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⇱ Armenite: Mineral information, data and localities.

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Armenite

A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About ArmeniteHide

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Formula:
Ba(H2O)2Ca2Al3[Al3Si9O30]
Colour:
Colourless, white, green
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
7½
Specific Gravity:
2.77
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
Named after the type locality, the Armen Mine, Kongsberg, Norway.

The type specimen was collected already in 1877 by cand. min. O. A. Corneliussen. He labelled the sample as "Epidote?". It was kept in the collection of the University of Oslo until February 1939 when it was rediscovered by Henrich Neumann, who also recognized it as a new mineral.
This page provides mineralogical data about Armenite.


Unique IdentifiersHide

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Mindat ID:
343
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:343:8

Similar NamesHide

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AmeniteA synonym of AmesiteMg2Al(AlSiO5)(OH)4
AreniteA rock classification type
Armenite (of Delamétherie)A synonym of AzuriteCu3(CO3)2(OH)2
ArminiteA synonym of AntleriteCu3(SO4)(OH)4
ArseniteA synonym of Arsenolite
CarmeniteA synonym of Digenite

IMA Classification of ArmeniteHide

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Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
BaCa2(Al6Si9)O30 · 2H2O
First published:
1940

Classification of ArmeniteHide

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9.CM.05

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
C : Cyclosilicates
M : [Si6O18]12- 6-membered double rings (sechser-Doppelringe)
63.2.1b.1

63 : CYCLOSILICATES Condensed Rings
2 : Condensed Rings (Milarite - Osumilite group)
16.12.12

16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
12 : Aluminosilicates of Sr, Ba and Zn

Mineral SymbolsHide

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

SymbolSourceReference for Standard
AmnIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Pronunciation of ArmeniteHide

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Pronunciation:
PlayRecorded byCountry
Jolyon RalphUnited Kingdom

Physical Properties of ArmeniteHide

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Vitreous
Colour:
Colourless, white, green
Streak:
White
Hardness:
7½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect prismatic. One distinct pinacoidal.
Parting:
Along sector boundaries.
Density:
2.77 g/cm3 (Measured)    

Optical Data of ArmeniteHide

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Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.55 nβ = 1.552 nγ = 1.556
2V:
Measured: 59° to 60°, Calculated: 72°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.006
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.

Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
r < v strong
Optical Extinction:
X = c; Z = b.

Chemistry of ArmeniteHide

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Mindat Formula:
Ba(H2O)2Ca2Al3[Al3Si9O30]
Element Weights:
Element% weight
O44.592 %
Si22.015 %
Al14.100 %
Ba11.961 %
Ca6.981 %
H0.351 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
Common Impurities:
Sr,Na,K

Crystallography of ArmeniteHide

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Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pnna
Setting:
Pnna
Cell Parameters:
a = 13.874(2) Å, b = 18.660(2) Å, c = 10.697(1) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.744 : 1 : 0.573
Unit Cell V:
2,769.33 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Prismatic pseudohexagonal crystals.
Twinning:
The pseudohexagonal form is due to twinning along an axis parallel to the optic direction a.
Comment:
Space group is Pnna. Symmetry reduction is due to partial ordering of Si and Al. Ordering of water gives primitive orthorhombic unit cell.

Crystal StructureHide

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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0002054ArmeniteArmbruster T (1999) Si,Al ordering in the double-ring silicate armenite, BaCa2Al6Si9O30.2H2O: A single-crystal X-ray and 29Si MAS NMR study American Mineralogist 84 92-101👁 Image
19990293
0001458ArmeniteArmbruster T, Czank M (1992) H2O ordering and superstructures in armenite, BaCa2Al6Si9O30.2H2O: A single-crystal X-ray and TEM study sample from Remigny, Quebec, Canada American Mineralogist 77 422-430👁 Image
19920293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

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Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
3.86 Å(100)
3.41 Å(90)
2.91 Å(90)
6.94 Å(80)
2.78 Å(80)
4.25 Å(65)
9.31 Å(55)

Geological EnvironmentHide

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Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Near-surface Processes
23 : Subaerial aqueous alteration by non-redox-sensitive fluids (see also #47)
High-? alteration and/or metamorphism
32 : Ba/Mn/Pb/Zn deposits, including metamorphic deposits

Type Occurrence of ArmeniteHide

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Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National School of Mines, Paris, France; The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1947,290.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
A silver-bearing calcite-vein, Kongsberg, Norway.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Other Language Names for ArmeniteHide

