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Kircherite

A valid IMA mineral species

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Kircherite

Biachella Valley, Sacrofano, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Lazio, Italy

Kircherite

Biachella Valley, Sacrofano, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Lazio, Italy

Kircherite

Biachella Valley, Sacrofano, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Lazio, Italy

Kircherite

Biachella Valley, Sacrofano, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Lazio, Italy

Kircherite

Biachella Valley, Sacrofano, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Lazio, Italy

Kircherite

Biachella Valley, Sacrofano, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Lazio, Italy

Kircherite

Biachella Valley, Sacrofano, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Lazio, Italy

Kircherite

Biachella Valley, Sacrofano, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Lazio, Italy

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About KircheriteHide

Athanasius Kircher SJ

Formula:

Na₅Ca₂K(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)(SO₄)₂ · 0.33H₂O

Colour:

Colorless to light gray

Lustre:

Greasy, Silky

Hardness:

5½

Specific Gravity:

2.42

Crystal System:

Trigonal

Member of:

Cancrinite Group > Feldspathoid Group

Name:

For Athanasius Kircher (1602–1680), a German Jesuit scholar who published around 40 works, some of which dealt with magnetism, geology, mineralogy, and volcanology. Athanasius Kircher was in Rome from 1635 and was the founder of the museum of the Collegium Romanum in 1651, hereafter named the Museum Kircherianum. It contained collections of Roman, Etruscan, and Egyptian antiquities including mummies and large collections of natural objects such as minerals and precious stones.

Type Locality:

ⓘ Biachella Valley, Sacrofano, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Lazio, Italy

Cancrinite Group.

Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:

39877

Long-form identifier:

mindat:1:1:39877:0

IMA Classification of KircheriteHide

IMA status:

Approved

IMA Formula:

(Na₅Ca₂K)(Si₆Al₆O₂₄)(S⁶⁺O₄)₂·0.33H₂O

Approval year:

2010

First published:

2009

Type description reference:

Bellatreccia, F., Cámara, F., Della Ventura, G., Gunter, M.E., Cavallo, A., Sebastiani, M. (2009) Kircherite, a new cancrinite-sodalite group mineral from Sacrofano (Rome, Italy). HP-HT Laboratory of Experimental Volcanology and Geophysics, 2009 Annual Report 2009, 38-38.

Classification of KircheriteHide

Strunz-mindat (2026):

9.FB.05

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
F : Tektosilicates without zeolitic H₂O
B : Tektosilicates with additional anions

Dana 8th ed.:

76.2.9.26

76 : TECTOSILICATES Al-Si Framework
2 : Al-Si Framework Feldspathoids and related species

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

Symbol	Source	Reference for Standard
Kcr	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 KircheriteHide

Lustre:

Greasy, Silky

Transparency:

Transparent, Translucent

Colour:

Colorless to light gray

Streak:

White

Hardness:

5½ on Mohs scale

Hardness:

VHN₁₀=648(107) kg/mm² - Vickers

Tenacity:

Brittle

Cleavage:

Distinct/Good
{00.1}

Parting:

none

Fracture:

Irregular/Uneven

Density:

2.42 g/cm³ (Measured) 2.457 g/cm³ (Calculated)

Optical Data of KircheriteHide

Type:

Uniaxial (-)

RI values:

n_ω = 1.510(2) n_ε = 1.502(2)

Max. Birefringence:

δ = 0.008
Based on recorded range of RI values above.

Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.

Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.

Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.

Thickness: 30 µm Order divisions

Rotation:

Surface Relief:

Low (negative)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).

This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral colouration.

Focus:

In focus

Interference Figure:

This shows the idealized uniaxial interference figure - the conoscopic (convergent-light, Bertrand-lens-in) view, for a grain cut with the optic axis centred and vertical. The coloured rings are isochromatics, computed with the same physics as the Michel-Lévy bar above; the dark cross is the isogyre.

