Vote for your favorite mineral in #MinCup26! - Azurite vs. Smithsonite
It's carbonate-vs-carbonate to kick off Mineral Cup 2026 with copper-rich Azurite against zinc-rich Smithsonite.
Log InRegister
Quick Links : The Mindat ManualThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryMindat Newsletter [Free Download]
Home PageAbout MindatThe Mindat ManualHistory of MindatCopyright StatusWho We AreContact UsAdvertise on Mindat
Donate to MindatCorporate SponsorshipSponsor a PageSponsored PagesMindat AdvertisersAdvertise on Mindat
Learning CenterWhat is a mineral?The most common minerals on earthInformation for EducatorsMindat ArticlesThe ElementsThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryGeologic TimeExplore Fossils
Minerals by PropertiesMinerals by ChemistryMineral Visual ExplorerAdvanced Locality SearchRandom MineralRandom LocalitySearch by minIDLocalities Near MeSearch ArticlesSearch GlossaryMore Search Options
Search For:
Mineral Name:
Locality Name:
Keyword(s):
 
The Mindat ManualAdd a New PhotoRate PhotosLocality Edit ReportCoordinate Completion ReportAdd Glossary Item
Mining CompaniesStatisticsUsersMineral MuseumsClubs & OrganizationsMineral Shows & EventsThe Mindat DirectoryDevice SettingsThe Mineral QuizTime Machine
Photo SearchPhoto GalleriesSearch by ColorPhoto Colour ExplorerNew Photos TodayNew Photos YesterdayMembers' Photo GalleriesPast Photo of the Day GalleryPhotography

Laachite

A valid IMA mineral species
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
Hide all sections | Show all sections

About LaachiteHide

Formula:
(Ca,Mn)2Zr2Nb2TiFeO14
Colour:
brownish-red
Lustre:
Adamantine
Specific Gravity:
5.417 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
For the type locality
Related to zirconolite-2M with Nb dominant over Ti.
Closely related to nöggerathite-(Ce), Stefanweissite.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
43866
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:43866:1

Similar NamesHide

Laachite (of Kalb)A rock subtype
LueshiteA valid IMA mineral speciesNaNbO3

IMA Classification of LaachiteHide

Classification of LaachiteHide

4.DH.30

4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
D : Metal: Oxygen = 1:2 and similar
H : With large (+- medium-sized) cations; sheets of edge-sharing octahedra

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference for Standard
LaaIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of LaachiteHide

Adamantine
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Brownish-red
Streak:
Brownish-red
Tenacity:
Brittle
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
5.417 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Chemistry of LaachiteHide

Mindat Formula:
(Ca,Mn)2Zr2Nb2TiFeO14
Element Weights:
Element% weight
O28.860 %
Nb23.941 %
Zr23.508 %
Ca10.328 %
Fe7.195 %
Ti6.168 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.

Crystallography of LaachiteHide

Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/b
Setting:
C2/c
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.3119(5) Å, b = 14.179(1) Å, c = 10.1700(7) Å
β = 90.072(2)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.516 : 1 : 0.717
Unit Cell V:
1054.38 ų
Z:
4
Twinning:
twinned

Crystal StructureHide

Load
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
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File    Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0020511LaachiteChukanov N V, Krivovichev S V, Pakhomova A S,Pekov I V,Schafer C, Vigasina M F, Van K V (2011) Laachite, (Ca,Mn)2Zr2Nb2TiFeO14, a new zirconolite-related mineral from the Eifel volcanic region, Germany European Journal of Mineralogy 26 103-1112011Laach Lake volcano, Eifel region, Germany0293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Geological EnvironmentHide

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

Type Occurrence of LaachiteHide

General Appearance of Type Material:
long-prismatic crystals up to 0.02 × 0.04 × 0.5 mm, which are present as random intergrowths and twins in cavities within sanidinite.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Type material is deposited in the collections of the Fersman Mineralogical Museum of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, registration number 4361/1
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Ejectum, Nosean-bearing syenite
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Synonyms of LaachiteHide

