Eitelite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Eitelite
Wilhelm H. J. Eitel
Formula:
Na2Mg(CO3)2
Colour:
Colorless
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
3½
Specific Gravity:
2.737
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Name:
Named by C. Milton, J.M. Axelrod, and F.S. Grimaldi in 1955 in honor of Wilhelm Hermann Julius Eitel (6 May 1891, Frankfurt, Germany - 20 July 1979, Toledo, Ohio, USA), Director, Institute of Silicate Research, University of Toledo, Ohio, who first synthesized it.
This page provides mineralogical data about Eitelite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1360
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1360:0
Similar Names
| Aedelite | A synonym of Prehnite | |
| Edelite | A synonym of 'Aedelite' | |
| Eifelite | A valid IMA mineral species | KNa2(MgNa)Mg3[Si12O30] |
| Eimelite | A synonym of 'Cimolite' | |
| Eudalite | A synonym of Eudialyte | |
| Exitèlite | A synonym of Valentinite | |
| Yatalite | A rock subtype | |
| Ædelite (of Kirwan) | A synonym of Natrolite |
IMA Classification of Eitelite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1955
Classification of Eitelite
5.AC.05
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
A : Carbonates without additional anions, without H2O
C : Alkali and alkali-earth carbonates
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
A : Carbonates without additional anions, without H2O
C : Alkali and alkali-earth carbonates
14.3.2.1
14 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL CARBONATES
3 : A2B(XO3)2
14 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL CARBONATES
3 : A2B(XO3)2
11.3.10
11 : Carbonates
3 : Carbonates of Mg
11 : Carbonates
3 : Carbonates of Mg
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 for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Eit | 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 Eitelite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colorless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Very Good
Excellent on {0001}, also transverse on {0001}
Excellent on {0001}, also transverse on {0001}
Density:
2.737 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.732 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Eitelite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.6052 nε = 1.4502
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.155
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
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.
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.
Surface Relief:
Low (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
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.
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.
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.
Chemistry of Eitelite
Mindat Formula:
Na2Mg(CO3)2
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Eitelite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3 - Rhombohedral
Space Group:
R3
Cell Parameters:
a = 4.942(2) Å, c = 16.406(7) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 3.32
Unit Cell V:
347.01 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
3
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0014765 | Eitelite | Knobloch D, Pertlik F, Zemann J (1980) Crystal structure refinements of buetschliite and eitelite: a contribution to the stereochemistry of trigonal carbonate minerals Neues Jahrbuch fur Mineralogie, Monatshefte 1980 230-236 | 1980 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0000307 | Eitelite | Pabst A (1973) The crystallography and structure of eitelite, Na2Mg(CO3)2 American Mineralogist 58 211-217 |  | 1973 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.794 Å | (16) |
| 2.731 Å | (25) |
| 2.602 Å | (100) |
| 2.469 Å | (25) |
| 2.251 Å | (20) |
| 2.0710 Å | (18) |
| 1.8975 Å | (20) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 24 : Authigenic minerals in terrestrial sediments (see also #17) | |
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks | |
| 36 : Carbonatites, kimberlites, and related igneous rocks |
Type Occurrence of Eitelite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Crystals, a few millimeters in diameter.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
n.d.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Authigenic mineral from dolomitic shale.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Eitelite
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.AC.10 | Zemkorite | Na2Ca(CO3)2 |
| 5.AC.10 | Nyerereite | Na2Ca(CO3)2 |
| 5.AC.15 | Bütschliite | K2Ca(CO3)2 |
| 5.AC.20 | Fairchildite | K2Ca(CO3)2 |
| 5.AC.25 | Shortite | Na2Ca2(CO3)3 |
| 5.AC.30 | Burbankite | (Na,Ca)3(Sr,Ba,Ce)3(CO3)5 |
| 5.AC.30 | Calcioburbankite | Na3(Ca,REE,Sr)3(CO3)5 |
| 5.AC.30 | Sanrománite | Na2CaPb3[CO3]5 |
| 5.AC.30 | Khanneshite | (Na,Ca)3(Ba,Sr,Ce,Ca)3(CO3)5 |
| 5.AC.30 | Lishiite | (Ca2◻)Sr3(CO3)5 |
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 Eitelite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1360.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Eitelite
Reference List:
Eitel, W., Skaliks, W. (1929) Über einige Doppelcarbonate der Alkalien und Erdalkalien. Zeitschrift für anorganische und allgemeine Chemie, 183. 263-286 doi:10.1002/zaac.19291830119
Pabst, Adolf (1973) The crystallography and structure of eitelite, Na2Mg(CO3)2. American Mineralogist, 58 (3-4) 211-217
Sharygin, Igor S.; Golovin, Alexander V.; Korsakov, Andrey V.; Pokhilenko, Nikolay P. (2014) Eitelite in sheared peridotite xenoliths from Udachnaya-East kimberlite pipe (Russia) - a new locality and host rock type. European Journal of Mineralogy, 25 (5). 825-834 doi:10.1127/0935-1221/2013/0025-2315
Localities for Eitelite
Showing 34 localities.
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.
Angola | |
| Castellano Calvo A et al. (2014) |
| Castellano Calvo A et al. (2014) |
Brazil | |
| Kaminsky et al. (2013) +2 other references |
| Kaminsky et al. (2015) | |
Canada | |
| Taseko |
| Dominion Diamond Mines |
| Kamenetsky et al. (2013) | |
China | |
| Zhang et al. (2019, December) +1 other reference |
Mexico | |
| Mariano et al. (2014, June) |
Russia | |
| Golovin et al. (2023) |
| Chayka et al. (2021) |
| ... |
| Sharygin et al. (2014) +1 other reference |
| Mikhailova et al. (2015) | |
| Zaitsev et al. (2004) |
| Sharygin et al. (2014) | |
| Logvinova et al. (2019) |
| Sharygin et al. (2014) |
| Sharygin et al. (2021) |
| Sharygin (2016) +1 other reference |
South Africa | |
| Kamenetsky et al. (2014) |
| Giuliani et al. (2012) +2 other references |
| Abersteiner et al. (2024) |
Spain | |
| Sanz-Montero et al. (2019) |
Sudan | |
| Mees et al. (1991) +1 other reference |
Tajikistan | |
| www.koeln.netsurf.de (1999) |
USA | |
| Tank (1972) +2 other references | |
| Milton et al. (1955) |
| Bullock (1981) | |
| gsa.confex.com (n.d.) | |
| Milton et al. (1960) | |
| U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report ... +1 other reference | |
| U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report ... | |
| Färber (n.d.) |
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Westvaco mine, Green River Basin, Sweetwater County, Wyoming, USA