Flamite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Flamite
Formula:
Ca8-x(Na,K)x(SiO4)4-x(PO4)x
From structure analysis (Gfeller et al. 2015)
Colour:
Greyish to yellowish
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
5 - 5½
Specific Gravity:
3.264 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
The name is derived from ‘flame’ and refers to the origin of the mineral by ultrahigh-temperature combustion metamorphism triggered by fossil-fuel ignition.
A natural analogue of the P,Na,K-stabilised α-Ca2SiO4 modification which, if chemically pure, is only stable at high temperatures (1425-2150°C) and cannot be quenched. In the cement industry (clinker production) the α-Ca2SiO4 is stabilised by Ba, Sr, P (+- Na, K), Fe, Al and B, and as such can be quenched.
Flamite has an 8a superstructure of the high-temperature phase and is a derivative of this phase known often abbreviated as α-C2S. It is isostructural with synthetic Ca15□(SiO4)6(PO4)2 found in clinker. Its structure may be described as a cyclic triplet of individuals rotated by 120o around the c axis, also described as symplectite-like transformation "twinning".
Closely related to nagelschmidtite (there is a chemical similarity).
Flamite has an 8a superstructure of the high-temperature phase and is a derivative of this phase known often abbreviated as α-C2S. It is isostructural with synthetic Ca15□(SiO4)6(PO4)2 found in clinker. Its structure may be described as a cyclic triplet of individuals rotated by 120o around the c axis, also described as symplectite-like transformation "twinning".
Closely related to nagelschmidtite (there is a chemical similarity).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
46073
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:46073:0
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
aaa45033-8f89-4168-a84c-02361a891e13
IMA Classification of Flamite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Ca8-x(Na,K)x(SiO4)4-x(PO4)x
Approval year:
2013
First published:
2015
Classification of Flamite
9.AH.45
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
H : Nesosilicates with CO3, SO4, PO4, etc.
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
H : Nesosilicates with CO3, SO4, PO4, etc.
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 |
---|---|---|
Fmt | 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 Flamite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Greyish to yellowish
Streak:
white
Hardness:
5 - 5½ on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN50=706 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Parting:
None
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
3.264 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Flamite
Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 1.643(2) nε = 1.640(2)
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.003
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
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Flamite
Mindat Formula:
Ca8-x(Na,K)x(SiO4)4-x(PO4)x
From structure analysis (Gfeller et al. 2015)
From structure analysis (Gfeller et al. 2015)
Crystallography of Flamite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mm2 - Pyramidal
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.3845(6) Å, b = 21.7310(14) Å, c = 6.8346(4) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.432 : 1 : 0.315
Unit Cell V:
1393.81 ų
Z:
4
Morphology:
Flamite occurs as 100-250 μm anhedral crystals with typical lamellar textures.
Comment:
Space group is Pnm21; previously though to be hexagonal, sp. gr. P63
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
2.897 Å | (19) |
2.765 Å | (44) |
2.759 Å | (42) |
2.713 Å | (100) |
2.518 Å | (29) |
2.402 Å | (23) |
1.967 Å | (18) |
1.762 Å | (32) |
Comments:
From Type Description.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
51 : Pyrometamorphic minerals (see also #54 and #56) | <0.36 |
Type Occurrence of Flamite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Regular lamellar intergrowths with partially hydrated larnite; the particular lamellae differ in terms of Na, K, and P substitution
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Type material is deposited in the collections of the Central Siberian Geological Museum, V.S. Sobolev Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, 3 Ac. Koptyuga Avenue, Novosibirsk, 630090 Russia, catalogue number XIII-341/1
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Ca- and Al-rich paralava (pyrometamorphic rocks)
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Sokol, E.V., Seryotkin, Y.V., Kokh, S.N., Vapnik, Ye., Nigmatulina, E.N., Goryainov, S.V., Belogub, E.V., Sharygin, V.V. (2015) Flamite, (Ca,Na,K)2(Si,P)O4, a new mineral from ultrahigh-temperature combustion metamorphic rocks, Hatrurim Basin, Negev Desert, Israel. Mineralogical Magazine: 79: 583-596.