For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.

Thickness: 30 µm

Pleochroism:

Non-pleochroic

Chemistry of KircheriteHide

Mindat Formula:

Na₅Ca₂K(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)(SO₄)₂ · 0.33H₂O

Element Weights:

Element	% weight
O	45.110 %
Si	14.696 %
Al	14.118 %
Na	10.025 %
Ca	6.990 %
S	5.593 %
K	3.410 %
H	0.058 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.

Elements listed:

Al, Ca, H, K, Na, O, S, Si - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of KircheriteHide

Crystal System:

Trigonal

Class (H-M):

32 - Trapezohedral

Space Group:

R32

Setting:

R32

Cell Parameters:

a = 12.8770(7) Å, c = 95.244(6) Å

Ratio:

a:c = 1 : 7.396

Unit Cell V:

13,677.21 Å³ (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Crystal StructureHide

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Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
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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)
0019258	Kircherite	Camara F, Bellatreccia F, Della Ventura G, Gunter M E, Sebastiani M, Cavallo A (2012) Kircherite, a new mineral of the cancrinite-sodalite group with a 36-layer stacking sequence: Occurrence and crystal structure American Mineralogist 97 1494-1504		2012	Valle Biachella, Sacrofano community (Rome, Latium, Italy)	0	293

CIF Raw Data - click here to close

data_global
_chemical_name_mineral 'Kircherite'
loop_
_publ_author_name
'Camara F'
'Bellatreccia F'
'Della Ventura G'
'Gunter M E'
'Sebastiani M'
'Cavallo A'
_journal_name_full 'American Mineralogist'
_journal_volume 97 
_journal_year 2012
_journal_page_first 1494
_journal_page_last 1504
_publ_section_title
;
 Kircherite, a new mineral of the cancrinite-sodalite group with a 36-layer
 stacking sequence: Occurrence and crystal structure
;
_database_code_amcsd 0019258
_chemical_compound_source 'Valle Biachella, Sacrofano community (Rome, Latium, Italy)'
_chemical_formula_sum 'K12.636 Na30.232 Ca6.986 Si36 Al36 O169.914 S14.656 H3.76'
_cell_length_a 12.8770
_cell_length_b 12.8770
_cell_length_c 95.244
_cell_angle_alpha 90
_cell_angle_beta 90
_cell_angle_gamma 120
_cell_volume 13677.214
_exptl_crystal_density_diffrn      2.420
_symmetry_space_group_name_H-M 'R 3 2'
loop_
_space_group_symop_operation_xyz
  'x,y,z'
  '2/3+x,1/3+y,1/3+z'
  '1/3+x,2/3+y,2/3+z'
  '-x,-x+y,-z'
  '2/3-x,1/3-x+y,1/3-z'
  '1/3-x,2/3-x+y,2/3-z'
  'y,x,-z'
  '2/3+y,1/3+x,1/3-z'
  '1/3+y,2/3+x,2/3-z'
  'x-y,-y,-z'
  '2/3+x-y,1/3-y,1/3-z'
  '1/3+x-y,2/3-y,2/3-z'
  '-y,x-y,z'
  '2/3-y,1/3+x-y,1/3+z'
  '1/3-y,2/3+x-y,2/3+z'
  '-x+y,-x,z'
  '2/3-x+y,1/3-x,1/3+z'
  '1/3-x+y,2/3-x,2/3+z'
loop_
_atom_site_label
_atom_site_fract_x
_atom_site_fract_y
_atom_site_fract_z
_atom_site_occupancy
_atom_site_U_iso_or_equiv
K1   0.21935   0.78244   0.02673   1.00000   0.03160
Na1   0.00000   0.00000   0.00000   1.00000   0.06200
Na2A   0.00000   0.49632   0.00000   0.61600   0.02810
Ca2B   0.00000   0.49632   0.00000   0.38400   0.02810
Ca3   0.66667   0.33333   0.03502   1.00900   0.02830
Na4A   0.48650   0.97775   0.05517   0.77100   0.03830
Ca4B   0.48650   0.97775   0.05517   0.22900   0.03830
Na5A   0.00000   0.00000   0.06575   0.72000   0.05100
Ca5B   0.00000   0.00000   0.05922   0.28000   0.05100
Na6A   0.33990   0.17140   0.08322   0.64400   0.04510
K6B   0.42890   0.21730   0.07941   0.24900   0.04510
Na6B   0.27620   0.14390   0.08739   0.19300   0.04510
Na7A   0.33333   0.66667   0.08904   0.05000   0.03540
Ca7B   0.33333   0.66667   0.08904   0.95000   0.03540
Na8A   0.66667   0.33333   0.10234   0.45200   0.05500
Na8B   0.66667   0.33333   0.11350   0.08000   0.05500
Na8C   0.66667   0.33333   0.12063   0.68000   0.05500
