Datolite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Datolite
Formula:
CaB(SiO4)(OH)
Colour:
White, greyish, pale green, red, yellow, pink, etc.
Lustre:
Vitreous, Resinous
Hardness:
5 - 5½
Specific Gravity:
2.96 - 3.00
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1806 by the Danish-Norwegian geologist, Jens Esmark (1762-1839) from the Greek δατεῖσθαι for "to divide", in reference to the granular texture of massive varieties. In a letter (17 January 1806) to professor Morten Thrane Brünnich, Copenhagen, Denmark Esmark first presented the mineral including an uncomplete chemical analysis. The letter was read at a meeting in the Naturhistorie-Selskabet [Natural History Society]. It was however Klaproth (1806) that first published a description of the new mineral in the Journal de Chemie. Later, Hausmann (1810) gave a more thorough description both of the physical and crystallographic data.
Type Locality:
Datolite is the second described mineral in the gadolinite supergroup.
The structure of datolite consists of sheets of four- and eight-membered rings of corner-sharing, alternating (HBO4) and (SiO4) tetrahedra, classifying it as a phyllo-borosilicate. The net formula of the anion is (HBSiO5), with (HBSiO5) as the repeating unit (Foit et al., 1973). Instead of (HBSiO5), the formula may also be written as (BSiO4OH) or (BSiO4(OH)), indicating that the proton is bonded to one of the oxygen atoms. The mineral does not contain any isolated hydroxide ions, though.
Compare also the closely related shimazakiite.
John Sinkankas's observed that datolite characteristically tends to occur in "glassy, faintly greenish, wedge-shaped crystals with odd-shaped faces seemingly placed at random" (Mineralogy for Amateurs, p. 547).
Commonly formed by low to moderate temperature hydrothermal, metamorphic or volcanic processes, especially skarns, also amygdular basalts and some low grade metamorphic rocks, eg. Anchi-Zeolite)
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Datolite.
The structure of datolite consists of sheets of four- and eight-membered rings of corner-sharing, alternating (HBO4) and (SiO4) tetrahedra, classifying it as a phyllo-borosilicate. The net formula of the anion is (HBSiO5), with (HBSiO5) as the repeating unit (Foit et al., 1973). Instead of (HBSiO5), the formula may also be written as (BSiO4OH) or (BSiO4(OH)), indicating that the proton is bonded to one of the oxygen atoms. The mineral does not contain any isolated hydroxide ions, though.
Compare also the closely related shimazakiite.
John Sinkankas's observed that datolite characteristically tends to occur in "glassy, faintly greenish, wedge-shaped crystals with odd-shaped faces seemingly placed at random" (Mineralogy for Amateurs, p. 547).
Commonly formed by low to moderate temperature hydrothermal, metamorphic or volcanic processes, especially skarns, also amygdular basalts and some low grade metamorphic rocks, eg. Anchi-Zeolite)
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Datolite.Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1340
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1340:2
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
f1e58e96-bf09-46b7-89c8-b80b5fd307d1
IMA Classification of Datolite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1806
Classification of Datolite
9.AJ.20
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
J : Nesosilicates with BO3 triangles and/or B[4], Be[4] tetrahedra, cornersharing with SiO4
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
J : Nesosilicates with BO3 triangles and/or B[4], Be[4] tetrahedra, cornersharing with SiO4
54.2.1a.1
54 : NESOSILICATES Borosilicates and Some Beryllosilicates
2 : Borosilicates and Some Beryllosilicates with B in [4] coordination
54 : NESOSILICATES Borosilicates and Some Beryllosilicates
2 : Borosilicates and Some Beryllosilicates with B in [4] coordination
17.5.10
17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
5 : Borosilicates
17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
5 : Borosilicates
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Dat | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Dat | 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 |
Pronunciation of Datolite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Datolite
Vitreous, Resinous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent, Opaque
Colour:
White, greyish, pale green, red, yellow, pink, etc.
