Caryopilite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Caryopilite
Formula:
Mn2+3Si2O5(OH)4
Brusnitsyn et al. (2000) suggest the formula Mn5(Si2O5)2(OH)6.
Colour:
Brown, reddish-brown, tan
Lustre:
Resinous, Waxy, Greasy, Dull
Hardness:
3 - 3½
Specific Gravity:
2.83 - 2.94
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1889 by Axel Hamberg (1889) from the Greek, χάρυον = nut, due to its brownish color and habit + πίλος = felt, due to its appearance like a feltlike mass in thin sections.
Isostructural with:
Caryopilite-Greenalite Series.
Note: A "caryopilite-like mineral", with an X-ray powder diffraction pattern "closer to that of lizardite than to that of caryopilite", was described by Nambu et al. (1981).
Note: A "caryopilite-like mineral", with an X-ray powder diffraction pattern "closer to that of lizardite than to that of caryopilite", was described by Nambu et al. (1981).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
913
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:913:1
IMA Classification of Caryopilite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1889
Type description reference:
Hamberg, Axel (1889) Mineralogische Śtudien. Über Karyopilit, ein wasserhaltiges Manganoxydulsilikat von der Grube Harstigen bei Pajsberg in Vermland [Mineralogical studies. About karyopilite, a hydrous manganese oxide silicate from the Harstigen mine near Pajsberg in Vermland]. Geologiska Föreningen i Stockholm Förhandlingar, 11 (1) 27-32 doi:10.1080/11035898909445430
Classification of Caryopilite
9.ED.15
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
D : Phyllosilicates with kaolinite layers composed of tetrahedral and octahedral nets
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
D : Phyllosilicates with kaolinite layers composed of tetrahedral and octahedral nets
71.1.2b.1
71 : PHYLLOSILICATES Sheets of Six-Membered Rings
1 : Sheets of 6-membered rings with 1:1 layers
71 : PHYLLOSILICATES Sheets of Six-Membered Rings
1 : Sheets of 6-membered rings with 1:1 layers
14.18.9
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
18 : Silicates of Mn and Na, K, Mg, Ca or Fe
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
18 : Silicates of Mn and Na, K, Mg, Ca or Fe
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cpl | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Cpl | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
| Cpl | 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 Caryopilite
Resinous, Waxy, Greasy, Dull
Transparency:
Translucent, Opaque
Colour:
Brown, reddish-brown, tan
Comment:
Light-brown to yellow in thin section. Black when oxidized.
Streak:
Much lighter than undisturbed surface
Hardness:
3 - 3½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Waxy
Cleavage:
Perfect
{001}
{001}
Fracture:
Micaceous
Density:
2.83 - 2.94 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.788 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Caryopilite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.606 - 1.62 nβ = 1.632 - 1.65 nγ = 1.632 - 1.65
Birefringence:
0.026
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.026 - 0.030
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:
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.
No measured or calculated 2V is on file for this mineral, so the value used here (-0°) is estimated from its recorded refractive indices and optic sign, not from a direct 2V measurement.
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.
No measured or calculated 2V is on file for this mineral, so the value used here (-0°) is estimated from its recorded refractive indices and optic sign, not from a direct 2V measurement.
Dispersion:
weak
Chemistry of Caryopilite
Mindat Formula:
Mn2+3Si2O5(OH)4
Brusnitsyn et al. (2000) suggest the formula Mn5(Si2O5)2(OH)6.
Brusnitsyn et al. (2000) suggest the formula Mn5(Si2O5)2(OH)6.
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Al,As,Fe,Zn,Ca,F,Cl
Crystallography of Caryopilite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.668 Å, b = 9.811 Å, c = 7.527 Å
β = 104.52°
β = 104.52°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.578 : 1 : 0.767
Unit Cell V:
405.20 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Tight aggregates of small crystal to waxy spherules.
