Stepanov, A. V., Bekenova, G. K., Levin, V. L., Hawthorne, F. C. (2012) Natrotitanite, ideally (Na_0.5Y_0.5)Ti(SiO₄)O, a new mineral from the Verkhnee Espe deposit, Akjailyautas mountains, Eastern Kazakhstan district, Kazakhstan: description and crystal structure. Mineralogical Magazine, 76 (1) 37-44 doi:10.1180/minmag.2012.076.1.37

Classification of NatrotitaniteHide

Strunz-mindat (2026):

9.AG.15

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
G : Nesosilicates with additional anions; cations in > [6] +- [6] coordination

Mineral SymbolsHide

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
Nttn	IMA–CNMNC	Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Pronunciation of NatrotitaniteHide

Pronunciation:

Play	Recorded by	Country
	Jolyon Ralph	United Kingdom

Physical Properties of NatrotitaniteHide

Lustre:

Vitreous

Transparency:

Transparent, Translucent

Colour:

Milky white to yellowish grey

Streak:

White

Hardness Data:

Could not be measured

Tenacity:

Brittle

Cleavage:

None Observed

Density:

3.833 g/cm³ (Calculated)

Optical Data of NatrotitaniteHide

Type:

Biaxial

RI values:

n_α = 1.904(2) n_γ = 2.030(2)

Max. Birefringence:

δ = 0.126
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.

Thickness: 30 µm Order divisions

Rotation:

Surface Relief:

Moderate

Chemistry of NatrotitaniteHide

Mindat Formula:

(Na_0.5Y_0.5)TiO(SiO₄)

Minor REE may replace Y.

Element Weights:

Element	% weight
O	37.753 %
Ti	22.590 %
Y	20.979 %
Si	13.254 %
Na	5.425 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.

Elements listed:

Na, O, Si, Ti, Y - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of NatrotitaniteHide

Crystal System:

Monoclinic

Class (H-M):

2/m - Prismatic

Space Group:

B2/b

Setting:

C2/c

Cell Parameters:

a = 6.5691(2) Å, b = 8.6869(3) Å, c = 7.0924(2) Å
β = 114.1269(4)°

Ratio:

a:b:c = 0.756 : 1 : 0.816

Unit Cell V:

369.4 Å³

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)
0018669	Natrotitanite	Stepanov A V, Bekenova G K, Levin V L, Hawthorne F C (2012) Natrotitanite, ideally (Na0.5Y0.5)Ti(SiO4)O, a new mineral from the Verkhnee Espe deposit, Akjailyautas mountains, Eastern Kazakhstan district, Kazakhstan: description and crystal structure Mineralogical Magazine 76 37-44		2012	Verkhnee Espe deposit, Kazakhstan	0	293