Comment:
Commonly with a greenish tinge
Streak:
White
Hardness:
5 - 5½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Conchoidal
Density:
2.96 - 3.00 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.00 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Datolite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.626 nβ = 1.653 - 1.654 nγ = 1.670
2V:
Measured: 74° to 74°, Calculated: 72° to 74°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.044
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:
weak r > v
Optical Extinction:
Y = b; Z ∧ c = -1° to -4°.
Chemistry of Datolite
Mindat Formula:
CaB(SiO4)(OH)
Common Impurities:
Mn,Mg,Al,Fe
Crystallography of Datolite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/b
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.62 Å, b = 7.6 Å, c = 4.84 Å
β = 90.15°
β = 90.15°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.266 : 1 : 0.637
Unit Cell V:
353.86 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Short prismatic, lenticular, botryoidal, granular to compact, cryptocrystalline.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0000387 | Datolite | Foit F F, Phillips M W, Gibbs G V (1973) A refinement of the crystal structure of datolite, CaBSiO4(OH) American Mineralogist 58 909-914 |  | 1973 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0003540 | Datolite | Perchiazzi N, Gualtieri A F, Merlino S, Kampf A R (2004) The atomic structure of bakerite and its relationship to datolite American Mineralogist 89 767-776 | | 2004 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0017699 | Datolite | Rinaldi R, Gatta G D, Angel R J (2010) Crystal chemistry and low-temperature behavior of datolite: a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study American Mineralogist 95 1413-1421 | | 2010 | Valmozzola, Parma, Italy | 0 | 293 |
| 0017700 | Datolite | Rinaldi R, Gatta G D, Angel R J (2010) Crystal chemistry and low-temperature behavior of datolite: a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study American Mineralogist 95 1413-1421 | | 2010 | Boccassuolo, Modena, Italy | 0 | 293 |
| 0017701 | Datolite | Rinaldi R, Gatta G D, Angel R J (2010) Crystal chemistry and low-temperature behavior of datolite: a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study American Mineralogist 95 1413-1421 | | 2010 | Campotrera, Reggio Emilia, Italy | 0 | 293 |
| 0017702 | Datolite | Rinaldi R, Gatta G D, Angel R J (2010) Crystal chemistry and low-temperature behavior of datolite: a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study American Mineralogist 95 1413-1421 | | 2010 | Sasso Puzzino, Modena, Italy | 0 | 293 |
| 0017703 | Datolite | Rinaldi R, Gatta G D, Angel R J (2010) Crystal chemistry and low-temperature behavior of datolite: a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study American Mineralogist 95 1413-1421 | | 2010 | Cinghi, Boccassuolo-Modena, Italy | 0 | 293 |
| 0017704 | Datolite | Rinaldi R, Gatta G D, Angel R J (2010) Crystal chemistry and low-temperature behavior of datolite: a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study American Mineralogist 95 1413-1421 | | 2010 | Arendal, Norway | 0 | 293 |
| 0017705 | Datolite | Rinaldi R, Gatta G D, Angel R J (2010) Crystal chemistry and low-temperature behavior of datolite: a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study American Mineralogist 95 1413-1421 | | 2010 | Valmozzola, Parma, Italy | 0 | 280 |
| 0017706 | Datolite | Rinaldi R, Gatta G D, Angel R J (2010) Crystal chemistry and low-temperature behavior of datolite: a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study American Mineralogist 95 1413-1421 | | 2010 | Valmozzola, Parma, Italy | 0 | 250 |
