Cafetite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Cafetite
Formula:
CaTi2O5 · H2O
Originally reported as (Ca,Mg)(Fe,Al)2Ti4O12.4H2O; name reflects Fe content, since found to be non-essential.
Colour:
yellow, colourless
Lustre:
Adamantine
Hardness:
4 - 5
Specific Gravity:
3.28
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named in allusion to the composition, containing CAlcium, iron (Latin = FErrum), and TItanium.
Type Locality:
This page provides mineralogical data about Cafetite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
850
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:850:3
IMA Classification of Cafetite
Approved
IMA Formula:
CaTi4+2O5·H2O
First published:
1959
Classification of Cafetite
4.FL.75
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
F : Hydroxides (without V or U)
L : Hydroxides with H2O +- (OH); sheets of edge-sharing octahedra
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
F : Hydroxides (without V or U)
L : Hydroxides with H2O +- (OH); sheets of edge-sharing octahedra
8.7.3.1
8 : MULTIPLE OXIDES CONTAINING NIOBIUM,TANTALUM OR TITANIUM
7 : Miscellaneous
8 : MULTIPLE OXIDES CONTAINING NIOBIUM,TANTALUM OR TITANIUM
7 : Miscellaneous
7.9.24
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
9 : Oxides of Ti
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
9 : Oxides of Ti
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cft | 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 Cafetite
Adamantine
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Yellow, colourless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
4 - 5 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Two cleavage planes
Two cleavage planes
Density:
3.28 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.14 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Cafetite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.95 nβ = 2.08 nγ = 2.11
2V:
Measured: 36.5° to 39°, Calculated: 48°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.160
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:
Very High (positive)
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:
strong
Optical Extinction:
Z
∧
c=2
◦
–4
Z ^ c = 2-4°
∧
c=2
◦
–4
Z ^ c = 2-4°
Chemistry of Cafetite
Mindat Formula:
CaTi2O5 · H2O
Originally reported as (Ca,Mg)(Fe,Al)2Ti4O12.4H2O; name reflects Fe content, since found to be non-essential.
Originally reported as (Ca,Mg)(Fe,Al)2Ti4O12.4H2O; name reflects Fe content, since found to be non-essential.
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Cafetite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/b
Cell Parameters:
a = 4.9436(15) Å, b = 12.109(4) Å, c = 15.911(5) Å
β = 98.937(5)°
β = 98.937(5)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.408 : 1 : 1.314
Unit Cell V:
940.9 ų
Z:
8
Morphology:
Columnar to acicular crystals, elongated || z and with striated prism faces. Forms {100}, {520}, {210}. Fibrous masses, radiating aggregates.
Comment:
Space group setting is P21/n !
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
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Stop | Start
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Labels
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0002986 | Cafetite | Krivovichev S V, Yakovenchuk V N, Burns P C, Pakhomovsky Y A, Menshikov Y P (2003) Cafetite, Ca[Ti2O5](H2O): Crystal structure and revision of chemical formula American Mineralogist 88 424-429 |  | 2003 | alkaline rocks in the Afrikanda massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 7.86 Å | (100) |
| 3.27 Å | (80) |
| 2.63 Å | (40) |
| 2.562 Å | (80) |
| 2.108 Å | (40) |
| 1.914 Å | (70) |
| 1.573 Å | (40) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| High-? alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 31 : Thermally altered carbonate, phosphate, and iron formations |
Type Occurrence of Cafetite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Tangled fibrous aggregates and radial-fibrous aggregates of acicular crystals.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Mineralogical Museum, St. Petersburg University, St. Petersburg, 13420-21;
A.E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, 72024.
