Vote for your favorite mineral in #MinCup26! - Azurite vs. Smithsonite
It's carbonate-vs-carbonate to kick off Mineral Cup 2026 with copper-rich Azurite against zinc-rich Smithsonite.
Log InRegister
Quick Links : The Mindat ManualThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryMindat Newsletter [Free Download]
Home PageAbout MindatThe Mindat ManualHistory of MindatCopyright StatusWho We AreContact UsAdvertise on Mindat
Donate to MindatCorporate SponsorshipSponsor a PageSponsored PagesMindat AdvertisersAdvertise on Mindat
Learning CenterWhat is a mineral?The most common minerals on earthInformation for EducatorsMindat ArticlesThe ElementsThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryGeologic TimeExplore Fossils
Minerals by PropertiesMinerals by ChemistryMineral Visual ExplorerAdvanced Locality SearchRandom MineralRandom LocalitySearch by minIDLocalities Near MeSearch ArticlesSearch GlossaryMore Search Options
Search For:
Mineral Name:
Locality Name:
Keyword(s):
 
The Mindat ManualAdd a New PhotoRate PhotosLocality Edit ReportCoordinate Completion ReportAdd Glossary Item
Mining CompaniesStatisticsUsersMineral MuseumsClubs & OrganizationsMineral Shows & EventsThe Mindat DirectoryDevice SettingsThe Mineral QuizTime Machine
Photo SearchPhoto GalleriesSearch by ColorPhoto Colour ExplorerNew Photos TodayNew Photos YesterdayMembers' Photo GalleriesPast Photo of the Day GalleryPhotography

Charlesite

A valid IMA mineral species
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
09382370017271921998366.jpg
Charlesite

Franklin Mine, Franklin, Sussex County, New Jersey, USA
05802950017271922022178.jpg
Charlesite

Franklin Mine, Franklin, Sussex County, New Jersey, USA
04617770017271922058307.jpg
Charlesite, etc.

Franklin Mine, Franklin, Sussex County, New Jersey, USA
09382370017271921998366.jpg
Charlesite

Franklin Mine, Franklin, Sussex County, New Jersey, USA
05802950017271922022178.jpg
Charlesite

Franklin Mine, Franklin, Sussex County, New Jersey, USA
04617770017271922058307.jpg
Charlesite, etc.

Franklin Mine, Franklin, Sussex County, New Jersey, USA
09382370017271921998366.jpg
Charlesite

Franklin Mine, Franklin, Sussex County, New Jersey, USA
05802950017271922022178.jpg
Charlesite

Franklin Mine, Franklin, Sussex County, New Jersey, USA
Hide all sections | Show all sections

About CharlesiteHide

01046720017271922103610.jpg
Dr Charles Palache
Formula:
Ca6(Al,Si)2(SO4)2[B(OH)4](OH,O)12 · 26H2O
Colour:
Colorless, white
Lustre:
Sub-Vitreous, Waxy, Dull
Hardness:
2½
Specific Gravity:
1.77
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Name:
Named in 1983 by Pete J. Dunn, Donald R. Peacor, Peter B. Leavens, and Jack Leach Baum in honor of Dr. Charles Palache, [July 18, 1869 San Franciso, California, USA - December 5, 1954 near Charlottesville, Virginia, USA], systematic mineralogist, specialist on minerals of the Franklin District, Professor of Mineralogy at Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.

Data are lacking to prove the existence of charlesite from South Africa.
Isostructural with:
Ettringite Group
Ettringite Group. Crystals are tabular [0001] with {1014}. Data are lacking to prove the existence of charlesite in South Africa.

A possible carbonate-dominant analogue is UM2008-07-CO:AlBCaHSSi (however, compare imayoshiite).


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
971
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:971:5

IMA Classification of CharlesiteHide

IMA status:
Approved
IMA Formula:
Ca6Al2(S6+O4)2B(OH)4(OH,O)12·26H2O
Approval year:
1981

Classification of CharlesiteHide

Strunz-mindat (2026):
7.DG.15

7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
G : With large and medium-sized cations; with NO3, CO3, B(OH)4, SiO4 or IO3
Dana 8th ed.:
32.4.4.1

32 : COMPOUND SULFATES
4 : Hydrated Compound Sulfates containing Hydroxyl or Halogen
Hey's CIM Ref.:
10.3.3

10 : Borates with other anions
3 : Borates with sulphate

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference for Standard
ChrlIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Pronunciation of CharlesiteHide

Pronunciation:
PlayRecorded byCountry
Jolyon RalphUnited Kingdom

Physical Properties of CharlesiteHide

Lustre:
Sub-Vitreous, Waxy, Dull
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Colorless, white
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
1010
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
1.77 g/cm3 (Measured)    1.79 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of CharlesiteHide

Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.492(3) nε = 1.475(3)
Birefringence:
0.017
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.017
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.