| 0017707 | Datolite | Rinaldi R, Gatta G D, Angel R J (2010) Crystal chemistry and low-temperature behavior of datolite: a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study American Mineralogist 95 1413-1421 | | 2010 | Valmozzola, Parma, Italy | 0 | 220 |
| 0017708 | Datolite | Rinaldi R, Gatta G D, Angel R J (2010) Crystal chemistry and low-temperature behavior of datolite: a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study American Mineralogist 95 1413-1421 | | 2010 | Valmozzola, Parma, Italy | 0 | 190 |
| 0017709 | Datolite | Rinaldi R, Gatta G D, Angel R J (2010) Crystal chemistry and low-temperature behavior of datolite: a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study American Mineralogist 95 1413-1421 | | 2010 | Valmozzola, Parma, Italy | 0 | 160 |
| 0017710 | Datolite | Rinaldi R, Gatta G D, Angel R J (2010) Crystal chemistry and low-temperature behavior of datolite: a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study American Mineralogist 95 1413-1421 | | 2010 | Valmozzola, Parma, Italy | 0 | 130 |
| 0017711 | Datolite | Rinaldi R, Gatta G D, Angel R J (2010) Crystal chemistry and low-temperature behavior of datolite: a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study American Mineralogist 95 1413-1421 | | 2010 | Valmozzola, Parma, Italy | 0 | 100 |
| 0009947 | Datolite | Ivanov Y V, Belokoneva E L (2007) Multipole refinement and electron density analysis in natural borosilicate datolite using X-ray diffraction data Acta Crystallographica B63 49-55 |  | 2007 | datolite-hedenbergite scarn deposit, Tetyche, Sikhote-Alin mountains | 0 | 293 |
| 0015536 | Datolite | Pavlov P V, Belov N V (1959) The structures of herderite, datolite and gadolinite determined by direct methods Soviet Physics Crystallography 4 300-314 | 1959 | origin of crystal not given | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
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Radiation - Copper Kα
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.11 Å | (100) |
| 2.855 Å | (65) |
| 2.189 Å | (60) |
| 3.76 Å | (45) |
| 1.875 Å | (40) |
| 1.644 Å | (40) |
| 2.986 Å | (35) |
Comments:
St. Andreasberg, Germany, ICDD 11-70.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 23 : Subaerial aqueous alteration by non-redox-sensitive fluids (see also #47) | |
| High-𝑇 alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 31 : Thermally altered carbonate, phosphate, and iron formations | |
| Stage 5: Initiation of plate tectonics | <3.5-2.5 |
| 40 : Regional metamorphism (greenschist, amphibolite, granulite facies) |
Geological Setting:
Secondary mineral in mafic igneous rocks. Geodes in tuff, limestone skarns, serpentinites, schists, ore veins.
Type Occurrence of Datolite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Museum für Naturkunde, Humboldt-Universität-Berlin, Germany, number 2007-02502.
In the official IMA type material list, there is a question mark associated with this entry.
In the official IMA type material list, there is a question mark associated with this entry.
Synonyms of Datolite
Other Language Names for Datolite
Varieties of Datolite
| Bakerite | A microcrystalline, boron-rich variety of datolite. Occurs in various genetic environments among them diabase spilites. |
| Botryolite | A variety of datolite found in a botryoidal form. |
Relationship of Datolite to other Species
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 274 photos of Datolite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 263 photos of Datolite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 233 photos of Datolite associated with Prehnite | Ca2Al2Si3O10(OH)2 |
