Nesquehonite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
This page kindly sponsored by IHO: Tom Tucker by the NY Mineralogical Club
About Nesquehonite
Miners at the Tunnel #1, Nesquehoning Coal Mine
Nesquehoning Coal Mine, Nesquehoning, Carbon County, Pennsylvania, USA
Nesquehoning Coal Mine, Nesquehoning, Carbon County, Pennsylvania, USA
Formula:
MgCO3 · 3H2O
Colour:
Colourless to white; colourless in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Vitreous, Greasy
Hardness:
2½
Specific Gravity:
1.824 - 1.854
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
For the type locality at Nesquehoning, Carbon County, Pennsylvania, USA.
May exist as a dehydration product of lansfordite. Compare UM1997-28-CO:CaHMg (a possible polytype).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2885
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2885:7
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
a23ebea6-3111-43c5-821b-b2fc2cf4c421
IMA Classification of Nesquehonite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Mg(CO3) · 3H2O
Classification of Nesquehonite
5.CA.05
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
C : Carbonates without additional anions, with H2O
A : With medium-sized cations
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
C : Carbonates without additional anions, with H2O
A : With medium-sized cations
13.1.5.1
13 : ACID CARBONATES
1 : Miscellaneous
13 : ACID CARBONATES
1 : Miscellaneous
11.3.3
11 : Carbonates
3 : Carbonates of Mg
11 : Carbonates
3 : Carbonates of Mg
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nes | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Nes | 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 Nesquehonite
Vitreous, Greasy
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Colourless to white; colourless in transmitted light.
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {101}; On {010} good.
On {101}; On {010} good.
Fracture:
Splintery, Fibrous
Density:
1.824 - 1.854 g/cm3 (Measured) 1.856 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Nesquehonite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.412 nβ = 1.501 nγ = 1.526
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.114
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
Dispersion:
relatively strong
Chemistry of Nesquehonite
Mindat Formula:
MgCO3 · 3H2O
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Nesquehonite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.705 Å, b = 5.367 Å, c = 12.121 Å
β = 90.451°
β = 90.451°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.436 : 1 : 2.258
Unit Cell V:
501.22 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Crystals prismatic, elongated along [010], {001}, {010}, {011}, {101}. {110} deeply striated parallel to [010]. Forms radial sprays and coatings, also botryoidal.
Twinning:
Twinned on {001} (artificial material).
Crystal Structure
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Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0009432 | Nesquehonite | Stephan G W, MacGillavry C H (1972) The crystal structure of nesquehonite, MgCO3*3H2O Acta Crystallographica B28 1031-1033 |  | 1972 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0014644 | Nesquehonite | Giester G, Lengauer C L, Rieck B (2000) The crystal structure of nesquehonite, MgCO3*3H2O, from Lavrion, Greece Mineralogy and Petrology 70 153-163 | 2000 | Sounion, Lavrion mining district, Greece | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 6.48 Å | (100) |
| 3.85 Å | (75) |
| 2.617 Å | (55) |
| 3.03 Å | (30) |
| 3.23 Å | (20) |
| 2.337 Å | (20) |
| 1.925 Å | (16) |
Comments:
Synthetic. ICDD 20-669.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 3b: Earth’s earliest hydrosphere | >4.45 |
| 13 : Hadean serpentinization | |
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 21 : Chemically precipitated carbonate, phosphate, iron formations | |
| 25 : Evaporites (prebiotic) | |
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 49 : Oxic cellular biomineralization (see also #44) | <0.54 |
| 50 : Coal and/or oil shale minerals | <0.36 |
| 53 : Other minerals with taphonomic origins | <0.4 |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 54 : Coal and other mine fire minerals (see also #51 and #56) | |
| 55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals |
Geological Setting:
Near-surface conditions. As coal mine efflorescences, cave deposits, around springs, in serpentinite fractures.
Type Occurrence of Nesquehonite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Bases of stalactites and incrustations, the remainder of which consisted of lansfordite.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Anthracite coal deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Nesquehonite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 15 photos of Nesquehonite associated with Dypingite | Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2 · 5H2O |
| 11 photos of Nesquehonite associated with Inderite | MgB3O3(OH)5 · 5H2O |
| 5 photos of Nesquehonite associated with Lansfordite | MgCO3 · 5H2O |
| 5 photos of Nesquehonite associated with Goethite | α-Fe3+O(OH) |
| 4 photos of Nesquehonite associated with Canavesite | Mg2(HBO3)(CO3) · 5H2O |
| 3 photos of Nesquehonite associated with Lizardite | Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| 2 photos of Nesquehonite associated with Aragonite | CaCO3 |
| 2 photos of Nesquehonite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 1 photo of Nesquehonite associated with Hydrotalcite | Mg6Al2(CO3)(OH)16 · 4H2O |
| 1 photo of Nesquehonite associated with Hydrozincite | Zn5(CO3)2(OH)6 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.CA.10 | Lansfordite | MgCO3 · 5H2O |
| 5.CA.15 | Barringtonite | MgCO3 · 2H2O |
| 5.CA.20 | Hellyerite | NiCO3 · 5.5H2O |
Fluorescence of Nesquehonite
Green (SW UV).
