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Varennesite

A valid IMA mineral species

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Varennesite

Demix-Varennes quarry, Saint-Amable sill, Varennes & St-Amable, Lajemmerais RCM, Montérégie, Québec, Canada

Varennesite

Demix-Varennes quarry, Saint-Amable sill, Varennes & St-Amable, Lajemmerais RCM, Montérégie, Québec, Canada

Varennesite, etc.

Demix-Varennes quarry, Saint-Amable sill, Varennes & St-Amable, Lajemmerais RCM, Montérégie, Québec, Canada

Varennesite

Demix-Varennes quarry, Saint-Amable sill, Varennes & St-Amable, Lajemmerais RCM, Montérégie, Québec, Canada

Varennesite, etc.

Demix-Varennes quarry, Saint-Amable sill, Varennes & St-Amable, Lajemmerais RCM, Montérégie, Québec, Canada

Varennesite

Demix-Varennes quarry, Saint-Amable sill, Varennes & St-Amable, Lajemmerais RCM, Montérégie, Québec, Canada

Varennesite

Demix-Varennes quarry, Saint-Amable sill, Varennes & St-Amable, Lajemmerais RCM, Montérégie, Québec, Canada

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About VarennesiteHide

Formula:

Na₈Mn₂Si₁₀O₂₅(OH,Cl)₂ · 12H₂O

Colour:

Pale brownish-yellow to orange

Lustre:

Vitreous

Hardness:

Specific Gravity:

2.31

Crystal System:

Orthorhombic

Name:

Named after its discovery locality, the Demix-Varennes quarry, Quebec, Canada.

Type Locality:

ⓘ Demix-Varennes quarry, Saint-Amable sill, Varennes & St-Amable, Lajemmerais RCM, Montérégie, Québec, Canada

This page provides mineralogical data about Varennesite.

Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:

4155

Long-form identifier:

mindat:1:1:4155:9

IMA Classification of VarennesiteHide

IMA status:

Approved

IMA Formula:

Na₈Mn²⁺₂Si₁₀O₂₅(OH,Cl)₂·12H₂O

Approval year:

1994

First published:

1995

Type description reference:

Grice, J. D., Gault, R. A. (1995) Varennesite, a new species of hydrated Na-Mn silicate with a unique monophyllosilicate structure. The Canadian Mineralogist, 33 (5) 1073-1081

Classification of VarennesiteHide

Strunz-mindat (2026):

9.EE.50

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
E : Single tetrahedral nets of 6-membered rings connected by octahedral nets or octahedral bands

Dana 8th ed.:

72.5.5.1

72 : PHYLLOSILICATES Two-Dimensional Infinite Sheets with Other Than Six-Membered Rings
5 : Two-Dimensional Infinite Sheets with Other Than Six-Membered Rings with corrugated and complex layers

Mineral SymbolsHide

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.

Symbol	Source	Reference for Standard
Vrn	IMA–CNMNC	Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43
Vrn	Warr (2020)	Warr, L.N. (2020) Recommended abbreviations for the names of clay minerals and associated phases. Clay Minerals, 55, 261–264 doi:10.1180/clm.2020.30

Physical Properties of VarennesiteHide

Lustre:

Vitreous

Transparency:

Transparent, Translucent

Colour:

Pale brownish-yellow to orange

Streak:

White

Hardness:

4 on Mohs scale

Tenacity:

Brittle

Cleavage:

Distinct/Good
Good {010}

Fracture:

Conchoidal

Density:

2.31 g/cm³ (Measured) 2.32 g/cm³ (Calculated)

Optical Data of VarennesiteHide

Type:

Biaxial (+)

RI values:

n_α = 1.532(2) n_β = 1.540(2) n_γ = 1.550(2)

2V:

Measured: 89° , Calculated: 84°

Max. Birefringence:

δ = 0.018
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.

Thickness: 30 µm

Rotation:

Surface Relief:

Moderate

Dispersion:

weak

Pleochroism:

Weak

Comments:

Z = yellow-green
X = to very pale yellow

Chemistry of VarennesiteHide

Mindat Formula:

Na₈Mn₂Si₁₀O₂₅(OH,Cl)₂ · 12H₂O

Element Weights:

Element	% weight
O	50.944 %
Si	22.930 %
Na	15.016 %
Mn	8.971 %
H	2.140 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.

