Chabazite-Mg
A valid IMA mineral species
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About Chabazite-Mg
Formula:
(Mg0.7K0.5Ca0.5Na0.1)[Al3Si9O24] · 10H2O
Colour:
Colourless
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
4
Specific Gravity:
1.98
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Member of:
Name:
Named for its relationship to other chabazite series minerals and for magnesium as the predominant extra-framework element. Follows the IMA nomenclature for zeolites.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
40012
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:40012:7
IMA Classification of Chabazite-Mg
Approved
IMA Formula:
(Mg0.7K0.5Ca0.5Na0.1)Al3Si9O24·10H2O
Approval year:
2009
First published:
2010
Classification of Chabazite-Mg
9.GD.10
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
G : Tektosilicates with zeolitic H2O; zeolite family
D : Chains of 6-membered rings – tabular zeolites
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
G : Tektosilicates with zeolitic H2O; zeolite family
D : Chains of 6-membered rings – tabular zeolites
Mineral Symbols
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.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Cbz-Mg | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Cbz | Kretz (1983) | Kretz, R. (1983) Symbols of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 68, 277–279. |
| Cbz | Siivolam & 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 |
| Cbz | Whitney & 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 |
| Cbz | The 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 Chabazite-Mg
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Comment:
Strong
Colour:
Colourless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
4 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Very brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
1.98(1) g/cm3 (Measured) 1.964(7) g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Chabazite-Mg
Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 1.465(5) nε = 1.469(5)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.004
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:
High (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 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.
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Chabazite-Mg
Mindat Formula:
(Mg0.7K0.5Ca0.5Na0.1)[Al3Si9O24] · 10H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Chabazite-Mg
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m(32/m) - Hexagonal Scalenohedral
Space Group:
R3m
Setting:
R3m
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.3433(5) Å
α = 94.894(4)°
α = 94.894(4)°
Unit Cell V:
806.17 ų
Morphology:
Rhombohedral crystals dominated by {1011} faces. Aggregates of intergrown crystals.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0005050 | Chabazite-Mg | Montagna G, Bigi S, Konya P, Szakall S, Vezzalini G (2010) Chabazite-Mg: A new natural zeolite of the chabazite series American Mineralogist 95 939-945 | 2010 | basalts of Praga Hill, Veszprem County, West Hungary | 0 | 293 | |
| 0017697 | Chabazite-Mg | Passaglia E, Ferro O (2002) Occurrence and crystal structure of magnesian chabazite Studies in Surface Science and Catalysis 142 1729-1735 | 2002 | Mont Semiol, Montbrison, France | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 9.306 Å | (60) |
| 5.537 Å | (37) |
| 4.958 Å | (25) |
| 4.315 Å | (100) |
| 2.924 Å | (78) |
| 2.869 Å | (41) |
Comments:
Karikás Hill quarry, Hungary. Data are from the type description.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 3a: Earth’s earliest Hadean crust | >4.50 |
| 9 : Lava/xenolith minerals (hornfels, sanidinite facies) | |
| 10 : Basalt-hosted zeolite minerals | |
| Stage 3b: Earth’s earliest hydrosphere | >4.45 |
| 17 : Marine authigenic Hadean minerals (see also #24) | |
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 22 : Hydration and low-? subsurface aqueous alteration (see also #23) | |
| 24 : Authigenic minerals in terrestrial sediments (see also #17) | |
| Stage 5: Initiation of plate tectonics | <3.5-2.5 |
| 40 : Regional metamorphism (greenschist, amphibolite, granulite facies) |
Type Occurrence of Chabazite-Mg
General Appearance of Type Material:
Colourless rhombohedra up to 0.4 mm in size.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Herman Ottó Museum, Miskolc, Hungary (2009.51.1) and Hungarian Natural History Museum, Budapest, Hungary (Gyn/1742, 1743).
