Tengerite-(Y)
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About Tengerite-(Y)
Formula:
Y2(CO3)3 · 2-3H2O
Colour:
White
Lustre:
Dull, Earthy
Specific Gravity:
3.110 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
Originally named by James D. Dana and George J. Brush in 1868 after C. Tenger, Swedish chemist who described the mineral in 1838 along with Adolf Ferdinand Svanberg, but the new mineral was left unnamed. Tengerite was not well-described and subsequently lokkaite-(Y) and kimuraite-(Y) were described as new and independent species. Miyawaki et al. redefined tengerite in 1993. Investigation of type material showed that "tengerite-(Y)" from Ytterby was actually lokkaite-(Y). Tengerite as redefined does occur at Ytterby, but is much rarer than lokkaite-(Y). Tengerite-(Y) was not found on the type specimen, but an Ytterby specimen in the Smithsonian Institution contained redefined tengerite-(Y). Miyawaki et al. (1993) did not describe any of the physical properties of the redefined mineral. See https://www.mindat.org/mesg-245492.html#245508
Note: photos in the tengerite-(Y) gallery might not be that species. Miyawaki et al. (1993) indicated at least five species have been called tengerite-(Y) including a new species. Information is needed to determine how tengerite-(Y) specimens have been identified.
Note: photos in the tengerite-(Y) gallery might not be that species. Miyawaki et al. (1993) indicated at least five species have been called tengerite-(Y) including a new species. Information is needed to determine how tengerite-(Y) specimens have been identified.
Type Locality:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3910
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3910:5
IMA Classification of Tengerite-(Y)
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA status notes:
Redefined by the IMA
IMA Formula:
Y2(CO3)3·2-3H2O
Approval year:
1993
Approval history:
Redefined 1993 s.p.: Miyawaki et al. (1993).
Classification of Tengerite-(Y)
5.CC.10
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
C : Carbonates without additional anions, with H2O
C : With rare earth elements (REE)
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
C : Carbonates without additional anions, with H2O
C : With rare earth elements (REE)
15.4.3.1
15 : HYDRATED NORMAL CARBONATES
4 : AmBn(XO3)p·xH2O, with (m+n):p < 1:1
15 : HYDRATED NORMAL CARBONATES
4 : AmBn(XO3)p·xH2O, with (m+n):p < 1:1
11.8.9
11 : Carbonates
8 : Carbonates of the rare earths
11 : Carbonates
8 : Carbonates of the rare earths
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ten-Y | 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 Tengerite-(Y)
Dull, Earthy
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
White
Streak:
White
Tenacity:
Brittle
Density:
3.110 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Tengerite-(Y)
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.587 nγ = 1.616
Birefringence:
0.029
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.029
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 (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 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 (91°) 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 (91°) is estimated from its recorded refractive indices and optic sign, not from a direct 2V measurement.
Dispersion:
r > v
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Tengerite-(Y)
Mindat Formula:
Y2(CO3)3 · 2-3H2O
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Tengerite-(Y)
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pnnm
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.078 Å, b = 9.157 Å, c = 15.114 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.664 : 1 : 1.651
Unit Cell V:
841.19 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Thin coatings. Earthy and powdery.
Comment:
Bb21m
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0001554 | Tengerite-(Y) | Miyawaki R, Kuriyama J, Nakai I (1993) The redefinition of tengerite-(Y), Y2(CO3)3.2-3H2O, and its crystal structure American Mineralogist 78 425-432 |  | 1993 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 7.66 Å | (80) |
| 5.70 Å | (100) |
| 4.62 Å | (100) |
| 3.91 Å | (100) |
| 3.59 Å | (80) |
| 2.98 Å | (80) |
| 2.55 Å | (60) |
Comments:
Miyawaki, et al. (1993); ICDD 27-91 is also tengerite-(Y) redefined.
Geological Environment
Geological Setting:
Granite pegmatite, also vein deposits
Type Occurrence of Tengerite-(Y)
General Appearance of Type Material:
White coating.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden, number 10820 (type).
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, number R13924 (neotype).
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, number R13924 (neotype).
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Rare-earth-rich granite pegmatite.
