Known synthetic nesosilicate.

The K-F-analogue of dargaite.

The modular-layered structure, broken antiperovskite type, is derived from that of hatrurite. It characterizes in the presence of triple {[W₃B₁₂](TO₄)₄} layers of arctite-nabimusaite type.

Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:

43580

Long-form identifier:

mindat:1:1:43580:4

IMA Classification of NabimusaiteHide

IMA status:

Approved

IMA Formula:

KCa₁₂(SiO₄)₄(S⁶⁺O₄)₂O₂F

Approval year:

2012

First published:

2015

Type description reference:

Galuskin, E. V., Gfeller, F., Armbruster, T., Galuskina, I. O., Vapnik, Y., Murashko, M., Włodyka, R., Dzierżanowski, P. (2015) New minerals with a modular structure derived from hatrurite from the pyrometamorphic Hatrurim Complex. Part I. Nabimusaite, KCa₁₂(SiO₄)₄(SO₄)₂O₂F, from larnite rocks of Jabel Harmun, Palestinian Autonomy, Israel. Mineralogical Magazine, 79 (5) 1061-1072 doi:10.1180/minmag.2015.079.5.03

Classification of NabimusaiteHide

Strunz-mindat (2026):

9.AH.35

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
H : Nesosilicates with CO₃, SO₄, PO₄, etc.

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
Nbm	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 NabimusaiteHide

Lustre:

Vitreous

Transparency:

Transparent

Colour:

Colorless

Streak:

White

Hardness:

5 on Mohs scale

Hardness:

VHN₅₀=370 - 500 kg/mm² - Vickers

Comment:

∼5

Tenacity:

Brittle

Cleavage:

Imperfect/Fair
imperfect along (001).

Parting:

Shows pronounced parting {001}.

Density:

3.119 g/cm³ (Calculated)

Comment:

Could not be measured due to incluclions

Optical Data of NabimusaiteHide

Type:

Uniaxial (-)

RI values:

n_ω = 1.644(2) n_ε = 1.640(2)

Max. Birefringence:

δ = 0.004
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

Pleochroism:

Non-pleochroic

Chemistry of NabimusaiteHide

Mindat Formula:

KCa₁₂(SiO₄)₄(SO₄)₂O₂F

Element Weights:

Element	% weight
Ca	42.505 %
O	36.764 %
Si	9.929 %
S	5.668 %
K	3.456 %
F	1.679 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.

Elements listed:

Ca, F, K, O, S, Si - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of NabimusaiteHide

Crystal System:

Trigonal

Class (H-M):

3m(32/m) - Hexagonal Scalenohedral

Space Group:

R3m

Setting:

R3m

Cell Parameters:

a = 7.1905(4) Å, c = 41.251(3) Å

Ratio:

a:c = 1 : 5.737

Unit Cell V:

1847.1 Å³

Morphology:

irregular grains to 0.5 mm.

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)
0019773	Nabimusaite	Fayos J, Glasser F P, Howie R A,Lachowski E, Perez-Mendez M (1985) Structure of dodecacalcium potassium fluoride dioxide tetrasilicate bis(sulphate), KF.2[Ca6(SO4)(SiO4)20]: a fluorine-containing phase encountered in cement clinker production process Acta Crystallographica C41 814-816		1985	synthetic	0	293

