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Gaultite

A valid IMA mineral species
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About GaultiteHide

04603620017447215107736.jpg
Bob Gault
Formula:
Na4Zn2Si7O18 · 5H2O
Colour:
Colourless to pale mauve
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
6
Specific Gravity:
2.52
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
Named by T. Scott Ercit and Jerry Van Velthuizen in 1994 in honor of Robert A. Gault (1943-), mineralogist at the Canadian Museum of Nature.
Currently the only natural zeolite with essential zinc.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
1661
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1661:8

Similar NamesHide

GuilditeA valid IMA mineral species - grandfatheredCuFe3+(SO4)2(OH) · 4H2O
QeltiteA valid IMA mineral speciesCa3TiSi2(Fe23+Si)O14

IMA Classification of GaultiteHide

Approved
IMA Formula:
Na4Zn2+2Si7O18·5H2O
Approval year:
1992
First published:
1994

Classification of GaultiteHide

9.GF.20

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
G : Tektosilicates with zeolitic H2O; zeolite family
F : Other Rare Zeolites
77.2.6.1

77 : TECTOSILICATES Zeolites
2 : Zeolite group - 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.

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

Physical Properties of GaultiteHide

Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless to pale mauve
Streak:
White
Hardness:
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect {101} and {010} cleavages and a poor {021} cleavage.
Density:
2.52(4) g/cm3 (Measured)    2.52 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of GaultiteHide

Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.520 nβ = 1.521 nγ = 1.524
2V:
Measured: 61.3° (4), Calculated: 62°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.004
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 Âĩm 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 (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.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure - the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are isogyres.

Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Dispersion:
weak to moderate
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic

Chemistry of GaultiteHide

Mindat Formula:
Na4Zn2Si7O18 · 5H2O
Element Weights:
Element% weight
O46.149 %
Si24.656 %
Zn16.399 %
Na11.533 %
H1.264 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
O
Si
Zn
Na
H

Crystallography of GaultiteHide

Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mm2 - Pyramidal
Space Group:
Fdd2
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.211(3) Å, b = 39.88(2) Å, c = 10.304(4) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.256 : 1 : 0.258
Unit Cell V:
4,195.94 ÅÂģ (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
8
Morphology:
Equant, multifaceted crystals. Forms include {010}, {110}, {110}, {021}, {151}, {l5l}. Subordinate {111}, {111}, {131}, {131}, {171}, {171} and {011}.

Crystal StructureHide

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0005410GaultiteErcit T S, Van Velthuizen J (1994) Gaultite, a new zeolite-like mineral species from Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, and its crystal structure The Canadian Mineralogist 32 855-8631994Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada0293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
6.35 Å(100)
5.36 Å(20)
4.96 Å(30)
3.240 Å(60)
3.167 Å(40)
3.140 Å(40)
2.996 Å(20)
2.821 Å(30)
2.491 Å(20)
2.233 Å(20)
1.807 Å(20)
1.689 Å(20)
1.406 Å(20)
1.345 Å(20)

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks>3.0
35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks

Type Occurrence of GaultiteHide

General Appearance of Type Material:
Euhedral, multifaceted crystals to 0.5 mm in a sodalite inclusion.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, number CMN 81513.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Contact of hornfels and nepheline-sodalite syenite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Synonyms of GaultiteHide

