Davinciite

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Davinciite
General
Category Silicate mineral, Cyclosilicate
Formula
(repeating unit)
Na12K3Ca6Fe2+3Zr3(Si26O73OH)Cl2 (original form)
IMA symbol Dvc [1]
Crystal system Trigonal
Crystal class Ditrigonal pyramidal (3m)
H-M symbol: (3m)
Space group R3m
Unit cell a = 14.29, c = 30.03 [Å] (approximated), Z = 3
Identification
ColourDark lavender
Crystal habit inclusions in rastsvetaevite
Cleavage None
Fracture Conchoidal
Tenacity Brittle
Mohs scale hardness5
Luster Vitreous
Streak White
Diaphaneity Transparent
Density 2.82 (measured), 2.85 (calculated; approximated)
Optical propertiesUniaxial (+)
Refractive index nω=1.61, nε=1.61 (approximated)
Pleochroism None
Ultraviolet fluorescence No
Common impuritiesSr, Mn, Ti, H2O
References [2] [3]

Davinciite is a very rare mineral of the eudialyte group, [2] [3] with the simplified formula Na12K3Ca6Fe32+Zr3(Si26O73OH)Cl2. [2] [4] The formula given does not show the presence of cyclic silicate groups. The mineral was named after Leonardo da Vinci [4] to refer to the atypical geometrical forms he tended to use, compared by the authors of the mineral description to the atypical (not ideally centrosymmetrical) geometry of the Davinciite structure. The other quite atypical feature of Davinciite is its lavender colour, while the typical eudialyte is rather pink or red. [3]

Contents

Occurrence and association

Davinciite was discovered in hyperagpaitic (highly alkaline) pegmatite at Mt. Rasvmuchorr, Khibiny massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia. Aegirine, delhayelite, nepheline, potassium feldspar, shcherbakovite, sodalite (silicates), djerfisherite, rasvumite (sulfides), nitrite, nacaphite, and villiaumite are associated minerals. [3]

Notes on chemistry

Impurities in davinciite include strontium, manganese, titanium, with minor aluminium, barium, hafnium, and niobium. Some water is also present. [3]

Related Research Articles

Eudialyte

Eudialyte, whose name derives from the Greek phrase Εὖ διάλυτος, eu dialytos, meaning "well decomposable", is a somewhat rare, nine member ring cyclosilicate mineral, which forms in alkaline igneous rocks, such as nepheline syenites. Its name alludes to its ready solubility in acid.

Alluaivite is a rare mineral of the eudialyte group, with complex formula written as Na19(Ca,Mn)6(Ti,Nb)3Si26O74Cl·2H2O. It is unique among the eudialyte group as the only titanosilicate (other representatives of the group are usually zirconosilicates). The two dual-nature minerals of the group, being both titano- and zirconosilicates, are labyrinthite and dualite. They both contain alluaivite module in their structures. Alluaivite is named after Mt. Alluaiv in Lovozero Tundry massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia, where it is found in ultra-agpaitic, hyperalkaline pegmatites.

Eudialyte group is a group of complex trigonal zircono- and, more rarely, titanosilicate minerals with general formula [N(1)N(2)N(3)N(4)N(5)]3[M(1a)M(1b)]3M(2)3M(4)Z3[Si24O72]O'4X2, where N(1) and N(2) and N(3) and N(5) = Na+ and more rarely H3O+ or H2O, N(4) = Na+, Sr2+, Mn2+ and more rarely H3O+ or H2O or K+ or Ca2+ or REE3+ (rare earth elements), M(1) and M(1b) = Ca2+, M(1a) = Ca2+ or Mn2+ or Fe2+, M(2) = Fe (both II and III), Mn and rarely Na+, K+ or Zr4+, M(3) = Si, Nb and rarely W, Ti and [] (vacancy), M(4) = Si and or rarely [], Z Zr4+ and or rarely Ti4+, and X = OH, Cl and more rarely CO32− or F. Some of the eudialyte-like structures can even be more complex, however, in general, its typical feature is the presence of [Si3O9]6− and [Si9O27]18− ring silicate groups. Space group is usually R3m or R-3m but may be reduced to R3 due to cation ordering. Like other zirconosilicates, the eudialyte group minerals possess alkaline ion-exchange properties, as microporous materials.