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Dutch:Armeniet
French:Armenite
German:Armenit
Norwegian:Armenitt
Simplified Chinese:钡钙大隅石
Spanish:Armenita
Traditional Chinese:鋇鈣大隅石

Relationship of Armenite to other SpeciesHide

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Member of:
Other Members of Osumilite Group:
Agakhanovite-(Y)K◻2(YCa)Be3[Si12O30]Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
AlmaruditeK◻2Mn2+2(Be2Al)[Si12O30]Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mmm
AluminosugiliteKNa2Al2Li3[Si12O30]Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
BerezanskiteK◻2Ti2Li3[Si12O30]Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
BrannockiteK◻2Sn2Li3[Si12O30]Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
ChayesiteK◻2Mg2(Mg2Fe3+)[Si12O30]Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
DarapiositeKNa2Mn2(Zn2Li)[Si12O30]Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
DusmatoviteK(K◻)Mn2+2Zn3[Si12O30]Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
EifeliteKNa2(MgNa)Mg3[Si12O30]Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
FriedrichbeckeiteK(◻Na)Mg2(Be2Mg)[Si12O30]Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
KlöchiteK◻2(Fe2+Fe3+)Zn3[Si12O30]Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P63/mmc
LaurentthomasiteK◻2Mg2(Be2Al)[Si12O30]Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
MerrihueiteK(◻Na)Fe2+2Fe2+3[Si12O30]Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
MilariteK(◻H2O)Ca2(Be2Al)[Si12O30]Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
OftedaliteK◻2(ScCa)Be3[Si12O30]Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
OsumiliteK◻2Fe2+2Al3[Al2Si10O30]Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
Osumilite-(Mg)K◻2Mg2Al3[Al2Si10O30] Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
PoudretteiteK◻2Na2B3[Si12O30]Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
RoedderiteK(◻Na)Mg2Mg3[Si12O30]Hex. 6m2 : P62c
ShibkoviteK(◻K)Ca2Zn3[Si12O30]Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
SogdianiteK◻2Zr2Li3[Si12O30]Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
SugiliteKNa2Fe3+2Li3[Si12O30]Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
Trattnerite◻(◻)2Fe3+2Mg3[Si12O30]Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
'UM1990-73-SiO:KMnNaZn'K(KNa0.5◻0.5)(Mn1.5Na0.5)Zn3[Si12O30]Hex.
'Unnamed (Mn3+-dominant analog of Sugilite)'KNa2Mn3+2Li3[Si12O30]
YagiiteNa◻2Mg2Al3[Al2Si10O30]Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc

Common AssociatesHide

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Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
6 photos of Armenite associated with Epidote(CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH)
4 photos of Armenite associated with GanteriteBa0.5(Na,K)0.5Al2(Si2.5Al1.5)O10(OH)2
3 photos of Armenite associated with QuartzSiO2
3 photos of Armenite associated with 'Thulite'{Ca2}{Al,Mn3+3}(Si2O7)(SiO4)O(OH)
3 photos of Armenite associated with CalciteCaCO3
3 photos of Armenite associated with Chlorite Group
1 photo of Armenite associated with RutileTiO2

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

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9.CM.Agakhanovite-(Y)K◻2(YCa)Be3[Si12O30]Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
9.CM.05FriedrichbeckeiteK(◻Na)Mg2(Be2Mg)[Si12O30]Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
9.CM.05LaurentthomasiteK◻2Mg2(Be2Al)[Si12O30]Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
9.CM.05'UM1990-73-SiO:KMnNaZn'K(KNa0.5◻0.5)(Mn1.5Na0.5)Zn3[Si12O30]Hex.
9.CM.05EifeliteKNa2(MgNa)Mg3[Si12O30]Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
9.CM.05AlmaruditeK◻2Mn2+2(Be2Al)[Si12O30]Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mmm
9.CM.05MerrihueiteK(◻Na)Fe2+2Fe2+3[Si12O30]Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
9.CM.05OftedaliteK◻2(ScCa)Be3[Si12O30]Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
9.CM.05RoedderiteK(◻Na)Mg2Mg3[Si12O30]Hex. 6m2 : P62c
9.CM.05ShibkoviteK(◻K)Ca2Zn3[Si12O30]Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
9.CM.05SogdianiteK◻2Zr2Li3[Si12O30]Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
9.CM.05MilariteK(◻H2O)Ca2(Be2Al)[Si12O30]Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
9.CM.05BerezanskiteK◻2Ti2Li3[Si12O30]Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
9.CM.05PoudretteiteK◻2Na2B3[Si12O30]Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
9.CM.05DarapiositeKNa2Mn2(Zn2Li)[Si12O30]Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
9.CM.05ChayesiteK◻2Mg2(Mg2Fe3+)[Si12O30]Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
9.CM.05Osumilite-(Mg)K◻2Mg2Al3[Al2Si10O30] Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
9.CM.05OsumiliteK◻2Fe2+2Al3[Al2Si10O30]Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
9.CM.05SugiliteKNa2Fe3+2Li3[Si12O30]Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
9.CM.05Trattnerite◻(◻)2Fe3+2Mg3[Si12O30]Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
9.CM.05BrannockiteK◻2Sn2Li3[Si12O30]Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
9.CM.05KlöchiteK◻2(Fe2+Fe3+)Zn3[Si12O30]Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P63/mmc
9.CM.05DusmatoviteK(K◻)Mn2+2Zn3[Si12O30]Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
9.CM.05YagiiteNa◻2Mg2Al3[Al2Si10O30]Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
9.CM.9.CM.AluminosugiliteKNa2Al2Li3[Si12O30]Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mcc
9.CM.10FaizieviteK2Na(Ca6Na)Ti4Li6[Si6O18]2[Si12O30]F2Tric. 1 : P1

