Silesiaite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Silesiaite
Silesia
Formula:
Ca4(Fe3+2Sn2)[Si2O7]2[Si2O6OH]2
Formula according to CNMNC Newsletter 70, establishment of kristansenite group.
Colour:
Colourless to rarely greenish-grey
Hardness:
6
Specific Gravity:
3.737 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Member of:
Name:
For Silesia, Latin name of Śląsk, which is a large area occupying >50% of the southern (south-west and south) part of Poland, and where the type locality is situated.
Type Locality:
Isostructural with:
The Fe(III)-analogue of kristiansenite. The Fe3+Sn-analogue of kozłowskiite. Chemically similar to toturite.
The content of some of the M sites is somewhat variable:
* M1 = Fe3+ + Sc (mainly), the M2-M4 sites: Sn (Szklarska Poręba material), versus
* M1-M3: Sn-dominant, M4: Fe3+-dominant (Häiviäntien material).
The content of some of the M sites is somewhat variable:
* M1 = Fe3+ + Sc (mainly), the M2-M4 sites: Sn (Szklarska Poręba material), versus
* M1-M3: Sn-dominant, M4: Fe3+-dominant (Häiviäntien material).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
52572
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:52572:7
IMA Classification of Silesiaite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Ca4Fe3+2Sn4+2(Si2O7)2(Si2O6OH)2
Approval year:
2017
First published:
2023
Classification of Silesiaite
9.BC.30
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
B : Sorosilicates
C : Si2O7 groups, without non-tetrahedral anions; cations in octahedral [6] and greater coordination
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
B : Sorosilicates
C : Si2O7 groups, without non-tetrahedral anions; cations in octahedral [6] and greater coordination
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ssa | 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 Silesiaite
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless to rarely greenish-grey
Hardness:
6 on Mohs scale
Density:
3.737 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Silesiaite
Type:
Biaxial
Dispersion:
High
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
Under plane polarized light, the crystals are uncoloured to yellowish.
The refractive index is between 1.887 (hydroandradite) and 1.55 (Canada balsam).
mean refractive index of ~1.727 calculated from the Gladstone-Dale relation
The refractive index is between 1.887 (hydroandradite) and 1.55 (Canada balsam).
mean refractive index of ~1.727 calculated from the Gladstone-Dale relation
Chemistry of Silesiaite
Mindat Formula:
Ca4(Fe3+2Sn2)[Si2O7]2[Si2O6OH]2
Formula according to CNMNC Newsletter 70, establishment of kristansenite group.
Formula according to CNMNC Newsletter 70, establishment of kristansenite group.
Element Weights:
Chemical Analysis
Empirical formulas:
| Sample ID | Empirical Formula |
|---|---|
| 1 | Ca2.001(2[(Sn1.105Zr0.009)?1.114(Fe3+0.523Sc0.185Al0.070)?0.779(Fe2+0.065Mn2+0.041Mg0.003)?0.110]?2.003(Si3.997O13OH) |
| 2 | Ca2.006[(Sn1.110(Ti0.006)?1.107(Fe3+0.648Al0.063)?0.710(Fe2+0.140Mn2+0.011Mg0.005)?0.155(Nb0.020Ta0.011)?0.040]?2.009(Si3.991O13OH) |
Sample references:
| ID | Locality | Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Szklarska Poręba Huta granite quarry, Szklarska Poręba, Karkonosze County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, Poland | EPMA, 13 O2– + 1 (OH)–anions normalization | |
| 2 | Häiviäntien pegmatite, Forssa, Kanta-Häme, Finland | EPMA, 13 O2– + 1 (OH)–anions normalization |
Crystallography of Silesiaite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pedial
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.028(1) Å, b = 8.408(1) Å, c = 13.339(2) Å
α = 90.01(1)°, β = 109.10(1)°, γ = 90.00(1)°
α = 90.01(1)°, β = 109.10(1)°, γ = 90.00(1)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.193 : 1 : 1.586
Unit Cell V:
1,062.77 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Twinning:
Polysynthetic twinning.