K9A   0.12420   0.24670   0.10791   0.23600   0.05440
Na9A   0.15910   0.31830   0.11131   0.63000   0.05440
Na9B   0.20350   0.40250   0.11546   0.20300   0.05440
Na1C   0.00000   0.00000   0.13014   0.53000   0.06500
Na1D   0.00000   0.00000   0.13960   0.18000   0.06500
Na1E   0.00000   0.00000   0.14781   0.50000   0.06500
Na1F   0.49390   0.99270   0.13870   0.23000   0.01600
K1G   0.46860   0.93000   0.13597   0.41100   0.11700
Na1G   0.52230   1.04880   0.14130   0.36700   0.11700
Na1K   0.33333   0.66667   0.15719   0.51600   0.04400
K1L   0.24740   0.12870   0.17056   0.21000   0.05750
Na1L   0.33333   0.16670   0.16667   0.58000   0.05750
Si1   0.25209   0.00000   0.00000   1.00000   0.01530
Si2   0.92141   0.58468   0.02874   1.00000   0.01380
Si3   0.25017  -0.00038   0.05660   1.00000   0.01530
Si4   0.33285   0.41471   0.08448   1.00000   0.01650
Si5   0.41674   0.08479   0.11213   1.00000   0.01760
Si6   0.24895   0.24891   0.13937   1.00000   0.01800
Si7   0.33333   0.91414   0.16667   1.00000   0.01890
Al1   0.00000   0.74422   0.00000   1.00000   0.01500
Al2   0.40708   0.08485   0.02875   1.00000   0.01550
Al3   0.25229   0.25532   0.05619   1.00000   0.01510
Al4   0.33367   0.91923   0.08478   1.00000   0.01840
Al5   0.41672   0.33299   0.11191   1.00000   0.01790
Al6   0.24778  -0.00033   0.13951   1.00000   0.02060
Al7   0.58118   0.91451   0.16667   1.00000   0.01890
O1   0.12180   0.88530   0.00247   1.00000   0.02570
O2   0.33740   0.01590   0.01327   1.00000   0.02160
O3   0.97820   0.64590   0.01398   1.00000   0.02650
O4   0.78300   0.54890   0.03041   1.00000   0.02410
O5   0.54000   0.07860   0.02974   1.00000   0.02730
O6   0.00060   0.66980   0.04121   1.00000   0.02930
O7   0.31920  -0.00160   0.04249   1.00000   0.02700
O8   0.11320   0.89750   0.05576   1.00000   0.02840
O9   0.25390   0.12580   0.05938   1.00000   0.02860
O10   0.32560   0.98460   0.06921   1.00000   0.03360
O11   0.32760   0.35470   0.06976   1.00000   0.03790
O12   0.44950   0.89050   0.08400   1.00000   0.03540
O13   0.21920   0.42600   0.08817   1.00000   0.03680
O14   0.34960   0.33710   0.09634   1.00000   0.04130
O15   0.35050   0.01550   0.09803   1.00000   0.05610
O16   0.45170   0.22200   0.11056   1.00000   0.05300
O17   0.53720   0.08020   0.11528   1.00000   0.05540
O18   0.33350   0.01890   0.12516   1.00000   0.07700
O19   0.31530   0.30750   0.12514   1.00000   0.06120
O20   0.11710   0.22160   0.13723   1.00000   0.06910
O21   0.24020   0.12670   0.14278   1.00000   0.07740
O22   0.66070   0.97890   0.15169   1.00000   0.08600
O23   0.31320   0.97670   0.15362   1.00000   0.08800
O24   0.44550   0.89780   0.16380   1.00000   0.09300
Wat25   0.00000   0.00000   0.02844   0.94000   0.14800
S1   0.33333   0.66667   0.00351   1.00000   0.02700
O1SA   0.66667   0.33333   0.01182   1.00000   0.05300
O1SB   0.20930   0.60270   0.00861   1.00000   0.04640
S2   0.33333   0.66667   0.05032   1.00000   0.03130
O2SA   0.33333   0.66667   0.06586   1.00000   0.05530
O2SB   0.21010   0.60330   0.04503   1.00000   0.05530
S3   0.62930   0.29820   0.06703   0.30700   0.06160
O3SA   0.54360   0.27550   0.07575   0.15800   0.05530
O3SB   0.60100   0.20330   0.05750   0.14200   0.05530
S4  -0.00500  -0.02560   0.09660   0.30000   0.08800
O4SA   0.06320  -0.06190   0.10480   0.16900   0.05530
O4SB  -0.05890  -0.11880   0.08720   0.13500   0.05530
S5   0.31100   0.67760   0.12342   0.22900   0.04730
O5SA   0.39400   0.78730   0.13260   0.15100   0.05530
O5SB   0.27260   0.72970   0.11370   0.11900   0.05530
S6   0.70000   0.36680   0.15261   0.94000   0.06000
O6SA   0.79450   0.39430   0.14380   0.30700   0.05530
O6SB   0.72710   0.45980   0.16130   0.15800   0.05530