Eveslogite is a complex inosilicate mineral with a chemical formula (Ca,K,Na,Sr,Ba)
48
[(Ti,Nb,Fe,Mn)
12
(OH)
12
Si
48
O
144
](F,OH,Cl)
14
found on Mt. Eveslogchorr in Khibiny Mountains, on the Kola peninsula, Russia. It was named after the place it was found. This silicate mineral occurs as an anchimonomineral veinlet that cross-cuts poikilitic nepheline syenite. This mineral appears to resemble yuksporite, as it forms similar placated fine fibrous of approximately 0.05 to 0.005mm that aggregates outwardly. The color of eveslogite is yellow or rather light brown. In addition, it is a semitransparent mineral that has a white streak and a vitreous luster. Its crystal system is monoclinic and possesses a hardness (Mohs) of 5. This newly discovered mineral belongs to the astrophyllite group of minerals and contains structures that are composed of titanosilicate layers. Limited information about this mineral exists due to the few research studies carried out since its recent discovery.

Ikranite

Ikranite is a member of the eudialyte group, named after the Shubinov Institute of Crystallography of the Russian Academy of Sciences. It is a cyclosilicate mineral that shows trigonal symmetry with the space group R3m, and is often seen with a pseudo-hexagonal habit. Ikranite appears as translucent and ranges in color from yellow to a brownish yellow. This mineral ranks a 5 on Mohs Scale of Hardness, though it is considered brittle, exhibiting conchoidal fracture when broken.

Andrianovite Rare cyclosilicate mineral

Andrianovite is a very rare mineral of the eudialyte group, with formula Na12(K,Sr,Ce)6Ca6(Mn,Fe)3Zr3NbSi(Si3O9)2(Si9O27)2O(O,H2O,OH)5. The original formula was extended to show the presence of cyclic silicate groups and silicon at the M4 site, according to the nomenclature of eudialyte group. Andrianovite is unique among the eudialyte group in being potassium-rich (other eudialyte-group species with essential K are davinciite and rastsvetaevite). It is regarded as potassium analogue of kentbrooksite, but it also differs from it in being oxygen-dominant rather than fluorine-dominant. Also, the coordination number of Na in this representative is enlarged from 7 to 9. The name of the mineral honors Russian mathematician and crystallographer Valerii Ivanovich Andrianov.

Aqualite is a very rare mineral of the eudialyte group, with formula (H3O)8(Na,K,Sr)5Ca6Zr3SiSi(Si24O66)(OH)9Cl. The formula given does not show the presence of cyclic silicate groups. The original formula was extended to show the presence of silicon at both M3 and M4 sites, according to the nomenclature of the eudialyte group. Aqualite is unique among the eudialyte group in being hydronium-rich (the only other eudialyte-group species with essential hydronium, is the recently discovered ilyukhinite). Among the other representatives of the group it also distinguish in splitting of the M1 site into two sub-sites, both occupied by calcium. Thus, its symmetry is lowered from typical for most eudialytes R3m (or R-3m) to R3. The name refers to high content of water in the mineral.

Carbokentbrooksite is a very rare mineral of the eudialyte group, with formula (Na,[])12(Na,Ce)3Ca6Mn3Zr3NbSiO(Si9O27)2(Si3O9)2(OH)3(CO3).H2O. The original formula was extended to show the presence of cyclic silicate groups and silicon at the M4 site, according to the nomenclature of eudialyte group. Carbokenbrooksite characterizes in being carbonate-rich (the other eudialyte-group species with essential carbonate are zirsilite-(Ce), golyshevite, and mogovidite). It is also sodium rich, being sodium equivalent of zirsilite-(Ce), with which it is intimately associated.

