Phillipsite-K
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Phillipsite-K
William Phillips
Formula:
K6(Si10Al6)O32 · 12H2O
Also given as (K,Na,Ca0.5,Ba0.5)4-7[Al4-7Si12-9O32] . 12H2O.
Colour:
White
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
4 - 5
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named for the K-dominance of the exchangeable cations in phillipsites.
The original "phillipsite" was named in 1825 by "Armand" Serve-Dieu Abailard Lévy (1795-1841) in honour of William Phillips (10 May 1775, London, England, United Kingdom - 2 April 1828, London, England, United Kingdom), British mineralogist and co-founder of the Geological Society of London.
The original "phillipsite" was named in 1825 by "Armand" Serve-Dieu Abailard Lévy (1795-1841) in honour of William Phillips (10 May 1775, London, England, United Kingdom - 2 April 1828, London, England, United Kingdom), British mineralogist and co-founder of the Geological Society of London.
Zeolite Group. Phillipsite-Ca-Phillipsite-K Series, and the Phillipsite-K-Phillipsite-Na Series.
May be confused with merlinoite.
See also the closely related flörkeite.
May be confused with merlinoite.
See also the closely related flörkeite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
7228
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:7228:7
Similar Names
| Phillipsite | A synonym of Phillipsite Subgroup | |
| Phillipsite (of Beudant) | A synonym of Bornite | |
| Phillipsite-Ca | A valid IMA mineral species | Ca3(Si10Al6)O32 · 12H2O |
IMA Classification of Phillipsite-K
Approved
IMA Formula:
K6(Si10Al6)O32·12H2O
Classification of Phillipsite-K
9.GC.10
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
G : Tektosilicates with zeolitic H2O; zeolite family
C : Chains of doubly-connected 4-membered rings
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
G : Tektosilicates with zeolitic H2O; zeolite family
C : Chains of doubly-connected 4-membered rings
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Php-K | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Php | 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 |
Physical Properties of Phillipsite-K
Optical Data of Phillipsite-K
Type:
Biaxial (+/-)
RI values:
nα = 1.483 - 1.505 nβ = 1.484 - 1.511 nγ = 1.486 - 1.514
2V:
Measured: 60° to 90°, Calculated: 70° to 72°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.003 - 0.009
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 or r < v
Chemistry of Phillipsite-K
Mindat Formula:
K6(Si10Al6)O32 · 12H2O
Also given as (K,Na,Ca0.5,Ba0.5)4-7[Al4-7Si12-9O32] . 12H2O.
Also given as (K,Na,Ca0.5,Ba0.5)4-7[Al4-7Si12-9O32] . 12H2O.
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Phillipsite-K
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.8881 Å, b = 14.4040 Å, c = 8.6848 Å
β = 124.2711°
β = 124.2711°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.686 : 1 : 0.603
Unit Cell V:
1,022.20 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Comment:
Data from Gualtieri (2000).
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0012860 | Phillipsite-K | Gualtieri A F (2000) Accuracy of XRPD QPA using the combined Rietveld-RIR method Journal of Applied Crystallography 33 267-278 | 2000 | Vallerano, Rome, Italy | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Loading XRD data...