Synonyms of Tengerite-(Y)
Other Language Names for Tengerite-(Y)
Relationship of Tengerite-(Y) to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Tengerite Group:
| Hizenite-(Y) | Ca2Y6(CO3)11 · 14H2O | Orth. |
| Kimuraite-(Y) | Ca(Y,Nd)2(CO3)4 · 6H2O | Orth. |
| Lokkaite-(Y) | Ca(Y,Gd,Nd,Dy)4(CO3)7 · 9H2O | Orth. |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 11 photos of Tengerite-(Y) associated with Thalénite-(Y) | Y3Si3O10F |
| 9 photos of Tengerite-(Y) associated with Gadolinite-(Y) | Y2Fe2+Be2Si2O10 |
| 9 photos of Tengerite-(Y) associated with Iimoriite-(Y) | Y2[SiO4][CO3] |
| 8 photos of Tengerite-(Y) associated with Keiviite-(Y) | Y2Si2O7 |
| 7 photos of Tengerite-(Y) associated with Decrespignyite-(Y) | Cu(Y,REE)4(CO3)4(OH)5Cl · 2H2O |
| 6 photos of Tengerite-(Y) associated with Lokkaite-(Y) | Ca(Y,Gd,Nd,Dy)4(CO3)7 · 9H2O |
| 5 photos of Tengerite-(Y) associated with Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 5 photos of Tengerite-(Y) associated with Allanite-(Nd) | (CaNd)(AlAlFe2+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH) |
| 5 photos of Tengerite-(Y) associated with Allanite-(Y) | (CaY)(AlAlFe2+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH) |
| 5 photos of Tengerite-(Y) associated with Yttrocrasite-(Y) | (Y,Th,Ca,U)(Ti,Fe)2(O,OH)6 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.CC. | Bainbridgeite-(NdCe) | Na2Ba2NdCe(CO3)6 · 3H2O |
| 5.CC. | Yuchuanite-(Y) | Y2(CO3)3 · H2O |
| 5.CC. | Alicewilsonite-(YCe) | Na2Sr2YCe(CO3)6 · 3H2O |
| 5.CC.05 | Donnayite-(Y) | NaCaSr3Y(CO3)6 · 3H2O |
| 5.CC.05 | Alicewilsonite-(YLa) | Na2Sr2YLa(CO3)6 · 3H2O |
| 5.CC.05 | Mckelveyite-(Nd) | NaCaBa3Nd(CO3)6 · 3H2O |
| 5.CC.05 | Mckelveyite-(Y) | NaCaBa3Y(CO3)6 · 3H2O |
| 5.CC.05 | Ewaldite | Ba(Na,Ca,Y,Ce,K)(CO3)2 · 2.6H2O |
| 5.CC.05 | 'UM1992-05-CO:CaCeLaNaSr' | (Sr,Na,Y,REE,Ca,Ba)2(CO3)2 · H2O |
| 5.CC.05 | Weloganite | Na2Sr3Zr(CO3)6 · 3H2O |
| 5.CC.05 | Mckelveyite Group | A3B3(CO3)6 · 3H2O |
| 5.CC.05 | Bainbridgeite-(YCe) | Na2Ba2YCe(CO3)6 · 3H2O |
| 5.CC.05 | 'Unnamed (MSH UK-37A)' | Sr3NaCaY(CO3)6 · 3H2O |
| 5.CC.15 | Lokkaite-(Y) | Ca(Y,Gd,Nd,Dy)4(CO3)7 · 9H2O |
| 5.CC.15 | Kimuraite-(Y) | Ca(Y,Nd)2(CO3)4 · 6H2O |
| 5.CC.15 | Hizenite-(Y) | Ca2Y6(CO3)11 · 14H2O |
| 5.CC.20 | Shomiokite-(Y) | Na3Y[CO3]3 · 3H2O |
| 5.CC.25 | Lanthanite-(Ce) | Ce2(CO3)3 · 8H2O |
| 5.CC.25 | Lanthanite-(La) | La2(CO3)3 · 8H2O |
| 5.CC.25 | Lanthanite-(Nd) | Nd2(CO3)3 · 8H2O |
| 5.CC.25 | Calkinsite-(Ce) | (Ce,La)2(CO3)3 · 4H2O |
| 5.CC.30 | Adamsite-(Y) | NaY[CO3]2 · 6H2O |
| 5.CC.35 | Decrespignyite-(Y) | Cu(Y,REE)4(CO3)4(OH)5Cl · 2H2O |
| 5.CC.40 | Galgenbergite-(Ce) | Ca(Ce,La,Nd)2(CO3)4 · H2O |
| 5.CC.45 | Lecoqite-(Y) | Na3Y(CO3)3 · 6H2O |
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 Tengerite-(Y)
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3910.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 Tengerite-(Y)
Reference List:
Genth, F. (1889) Contribution to mineralogy; No. 44. American Journal of Science: 38: 198-203 (199).
