Loomisite
A valid IMA mineral species
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About Loomisite
Tom Loomis
Formula:
Ba[Be2P2O8] · H2O
Colour:
White
Lustre:
Vitreous, Silky
Hardness:
3½ - 4
Specific Gravity:
3.46
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named after Tom Loomis, mineral collector and dealer from South Dakota, USA, who collected the type material.
Chemically related to minjiangite that may be treated as its anhydrous counterpart. Both are beryllophosphates.
Loomisite is the first natural example with the zeolite ABW-type framework, which is adopted by over 100 synthetic compounds with different chemical compositions.
Loomisite is the first natural example with the zeolite ABW-type framework, which is adopted by over 100 synthetic compounds with different chemical compositions.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
56033
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:56033:1
Similar Names
| Lamosite | A synonym of 'Lamalginite' |
IMA Classification of Loomisite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Ba[Be2P2O8]·H2O
Approval year:
2022
First published:
2023
Type description reference:
Classification of Loomisite
8.DN.
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
N : With only large cations
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
N : With only large cations
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lmi | 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 Loomisite
Vitreous, Silky
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
White
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3½ - 4 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
{100} and {110}.
{100} and {110}.
Parting:
None
Density:
3.46(5) g/cm3 (Measured) 3.512 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Loomisite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.579(5) nβ = 1.591(5) nγ = 1.606(5)
2V:
Measured: 82° (2), Calculated: 85°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.027
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
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.
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.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
very weak with r > v
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Loomisite
Mindat Formula:
Ba[Be2P2O8] · H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Loomisite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
m - Domatic
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.629(2) Å, b = 9.429(2) Å, c = 4.762(1) Å
β = 91.272(5)°
β = 91.272(5)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.809 : 1 : 0.505
Unit Cell V:
342.46 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Divergent sprays of very thin bladed crystals with a tapered termination.
Twinning:
Pervasively twinned on (100) with the twin law [1 0 0 / 0 -1 0 / 0 0 -1] or consist of multi-crystal intergrowth.
Comment:
Space group Pn
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 4.259 Å | (39) |
| 3.813 Å | (29) |
| 3.068 Å | (44) |
| 2.897 Å | (100) |
| 2.869 Å | (65) |
| 2.816 Å | (54) |
| 2.385 Å | (58) |
| 2.045 Å | (35) |
Type Occurrence of Loomisite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Divergent sprays of very thin bladed crystals that gently taper to a blunt termination. Individual crystals are found up to 0.80 x 0.06 x 0.03 mm.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Type material is deposited in the collections of the University of Arizona Alfie Norville Gem and Mineral Museum, 15 N Church Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701, USA, catalogue no. 22710 (holotype), and the RRUFF Project, deposition no. R210017 (cotype).
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Granite pegmatite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Loomisite
Other Language Names for Loomisite
Relationship of Loomisite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Zeolite Group:
| Alflarsenite | NaCa2Be3Si4O13(OH) · 2H2O | Mon. 2 : P21 |
| Amicite | K2Na2Al4Si4O16 · 5H2O | Mon. 2 |
| Ammonioleucite | (NH4)(AlSi2O6) | Tet. 4/m : I41/a |
| Analcime | Na(AlSi2O6) · H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Arzamastsevite | K6Al5Si6O20(OH)4Cl | Tet. 42m : I42m |
| Bellbergite | (K,Ba,Sr)2Sr2Ca2(Ca,Na)4[Al3Si3O12]6 · 30H2O | Hex. |
| Bikitaite | LiAlSi2O6 · H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Boggsite | Ca8Na3(Si,Al)96O192 · 70H2O | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Imma |
| Brewsterite Subgroup | Zeolite Group. | |
| Chabazite-Levyne Subgroup | M[Al2Si4O12] · 6H2O | |
| Chiavennite | CaMnBe2Si5O13(OH)2 · 2H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Clinoptilolite Subgroup | (Na/Ca/K)3-6[Al6-7Si29-30O72] · 20H2O | |
| Cowlesite | CaAl2Si3O10 · 6H2O | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) |
| Dachiardite Subgroup | Zeolite Group. | |
| Direnzoite | NaK6MgCa2(Al13Si47O120) · 36H2O | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pmmn |
| Edingtonite | Ba[Al2Si3O10] · 4H2O | Orth. 222 : P212121 |
| Epistilbite | CaAl2Si6O16 · 5H2O | Mon. |
| Erionite Subgroup | M2[Al4Si14O36] · 15H2O | |
| Fabrièsite | Na3Al3Si3O12 · 2H2O | Orth. mm2 : Pmm2 |
| Faujasite Subgroup | M3.5[Al7Si17O48] · 32H2O | |
