Indialite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Indialite
Flag of India
Formula:
Mg2Al3(AlSi5O18)
Colour:
Colourless (thin section).
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
7 - 7½
Specific Gravity:
2.512
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Name:
Named by A. Miyashiro and T. Iiyama in 1954 after the country of India, where the type locality is located.
Type Locality:
Dimorph of:
The Mg analogue of ferroindialite.
The hexagonal high-temperature dimorph of cordierite (orthorhombic-pseudohexagonal).
Note: the formula has also been expressed as Al2SiMg2[Al2Si4]O18 (Pezzotta, 2005), and the mineral has been assigned to the beryl group.
Material at the type locality was anthropogenic (no longer treated this way, though) since it was formed as the result of fusion and recrystallization of rocks above burning coal seams. It was subsequently found in nature in hornfels, and rapidly quenched volcanic rocks.
The hexagonal high-temperature dimorph of cordierite (orthorhombic-pseudohexagonal).
Note: the formula has also been expressed as Al2SiMg2[Al2Si4]O18 (Pezzotta, 2005), and the mineral has been assigned to the beryl group.
Material at the type locality was anthropogenic (no longer treated this way, though) since it was formed as the result of fusion and recrystallization of rocks above burning coal seams. It was subsequently found in nature in hornfels, and rapidly quenched volcanic rocks.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2026
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2026:4
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
75dc355d-71db-4a4c-a233-576059c4ac59
IMA Classification of Indialite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Mg2Al3(AlSi5)O18
Classification of Indialite
9.CJ.05
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
C : Cyclosilicates
J : [Si6O18]12- 6-membered single rings (sechser-Einfachringe), without insular complex anions
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
C : Cyclosilicates
J : [Si6O18]12- 6-membered single rings (sechser-Einfachringe), without insular complex anions
61.1.1.3
61 : CYCLOSILICATES Six-Membered Rings
1 : Six-Membered Rings with [Si6O18] rings; possible (OH) and Al substitution
61 : CYCLOSILICATES Six-Membered Rings
1 : Six-Membered Rings with [Si6O18] rings; possible (OH) and Al substitution
16.19.1
16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
19 : Aluminosilicates of Fe and Mg
16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
19 : Aluminosilicates of Fe and Mg
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ind | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Indialite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless (thin section).
Hardness:
7 - 7½ on Mohs scale
Density:
2.512 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.59 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Measured values on artificial material.
Optical Data of Indialite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.539 nε = 1.534
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.005
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Low
Chemistry of Indialite
Mindat Formula:
Mg2Al3(AlSi5O18)
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Fe,Mn,Na
Crystallography of Indialite
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Class (H-M):
6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) - Dihexagonal Dipyramidal
Space Group:
P6/mcc
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.8 Å, c = 9.345 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.954
Unit Cell V:
777.25 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Small hexagonal grains and clusters of spiral-shaped grains, some exhibiting tentacles or multiple terminations.
Crystal Structure
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0001448 | Indialite | Daniels P (1992) Structural effects of the incorporation of large-radius alkalis in high cordierite American Mineralogist 77 407-411 |  | 1992 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0003187 | Indialite | Balassone G, Franco E, Mattia C A, Puliti R (2004) Indialite in xenolithic rocks from Somma-Vesuvius volcano (Southern Italy): Crystal chemistry and petrogenetic features American Mineralogist 89 1-6 | | 2004 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0005136 | Indialite | Meagher E P, Gibbs G V (1977) The polymorphism of cordierite: II. The crystal structure of indialite The Canadian Mineralogist 15 43-49 | | 1977 | from a burning coal seam in the Bokaro coalfield, India | 0 | 293 |
| 0007853 | Indialite | Schwartz K B, Leong D B, McConville R L (1994) Structural chemistry of synthetic cordierite: evidence for solid solutions and disordered compositional domains in Bi-flux-grown Mg-cordierites Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 20 563-574 | 1994 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0007855 | Indialite | Schwartz K B, Leong D B, McConville R L (1994) Structural chemistry of synthetic cordierite: evidence for solid solutions and disordered compositional domains in Bi-flux-grown Mg-cordierites Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 20 563-574 | 1994 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 8.48 Å | (100) |
| 3.027 Å | (85) |
| 3.138 Å | (65) |
| 3.379 Å | (55) |
| 4.094 Å | (50) |
| 4.89 Å | (30) |
| 1.6882 Å | (30) |
Comments:
Obtained on artificial material.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 2: Planetesimal differentiation and alteration | 4.566-4.550 |
| 6 : Secondary asteroid phases | 4.566-4.560 |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45b : [Other oxidized fumarolic minerals] | |
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 50 : Coal and/or oil shale minerals | <0.36 |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 54 : Coal and other mine fire minerals (see also #51 and #56) |
Geological Setting:
Polymetamorphosed pelitic rock (Japan); volcanic eruptive matter (Bellerberg volcano).
