Hazenite
A valid IMA mineral species
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About Hazenite
Professor Robert M.Hazen
Formula:
KNaMg2(PO4)2 · 14H2O
Colour:
colourless
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2 - 2½
Specific Gravity:
1.91
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
Named by H. Yang, H.J. Sun, and R.T. Downs in 2011 in honor of Dr. Robert M. Hazen (1 November 1948, Rockville Centre, New York, USA - ), mineralogist at the Carnegie Institute for Science Geophysical Laboratory. He was awarded the 2016 Roebling Medal of the Mineralogical Society of America.
Type Locality:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
38992
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:38992:1
Similar Names
| Hizenite-(Y) | A valid IMA mineral species | Ca2Y6(CO3)11 · 14H2O |
IMA Classification of Hazenite
Approved
IMA Formula:
KNaMg2(PO4)2·14H2O
Approval year:
2007
First published:
2011
Classification of Hazenite
8.CH.40
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
H : With large and medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O < 1:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
H : With large and medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O < 1:1
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Hz | 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 Hazenite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2 - 2½ on Mohs scale
Hardness Data:
Measured
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
{001}
{001}
Density:
1.91(3) g/cm3 (Measured) 1.875 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Hazenite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.494(1) nβ = 1.498(1) nγ = 1.503(1)
2V:
Measured: 41° (2), Calculated: 42°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.009
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:
Moderate (negative)
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.
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.
Dispersion:
Strong, r < v
Chemistry of Hazenite
Mindat Formula:
KNaMg2(PO4)2 · 14H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Hazenite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.9349 Å, b = 25.1737 Å, c = 11.2189 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.275 : 1 : 0.446
Unit Cell V:
1,958.56 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
radiating clusters of prismatic crystals
Comment:
Space Group: Pmnb.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0018338 | Hazenite | Yang H, Sun H J, Downs R T (2011) Hazenite, KNaMg2(PO4)2*14H2O, a new biologically related phosphate mineral, from Mono Lake, California, U.S.A. American Mineralogist 96 675-681 | 2011 | Mono Lake, California, USA | 0 | 293 | |
| 0014049 | Hazenite | Yang H, Sun H J (2004) Crystal structure of a new phosphate compound, Mg2KNa(PO4)2*14H2O Journal of Solid State Chemistry 177 2991-2997 | 2004 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 4.302 Å | (100) |
| 4.184 Å | (22) |
| 3.262 Å | (20) |
| 2.803 Å | (32) |
| 2.786 Å | (43) |
| 2.767 Å | (51) |
| 2.742 Å | (48) |
| 2.670 Å | (51) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 49 : Oxic cellular biomineralization (see also #44) | <0.54 |
Type Occurrence of Hazenite
General Appearance of Type Material:
radiating elongated tabular or prismatic clusters or single crystals up to 0.06 x 0.12 x 0.40 mm
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
University of Arizona Mineral Museum
Geological Setting of Type Material:
in dried-out or decomposed algae on porous calcite and aragonite
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Hazenite
Other Language Names for Hazenite
Relationship of Hazenite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Struvite Group:
| Struvite | (NH4)Mg(PO4) · 6H2O | Orth. mm2 : Pmn21 |
| Struvite-(K) | KMg(PO4) · 6H2O | Orth. mm2 : Pmn21 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.CH. | Georgeliuite | Ca2Mn3+3O2(AsO4)3(H2O)2 · H2O |
