Named in 2012 by Cristiano Ferraris, Sylvain Pont, Gian Carlo Parodi, Benjamin Rondeau, and Jean-Pierre Lorand for the polymorphic relationship to nepheline.

Type Locality:

ⓘ Tawmaw (Tawhmaw; Taw Maw), Hpakant-Tawmaw Jade Tract, Hpakant Township (Hpakan; Phakant; Phakan), Mohnyin District, Kachin State, Myanmar

Dimorph of:

Nepheline

Trinepheline is a pseudomorph after jadeite with fabrièsite and occurs as skeletal crystals up to 15–20 μm long and 5–10 μm wide.

Likely polymorphous with so-called carnegieite and 'α-carnegieite'.

Compare also an unnamed monohydrated phase 'UM1967-10-SiO:AlHNa'.

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Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:

43338

Long-form identifier:

mindat:1:1:43338:3

GUID
(UUID V4):

120efb43-aa17-42c1-9734-8626591d7377

IMA Classification of TrinephelineHide

IMA status:

Approved

IMA Formula:

NaAlSiO₄

Approval year:

2012

First published:

2014

Type description reference:

Ferraris, C., Parodi, G.C., Pont, S., Rondeau, B., Lorand, J.-P. (2014): Trinepheline and fabriesite: two new mineral species from the jadeite deposit of Tawmaw (Myanmar). European Journal of Mineralogy, 26, 257-263.

Classification of TrinephelineHide

Strunz-mindat (2024):

9.FA.05

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
F : Tektosilicates without zeolitic H₂O
A : Tektosilicates without additional non-tetrahedral anions

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.

Symbol	Source	Reference
Tnph	IMA–CNMNC	Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43
Tne	The Canadian Mineralogist (2019)	The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download

Physical Properties of TrinephelineHide

Lustre:

Sub-Vitreous, Greasy

Transparency:

Transparent

Colour:

White to pale yellow

Streak:

White

Hardness:

5 - 5½ on Mohs scale

Density:

2.642 g/cm³ (Calculated)

Chemistry of TrinephelineHide

Mindat Formula:

NaAlSiO₄

Elements listed:

Al, Na, O, Si - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of TrinephelineHide

Crystal System:

Hexagonal

Class (H-M):

6 - Pyramidal

Space Group:

P6₁

Setting:

P6₁

Cell Parameters:

a = 9.995(2) Å, c = 24.797(4) Å

Ratio:

a:c = 1 : 2.481

Unit Cell V:

2,145.34 Å³ (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Comment:

+ spacegroup P65

Crystal StructureHide

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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)
0002011	Trinepheline	Kahlenberg V, Bohm H (1998) Crystal structure of hexagonal trinepheline - A new synthetic NaAlSiO4 modification American Mineralogist 83 631-637		1998	synthetic	0	293
0004612	Trinepheline	Vulic P, Kahlenberg V, Konzett J (2008) On the existence of a Na-deficient monoclinic trinepheline with composition Na7.85Al7.85Si8.15O32 American Mineralogist 93 1072-1079		2008	synthetic	0	293