Comment:
Probably monoclinic; space group not determined.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 7.3 Å | (100) |
| 3.63 Å | (60) |
| 2.81 Å | (70) |
| 2.37 Å | (10) |
| 2.10 Å | (40) |
| 1.97 Å | (10) |
| 1.80 Å | (5) |
| 1.73 Å | (10) |
| 1.634 Å | (50) |
| 1.595 Å | (30) |
| 1.593 Å | (5) |
| 1.446 Å | (5) |
| 1.412 Å | (5) |
| 1.368 Å | (5) |
Comments:
ICDD 31-831
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 22 : Hydration and low-? subsurface aqueous alteration (see also #23) | |
| High-? alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 32 : Ba/Mn/Pb/Zn deposits, including metamorphic deposits |
Type Occurrence of Caryopilite
General Appearance of Type Material:
As clusters of reniform aggregates.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden, number 89:0292.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Hamberg, Axel (1889) Mineralogische Śtudien. Über Karyopilit, ein wasserhaltiges Manganoxydulsilikat von der Grube Harstigen bei Pajsberg in Vermland [Mineralogical studies. About karyopilite, a hydrous manganese oxide silicate from the Harstigen mine near Pajsberg in Vermland]. Geologiska Föreningen i Stockholm Förhandlingar, 11 (1) 27-32 doi:10.1080/11035898909445430
Synonyms of Caryopilite
Other Language Names for Caryopilite
Dutch:Caryopiliet
German:Karyopilit
Caryopilit
Ektropit
Caryopilit
Ektropit
Japanese:カリオピライト
Simplified Chinese:肾硅锰矿
Spanish:Caryopilita
Swedish:Ektropit
Relationship of Caryopilite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Serpentine Subgroup:
| Amesite | Mg2Al(AlSiO5)(OH)4 | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Antigorite | Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4 | Mon. m : Bm |
| Berthierine | (Fe2+,Fe3+,Al)3(Si,Al)2O5(OH)4 | Mon. m : Bm |
| Brindleyite | (Ni,Al)3(Si,Al)2O5(OH)4 | Mon. |
| Chrysotile | Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4 | Mon. m : Bb |
| Cronstedtite | Fe2+2Fe3+((Si,Fe3+)2O5)(OH)4 | Trig. 3m : P31m |
| Fraipontite | (Zn,Al)3((Si,Al)2O5)(OH)4 | Mon. |
| Guidottiite | Mn2Fe3+(Fe3+SiO5)(OH)4 | Hex. 6 : P63 |
| Kellyite | Mn2+2Al(AlSiO5)(OH)4 | Hex. 6 : P63 |
| Lizardite | Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4 | Trig. 3m : P31m |
| Népouite | Ni3Si2O5(OH)4 | Orth. |
| Pecoraite | Ni3(Si2O5)(OH)4 | Mon. |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 35 photos of Caryopilite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 25 photos of Caryopilite associated with Rhodonite | CaMn3Mn[Si5O15] |
| 25 photos of Caryopilite associated with Rhodochrosite | MnCO3 |
| 24 photos of Caryopilite associated with Brandtite | Ca2Mn2+(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 12 photos of Caryopilite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 11 photos of Caryopilite associated with Kutnohorite | CaMn2+(CO3)2 |
| 10 photos of Caryopilite associated with Sarkinite | Mn2+2(AsO4)(OH) |
| 9 photos of Caryopilite associated with Andradite | Ca3Fe3+2(SiO4)3 |
| 9 photos of Caryopilite associated with Willemite | Zn2SiO4 |
| 9 photos of Caryopilite associated with Tephroite | Mn2+2(SiO4) |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.ED. | 'Clinochrysotile' | Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.05 | Dickite | Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.05 | Nacrite | Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.05 | Kaolinite | Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.05 | Odinite | (Fe,Mg,Al,Fe,Ti,Mn)2.4((Si,Al)2O5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.10 | Halloysite | Al2Si2O5(OH)4 · n(H2O) |
| 9.ED.10 | Hisingerite | Fe3+2(Si2O5)(OH)4 · 2H2O |
| 9.ED.10 | 'Hydrohalloysite' | Al2Si2O5(OH)4 · 2H2O |
| 9.ED.15 | Antigorite | Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.15 | Brindleyite | (Ni,Al)3(Si,Al)2O5(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.15 | Fraipontite | (Zn,Al)3((Si,Al)2O5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.15 | Népouite | Ni3Si2O5(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.15 | Pecoraite | Ni3(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.15 | Guidottiite | Mn2Fe3+(Fe3+SiO5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.15 | Lizardite | Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.15 | Berthierine | (Fe2+,Fe3+,Al)3(Si,Al)2O5(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.15 | Kellyite | Mn2+2Al(AlSiO5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.15 | Cronstedtite | Fe2+2Fe3+((Si,Fe3+)2O5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.15 | Amesite | Mg2Al(AlSiO5)(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.15 | Greenalite | (Fe2+,Fe3+)2-3Si2O5(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.15 | Manandonite | Li2Al4(Si2AlB)O10(OH)8 |
| 9.ED.20 | Chrysocolla | Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1 |
| 9.ED.20 | Neotocite | (Mn,Fe)SiO3 · H2O (?) |
| 9.ED.20 | Allophane | (Al2O3)(SiO2)1.3-2 · 2.5-3H2O |
