Nekoite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Nekoite
Formula:
Ca3Si6O15 · 7H2O
Colour:
White
Lustre:
Vitreous
Specific Gravity:
2.21 - 2.24
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
An anagram (reverse spelling in this case) of OKENite, for which it was originally mistaken.
This page provides mineralogical data about Nekoite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2872
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2872:7
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
e127b53a-f5b6-469b-8652-a3c63e72d280
IMA Classification of Nekoite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1956
Classification of Nekoite
9.EA.45
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
A : Single nets of tetrahedra with 4-, 5-, (6-), and 8-membered rings
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
A : Single nets of tetrahedra with 4-, 5-, (6-), and 8-membered rings
72.3.2.7
72 : PHYLLOSILICATES Two-Dimensional Infinite Sheets with Other Than Six-Membered Rings
3 : Two-Dimensional Infinite Sheets with Other Than Six-Membered Rings with 3-, 4-, or 5-membered rings and 8-membered rings
72 : PHYLLOSILICATES Two-Dimensional Infinite Sheets with Other Than Six-Membered Rings
3 : Two-Dimensional Infinite Sheets with Other Than Six-Membered Rings with 3-, 4-, or 5-membered rings and 8-membered rings
14.5.25
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
5 : Silicates of Ca
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
5 : Silicates of Ca
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 |
---|---|---|
Nk | 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 Nekoite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
White
Streak:
White
Hardness Data:
Could not be measured
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
On {010}, distinct.
On {010}, distinct.
Density:
2.21 - 2.24 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.21 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Nekoite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
Dispersion:
r > v weak
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Nekoite
Mindat Formula:
Ca3Si6O15 · 7H2O
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Nekoite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pedial
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.58 Å, b = 9.79 Å, c = 7.33 Å
α = 111.77°, β = 103.5°, γ = 86.53°
α = 111.77°, β = 103.5°, γ = 86.53°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.774 : 1 : 0.749
Unit Cell V:
490.99 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Crystals acicular to 5 mm long, elongated parallel to [001].
Comprised of tetrahedral sheets interlayered with octahedral chains.
Comprised of tetrahedral sheets interlayered with octahedral chains.
Twinning:
Repeated with the lamellae parallel to the {010} cleavage.
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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0000803 | Nekoite | Alberti A, Galli E (1980) The structure of nekoite, Ca3Si6O15*7H2O, a new type of sheet silicate American Mineralogist 65 1270-1276 | 1980 | Caxias do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
9.25 Å | (very strong) |
3.36 Å | (very strong |
broad) Å | ( |
2.82 Å | (very strong) |
2.47 Å | (moderately strong) |
1.83 Å | (moderately strong) |
1.90 Å | (moderately weak) |
1.79 Å | (moderately weak) |
Comments:
Crestmore, California, USA. Data from the type description.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
High-𝑇 alteration and/or metamorphism | |
31 : Thermally altered carbonate, phosphate, and iron formations |
Type Occurrence of Nekoite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Acicular white crystals.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