Surface Relief:
Moderate (negative)
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 uniaxial interference figure - the conoscopic (convergent-light, Bertrand-lens-in) view, for a grain cut with the optic axis centred and vertical. The coloured rings are isochromatics, computed with the same physics as the Michel-Lévy bar above; the dark cross is the isogyre.

For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
Optical Extinction:
parallel
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic

Chemistry of CharlesiteHide

Mindat Formula:
Ca6(Al,Si)2(SO4)2[B(OH)4](OH,O)12 · 26H2O
Element Weights:
Element% weight
O64.624 %
Ca19.426 %
H5.537 %
S5.181 %
Al4.359 %
B0.873 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
O
Ca
H
S
Al
B
Elements listed:
Al, B, Ca, H, O, S, Si - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of CharlesiteHide

Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m - Ditrigonal Pyramidal
Space Group:
P31c
Setting:
P31c
Cell Parameters:
a = 11.161(1) Å, c = 21.212(2) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 1.901
Unit Cell V:
2,288.33 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Tabular crystals with a trigonal trigonal termination
Comment:
Probable class, space group by analogy to ettringite.

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
9.70 Å(100)
5.58 Å(80)
4.936 Å(20)
4.654 Å(40)
3.855 Å(80)
3.573 Å(30)
3.444 Å(40)
3.230 Å(10)
2.996 Å(10)
2.749 Å(70)
2.666 Å(20)
2.598 Å(20)
2.538 Å(70)
2.470 Å(1)
2.391 Å(5)
2.325 Å(2)
2.193 Å(70)
2.133 Å(50)
2.044 Å(5)
1.991 Å(1)
1.956 Å(1)
1.926 Å(20)
1.884 Å(1)
1.837 Å(10)
1.787 Å(5)
1.749 Å(20)
1.693 Å(10)
1.663 Å(5)
1.606 Å(20)
1.563 Å(30)
1.500 Å(20)
1.480 Å(2)
1.448 Å(5)
1.380 Å(1)
1.327 Å(2)
1.295 Å(5)
1.269 Å(2)
1.252 Å(2)
1.241 Å(2)
1.215 Å(1)
1.205 Å(1)
1.184 Å(1)
1.166 Å(5)
1.125 Å(5)
1.096 Å(5)
Comments:
ICDD 35-606. natural material

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 3b: Earth’s earliest hydrosphere>4.45
13 : Hadean serpentinization
High-? alteration and/or metamorphism
32 : Ba/Mn/Pb/Zn deposits, including metamorphic deposits

Type Occurrence of CharlesiteHide

Type Locality:
ⓘ Franklin Mine, Franklin, Sussex County, New Jersey, USA
General Appearance of Type Material:
Vug and fracture coating.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, number 148689 and C06247, C06401.
Harvard Mineralogical Museum, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, #107733.
John Baum private collection.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Metamorphosed stratiform cabonate hosted zinc silicate and oxide deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
ClinohedriteDatoliteGanophyllitePectolitePennantite
PrehniteRoeblingiteWillemite

