Brewsterite-Sr
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Brewsterite-Sr
Sir David Brewster
Formula:
Sr(Al2Si6)O16 · 5H2O
Colour:
Colorless, white
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
5
Specific Gravity:
2.45
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named in honor of Sir David Brewster (11 December 1781, Jedburgh, Scotand - 10 February 1868, Gattonside, Scotland), Scottish physicist, who studied the optical properties of minerals, for his 'important discoveries connected with crystallography'. Brewster was an early expert in the polarization of light; the Brewster's angle is also named after him. In 1822 Brooke named it simply brewsterite. In 1997 the IMA Subcommittee on Zeolites promoted brewsterite to a series and designated two species with the dominant extra-framework cation as a suffix.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
6833
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:6833:4
IMA Classification of Brewsterite-Sr
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Sr(Al2Si6)O16·5H2O
First published:
1822
Classification of Brewsterite-Sr
9.GE.20
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
G : Tektosilicates with zeolitic H2O; zeolite family
E : Chains of T10O20 Tetrahedra
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
G : Tektosilicates with zeolitic H2O; zeolite family
E : Chains of T10O20 Tetrahedra
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Brw-Sr | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Brewsterite-Sr
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Brewsterite-Sr
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colorless, white
Streak:
White
Hardness:
5 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {010}.
On {010}.
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
2.45 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.42 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Brewsterite-Sr
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.51 nβ = 1.512 nγ = 1.523
2V:
Measured: 65°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.013
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:
Low (negative)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure
- the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using
this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points
where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the
field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are
isogyres.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Dispersion:
none
Optical Extinction:
Z = b; X ∧ c = 19°-34° (in various sectors).
Chemistry of Brewsterite-Sr
Mindat Formula:
Sr(Al2Si6)O16 · 5H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Brewsterite-Sr
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/m
Setting:
P21/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.77 Å, b = 17.51 Å, c = 7.74 Å
β = 94.3°
β = 94.3°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.387 : 1 : 0.442
Unit Cell V:
914.94 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Prismatic crystals.
Twinning:
Lamellar parallel to {010}.
Crystal Structure
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0009286 | Brewsterite-Sr | Perrotta A J, Smith J V (1964) The crystal structure of brewsterite, (Sr,Ba,Ca)(Al2Si6O16)*5H2O Acta Crystallographica 17 857-862 |  | 1964 | Strontian, Argyll, Scotland | 0 | 293 |
| 0008168 | Brewsterite-Sr | Alberti A, Sacerdoti M, Quartieri S, Vezzalini G (1999) Heating-induced phase transformation in zeolite brewsterite: new 4- and 5-coordinated (Si,Al) sites Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 26 181-186 | 1999 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0001845 | Brewsterite-Sr | Akizuki M, Kudoh Y, Kuribayashi T (1996) Crystal structures of the {011}, {610}, and {010} growth sectors in brewsterite American Mineralogist 81 1501-1506 |  | 1996 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0001843 | Brewsterite-Sr | Akizuki M, Kudoh Y, Kuribayashi T (1996) Crystal structures of the {011}, {610}, and {010} growth sectors in brewsterite American Mineralogist 81 1501-1506 | | 1996 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0009605 | Brewsterite-Sr | Schlenker J L, Pluth J J, Smith J V (1977) Refinement of the crystal structure of brewsterite, Ba0.5Sr1.5Al4Si12O32*10H2O Acta Crystallographica B33 2907-2910 | | 1977 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 4.53 Å | (100) |
| 6.15 Å | (90) |
| 2.885 Å | (90) |
| 3.209 Å | (80) |
| 3.867 Å | (70) |
| 4.98 Å | (40) |
| 1.989 Å | (40) |
Comments:
Strontian, Scotland.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 22 : Hydration and low-? subsurface aqueous alteration (see also #23) | |
| 23 : Subaerial aqueous alteration by non-redox-sensitive fluids (see also #47) | |
| High-? alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 32 : Ba/Mn/Pb/Zn deposits, including metamorphic deposits |
Type Occurrence of Brewsterite-Sr
General Appearance of Type Material:
Prismatic crystals.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
No designated type material.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Epithermal veins.