| Ferrierite Subgroup | Name used for unanalysed specimens that could be either ferrierite-K, ferrierite-Mg, ... | |
| Ferrochiavennite | Ca1-2Fe[(Si,Al,Be)5Be2O13(OH)2] · 2H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Flörkeite | (K3Ca2Na)[Al8Si8O32] · 12H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Garronite Subgroup | ||
| Gaultite | Na4Zn2Si7O18 · 5H2O | Orth. mm2 : Fdd2 |
| Gismondine Subgroup | Zeolite Group. | |
| Gmelinite Subgroup | In 1997, gmelinite was split into Gmelinite-Ca, Gmelinite-Na and Gmelinite-K. | |
| Gobbinsite | Na5(Si11Al5)O32 · 11H2O | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma |
| Goosecreekite | Ca[Al2Si6O16] · 5H2O | Mon. 2 : P21 |
| Gottardiite | Na3Mg3Ca5Al19Si117O272 · 93H2O | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Cmca |
| Heulandite Subgroup | (Na/Ca/K)5-6[Al8-9 Si27-28 O72] · nH2O | |
| Hsianghualite | Ca3Li2(Be3Si3O12)F2 | Iso. 23 : I213 |
| Kalborsite | K6Al4BSi6O20(OH)4Cl | Tet. 42m : P421c |
| Kirchhoffite | Cs(BSi2O6) | Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I41/acd |
| Laumontite | CaAl2Si4O12 · 4H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Leucite | K(AlSi2O6) | Tet. 4/m : I41/a |
| Limousinite | BaCa[Be4P4O16] · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Lithosite | K6Al4Si8O25 · 2H2O | Mon. |
| Lovdarite | K2Na6Be4Si14O36 · 9H2O | Orth. mm2 |
| Maricopaite | Pb7Ca2(Si,Al)48O100 · 32H2O | Orth. |
| Martinandresite | Ba2(Al4Si12O32) · 10H2O | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pmmn |
| Mazzite Subgroup | Zeolite Group. | |
| Meierite | Ba44Si66Al30O192Cl25(OH)33 | Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Im3m |
| Merlinoite | K5Ca2(Si23Al9)O64 · 24H2O | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Immm |
| Montesommaite | (K,Na)9Al9Si23O64 · 10H2O | Orth. mm2 : Fdd2 |
| Mordenite | (Na2,Ca,K2)4(Al8Si40)O96 · 28H2O | Orth. |
| Mountainite | KNa2Ca2[Si8O19(OH)] · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : P2/b |
| Mutinaite | Na3Ca4Si85Al11O192 · 60H2O | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma |
| Nabesite | Na2BeSi4O10 · 4H2O | Orth. 222 : P212121 |
| Natrolite Subgroup | A subgroup of the Zeolite Group. | |
| Offretite | KCaMg(Si13Al5)O36 · 15H2O | Hex. 6m2 : P6m2 |
| Pahasapaite | Li8(Ca,Li,K)10.5Be24(PO4)24 · 38H2O | Iso. 23 : I23 |
| Parthéite | Ca2(Si4Al4) O15 (OH)2 · 4H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Paulingite Subgroup | Paulingite was originally described in 1960. | |
| Perlialite | K9Na(Ca,Sr)[Al2Si4O12]6 · 15H2O | Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mmm |
| Phillipsite Subgroup | (Ca0.5,K,Na,Ba0.5)4-7[Al4-7Si12-9O32] . 12H2O | |
| Pollucite | (Cs,Na)2(Al2Si4O12) · 2H2O | Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Ia3d |
| Roggianite | Ca2Be(OH)2Al2Si4O13 · 2.5H2O | Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I4/mcm |
| Rongibbsite | Pb2(Si4Al)O11(OH) | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Stilbite Subgroup | M6-7[Al8-9Si27-28O72] · nH2O | |
| Terranovaite | (Na,Ca)8(Si68Al12)O160 · 29H2O | Orth. |
| Thomsonite Subgroup | The large majority of "thomsonite" is thomsonite-Ca. | |
| Thornasite | Na12Th4+3(Si8O19)4 · 18H2O | Trig. 3m : R3m |
| Tschernichite | (Ca,Na2)[Al2Si4O12] · 4-8H2O | Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : P4/mmm |
| Tschörtnerite | Ca4(Ca,Sr,K,Ba)3Cu3[Al3Si3O12]4(OH)8 · nH2O | Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fm3m |
| 'UM1996-38-SiO:AlCaHNa' | Na-Ca-Al-Si-O-H | |
| 'UM1999-33-SiO:AlHKNa' | K7Na5Al12Si20O64 · 24H2O | |
| 'UM2002-40-SiO:AlCaHKMgNa' | (Mg,Ca,Na,K)7.5(Al12.8Si51.2)O128 · 65H2O | Tet. 422 : P4122 |
| 'Unnamed (Ca analogue of Merlinoite)' | (Ca,K,Na)5(Ca,Ba)2Al9Si23O64 · 23H2O ? | |
| Wairakite | Ca(Al2Si4O12) · 2H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Weinebeneite | CaBe3(PO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2O | Mon. m : Bb |
| Wenkite | (Ba,K)4(Ca,Na)6[(Si,Al)20O39(OH)2](SO4)3 · 0.5H2O | Hex. 6m2 : P62m |
| Wilancookite | (Ba5Li2◻)Ba6Be24P24O96 · 26H2O | Iso. 23 : I23 |
| Willhendersonite | KCa[Al3Si3O12] · 5H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Yugawaralite | CaAl2Si6O16 · 4H2O | Mon. m : Pb |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.DN.05 | Natrophosphate | Na6+xHxF(PO4)2 · (19+x)H2O |
| 8.DN.10 | Isoclasite | Ca2(PO4)(OH) · 2H2O |
| 8.DN.15 | 'Urphoite' | U4+6(PO4)7(OH)3 · 4H2O |
| 8.DN.15 | Lermontovite | U(PO4)(OH) · H2O |
| 8.DN.20 | Vyacheslavite | U(PO4)(OH) |
Other Information
Notes:
Insoluble in water or HCl.
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 Loomisite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-56033.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Loomisite
Localities for Loomisite
Showing 1 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.
USA (TL) | |
| Miyawaki et al. (2022) +1 other reference |
Quick NavTopAbout LoomisiteUnique IdentifiersSimilar NamesIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography X-Ray Powder DiffractionType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesRelationshipsStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Big Chief Mine, Glendale, Keystone Mining District, Pennington County, South Dakota, USA