Other Language Names for GaultiteHide

Relationship of Gaultite to other SpeciesHide

Member of:
Other Members of Zeolite Group:
AlflarseniteNaCa2Be3Si4O13(OH) · 2H2OMon. 2 : P21
AmiciteK2Na2Al4Si4O16 · 5H2OMon. 2
Ammonioleucite(NH4)(AlSi2O6)Tet. 4/m : I41/a
AnalcimeNa(AlSi2O6) · H2OTric. 1 : P1
ArzamastseviteK6Al5Si6O20(OH)4ClTet. 42m : I42m
Bellbergite(K,Ba,Sr)2Sr2Ca2(Ca,Na)4[Al3Si3O12]6 · 30H2OHex.
BikitaiteLiAlSi2O6 · H2OTric. 1 : P1
BoggsiteCa8Na3(Si,Al)96O192 · 70H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Imma
Brewsterite SubgroupZeolite Group.
Chabazite-Levyne SubgroupM[Al2Si4O12] · 6H2O
ChiavenniteCaMnBe2Si5O13(OH)2 · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
Clinoptilolite Subgroup(Na/Ca/K)3-6[Al6-7Si29-30O72] · 20H2O
CowlesiteCaAl2Si3O10 · 6H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
Dachiardite SubgroupZeolite Group.
DirenzoiteNaK6MgCa2(Al13Si47O120) · 36H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pmmn
EdingtoniteBa[Al2Si3O10] · 4H2OOrth. 222 : P212121
EpistilbiteCaAl2Si6O16 · 5H2OMon.
Erionite SubgroupM2[Al4Si14O36] · 15H2O
FabriÃĻsiteNa3Al3Si3O12 · 2H2OOrth. mm2 : Pmm2
Faujasite SubgroupM3.5[Al7Si17O48] · 32H2O
Ferrierite SubgroupName used for unanalysed specimens that could be either ferrierite-K, ferrierite-Mg, ...
FerrochiavenniteCa1-2Fe[(Si,Al,Be)5Be2O13(OH)2] · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
FlÃķrkeite(K3Ca2Na)[Al8Si8O32] · 12H2OTric. 1 : P1
Garronite Subgroup
Gismondine SubgroupZeolite Group.
Gmelinite SubgroupIn 1997, gmelinite was split into Gmelinite-Ca, Gmelinite-Na and Gmelinite-K.
GobbinsiteNa5(Si11Al5)O32 · 11H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma
GoosecreekiteCa[Al2Si6O16] · 5H2OMon. 2 : P21
GottardiiteNa3Mg3Ca5Al19Si117O272 · 93H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Cmca
Heulandite Subgroup(Na/Ca/K)5-6[Al8-9 Si27-28 O72] · nH2O
HsianghualiteCa3Li2(Be3Si3O12)F2Iso. 23 : I213
KalborsiteK6Al4BSi6O20(OH)4ClTet. 42m : P421c
KirchhoffiteCs(BSi2O6)Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I41/acd
LaumontiteCaAl2Si4O12 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : B2/m
LeuciteK(AlSi2O6)Tet. 4/m : I41/a
LimousiniteBaCa[Be4P4O16] · 6H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
LithositeK6Al4Si8O25 · 2H2OMon.
Loomisite Ba[Be2P2O8] · H2OMon. m
LovdariteK2Na6Be4Si14O36 · 9H2OOrth. mm2
MaricopaitePb7Ca2(Si,Al)48O100 · 32H2OOrth.
MartinandresiteBa2(Al4Si12O32) · 10H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pmmn
Mazzite SubgroupZeolite Group.
MeieriteBa44Si66Al30O192Cl25(OH)33Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Im3m
MerlinoiteK5Ca2(Si23Al9)O64 · 24H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Immm
Montesommaite(K,Na)9Al9Si23O64 · 10H2OOrth. mm2 : Fdd2
Mordenite(Na2,Ca,K2)4(Al8Si40)O96 · 28H2OOrth.
MountainiteKNa2Ca2[Si8O19(OH)] · 6H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
MutinaiteNa3Ca4Si85Al11O192 · 60H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma
NabesiteNa2BeSi4O10 · 4H2OOrth. 222 : P212121
Natrolite SubgroupA subgroup of the Zeolite Group.
OffretiteKCaMg(Si13Al5)O36 · 15H2OHex. 6m2 : P6m2
PahasapaiteLi8(Ca,Li,K)10.5Be24(PO4)24 · 38H2OIso. 23 : I23
ParthÃĐiteCa2(Si4Al4) O15 (OH)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
Paulingite SubgroupPaulingite was originally described in 1960.
PerlialiteK9Na(Ca,Sr)[Al2Si4O12]6 · 15H2OHex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mmm
Phillipsite Subgroup(Ca0.5,K,Na,Ba0.5)4-7[Al4-7Si12-9O32] . 12H2O
Pollucite(Cs,Na)2(Al2Si4O12) · 2H2OIso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Ia3d
RoggianiteCa2Be(OH)2Al2Si4O13 · 2.5H2OTet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I4/mcm
RongibbsitePb2(Si4Al)O11(OH) Mon. 2/m : B2/m
Stilbite SubgroupM6-7[Al8-9Si27-28O72] · nH2O
Terranovaite(Na,Ca)8(Si68Al12)O160 · 29H2OOrth.
Thomsonite SubgroupThe large majority of "thomsonite" is thomsonite-Ca.
ThornasiteNa12Th4+3(Si8O19)4 · 18H2OTrig. 3m : R3m
Tschernichite(Ca,Na2)[Al2Si4O12] · 4-8H2OTet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : P4/mmm
TschÃķrtneriteCa4(Ca,Sr,K,Ba)3Cu3[Al3Si3O12]4(OH)8 · nH2OIso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fm3m
'UM1996-38-SiO:AlCaHNa'Na-Ca-Al-Si-O-H
'UM1999-33-SiO:AlHKNa'K7Na5Al12Si20O64 · 24H2O
'UM2002-40-SiO:AlCaHKMgNa'(Mg,Ca,Na,K)7.5(Al12.8Si51.2)O128 · 65H2OTet. 422 : P4122
'Unnamed (Ca analogue of Merlinoite)'(Ca,K,Na)5(Ca,Ba)2Al9Si23O64 · 23H2O ?
WairakiteCa(Al2Si4O12) · 2H2OMon. 2/m : B2/m
WeinebeneiteCaBe3(PO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2OMon. m : Bb
Wenkite(Ba,K)4(Ca,Na)6[(Si,Al)20O39(OH)2](SO4)3 · 0.5H2OHex. 6m2 : P62m
Wilancookite(Ba5Li2â—ŧ)Ba6Be24P24O96 · 26H2OIso. 23 : I23
WillhendersoniteKCa[Al3Si3O12] · 5H2OTric. 1 : P1
YugawaraliteCaAl2Si6O16 · 4H2OMon. m : Pb