Synonyms of Brewsterite-Sr
Ba Zeolite (in part)
Other Language Names for Brewsterite-Sr
Dutch:Brewsterite-Sr
German:Brewsterit-Sr
Russian:Брюстерит-Sr
Simplified Chinese:锶沸石
Traditional Chinese:鍶沸石
Relationship of Brewsterite-Sr to other Species
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 8 photos of Brewsterite-Sr associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 5 photos of Brewsterite-Sr associated with Heulandite-Sr | (Sr,Na,Ca)5(Si27Al9)O72 · 24H2O |
| 2 photos of Brewsterite-Sr associated with Strontianite | SrCO3 |
| 2 photos of Brewsterite-Sr associated with Harmotome | Ba2(Si12Al4)O32 · 12H2O |
| 1 photo of Brewsterite-Sr associated with Heulandite-Ba | (Ba,Ca,K)5(Si27Al9)O72 · 22H2O |
| 1 photo of Brewsterite-Sr associated with Brewsterite-Ba | Ba(Al2Si6)O16 · 5H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.GE.05 | Heulandite-Ca | (Ca,Na)5(Si27Al9)O72 · 26H2O |
| 9.GE.05 | Heulandite-K | (K,Ca,Na)5(Si27Al9)O72 · 26H2O |
| 9.GE.05 | Heulandite-Na | (Na,Ca,K)6(Si,Al)36O72 · 22H2O |
| 9.GE.05 | Heulandite-Sr | (Sr,Na,Ca)5(Si27Al9)O72 · 24H2O |
| 9.GE.05 | Heulandite-Ba | (Ba,Ca,K)5(Si27Al9)O72 · 22H2O |
| 9.GE.05 | Clinoptilolite-Ca | Ca3(Si30Al6)O72 · 20H2O |
| 9.GE.05 | Clinoptilolite-K | K6(Si30Al6)O72 · 20H2O |
| 9.GE.05 | Clinoptilolite-Na | Na6(Si30Al6)O72 · 20H2O |
| 9.GE.10 | Stilbite-Ca | NaCa4(Si27Al9)O72 · 28H2O |
| 9.GE.10 | Stilbite-Na | Na9(Si27Al9)O72 · 28H2O |
| 9.GE.15 | Barrerite | Na2(Si7Al2)O18 · 6H2O |
| 9.GE.15 | Stellerite | Ca4(Si28Al8)O72 · 28H2O |
| 9.GE.20 | Brewsterite-Ba | Ba(Al2Si6)O16 · 5H2O |
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 Brewsterite-Sr
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-6833.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Brewsterite-Sr
Reference List:
Perrotta, A. J.; Smith, J. V. (1964) The crystal structure of brewsterite, (Sr, Ba, Ca)(Al2Si6O16).5H2O. Acta Crystallographica, 17 (7). 857-862 doi:10.1107/s0365110x64002298
Schlenker, J. L., Pluth, J. J., Smith, J. V. (1977) Refinement of the crystal structure of brewsterite, Ba0.5Sr1.5Al4Si12O32.10H2O. Acta Crystallographica Section B Structural Crystallography and Crystal Chemistry, 33 (9) 2907-2910 doi:10.1107/s0567740877009765
Artioli, G., Smith, J. V., Kvick, Å. (1985) Multiple hydrogen positions in the zeolite brewsterite, (Sr0.95,Ba0.05)Al2Si6O16.5H2O. Acta Crystallographica Section C Crystal Structure Communications, 41 (4). 492-497 doi:10.1107/s0108270185004401
Akizuki, Mizuhiko (1987) Crystal symmetry and order-disorder structure of brewsterite. American Mineralogist, 72 (5-6) 645-648
Nawaz, Rab (1988) A Note on Occurrence and Optical Orientation of Brewsterite. Mineralogical Magazine, 52 (366) 416-417 doi:10.1180/minmag.1988.052.366.20
Nawaz, Rab (1990) Brewsterite: re-investigation of morphology and elongation. Mineralogical Magazine, 54 (377) 654-656 doi:10.1180/minmag.1990.054.377.21
Akizuki, Mizuhiko, Kudoh, Yasuhiro, Kuribayashi, Takahiro (1996) Crystal structures of the {011}, {610}, and {010} growth sectors in brewsterite. American Mineralogist, 81 (11) 1501-1506 doi:10.2138/am-1996-11-1221
Coombs, Douglas S., Alberti, Alberto, Armbruster, Thomas, Artioli, Gilberto, Colella, Carmine, Galli, Ermanno, Grice, Joel D., Liebau, Friedrich, Mandarino, Joseph A., Minato, Hideo, et al. (1997) Recommended nomenclature for zeolite minerals; report of the Subcommittee on Zeolites of the International Mineralogical Association, Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names. The Canadian Mineralogist, 35 (6). 1571-1606
Khodabandeh, Shervin; Lee, Gary; Davis, Mark E. (1997) CIT-4: The first synthetic analogue of brewsterite. Microporous Materials, 11 (1-2). 87-95 doi:10.1016/s0927-6513(97)00036-9
Alberti, A., Sacerdoti, M., Quartieri, S., Vezzalini, G. (1999) Heating-induced phase transformation in zeolite brewsterite: new 4- and 5-coordinated (Si,Al) sites. Physics and Chemistry of Minerals, 26 (3) 181-186 doi:10.1007/s002690050175
Ståhl, K; Hanson, J.C (1999) Multiple cation sites in dehydrated brewsterite. An in-situ X-ray synchrotron powder diffraction study. Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, 32 (1-2). 147-158 doi:10.1016/s1387-1811(99)00100-6
Alberti, A.; Sacerdoti, M.; Quartieri, S.; Vezzalini, G. (1999) Heating-induced phase transformation in zeolite brewsterite: new 4- and 5-coordinated (Si,Al) sites. Physics and Chemistry of Minerals, 26 (3). 181-186 doi:10.1007/s002690050175
Sacerdoti, Michele, Vezzalini, Giovanna, Quartieri, Simona (2000) Dehydration mechanism in brewsterite: single-crystal X-ray diffraction study. Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, 41 (1-3). 107-118 doi:10.1016/s1387-1811(00)00278-x
Localities for Brewsterite-Sr
Showing 10 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.
Canada | |
| Artioli et al. (1985) |
Norway | |
| Larsen +1 other reference |
| Larsen +1 other reference |
| Larsen +1 other reference |
| Larsen +1 other reference |
Russia | |
| Khomyakov et al. (1970) |
UK (TL) | |
| Brooke (1822) |
| Tschernich (1992) | |
USA | |
| Chamberlain et al. (1999) |
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Yellow Lake, Olalla, Osoyoos Mining Division, British Columbia, Canada