| 9.ED.20 | Imogolite | Al2SiO3(OH)4 |
| 9.ED.25 | Bismutoferrite | Fe3+2Bi(SiO4)2(OH) |
| 9.ED.25 | Chapmanite | Fe3+2Sb3+(Si2O5)O3(OH) |
| 9.ED.30 | 'Pianlinite' | Al2Si2O6(OH)2 |
Fluorescence of Caryopilite
Not fluorescent in UV
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 Caryopilite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-913.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 Caryopilite
Reference List:
Hamberg, Axel (1889) Mineralogische Śtudien. Über Karyopilit, ein wasserhaltiges Manganoxydulsilikat von der Grube Harstigen bei Pajsberg in Vermland [Mineralogical studies. About karyopilite, a hydrous manganese oxide silicate from the Harstigen mine near Pajsberg in Vermland]. Geologiska Föreningen i Stockholm Förhandlingar, 11 (1) 27-32 doi:10.1080/11035898909445430
Peacor, Donald R., Essene, Eric J. (1980) Caryopilite - a member of the friedelite rather than the serpentine group. American Mineralogist, 65 (3-4). 335-339
Dunn, Pete J., Peacor, Donald R., Nelen, Joseph A., Norberg, Julie A. (1981) Crystal-chemical data for schallerite, caryopilite and friedelite from Franklin and Sterling Hill, New Jersey. American Mineralogist, 66 (9-10) 1054-1062
Bayliss, Peter (1981) Unit cell data of serpentine group minerals. Mineralogical Magazine, 44 (334) 153-156 doi:10.1180/minmag.1981.044.334.06
Localities for Caryopilite
Showing 104 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 | |
| Oberti et al. (2016) |
Austria | |
| Abrecht (1990) |
Canada | |
| Canadian Mineralogist 31 +2 other references |
China | |
| Yang Yuchun (1996) |
| Yang Yuchun (1996) |
| Yang Yuchun (1996) +1 other reference |
| Pingyi Wan (2002) |
| Pingyi Wan (2002) |
| Pingyi Wan (2002) |
| Pingyi Wan (2002) | |
| Yang Yuchun (1996) |
| Yang Yuchun (1996) |
| Yang Yuchun (1996) |
DR Congo | |
| De Putter et al. (2018) |
France | |
| De Ascenção Guedes et al. (2002) |
| De Ascenção Guedes et al. (2002) |
Germany | |
| Witzke (2013) |
Iran | |
| Moinevaziri (2019) |
Italy | |
| Balestra (2016) |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... | |
| Pipino (1984) |
| Castellaro et al. (2023) |
| analysed by Dr. Anthony Kampf +1 other reference |
| Castellaro et al. (2011) |
| Ambrino et al. (2010) |
Japan | |
| Nakagawa et al. (2009) |
| - (n.d.) |
| Kato (2010) |
| Petrov (n.d.) |
| Yamada (2004) |
| - (n.d.) +4 other references |
| - (n.d.) |
| - (n.d.) |
| Mineralogical Journal Vol. 17 (1994) |
| Färber (n.d.) |
| Moriyama et al. (2011) |
| Nakagawa et al. (2009) | |
| Minakawa et al. (2008) |
| Nakagawa et al. (2009) | |
| Nakagawa et al. (2009) | |
| Sameshima et al. (1991) |
| Yamada (2004) |
| www.issp.u-tokyo.ac.jp (1997) +1 other reference |
| Yamada (2004) |
| Matsubara et al. (1989) | |
| K. Nishikubo et al. (2005) +1 other reference |
| Matsubara (1981) |
| Kato (2010) | |
| Akira Kato (2009) |
| Petrov (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| Akira Kato (undated manuscript) |
| Kato (2010) | |
| Matsubara et al. (1988) +1 other reference |
| Petrov (n.d.) |
| Hirata et al. (1993) | |
| Kato et al. (1981) |
Kazakhstan | |
| Brusnitsyn et al. (2023) +2 other references |
Mexico | |
| Peter Megw specimen |
| Peter K. M. Megaw |
New Zealand | |
| Sameshima et al. (1991) |
Norway | |
| - (1985) +3 other references |
Poland | |
| Jach et al. (2005) |
Romania | |
| Hirtopanu (2006) | |
| Hirtopanu et al. (2015) |
| minerals-of-the-carpathians.eu (2008) |
| Hîrtopanu (1997) +1 other reference |
Russia | |
| Brusnitsyn et al. (2009) |
| Brusnitsyn (2006) |
| Brusnitsyn A. I. et al. (2000) |
| Talovina et al. (2008) +2 other references |
| Kassandrov et al. (2009) |
| Kassandrov et al. (2009) | |
| webmineral.ru (2020) |
| Belogub et al. (2026) |
Slovakia | |
| Myšľan et al. (2025) |
| Radvanec M. and Gonda S. (2020) +1 other reference |
South Africa | |
| Pohl et al. (1991) |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) | |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) | |
Spain | |
| Jorge et al. (2005) |
| Dill et al. (2023) |
| Dill et al. (2023) | |
| Dill et al. (2023) | |
Sweden | |
| Grensman et al. (2001) |
| Holtstam et al. (1999) |
| Hamberg (1889) +1 other reference |
Switzerland | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
| Analyses by N. Meisser |
UK | |
| Cotterell (2006) |
| Cotterell (2008) |
| www.museumwales.ac.uk (n.d.) +1 other reference |
USA | |
| Flohr (1992) |
| Flohr (1992) +1 other reference |
| Flohr et al. (1992) | |
| Huebner +6 other references |
| Foley +4 other references |
| Schooner (circa 1980s) |
| Plante (1992) |
| George Robinson |
| Dunn et al. (1981) +1 other reference |
| Dunn (1995) |
| Rocks & Min.: 60:130-135. |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
Quick NavTopAbout CaryopiliteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography X-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Harstigen Mine, Pajsberg, Persberg ore district, Filipstad, Värmland County, Sweden