Coesite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Coesite
Formula:
SiO2
Colour:
Colourless, very pale pink, very pale yellowish-white
Lustre:
Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous, Waxy
Hardness:
7½ - 8
Specific Gravity:
2.92 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named in honor of Loring Coes Jr. (5 January 1915, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA - 4 December 1978, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA), chemist who first synthesized it. The name was first proposed by Sosman in 1954 for the synthetic material. The name was carried over when natural material was found.
Polymorph of:
A high-pressure modification of SiO2.
In the impact rocks, it may result from subsolidus quartz-to-coesite transformation.
An interesting coesite-like phase bearing 8.5 wt.% H2O and some Al and B is described by Thomas et al. (2022).
In the impact rocks, it may result from subsolidus quartz-to-coesite transformation.
An interesting coesite-like phase bearing 8.5 wt.% H2O and some Al and B is described by Thomas et al. (2022).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1104
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1104:0
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
6e8e18ec-6947-42a7-822e-6b47f143e62b
IMA Classification of Coesite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1960
Classification of Coesite
4.DA.35
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
D : Metal: Oxygen = 1:2 and similar
A : With small cations: Silica family
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
D : Metal: Oxygen = 1:2 and similar
A : With small cations: Silica family
75.1.4.1
75 : TECTOSILICATES Si Tetrahedral Frameworks
1 : Si Tetrahedral Frameworks - SiO2 with [4] coordinated Si
75 : TECTOSILICATES Si Tetrahedral Frameworks
1 : Si Tetrahedral Frameworks - SiO2 with [4] coordinated Si
7.8.2
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
8 : Oxides of Si
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
8 : Oxides of Si
Mineral Symbols
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.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Coe | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Coe | Siivolam & Schmid (2007) | Siivolam, J. and Schmid, R. (2007) Recommendations by the IUGS Subcommission on the Systematics of Metamorphic Rocks: List of mineral abbreviations. Web-version 01.02.07. IUGS Commission on the Systematics in Petrology. download |
| Coe | Whitney & Evans (2010) | Whitney, D.L. and Evans, B.W. (2010) Abbreviations for names of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 95, 185–187 doi:10.2138/am.2010.3371 |
| Coe | 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 Coesite
Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous, Waxy
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Colourless, very pale pink, very pale yellowish-white
Streak:
White
Hardness:
7½ - 8 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Poor/Indistinct
Suspected on {010}{012}
Suspected on {010}{012}
Fracture:
Sub-Conchoidal
Density:
2.92 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Coesite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.593 - 1.599 nγ = 1.597 - 1.604
2V:
Measured: 54° to 64°
Birefringence:
0.004
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.004 - 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:
Moderate
Dispersion:
r < v weak
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Comments:
On synthetic material
Chemistry of Coesite
Mindat Formula:
SiO2
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Al,Fe,Na
Crystallography of Coesite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/b
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.143(2) Å, b = 12.383(3) Å, c = 7.143(2) Å
β = 120°
β = 120°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.577 : 1 : 0.577
Unit Cell V:
547.16 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
16
Morphology:
Irregular to rectangular grains.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0000816 | Coesite | Levien L, Prewitt C T (1981) High-pressure crystal structure and compressibility of coesite American Mineralogist 66 324-333 |  | 1981 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0000817 | Coesite | Levien L, Prewitt C T (1981) High-pressure crystal structure and compressibility of coesite American Mineralogist 66 324-333 | | 1981 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0000818 | Coesite | Levien L, Prewitt C T (1981) High-pressure crystal structure and compressibility of coesite American Mineralogist 66 324-333 | | 1981 | 2.18 | 293 | |
| 0000819 | Coesite | Levien L, Prewitt C T (1981) High-pressure crystal structure and compressibility of coesite American Mineralogist 66 324-333 | | 1981 | 3.15 | 293 | |