CIF Raw Data - click here to close

data_global
_chemical_name_mineral 'Trinepheline'
loop_
_publ_author_name
'Kahlenberg V'
'Bohm H'
_journal_name_full 'American Mineralogist'
_journal_volume 83 
_journal_year 1998
_journal_page_first 631
_journal_page_last 637
_publ_section_title
;
 Crystal structure of hexagonal trinepheline - A new synthetic
 NaAlSiO4 modification
;
_database_code_amcsd 0002011
_chemical_compound_source 'Synthetic'
_chemical_formula_sum 'Na Al Si O4'
_cell_length_a 9.995
_cell_length_b 9.995
_cell_length_c 24.797
_cell_angle_alpha 90
_cell_angle_beta 90
_cell_angle_gamma 120
_cell_volume 2145.336
_exptl_crystal_density_diffrn      2.639
_symmetry_space_group_name_H-M 'P 61'
loop_
_space_group_symop_operation_xyz
  'x,y,z'
  'x-y,x,1/6+z'
  '-y,x-y,1/3+z'
  '-x,-y,1/2+z'
  '-x+y,-x,2/3+z'
  'y,-x+y,5/6+z'
loop_
_atom_site_label
_atom_site_fract_x
_atom_site_fract_y
_atom_site_fract_z
Na1   0.02050  -0.43520   0.03560
Na2   0.47350  -0.55790   0.03030
Na3   0.51830  -0.44260   0.18640
Na4   0.00430  -0.98510   0.02800
All   0.32660  -0.90200   0.08640
Al2   0.88070  -0.75440   0.09170
Al3   0.81110  -0.29200   0.09540
Al4   0.33080  -0.35480   0.09060
Si1   0.20240  -0.69640   0.12790
Si2   0.36370  -0.29770  -0.03740
Si3   0.91220  -0.76360  -0.03500
Si4   0.13340  -0.22180   0.13580
O1   0.31370  -0.53710   0.09670
O2   0.05840  -0.66370  -0.07410
O3   0.02810  -0.72710   0.13620
O4   0.27650  -0.68690   0.18690
O5   0.05810  -0.24590   0.19500
O6   0.19180  -0.84130   0.09550
O7   0.68100  -0.46520   0.12640
O8   0.86170  -0.94570  -0.03940
O9   0.96000  -0.70960   0.02710
O10   0.76960  -0.74130  -0.05070
O11   0.17990  -0.35460   0.12620
O12   0.51670  -0.75150   0.09180
O13   0.28810  -0.05330   0.13030
O14   0.30240  -0.32260   0.02390
O15   0.00450  -0.24380   0.09200
O16   0.82120  -0.62340   0.10860
loop_
_atom_site_aniso_label
_atom_site_aniso_U_11
_atom_site_aniso_U_22
_atom_site_aniso_U_33
_atom_site_aniso_U_12
_atom_site_aniso_U_13
_atom_site_aniso_U_23
Na1 0.01800 0.01600 0.01800 0.01100 -0.00400 0.00000
Na2 0.01600 0.02000 0.02200 0.00700 0.00700 -0.00200
Na3 0.01900 0.02200 0.02800 0.00100 0.00600 -0.00800
Na4 0.03600 0.04500 0.03700 0.01700 -0.01900 0.00000
All 0.00700 0.00600 0.00800 0.00300 -0.00100 0.00000
Al2 0.00600 0.00700 0.00800 0.00300 0.00000 -0.00100
Al3 0.00600 0.00500 0.00900 0.00300 -0.00100 -0.00100
Al4 0.00500 0.00500 0.00900 0.00200 0.00100 0.00200
Si1 0.00600 0.00600 0.00700 0.00300 0.00100 0.00000
Si2 0.00500 0.00700 0.01200 0.00300 0.00100 0.00200
Si3 0.00400 0.00600 0.00800 0.00200 -0.00100 0.00000
Si4 0.00700 0.00600 0.00700 0.00300 0.00000 -0.00100
O1 0.01100 0.00600 0.02000 0.00300 0.00500 0.00400
O2 0.00700 0.01600 0.01300 0.00600 0.00200 0.00400
O3 0.00700 0.01400 0.01200 0.00600 -0.00100 -0.00100
O4 0.01000 0.02200 0.00800 0.01000 -0.00100 -0.00200
O5 0.01200 0.01600 0.01100 0.00000 0.00200 -0.00300
O6 0.01000 0.00900 0.01600 0.00600 -0.00200 -0.00500
O7 0.01100 0.00700 0.02900 0.00400 0.00700 0.00600
O8 0.01100 0.00600 0.02000 0.00300 -0.00700 -0.00200
O9 0.01500 0.01400 0.00800 0.00100 0.00100 0.00000
O10 0.01600 0.02200 0.03600 0.01500 -0.00500 -0.00100
O11 0.00900 0.00900 0.01700 0.00500 0.00300 0.00200
O12 0.00700 0.01400 0.01500 0.00000 -0.00200 0.00200
O13 0.00900 0.00600 0.01100 0.00100 -0.00300 0.00200
O14 0.01900 0.02600 0.01000 0.01300 0.00300 0.00600
O15 0.00600 0.01200 0.01100 0.00500 -0.00100 -0.00100
O16 0.00700 0.00700 0.03000 0.00400 0.00400 0.00000