CIF Raw Data - click here to close

data_global
_chemical_name_mineral 'Nabimusaite'
loop_
_publ_author_name
'Fayos J'
'Glasser F P'
'Howie R A'
'Lachowski E'
'Perez-Mendez M'
_journal_name_full 'Acta Crystallographica, Section C'
_journal_volume 41 
_journal_year 1985
_journal_page_first 814
_journal_page_last 816
_publ_section_title
;
 Structure of dodecacalcium potassium fluoride dioxide tetrasilicate bis(sulphate),
 KF.2[Ca6(SO4)(SiO4)20]: a fluorine-containing phase encountered in cement clinker
 production process
;
_database_code_amcsd 0019773
_chemical_compound_source 'Synthetic'
_chemical_formula_sum 'K Ca12 Si4 S2 O26 F'
_cell_length_a 7.197
_cell_length_b 7.197
_cell_length_c 41.224
_cell_angle_alpha 90
_cell_angle_beta 90
_cell_angle_gamma 120
_cell_volume 1849.199
_exptl_crystal_density_diffrn      3.048
_symmetry_space_group_name_H-M 'R -3 m'
loop_
_space_group_symop_operation_xyz
  'x,y,z'
  '2/3+x,1/3+y,1/3+z'
  '1/3+x,2/3+y,2/3+z'
  'x,x-y,z'
  '2/3+x,1/3+x-y,1/3+z'
  '1/3+x,2/3+x-y,2/3+z'
  'y,x,-z'
  '2/3+y,1/3+x,1/3-z'
  '1/3+y,2/3+x,2/3-z'
  '-x+y,y,z'
  '2/3-x+y,1/3+y,1/3+z'
  '1/3-x+y,2/3+y,2/3+z'
  '-x,-x+y,-z'
  '2/3-x,1/3-x+y,1/3-z'
  '1/3-x,2/3-x+y,2/3-z'
  '-y,-x,z'
  '2/3-y,1/3-x,1/3+z'
  '1/3-y,2/3-x,2/3+z'
  'x-y,-y,-z'
  '2/3+x-y,1/3-y,1/3-z'
  '1/3+x-y,2/3-y,2/3-z'
  'y,-x+y,-z'
  '2/3+y,1/3-x+y,1/3-z'
  '1/3+y,2/3-x+y,2/3-z'
  '-x+y,-x,z'
  '2/3-x+y,1/3-x,1/3+z'
  '1/3-x+y,2/3-x,2/3+z'
  '-x,-y,-z'
  '2/3-x,1/3-y,1/3-z'
  '1/3-x,2/3-y,2/3-z'
  '-y,x-y,z'
  '2/3-y,1/3+x-y,1/3+z'
  '1/3-y,2/3+x-y,2/3+z'
  'x-y,x,-z'
  '2/3+x-y,1/3+x,1/3-z'
  '1/3+x-y,2/3+x,2/3-z'
loop_
_atom_site_label
_atom_site_fract_x
_atom_site_fract_y
_atom_site_fract_z
_atom_site_U_iso_or_equiv
K   0.00000   0.00000   0.00000   0.02698
Ca1   0.15930   0.84070   0.39790   0.01127
Ca2   0.15330   0.84670   0.53240   0.01013
Si1   0.00000   0.00000   0.20640   0.00899
Si2   0.00000   0.00000   0.08320   0.00988
S   0.00000   0.00000  -0.32430   0.00925
O1   0.55640   0.44360  -0.35480   0.01900
O2   0.12350   0.87650   0.19460   0.01646
O3   0.12610   0.87390   0.07280   0.01393
O4   0.00000   0.00000   0.36040   0.01267
O5   0.00000   0.00000  -0.24640   0.01520
O6   0.00000   0.00000   0.12330   0.01013
O7   0.00000   0.00000   0.43030   0.00633
F   0.00000   0.00000   0.50000   0.01773

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:

d-spacing	Intensity
3.595 Å	(52)
3.105 Å	(97)
2.829 Å	(71)
2.753 Å	(97)
2.750 Å	(89)
2.140 Å	(50)
1.986 Å	(46)
1.798 Å	(100)

Locality:

Jebel Harmun (Jabel Harum), Quds Governorate, West Bank, Palestine

Reference:

Comments:

From Type Description.

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):

Paragenetic Mode	Earliest Age (Ga)
Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere	<0.6
51 : Pyrometamorphic minerals (see also #54 and #56)	<0.36

Type Occurrence of NabimusaiteHide

Type Locality:

ⓘ Jebel Harmun (Jabel Harum), Quds Governorate, West Bank, Palestine

General Appearance of Type Material:

Xenomorphic, poikilitic crystals 0.1–0.2 mm in size, filled with inclusions of larnite and ye’elmite. Very rarely nabimusaite grains reach 0.5 mm in size.

Place of Conservation of Type Material:

Museum of Natural History in Bern, Bern, Switzerland, catalogue number NMBE 41598

Geological Setting of Type Material:

In larnite-ye'elimite nodules of pyrometamorphic rocks.

Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Brownmillerite	Covellite	Dzierżanowskite	Fluorellestadite	Gehlenite
Larnite	Magnesioferrite	Oldhamite	Periclase	Shulamitite
Spinel	Ye'elimite

Reference:

Synonyms of NabimusaiteHide

IMA2012-057

Other Language Names for NabimusaiteHide

Dutch:Nabimusaiet

German:Nabimusait

Relationship of Nabimusaite to other SpeciesHide

Member of:

Arctite Group > Arctite Supergroup

Other Members of Arctite Group:

Arctite	Na₂Ca₄(PO₄)₃F	Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
Ariegilatite	BaCa₁₂(SiO₄)₄(PO₄)₂F₂O	Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
Dargaite	BaCa₁₂(SiO₄)₄(SO₄)₂O₃	Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m

Forms a series with:

Dargaite

Nabimusaite-Dargaite Series

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:

1 photo of Nabimusaite associated with Gazeevite	BaCa₆(SiO₄)₂(SO₄)₂O
1 photo of Nabimusaite associated with Larnite	Ca₂SiO₄

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping Hide

9.AH.	Fluorbritholite-(Nd)	Ca₂Nd₃(SiO₄)₃F	Hex. 6/m : P6₃/m
9.AH.05	Iimoriite-(Y)	Y₂[SiO₄][CO₃]	Tric. 1 : P1
9.AH.10	Tundrite-(Ce)	Na₂Ce₂Ti(SiO₄)(CO₃)₂O₂	Tric. 1 : P1
9.AH.10	Tundrite-(Nd)	Na₂(Nd,Ce)₂Ti(SiO₄)(CO₃)₂O₂
9.AH.15	Galuskinite	Ca₇(SiO₄)₃(CO₃)	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b
9.AH.15	Spurrite	Ca₅(SiO₄)₂(CO₃)	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b
9.AH.20	Ternesite	Ca₅(SiO₄)₂(SO₄)	Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma
9.AH.20	Silicocarnotite	Ca₅[(SiO₄)(PO₄)](PO₄)	Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma
9.AH.25	Britholite-(Ce)	(Ce,Ca)₅(SiO₄)₃OH	Hex. 6/m : P6₃/m
9.AH.25	Britholite-(Y)	(Y,Ca)₅(SiO₄)₃OH	Hex. 6/m : P6₃/m
9.AH.25	Mattheddleite	Pb₅(SiO₄)_1.5(SO₄)_1.5(Cl,OH)	Hex. 6/m : P6₃/m
9.AH.25	Fluorbritholite-(Ce)	(Ce,Ca)₅(SiO₄)₃F	Hex. 6/m : P6₃/m
9.AH.25	Fluorellestadite	Ca₅(SiO₄)_1.5(SO₄)_1.5F	Hex. 6/m : P6₃/m
9.AH.25	Fluorbritholite-(La)	Ca₂La₃(SiO₄)₃F	Hex. 6/m : P6₃/m
9.AH.25	Fluorbritholite-(Y)	(Y,Ca)₅(SiO₄)₃F	Hex. 6/m : P6₃/m
9.AH.25	Hydroxylellestadite	Ca₅(SiO₄)_1.5(SO₄)_1.5(OH)	Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6₃/mcm
9.AH.25	'Calciobritholite'	(Ca,Y)₅(SiO₄,PO₄)₃(OH)
9.AH.25	'Britholite-(La)'	Ca₂(La,Ce,Ca)₃(SiO₄,PO₄)₃(OH,F)
9.AH.25	Tritomite-(Ce)	Ce₅(SiO₄,BO₄)₃(OH,O)
9.AH.25	Tritomite-(Y)	Y₅(SiO₄,BO₄)₃(O,OH,F)
9.AH.25	Fluorcalciobritholite	(Ca,REE)₅(SiO₄,PO₄)₃F	Hex. 6/m : P6₃/m
9.AH.25	Chlorellestadite	Ca₅(SiO₄)_1.5(SO₄)_1.5Cl	Hex. 6/m : P6₃/m
9.AH.35	Dargaite	BaCa₁₂(SiO₄)₄(SO₄)₂O₃	Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
9.AH.40	Stracherite	BaCa₆(SiO₄)₂[(PO₄)(CO₃)]F	Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
9.AH.40	Zadovite	BaCa₆[(SiO₄)(PO₄)](PO₄)₂F	Trig. 3m : R3m
9.AH.40	Gazeevite	BaCa₆(SiO₄)₂(SO₄)₂O	Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
9.AH.45	Flamite	Ca_8-x(Na,K)_x(SiO₄)_4-x(PO₄)_x	Orth. mm2
9.AH.50	Byzantievite	Ba₅(Ca,REE,Y)₂₂(Ti,Nb)₁₈(SiO₄)₄[(PO₄),(SiO₄)]₄(BO₃)₉O₂₂[(OH),F]₄₃(H₂O)_1.5	Trig. 3 : R3
9.AH.55	Greenwoodite	(Ba,V³⁺O)₂V³⁺₉(Fe³⁺,Fe²⁺)₂Si₂O₂₂	Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1
9.AH.60	Kihlmanite-(Ce)	Ce₂TiO₂(SiO₄)(HCO₃)₂(H₂O)	Tric. 1 : P1
9.AH.65	Tsangpoite	Ca₅(PO₄)₂(SiO₄)	Hex.
9.AH.70	'Enalite'	(Th,REE,Al) [(PO₄),(SiO₄),(OH)]	Tet.