| 0000820 | Coesite | Levien L, Prewitt C T (1981) High-pressure crystal structure and compressibility of coesite American Mineralogist 66 324-333 | | 1981 | 3.87 | 293 | |
| 0000821 | Coesite | Levien L, Prewitt C T (1981) High-pressure crystal structure and compressibility of coesite American Mineralogist 66 324-333 | | 1981 | 4.6 | 293 | |
| 0000822 | Coesite | Levien L, Prewitt C T (1981) High-pressure crystal structure and compressibility of coesite American Mineralogist 66 324-333 | | 1981 | 5.19 | 293 | |
| 0004264 | Coesite | Ikuta D, Kawame N, Banno S, Hirajima T, Ito K, Rakovan J F, Downs R T, Tamada O (2007) First in situ X-ray diffraction identification of coesite and retrograde quartz on a glass thin section of an ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic rock and their crystal structure details American Mineralogist 92 57-63 | | 2007 | Yangkou meta-igneous complex in the middle part of the Sulu UHP terrain, eastern China | 0 | 293 |
| 0008746 | Coesite | Angel R J, Shaw C S J, Gibbs G V (2003) Compression mechanisms of coesite Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 30 167-176 | 2003 | 0.0001 | 293 | ||
| 0008747 | Coesite | Angel R J, Shaw C S J, Gibbs G V (2003) Compression mechanisms of coesite Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 30 167-176 | 2003 | 0.0001 | 293 | ||
| 0008748 | Coesite | Angel R J, Shaw C S J, Gibbs G V (2003) Compression mechanisms of coesite Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 30 167-176 | 2003 | 2.248 | 293 | ||
| 0008749 | Coesite | Angel R J, Shaw C S J, Gibbs G V (2003) Compression mechanisms of coesite Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 30 167-176 | 2003 | 2.84 | 293 | ||
| 0008750 | Coesite | Angel R J, Shaw C S J, Gibbs G V (2003) Compression mechanisms of coesite Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 30 167-176 | 2003 | 3.763 | 293 | ||
| 0008751 | Coesite | Angel R J, Shaw C S J, Gibbs G V (2003) Compression mechanisms of coesite Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 30 167-176 | 2003 | 4.45 | 293 | ||
| 0008752 | Coesite | Angel R J, Shaw C S J, Gibbs G V (2003) Compression mechanisms of coesite Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 30 167-176 | 2003 | 5.01 | 293 | ||
| 0008753 | Coesite | Angel R J, Shaw C S J, Gibbs G V (2003) Compression mechanisms of coesite Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 30 167-176 | 2003 | 6.16 | 293 | ||
| 0008754 | Coesite | Angel R J, Shaw C S J, Gibbs G V (2003) Compression mechanisms of coesite Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 30 167-176 | 2003 | 6.509 | 293 | ||
| 0008755 | Coesite | Angel R J, Shaw C S J, Gibbs G V (2003) Compression mechanisms of coesite Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 30 167-176 | 2003 | 7.814 | 293 | ||
| 0008756 | Coesite | Angel R J, Shaw C S J, Gibbs G V (2003) Compression mechanisms of coesite Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 30 167-176 | 2003 | 8.68 | 293 | ||
| 0010692 | Coesite | Araki T, Zoltai T (1969) Refinement of a coesite structure Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 129 381-387 | | 1969 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0010809 | Coesite | Kirfe A, Will G, Arndt J (1979) A new phase of coesite SiO2 it is not really a new phase Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 149 315-326 | | 1979 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0010855 | Coesite | Sasaki S, Chen H K, Prewitt C T, Nakajima Y (1983) Re-examination of "P2_1/a coesite" Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 164 67-77 | | 1983 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 6.2 Å | (8) |
| 4.38 Å | (4) |
| 3.43 Å | (30) |
| 3.09 Å | (100) |
| 2.76 Å | (8) |
| 2.69 Å | (10) |
| 2.33 Å | (4) |
| 2.29 Å | (8) |
| 2.18 Å | (4) |
| 2.03 Å | (6) |
| 1.84 Å | (4) |
| 1.79 Å | (8) |
| 1.71 Å | (12) |
| 1.70 Å | (10) |
| 1.66 Å | (2) |
| 1.58 Å | (6) |
| 1.545 Å | (10) |
| 1.501 Å | (4) |
| 1.418 Å | (2) |
| 1.409 Å | (4) |
| 1.345 Å | (12) |
| 1.321 Å | (2) |
| 1.285 Å | (6) |
| 1.236 Å | (4) |
| 1.171 Å | (6) |
Comments:
ICDD 14-654 (synthetic)
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 |
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 30 : Terrestrial impact minerals | |
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 36 : Carbonatites, kimberlites, and related igneous rocks | |
| Stage 5: Initiation of plate tectonics | <3.5-2.5 |
| 38 : Ophiolites | |
| 39 : High-𝑃 metamorphism (blueschist, eclogite, ultrahigh 𝑃 facies) |
Geological Setting:
Formed at pressures > 20 kbar. Impact craters, kimberlites, eclogites.