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:

d-spacing	Intensity
4.328 Å	(22)
4.133 Å	(49)
3.834 Å	(81)
3.272 Å	(40)
3.163 Å	(100)
2.989 Å	(21)
2.403 Å	(31)
2.401 Å	(22)

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):

Paragenetic Mode	Earliest Age (Ga)
Stage 5: Initiation of plate tectonics	<3.5-2.5
39 : High-𝑃 metamorphism (blueschist, eclogite, ultrahigh 𝑃 facies)

Type Occurrence of TrinephelineHide

Type Locality:

ⓘ Tawmaw (Tawhmaw; Taw Maw), Hpakant-Tawmaw Jade Tract, Hpakant Township (Hpakan; Phakant; Phakan), Mohnyin District, Kachin State, Myanmar

General Appearance of Type Material:

Intergrown with nepheline and fabrièsite

Place of Conservation of Type Material:

Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle(MNHN), Paris, France,registration number MNHN 212-001.

Geological Setting of Type Material:

Late-stage metamorphic veins in a jadeite deposit.

Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Harmotome

Reference:

Download:

https://rruff.info/rruff_1.0/uploads/EJM26_257.pdf

Synonyms of TrinephelineHide

IMA2012-024

Relationship of Trinepheline to other SpeciesHide

Member of:

Feldspathoid Group

Other Members of this group:

Cancrinite Group	A large, structurally complex group of alumosilicates.
Carnegieite	NaAlSiO₄	Tric.
Davidsmithite	(Ca,◻)₂Na₆Al₈Si₈O₃₂	Hex. 6 : P6₃
Kalsilite	KAlSiO₄	Hex. 6 2 2 : P6₃ 2 2
Leucite	K(AlSi₂O₆)	Tet. 4/m : I4₁/a
Metaleucite	A name for isometric leucite that is stable above 625 degrees C.
Nepheline	Na₃K(Al₄Si₄O₁₆)	Hex. 6 : P6₃
Sodalite Group	The Sodalite Group is characterised by sodalite-type stacking of alumosilicate building units that produces Cubo ...
Trikalsilite	K₂NaAl₃(SiO₄)₃	Hex. 6 : P6₃
Yoshiokaite	(Ca,Na)[Al(Al,Si)O₄]	Trig. 3 : P3

Common AssociatesHide

Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:

4 photos of Trinepheline associated with Fabrièsite	Na₃Al₃Si₃O₁₂ · 2H₂O
2 photos of Trinepheline associated with Nepheline	Na₃K(Al₄Si₄O₁₆)
2 photos of Trinepheline associated with Chromojadeite	Na(Al,Cr)Si₂O₆
2 photos of Trinepheline associated with Banalsite	Na₂BaAl₄Si₄O₁₆
2 photos of Trinepheline associated with Stronalsite	Na₂SrAl₄Si₄O₁₆
2 photos of Trinepheline associated with Albite	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
2 photos of Trinepheline associated with Natrolite	Na₂Al₂Si₃O₁₀ · 2H₂O