Other Information
Notes:
Very slightly soluble in water; more so in the presence of CO2. Readily soluble in dilute acids with effervescence.
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 Nesquehonite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2885.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 Nesquehonite
Reference List:
forum.amiminerals.it (n.d.) http://forum.amiminerals.it/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=18832&sid=e8aae49190826b910b22d665e6ff58fa
Friedel, Charles (1891) Sur la nesquehonite. Bulletin de la Société Française de Minéralogie, 14 (2) 60-63 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1891.2206
Localities for Nesquehonite
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 | |
| Vennum (1986) |
Atlantic Ocean | |
| Gablina et al. (2018) |
Australia | |
| McQueen et al. (1988) |
| McQueen +3 other references |
| Mineralogical Magazine 1965 34 : 370-372 |
| R Bottrill |
| R Bottrill & R Woolley |
Austria | |
| Strasser (1989) |
| Strasser (1989) |
| Meixner (1950) |
| J.Taucher (2001) | |
| Meixner (1950) |
| Lapis 19 (7/8) +1 other reference |
| |
Canada | |
| Robinson et al. (1992) |
| Wilson (2006) | |
| 150-152. +2 other references | |
China | |
| Sun Da-peng et al. (2002) |
| Xiyu Zheng and Shengsong Yu (1981) +1 other reference |
Czech Republic | |
| Lapis 2002 (7/8) |
| Sejkora et al. (2019) |
France | |
| |
| R. Pierrot |
| R. Pierrot |
| C. Vialaron : La mine d'antimoine de Daü et al. (1999) |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Monnin et al. (2014) |
| |
Germany | |
| Fischbeck et al. (1971) |
| Henrich (2008) |
| Blaß et al. (1995) |
| 58. +1 other reference |
| Möhn et al. (07/2020) |
| T. Witzke & F. Rüger: Lapis 1998 (7/8) |
Greece | |
| Giester +4 other references |
Hungary | |
| |
| Szakáll & Gatter: Hun. Min.Spec. |
Italy | |
| Fenoglio (1935) +2 other references |
| Palache et al. (1951) | |
| Collezione Fabio Marina |
| Giuseppe Pipino - L'antica miniera di ... |
| Antofilli |
| Antofilli |
| Bedognè et al. (2006) |
| Artini (1921) +1 other reference |
| Piccoli (2002) +1 other reference |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Campostrini (2001) |
| Piccoli et al. (2007) |
| Piccoli et al. (2007) |
| Meixner (1950) |
| |
Japan | |
| Suzuki & Ito (1974) +1 other reference |
Norway | |
| Lu et al. (2023) |
| Taagvold (2015) |
| Knut Edvard Larsen collection MM # 4889 (ex Kjell Myre collection, not analyzed specimen) |
| Witsø (1994) +2 other references |
| Moore et al. (1980) |
| Lu et al. (2023) | |
| Lu et al. (2023) | |
| Lu et al. (2023) | |
| Raade (1993) |
Poland | |
| Ciesielczukk |
Russia | |
| Cesnokov et al. (1998) |
| Mazurov et al. (2007) +1 other reference |
| www.handbookofmineralogy.org (2012) |
| Ugapeva et al. (2023) |
Slovakia | |
| Koděra (1986) |
| Koděra (1986) | |
| Koděra (1986) |
| Števko M. (2019) |
Slovenia | |
| Palache et al. (1951) | |
South Africa | |
| Martini (1978) +1 other reference |
Spain | |
| Sanz-Montero et al. (2019) |
Switzerland | |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
| Parker et al. (1939) +3 other references |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
Turkey | |
| Vergouwen (1981) |
| Vergouwen (1981) | |
Ukraine | |
| Nesterovskiy et al. (2015) | |
| Deyak M.A. Modern water-chemogenic ... |
USA | |
| Grant et al. (2005) |
| - (n.d.) +1 other reference | |
| western United States. Geochimica et ... +3 other references |
| Adams et al. (2014) |
| western United States. Geochimica et ... +2 other references |
| Murdoch (1966) |
| Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 203. +2 other references |
| western United States. Geochimica et ... +3 other references |
| western United States. Geochimica et ... +3 other references |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| S. Gordon pg. 68 +3 other references |
| Dietrich (1990) |
| Dietrich (1990) |
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Monte dei Tre Abati, Coli, Piacenza Province, Emilia-Romagna, Italy