Synonyms of CharlesiteHide

Other Language Names for CharlesiteHide

German:Charlesit
Spanish:Charlesita

Relationship of Charlesite to other SpeciesHide

Member of:
Ettringite Group
Other Members of Ettringite Group:
BentoriteCa6Cr2(SO4)3(OH)12 · 26H2OTrig. 3m : P31c
BuryatiteCa3(Si,Fe3+,Al)(SO4)B(OH)4(OH,O)6 · 12H2OTrig. 3m : P31c
CarraraiteCa3(SO4)[Ge(OH)6](CO3) · 12H2OHex.
ChiyokoiteCa3Si(CO3)[B(OH)4]O (OH)5 · 12H2OHex. 6 : P63
EttringiteCa6Al2(SO4)3(OH)12 · 26H2OTrig. 3m : P31c
HielscheriteCa3Si(SO4)(SO3)(OH)6 · 11H2OHex. 6 : P63
ImayoshiiteCa3Al(CO3)[B(OH)4](OH)6 · 12H2OHex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P63/mmc
JouravskiteCa3Mn4+(SO4)(CO3)(OH)6 · 12H2OHex. 6 : P63
KottenheimiteCa 3Si(SO4)2(OH)6 · 12H2O Hex. 6/m : P63/m
Micheelsenite(Ca2Y)Al(PO3OH)(CO3)(OH)6 · 12H2OHex. 6 : P63
SiwaqaiteCa6Al2(CrO4)3(OH)12 · 26H2OTrig. 3m : P31c
SturmaniteCa6Fe3+2(SO4)2.5[B(OH)4](OH)12 · 25H2OTrig. 3m : P31c
TatarinoviteCa3Al(SO4)[B(OH)4](OH)6 · 12H2OHex. 6 : P63
ThaumasiteCa3(SO4)[Si(OH)6](CO3) · 12H2OHex. 6 : P63
'UM2008-07-CO:AlBCaHSSi'Ca6(Al,Si)2(CO3,SO4)2[B(OH)4](OH,O)12 · 26H2O
'Unnamed (possible Mn(IV) analogue of Sturmanite)'Ca6Mn4+2(SO4)2[B(OH)4](OH)10O2 · nH2O

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
34 photos of Charlesite associated with ClinohedriteCaZn(SiO4) · H2O
16 photos of Charlesite associated with PrehniteCa2Al2Si3O10(OH)2
16 photos of Charlesite associated with Hancockite(CaPb)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
10 photos of Charlesite associated with EttringiteCa6Al2(SO4)3(OH)12 · 26H2O
9 photos of Charlesite associated with HendricksiteKZn3(Si3Al)O10(OH)2
8 photos of Charlesite associated with Ganophyllite(K,Na)xMn2+6(Si,Al)10O24(OH)4 · nH2O (x = 1-2; n = 7-11)
7 photos of Charlesite associated with SturmaniteCa6Fe3+2(SO4)2.5[B(OH)4](OH)12 · 25H2O
6 photos of Charlesite associated with RoeblingitePb2Ca6Mn2+(Si3O9)2(SO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2O
5 photos of Charlesite associated with PennantiteMn2+5Al(AlSi3O10)(OH)8
4 photos of Charlesite associated with WillemiteZn2SiO4