| 8.CH.05 | Natrowalentaite | [Fe3+0.5Na0.5(H2O)6][NaAs3+2(Fe3+2.33W6+0.67)(PO4)2O7] |
| 8.CH.05 | Walentaite | [Mn2+(H2O)6][◻As3+3Fe3+3(PO4)2O7] |
| 8.CH.05 | Halilsarpite | [Mg(H2O)6][CaAs3+2(Fe3+2.67Mo6+0.33)(AsO4)2O7] |
| 8.CH.10 | Anapaite | Ca2Fe2+(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CH.15 | Picropharmacolite | Ca4Mg(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 11H2O |
| 8.CH.20 | Dittmarite | (NH4)Mg(PO4) · H2O |
| 8.CH.20 | Niahite | (NH4)Mn2+(PO4) · H2O |
| 8.CH.25 | Taranakite | K3Al5(PO3OH)6(PO4)2 · 18H2O |
| 8.CH.25 | Francoanellite | K3Al5(PO3OH)6(PO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 8.CH.25 | Macivorite | (NH4)3Al5(PO3OH)6(PO4)2 · 18H2O |
| 8.CH.30 | Schertelite | (NH4)2MgH2(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CH.35 | Hannayite | (NH4)2Mg3H4(PO4)4 · 8H2O |
| 8.CH.40 | Struvite-(K) | KMg(PO4) · 6H2O |
| 8.CH.40 | Struvite | (NH4)Mg(PO4) · 6H2O |
| 8.CH.45 | Rimkorolgite | (Mg,Mn)5(Ba,Sr,Ca)(PO4)4 · 8H2O |
| 8.CH.50 | Bakhchisaraitsevite | Na2Mg5(PO4)4 · 7H2O |
| 8.CH.55 | Smolyaninovite | Co3Fe3+2(AsO4)4 · 11H2O |
| 8.CH.55 | Fahleite | CaZn5Fe3+2(AsO4)6 · 14H2O |
| 8.CH.60 | Barahonaite-(Fe) | (Ca,Cu,Na,Fe3+,Al)12Fe3+2(AsO4)8(OH,Cl)x · nH2O |
| 8.CH.60 | Barahonaite-(Al) | (Ca,Cu,Na,Fe3+,Al)12Al2(AsO4)8(OH,Cl)x · nH2O |
| 8.CH.70 | Epifanovite | NaCaCu5(PO4)4[AsO2(OH)2] · 7H2O |
| 8.CH.75 | Esdanaite-(Ce) | NaMnCe(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
Radioactivity
Radioactivity:
| Element | % Content | Activity (Bq/kg) | Radiation Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uranium (U) | 0.0000% | 0 | α, β, γ |
| Thorium (Th) | 0.0000% | 0 | α, β, γ |
| Potassium (K) | 7.0721% | 2,192 | β, γ |
For comparison:
- Banana: ~15 Bq per fruit
- Granite: 1,000–3,000 Bq/kg
- EU exemption limit: 10,000 Bq/kg
Note: Risk is shown relative to daily recommended maximum exposure to non-background radiation of 1000 µSv/year. Note that natural background radiation averages around 2400 µSv/year so in reality these risks are probably extremely overstated! With infrequent handling and safe storage natural radioactive minerals do not usually pose much risk.
Interactive Simulator:
Note: The mass selector refers to the mass of radioactive mineral present, not the full specimen, also be aware that the matrix may also be radioactive, possibly more radioactive than this mineral!
Activity: –
| Distance | Dose rate | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cm | ||
| 10 cm | ||
| 1 m |
The external dose rate (D) from a radioactive mineral is estimated by summing the gamma radiation contributions from its Uranium, Thorium, and Potassium content, disregarding daughter-product which may have a significant effect in some cases (eg 'pitchblende'). This involves multiplying the activity (A, in Bq) of each element by its specific gamma ray constant (Γ), which accounts for its unique gamma emissions. The total unshielded dose at 1 cm is then scaled by the square of the distance (r, in cm) and multiplied by a shielding factor (μshield). This calculation provides a 'worst-case' or 'maximum risk' estimate because it assumes the sample is a point source and entirely neglects any self-shielding where radiation is absorbed within the mineral itself, meaning actual doses will typically be lower. The resulting dose rate (D) is expressed in microsieverts per hour (μSv/h).
D = ((AU × ΓU) + (ATh × ΓTh) + (AK × ΓK)) / r2 × μshield
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 Hazenite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-38992.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 Hazenite
Localities for Hazenite
Showing 2 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.
USA (TL) | |
| Yang et al. (2011) |
| Emproto et al. (2026) |
Quick NavTopAbout HazeniteUnique IdentifiersSimilar NamesIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesRelationshipsStrunz-MindatRadioactivityOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
South shore, Mono Lake, Mono County, California, USA