Cesanite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Cesanite
Formula:
Na3Ca2(SO4)3(OH)
Colour:
Colorless, white
Lustre:
Greasy, Silky
Hardness:
2 - 3
Specific Gravity:
2.786
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Member of:
Name:
After the type locality, the Cesano No. 1 well, Cesano geothermal field, Bracciano Lake, Rome Province, Latium, Italy.
This page provides mineralogical data about Cesanite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
938
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:938:0
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
5a63a50b-1b35-4784-8d60-9a3a2cd2bd9d
IMA Classification of Cesanite
Classification of Cesanite
7.BD.20
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
B : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, without H2O
D : With only large cations
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
B : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, without H2O
D : With only large cations
30.3.3.1
30 : ANHYDROUS SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
3 : (AB)5(XO4)3Zq
30 : ANHYDROUS SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
3 : (AB)5(XO4)3Zq
25.4.5
25 : Sulphates
4 : Sulphates of Ca, Sr and Ba
25 : Sulphates
4 : Sulphates of Ca, Sr and Ba
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Csa | 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 Cesanite
Greasy, Silky
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Comment:
Single crystals appear greasy, aggregates appear silky.
Colour:
Colorless, white
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2 - 3 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Very Good
Pronounced, normal to the elongation.
Pronounced, normal to the elongation.
Density:
2.786(2) g/cm3 (Measured) 2.83 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Cesanite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.570(2) nε = 1.564(2)
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.006
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
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Comments:
Negative elongation.
Chemistry of Cesanite
Mindat Formula:
Na3Ca2(SO4)3(OH)
Crystallography of Cesanite
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Class (H-M):
6 - Trigonal Dipyramidal
Space Group:
P6
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.4630(8) Å, c = 6.9088(5) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.73
Unit Cell V:
535.79 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1
Morphology:
Short prismatic, hexagonal shaped, with a length to diameter ratio between 2:1 and 4:1. Striations on the prism faces.
Forms include the prism {1010}, pyramid {1011}, pinacoid {0001}, and another pyramid {101l}.
Forms include the prism {1010}, pyramid {1011}, pinacoid {0001}, and another pyramid {101l}.
Twinning:
Occassional twins accoridng to {1010}.
Comment:
P-6 according to Piotrowski et al. (2002). Originally assumed to be P63/m.
Crystal Structure
Load
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0002812 | Cesanite | Piotrowski A, Kahlenberg V, Fischer R X, Lee Y, Parise J B (2002) The crystal structures of cesanite and its synthetic analogue - A comparison American Mineralogist 87 715-720 |  | 2002 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0002813 | Cesanite | Piotrowski A, Kahlenberg V, Fischer R X, Lee Y, Parise J B (2002) The crystal structures of cesanite and its synthetic analogue - A comparison American Mineralogist 87 715-720 | | 2002 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0014476 | Cesanite | Tazzoli V (1983) The crystal structure of cesanite, Ca1+xNa4-x(SO4)3(OH)x*(1-x)H2O, a sulphate isotypic of apatite Mineralogical Magazine 47 59-63 | | 1983 | core samples of the Cesano I geothermal well, Cesano area, Latium, Italy | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 2.727 Å | (100) |
| 3.448 Å | (87) |
| 1.844 Å | (71) |
| 3.896 Å | (66) |
| 2.822 Å | (60) |
| 2.636 Å | (49) |
| 2.269 Å | (47) |
Comments:
Cesano, Italy. Data from the type description.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 46 : Near-surface hydrothermal alteration of minerals (see also #22) |
Type Occurrence of Cesanite
General Appearance of Type Material:
A solid vein, 1 cm thick. Also as a cavity-filling in an explosive breccia. The vein has a sugary texture and grain size ranging from 0.2 to 1.5 mm. Individual crystals, mostly subhedral and loosely packed, can be easily removed.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Type material is deposited in the Museum of Mineralogy of the University of Rome (specimen no. 24316/1). Material from the same vein has been also presented to the Naturhistorisches Museum Wien (Austria) and to the City Museum of Natural History, Milan (Italy).