Type Occurrence of Coesite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Irregular grains from 5-50 microns in size.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
n.d.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
In sandstone associated with a meteor impact crater (under and nearby).
Reference:
Chao, E.C.T., Shoemaker, E.M., Madsen, M.M. (1960) First natural occurrence of coesite. Science: 132: 220-222.
Synonyms of Coesite
Silica (in part)
Other Language Names for Coesite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 4 photos of Coesite associated with Stishovite | SiO2 |
| 4 photos of Coesite associated with Pyrope | Mg3Al2(SiO4)3 |
| 3 photos of Coesite associated with Magadiite | Na2Si14O29 · 11H2O |
| 3 photos of Coesite associated with Kenyaite | Na2Si22O41(OH)8 · 6H2O |
| 2 photos of Coesite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 2 photos of Coesite associated with Garnet Group | X3Z2(SiO4)3 |
| 1 photo of Coesite associated with Jadeite | Na(Al,Fe3+)Si2O6 |
| 1 photo of Coesite associated with Omphacite | (NaaCabFe2+cMgd)(AleFe3+fFe2+gMgh)Si2O6 |
| 1 photo of Coesite associated with Kyanite | Al2(SiO4)O |
| 1 photo of Coesite associated with Zoisite | (CaCa)(AlAlAl)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH) |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.DA. | Chibaite | SiO2 · n(CH4, C2H6, C3H8, i-C4H10) (n = 3/17 (max)) |
| 4.DA. | Carbon Dioxide Ice | CO2 |
| 4.DA. | Bosoite | SiO2 · nCxH2x+2 |
| 4.DA.05 | Quartz | SiO2 |
| 4.DA.10 | Opal | SiO2 · nH2O |
| 4.DA.10 | Tridymite | SiO2 |
| 4.DA.15 | Cristobalite | SiO2 |
| 4.DA.20 | Mogánite | SiO2 |
| 4.DA.25 | Melanophlogite | 46SiO2 · 6(N2,CO2) · 2(CH4,N2) |
| 4.DA.30 | Lechatelierite | SiO2 |
| 4.DA.40 | Stishovite | SiO2 |
| 4.DA.45 | Keatite | SiO2 |
| 4.DA.50 | Seifertite | SiO2 |
| 4.DA.55 | Quartz-beta | SiO2 |
Fluorescence of Coesite
Not fluorescent in UV
Other Information
Magnetism:
Non-Magnetic
Notes:
Nearly insoluble in 5% HF at room temperature. Rapidly dissolved by fused NH4HF2.
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 Coesite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1104.html
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References for Coesite
Reference List:
Bohlen, Steven R., Boettcher, A. L. (1982) The quartz ⇆ coesite transformation: A precise determination and the effects of other components. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 87. 7073-7078 doi:10.1029/jb087ib08p07073
forum.amiminerals.it (n.d.) http://forum.amiminerals.it/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=17204&sid=caa89199acc501d3dcefb03b0478b3d8
Localities for Coesite
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.