CIF Raw Data - click here to close

data_global
_chemical_name_mineral 'Natrotitanite'
loop_
_publ_author_name
'Stepanov A V'
'Bekenova G K'
'Levin V L'
'Hawthorne F C'
_journal_name_full 'Mineralogical Magazine'
_journal_volume 76 
_journal_year 2012
_journal_page_first 37
_journal_page_last 44
_publ_section_title
;
 Natrotitanite, ideally (Na0.5Y0.5)Ti(SiO4)O, a new mineral from the
 Verkhnee Espe deposit, Akjailyautas mountains, Eastern Kazakhstan district,
 Kazakhstan: description and crystal structure
;
_database_code_amcsd 0018669
_chemical_compound_source 'Verkhnee Espe deposit, Kazakhstan'
_chemical_formula_sum '(Na.39 Ca.32 Y.15 Dy.03 Yb.03 Er.03 Ce.01 Ho.01 Tm.01 Gd.01 Nd.01) (Ti.94 Nb.02 Sn.01 Fe.01 Mn.01 V.01) Si O4.83 F.17'
_cell_length_a 6.5691
_cell_length_b 8.6869
_cell_length_c 7.0924
_cell_angle_alpha 90
_cell_angle_beta 114.1269
_cell_angle_gamma 90
_cell_volume 369.372
_exptl_crystal_density_diffrn      3.888
_symmetry_space_group_name_H-M 'C 1 2/c 1'
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'
loop_
_atom_site_label
_atom_site_fract_x
_atom_site_fract_y
_atom_site_fract_z
_atom_site_occupancy
_atom_site_U_iso_or_equiv
Na   0.00000   0.16960   0.75000   0.39000   0.01673
Ca   0.00000   0.16960   0.75000   0.32000   0.01673
Y   0.00000   0.16960   0.75000   0.15000   0.01673
Dy   0.00000   0.16960   0.75000   0.03000   0.01673
Yb   0.00000   0.16960   0.75000   0.03000   0.01673
Er   0.00000   0.16960   0.75000   0.03000   0.01673
Ce   0.00000   0.16960   0.75000   0.01000   0.01673
Ho   0.00000   0.16960   0.75000   0.01000   0.01673
Tm   0.00000   0.16960   0.75000   0.01000   0.01673
Gd   0.00000   0.16960   0.75000   0.01000   0.01673
Nd   0.00000   0.16960   0.75000   0.01000   0.01673
Ti   0.00000   0.50000   0.00000   0.94000   0.01164
Nb   0.00000   0.50000   0.00000   0.02000   0.01164
Sn   0.00000   0.50000   0.00000   0.01000   0.01164
Fe   0.00000   0.50000   0.00000   0.01000   0.01164
Mn   0.00000   0.50000   0.00000   0.01000   0.01164
V   0.00000   0.50000   0.00000   0.01000   0.01164
Si   0.00000   0.18221   0.25000   1.00000   0.00775
O1   0.00000   0.57186   0.25000   0.83000   0.01020
F1   0.00000   0.57186   0.25000   0.17000   0.01020
O2   0.18651   0.06603   0.40948   1.00000   0.01210
O3   0.10171   0.28936   0.11898   1.00000   0.01240
loop_
_atom_site_aniso_label
_atom_site_aniso_U_11
_atom_site_aniso_U_22
_atom_site_aniso_U_33
_atom_site_aniso_U_12
_atom_site_aniso_U_13
_atom_site_aniso_U_23
Na 0.00850 0.00780 0.02670 0.00000 -0.00015 0.00000
Ca 0.00850 0.00780 0.02670 0.00000 -0.00015 0.00000
Y 0.00850 0.00780 0.02670 0.00000 -0.00015 0.00000
Dy 0.00850 0.00780 0.02670 0.00000 -0.00015 0.00000
Yb 0.00850 0.00780 0.02670 0.00000 -0.00015 0.00000
Er 0.00850 0.00780 0.02670 0.00000 -0.00015 0.00000
Ce 0.00850 0.00780 0.02670 0.00000 -0.00015 0.00000
Ho 0.00850 0.00780 0.02670 0.00000 -0.00015 0.00000
Tm 0.00850 0.00780 0.02670 0.00000 -0.00015 0.00000
Gd 0.00850 0.00780 0.02670 0.00000 -0.00015 0.00000
Nd 0.00850 0.00780 0.02670 0.00000 -0.00015 0.00000
Ti 0.00810 0.01000 0.01540 -0.00018 0.00331 0.00346
Nb 0.00810 0.01000 0.01540 -0.00018 0.00331 0.00346
Sn 0.00810 0.01000 0.01540 -0.00018 0.00331 0.00346
Fe 0.00810 0.01000 0.01540 -0.00018 0.00331 0.00346
Mn 0.00810 0.01000 0.01540 -0.00018 0.00331 0.00346
V 0.00810 0.01000 0.01540 -0.00018 0.00331 0.00346
Si 0.00650 0.00750 0.00920 0.00000 0.00320 0.00000
O1 0.01350 0.00940 0.00830 0.00000 0.00490 0.00000
F1 0.01350 0.00940 0.00830 0.00000 0.00490 0.00000
O2 0.00820 0.01350 0.01310 0.00170 0.00260 0.00280
O3 0.01280 0.01000 0.01730 0.00150 0.00910 0.00370

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:

d-spacing	Intensity
4.941 Å	(30)
3.248 Å	(80)
2.994 Å	(60)
2.597 Å	(100)
2.273 Å	(30)
2.067 Å	(20)
1.641 Å	(40)
1.498 Å	(30)

Locality:

Verkhnee Espe Massif (Verkhnee Espe deposit), Akzhaylyautas Mts (Akzhailyautas Mts; Akjaylautas Mts; Akzhalautas Mts), Tarbagatai Range, Abai Region, Kazakhstan

Reference:

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):

Paragenetic Mode	Earliest Age (Ga)
Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks	>3.0
36 : Carbonatites, kimberlites, and related igneous rocks

Type Occurrence of NatrotitaniteHide

Type Locality:

ⓘ Verkhnee Espe Massif (Verkhnee Espe deposit), Akzhaylyautas Mts (Akzhailyautas Mts; Akjaylautas Mts; Akzhalautas Mts), Tarbagatai Range, Abai Region, Kazakhstan

General Appearance of Type Material:

Star-shaped aggregates of small short prisms of yellow or yellowish white (Na,Y,REE)-bearing titanite rimmed by thin (~2 µm) rims of natrotitanite are embedded in yttrium-bearing fluorite and replace narsarsukite.