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Core sample from a geothermal well in volcanic and pyroclastic rocks.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Cesanite
Other Language Names for Cesanite
Relationship of Cesanite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
| Aiolosite | Na4Bi(SO4)3Cl | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Caracolite | Na3Pb2(SO4)3Cl | Mon. 2/m : P21/m |
| Fluorphosphohedyphane | Ca2Pb3(PO4)3F | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Fluorsigaiite | Ca2Sr3(PO4)3F | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Hedyphane | Ca2Pb3(AsO4)3Cl | Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P63/mmc |
| Hydroxylhedyphane | Ca2Pb3(AsO4)3(OH) | Trig. 3 : P3 |
| Miyahisaite | (Sr,Ca)2Ba3(PO4)3F | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Morelandite | Ca2Ba3(AsO4)3Cl | Hex. |
| Parafiniukite | Ca2Mn3(PO4)3Cl | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Phosphohedyphane | Ca2Pb3(PO4)3Cl | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| UM2002-53-PO:CaHPb | Ca2Pb3(PO4)3(OH,Cl,F) |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.BD. | Adanite | Pb2(Te4+O3)(SO4) |
| 7.BD. | Hasanovite | KNa(MoO2)(SO4)2 |
| 7.BD. | Evanichite | Pb6Cr3+(Cr6+O4)2(SO4)(OH)7FCl |
| 7.BD. | Kennygayite | [Pb4O2(OH)2](SO4) |
| 7.BD.05 | Sulphohalite | Na6(SO4)2FCl |
| 7.BD.10 | Galeite | Na15(SO4)5F4Cl |
| 7.BD.10 | Schairerite | Na21(SO4)7ClF6 |
| 7.BD.15 | Kogarkoite | Na3(SO4)F |
| 7.BD.20 | Caracolite | Na3Pb2(SO4)3Cl |
| 7.BD.20 | Aiolosite | Na4Bi(SO4)3Cl |
| 7.BD.25 | Burkeite | Na6(CO3)(SO4)2 |
| 7.BD.30 | Hanksite | Na22K(SO4)9(CO3)2Cl |
| 7.BD.35 | Cannonite | Bi2(SO4)O(OH)2 |
| 7.BD.40 | Lanarkite | Pb2(SO4)O |
| 7.BD.45 | Grandreefite | Pb2(SO4)F2 |
| 7.BD.50 | Itoite | Pb3Ge4+(SO4)2O2(OH)2 |
| 7.BD.55 | Chiluite | Bi3Te6+Mo6+O10.5 |
| 7.BD.60 | Hectorfloresite | Na9(SO4)4(IO3) |
| 7.BD.65 | Pseudograndreefite | Pb6(SO4)F10 |
| 7.BD.70 | Sundiusite | Pb10(SO4)O8Cl2 |
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:
The DTA curve exhibits three major endothermal peaks at 425°, 605° and 740 DC, plus a shoulder at about 760-770°C.
Notes:
Low solubility in water (etch-pits develop after prolonged contact with distilled water). Grains develop rounded edges in HCl and H2SO4 (both cold and hot). Hot HNO3 produces corroded edges, and a superficial film of white powdery material. Cesanite crystals are entirely dissolved in aqua regia after a short time.
Readily decomposes under an electron beam, even when stronger defocused.
Readily decomposes under an electron beam, even when stronger defocused.
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 Cesanite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-938.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Cesanite
Reference List:
Localities for Cesanite
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.
Bahamas | |
| Onac B.P. et al. (2001) +1 other reference |
| Onac et al. (2001) | |
Chile | |
| Brugger et al. (2012) |
Iran | |
| Amin et al. (2022) |
Italy (TL) | |
| Cavarretta et al. (1981) +3 other references |
Romania | |
| Onac et al. (2003) |
Russia | |
| kimberlites of Udachnaya-East pipe (Siberia) +2 other references |
USA | |
| Livingston et al. (2005, December) |
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Cesano 1 well, Cesano geothermal field, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Lazio, Italy