Nitrocalcite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Nitrocalcite
Formula:
Ca(NO3)2 · 4H2O
Colour:
White, grey; colourless in transmitted light
Lustre:
Silky
Hardness:
1 - 2
Specific Gravity:
1.90
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
In allusion to the composition, being a NITRate of CALCIum.
This page provides mineralogical data about Nitrocalcite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2919
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2919:9
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
0f7f28a1-2461-4d2b-b97b-c82e20f6e258
IMA Classification of Nitrocalcite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
Classification of Nitrocalcite
5.NC.10
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
N : NITRATES
C : With H2O
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
N : NITRATES
C : With H2O
Dana 7th ed.:
18.2.2.1
18.2.2.1
18 : NORMAL NITRATES
2 : A(XO3)2·xH2O, where x can equal zero
18 : NORMAL NITRATES
2 : A(XO3)2·xH2O, where x can equal zero
13.5
13 : Nitrates
13 : Nitrates
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ncal | 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 Nitrocalcite
Silky
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
White, grey; colourless in transmitted light
Hardness:
1 - 2 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Imperfect/Fair
observed
observed
Density:
1.90 g/cm3 (Measured) 1.91 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Nitrocalcite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.465(3) nβ = 1.498(3) nγ = 1.504(3)
2V:
Measured: 48° to 52°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.039
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:
Moderate
Dispersion:
r > v strong
Chemistry of Nitrocalcite
Mindat Formula:
Ca(NO3)2 · 4H2O
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Nitrocalcite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:
a = 14.8999(12) Å, b = 9.1551(5) Å, c = 6.2786(7) Å
β = 106.22(1)°
β = 106.22(1)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.627 : 1 : 0.686
Unit Cell V:
822.37 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Efflorescent crusts, tufts and masses; rarely as acicular crystals. Artificial crystals long prismatic [001].
Comment:
Space Group: P21/n (synthetic).
Crystal Structure
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Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0018699 | Nitrocalcite | Ribar B, Divjakovic V, Herak R, Prelesnik B (1973) A new crystal structure study of Ca(NO3)2*(H2O) Acta Crystallographica B29 1546-1548 |  | 1973 | Synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0009594 | Nitrocalcite | Leclaire A, Monier J C (1977) Liaisons hydrogene dans les cristaux de Ca(NO3)2*4H2Oalpha Acta Crystallographica B33 1861-1866 | | 1977 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0012286 | Nitrocalcite | Leclaire A, Monier J (1970) Structure cristalline du nitrate de calcium tetrahydrate _cod_database_code 1001743 Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Seances de l'Academie des Sciences 271 1555-1557 | 1970 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 7.72 Å | (70) |
| 5.42 Å | (65) |
| 5.14 Å | (100) |
| 4.36 Å | (55) |
| 3.580 Å | (70) |
| 3.121 Å | (55) |
| 2.810 Å | (55) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 48 : Soil leaching zone minerals | <0.6 |
| 52 : Guano- and urine-derived minerals | <0.4 |
Geological Setting:
Efflorescences in limestone caves or upon calcareous rocks and soils.
Type Occurrence of Nitrocalcite
Reference:
Shepard C U (1835) Nitrocalcite. Calcareous earthy-salt. in Treatise on Mineralogy: Second Part, Volume II, Hezekiah Howe & Co. (New Haven) 84-85
Synonyms of Nitrocalcite
Other Language Names for Nitrocalcite
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.NC.05 | Nitromagnesite | Mg(NO3)2 · 6H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
Readily soluble in water. taste sharp and bitter;
Special Storage/
Display Requirements:
Display Requirements:
deliquescent above about 54% relative humidity.
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 Nitrocalcite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2919.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Nitrocalcite
Reference List:
Localities for Nitrocalcite
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.
Australia | |
| McQueen et al. (1988) |
| McQueen +3 other references |
China | |
| Zhaoxin Han et al. (2004) |
Hungary | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
Italy | |
| Zimmerman E.A.G. (1789) +2 other references |
| De Vecchi et al. (pp. 417-443) |
South Africa | |
| Martini (1978) |
| Rocks & Minerals 83:5 pp 410-421 +1 other reference |
| Martini (1978) |
Spain | |
| Mendoza et al. (2006) |
| Martínez-Arkarazo et al. (2007) |
| Tony Nikischer and Luis Menezes | |
Tajikistan | |
| Evseev et al. (2004) |
USA | |
| www.cave.org +1 other reference |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
| Raman analyzed at the University of ... |
| Anthony et al. (1982) |
| Anthony et al. (1995) | |
| Erd et al. (1960) |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference | |
| Erd et al. (1960) |
| Erd et al. (1960) |
| Erd et al. (1960) |
| Erd et al. (1960) |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| Paris (2011) |
| Paris (2011) |
| Paris (2011) | |
| Paris (2011) |
| Paris (2011) | |
| Paris (2011) | |
| Paris (2011) |
| Paris (2011) |
| Paris (2011) |
| Paris (2011) |
| Acta Cryst. B33 (1977) |
| Coskren et al. (2000) |
| Paris (2011) |
| Paris (2011) |
| Paris (2011) | |
| Paris (2011) | |
| Paris (2011) |
| Paris (2011) | |
| Paris (2011) |
| Paris (2011) |
| Paris (2011) |
| Paris (2011) | |
| Paris (2011) |
| Dietrich (1990) | |
| A GUIDE TO THE GEOLOGY OF THE ... |
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Gila River, Winkelman area, Gila & Pinal Cos., Arizona, USA