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

7.DG.MathesiusiteK5(UO2)4(SO4)4(VO5) · 4H2OTet. 4/m : P4/n
7.DG.05DarapskiteNa3(SO4)(NO3) · H2OMon. 2/m : P21/m
7.DG.10Clinoungemachite(Na, K, Fe, SO4)Mon. 2/m
7.DG.10HumberstoniteNa7K3Mg2(SO4)6(NO3)2 · 6H2OTrig. 3 : R3
7.DG.10UngemachiteK3Na8Fe(SO4)6(NO3)2 · 6H2OTrig. 3 : R3
7.DG.15ChiyokoiteCa3Si(CO3)[B(OH)4]O (OH)5 · 12H2OHex. 6 : P63
7.DG.15KottenheimiteCa 3Si(SO4)2(OH)6 · 12H2O Hex. 6/m : P63/m
7.DG.15HielscheriteCa3Si(SO4)(SO3)(OH)6 · 11H2OHex. 6 : P63
7.DG.15JouravskiteCa3Mn4+(SO4)(CO3)(OH)6 · 12H2OHex. 6 : P63
7.DG.15ThaumasiteCa3(SO4)[Si(OH)6](CO3) · 12H2OHex. 6 : P63
7.DG.15BentoriteCa6Cr2(SO4)3(OH)12 · 26H2OTrig. 3m : P31c
7.DG.15CarraraiteCa3(SO4)[Ge(OH)6](CO3) · 12H2OHex.
7.DG.15EttringiteCa6Al2(SO4)3(OH)12 · 26H2OTrig. 3m : P31c
7.DG.15BiruniteCa18(SiO3)8.5(CO3)8.5SO4 · 15H2O(?)
7.DG.15SiwaqaiteCa6Al2(CrO4)3(OH)12 · 26H2OTrig. 3m : P31c
7.DG.15BuryatiteCa3(Si,Fe3+,Al)(SO4)B(OH)4(OH,O)6 · 12H2OTrig. 3m : P31c
7.DG.15TatarinoviteCa3Al(SO4)[B(OH)4](OH)6 · 12H2OHex. 6 : P63
7.DG.15ImayoshiiteCa3Al(CO3)[B(OH)4](OH)6 · 12H2OHex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P63/mmc
7.DG.15SturmaniteCa6Fe3+2(SO4)2.5[B(OH)4](OH)12 · 25H2OTrig. 3m : P31c
7.DG.20RapidcreekiteCa2(SO4)(CO3) · 4H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbcn
7.DG.25TatarskiteCa6Mg2(SO4)2(CO3)2(OH)4Cl4 · 7H2OOrth.
7.DG.30NakauriiteCu8(SO4)4(CO3)(OH)6 · 48H2OOrth.
7.DG.35Chessexite(Na,K)4Ca2(Mg,Zn)3Al8(SO4)10(SiO4)2 · 40H2OOrth.
7.DG.40FuenzalidaiteK6(Na,K)4Na6Mg10(SO4)12(IO3)12 · 12H2OTrig. 3m(32/m) : P3c1
7.DG.40CarlosruiziteK6(Na,K)4Na6Mg10(SeO4)12(IO3)12 · 12H2OTrig. 3m(32/m) : P3c1
7.DG.45'Chelyabinskite'(Ca,Mg)3(SO4,CO3)2[Si(OH)6] · 9H2O (?)Orth.
7.DG.55Ramazzoite[Mg8Cu12(PO4)(CO3)4(OH)24(H2O)20][(H0.33SO4)3(H2O)36]Iso. 43m : P43m
7.DG.60WitzkeiteNa4K4Ca(NO3)2(SO4)4 · 2H2O Mon. 2/m : B2/b

Fluorescence of CharlesiteHide

In UV light:
Pale violet to pale green in SW
weaker in LW

Other InformationHide

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 CharlesiteHide

References for CharlesiteHide

Localities for CharlesiteHide

Showing 12 localities.

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
Hide all sections | Show all sections

Locality ListHide

- 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). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Germany
 
  • Rhineland-Palatinate
    • Mayen-Koblenz
      • Vordereifel
        • Ettringen
Schäfer (2016)
Japan
 
  • Okayama Prefecture
    • Takahashi City
      • Bitchū
        • Fuka
Tanimoto et al (2001) +1 other reference
Norway
 
  • Trøndelag
    • Orkland
      • Meldal
        • Grutsæter
Jørgensen et al. (2001)
Romania
 
  • Brașov County
Szakáll
Szakáll et al. (2010)
Slovakia
 
  • Prešov Region
    • Vranov nad Topľou District
      • Vechec
Ďuďa
South Africa
 
  • Northern Cape
    • John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality
      • Joe Morolong Local Municipality
        • N'Chwaning Mines
Cairncross et al. (1995)
Cairncross et al. (1995)
Gutzmer (1996)
USA (TL)
 
  • New Jersey
    • Sussex County
      • Franklin
Dunn et al. (1983) +1 other reference
FOMS Millsite Committee (1986)
Richard Gunter
Quick NavTopAbout CharlesiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPronunciation Physical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography X-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
 
and/or  
Mindat.org® is an outreach project of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Mindat® and mindat.org® are registered trademarks of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy.
Copyright © mindat.org and the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy 1993-2026, except where stated. Most political location boundaries are © OpenStreetMap contributors. Mindat.org relies on the contributions of thousands of members and supporters. Founded in 2000 by Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau.
Content on this site may not be used to train, fine-tune, or otherwise develop artificial intelligence or machine learning models without prior written permission - see our Terms & Conditions.
To cite: Ralph, J., Von Bargen, D., Martynov, P., Zhang, J., Que, X., Prabhu, A., Morrison, S. M., Li, W., Chen, W., & Ma, X. (2025). Mindat.org: The open access mineralogy database to accelerate data-intensive geoscience research. American Mineralogist, 110(6), 833–844. doi:10.2138/am-2024-9486.
Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Contact Us / DMCA issues - Report a bug/vulnerability Current server date and time: September 1, 2026 17:17:58 Page updated: September 1, 2026 04:42:49
Go to top of page