Larsen, Esper S. (1921) The microscopic determination of the nonopaque minerals. Bulletin 679. US Geological Survey doi:10.3133/b679 p.142
Wakita, Hisanobu, Nagashima, Kozo (1972) Synthesis of Tengerite Type Rare Earth Carbonates. Bulletin of the Chemical Society of Japan, 45 (8). 2476-2479 doi:10.1246/bcsj.45.2476
Tareen, J.A.K., Narayanan Kutty, T.R., Krishnamurty, K.V. (1980) Hydrothermal growth of Y2(CO3)3 · n H2O (tengerite) single crystals. Journal of Crystal Growth, 49 (4). 761-765 doi:10.1016/0022-0248(80)90307-3
Nickel, Ernest H., Mandarino, Joseph A. (1987) Procedures involving the IMA Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names and guidelines on mineral nomenclature. American Mineralogist, 72 (9-10) 1031-1042
Miyawaki, Ritsuro, Kuriyama, Junko, Nakai, Izumi (1993) The redefinition of tengerite-(Y), Y2(CO3)3·2-3H2O, and its crystal structure. American Mineralogist , 78 (3-4) 425-432
Frost, Ray L., López, Andrés, Wang, Lina, Scholz, Ricardo, Sampaio, Ney Pinheiro, de Oliveira, Fernando A.N. (2015) A vibrational spectroscopic study of tengerite-(Y) Y2(CO3)3 2–3H2O. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 137. 612-616 doi:10.1016/j.saa.2014.08.107
Spiridigliozzi, Luca, Bortolotti, Mauro, Accardo, Grazia, Vergara, Alessandro, Frattini, Domenico, Ferone, Claudio, Cioffi, Raffaele, Dell’Agli, Gianfranco (2022) An in-depth multi-technique characterization of rare earth carbonates – RE2(CO3)3·2H2O – owning tengerite-type structure. Journal of Rare Earths, 40 (8) 1281-1290 doi:10.1016/j.jre.2021.09.020
Spiridigliozzi, Luca; Bortolotti, Mauro; Monfreda, Viviana; Dell’Agli, Gianfranco (2025) A newly synthesized high-entropy tengerite (HET): Towards a novel class of low/intermediate-temperature entropy-stabilized systems (LITESS)? Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 1040. doi:10.1016/j.jallcom.2025.183683
Localities for Tengerite-(Y)
Showing 49 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 | |
| Haupt (2003) +2 other references |
Canada | |
| D. D. Hogarth et al. (1973) |
| Hogarth et al. (1974) |
Finland | |
| Vorma et al. (1966) |
| Pavel Kartashov analytical data |
Japan | |
| Yamada (2004) |
| Fluorite: The Collector's Choice. Extra ... +3 other references |
| Matsubara & Miyawaki (2006) +1 other reference |
Madagascar | |
| Behier (1960) +1 other reference |
Norway | |
| Wilke (1976) |
| Neumann (1985) |
| Adamson (1942) |
| Frigstad (1968) |
| Revheim (2004) |
| The Collection of Iveland Municipality et al. (IKM695) |
| Knut Edvard Larsen collection #MM- 3771 (visually identified) | |
| Nilssen (1971) | |
| Stensrud (2009) |
| Miyawaki et al. (1993) | |
| Frigstad (1968) | |
| Sverdrup (1959) |
| |
| Husdal (2020) |
| Husdal (2008) | |
| Husdal (2008) | |
| Vogt (1922) +2 other references |
| Larsen (1990) | |
| Ellingsen et al. (1995) +1 other reference |
| Kristiansen (1998) |
| Brögger (1907) |
| Neumann (1985) | |
| Larsen (1993) |
Russia | |
| Voloshin et al. (2005) +1 other reference |
| Voloshin A.V. et al. (1986) +1 other reference |
| Pavel M. Kartashov (n.d.) | |
| Pekov et al. (2008) | |
| Zozulya et al. (2022) | |
| |
Sweden | |
| |
| |
| |
| Dana et al. (1868) +2 other references |
| Sjögren (1906) +1 other reference |
USA | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Sherwood et al. (1998) |
| Crook et al. (1977) +1 other reference |
| Wakita et al. (1972) |
| Self-Collected 2007 by David Aldridge |
| Ehlmann et al. (1970) +1 other reference |
Quick NavTopAbout Tengerite-(Y)Unique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Paratoo copper mine, Paratoo, District Council of Peterborough, South Australia, Australia