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 3a: Earth’s earliest Hadean crust | >4.50 |
| 9 : Lava/xenolith minerals (hornfels, sanidinite facies) | |
| 10 : Basalt-hosted zeolite minerals | |
| Stage 3b: Earth’s earliest hydrosphere | >4.45 |
| 16 : Low-? aqueous alteration of Hadean subaerial lithologies (see also #23) | |
| 17 : Marine authigenic Hadean minerals (see also #24) | |
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 22 : Hydration and low-? subsurface aqueous alteration (see also #23) | |
| 24 : Authigenic minerals in terrestrial sediments (see also #17) | |
| 25 : Evaporites (prebiotic) | |
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 48 : Soil leaching zone minerals | <0.6 |
Type Occurrence of Phillipsite-K
Synonyms of Phillipsite-K
Abrazite (in part)
Other Language Names for Phillipsite-K
Relationship of Phillipsite-K to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Phillipsite Subgroup:
| Harmotome | Ba2(Si12Al4)O32 · 12H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/m |
| Phillipsite-Ca | Ca3(Si10Al6)O32 · 12H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/m |
| Phillipsite-Na | (Na,K,Ca0.5,Ba0.5)4-7[Al4-7Si12-9O32] · 12H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/m |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 70 photos of Phillipsite-K associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 36 photos of Phillipsite-K associated with Thomsonite-Ca | NaCa2[Al5Si5O20] · 6H2O |
| 31 photos of Phillipsite-K associated with Chabazite-K | (K2,Ca,Na2,Sr,Mg)2[Al2Si4O12]2 · 12H2O |
| 31 photos of Phillipsite-K associated with Motukoreaite | Mg6Al3(OH)18[Na(H2O)6][SO4]2 · 6H2O |
| 28 photos of Phillipsite-K associated with Nordstrandite | Al(OH)3 |
| 25 photos of Phillipsite-K associated with Thomsonite Subgroup | |
| 18 photos of Phillipsite-K associated with Chabazite-Ca | (Ca,K2,Na2)2[Al2Si4O12]2 · 12H2O |
| 17 photos of Phillipsite-K associated with Böhmite | AlO(OH) |
| 16 photos of Phillipsite-K associated with Gismondine Subgroup | |
| 16 photos of Phillipsite-K associated with Erionite-K | (K2,Ca,Na2)2[Al4Si14O36] · 15H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.GC. | Gismondine-Sr | Sr4(Si8Al8O32) · 9H2O |
| 9.GC. | Garronite-Na | Na6(Al6Si10O32) · 8.5H2O |
| 9.GC.05 | 'Gismondine-Ba' | Ba2Al4Si4O16 · 4-6H2O |
| 9.GC.05 | Garronite-Ca | Na2Ca5Al12Si20O64 · 27H2O |
| 9.GC.05 | Gismondine-Ca | CaAl2Si2O8 · 4H2O |
| 9.GC.05 | Gobbinsite | Na5(Si11Al5)O32 · 11H2O |
| 9.GC.05 | Amicite | K2Na2Al4Si4O16 · 5H2O |
| 9.GC.10 | Martinandresite | Ba2(Al4Si12O32) · 10H2O |
| 9.GC.10 | Harmotome | Ba2(Si12Al4)O32 · 12H2O |
| 9.GC.10 | Phillipsite-Ca | Ca3(Si10Al6)O32 · 12H2O |
| 9.GC.10 | Phillipsite-Na | (Na,K,Ca0.5,Ba0.5)4-7[Al4-7Si12-9O32] · 12H2O |
| 9.GC.10 | Flörkeite | (K3Ca2Na)[Al8Si8O32] · 12H2O |
| 9.GC.15 | Merlinoite | K5Ca2(Si23Al9)O64 · 24H2O |
| 9.GC.20 | Mazzite-Na | Na8[Al4Si14O36]2 · 30H2O |
| 9.GC.20 | Mazzite-Mg | (Mg,K,Ca)5(Si26Al10)O72 · 28H2O |
| 9.GC.25 | Perlialite | K9Na(Ca,Sr)[Al2Si4O12]6 · 15H2O |
| 9.GC.30 | Boggsite | Ca8Na3(Si,Al)96O192 · 70H2O |
| 9.GC.35 | Paulingite-Ca | (Ca,K,Na,Ba, ◻)10 (Si, Al)42O84 · 34H2O |
| 9.GC.35 | Paulingite-K | (K2,Ca,Na2,Ba)5[Al10Si35O90] · 45H2O |
| 9.GC.35 | 'Paulingite-Na' | (Na2,K2,Ca,Ba)5[Al10Si35O90] · 45H2O |
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 Phillipsite-K
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-7228.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 Phillipsite-K
Reference List:
Steinfink, H. (1962) The crystal structure of the zeolite, phillipsite. Acta Crystallographica, 15 (7) 644-651 doi:10.1107/s0365110x62001802
Galli, Ermanno, Ghittoni, Anna G. Losehi (1972) The crystal chemistry of phillipsites. American Mineralogist, 57 (7-8) 1125-1145
Rinaldi, R., Pluth, J. J., Smith, J. V. (1974) Zeolites of the phillipsite family. Refinement of the crystal structures of phillipsite and harmotome. Acta Crystallographica Section B Structural Crystallography and Crystal Chemistry, 30 (10) 2426-2433 doi:10.1107/s0567740874007242
Passaglia, Elio, Galli, Ermanno, Gottardi, Glauco, Vezzalini, Giovanna (1985) An anomalous phillipsite from Saint-Jean-le-Centenaire, Ardèche. Bulletin de Minéralogie, 108 (5) 719-724 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1985.7888
Localities for Phillipsite-K
Showing 111 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.
