Nabimusaite

Summary

Nabimusaite is a very rare mineral with formula KCa12(SiO4)4(SO4)2O2F.[2] Its structure, as in case of similar aradite and zadovite, is a derivative of the one of hatrurite.[4] Nabimusaite gives its name to the nabimusaite group.[5] The mineral was found in a pyrometamorphic rock of the Hatrurim Formation, a site known for the natural pyrometamorphism. It is interpreted to have formed due to interaction of a precursor assemblage with sulfate-rich melt.[2] Nabimusaite is potassium- and fluorine-analogue of dargaite.[6]

Nabimusaite
General
CategorySilicate mineral, nesosilicate
Formula
(repeating unit)
KCa12(SiO4)4(SO4)2O2F
IMA symbolNbm[1]
Crystal systemTrigonal
Crystal classHexagonal scalenohedral (3m)
H-M symbol: (3 2m)
Space groupR3m
Unit cella = 7.19, b = 7.19
c = 41.25 [Å] (approximated); Z = 3
Identification
ColorColorless
Cleavage(001), imperfect
TenacityBrittle
Mohs scale hardness5
LusterVitreous
StreakWhite
Density3.12 (calculated) (approximated)
Optical propertiesUniaxial (-)
Refractive indexnω=1.64, nε=1.64 (approximated)
References[2][3]

Associations edit

Nabimusaite was discovered in nodules composed of larnite and ye'elimite, in a rock formed due to pyrometamorphism.[2]

Notes on chemistry edit

Nabimusaite is impure as it has a phosphorus admixture.[2]

Crystal structure edit

Crystal structure of nabimusaite is modular. It is of antiperovskite type. It is composed of hatrurite-like modules [Ca12(SiO4)4O2F]3+ anions in octahedral and cations in tetrahedral coordination with [K(SO4)2]3 modules. The two modules are mutually intercalated.[2]

Origin edit

Nabimusaite is suggested to result from interaction of a melt, rich in potassium and sulfate, with earlier minerals (ellestadite and larnite).[2]

References edit

  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. ^ a b c d e f g Galuskin, E.V., Gfeller, F., Armbruster, T., Galuskina, I.O., Vapnik, Y., Murashko, M., Włodyka, R., and Dzierżanowski, P., 2015. New minerals with a modular structure derived from hatrurite from the pyrometamorphic Hatrurim Complex. Part I. Nabimusaite, KCa12(SiO4)4(SO4)2O2F, from larnite rocks of Jabel Harmun, Palestinian Autonomy, Israel. Mineralogical Magazine 79(5), 1061-1072
  3. ^ "Nabimusaite: Nabimusaite mineral information and data". Mindat.org. Retrieved 2016-03-02.
  4. ^ Galuskin, E.V., Gfeller, F., Galuskina, I.O., Pakhomova, A., Armbruster, T., Vapnik, Y., Włodyka, R., Dzierżanowski, P., and Murashko, M., 2015. New minerals with a modular structure derived from hatrurite from the pyrometamorphic Hatrurim Complex. Part II. Zadovite, BaCa6[(SiO4)(PO4)](PO4)2F and aradite, BaCa6[(SiO4)(VO4)](VO4)2F, from paralavas of the Hatrurim Basin, Negev Desert, Israel. Mineralogical Magazine 79(5), 1073-1087
  5. ^ "Nabimusaite: Nabimusaite mineral information and data". Mindat.org. Retrieved 2016-03-02.
  6. ^ "Nabimusaite: Nabimusaite mineral information and data". Mindat.org. Retrieved 2016-03-02.