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:

d-spacing	Intensity
3.80 Å	(52)
3.72 Å	(100)
3.60 Å	(53)
3.58 Å	(60)
3.55 Å	(24)
3.23 Å	(65)
3.22 Å	(38)
2.65 Å	(100)

Locality:

Biachella Valley, Sacrofano, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Lazio, Italy

Reference:

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):

Paragenetic Mode	Earliest Age (Ga)
High-? alteration and/or metamorphism
31 : Thermally altered carbonate, phosphate, and iron formations
Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks	>3.0
35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks

Type Occurrence of KircheriteHide

Type Locality:

ⓘ Biachella Valley, Sacrofano, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Lazio, Italy

General Appearance of Type Material:

Parallel associations of hexagonal thin tabular shaped crystals.

Place of Conservation of Type Material:

Museum of Mineralogy of the “Sapienza” University of Roma (code number MMUR 33035/1).

Geological Setting of Type Material:

Miarolitic cavities of a holocrystalline volcanic ejectum collected at Valle Biachella. Late-stage metasomatic processes related to the volcanic activity.

Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Reference:

Synonyms of KircheriteHide

IMA2009-084

Other Language Names for KircheriteHide

Dutch:Kircheriet

German:Kircherit

Relationship of Kircherite to other SpeciesHide

Member of:

Cancrinite Group > Feldspathoid Group

Other Members of Cancrinite Group:

