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Chessexite

A valid IMA mineral species
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About ChessexiteHide

09098080017271922034821.jpg
R. Chessex, professeur en sciences, vice-recteur de l'Université
Formula:
(Na,K)4Ca2(Mg,Zn)3Al8(SO4)10(SiO4)2 · 40H2O
Colour:
White
Lustre:
Silky
Specific Gravity:
2.21 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named in honor of Ronald Chessex (b. 1929 Lausanne, Switzerland), petrographer and professor, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
This page provides mineralogical data about Chessexite.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
996
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:996:4

IMA Classification of ChessexiteHide

Approved
IMA Formula:
Na4Ca2Mg3Al8(SiO4)2(S6+O4)10(OH)10·40H2O
Approval year:
1981

Classification of ChessexiteHide

7.DG.35

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
32.4.6.1

32 : COMPOUND SULFATES
4 : Hydrated Compound Sulfates containing Hydroxyl or Halogen
17.10.16

17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
10 : Silicates with sulphate, molybdate or tungstate

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

Physical Properties of ChessexiteHide

Silky
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
White
Cleavage:
Poor/Indistinct
Indistinct parallel to [101]
Density:
2.21 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of ChessexiteHide

Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.456 nβ = 1.460 nγ = 1.480
2V:
Measured: 47° , Calculated: 50°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.024
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
Dispersion:
distinct

Chemistry of ChessexiteHide

Mindat Formula:
(Na,K)4Ca2(Mg,Zn)3Al8(SO4)10(SiO4)2 · 40H2O
Element Weights:
Element% weight
O60.523 %
S13.784 %
Al9.279 %
Na3.953 %
H3.466 %
Ca3.446 %
Mg3.134 %
Si2.415 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
Common Impurities:
Ca

Crystallography of ChessexiteHide

Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Cell Parameters:
a = 13.70 Å, b = 27.96 Å, c = 9.99 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.49 : 1 : 0.357
Unit Cell V:
3,826.69 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Euhedral, thin square or rectangular plates.
Comment:
Point Group: n.d.; Space Group: n.d.

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
13.91 Å(100)
3.422 Å(100)
4.85 Å(90)
3.982 Å(60)
3.451 Å(40)
3.322 Å(40)
2.908 Å(30)

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event<2.4
47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals]
47b : [Sulfates and sulfites]

Type Occurrence of ChessexiteHide

General Appearance of Type Material:
euhedral, thin, square or rectangular plates, to 0.03 mm.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Natural History Museum, Geneva, Switzerland 435/70
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Coating on fluorite
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Synonyms of ChessexiteHide

Other Language Names for ChessexiteHide

German:Chessexit
Spanish:Chessexita

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.15CharlesiteCa6(Al,Si)2(SO4)2[B(OH)4](OH,O)12 · 26H2OTrig. 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.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

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 ChessexiteHide

References for ChessexiteHide

Localities for ChessexiteHide

Showing 3 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.
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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.
France (TL)
 
  • Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
    • Saône-et-Loire
      • Autun
        • Lucenay-l'Evêque
          • Cordesse
Sarp et al. (1982)
Iceland
 
  • Southern Region
    • Vestmannaeyjar
      • Vestmannaeyjar archipelago (Westman islands)
        • Heimaey Island
Mitolo et al. (2008)
USA
 
  • California
    • Shasta County
      • Klamath Mountains
Livingston et al. (2005, December)
 
and/or  
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