Zirsilite-(Ce)

Zirsilite-(Ce) is a very rare mineral of the eudialyte group, with formula (Na,[])12(Ce,Na)3Ca6Mn3Zr3NbSi(Si9O27)2(Si3O9)2O(OH)3(CO3)•H2O. The original formula was extended to show the presence of cyclic silicate groups and the presence of silicon at the M4 site, according to the nomenclature of the eudialyte group.according to the nomenclature of eudialyte group. Zirsilite-(Ce) differs from carbokentbrooksite in cerium-dominance over sodium only. Both minerals are intimately associated. The only other currently known representative of the eudialyte group having rare earth elements (in particular cerium, as suggested by the "-Ce)" Levinson suffix in the name) in dominance is johnsenite-(Ce).

Dualite is a very rare and complex mineral of the eudialyte group, its complexity being expressed in its formula Na
30
(Ca,Na,Ce,Sr)
12
(Na,Mn,Fe,Ti)
6
Zr
3
Ti
3
MnSi
51
O
144
(OH,H
2
O,Cl)
9
. The formula is simplified as it does not show the presence of cyclic silicate groups. The name of the mineral comes from its dual nature: zircono- and titanosilicate at once. Dualite has two modules in its structure: alluaivite one and eudialyte one. After alluaivite and labyrinthite it stands for third representative of the eudialyte group with essential titanium.

Labyrinthite is a very rare mineral of the eudialyte group. When compared to other species in the group, its structure is extremely complex - with over 100 sites and about 800 cations and anions - hence its name, with its complexity expressed in its chemical formula (Na,K,Sr)35Ca12Fe3Zr6TiSi51O144(O,OH,H2O)9Cl3. The formula is simplified as it does not show the presence of cyclic silicate groups. Complexity of the structure results in symmetry lowering from the typical centrosymmetrical group to R3 space group. Other eudialyte-group representatives with such symmetry lowering include aqualite, oneillite, raslakite, voronkovite. Labyrinthite is the second dual-nature representative of the group after dualite and third with essential titanium after dualite and alluaivite.

Feklichevite is a rare mineral of the eudialyte group with the formula Na11Ca9(Fe3+,Fe2+)2Zr3NbSi(Si3O9)2(Si9O27)2. The original formula was extended to show the presence of cyclic silicate groups and presence of silicon at the M4 site, according to the nomenclature of eudialyte group. When compared to other minerals of the group, feklichevite characterizes in the presence of ferric iron (thus similar to ikranite, mogovidite and fengchengite) and dominance of calcium at the N4 site. Calcium is ordered in the structure and is also present at the M1 site. Other iron-bearing minerals of the group are eudialyte, ferrokentbrooksite, georgbarsanovite, khomyakovite, labyrinthite, oneillite and rastsvetaevite, but they rather contain ferrous iron Feklichevite name honors Russian mineralogist and crystallographer, V. G. Feklichev.

Fengchengite is a rare mineral of the eudialyte group with the formula Na12[ ]3(Ca,Sr)6Fe33+Zr3Si(Si25O73)(H2O,OH)3(OH,Cl)2. The formula is simplified as it does not show the presence of cyclic silicate groups. When compared to other minerals of the group, fengchengite characterizes in the presence of ferric iron and essential, site-dominating vacancies. The mineral was discovered in the Saima complex near Fengcheng city in China - hence its name.

Ferrokentbrooksite

Ferrokentbrooksite is a moderately rare mineral of the eudialyte group, with formula Na15Ca6(Fe,Mn)3Zr3NbSi25O73(O,OH,H2O)3(Cl,F,OH)2. The original formula was extended form to show the presence of cyclic silicate groups and presence of silicon at the M4 site, according to the nomenclature of eudialyte group. As suggested by its name, it is the (ferrous) iron analogue of kentbrooksite. When compared to the latter, it is also chlorine-dominant instead of being fluorine-dominant. The original (holotype) material is also relatively enriched in rare earth elements, including cerium and yttrium.

Georgbarsanovite

Georgbarsanovite is a very rare mineral of the eudialyte group, formerly known under unaccepted name as barsanovite, with formula Na12(Mn,Sr,REE)3Ca6Fe32+Zr3NbSi(Si3O9)2(Si9O27)2O4Cl2·H2O. The original formula was extended to show the presence of cyclic silicate groups and domination of silicon at the M4 site. "REE", standing for rare earth elements, are dominated by cerium. Georgbarsanovite characterizes in dominance of manganese at the N4 site. It also differs from most other accepted group representatives in its colour. The mineral was found in nepheline pegmatite nearby Petrelius river, Khibiny massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia. It is named after Russian mineralogist Georg Barsanov.