Australia | |
| Graham et al. (2002) |
| Graham et al. (2020) |
| Graham et al. (2002) |
| Francis (2010) |
| Hollis (1979) +1 other reference |
Austria | |
| U. Kolitsch et al. (2009) |
| Christine Elisabeth Hollerer (2001) +1 other reference |
Canada | |
| Horváth et al. (1990) +1 other reference |
| HORVÁTH (2010) |
China | |
| Jeffrey de Fourestier |
Costa Rica | |
| Rodríguez et al. (2017) |
Cyprus | |
| Prüfer (2011) |
Czech Republic | |
| Pauliš P. et al. (2015) |
| Pauliš et al. (2023) |
| Pauliš et al. (2019) |
| P.Pauliš et al. (Czech republic) |
| Libor Hrůzek-Personal reference |
| Libor Hrůzek-Personal reference | |
| Libor Hrůzek-Personal reference +1 other reference |
| Pauliš et al. (2016) |
| P.Pauliš et al. (2017) |
| Hrazdil (2001) |
| Pauliš et al. (2024) |
| Pauliš et al. (2021) |
| Petr Fuchs collection | |
| P. Pauliš et al. (2021) |
| P. Paulis et al. (2024) | |
| Vojtěch Zeman Collection |
| ZEMAN P. (2018) |
| P.Zeman et al. (2017) |
| Petr Fuchs (2024, December) |
France | |
| Passaglia et al. (1985) |
| Leconte J. (2015) |
| Galli et al. (1972) |
| Christophe Schwarze |
Germany | |
| WEISENBERGER et al. (2009) |
| Volker Betz and Peter Lof collections ... | |
| Volker Betz collection and photos | |
| Keck (2008) |
| Pöllmann et al. (2007) |
| Keck (2004) |
| Doelter (1921) |
| SEM-EDS by Joy Desor |
| Hanneberg et al. (2009) +1 other reference |
| Blass et al. (2006) |
| Blass (2010) |
| Klein (2011) |
| Blass (2010) |
| Blass et al. (2006) |
| Blass et al. (2006) |
| Hentschel (1983) +1 other reference |
| Blaß et al. (2012) |
| Blass et al. (2006) |
| Blass et al. (2006) |
| Blaß et al. (2003) |
| Witzke (1994) |
| Witzke et al. (2006) |
Hungary | |
| Geoda |
| KÓNYA (2015) |
| Kónya et al. (2011) |
Italy | |
| Russo et al. (2004) +1 other reference |
| Russo et al. (2004) |
| Russo et al. (2004) +1 other reference |
| Russo (1996) +2 other references |
| Luigi Chiappino data +1 other reference |
| Russo (1981) +4 other references |
| Stoppani et al. (1982) +2 other references |
| Marignac (1845) +2 other references |
| Del Caldo (1971) +5 other references |
| Zambonini (1902) +5 other references |
| Cresta et al. (2002) |
| AMI UK Service | |
| Ciriotti et al. (2011) | |
| Balestra C. (2014) |
| Grill (1935) |
| Sergio Varvello collection | |
| Sicurella et al. (2010) |
| Sicurella et al. (2010) | |
| Bianchi et al. (2020) |
| AMI UK Service |
| Boscardin (2014) |
| Boscardin (2014) |
| Boscardin et al. (2011) |
| Boscardin et al. (1975) +3 other references |
| Boscardin et al. (2010) +1 other reference |
| Zorzi et al. (eds.) |
Japan | |
| Matsubara (1998) |
New Zealand | |
| S. J. Mills |
| Graham et al. (2003) +1 other reference |
| J. Thornton in Micro-Scope | |
Russia | |
| PEKOV et al. (2013) |
| Pekov et al. (2004) | |
| ... | |
| Yakovenchuk et al. (2010) |
| Igor Pekov data |
| Антонов (2003) |
Slovakia | |
| Martin Števko-unpublished |
| Števko M. et al. (2025) +1 other reference |
Spain | |
| Paragénesis.Revista de Mineralogia. ... |
| Calvo Rebollar (2018) |
| Calvo Rebollar (2018) |
| Analyzed by XRD by Dr. Joan Vinals (Barcelona) |
| Calvo et al. (2013) |
| Joan Rosell. RosellMinerals (2021) |
Switzerland | |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
USA | |
| AM61_853 |
| Dunham (1933) |
| Gladwell ( ) +3 other references |
| Micro Probe Volume VI Number 4 |
| Tschernich et al. (1982) +1 other reference |
| Gladwell (2022) |
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