Elements listed:

Cl, H, Mn, Na, O, Si - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of VarennesiteHide

Crystal System:

Orthorhombic

Class (H-M):

mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal

Space Group:

Cmcm

Setting:

Cmcm

Cell Parameters:

a = 13.447(3) Å, b = 15.022(5) Å, c = 17.601(4) Å

Ratio:

a:b:c = 0.895 : 1 : 1.172

Unit Cell V:

3,555.42 Å³ (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Crystal StructureHide

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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)
0005463	Varennesite	Grice J D, Gault R A (1995) Varennesite, a new species of hydrated Na-Mn silicate with a unique monophyllosilicate structure The Canadian Mineralogist 33 1073-1081		1995		0	293

CIF Raw Data - click here to close

data_global
_chemical_name_mineral 'Varennesite'
loop_
_publ_author_name
'Grice J D'
'Gault R A'
_journal_name_full 'The Canadian Mineralogist'
_journal_volume 33 
_journal_year 1995
_journal_page_first 1073
_journal_page_last 1081
_publ_section_title
;
 Varennesite, a new species of hydrated Na-Mn silicate with a unique
 monophyllosilicate structure
;
_database_code_amcsd 0005463
_chemical_formula_sum 'Na8 Mn2 Si10 O39 H2'
_cell_length_a 13.447
_cell_length_b 15.022
_cell_length_c 17.601
_cell_angle_alpha 90
_cell_angle_beta 90
_cell_angle_gamma 90
_cell_volume 3555.417
_exptl_crystal_density_diffrn      2.243
_symmetry_space_group_name_H-M 'C m c m'
loop_
_space_group_symop_operation_xyz
  'x,y,z'
  '1/2+x,1/2+y,z'
  'x,-y,1/2+z'
  '1/2+x,1/2-y,1/2+z'
  '-x,y,1/2-z'
  '1/2-x,1/2+y,1/2-z'
  '-x,y,z'
  '1/2-x,1/2+y,z'
  'x,-y,-z'
  '1/2+x,1/2-y,-z'
  'x,y,1/2-z'
  '1/2+x,1/2+y,1/2-z'
  '-x,-y,1/2+z'
  '1/2-x,1/2-y,1/2+z'
  '-x,-y,-z'
  '1/2-x,1/2-y,-z'
loop_
_atom_site_label
_atom_site_fract_x
_atom_site_fract_y
_atom_site_fract_z
_atom_site_U_iso_or_equiv
Na1   0.50000   0.04800   0.33720   0.00120
Na2   0.74190   0.04380   0.33850   0.00200
Na3   0.86890   0.00000   0.50000   0.00310
Mn   0.62160   0.00000   0.50000   0.00100
Si1   0.38610   0.12230   0.75000   0.00070
Si2   0.28190   0.16370   0.59430   0.00070
Si3   0.11350   0.29240   0.55220   0.00060
O1   0.50000   0.15960   0.75000   0.00130
O2   0.37880   0.01740   0.75000   0.00140
O3   0.33260   0.17150   0.82200   0.00140
O4   0.17930   0.22220   0.60210   0.00150
O5   0.14590   0.27920   0.46330   0.00090
O6   0.26760   0.06500   0.56550   0.00120
O7   0.50000   0.24590   0.44080   0.00100
O8   0.12620   0.39270   0.57880   0.00110
O-H   0.50000   0.05240   0.56050   0.00210
OW1   0.26790   0.17290   0.25000   0.00420
OW2   0.50000   0.17580   0.25000   0.00590
OW3   0.88780   0.11430   0.39850   0.00410
OW4   0.00000   0.06650   0.57660   0.00300
OW5   0.90570  -0.03220   0.25000   0.00090
OW6   0.00000   0.15180   0.25000   0.00620

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:

d-spacing	Intensity
10.049 Å	(100)
8.823 Å	(50)
5.025 Å	(20)
4.138 Å	(10)
3.806 Å	(20)
3.659 Å	(10)
3.148 Å	(10)
2.718 Å	(50)
2.405 Å	(10)
2.171 Å	(10)

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):

Paragenetic Mode	Earliest Age (Ga)
Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks	>3.0
35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event	<2.4
47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals]

Type Occurrence of VarennesiteHide

Type Locality:

ⓘ Demix-Varennes quarry, Saint-Amable sill, Varennes & St-Amable, Lajemmerais RCM, Montérégie, Québec, Canada

General Appearance of Type Material:

tabular crystals up to 4 mm in length

Place of Conservation of Type Material:

Canadian Museum of Nature. Ottawa under catalogue number 81521

Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Eudialyte	Aegirine	Natrolite	Serandite	Manganoneptunite
Microcline	Albite	Zakharovite	Astrophyllite	Villiaumite
Makatite	Vuonnemite

Reference:

Grice, J. D., Gault, R. A. (1995) Varennesite, a new species of hydrated Na-Mn silicate with a unique monophyllosilicate structure. The Canadian Mineralogist, 33 (5) 1073-1081

Synonyms of VarennesiteHide

IMA1994-017

Other Language Names for VarennesiteHide

Dutch:Varennesiet

German:Varennesit

Russian:Вареннесит

Spanish:Varennesita

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:

14 photos of Varennesite associated with Kodamaite	Na₃(Ca₅Na)Si₁₆O₃₆(OH)₄F₂ · (14-x)H₂O
13 photos of Varennesite associated with Natrolite	Na₂Al₂Si₃O₁₀ · 2H₂O
10 photos of Varennesite associated with 'Sazhinite'
4 photos of Varennesite associated with Nenadkevichite	(Na,◻)₈Nb₄(Si₄O₁₂)₂(O,OH)₄ · 8H₂O
4 photos of Varennesite associated with Polylithionite	KLi₂Al(Si₄O₁₀)(F,OH)₂
4 photos of Varennesite associated with Zakharovite	Na₄Mn₅Si₁₀O₂₄(OH)₆ · 6H₂O
3 photos of Varennesite associated with Eudialyte Group	[N(1)N(2)N(3)N(4)N(5)]₃[M(1.1)M(1.2)]₃[M(2.1)M(2.2)M(2.3)]_3-6[M(3)M(4)]Z₃[Si₂₄O₇₂]Θ₄X(1)X(2)
3 photos of Varennesite associated with Tuperssuatsiaite	Fe³⁺Fe³⁺₂(Na◻)◻₂Si₈O₂₀(OH)₂(H₂O)₄ · 2H₂O
3 photos of Varennesite associated with Hydroterskite	Na₂ZrSi₆O₁₂(OH)₆
2 photos of Varennesite associated with Magadiite	Na₂Si₁₄O₂₉ · 11H₂O

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping Hide

9.EE.	Cairncrossite	Sr₂Ca_7-xNa_2x(Si₄O₁₀)₄(OH)₂(H₂O)_15-x	Tric. 1 : P1
9.EE.05	Bementite	Mn₇Si₆O₁₅(OH)₈	Mon.
9.EE.07	Innsbruckite	Mn₃₃(Si₂O₅)₁₄(OH)₃₈	Mon. m : Bm
9.EE.10	'Brokenhillite'	Mn₈Si₆O₁₅(OH)₁₀	Hex. 6mm : P6₃mc
9.EE.10	Mcgillite	(Mn,Fe)₈Si₆O₁₅(OH)₈Cl₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EE.10	Friedelite	Mn²⁺₈Si₆O₁₅(OH,Cl)₁₀	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EE.10	Pyrosmalite-(Mn)	Mn²⁺₈Si₆O₁₅(OH,Cl)₁₀	Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1
9.EE.10	Pyrosmalite-(Fe)	Fe²⁺₈Si₆O₁₅(OH,Cl)₁₀	Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1
9.EE.15	Nelenite	Mn²⁺₁₆As³⁺₃Si₁₂O₃₆(OH)₁₇	Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
9.EE.15	Schallerite	Mn²⁺₁₆As₃Si₁₂O₃₆(OH)₁₇	Trig. 3m : P3m1
9.EE.20	Palygorskite	◻Al₂Mg₂◻₂Si₈O₂₀(OH)₂(H₂O)₄ · 4H₂O	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EE.20	Yofortierite	Mn²⁺Mn²⁺₂Mn²⁺₂◻₂Si₈O₂₀(OH)₂(H₂O)₄ · 4H₂O	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EE.20	Windhoekite	Fe³⁺(Fe³⁺_1.67◻_0.33)Ca₂◻₂Si₈O₂₀(OH)₂(H₂O)₄(OH)₂ · 6H₂O	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EE.20	Windmountainite	◻Fe³⁺₂Mg₂◻₂Si₈O₂₀(OH)₂(H₂O)₄ · 4H₂O	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EE.20	Ikorskyite	KMn³⁺(Si₄O₁₀) · 3H₂O	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b
9.EE.20	Tuperssuatsiaite	Fe³⁺Fe³⁺₂(Na◻)◻₂Si₈O₂₀(OH)₂(H₂O)₄ · 2H₂O	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.EE.20	'Unnamed (Na-Ca-Fe-Silicate-Hydrate)'	NaCa(Fe²⁺,Al,Mn)₅[Si₈O₁₉(OH)](OH)₇ · 5H₂O	Tric. 1 : P1
9.EE.25	Sepiolite	Mg₄(Si₆O₁₅)(OH)₂ · 6H₂O	Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnna
9.EE.25	Loughlinite	Na₂Mg₃Si₆O₁₆ · 8H₂O	Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
9.EE.25	Falcondoite	(Ni,Mg)₄Si₆O₁₅(OH)₂ · 6H₂O	Orth.
9.EE.25	Kalifersite	(K,Na)₅Fe³⁺₇Si₂₀O₅₀(OH)₆ · 12H₂O	Tric. 1 : P1
9.EE.30	Orlymanite	Ca₄Mn₃Si₈O₂₀(OH)₆ · 2H₂O	Hex.
9.EE.30	Tungusite	Ca₄Fe₂Si₆O₁₅(OH)₆	Tric. 1 : P1
9.EE.30	Gyrolite	NaCa₁₆Si₂₃AlO₆₀(OH)₈ · 14H₂O	Tric. 1 : P1
9.EE.35	Reyerite	(Na,K)₂Ca₁₄(Si,Al)₂₄O₅₈(OH)₈ · 6H₂O	Trig. 3 : P3
9.EE.35	Kodamaite	Na₃(Ca₅Na)Si₁₆O₃₆(OH)₄F₂ · (14-x)H₂O	Tric. 1 : P1
9.EE.35	Truscottite	(Ca,Mn)₁₄Si₂₄O₅₈(OH)₈ · 2H₂O	Trig.
9.EE.40	Natrosilite	Na₂Si₂O₅	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b
9.EE.45	Makatite	Na₂Si₄O₈(OH)₂ · 4H₂O	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b
9.EE.55	Raite	Mn²⁺Mn²⁺₂Na₂(◻_1.75Ti_0.25)Si₈O₂₀(OH)₂(H₂O)₄ · Na(H₂O)₆	Orth. 222 : C222
9.EE.60	Intersilite	Na₆Mn²⁺Ti[Si₁₀O₂₄(OH)](OH)₃ · 4H₂O	Mon.
9.EE.65	Zakharovite	Na₄Mn₅Si₁₀O₂₄(OH)₆ · 6H₂O	Trig. 3m
9.EE.65	Shafranovskite	Na₃K₂(Mn,Fe,Na)₄[Si₉(O,OH)₂₇](OH)₂ · nH₂O	Trig. 3m : P31c
9.EE.70	Zeophyllite	Ca₁₃Si₁₀O₂₈(OH)₂F₈ · 6H₂O	Trig. 3 : R3
9.EE.75	Minehillite	(K,Na)_2-3Ca₂₈Zn₄Al₄Si₄₀O₁₁₂(OH)₁₆	Hex.
9.EE.80	Fedorite	(Na,K)_2-3(Ca₄Na₃)Si₁₆O₃₈(OH,F)₂ · 3.5H₂O	Tric. 1 : P1
9.EE.80	Martinite	(Na,◻,Ca)₁₂Ca₄(Si,S,B)₁₄B₂O₃₈(OH,Cl)₂F₂ · 4H₂O	Tric. 1 : P1
9.EE.80	Ellingsenite	Na₅Ca₆Si₁₈O₃₈(OH)₁₃ · 6H₂O	Tric. 1 : P1
9.EE.85	Lalondeite	(Na,Ca)₆(Ca,Na)₃Si₁₆O₃₈(F,OH)₂ · 3H₂O	Tric. 1 : P1