Golyshevite

Golyshevite is a rare mineral of the eudialyte group, with formula Na10Ca3Ca6Zr3Fe2SiNb(Si3O9)2(Si9O27)2CO3(OH)3•H2O. The original formula was extended to show both the presence of cyclic silicate groups and silicon at the M4 site, according to the nomenclature of the eudialyte group. The characteristic feature of golyshevite is calcium-rich composition, with calcium at two main sites instead of one site. Together with feklichevite, fengchengite, ikranite and mogovidite it is a ferric-iron-dominant representative of the group. It is chemically similar to mogovidite. Golyshevite was named after Russian crystallographer Vladimir Mikhailovich Golyshev.

Mogovidite is a very rare mineral of the eudialyte group, with formula Na9(Ca,Na)6Ca6(Fe3+,Fe2+)2Zr3[]Si(Si9O27)2(Si3O9)2(CO3)(OH,H2O)4. The formula given is based on the original one but extended to show the presence of cyclic silicate groups. It is similar to feklichevite, differing from it in the presence of essential vacancies and carbonate group. Another specific feature is the dominance of ferric iron - a feature shared with other eudialyte-group members, including feklichevite, fengchengite, golyshevite and ikranite. Similarly to golyshevite, it is calcium-dominant, however on three sites: M(1), N(3) and N(4). It has a molecular mass of 3,066.24 gm.

Voronkovite is a very rare mineral of the eudialyte group with the chemical formula Na15(Na,Ca,Ce)3(Mn,Ca)3Fe3Zr3Si2Si24O72(OH,O)4Cl·H2O. The formula is based on the simplified original one; it does not show the presence of cyclic silicate groups, but two M3- and M4-site silicon atoms are shown separately (basing on the nomenclature of the eudialyte group). Voronkovite has lowered symmetry (space group R3, instead of more specific for the group R3m one), similarly to some other eudialyte-group members: aqualite, labyrinthite, oneillite and raslakite. The specific feature of voronkovite is, among others, strong enrichment in sodium.

Raslakite

Raslakite is a rare mineral of the eudialyte group with the chemical formula Na15Ca3Fe3(Na,Zr)3Zr3(Si,Nb)SiO(Si9O27)2(Si3O9)2(OH,H2O)3(Cl,OH). This formula is based on the original one, and is extended to show the presence of cyclic silicate groups. The additional silicon and oxygen shown in separation from the cyclic groups are in fact connected with two 9-fold rings. The mineral has lowered symmetry, similarly to some other eudialyte-group members: aqualite, labyrinthite, oneillite and voronkovite. The specific feature of raslakite is, among others, the presence of sodium and zirconium at the M2 site. Raslakite was named after Raslak Cirques located nearby the type locality.

Rastsvetaevite

Rastsveatevite is a rare mineral of the eudialyte group with the chemical formula Na27K8Ca12Fe3Zr6Si4[Si3O9]4[Si9O27]4(O,OH,H2O)6Cl2. Its structure is modular. It is only the third member of the group after andrianovite and davinciite with essential (site-dominating) potassium. Potassium and sodium enter both N4 and M2 sites. The mineral is named after Russian crystallographer Ramiza K. Rastsvetaeva.

References

  1. Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID   235729616.
  2. 1 2 3 "Davinciite: Davinciite mineral information and data". Mindat.org. Retrieved 2016-03-08.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Khomyakov, A.P.; Nechelyustov, G.N.; Rastsvetaeva, R.K.; Rozenberg, K.A. (2012). "Davinciite, Na12K3Ca6Fe2+3Zr3(Si26O73OH)Cl2, a new K, Na-ordered mineral of the eudialyte group from the Khibiny alkaline massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia". Zap. Ross. Mineral. Obshch. (in Russian and English). 141 (2): 10–21. doi:10.1134/S1075701513070076. S2CID   97821896.
  4. 1 2 "Davinciite" (PDF). HandbookofMineralogy.org. Retrieved March 1, 2016.