mg)2[Al2Si4O12]2 · 12H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.HA. | Shinichengite | Ca5[BSi2O7(OH)2]2 · 6H2O |
| 9.HA. | Kalyuzhnyite-(Ce) | NaKCaSrCeTi(Si8O21)OF(H2O)3 |
| 9.HA. | Moragite | Ca3TiSi2(Al2Si)O14 |
| 9.HA.05 | Ertixiite | Na2Si4O9 |
| 9.HA.10 | Kenyaite | Na2Si22O41(OH)8 · 6H2O |
| 9.HA.20 | Wawayandaite | Ca6Mn2BBe9Si6O23(OH,Cl)15 |
| 9.HA.25 | Magbasite | KBaFe3+Mg7Si8O22(OH)2F6 |
| 9.HA.35 | Demagistrisite | BaCa2Mn3+4(Si3O10)(Si2O7)(OH)4 · 3H2O |
| 9.HA.37 | Donwilhelmsite | CaAl4Si2O11 |
| 9.HA.40 | Kasatkinite | Ba2Ca8B5Si8O32(OH)3 · 6H2O |
| 9.HA.40 | 'Igumnovite' | Ca3Al2[SiO4]2[◻Cl4] |
| 9.HA.42 | Paqueite | Ca3TiSi2(Al,Ti,Si)3O14 |
| 9.HA.42 | Qeltite | Ca3TiSi2(Fe3+2Si)O14 |
| 9.HA.45 | Rippite | K2(Nb,Ti)2(Si4O12)O(O,F) |
| 9.HA.47 | Zagamiite | CaAl2Si3.5O11 |
| 9.HA.50 | Rudenkoite | Sr3(Al3.5Si3.5)O10(OH,O)8Cl2 · H2O |
| 9.HA.50 | 'α-Carnegieite' | NaAlSiO4 |
| 9.HA.52 | 'Atheriastite' | near Ca5MgFeAl6Si8O32 · 5H2O |
| 9.HA.55 | 'Foshallasite' | Ca3[Si2O7] · 3H2O(?) |
| 9.HA.57 | 'Bhreckite' | |
| 9.HA.60 | Nagelschmidtite | Ca7(SiO4)2(PO4)2 |
| 9.HA.65 | Caryochroite | [Na(Sr0.5Ca0.5)Mg]3[Fe3+8Mn(Fe2+0.5◻0.5)]10(Ti2Si12O37)(OH)14(H2O)3 |
| 9.HA.70 | Juanite | Ca10Mg4Al2Si11O39 · 4H2O or near |
| 9.HA.80 | Oyelite | Ca10Si8B2O29 · 12.5H2O |
| 9.HA.85 | Denisovite | K14+x(Ca,Na,Mn,Fe)48[Si60O162]F16(Ox,OH4-x) · 2H2O |
| 9.HA.90 | Tiettaite | K4Na12Fe3+Si16O41(OH)4 · 2H2O |
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 Tacharanite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3864.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Tacharanite
Reference List:
Sweet, Jessie M., Bothwell, D. I., Williams, D. L. (1961) Tacharanite and other hydrated calcium silicates from Portree, Isle of Skye. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 32 (253) 745-753 doi:10.1180/minmag.1961.032.253.01
Koritnig, Sigmund (1972) Gyrolith, Okenit und Tacharanit als metasomatische Reaktionsprodukte aus dem Basaltvorkommen der Bramburg bei Göttingen, Deutschland. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 35 (4). 293-301 doi:10.1007/bf00371311
Livingstone, A. (1974) An occurrence of tacharanite and scawtite in the Huntly gabbro, Aberdeenshire. Mineralogical Magazine, 39 (307) 820-821 doi:10.1180/minmag.1974.039.307.13
Cliff, G., Gard, J. A., Lorimer, G. W., Taylor, H. F. W. (1975) Tacharanite. Mineralogical Magazine, 40 (310) 113-126 doi:10.1180/minmag.1975.040.310.01
Fleischer, Michael, Pabst, Adolf, Cabri, Louis J. (1976) New Mineral Names. American Mineralogist, 61 (9-10) 1053-1056
Sutherland, F. L. (1976) Tacharanite from Tasmania, Australia. Mineralogical Magazine, 40 (316) 887-890 doi:10.1180/minmag.1976.040.316.10
Lucchetti, G., Penco, A. M. (1978) Tacharanite from the Gruppo di Voltri, Ligurian Alps, Italy. Mineralogical Magazine, 42 (323) 383-384 doi:10.1180/minmag.1978.042.323.09
Localities for Tacharanite
Showing 64 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.
Australia | |
| R Bottrill coll. |
| Bottrill et al. (2008) |
| Tschernich (1992) +1 other reference |
| www.crocoite.com (2003) |
| R Bottrill unpub. Data |
| Bottrill et al. (2008) |
| Anderson (1984) |
| Mathew Latham coll. +1 other reference |
Austria | |
| Postl et al. (1996) |
| Exel (1993) |
Canada | |
| Tschernich (1992) |
| 179-181. +2 other references |
Chile | |
| Aguirre et al. (1998) |
France | |
| Leconte J. (2015) |
| Queneau (n.d.) |
| Boutry et al. (1986) |
Germany | |
| Kolitsch (1997) |
| Koritnig (1972) |
| Hentschel (1987) |
| Hentschel |
| Witzke et al. (2006) |
Hungary | |
| Kónya-MÁFI |
| |
Israel | |
| Britvin et al. (2021) +1 other reference |
| Sokol et al. (2014, November) |
| Krzątała et al. (2023) | |
| Galuskin et al. (2023) +1 other reference | |
| Galuskina et al. (2025) | |
| Galuskin +1 other reference |
| Futrzyński et al. (2023) | |
| Galuskin et al. (2022) +1 other reference | |
| Galuskina et al. (2026) +1 other reference | |
Italy | |
| Antofilli et al. (1983) |
| Cortesogno L. |
| Sicurella et al. (2010) |
| Sicurella et al. (2010) | |
| Cristiano et al. (2016) |
| Fabris et al. (2014) +1 other reference |
| Boscardin (2014) |
| Boscardin et al. (2011) +1 other reference |
Japan | |
| Minakawa and Noto (1985) |
| Mineralogical Journal Vol. 13 (1986) |
| Lykova et al. (2020) |
| Petrov (n.d.) +1 other reference |
Jordan | |
| Khoury et al. (1985) |
Middle East | |
| Gross (1977) +1 other reference | |
Palestine | |
| Galuskina et al. (2024) |
Russia | |
| M.Moiseev data |
| Zadov +5 other references |
Slovakia | |
| Martin Števko-unpublished |
Spain | |
| Bareche (2005) |
UK | |
| Henmi et al. (1973) |
| Sweet et al. (1961) +1 other reference |
USA | |
| Ream (2004) |
| Ream (2004) |
| Tschernich (1992) |
| - (n.d.) |
| Micro Probe (1989) |
| - (n.d.) |
| Micro Probe Volume VII Number 8 Fall ... | |
| Micro Probe Volume VII Number 3 Spring ... |
| - (n.d.) |
| Mitchell et al. (1987) +1 other reference |
| Dietrich (1990) |
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Maglovec quarry, Vyšná Šebastová, Prešov District, Prešov Region, Slovakia