| 105 photos of Datolite associated with Copper | Cu |
| 91 photos of Datolite associated with Apophyllite Group | AB4[Si8O22]X · 8H2O |
| 73 photos of Datolite associated with Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
| 57 photos of Datolite associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
| 57 photos of Datolite associated with Hematite | Fe2O3 |
| 52 photos of Datolite associated with Pectolite | NaCa2Si3O8(OH) |
| 47 photos of Datolite associated with Natrolite | Na2Al2Si3O10 · 2H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.AJ. | Hingganite-(Nd) | Nd2◻Be2Si2O8(OH)2 |
| 9.AJ. | Arrheniusite-(Ce) | CaMg[(Ce7Y3)Ca5](SiO4)4(Si2B3AsO18)(BO3)F11 |
| 9.AJ.05 | Grandidierite | (Mg,Fe2+)(Al,Fe3+)3(SiO4)(BO3)O2 |
| 9.AJ.05 | Ominelite | (Fe2+,Mg)(Al,Fe3+)3(SiO4)(BO3)O2 |
| 9.AJ.10 | Dumortierite | Al(Al2O)(Al2O)2(SiO4)3(BO3) |
| 9.AJ.10 | Holtite | (Ta0.6◻0.4)Al6BSi3O18(O,OH)2.25 |
| 9.AJ.10 | Magnesiodumortierite | Mg(Al2OH)(Al2O)2(SiO4)3(BO3) |
| 9.AJ.10 | Nioboholtite | (Nb0.6◻0.4)Al6BSi3O18 |
| 9.AJ.10 | Titanoholtite | (Ti0.75◻0.25)Al6BSi3O18 |
| 9.AJ.15 | Garrelsite | Ba3NaSi2B7O16(OH)4 |
| 9.AJ.20 | Muromontite | near Be2FeY2Si3O12 |
| 9.AJ.20 | Gadolinite-(Ce) | (Ce,La,Nd,Y)2Fe2+Be2Si2O10 |
| 9.AJ.20 | Gadolinite-(Y) | Y2Fe2+Be2Si2O10 |
| 9.AJ.20 | Hingganite-(Ce) | (Ce,REE)2(◻,Fe2+)Be2[SiO4]2(OH)2 |
| 9.AJ.20 | Hingganite-(Y) | (Y,REE,Ca)2(◻,Fe2+)Be2[SiO4]2(OH)2 |
| 9.AJ.20 | Hingganite-(Yb) | (Yb,Y,REE)2◻Be2[SiO4]2(OH)2 |
| 9.AJ.20 | Homilite | Ca2(Fe2+,Mg)B2Si2O10 |
| 9.AJ.20 | Melanocerite-(Ce) | (Ce,Ca)5(SiO4,BO4)3(OH,0) |
| 9.AJ.20 | Minasgeraisite-(Y) | (Ca2Y2)◻2(Be2B2)[SiO4]4(OH)4 |
| 9.AJ.20 | Calcybeborosilite-(Y) | (Y,Ca)2(◻,Fe2+)(B,Be)2[SiO4]2(OH,O)2 |
| 9.AJ.20 | Gadolinite-(Nd) | Nd2Fe2+Be2O2(SiO4)2 |
| 9.AJ.20 | Unnamed (OH-analogue of Gadolinite-(Y)) | (Y,Ca)2(Fe,◻)Be2Si2O8(OH,O)2 |
| 9.AJ.25 | Stillwellite-(Ce) | (Ce,La,Ca)BSiO5 |
| 9.AJ.30 | Cappelenite-(Y) | Ba(Y,Ce)6Si3B6O24F2 |
| 9.AJ.35 | Okanoganite-(Y) | (Na,Ca)3(Y,Ce)12Si6B2O27F14 |
| 9.AJ.35 | Vicanite-(Ce) | (Ca,Ce,La,Th)15As5+(As3+0.5,Na0.5)Fe3+Si6B4O40F7 |
| 9.AJ.35 | Hundholmenite-(Y) | (Y,REE,Ca,Na)15(Al,Fe3+)(CaxAs3+1-x)(Si,As5+)Si6B3(O,F)48 |
| 9.AJ.35 | Proshchenkoite-(Y) | Ca(Y,REE,Ca,Na,Mn)15Fe2+(P,Si)Si6B3O34F14 |
| 9.AJ.35 | Laptevite-(Ce) | Ca6(Fe2+,Mn2+)Y3REE7(SiO4)3(PO4)(B3Si3O18)(BO3)F11 |
| 9.AJ.40 | Jadarite | LiNaSiB3O7(OH) |
Fluorescence of Datolite
Commonly fluoresces blue under SW UV.
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.
Datolite in petrology
An essential component of rock names highlighted in red, an accessory component in rock names highlighted in green.
Internet Links for Datolite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1340.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Datolite
Reference List:
Shannon, Earl V. (1919) Famous mineral localities: The datolite locality near Westfield, Massachusetts. American Mineralogist, 4 (1) 5-6
Rosemeyer, Tom (2003) The Occurrence of Porcelaneous Datolite in Michigan's Lake Superior Copper District. Rocks & Minerals, 78 (3) 170-188 doi:10.1080/00357529.2003.9926717
Rosemeyer, Tom (2005) The Occurrence of Porcelaneous Datolite in Michigan's Lake Superior Copper District. Rocks & Minerals, 80 (3) 154-177 doi:10.3200/rmin.80.3.154-177
Localities for Datolite
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.
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Prospect Park Quarry, Prospect Park, Passaic County, New Jersey, USA