Type Occurrence of Indialite
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Burning coal seam underlying sedimentary rocks
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Indialite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 5 photos of Indialite associated with Pseudobrookite | Fe2TiO5 |
| 2 photos of Indialite associated with Chalcanthite | CuSO4 · 5H2O |
| 2 photos of Indialite associated with Tenorite | CuO |
| 2 photos of Indialite associated with Tridymite | SiO2 |
| 1 photo of Indialite associated with Cordierite | (Mg,Fe)2Al3(AlSi5O18) |
| 1 photo of Indialite associated with Euchlorine | KNaCu3(SO4)3O |
| 1 photo of Indialite associated with Cuprite | Cu2O |
| 1 photo of Indialite associated with Hematite | Fe2O3 |
| 1 photo of Indialite associated with Copper | Cu |
| 1 photo of Indialite associated with Paramelaconite | Cu1+2Cu2+2O3 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.CJ. | Avdeevite | NaAl4(Be5Li)(Si6O18)2(H2O)1-2 |
| 9.CJ. | Nakkaalaaqite | K2[Na3Ca]LiCa2Ti2Be4Si12O38 |
| 9.CJ. | Zolotarevite | Na5Zr[Si6O15(OH)3] · 3H2O |
| 9.CJ. | Beryllocordierite-Na | NaMg4(Al5Be)(AlSi5O18)2 · 2H2O |
| 9.CJ. | Beryllosachanbińskiite-Na | NaMn4(Al5Be)(AlSi5O18)2 · 2H2O |
| 9.CJ.05 | Bazzite | Be3Sc2(Si6O18) |
| 9.CJ.05 | Beryl | Be3Al2(Si6O18) |
| 9.CJ.05 va | Vorobyevite | Be3Al2(Si6O18) |
| 9.CJ.05 | Stoppaniite | Be3Fe3+2(Si6O18) · H2O |
| 9.CJ.05 | Ferroindialite | (Fe2+,Mg)2Al4Si5O18 |
| 9.CJ.05 | Johnkoivulaite | Cs[Be2B]Mg2Si6O18 |
| 9.CJ.10 | Cordierite | (Mg,Fe)2Al3(AlSi5O18) |
| 9.CJ.10 | Sekaninaite | (Fe,Mg)2Al3(AlSi5O18) |
| 9.CJ.15a | Combeite | Na4.5Ca3.5Si6O17.5(OH)0.5 |
| 9.CJ.15b | Imandrite | Na12Ca3Fe3+2(Si6O18)2 |
| 9.CJ.15a | Kazakovite | Na6Mn2+Ti(Si6O18) |
| 9.CJ.15c | Koashvite | Na6(Ca,Mn)(Ti,Fe)Si6O18 · H2O |
| 9.CJ.15a | Lovozerite | Na2Ca(Zr,Ti)(Si6O12)[(OH)4O2] · H2O |
| 9.CJ.15a | Tisinalite | Na3H3(Mn,Ca,Fe)TiSi6(O,OH)18 · 2H2O |
| 9.CJ.15a | Zirsinalite | Na6(Ca,Mn2+,Fe2+)Zr(Si6O18) |
| 9.CJ.15a | Litvinskite | Na2(◻,Na,Mn)ZrSi6O12(OH,O)6 |
| 9.CJ.15a | Kapustinite | Na6ZrSi6O16(OH)2 |
| 9.CJ.15a | Townendite | Na8ZrSi6O18 |
| 9.CJ.25 | Baratovite | KCa7(Ti,Zr)2Li3Si12O36F2 |
| 9.CJ.25 | Katayamalite | KLi3Ca7Ti2(SiO3)12(OH)2 |
| 9.CJ.25 | Aleksandrovite | KCa7Sn2Li3Si12O36F2 |
| 9.CJ.30 | Dioptase | CuSiO3 · H2O |
| 9.CJ.35 | Kostylevite | K2Zr(Si3O9) · H2O |
| 9.CJ.40 | Petarasite | Na5Zr2(Si6O18)(Cl,OH) · 2H2O |
| 9.CJ.45 | Gerenite-(Y) | (Ca,Na)2(Y,REE)3Si6O18 · 2H2O |
| 9.CJ.50 | Odintsovite | K2Na4Ca3Ti2Be4Si12O38 |
| 9.CJ.55 | Mathewrogersite | Pb7FeAl3GeSi12O36(OH,H2O)6 |
| 9.CJ.60 | Pezzottaite | Cs(Be2Li)Al2(Si6O18) |
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.
Industrial Uses:
None.
Internet Links for Indialite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2026.html
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References for Indialite
Reference List:
Localities for Indialite
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.
Austria | |
| U. Kolitsch et al. (2009) |
Czech Republic | |
| Zacek et al. (1995) |
| V. Zacek |
| Dalibor Matýsek |
Germany | |
| in: Stracher +1 other reference |
| Igor Pekov +2 other references |
| rruff.geo.arizona.edu (2006) |
| T. Witzke (1996) |
| T. Witzke & F. Rüger: Lapis 1998 (7/8) |
India | |
| Kumar +1 other reference |
| Current Science (1954) |
| Miyashiro (1954) |
| Subramaniam (1955) |
Italy | |
| Balassone G et al. (2004) |
| Renzulli +4 other references |
| Stoppa et al. (2014) |
Japan | |
| Rakovan et al. (2006) |
| Rocks & Minerals 81:284-292 +1 other reference |
| Yamada (2004) | |
| Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 80: 110-116 (1982) |
Mongolia | |
| Savina et al. (2020) |
| Peretyazhko et al. (2018) |
| Peretyazhko et al. (2018) | |
| Peretyazhko et al. (2018) | |
| Peretyazhko et al. (2017) | |
Poland | |
| Łukasz Kruszewski PXRD data |
| Ł. Kruszewski EPMA/PXRD data +1 other reference |
| Ciesielczuk et al. (2014) |
| Ł. Kruszewski PXRD data (W. Sierny specimen) |
| Ł. Kruszewski PXRD and EPMA data |
Russia | |
| Cesnokov et al. (1998) |
| Shchipalkina et al. (2020) |
| Shchipalkina et al. (2020) |
| Pekov et al. (2018) | |
USA | |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| R. Stach and J. Harkensen (1974) |
| Gunnar Färber - Mineralienliste 3-2017. |
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