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
4 photos of Gaultite associated with SeranditeNaMn2+2Si3O8(OH)
4 photos of Gaultite associated with UssingiteNa2AlSi3O8OH
4 photos of Gaultite associated with MakatiteNa2Si4O8(OH)2 · 4H2O
4 photos of Gaultite associated with SodaliteNa4(Si3Al3)O12Cl

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

9.GF.05Terranovaite(Na,Ca)8(Si68Al12)O160 · 29H2OOrth.
9.GF.10GottardiiteNa3Mg3Ca5Al19Si117O272 · 93H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Cmca
9.GF.15LovdariteK2Na6Be4Si14O36 · 9H2OOrth. mm2
9.GF.25FerrochiavenniteCa1-2Fe[(Si,Al,Be)5Be2O13(OH)2] · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
9.GF.25ChiavenniteCaMnBe2Si5O13(OH)2 · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
9.GF.30Tschernichite(Ca,Na2)[Al2Si4O12] · 4-8H2OTet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : P4/mmm
9.GF.35MutinaiteNa3Ca4Si85Al11O192 · 60H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma
9.GF.40TschÃķrtneriteCa4(Ca,Sr,K,Ba)3Cu3[Al3Si3O12]4(OH)8 · nH2OIso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fm3m
9.GF.55DirenzoiteNaK6MgCa2(Al13Si47O120) · 36H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pmmn
9.GF.60MeieriteBa44Si66Al30O192Cl25(OH)33Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Im3m
9.GF.65RongibbsitePb2(Si4Al)O11(OH) Mon. 2/m : B2/m

Fluorescence of GaultiteHide

Bright apple-green fluorescence under short-wave UV.

Other InformationHide

Notes:
Gaultite does not readily dissolve in 1:1 HCl but does show very slight etching after prolonged exposure.
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 GaultiteHide

References for GaultiteHide

Localities for GaultiteHide

Showing 2 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.
Canada (TL)
 
  • QuÃĐbec
    • MontÃĐrÃĐgie
      • La VallÃĐe-du-Richelieu RCM
        • Mont Saint-Hilaire
Ercit et al. (1994)
Russia
 
  • Kamchatka Krai
    • Yelizovsky District
      • Mutnovskoe
Potapova et al. (2026)
 
and/or  
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