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Liebermannite

A valid IMA mineral species
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04388830017763786669320.jpg
Liebermannite, etc.

Zagami Martian meteorite, Faskari, Katsina, Nigeria
04388830017763786669320.jpg
Liebermannite, etc.

Zagami Martian meteorite, Faskari, Katsina, Nigeria
04388830017763786669320.jpg
Liebermannite, etc.

Zagami Martian meteorite, Faskari, Katsina, Nigeria
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About LiebermanniteHide

09082720017272472419105.jpg
Robert C. Liebermann
Formula:
KAlSi3O8
Specific Gravity:
3.975 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Name:
Honors mineral physicist Robert Liebermann (February 6, 1942-) for his many contributions to the study of phases at elevated temperatures and pressures (State University of New York at Stony Brook).
A hollandite-type high-pressure modification of KAlSi3O8.

K analogue of lingunite.
Described from the Zagami basaltic shergottite meteorite.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
45898
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:45898:4

IMA Classification of LiebermanniteHide

Classification of LiebermanniteHide

Strunz-mindat (2026):
9.FA.70

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
F : Tektosilicates without zeolitic H2O
A : Tektosilicates without additional non-tetrahedral anions

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

Physical Properties of LiebermanniteHide

Transparency:
Transparent
Density:
3.975 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Chemistry of LiebermanniteHide

Mindat Formula:
KAlSi3O8
Element Weights:
Element% weight
O45.987 %
Si30.272 %
K14.047 %
Al9.694 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
O
Si
K
Al
Elements listed:
Al, K, O, Si - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of LiebermanniteHide

Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Class (H-M):
4/m - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
I4/m
Setting:
I4/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.14(4) Å, c = 2.74(2) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.3
Unit Cell V:
228.90 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
6.463 Å(53)
2.890 Å(100)
2.036 Å(87)
1.859 Å(16)
1.442 Å(27)
1.368 Å(13)
1.317 Å(16)
1.266 Å(15)

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 2: Planetesimal differentiation and alteration4.566-4.550
6 : Secondary asteroid phases4.566-4.560

Type Occurrence of LiebermanniteHide

Synonyms of LiebermanniteHide

Other Language Names for LiebermanniteHide

Relationship of Liebermannite to other SpeciesHide

Structurally related to group(s):
Hollandite SupergroupA2+[M4+6M3+2]O16

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
2 photos of Liebermannite associated with Pigeonite(CaxMgyFez)(Mgy1Fez1)Si2O6
2 photos of Liebermannite associated with BaddeleyiteZrO2
2 photos of Liebermannite associated with Augite(CaxMgyFez)(Mgy1Fez1)Si2O6
1 photo of Liebermannite associated with ChlorapatiteCa5(PO4)3Cl
1 photo of Liebermannite associated with StishoviteSiO2
1 photo of Liebermannite associated with PyrrhotiteFe1-xS
1 photo of Liebermannite associated with LinguniteNaAlSi3O8
1 photo of Liebermannite associated with MerrilliteCa9NaMg(PO4)7
1 photo of Liebermannite associated with 'Maskelynite'
1 photo of Liebermannite associated with IlmeniteFe2+TiO3

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

9.FA.BonaccorsiiteKK2Na3(Al6Si36)O84Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
9.FA.HexacelsianBaAl2Si2O8Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P63/mcm
9.FA.Wodegongjieite KCa3(Al7Si9)O32Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
9.FA.05Panunzite(K,Na)AlSiO4Hex. 6 : P63
9.FA.05Yoshiokaite(Ca,Na)[Al(Al,Si)O4]Trig. 3 : P3
9.FA.05NephelineNa3K(Al4Si4O16)Hex. 6 : P63
9.FA.05TrinephelineNaAlSiO4Hex. 6 : P61
9.FA.05Davidsmithite(Ca,◻)2Na6Al8Si8O32Hex. 6 : P63
9.FA.05KaliophiliteKAlSiO4Trig. 3 : P3
9.FA.05KalsiliteKAlSiO4Hex. 622 : P6322
9.FA.05'Carnegieite'NaAlSiO4Tric.
9.FA.05MegakalsiliteKAlSiO4Hex. 6 : P63
9.FA.05TrikalsiliteK2NaAl3(SiO4)3Hex. 6 : P63
9.FA.10MalinkoiteNaBSiO4Hex. 6 : P63
9.FA.15VirgiliteLiAlSi2O6Hex. 622 : P6222
9.FA.25LisitsyniteKBSi2O6Orth. 222 : P222
9.FA.30FerrisanidineK[Fe3+Si3O8]Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.FA.30Buddingtonite(NH4)(AlSi3O8)Mon. 2 : P21
9.FA.30RubiclineRb(AlSi3O8)Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.FA.30'Monalbite'NaAlSi3O8Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.FA.30MicroclineK(AlSi3O8)Tric. 1
9.FA.30 va'Germanate-celsian'BaAl2Ge2O8
9.FA.30CelsianBa(Al2Si2O8)Mon. 2/m
9.FA.30SanidineK(AlSi3O8)Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.FA.30OrthoclaseK(AlSi3O8)Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.FA.35ReedmergneriteNaBSi3O8Tric. 1 : P1
9.FA.35AlbiteNa(AlSi3O8)Tric. 1
9.FA.35AnorthiteCa(Al2Si2O8)Tric. 1 : P1
9.FA.40ParacelsianBa(Al2Si2O8)Mon. 2/m : P21/b
9.FA.45SvyatoslaviteCa(Al2Si2O8)Mon. 2 : P21
9.FA.45KumdykoliteNa(AlSi3O8)Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnnm
9.FA.50SlawsoniteSr(Al2Si2O8)Mon. 2/m : P21/b
9.FA.55LisetiteCaNa2Al4Si4O16Orth. mm2
9.FA.60StronalsiteNa2SrAl4Si4O16Orth.
9.FA.60BanalsiteNa2BaAl4Si4O16Orth. mm2 : Iba2
9.FA.65MaleeviteBaB2Si2O8Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma
9.FA.65PekoviteSrB2Si2O8Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma
9.FA.65DanburiteCaB2Si2O8Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
9.FA.70LinguniteNaAlSi3O8Tet. 4/m : I4/m
9.FA.70StöffleriteCaAl2Si2O8Tet. 4/m : I4/m
9.FA.75PfaffenbergiteKNa3(Al4Si12)O32Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
9.FA.75KokchetaviteK(AlSi3O8)Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc

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) 14.0474% 4,355 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: –

DistanceDose rateRisk
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

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 LiebermanniteHide

References for LiebermanniteHide

Localities for LiebermanniteHide

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.
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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.
Nigeria (TL)
 
  • Katsina
    • Faskari
Langenhorst et al. (2000) +3 other references
Northwest Africa Meteorites
 
Ma et al. (2015)
Quick NavTopAbout LiebermanniteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Chemistry Crystallography X-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatRadioactivityOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
 
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