Comment:
Space group is C1
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 9.147 Å | (100) |
| 8.408 Å | (12) |
| 6.607 Å | (64) |
| 5.195 Å | (6) |
| 4.413 Å | (10) |
| 3.312 Å | (7) |
| 3.151 Å | (12) |
| 3.095 Å | (9) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 34 : Complex granite pegmatites |
Type Occurrence of Silesiaite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Mixed kristiansenite-silesiaite crystals with maximum sizes of ~350 × 100 μm. Silesiaite occurs in the form of Fe-dominant bands, usually reaching only a few micrometers in thickness.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Collections of the Mineralogical Museum, University of Wrocław, Cybulskiego 30, 50-205 Wrocław, Poland, catalogue number MMWr IV7929.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Granitic pegmatite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Silesiaite
Other Language Names for Silesiaite
Dutch:Silesiaiet
German:Silesiait
Relationship of Silesiaite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Kristiansenite Group:
| Kozłowskiite | Ca4(Fe2+Sn3)[Si2O7]2[Si2O6OH]2 | Tric. 1 |
| Kristiansenite | Ca4(Sc2Sn2)[Si2O7]2[Si2O6OH]2 | Tric. 1 |
| Nybergite | Ca4Sc3Sn(Si2O7)(Si2O6OH)3 | Tric. 1 : P1 |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 2 photos of Silesiaite associated with Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.BC. | Anorthoyttrialite-(Y) | Y4(SiO4)(Si3O10) |
| 9.BC. | Kozłowskiite | Ca4(Fe2+Sn3)[Si2O7]2[Si2O6OH]2 |
| 9.BC.05 | Yttrialite-(Y) | (Y,Th)2Si2O7 |
| 9.BC.05 | Thortveitite | Sc2Si2O7 |
| 9.BC.05 | Keiviite-(Y) | Y2Si2O7 |
| 9.BC.05 | Keiviite-(Yb) | Yb2Si2O7 |
| 9.BC.05 | Gittinsite | CaZrSi2O7 |
| 9.BC.10 | Parakeldyshite | Na2ZrSi2O7 |
| 9.BC.10 | Keldyshite | (Na,H)2ZrSi2O7 |
| 9.BC.10 | Khibinskite | K2ZrSi2O7 |
| 9.BC.10 | Brunovskyite | NaZrSi2O6(OH) |
| 9.BC.15 | Rankinite | Ca3Si2O7 |
| 9.BC.20 | Barysilite | Pb8Mn2+[Si2O7]3 |
| 9.BC.25 | Edgarbaileyite | [Hg2]2+3[Si2O7] |
| 9.BC.30 | Kristiansenite | Ca4(Sc2Sn2)[Si2O7]2[Si2O6OH]2 |
| 9.BC.30 | Nybergite | Ca4Sc3Sn(Si2O7)(Si2O6OH)3 |
| 9.BC.35 | Percleveite-(Ce) | Ce2Si2O7 |
| 9.BC.35 | Percleveite-(La) | La2Si2O7 |
| 9.BC.40 | Scottyite | BaCu2Si2O7 |
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 Silesiaite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-52572.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
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References for Silesiaite
Reference List:
Hålenius, U., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2017) New minerals and nomenclature modifications approved in 2017, CNMNC Newsletter No 40. Mineralogical Magazine, 81 (6) 1577-1581 doi:10.1180/minmag.2017.081.096
Cepedal, Antonia, Fuertes-Fuente, Mercedes, Martin-Izard, Agustín (2021) Occurrence of silesiaite, a new calcium–iron–tin sorosilicate in the calcic skarn of El Valle-Boinás, Asturias, Spain. European Journal of Mineralogy, 33 (2) 165-174 doi:10.5194/ejm-33-165-2021
Miyawaki, Ritsuro, Hatert, Frédéric, Pasero, Marco, Mills, Stuart J. (2022) IMA Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification (CNMNC) – Newsletter 70. European Journal of Mineralogy, 34 (6) 591-601 doi:10.5194/ejm-34-591-2022
Pieczka, Adam, Zelek-Pogudz, Sylwia, Gołębiowska, Bożena, Stadnicka, Katarzyna M., Kristiansen, Roy (2023) Silesiaite, ideally Ca2Fe3+Sn(Si2O7)(Si2O6OH), a new species in the kristiansenite group: crystal chemistry and structure of holotype silesiaite from Szklarska Poręba, Poland, and Sc-free silesiaite from Häiviäntien, Finland. Mineralogical Magazine, 87 (2) 271-283 doi:10.1180/mgm.2023.5
Localities for Silesiaite
Showing 3 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.
Finland | |
| Kristiansen (2023) |
Poland (TL) | |
| Hålenius et al. (2017) +3 other references |
Spain | |
| Cepedal et al. (2021) |
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Häiviäntien pegmatite, Forssa, Kanta-Häme, Finland