Other InformationHide

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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 ArmeniteHide

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mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-343.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

References for ArmeniteHide

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Reference List:

Localities for ArmeniteHide

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Showing 28 localities.

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the 👁 Image
symbol to view information about a locality. The 👁 Image
symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.

Locality ListHide

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👁 Image
- This locality has map coordinates listed. 👁 Image
- This locality has estimated coordinates. ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence. ? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. 👁 Image
- Good crystals or important locality for species. 👁 Image
- 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.
Australia
  • New South Wales
    • Yancowinna Co.
      • Broken Hill district
Birch BH Book +1 other reference
Mason (1987)
Mason (1987)
Canada
  • Ontario
    • Kenora District
      • Root Lake pegmatite group
        • Root Lake Area
Tindle et al. (2005)
    • Thunder Bay District
      • Bomby Township
Pan et al. (1992)
  • Québec
    • Abitibi-Témiscamingue
      • Témiscamingue RCM
Pouliot et al. (1984) +3 other references
Cuba
  • Villa Clara Province
Torró et al. (2016)
Czech Republic
  • Olomouc Region
    • Šumperk District
      • Ruda nad Moravou
Novak et al. (2010) +2 other references
  • Pardubice Region
    • Pardubice District
Mineralogical Society of America - ...
Eswatini
  • Hhohho Region
Roerdink et al. (2016)
Italy
  • Piedmont
    • Verbano-Cusio-Ossola Province
      • Mergozzo
        • Candoglia
Peyronel Pagliani (1958) +2 other references
  • Sardinia
    • South Sardinia Province
      • Fluminimaggiore
Stara et al. (1994)
      • Narcao
        • Rosas Mine Complex (Rosas Mine)
Cocco et al. (2022)
Norway
  • Buskerud
    • Kongsberg
Bancroft et al. (2001)
      • Overberget Mining Field
Neumann (1941)
Portugal
  • Bragança
    • Freixo de Espada à Cinta
      • Poiares
L. Miguel Gaspar and Carlos M. C. Inverno (2000)
  • Guarda
    • Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo
      • Escalhão
Gaspar et al. (2000)
Russia
  • Murmansk Oblast
 ...
  • Sverdlovsk Oblast
    • Serovsky District
      • Turya river
        • Tur'insk
Kasatkin et al. (2018) +1 other reference
South Korea
  • Daejeon
    • Daejeon-gun
Gi Young Jeong (2006)
  • Gyeonggi Province
Cheong et al. (2003)
Spain
  • Catalonia
    • Tarragona
      • Conca de Barberà
        • Vimbodí i Poblet
Canet et al. (2003)
Sweden
  • Dalarna County
    • Säter
      • Öster Silvberg mining district
Makvandi et al. (2024)
Switzerland
  • Valais
    • Brig
      • Ried-Brig
        • Ganter valley
          • Wasen Alp
Graeser (1993) +2 other references
UK
Tindle (2008)
    • Aberdeenshire
      • Braemar
Fortey et al. (1991) +2 other references
USA
  • Washington
    • King County
      • Snoqualmie Mining District
Mineralogical Society of America - ... +2 other references
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