Afghanite	(Na,K)₂₂Ca₁₀(Si₂₄Al₂₄O₉₆)(SO₄)₆Cl₆	Trig. 3m : P31c
Alloriite	(Na,Ca,K)₂₆Ca₄(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)₄(SO₄)₆Cl₆	Trig. 3m : P31c
Balliranoite	(Na,K)₆Ca₂(Si₆Al₆O₂₄)Cl₂(CO₃)	Hex. 6 : P6₃
Betzite	Na₆Ca₂(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)Cl₄	Hex. 6 : P6₃
Biachellaite	(Na,Ca,K)₈(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)(SO₄)₂(OH)_0.5 · H₂O	Trig. 3 : P3
Bystrite	(Na,K)₇Ca(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)(S₅)Cl	Trig. 3m : P31c
Cancrinite	(Na,Ca,◻)₈(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)(CO₃,SO₄)₂ · 2H₂O	Hex. 6 : P6₃
Cancrisilite	Na₇(Al₅Si₇O₂₄)(CO₃) · 3H₂O	Hex. 6mm : P6₃mc
Carbobystrite	Na₈(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)(CO₃) · 3.5H₂O	Trig. 3m : P31c
Davyne	(Na,K)₆Ca₂(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)(Cl₂,SO₄)₂	Hex. 6/m : P6₃/m
Depmeierite	Na₈(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)(PO₄,CO₃)_1-x · 3H₂O (x<0.5)	Hex. 6 : P6₃
Fantappièite	[Na_82.5Ca₃₃K_16.5](Si₉₉Al₉₉O₃₉₆)(SO₄)₃₃ · 4H₂O	Trig. 3 : R3
Farneseite	(Na,Ca,K)₅₆(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)₇(SO₄)₁₂ · 6H₂O	Hex. 6/m : P6₃/m
Franzinite	(Na,K)₆Ca₂(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)(SO₄)₂ · 0.5H₂O	Hex.
Giuseppettite	(Na,K,Ca)_7-8(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)(SO₄,Cl)_1-2	Trig. 3m : P31c
Hydroxycancrinite	Na₈(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)(OH)₂ · 2H₂O	Hex. 6 : P6₃
Kyanoxalite	Na₇(Al_6-xSi_6+xO₂₄)(C₂O₄)_0.5+x · 5H₂O (0 < x < 0.5)	Hex. 6 : P6₃
Liottite	(Na,K)₁₆Ca₈(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)₃(SO₄)₅Cl₄	Hex. 6 : P6
Marinellite	(Na,K)₄₂Ca₆(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)₆(SO₄)₈Cl₂ · 3H₂O	Trig. 3m : P31c
Microsommite	Na₄K₂Ca₂(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)(SO₄)Cl₂	Hex. 622 : P6₃22
Pitiglianoite	Na₆K₂(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)(SO₄) · 2H₂O	Hex. 6 : P6₃
Quadridavyne	(Na,K)₆Ca₂(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)Cl₄	Hex. 6/m : P6₃/m
Sacrofanite	(Na₆₁K₁₉Ca₃₂)(Si₈₄Al₈₄O₃₃₆)(SO₄)₂₆Cl₂F₆ · 2H₂O	Hex.
Steudelite	Na₃(K₁₇Ca₇)Ca₄(Al₂₄Si₂₄O₉₆)(SO₃)₆F₆ · 4H₂O	Hex. 6m2 : P62c
Sulfhydrylbystrite	Na₅K₂Ca[Al₆Si₆O₂₄](S₅)₂(SH)	Trig. 3m : P31c
Tounkite	(Na,Ca,K)₈(Si₆Al₆)O₂₄(SO₄)₂Cl · 0.5H₂O	Hex. 622 : P6₂22
'UM2004-48-SiO:AlClCaNaS'	(Na,Ca)₈(Si₆Al₆)O₂₄(SO₄)_1.7Cl_1.3
'UM2009-23-SiO:AlCCaClHKNaS'	(Na,Ca)₂₄K₁₀[(Si,Al)₆₀O₁₂₀](SO₄)_5.6Cl_1.5(CO₃)_0.4 · 11H₂O	Trig. 3 : P3
Vishnevite	(Na,K)₈(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)(SO₄,CO₃) · 2H₂O	Hex. 6 : P6₃