RadioactivityHide

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)	3.4555%	1,071	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!

Mass of radioactive mineral:

Shielding material:

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 (μ_shield). 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 = ((A_U × Γ_U) + (A_Th × Γ_Th) + (A_K × Γ_K)) / r² × μ_shield

Fluorescence of NabimusaiteHide

In UV light:

Does not show luminescence.

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 NabimusaiteHide

mindat.org URL:

https://www.mindat.org/min-43580.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

Handbook of Mineralogy page PDF

Mineral Dealers:

Buy from D. Joyce minerals

References for NabimusaiteHide

Reference List:

Williams, P. A., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2013) IMA Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification. CNMNC Newsletter No. 15. Mineralogical Magazine, 77 (1) 1-12 doi:10.1180/minmag.2013.077.1.01

Vapnik, Y., Novikov, I. (2013) Reply to Comment of Y. Kolodny, A. Burg and A. Sneh on “Combustion metamorphism in the Nabi Musa dome: new implications for a mud volcano origin of the Mottled Zone, Dead Sea area”, by E. Sokol, I. Novikov, S. Zateeva, Ye. Vapnik, R. Shagam and O. Kozmenko, Basin Research (2010), 22, 414‐438. Basin Research: 25(1): 115-120.

(2016) Nabimusaite. Handbook of Mineralogy. Mineralogical Society of America

Localities for NabimusaiteHide

Showing 10 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.

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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.


Germany
Rhineland-Palatinate Mayen-Koblenz Mayen Seekante ⓘ Xenolith CS-090 (Hopmannite type locality)	Juroszek et al. (Ti 5 Fe)
Vordereifel Ettringen ⓘ Caspar quarry	www.mineralienatlas.de (2014)
ⓘ Xenolith CS-050	in the collection of Christof Schäfer

Israel
Southern District Beersheba Subdistrict Tamar Regional Council Hatrurim Basin ⓘ Har Parsa (Mt. Parsa)	Galuskin et al. (2015)

Jordan
Amman Governorate Transjordan Plateau Daba-Siwaqa complex Hashem region Lisdan-Siwaga Fault Siwaga Tulul al Hammam ⓘ Unnamed marble quarries	Sokol +9 other references

Middle East
ⓘ Hatrurim Formation	Vapnik et al. (2014)

Palestine
West Bank Bethlehem Governorate ⓘ Nahal Darga	Galuskin et al. (2015) +1 other reference
Jericho Governorate ⓘ Nabi Musa	Galuskin et al. (2015)
Quds Governorate ⓘ Jebel Harmun (Jabel Harum) (TL)	Mineralogical Magazine +2 other references
ⓘ Ma'ale Adumim	Galuskin et al. (2015)

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Nabimusaite

About NabimusaiteHide