Other InformationHide

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 VarennesiteHide

mindat.org URL:

https://www.mindat.org/min-4155.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

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External Links:

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Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project

References and PDF downloads at RRUFF project

American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database

Mineral Dealers:

Buy from D. Joyce minerals

References for VarennesiteHide

Reference List:

Grice, J. D., Gault, R. A. (1995) Varennesite, a new species of hydrated Na-Mn silicate with a unique monophyllosilicate structure. The Canadian Mineralogist, 33 (5) 1073-1081

Horváth, László, Gault, Robert A., Tarassoff, Peter, Pfenninger-Horváth, Elsa (1998) Mineralogy of the Saint-Amable Sill, Varennes and Saint-Amable, Quebec. The Mineralogical Record, 29 (2) 83-118

Localities for VarennesiteHide

Showing 2 localities.

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the

symbol to view information about a locality. The

symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.

Hide all sections | Show all sections

Locality ListHide

- 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). ~~Struck out~~ - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.


Canada
Québec Montérégie Lajemmerais RCM Varennes & St-Amable ⓘ Saint-Amable sill	Horváth et al. (1998)
ⓘ Demix-Varennes quarry (TL)	Grice et al. (1995) +1 other reference

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Varennesite

About VarennesiteHide

Unique IdentifiersHide

IMA Classification of VarennesiteHide

Classification of VarennesiteHide

Mineral SymbolsHide

Physical Properties of VarennesiteHide

Optical Data of VarennesiteHide

Chemistry of VarennesiteHide

Crystallography of VarennesiteHide

Crystal StructureHide

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Geological EnvironmentHide

Type Occurrence of VarennesiteHide

Synonyms of VarennesiteHide

Other Language Names for VarennesiteHide

Common AssociatesHide

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

Other InformationHide

Internet Links for VarennesiteHide

References for VarennesiteHide

Localities for VarennesiteHide

Locality ListHide

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping Hide