Clinoptilolite-K
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Clinoptilolite-K
Formula:
K6(Si30Al6)O72 · 20H2O
Generally not pure but containing additional Na and/or Ca. Formula previously given as (K,Na,Ca)2-3Al3(Al,Si)2Si13O36.12H2O.
Colour:
Colorless to white, reddish
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
3½ - 4
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
From the Greek klino - "oblique" ptylon - "feather" and lithos - "stone." Named as the monoclinic dimorph of "ptilolite" (mordenite).
Type Locality:
The potassium analogue of Clinoptilolite-Ca and Clinoptilolite-Na. Clinoptilolite-K-Heulandite-K Series.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
6883
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:6883:9
Similar Names
| Clinoptilolite | A synonym of Clinoptilolite Subgroup | |
| Clinoptilolite-Ca | A valid IMA mineral species | Ca3(Si30Al6)O72 · 20H2O |
IMA Classification of Clinoptilolite-K
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
K6(Si30Al6)O72·20H2O
First published:
1990
Classification of Clinoptilolite-K
9.GE.05
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.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Cpt-K | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Cpt | Whitney & Evans (2010) | Whitney, D.L. and Evans, B.W. (2010) Abbreviations for names of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 95, 185–187 doi:10.2138/am.2010.3371 |
| Cpt | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
| Cpt | Warr (2020) | Warr, L.N. (2020) Recommended abbreviations for the names of clay minerals and associated phases. Clay Minerals, 55, 261–264 doi:10.1180/clm.2020.30 |
Physical Properties of Clinoptilolite-K
Optical Data of Clinoptilolite-K
Type:
Biaxial (+/-)
RI values:
nα = 1.476 - 1.491 nβ = 1.479 - 1.493 nγ = 1.479 - 1.497
2V:
Measured: 31° to 48°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.003 - 0.006
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 (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:
r > v to r < v strong
Chemistry of Clinoptilolite-K
Mindat Formula:
K6(Si30Al6)O72 · 20H2O
Generally not pure but containing additional Na and/or Ca. Formula previously given as (K,Na,Ca)2-3Al3(Al,Si)2Si13O36.12H2O.
Generally not pure but containing additional Na and/or Ca. Formula previously given as (K,Na,Ca)2-3Al3(Al,Si)2Si13O36.12H2O.
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Clinoptilolite-K
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:
a = 17.688 Å, b = 17.902 Å, c = 7.409 Å
β = 116.5°
β = 116.5°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.988 : 1 : 0.414
Unit Cell V:
2,099.57 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Comment:
Space Group: C2/m C2, or Cm
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0001550 | Clinoptilolite-K | Armbruster T (1993) Dehydration mechanism of clinoptilolite and heulandite: Single-crystal X-ray study of Na-poor, Ca-, K-, Mg-rich clinoptilolite at 100 K Sample Dehyd 3 Data obtained from the ICSD American Mineralogist 78 260-264 |  | 1993 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0001549 | Clinoptilolite-K | Armbruster T (1993) Dehydration mechanism of clinoptilolite and heulandite: Single-crystal X-ray study of Na-poor, Ca-, K-, Mg-rich clinoptilolite at 100 K Sample Dehyd 2 Data obtained from the ICSD American Mineralogist 78 260-264 | | 1993 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 3a: Earth’s earliest Hadean crust | >4.50 |
| 10 : Basalt-hosted zeolite minerals | |
| Stage 3b: Earth’s earliest hydrosphere | >4.45 |
| 16 : Low-? aqueous alteration of Hadean subaerial lithologies (see also #23) | |
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 23 : Subaerial aqueous alteration by non-redox-sensitive fluids (see also #47) | |
| 24 : Authigenic minerals in terrestrial sediments (see also #17) | |
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 48 : Soil leaching zone minerals | <0.6 |
Type Occurrence of Clinoptilolite-K
Other Language Names for Clinoptilolite-K
Relationship of Clinoptilolite-K to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Clinoptilolite Subgroup:
| Clinoptilolite-Ca | Ca3(Si30Al6)O72 · 20H2O | Mon. 2/m |
| Clinoptilolite-Na | Na6(Si30Al6)O72 · 20H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 3 photos of Clinoptilolite-K associated with Ferrierite-Mg | [Mg2(K,Na)2Ca0.5](Si29Al7)O72 · 18H2O |
| 1 photo of Clinoptilolite-K associated with Aegirine | NaFe3+Si2O6 |
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-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 |
| 9.GE.20 | Brewsterite-Sr | Sr(Al2Si6)O16 · 5H2O |
Radioactivity
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 Clinoptilolite-K
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-6883.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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Mineral Dealers:
References for Clinoptilolite-K
Reference List:
Alberti, A. (1972) On the crystal structure of the zeolite heulandite. TMPM Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen, 18 (2). 129-146 doi:10.1007/bf01081798
Koyama, Kazutoshi, Takéuchi, Y. (1977) Clinoptilolite: the distribution of potassium atoms and its role in thermal stability. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, 145 (3-4). 216-239 doi:10.1524/zkri.1977.145.3-4.216
Ogihara, Shigenori, Iijima, Azuma (1990) Exceptionally K-rich clinoptilolite — heulandite group zeolites from three offshore boreholes off northern Japan. European Journal of Mineralogy, 2 (6) 819-826 doi:10.1127/ejm/2/6/0819
Armbruster, Thomas (1993) Dehydration mechanism of clinoptilolite and heulandite: Single-crystal X-ray study of Na-poor, Ca-, K-, Mg-rich clinoptilolite at 100 K. American Mineralogist, 78 (3-4) 260-264
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
Esenli, Fahri, Kumbasar, Isik (1998) X-Ray Diffraction Intensity Ratios I(111)/I(3¯11) of Natural Heulandites and Clinoptilolites. Clays and Clay Minerals, 46 (6) 679-686 doi:10.1346/ccmn.1998.0460608
Wilkin, R. T., Barnes, H. L. (1998) Solubility and stability of zeolites in aqueous solution: I. Analcime, Na-, and K-clinoptilolite. American Mineralogist, 83 (7). 746-761 doi:10.2138/am-1998-7-807
Johnson, Matthew, O'Connor, David, Barnes, Paul, Catlow, C. Richard A., Owens, Scott L., Sankar, Gopinathan, Bell, Robert, Teat, Simon J., Stephenson, Richard (2003) Cation Exchange, Dehydration, and Calcination in Clinoptilolite: In Situ X-ray Diffraction and Computer Modeling. The Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 107 (4). 942-951 doi:10.1021/jp021672+
Localities for Clinoptilolite-K
Showing 16 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.
Bulgaria | |
| Encheva |
Canada | |
| Tillet collection |
Chile | |
| Atencio et al. (2012) +1 other reference |
China | |
| Shouting Zhang et al. (2004) |
Czech Republic | |
| Peter Fuchs |
Hungary | |
| WDS: Norbert Zajzon |
Japan | |
| Minato & Takano (1964) |
Mexico | |
| Megaw (2023) |
| Megaw (2023) |
Russia | |
| Pavel M. Kartashov analytical data (1984) |
| samples analyzed by Igor Pekov |
Spain | |
| Calvo Rebollar (2018) |
USA | |
| RRUFF database specimen no.R110201 |
| Clays and Clay Minerals +1 other reference |
| Altaner et al. (1990) |
| Am. J. Sci. (1890) +2 other references |
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Quarry by the railway, Rátka, Szerencs District, Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County, Hungary