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping Hide

9.FB.	Perchukite-(Y)	PbYAsSi₂O₈	Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.FB.	Åsgruvanite-(Ce)	Ce₁₆Ca₅Al(SiO₄)₆(AsO₃)₈(CO₃)₂Cl₄F₃(OH)₂	Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1
9.FB.	Steudelite	Na₃(K₁₇Ca₇)Ca₄(Al₂₄Si₂₄O₉₆)(SO₃)₆F₆ · 4H₂O	Hex. 6m2 : P62c
9.FB.	Wenlanzhangite-(Y)	Y₂V³⁺₂V⁴⁺₂(SiO₄)₂O₄(OH)₄	Tric. 1 : P1
9.FB.	Slyudyankaite	Na₂₈Ca₄(Si₂₄Al₂₄O₉₆)(SO₄)₆(S₆)_1/3(CO₂) · 2H₂O	Tric. 1 : P1
9.FB.	Bolotinaite	(Na₇◻)(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)F · 4H₂O	Iso. 43m : I43m
9.FB.	Sapozhnikovite	Na₈(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)(HS)₂	Iso. 43m : P43n
9.FB.	Betzite	Na₆Ca₂(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)Cl₄	Hex. 6 : P6₃
9.FB.05	Quadridavyne	(Na,K)₆Ca₂(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)Cl₄	Hex. 6/m : P6₃/m
9.FB.05	Sulfhydrylbystrite	Na₅K₂Ca[Al₆Si₆O₂₄](S₅)₂(SH)	Trig. 3m : P31c
9.FB.05	Marinellite	(Na,K)₄₂Ca₆(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)₆(SO₄)₈Cl₂ · 3H₂O	Trig. 3m : P31c
9.FB.05	Afghanite	(Na,K)₂₂Ca₁₀(Si₂₄Al₂₄O₉₆)(SO₄)₆Cl₆	Trig. 3m : P31c
9.FB.05	Bystrite	(Na,K)₇Ca(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)(S₅)Cl	Trig. 3m : P31c
9.FB.05	Franzinite	(Na,K)₆Ca₂(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)(SO₄)₂ · 0.5H₂O	Hex.
9.FB.05	Kyanoxalite	Na₇(Al_6-xSi_6+xO₂₄)(C₂O₄)_0.5+x · 5H₂O (0 < x < 0.5)	Hex. 6 : P6₃
9.FB.05	Vishnevite	(Na,K)₈(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)(SO₄,CO₃) · 2H₂O	Hex. 6 : P6₃
9.FB.05	Farneseite	(Na,Ca,K)₅₆(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)₇(SO₄)₁₂ · 6H₂O	Hex. 6/m : P6₃/m
9.FB.05	Alloriite	(Na,Ca,K)₂₆Ca₄(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)₄(SO₄)₆Cl₆	Trig. 3m : P31c
9.FB.05	Liottite	(Na,K)₁₆Ca₈(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)₃(SO₄)₅Cl₄	Hex. 6 : P6
9.FB.05	Depmeierite	Na₈(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)(PO₄,CO₃)_1-x · 3H₂O (x<0.5)	Hex. 6 : P6₃
9.FB.05	Biachellaite	(Na,Ca,K)₈(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)(SO₄)₂(OH)_0.5 · H₂O	Trig. 3 : P3