Synonyms of Flamite
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
9.AH. | Fluorbritholite-(Nd) | Ca2Nd3(SiO4)3F |
9.AH.05 | Iimoriite-(Y) | Y2[SiO4][CO3] |
9.AH.10 | Tundrite-(Ce) | Na2Ce2Ti(SiO4)(CO3)2O2 |
9.AH.10 | Tundrite-(Nd) | Na2(Nd,Ce)2Ti(SiO4)(CO3)2O2 |
9.AH.15 | Spurrite | Ca5(SiO4)2(CO3) |
9.AH.15 | Galuskinite | Ca7(SiO4)3(CO3) |
9.AH.20 | Ternesite | Ca5(SiO4)2(SO4) |
9.AH.20 | Silicocarnotite | Ca5[(SiO4)(PO4)](PO4) |
9.AH.25 | Britholite-(Ce) | (Ce,Ca)5(SiO4)3OH |
9.AH.25 | Britholite-(Y) | (Y,Ca)5(SiO4)3OH |
9.AH.25 | Chlorellestadite | Ca5(SiO4)1.5(SO4)1.5Cl |
9.AH.25 | Fluorbritholite-(Ce) | (Ce,Ca)5(SiO4)3F |
9.AH.25 | Fluorellestadite | Ca5(SiO4)1.5(SO4)1.5F |
9.AH.25 | Hydroxylellestadite | Ca5(SiO4)1.5(SO4)1.5(OH) |
9.AH.25 | Mattheddleite | Pb5(SiO4)1.5(SO4)1.5(Cl,OH) |
9.AH.25 | Tritomite-(Ce) | Ce5(SiO4,BO4)3(OH,O) |
9.AH.25 | Tritomite-(Y) | Y5(SiO4,BO4)3(O,OH,F) |
9.AH.25 | Fluorcalciobritholite | (Ca,REE)5(SiO4,PO4)3F |
9.AH.25 | Fluorbritholite-(Y) | (Y,Ca)5(SiO4)3F |
9.AH.25 | Britholite-(La) | Ca2(La,Ce,Ca)3(SiO4,PO4)3(OH,F) |
9.AH.25 | Calciobritholite | (Ca,Y)5(SiO4,PO4)3(OH) |
9.AH.35 | Nabimusaite | KCa12(SiO4)4(SO4)2O2F |
9.AH.35 | Dargaite | BaCa12(SiO4)4(SO4)2O3 |
9.AH.40 | Zadovite | BaCa6[(SiO4)(PO4)](PO4)2F |
9.AH.40 | Gazeevite | BaCa6(SiO4)2(SO4)2O |
9.AH.40 | Stracherite | BaCa6(SiO4)2[(PO4)(CO3)]2F |
9.AH.50 | Byzantievite | Ba5(Ca,REE,Y)22(Ti,Nb)18(SiO4)4[(PO4),(SiO4)]4(BO3)9O22[(OH),F]43(H2O)1.5 |
9.AH.55 | Greenwoodite | (Ba,V3+O)2V3+9(Fe3+,Fe2+)2Si2O22 |
9.AH.60 | Kihlmanite-(Ce) | Ce2TiO2(SiO4)(HCO3)2(H2O) |
9.AH.65 | Tsangpoite | Ca5(PO4)2(SiO4) |
9.AH.70 | Enalite | (Th,REE,Al) [(PO4),(SiO4),(OH)] |
Fluorescence of Flamite
Non-fluorescent under ultraviolet light
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.
Internet Links for Flamite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-46073.html
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References for Flamite
Reference List:
Williams, P. A., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2014) New minerals and nomenclature modifications approved in 2014, CNMNC Newsletter No 20. Mineralogical Magazine, 78 (3) 549-558 doi:10.1180/minmag.2014.078.3.05
Localities for Flamite
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).
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.
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Israel | |
| Galuskina et al. (2017) |
Galuskin et al. (2023) | |
Krzątała et al. (2018) | |
Krzątała et al. (2023) | |
Sharygin +7 other references | |
| Williams et al. (2014) +2 other references |
Galuskin +1 other reference | |
Galuskin et al. (2016) | |
Palestine | |
| Galuskin et al. (2018) |
Krüger +2 other references |
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Southern Hatrurim Basin, Hatrurim Basin, Tamar Regional Council, Southern District, Israel