Galeite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Galeite
William A. Gale
Formula:
Na15(SO4)5F4Cl
Colour:
Colorless
Specific Gravity:
2.605
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Name:
Named in 1955 by Adolf Pabst, Dwight L. Sawyer, Jr., and George S. Switzer in honor of William Alexander Gale (3 February 1898, Douro, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada – 4 March 1985, California, United States), Director of Research of the American Potash and Chemical Corporation.
Type Locality:
Forms polycrystals with schairerite in the type material.
Can be treated as a 5H antiperovskite polytype, while schairerite - a 7H one.
Can be treated as a 5H antiperovskite polytype, while schairerite - a 7H one.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1640
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1640:3
Similar Names
IMA Classification of Galeite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Na15(S6+O4)5ClF4
First published:
1955
Classification of Galeite
7.BD.10
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
B : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, without H2O
D : With only large cations
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
B : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, without H2O
D : With only large cations
30.1.8.1
30 : ANHYDROUS SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
1 : (AB)m(XO4)pZq, where m:p>2:1
30 : ANHYDROUS SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
1 : (AB)m(XO4)pZq, where m:p>2:1
26.4
26 : Sulphates with Halide
26 : Sulphates with Halide
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Gle | 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 Galeite
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colorless
Streak:
White
Density:
2.605(5) g/cm3 (Measured) 2.596 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Calculated density from Fanfani et al. (1975).
Optical Data of Galeite
Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 1.447(2) nε = 1.449(2)
Birefringence:
Very low.
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.002
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:
High (negative)
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 Galeite
Mindat Formula:
Na15(SO4)5F4Cl
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Galeite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m - Ditrigonal Pyramidal
Space Group:
P31m
Cell Parameters:
a = 12.197(4) Å, c = 13.955(10) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 1.144
Unit Cell V:
1,797.90 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
3
Morphology:
Barrel-shapaed crystals. Forms include {1121}, {2111}, {0001}, {1120}.
Comment:
Cell parameters from Fanfani et al. (1975); complexity: 695.175 bits/cell
Crystal Structure
Load
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0014464 | Galeite | Fanfani L, Nunzi A, Zanazzi P F, Zanzari A R (1975) The crystal structure of galeite, Na15(SO4)5F4Cl Mineralogical Magazine 40 357-361 |  | 1975 | Searles Lake, California, USA | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 2.79 Å | (100) |
| 3.52 Å | (80) |
| 3.68 Å | (70) |
| 2.55 Å | (70) |
| 2.97 Å | (60) |
| 1.758 Å | (60) |
| 3.04 Å | (40) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 21 : Chemically precipitated carbonate, phosphate, iron formations | |
| 25 : Evaporites (prebiotic) |
Type Occurrence of Galeite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Small nodular aggregates of minute white crystals, embedded in clay and other salt minerals. Crystals to about 1 mm. Hexagonal, barrel-shaped, rarely tabular.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian), Washington, D.C., USA, 107385.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Drill core from an evaporite deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Galeite
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.BD. | Hasanovite | KNa(MoO2)(SO4)2 |
| 7.BD. | Kennygayite | [Pb4O2(OH)2](SO4) |
| 7.BD. | Adanite | Pb2(Te4+O3)(SO4) |
| 7.BD. | Cadsulfohite | Cd2(SO4)(OH)2 |
| 7.BD. | Hyblerite | Pb4Bi2(SO4)2(CO3)O4 |
| 7.BD. | Zanelliite | PbCu9[AsO3.5(OH)0.5]2(AsO4)2(OH)9(H2O)3 |
| 7.BD. | Evanichite | Pb6Cr3+(Cr6+O4)2(SO4)(OH)7FCl |
| 7.BD.05 | Sulphohalite | Na6(SO4)2FCl |
| 7.BD.10 | Schairerite | Na21(SO4)7ClF6 |
| 7.BD.15 | Kogarkoite | Na3(SO4)F |
| 7.BD.20 | Aiolosite | Na4Bi(SO4)3Cl |
| 7.BD.20 | Caracolite | Na3Pb2(SO4)3Cl |
| 7.BD.20 | Cesanite | Na3Ca2(SO4)3(OH) |
| 7.BD.25 | Burkeite | Na6(CO3)(SO4)2 |
| 7.BD.30 | Hanksite | Na22K(SO4)9(CO3)2Cl |
| 7.BD.35 | Cannonite | Bi2(SO4)O(OH)2 |
| 7.BD.40 | Lanarkite | Pb2(SO4)O |
| 7.BD.45 | Grandreefite | Pb2(SO4)F2 |
| 7.BD.50 | Itoite | Pb3Ge4+(SO4)2O2(OH)2 |
| 7.BD.55 | Chiluite | Bi3Te6+Mo6+O10.5 |
| 7.BD.60 | Hectorfloresite | Na9(SO4)4(IO3) |
| 7.BD.65 | Pseudograndreefite | Pb6(SO4)F10 |
| 7.BD.70 | Sundiusite | Pb10(SO4)O8Cl2 |
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:
stable up to 600
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 Galeite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1640.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Galeite
Reference List:
Pabst, A., Sawyer, D. L., Switzer, George (1963) Galeite and related phases in the system Na2SO4-NaF-NaCl. American Mineralogist, 48 (5-6) 485-510
IMA (1967) International Mineralogical Association: Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 36 (277) 131-136 doi:10.1180/minmag.1967.036.277.20
Brown, F. H., Pabst, A. (1971) New data on galeite and schairerite. American Mineralogist, 56 (1-2) 174-178
Fanfani, L., Nunzi, A., Zanazzi, P. F., Zanzari, A. R. (1975) The crystal structure of galeite, Na15(SO4)5F4Cl. Mineralogical Magazine, 40 (312) 357-361 doi:10.1180/minmag.1975.040.312.04
Avdontceva, Margarita S., Zolotarev, Andrey A., Shablinskii, Andrey P., Bocharov, Vladimir N., Kasatkin, Anatoly V., Krivovichev, Sergey V. (2023) Galeite, Na15(SO4)5ClF4, and Schairerite, Na21(SO4)7ClF6: Phase Transitions, Thermal Expansion and Thermal Stability. Symmetry, 15 (10). 1871 doi:10.3390/sym15101871
Localities for Galeite
Showing 5 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.
Iceland | |
| Jakobsson et al. (1992) |
| JAKOBSSON et al. (1986) +1 other reference | |
Japan | |
| Oskarsson (1981) +1 other reference |
| Africano et al. (2000) | |
USA (TL) | |
| Pabst et al. (1955) +5 other references |
Quick NavTopAbout GaleiteUnique IdentifiersSimilar NamesIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence Other LanguagesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Searles Lake, San Bernardino County, California, USA