Antarctica | |
| Ohtani et al. (2011) |
Atlantic Ocean | |
| B.P. Glass (2002) |
| B.P. Glass (2002) | |
Australia | |
| Kubel |
Brazil | |
| Ragozin +4 other references |
| Kaminsky et al. (2015) |
| Bulanova et al. (2010) |
| Thomson et al. (2014) | |
| Chris D. Parkinson et al. |
| Chris D. Parkinson et al. | |
Bulgaria | |
| Petrík et al. (2016) |
| Rappenglück (2022) |
Canada | |
| Donnelly (2007) |
| Newman (2020) |
China | |
| Jixi Xiang et al. (2008) |
| American Mineralogist et al. (UHP) | |
| Yonghong Shi and Qingchen Wang (2004) |
| PbO2-type nanophase of TiO2 from ... +1 other reference | |
| Yilin Xiao et al. (2000) |
| ... | |
| A.I. Okay et al. |
| |
| Aral (1993) | |
| Nenggao Hu et al. (1995) |
| Ruyuan Zhang and Liou (1994) |
| Yuanbao Wu et al. (2008) |
| Chen et al. (2000) +2 other references |
| Yilin Xiao et al. (2006) |
| Zhang et al. (2002) +2 other references | |
| Yin +3 other references |
| Zhao |
| Mattinson et al. (2006) |
| Wuyi Wang (1998) |
| Hongrui Fan et al. (2005) |
| dunite.mr.nsysu.edu.tw (n.d.) |
| American Mineralogist et al. (UHP) | |
| Yuan et al. (2022) |
| Science |
| Robinson et al. (2006) |
| Dobrzhinetskaya et al. (2014) |
| Zhang Anda et al. (2004) |
Czech Republic | |
| Maria Perraki & Shah Wali Faryad (2014) |
| Kotková et al. (2011) |
Egypt | |
| Gian Paolo Sighinolfi et al. (2014) |
Eswatini | |
| Daniels (1991) |
Europe | |
| Ghignone et al. (2023) |
Finland | |
| Lehtinen |
Germany | |
| Stähle et al. (2008) |
| geosciences.smsu.edu (n.d.) |
| geosciences.smsu.edu (2004) |
| Stähle et al. (2008) | |
| Massonne (2001) |
| Thomas et al. (2022) |
Ghana | |
| Boamah et al. (2006) |
Italy | |
| Piccoli et al. (2007) +1 other reference |
| Piccoli et al. (2007) |
| Mandarino (1996) | |
| T. Hirajima and R. Compagnoni : ... | |
| Daniele Castelli |
| Ghignone et al. (2023) |
| Manzotti et al. (2022) |
Japan | |
| Tadao Nishiyama et al. (2018) |
Kazakhstan | |
| 9th International Eclogite Conference ... +2 other references |
| Ogasawara et al. (2002) +1 other reference | |
| Nitsenko et al. (2004) |
| Florenskii et al. (1980) |
Lithuania | |
| Miyahara et al. (2021) |
Morocco | |
| Pang et al. (2016) +1 other reference | |
Nigeria | |
| Weisberg +5 other references |
Northwest Africa Meteorites | |
| Shohei Kaneko et al. (2011) +1 other reference | |
| www.lpi.usra.edu (2015) +5 other references | |
Norway | |
| Root et al. ( 2005) |
| Carswell et al. (2003) |
| Root et al. (2005) | |
| Schönig et al. (2018) | |
| Carswell et al. (2003) |
| Smith et al. (1989) |
| Carswell et al. (2003) |
| Smith (1984) | |
| www.geologyglasgow.org.uk (2016) |
| Carswell et al. (2003) | |
| Carswell et al. (2003) | |
Papua New Guinea | |
| Baldwin et al. (2021) |
Russia | |
| Gurov et al. (2004) +1 other reference |
| Scientific Report 5:9111 |
| Lyutoev et al. (2021) |
| Zamiatina et al. (2023) |
| Gubanov +9 other references |
| Nimis et al. (2009) | |
| Argunov (1990) |
| Yang et al. (2015) |
Saudi Arabia | |
| Gnos et al. (2013) |
Slovakia | |
| Koděra (1986) |
South Africa | |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) | |
| Smyth (1977) |
| Meyer (2021) |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) |
| Westerlund et al. (2004) |
Spain | |
| Ruiz-Cruz et al. (2012) | |
Sweden | |
| Klonowska et al. (2017) |
Ukraine | |
| Rappenglück (2022) | |
USA (TL) | |
| Chao et al. (1960) +1 other reference |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Science. 1961 Nov 17 +1 other reference |
| |
Venezuela | |
| Canadian Mineralogist 38:1347-1370 |
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Case Parigi, Martiniana Po, Cuneo Province, Piedmont, Italy