Place of Conservation of Type Material:

Geological Scientific Museum of the Satpaev Institute of Geological Sciences, Almaty, Kazakhstan: registration number 3010.

Geological Setting of Type Material:

In a rare-element deposit, which is spatially related to
two small oval outcrops of alkaline granite.

Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Aegirine	Albite	Astrophyllite	Biotite	Elpidite
Microcline	Quartz	Riebeckite	Rutile	Titanite
Zircon

Reference:

Synonyms of NatrotitaniteHide

IMA2011-033

Other Language Names for NatrotitaniteHide

Dutch:Natrotitaniet

German:Natrotitanit

Relationship of Natrotitanite to other SpeciesHide

Member of:

Titanite Group

Other Members of Titanite Group:

Malayaite	CaSnO(SiO₄)	Mon. 2/m
Titanite	CaTiO(SiO₄)	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b
Vanadomalayaite	CaVO(SiO₄)	Mon. 2/m : B2/b
Żabińskiite	Ca[Al_0.5(Ta,Nb)_0.5)]O(SiO₄)	Tric. 1

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping Hide

9.AG.	Aluminotaipingite-(CeCa)	(Ce₆Ca₃)◻Al(SiO₄)₃[SiO₃(OH)]₄F₃	Trig. 3m : R3c
9.AG.	'Ivanyukite-Na-T'	Na₂Ti₄(SiO₄)₃(OH)O₃ · 7H₂O	Trig. 3m : R3m
9.AG.	'Ivanyukite-Na-C'	Na₂Ti₄(SiO₄)₃(OH)₂O₂ · 6H₂O	Iso. 43m : P43m
9.AG.	Edgrewite	Ca₉(SiO₄)₄F₂	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b
9.AG.02	Gatedalite	ZrMn²⁺₂Mn³⁺₄SiO₁₂	Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I4₁/acd
9.AG.05	Abswurmbachite	CuMn³⁺₆(SiO₄)O₈	Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I4₁/acd
9.AG.05	Neltnerite	CaMn³⁺₆(SiO₄)O₈	Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I4₁/acd
9.AG.05	Skogbyite	Zr(Mg₂Mn³⁺₄)SiO₁₂	Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I4₁/acd
9.AG.05	Braunite	Mn²⁺Mn³⁺₆(SiO₄)O₈	Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I4₁/acd
9.AG.05	'Braunite-II'	Ca(Mn³⁺,Fe)₁₄(SiO₄)O₂₀	Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I4₁/acd
9.AG.10	Långbanite	Mn²⁺₄Mn³⁺₉Sb⁵⁺O₁₆(SiO₄)₂	Trig. 3m : P3m1
9.AG.12	Taipingite-(CeCa)	(Ce₇Ca₂)◻Mg(SiO₄)₃[SiO₃(OH)]₄F₃	Trig. 3m : R3c
9.AG.15	Żabińskiite	Ca[Al_0.5(Ta,Nb)_0.5)]O(SiO₄)	Tric. 1
9.AG.15	Titanite	CaTiO(SiO₄)	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b
9.AG.15	Vanadomalayaite	CaVO(SiO₄)	Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.AG.15	Malayaite	CaSnO(SiO₄)	Mon. 2/m
9.AG.20	Ferricerite-(LaCa)	(La₆Ca₃)◻Fe³⁺(SiO₄)₃(SiO₃OH)₄(OH)₃	Trig. 3m : R3c
9.AG.20	Aluminocerite-(CeCa)	(Ce₆Ca₃)◻Al(SiO₄)₃[SiO₃(OH)]₄(OH)₃	Trig. 3m : R3c
9.AG.20	Cerite-(CeCa)	(Ce₇Ca₂)◻Mg(SiO₄)₃(SiO₃OH)₄(OH)₃	Trig. 3m : R3c
9.AG.20	Nipeiite-(Ce)	Ce₉Fe³⁺(SiO₄)₆[SiO₃(OH)](OH)₃	Trig. 3m : R3c
9.AG.25	'Yftisite-(Y)'	(Y,Dy,Er)₄(Ti,Sn)(SiO₄)₂O(F,OH)₆
9.AG.25	Mieite-(Y)	Y₄Ti(SiO₄)₂O[F,(OH)]₆	Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Cmcm
9.AG.25	Trimounsite-(Y)	Y₂Ti₂(SiO₄)O₅	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b