Other Language Names for LaachiteHide

Dutch:Laachiet
German:Laachit

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

4.DH.Cesiokenopyrochlore◻Nb2(O,OH)6(Cs,◻) Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
4.DH.Roméite GroupA2(Sb5+)2O6Z
4.DH.OxyplumboroméitePb2Sb2O6OIso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
4.DH.Fluornatropyrochlore(Na,Pb,Ca,REE,U)2Nb2O6FIso. m3m(4/m32/m)
4.DH.Hydroxykenomicrolite(◻,Na,Sb3+)2Ta2O6(OH,Cs)Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
4.DH.'Fluornatroroméite'(Na,Ca)2Sb2(O,OH)6F
4.DH.Oxyyttrobetafite-(Y)Y2Ti2O6OIso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
4.DH.05Thorutite(Th,U,Ca)Ti2(O,OH)6Mon.
4.DH.05OrthobranneriteU4+U6+Ti4O12(OH)2Orth.
4.DH.05BranneriteUTi2O6Mon. 2/m : B2/m
4.DH.10KassiteCaTi2O4(OH)2Mon. 2/m : P21/b
4.DH.10Lucasite-(La)Mon. 2 : B2
4.DH.10Lucasite-(Ce)CeTi2(O,OH)6Mon.
4.DH.15'Fluorhydropyrochlore'
4.DH.15Hydrokenoelsmoreite2W2O6(H2O)Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
4.DH.15'Hydroxynatromicrolite'(Na,Bi3+,◻)2Ta2O6(OH)Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
4.DH.15Hydroplumboelsmoreite(Pb,◻)(W,Fe3+)2O6 · H2OIso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
4.DH.15Hydropyrochlore(H2O,◻)2Nb2(O,OH)6(H2O)Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
4.DH.15'Unnamed (Sb-analogue of Hydroxymanganopyrochlor)'(Mn,Ca,Y)2(Sb,Ti)2O6(OH)
4.DH.15Hydroxynatropyrochlore(Na,Ca,Ce)2Nb2O6(OH)Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
4.DH.15Hydrokenopyrochlore(◻,x)2Nb2O6(H2O,Cs)Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
4.DH.15Oxybismutomicrolite(Bi1.330.67)Σ2Ta2O6OIso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
4.DH.15Kenomicrolite2Ta2[O4(OH)2]◻Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
4.DH.15Fluornatromicrolite(Na1.5Bi0.5)Ta2O6FIso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
4.DH.15'Oxynatropyrochlore'(Na,Ca,U)2Nb2O6(O,OH)
4.DH.15Hydroxycalciopyrochlore(Ca,Na,U,◻)2(Nb,Ti)2O6(OH)Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
4.DH.15Fluorcalciopyrochlore(Ca,Na)2(Nb,Ti)2O6FIso.
4.DH.15OxycalciopyrochloreCa2Nb2O6OIso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
4.DH.15'Fluorstrontiopyrochlore'(Sr,◻)2Nb2(O,OH)6F
4.DH.15OxyplumbopyrochlorePb2Nb2O6OIso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
4.DH.15'Fluorplumbopyrochlore'(Pb,Y,Th,U,Na,Ca)2-x(Nb,Ti)2O6FIso.
4.DH.15'Bismutomicrolite (of Hogarth 1977)'Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
4.DH.15'Bismutopyrochlore (of Chukanov et al.)'(Bi,Ca,U,Pb)2-xNb2(O,OH)6(OH)Amor.
4.DH.15'Kenoplumbopyrochlore'(Pb,◻)Nb2O6(◻,O)
4.DH.15Hydroxyplumbopyrochlore (Pb1.50.5)Nb2O6(OH)Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
4.DH.15'Stibiomicrolite (of Groat et al.)'
4.DH.15'Oxyyttropyrochlore-(Y)'(Y,◻)2Nb2O6O
4.DH.15'Fluorkenopyrochlore'(◻,Sr,Ce,Ca,Na)2(Nb,Ti)2O6F
4.DH.15HydroxycalciomicroliteCa1.5Ta2O6(OH)Iso. 432 : P4232
4.DH.15'Strontiopyrochlore (of Hogarth 1977)'(Sr,Ce,Ca)0.66(Nb,Fe)2(O,OH)7
4.DH.15 va'Alumotungstite'2W2O6(H2O)Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
4.DH.15'Oxycalciobetafite'Ca2(Ti,Nb)2O6O
4.DH.15'Oxyuranobetafite'(U,Ca,◻)2(Ti,Nb)2O6O
4.DH.15Fluorcalciomicrolite(Ca,Na)2(Ta,Nb)2O6FIso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
4.DH.15OxycalciomicroliteCa2Ta2O6OIso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
4.DH.15OxystannomicroliteSn2Ta2O6OIso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
4.DH.15Kenoplumbomicrolite(Pb,◻)2Ta2O6(◻,OH,O)Iso.
4.DH.15Oxynatromicrolite(Na,Ca,U)2(Ta,Nb)2O6(O,F)Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
4.DH.15Oxystibiomicrolite(Sb3+,Ca)2Ta2O6OIso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
4.DH.15'Hydromicrolite'(H2O,◻)2Ta2(O,OH)6(H2O)
4.DH.15'Plumbomicrolite (of Hogarth 1977)'
4.DH.15Hydrokenomicrolite(◻,H2O)2Ta2(O,OH)6(H2O)Iso. m3m(4/m32/m)
4.DH.15Hydroxykenoelsmoreite(◻,Pb)2(W,Fe3+,Al)2(O,OH)6(OH)Trig. 3 : R3
4.DH.15 va'Yttromicrolite (of Hogarth)'(Ca,Y3+,U,Na)2-x(Ta,Nb,Ti,Fe3+)2O7Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
4.DH.15Hydroxykenopyrochlore(◻,Ce,Ba)2(Nb,Ti)2O6(OH,F)Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
4.DH.15Hydroxymanganopyrochlore(Mn2+,Th,Na,Ca,REE)2(Nb,Ti)2O6(OH) Iso. m3(2/m3)
4.DH.20'Cuproroméite'Cu2Sb2(O,OH)7Iso.
4.DH.20Hydroxycalcioroméite(Ca,Sb3+)2(Sb5+,Ti)2O6(OH)Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
4.DH.20BindheimitePb2Sb2O6OIso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
4.DH.20Hydroxyferroroméite(Fe2+1.50.5)Sb5+2O6(OH)Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
4.DH.20Fluorcalcioroméite(Ca,Na,◻)2Sb5+2(O,OH)6FIso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
4.DH.20OxycalcioroméiteCa2Sb2O6OIso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
4.DH.20StetefeldtiteAg2Sb2(O,OH)7Iso.
4.DH.20StibiconiteSb3+Sb5+2O6(OH) Iso. m3m(4/m32/m)
4.DH.20MonimolitePb2Sb5+2O7Iso. m3m(4/m32/m)
4.DH.25RosiaitePbSb5+2O6Trig. 3m(32/m) : P31m
4.DH.30Stefanweissite(Ca,REE)2Zr2(Nb,Ti)(Ti,Nb)2Fe2+O14Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Cmca
4.DH.30ZirconoliteCaZrTi2O7Orth.
4.DH.30Nöggerathite-(Ce)(Ce,Ca)2Zr2(Nb,Ti)(Ti,Nb)2Fe2+O14Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Cmca
4.DH.35LiandratiteU(Nb,Ta)2O8Trig. 3m(32/m) : P31m
4.DH.35PetscheckiteUFe(Nb,Ta)2O8Hex.
4.DH.40IngersoniteCa3Mn2+Sb5+4O14Trig. 32 : P3121
4.DH.45PittongiteNa0.22(W,Fe3+)(O,OH)3 · 0.44H2OHex. 6m2 : P6m2
4.DH.50TazzoliiteBa4-xNaxTi2Nb3SiO17[PO2(OH)2]x(OH)(1-2x) Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Fmmm

