Calciolangbeinite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Calciolangbeinite
Formula:
K2Ca2(SO4)3
Colour:
Colorless
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
3 - 3½
Specific Gravity:
2.68
Crystal System:
Isometric
Member of:
Name:
Name as being the Ca-analogue of langbeinite.
Chemically similar to 'Unnamed (Potassium Calcium Sulfate)'. The Ca analogue of langbeinite.
Forms a solid solution with the latter. The content of 20 mol%, or more, of the langbeinite end-member induces breakdown into cubic lower-magnesian calciolangbeinite and langbeinite, upon slow cooling.
The calciolangbeinite-O (low-temperature) polymorph, although topologically similar to calciolangbeinite-C (probably stabilized by Mg admixture), is "the first natural orthorhombic langbeinite-like sulfate".
Note: the original (first-described) material was the cubic polymorph.
Forms a solid solution with the latter. The content of 20 mol%, or more, of the langbeinite end-member induces breakdown into cubic lower-magnesian calciolangbeinite and langbeinite, upon slow cooling.
The calciolangbeinite-O (low-temperature) polymorph, although topologically similar to calciolangbeinite-C (probably stabilized by Mg admixture), is "the first natural orthorhombic langbeinite-like sulfate".
Note: the original (first-described) material was the cubic polymorph.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
42383
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:42383:6
IMA Classification of Calciolangbeinite
Approved
IMA Formula:
K2Ca2(S6+O4)3
Approval year:
2011
First published:
2012
Type description reference:
Classification of Calciolangbeinite
7.AD.
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
A : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, without H2O
D : With only large cations
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
A : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, without H2O
D : With only large cations
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Clgb | 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 Calciolangbeinite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colorless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3 - 3½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Parting:
Not observed
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
2.68(2) g/cm3 (Measured) 2.74 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Calciolangbeinite
Type:
Isotropic
RI values:
n = 1.527(2)
Surface Relief:
Low (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
Chemistry of Calciolangbeinite
Mindat Formula:
K2Ca2(SO4)3
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Calciolangbeinite
Polytype:
Formula:
Crystal System:
Class (H-M)
Space Group:
Space Group Setting:
Cell Parameters:
Ratio:
Unit Cell Volume (calc):
Z:
Comment:
| Calciolangbeinite-C | Calciolangbeinite-O |
|---|---|
| K2Ca2(SO4)3 | K2Ca2(SO4)3 |
| Isometric | Orthorhombic |
| 23 - Tetartoidal | 222 - Disphenoidal |
| P213 | P212121 |
| a = 10.1887(4) Å | a = 10.3330(2) Å, b = 10.5027(2) Å, c = 10.1763(2) Å |
| a:b:c = 0.984 : 1 : 0.969 | |
| V 1057.68 ų | V 1104.37 ų |
| 4 | 4 |
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 5.84 Å | (8) |
| 4.54 Å | (9) |
| 4.15 Å | (27) |
| 3.218 Å | (100) |
| 2.838 Å | (8) |
| 2.736 Å | (37) |
| 2.006 Å | (11) |
| 1.658 Å | (8) |
Reference:
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45a : [Sulfates, arsenates, selenates, antimonates] | |
| 46 : Near-surface hydrothermal alteration of minerals (see also #22) | |
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 51 : Pyrometamorphic minerals (see also #54 and #56) | <0.36 |
Type Occurrence of Calciolangbeinite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Crystals and almost anhedral grains, typically up to 0.5 mm, and rarely up to 1 mm across.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Fersman Mineralogical Museum of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia under registration number 4153/1.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Fumarole
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Synonyms of Calciolangbeinite
Other Language Names for Calciolangbeinite
Dutch:Calciolangbeiniet
German:Calciolangbeinit
Relationship of Calciolangbeinite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Langbeinite Group:
| Efremovite | (NH4)2Mg2(SO4)3 | Iso. 23 : P213 |
| Ferroefremovite | (NH4)2Fe2+2(SO4)3 | Iso. 23 : P213 |
| Langbeinite | K2Mg2(SO4)3 | Iso. 23 : P213 |
| Manganolangbeinite | K2Mn2(SO4)3 | Iso. 23 : P213 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.AD. | Bubnovaite | K2Na8Ca(SO4)6 |
| 7.AD. | Dobrovolskyite | Na4Ca(SO4)3 |
| 7.AD. | Murphyite | Pb(Te6+O4) |
| 7.AD. | Cuprodobrovolskyite | Na4Cu(SO4)3 |
| 7.AD. | Kristjánite | KNa2H(SO4)2 |
| 7.AD.05 | Mascagnite | (NH4)2SO4 |
| 7.AD.05 | Arcanite | K2SO4 |
| 7.AD.10 | Mercallite | KHSO4 |
| 7.AD.15 | Misenite | K8H6(SO4)7 |
| 7.AD.20 | Letovicite | (NH4)3H(SO4)2 |
| 7.AD.25 | Thénardite | Na2SO4 |
| 7.AD.25 | Glauberite | Na2Ca(SO4)2 |
| 7.AD.30 | Metathénardite | Na2SO4 |
| 7.AD.30 | Anhydrite | CaSO4 |
| 7.AD.35 | Baryte | BaSO4 |
| 7.AD.35 | Celestine | SrSO4 |
| 7.AD.35 | Olsacherite | Pb2(Se6+O4)(SO4) |
| 7.AD.35 | Anglesite | PbSO4 |
| 7.AD.40 | Kalistrontite | K2Sr(SO4)2 |
| 7.AD.40 | Palmierite | K2Pb(SO4)2 |
| 7.AD.45 | Ivsite | Na3H(SO4)2 |
| 7.AD.55 | Markhininite | TlBi(SO4)2 |
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) | 17.5117% | 5,429 | 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 Calciolangbeinite
Not 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 Calciolangbeinite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-42383.html
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References for Calciolangbeinite
Reference List:
Williams, P. A., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2011) New minerals and nomenclature modifications approved in 2011. CNMNC Newsletter No 11. Mineralogical Magazine, 75 (6) 2887-2893 doi:10.1180/minmag.2011.075.6.2887
Pekov, I. V., Zelenski, M. E., Zubkova, N. V., Yapaskurt, V. O., Chukanov, N. V., Belakovskiy, D. I., Pushcharovsky, D. Y. (2012) Calciolangbeinite, K2Ca2(SO4)3, a new mineral from the Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia. Mineralogical Magazine, 76 (3) 673-682 doi:10.1180/minmag.2012.076.3.16
Pekov, Igor V., Zubkova, Natalia V., Galuskina, Irina O., Kusz, Joachim, Koshlyakova, Natalia N., Galuskin, Evgeny V., Belakovskiy, Dmitry I., Bulakh, Maria O., Vigasina, Marina F., Chukanov, Nikita V., Britvin, Sergey N., Sidorov, Evgeny G., Vapnik, Yevgeny, Pushcharovsky, Dmitry Yu. (2022) Calciolangbeinite-O, a natural orthorhombic modification of K2Ca2(SO4)3, and the langbeinite–calciolangbeinite solid-solution system. Mineralogical Magazine, 86 (4) 557-569 doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.95
Localities for Calciolangbeinite
Showing 4 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.
Israel | |
| Galuskin et al. (2016) |
Palestine | |
| Galuskina et al. (2019) |
| Galuskina et al. (2014) |
Russia (TL) | |
| Williams et al. (2011) +2 other references |
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Yadovitaya fumarole, Second scoria cone, Northern Breakthrough, Great Fissure eruption, Tolbachik Volcanic field, Milkovsky District, Kamchatka Krai, Russia