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping Hide

9.FA.	Hexacelsian	BaAl₂Si₂O₈	Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P6₃/mcm
9.FA.	Wodegongjieite	KCa₃(Al₇Si₉)O₃₂	Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P6/mcc
9.FA.05	Kaliophilite	KAlSiO₄	Trig. 3 : P3
9.FA.05	Kalsilite	KAlSiO₄	Hex. 6 2 2 : P6₃ 2 2
9.FA.05	Nepheline	Na₃K(Al₄Si₄O₁₆)	Hex. 6 : P6₃
9.FA.05	Panunzite	(K,Na)AlSiO₄	Hex. 6 : P6₃
9.FA.05	Trikalsilite	K₂NaAl₃(SiO₄)₃	Hex. 6 : P6₃
9.FA.05	Yoshiokaite	(Ca,Na)[Al(Al,Si)O₄]	Trig. 3 : P3
9.FA.05	Carnegieite	NaAlSiO₄	Tric.
9.FA.05 va	Germanate-nepheline	(Na,K)AlGeO₄
9.FA.05	Megakalsilite	KAlSiO₄	Hex. 6 : P6₃
9.FA.05	Davidsmithite	(Ca,◻)₂Na₆Al₈Si₈O₃₂	Hex. 6 : P6₃
9.FA.10	Malinkoite	NaBSiO₄	Hex. 6 : P6₃
9.FA.15	Virgilite	LiAlSi₂O₆	Hex. 6 2 2 : P6₂ 2 2
9.FA.25	Lisitsynite	KBSi₂O₆	Orth. 2 2 2 : P2 2 2
9.FA.30	Buddingtonite	(NH₄)(AlSi₃O₈)	Mon. 2 : P2₁
9.FA.30	Celsian	Ba(Al₂Si₂O₈)	Mon. 2/m
9.FA.30	Microcline	K(AlSi₃O₈)	Tric. 1
9.FA.30	Orthoclase	K(AlSi₃O₈)	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.FA.30	Sanidine	K(AlSi₃O₈)	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.FA.30	Rubicline	Rb(AlSi₃O₈)	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.FA.30 va	Germanate-celsian	BaAl₂Ge₂O₈
9.FA.30	Monalbite	NaAlSi₃O₈	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.FA.30	Ferrisanidine	K[Fe³⁺Si₃O₈]	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.FA.35	Albite	Na(AlSi₃O₈)	Tric. 1
9.FA.35	Anorthite	Ca(Al₂Si₂O₈)	Tric. 1 : P1
9.FA.35	Reedmergnerite	NaBSi₃O₈	Tric. 1 : P1
9.FA.40	Paracelsian	Ba(Al₂Si₂O₈)	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b
9.FA.45	Svyatoslavite	Ca(Al₂Si₂O₈)	Mon. 2 : P2₁
9.FA.45	Kumdykolite	Na(AlSi₃O₈)	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnnm
9.FA.50	Slawsonite	Sr(Al₂Si₂O₈)	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b
9.FA.55	Lisetite	CaNa₂Al₄Si₄O₁₆	Orth. mm2
9.FA.60	Banalsite	Na₂BaAl₄Si₄O₁₆	Orth. mm2 : Iba2
9.FA.60	Stronalsite	Na₂SrAl₄Si₄O₁₆	Orth.
9.FA.65	Danburite	CaB₂Si₂O₈	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
9.FA.65	Maleevite	BaB₂Si₂O₈	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma
9.FA.65	Pekovite	SrB₂Si₂O₈	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma
9.FA.70	Stöfflerite	CaAl₂Si₂O₈	Tet. 4/m : I4/m
9.FA.70	Lingunite	(Na,Ca)AlSi₃O₈	Tet. 4/m : I4/m
9.FA.70	Liebermannite	KAlSi₃O₈	Tet. 4/m : I4/m
9.FA.75	Kokchetavite	K(AlSi₃O₈)	Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P6/mcc
9.FA.75	Pfaffenbergite	KNa₃(Al₄Si₁₂)O₃₂	Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P6/mcc

Fluorescence of TrinephelineHide

In UV light:

Not fluorescent in UV

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 TrinephelineHide

mindat.org URL:

https://www.mindat.org/min-43338.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

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Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project

References and PDF downloads at RRUFF project

American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database

Handbook of Mineralogy page PDF

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References for TrinephelineHide

Reference List:

Williams, P. A., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2012) New minerals and nomenclature modifications approved in 2012. CNMNC Newsletter No 14. Mineralogical Magazine, 76 (5) 1281-1288 doi:10.1180/minmag.2012.076.5.15

Qin, Fei, Wu, Ye, Xue, Shengchao, Zhang, Dongzhou, Wu, Xiang, Jacobsen, Steven D (2023) Crystal structure of calcium-ferrite type NaAlSiO4 up to 45 GPa. American Mineralogist, 108 (12) 2331-2337

(2023) Trinepheline. Handbook of Mineralogy. Mineralogical Society of America

Localities for TrinephelineHide

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.

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.

Myanmar (TL)

Kachin State

Mohnyin District

Hpakant Township (Hpakan; Phakant; Phakan)

Hpakant-Tawmaw Jade Tract

ⓘ Tawmaw (Tawhmaw; Taw Maw) (TL)

Williams et al. (2012) +2 other references

Trinepheline