9.FB.05	Cancrinite	(Na,Ca,◻)₈(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)(CO₃,SO₄)₂ · 2H₂O	Hex. 6 : P6₃
9.FB.05	Cancrisilite	Na₇(Al₅Si₇O₂₄)(CO₃) · 3H₂O	Hex. 6mm : P6₃mc
9.FB.05	Fantappièite	[Na_82.5Ca₃₃K_16.5](Si₉₉Al₉₉O₃₉₆)(SO₄)₃₃ · 4H₂O	Trig. 3 : R3
9.FB.05	Carbobystrite	Na₈(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)(CO₃) · 3.5H₂O	Trig. 3m : P31c
9.FB.05	Microsommite	Na₄K₂Ca₂(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)(SO₄)Cl₂	Hex. 622 : P6₃22
9.FB.05	Pitiglianoite	Na₆K₂(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)(SO₄) · 2H₂O	Hex. 6 : P6₃
9.FB.05	Tounkite	(Na,Ca,K)₈(Si₆Al₆)O₂₄(SO₄)₂Cl · 0.5H₂O	Hex. 622 : P6₂22
9.FB.05	Balliranoite	(Na,K)₆Ca₂(Si₆Al₆O₂₄)Cl₂(CO₃)	Hex. 6 : P6₃
9.FB.05	Giuseppettite	(Na,K,Ca)_7-8(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)(SO₄,Cl)_1-2	Trig. 3m : P31c
9.FB.05	Sacrofanite	(Na₆₁K₁₉Ca₃₂)(Si₈₄Al₈₄O₃₃₆)(SO₄)₂₆Cl₂F₆ · 2H₂O	Hex.
9.FB.05	Hydroxycancrinite	Na₈(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)(OH)₂ · 2H₂O	Hex. 6 : P6₃
9.FB.05	Davyne	(Na,K)₆Ca₂(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)(Cl₂,SO₄)₂	Hex. 6/m : P6₃/m
9.FB.10	Haüyne	Na₃Ca(Si₃Al₃)O₁₂(SO₄)	Iso. 43m : P43n
9.FB.10	Lazurite	Na₇Ca(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)(SO₄)(S₃) · H₂O	Iso. 43m : P43n
9.FB.10	Danalite	Be₃Fe²⁺₄(SiO₄)₃S	Iso. 43m : P43n
9.FB.10	Helvine	Be₃Mn²⁺₄(SiO₄)₃S	Iso. 43m : P43n
9.FB.10	Kamaishilite	Ca₂(Al₂SiO₆)(OH)₂	Tet.
9.FB.10	Sodalite	Na₄(Si₃Al₃)O₁₂Cl	Iso. 43m : P43n
9.FB.10	Nosean	Na₈(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)(SO₄) · H₂O	Iso. 43m : P43n
9.FB.10	Genthelvite	Be₃Zn₄(SiO₄)₃S	Iso. 43m : P43n
9.FB.10	Bicchulite	Ca₂(Al₂SiO₆)(OH)₂	Iso. 43m : I43m
9.FB.10	Tsaregorodtsevite	(N(CH₃)₄)(AlSi₅O₁₂)	Orth. 222 : I222
9.FB.10	Vladimirivanovite	Na₆Ca₂(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)(SO₄,S₃,S₂,Cl)₂ · H₂O	Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
9.FB.10	Tugtupite	(BeAlSi)Na₄(SiO₄)₃Cl	Tet. 4 : I4
9.FB.15	Marialite	Na₄Al₃Si₉O₂₄Cl	Tet. 4/m : I4/m
9.FB.15	Meionite	Ca₄Al₆Si₆O₂₄CO₃	Tet. 4/m : I4/m
9.FB.15	Silvialite	(Ca,Na)₄(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)(SO₄,CO₃)	Tet. 4/m : I4/m