9.AG.30	Sitinakite	KNa₂Ti₄(SiO₄)₂O₅(OH) · 4H₂O	Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : P4₂/mcm
9.AG.35	Kittatinnyite	Ca₂Mn₂Mn(SiO₄)₂(OH)₄ · 9H₂O	Hex.
9.AG.40b	Paranatisite	Na₂Ti(SiO₄)O	Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pmma
9.AG.40a	Natisite	Na₂Ti(SiO₄)O	Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m)
9.AG.45	Törnebohmite-(Ce)	Ce₂Al(SiO₄)₂(OH)	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b
9.AG.45	Törnebohmite-(La)	La₂Al(SiO₄)₂(OH)
9.AG.50	Ivanyukite-Na	Na₂Ti₄(SiO₄)₃(OH)₂O₂ · 6H₂O	Trig. 3m : R3m
9.AG.50	Ivanyukite-K	K₂Ti₄(SiO₄)₃(OH)₂O₂ · 9H₂O	Iso. 43m : P43m
9.AG.50	Ivanyukite-Cu	CuTi₄(SiO₄)₃(OH)₂O₂ · 7H₂O	Iso. 43m : P43m
9.AG.50	Kuliokite-(Y)	Y₄Al(SiO₄)₂(OH)₂F₅	Mon. m
9.AG.50	Hydroxyledgrewite	Ca₉(SiO₄)₄(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b
9.AG.52	Ulfanderssonite-(Ce)	(Ce₁₅Ca)_Σ16Mg₂(SiO₄)₁₀(SiO₃OH)(OH,F)₅Cl₃	Mon. m : Bm
9.AG.55	Chantalite	CaAl₂(SiO₄)(OH)₄	Tet. 4/m : I4₁/a
9.AG.60	Vuagnatite	CaAl(SiO₄)(OH)	Orth. 222 : P2₁2₁2₁
9.AG.60	Mozartite	CaMn³⁺(SiO₄)(OH)	Orth. 222 : P2₁2₁2₁
9.AG.65	Hatrurite	Ca₃(SiO₄)O	Trig.
9.AG.70	Jasmundite	Ca₁₁(SiO₄)₄O₂S	Tet. 42m : I4m2
9.AG.75	Afwillite	Ca₃[SiO₄][SiO₂(OH)₂] · 2H₂O	Mon. m : Bb
9.AG.80	Bultfonteinite	Ca₂(HSiO₄)F · H₂O	Tric. 1 : P1
9.AG.85	Zoltaiite	BaV⁴⁺₂V³⁺₁₂(SiO₄)₂O₁₉	Trig. 3 : P3
9.AG.90	Tranquillityite	(Fe²⁺,Ca)₈(Zr,Y)₂Ti₃(SiO₄)₃O₁₂	Hex.

Fluorescence of NatrotitaniteHide

In UV light:

It shows pale orange cathodoluminescence but does not fluoresce under ultraviolet light.

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 NatrotitaniteHide

mindat.org URL:

https://www.mindat.org/min-42452.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

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Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project

References and PDF downloads at RRUFF project

American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database

Handbook of Mineralogy page PDF

Mineral Dealers:

Buy from D. Joyce minerals

References for NatrotitaniteHide

Reference List:

Williams, P. A., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2011) New minerals and nomenclature modifications approved in 2011, CNMNC Newsletter No. 10. Mineralogical Magazine, 75 (5) 2549-2561 doi:10.1180/minmag.2011.075.5.2549

(2014) Natrotitanite. Handbook of Mineralogy. Mineralogical Society of America

Localities for NatrotitaniteHide

Showing 1 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.

Kazakhstan (TL)

Abai Region

Tarbagatai Range

Akzhaylyautas Mts (Akzhailyautas Mts; Akjaylautas Mts; Akzhalautas Mts)

ⓘ Verkhnee Espe Massif (Verkhnee Espe deposit) (TL)

Williams et al. (2011) +1 other reference

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Natrotitanite

About NatrotitaniteHide

Unique IdentifiersHide

IMA Classification of NatrotitaniteHide