A.E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, 72024.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Late hydrothermal mineral in miarolitic cavities, in pegmatite that cuts pyroxenite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Cafetite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 4 photos of Cafetite associated with Lizardite | Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| 3 photos of Cafetite associated with Titanite | CaTiO(SiO4) |
| 3 photos of Cafetite associated with Natrolite | Na2Al2Si3O10 · 2H2O |
| 3 photos of Cafetite associated with Kassite | CaTi2O4(OH)2 |
| 2 photos of Cafetite associated with Perovskite | CaTiO3 |
| 2 photos of Cafetite associated with Aegirine | NaFe3+Si2O6 |
| 2 photos of Cafetite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 1 photo of Cafetite associated with Shcherbakovite | (K,Ba)KNa(Ti,Nb)2(Si4O12)O2 |
| 1 photo of Cafetite associated with Lourenswalsite | (K,Ba)2(Ti,Mg,Ca,Fe)4(Si,Al,Fe)6O14(OH)12 |
| 1 photo of Cafetite associated with Baryte | BaSO4 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.FL. | Trébeurdenite | Fe2+2Fe3+4O2(OH)10CO3 · 3H2O |
| 4.FL. | Mariakrite | [Ca4Al2(OH)12(H2O)4][Fe2S4] |
| 4.FL.05 | Muskoxite | Mg7Fe4O13 · 10H2O |
| 4.FL.05 | Jamborite | Ni2+1-xCo3+x(OH)2-x(SO4)x · nH2O |
| 4.FL.05 | Mössbauerite | Fe3+6O4(OH)8[CO3] · 3H2O |
| 4.FL.05 | Meixnerite | Mg6Al2(OH)16(OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 4.FL.05 | Woodallite | Mg6Cr2(OH)16Cl2 · 4H2O |
| 4.FL.05 | Fougèrite | Fe2+4Fe3+2(OH)12[CO3] · 3H2O |
| 4.FL.05 | Dritsite | Li2Al4(OH)12Cl2 · 3H2O |
| 4.FL.05 | Rotemite | Ca4Cr2(OH)12Cl2 · 4H2O |
| 4.FL.05 | Iowaite | Mg6Fe3+2(OH)16Cl2 · 4H2O |
| 4.FL.10 | Hydrocalumite | Ca4Al2(OH)12(Cl,CO3,OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 4.FL.15 | Kuzelite | Ca4Al2(OH)12[SO4] · 6H2O |
| 4.FL.20 | Jianshuiite | (Mg,Mn,Ca)Mn3O7 · 3H2O |
| 4.FL.20 | Ernienickelite | NiMn3O7 · 3H2O |
| 4.FL.20 | Aurorite | Mn2+Mn4+3O7 · 3H2O |
| 4.FL.20 | Chalcophanite | ZnMn4+3O7 · 3H2O |
| 4.FL.25 | Woodruffite | Zn2+x/2(Mn4+1-xMn3+x)O2 · yH2O |
| 4.FL.30 | Asbolane | (Ni,Co)2-xMn4+(O,OH)4 · nH2O |
| 4.FL.30 va | 'Lampadite' | Cu, Mn, O, H |
| 4.FL.35 | Buserite | Na4Mn14O27 · 21H2O |
| 4.FL.40 | Takanelite | (Mn,Ca)Mn4O9 · H2O |
| 4.FL.40 | Ranciéite | (Ca,Mn2+)0.2(Mn4+,Mn3+)O2 · 0.6H2O |
| 4.FL.45 | Birnessite | (Na,Ca)0.5(Mn4+,Mn3+)2O4 · 1.5H2O |
| 4.FL.55 | Cianciulliite | Mn(Mg,Mn)2Zn2(OH)10 · 2-4H2O |
| 4.FL.60 | Jensenite | Cu3[TeO6] · 2H2O |
| 4.FL.65 | Leisingite | Cu2MgTe6+O6 · 6H2O |
| 4.FL.70 | Magnesiohongruiite-(Fe3+) | (Mg2Fe3+)Fe3+NbO7(OH) |
| 4.FL.70 | Akdalaite | Al10O14(OH)2 |
| 4.FL.80 | Mourite | UMo5O12(OH)10 |
| 4.FL.85 | Deloryite | Cu4(UO2)(MoO4)2(OH)6 |
| 4.FL.90 | Lagalyite | Ca2xMn1-xO2 · 1.5-2H2O |
| 4.FL.95 | 'Tunnerite' | |
| 4.FL.100 | Carbocalumite | Ca4Al2(OH)12(CO3) · 6H2O |
| 4.FL.100 | Mampsisite | Ca4Al2(CO3)(OH)12 · 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 Cafetite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-850.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Cafetite
Localities for Cafetite
Showing 7 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.
Italy | |
| Bortolozzi et al. (2013) |
Russia (TL) | |
| Pekov (1998) |
| Chukanov et al. (2004) |
| Pekov et al. (2004) | |
USA | |
| Carnegie Museum of Natural History ... |
| Chakhmouradian et al. (2002) |
Quick NavTopAbout CafetiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence Other LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Val di Serra Quarry, Pilcante, Ala, Trento Province, Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol, Italy