U.S. National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Contact metamorphic limestone formation.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Nekoite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
8 photos of Nekoite associated with Johannsenite | CaMn2+Si2O6 |
4 photos of Nekoite associated with Galena | PbS |
4 photos of Nekoite associated with Axinite-(Mn) | Ca2Mn2+Al2BSi4O15(OH) |
4 photos of Nekoite associated with Hydroxyapophyllite-(K) | KCa4(Si8O20)(OH,F) · 8H2O |
1 photo of Nekoite associated with Kutnohorite | CaMn2+(CO3)2 |
1 photo of Nekoite associated with Creedite | Ca3SO4Al2F8(OH)2 · 2H2O |
1 photo of Nekoite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
1 photo of Nekoite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
9.EA. | Bussyite-(Y) | (Y,REE,Ca)3(Na,Ca)6MnSi9Be5(O,OH,F)34 |
9.EA. | Fluorapophyllite-(NH₄) | NH4Ca4(Si8O20)F · 8H2O |
9.EA. | Hydroxymcglassonite-(K) | KSr4Si8O20(OH) · 8H2O |
9.EA.05 | Cuprorivaite | CaCuSi4O10 |
9.EA.05 | Gillespite | BaFe2+Si4O10 |
9.EA.05 | Effenbergerite | BaCuSi4O10 |
9.EA.05 | Wesselsite | SrCuSi4O10 |
9.EA.07 | Fluorapophyllite-(Cs) | CsCa4(Si8O20)F · 8H2O |
9.EA.10 | Ekanite | Ca2ThSi8O20 |
9.EA.15 | Fluorapophyllite-(K) | KCa4(Si8O20)(F,OH) · 8H2O |
9.EA.15 | Hydroxyapophyllite-(K) | KCa4(Si8O20)(OH,F) · 8H2O |
9.EA.15 | Fluorapophyllite-(Na) | NaCa4(Si8O20)F · 8H2O |
9.EA.20 | Magadiite | Na2Si14O29 · 11H2O |
9.EA.25 | Dalyite | K2ZrSi6O15 |
9.EA.25 | Davanite | K2TiSi6O15 |
9.EA.30 | Sazhinite-(Ce) | Na2CeSi6O14 · 6H2O |
9.EA.30 | Sazhinite-(La) | Na3La[Si6O15] · 2H2O |
9.EA.35 | Armstrongite | CaZr[Si6O15] · 3H2O |
9.EA.40 | Okenite | Ca10Si18O46 · 18H2O |
9.EA.45 | Perettiite-(Y) | Y2Mn4FeSi2B8O24 |
9.EA.45 | Badakhshanite-(Y) | Y2Mn4Al(Si2B7BeO24) |
9.EA.47 | Shlykovite | KCa[Si4O9(OH)] · 3H2O |
9.EA.50 | Cavansite | Ca(VO)Si4O10 · 4H2O |
9.EA.50 | Diegogattaite | Na2CaCu2Si8O20 · H2O |
9.EA.52 | Yangite | PbMnSi3O8 · H2O |
9.EA.55 | Pentagonite | Ca(VO)Si4O10 · 4H2O |
9.EA.60 | Penkvilksite | Na4Ti2Si8O22 · 4H2O |
9.EA.60 | Tumchaite | Na2Zr(Si4O11) · 2H2O |
9.EA.65 | Nabesite | Na2BeSi4O10 · 4H2O |
9.EA.70 | Ajoite | (K,Na)Cu7AlSi9O24(OH)6 · 3H2O |
9.EA.75 | Zeravshanite | Na2Cs4Zr3[Si18O45]*2H2O |
9.EA.80 | Bussyite-(Ce) | (Ce,REE)3(Na,H2O)6MnSi9Be5(O,OH)30F4 |
9.EA.85 | Plumbophyllite | Pb2Si4O10 · H2O |
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 Nekoite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2872.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Nekoite
Reference List:
Gard, J. A., Taylor, H. F. W. (1956) Okenite and nekoite (a new mineral) Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 31 (232) 5-20 doi:10.1180/minmag.1956.031.232.02
Chalmers, R. A., Nicol, A. W., Taylor, H. F. W. (1962) The composition of nekoite. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 33 (256) 70-71 doi:10.1180/minmag.1962.033.256.14
Alberti, Alberto, Galli, Ermanno (1980) The structure of nekoite, Ca3Si6O15·7H2O, a new type of sheet silicate. American Mineralogist, 65 (11-12) 1270-1276
Localities for Nekoite
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.
Azerbaijan | |
| Novgorodova M.I. (caspian Sea) |
Brazil | |
| Vezzalini (1979) |
Chile | |
| Maurizio Dini & Robert Jenkins ... +1 other reference |
Hungary | |
| |
| Fehér et al. (2000) |
Italy | |
| Passaglia et al. (1995) +2 other references |
USA | |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
| Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 477. +2 other references |
Uzbekistan | |
| Anthony et al. (2016) |
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Crestmore quarries, Crestmore, Jurupa Valley, Riverside County, California, USA