RadioactivityHide

Radioactivity:

Element	% Content	Activity (Bq/kg)	Radiation Type
Uranium (U)	0.0000%	0	α, β, γ
Thorium (Th)	0.0000%	0	α, β, γ
Potassium (K)	3.4098%	1,057	β, γ

For comparison:

Banana: ~15 Bq per fruit
Granite: 1,000–3,000 Bq/kg
EU exemption limit: 10,000 Bq/kg

Note: Risk is shown relative to daily recommended maximum exposure to non-background radiation of 1000 µSv/year. Note that natural background radiation averages around 2400 µSv/year so in reality these risks are probably extremely overstated! With infrequent handling and safe storage natural radioactive minerals do not usually pose much risk.

Interactive Simulator:

Note: The mass selector refers to the mass of radioactive mineral present, not the full specimen, also be aware that the matrix may also be radioactive, possibly more radioactive than this mineral!

Mass of radioactive mineral:

Shielding material:

Activity: –

Distance	Dose rate	Risk
1 cm
10 cm
1 m

The external dose rate (D) from a radioactive mineral is estimated by summing the gamma radiation contributions from its Uranium, Thorium, and Potassium content, disregarding daughter-product which may have a significant effect in some cases (eg 'pitchblende'). This involves multiplying the activity (A, in Bq) of each element by its specific gamma ray constant (Γ), which accounts for its unique gamma emissions. The total unshielded dose at 1 cm is then scaled by the square of the distance (r, in cm) and multiplied by a shielding factor (μ_shield). This calculation provides a 'worst-case' or 'maximum risk' estimate because it assumes the sample is a point source and entirely neglects any self-shielding where radiation is absorbed within the mineral itself, meaning actual doses will typically be lower. The resulting dose rate (D) is expressed in microsieverts per hour (μSv/h).

D = ((A_U × Γ_U) + (A_Th × Γ_Th) + (A_K × Γ_K)) / r² × μ_shield

Fluorescence of KircheriteHide

In UV light:

Light pink under long-wave UV and deep red under short-wave UV.

Other InformationHide

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 KircheriteHide

mindat.org URL:

https://www.mindat.org/min-39877.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

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Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project

References and PDF downloads at RRUFF project

American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database

Handbook of Mineralogy page PDF

Mineral Dealers:

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References for KircheriteHide

Reference List:

Bellatreccia, F., Cámara, F., Della Ventura, G., Gunter, M.E., Cavallo, A., Sebastiani, m. (2009): Kircherite, a new cancrinite-sodalite group mineral from Sacrofano (Rome, Italy). HP-HT Laboratory of Experimental Volcanology and Geophysics, 2009 Annual Report, 2009, Report I 38.

Bellatreccia, F. et al. (2010): Kircherite, a new mineral of the cancrinitesodalite group with a 36-layer stacking sequence: occurrence and crystal structure. 20th General Meeting of the IMA (IMA2010), Budapest, Hungary, August 21-27, CD of Abstracts, p. 493.

Cámara, F., Bellatreccia, F., Ventura, G. D., Gunter, M. E., Sebastiani, M., & Cavallo, A. (2012). Kircherite, a new mineral of the cancrinite-sodalite group with a 36-layer stacking sequence: Occurrence and crystal structure. American Mineralogist, 97(8-9), 1494-1504.

(2017) Kircherite. Handbook of Mineralogy. Mineralogical Society of America

Localities for KircheriteHide

Showing 1 localities.

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the

symbol to view information about a locality. The

symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.

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Locality ListHide

- 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.

Italy (TL)

Lazio

Metropolitan City of Rome Capital

Sacrofano

ⓘ Biachella Valley (TL)

Bellatreccia et al. (2009)

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Kircherite

About KircheriteHide

Unique IdentifiersHide

IMA Classification of KircheriteHide

Classification of KircheriteHide

Mineral SymbolsHide

Physical Properties of KircheriteHide

Optical Data of KircheriteHide

Chemistry of KircheriteHide

Crystallography of KircheriteHide

Crystal StructureHide

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Geological EnvironmentHide

Type Occurrence of KircheriteHide

Synonyms of KircheriteHide

Other Language Names for KircheriteHide

Relationship of Kircherite to other SpeciesHide

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

RadioactivityHide

Fluorescence of KircheriteHide

Other InformationHide

Internet Links for KircheriteHide

References for KircheriteHide

Localities for KircheriteHide

Locality ListHide

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping Hide