Geological Setting of Type Material:
In cavities of basalt.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Chabazite-Mg
Other Language Names for Chabazite-Mg
Relationship of Chabazite-Mg to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Chabazite:
| Chabazite-Ca | (Ca,K2,Na2)2[Al2Si4O12]2 · 12H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Chabazite-K | (K2,Ca,Na2,Sr,Mg)2[Al2Si4O12]2 · 12H2O | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m |
| Chabazite-Na | (Na2,K2,Ca,Sr,Mg)2[Al2Si4O12]2 · 12H2O | Trig. 3m : R3m |
| Chabazite-Sr | Sr2[Al2Si4O12]2 · 12H2O | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.GD.05 | Gmelinite-Ca | Ca2(Si8Al4)O24 · 11H2O |
| 9.GD.05 | Gmelinite-K | K4(Si8Al4O24) · 11H2O |
| 9.GD.05 | Gmelinite-Na | Na4(Si8Al4)O24 · 11H2O |
| 9.GD.10 | Willhendersonite | KCa[Al3Si3O12] · 5H2O |
| 9.GD.10 | Chabazite-Ca | (Ca,K2,Na2)2[Al2Si4O12]2 · 12H2O |
| 9.GD.10 | Chabazite-K | (K2,Ca,Na2,Sr,Mg)2[Al2Si4O12]2 · 12H2O |
| 9.GD.10 | Chabazite-Na | (Na2,K2,Ca,Sr,Mg)2[Al2Si4O12]2 · 12H2O |
| 9.GD.10 | Chabazite-Sr | Sr2[Al2Si4O12]2 · 12H2O |
| 9.GD.15 | Lévyne-Ca | (Ca,Na2,K2)[Al2Si4O12] · 6H2O |
| 9.GD.15 | Lévyne-Na | (Na2,Ca,K2)[Al2Si4O12] · 6H2O |
| 9.GD.20 | Erionite-Ca | (Ca,K2,Na2)2[Al4Si14O36] · 15H2O |
| 9.GD.20 | Erionite-K | (K2,Ca,Na2)2[Al4Si14O36] · 15H2O |
| 9.GD.20 | Erionite-Na | (Na2,K2,Ca)2[Al4Si14O36] · 15H2O |
| 9.GD.20 | Bellbergite | (K,Ba,Sr)2Sr2Ca2(Ca,Na)4[Al3Si3O12]6 · 30H2O |
| 9.GD.25 | Offretite | KCaMg(Si13Al5)O36 · 15H2O |
| 9.GD.25 | Wenkite | (Ba,K)4(Ca,Na)6[(Si,Al)20O39(OH)2](SO4)3 · 0.5H2O |
| 9.GD.30 | Faujasite-Ca | (Ca,Na2,Mg)3.5[Al7Si17O48] · 32H2O |
| 9.GD.30 | Faujasite-Mg | (Mg,Na2,Ca)3.5[Al7Si17O48] · 32H2O |
| 9.GD.30 | Faujasite-Na | (Na2,Ca,Mg)3.5[Al7Si17O48] · 32H2O |
| 9.GD.35 | Maricopaite | Pb7Ca2(Si,Al)48O100 · 32H2O |
| 9.GD.35 | Mordenite | (Na2,Ca,K2)4(Al8Si40)O96 · 28H2O |
| 9.GD.40 | Dachiardite-K | K4(Si20Al4O48) · 13H2O |
| 9.GD.40 | Dachiardite-Ca | (Ca,Na2,K2)5Al10Si38O96 · 25H2O |
| 9.GD.40 | Dachiardite-Na | (Na2,Ca,K2)5Al10Si38O96 · 25H2O |
| 9.GD.45 | Epistilbite | CaAl2Si6O16 · 5H2O |
| 9.GD.50 | Ferrierite-K | (K,Na)5(Si31Al5)O72 · 18H2O |
| 9.GD.50 | Ferrierite-Mg | [Mg2(K,Na)2Ca0.5](Si29Al7)O72 · 18H2O |
| 9.GD.50 | Ferrierite-Na | (Na,K)5(Si31Al5)O72 · 18H2O |
| 9.GD.50 | Ferrierite-NH4 | (NH4,Mg0.5)5(Al5Si31O72) · 22H2O |
| 9.GD.55 | Bikitaite | LiAlSi2O6 · H2O |
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) | 2.0433% | 633 | 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
Fluorescence of Chabazite-Mg
Non-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 Chabazite-Mg
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-40012.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 Chabazite-Mg
Localities for Chabazite-Mg
Showing 5 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.
Hungary (TL) | |
| Montagna et al. (2010) |
| KÓNYA (2015) |
Italy | |
| Sammartino (2014) +1 other reference |
UK | |
| Ryback et al. (1988) |
USA | |
| Czaja (2025) |
Quick NavTopAbout Chabazite-MgUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatRadioactivityFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Karikás Hill quarry, Prága Hill, Bazsi, Sümeg District, Veszprém County, Hungary