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 LaachiteHide

References for LaachiteHide

Localities for LaachiteHide

Showing 5 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.
Germany (TL)
 
  • Rhineland-Palatinate
    • Mayen-Koblenz
      • Mendig
        • Mendig
+ +2 other references
Russia
 
  • Krasnoyarsk Krai
    • Boguchansky District
      • Chadobets alkaline complex
Sharygin +9 other references
  • Murmansk Oblast
    • Kovdorsky District
Ivanyuk et al. (2018)
Gregory Ivanyuk et al. (2018)
    • Kukisvumchorr Mt
Menshikov et al. (2015)
 
and/or  
Mindat.org® is an outreach project of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Mindat® and mindat.org® are registered trademarks of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy.
Copyright © mindat.org and the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy 1993-2026, except where stated. Most political location boundaries are © OpenStreetMap contributors. Mindat.org relies on the contributions of thousands of members and supporters. Founded in 2000 by Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau.
Content on this site may not be used to train, fine-tune, or otherwise develop artificial intelligence or machine learning models without prior written permission - see our Terms & Conditions.
To cite: Ralph, J., Von Bargen, D., Martynov, P., Zhang, J., Que, X., Prabhu, A., Morrison, S. M., Li, W., Chen, W., & Ma, X. (2025). Mindat.org: The open access mineralogy database to accelerate data-intensive geoscience research. American Mineralogist, 110(6), 833–844. doi:10.2138/am-2024-9486.
Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Contact Us / DMCA issues - Report a bug/vulnerability Current server date and time: September 1, 2026 11:33:26 Page updated: August 19, 2026 23:54:11
Go to top of page