Roeblingite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Roeblingite
Washington Augustus Roebling
Formula:
Pb2Ca6Mn2+(Si3O9)2(SO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2O
Colour:
White, greyish white
Lustre:
Dull
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
3.433
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named in 1897 by Samuel Lewis Penfield and Harry Ward Foote in honor of Colonel Washington A. Roebling (26 May 1837, Saxonburg, Pennsylvania, USA – 21 July 1926, Trenton, New Jersey, USA), founder of the Mineralogical Society of America, engineer, inventor of the diving bell, builder of the Brooklyn Bridge, and avid mineral collector, donated collection to Smithsonian.
This page provides mineralogical data about Roeblingite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3436
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3436:0
IMA Classification of Roeblingite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Pb2+2Ca6Mn2+(Si3O9)2(S6+O4)2(OH)2·4H2O
First published:
1897
Classification of Roeblingite
9.CB.05
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
C : Cyclosilicates
B : [Si3O9]6- 3-membered single rings, with insular complex anions
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
C : Cyclosilicates
B : [Si3O9]6- 3-membered single rings, with insular complex anions
64.2.2.1
64 : CYCLOSILICATES Rings with Other Anions and Insular Silicate Groups
2 : Rings with Other Anions and Insular Silicate Groups: 3-membered rings with other anion groups
64 : CYCLOSILICATES Rings with Other Anions and Insular Silicate Groups
2 : Rings with Other Anions and Insular Silicate Groups: 3-membered rings with other anion groups
17.10.25
17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
10 : Silicates with sulphate, molybdate or tungstate
17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
10 : Silicates with sulphate, molybdate or tungstate
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Roe | 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 Roeblingite
Dull
Transparency:
Transparent, Opaque
Colour:
White, greyish white
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
on {001}
on {001}
Density:
3.433 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.44 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Roeblingite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.64 nβ = 1.64 nγ = 1.66
2V:
Measured: 61° (2), Calculated: 61°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.020
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 (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 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.
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:
relatively weak r < v
Chemistry of Roeblingite
Mindat Formula:
Pb2Ca6Mn2+(Si3O9)2(SO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2O
Element Weights:
Common Impurities:
Sr,Na,K,C
Crystallography of Roeblingite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/m
Setting:
C2/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 13.208 Å, b = 8.287 Å, c = 13.089 Å
β = 106.65°
β = 106.65°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.594 : 1 : 1.579
Unit Cell V:
1,372.59 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
As dense, compact masses of tiny lathlike crystals.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
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Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
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View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
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Rotation
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Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0000963 | Roeblingite | Moore P B, Shen J (1984) Roeblingite, Pb2Ca6(SO4)2(OH)2(H2O)4[Mn(Si3O9)2]: Its crystal structure and comments on the lone pair effect American Mineralogist 69 1173-1179 |  | 1984 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.15 Å | (100) |
| 4.20 Å | (80) |
| 3.04 Å | (55) |
| 2.102 Å | (40) |
| 6.47 Å | (35) |
| 6.29 Å | (35) |
| 2.947 Å | (35) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| High-? alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 32 : Ba/Mn/Pb/Zn deposits, including metamorphic deposits | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47b : [Sulfates and sulfites] | |
| 47e : [Vanadates, chromates, manganates] |
Geological Setting:
Metamorphosed manganese deposits.
Type Occurrence of Roeblingite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Porcelanous
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, R8824,124351.
The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1925,69.
The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1925,69.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Highly altered (metasomatized) zone in a zinc-manganese-iron silicate-oxide orebody.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Roeblingite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 23 photos of Roeblingite associated with Hendricksite | KZn3(Si3Al)O10(OH)2 |
| 22 photos of Roeblingite associated with Clinohedrite | CaZn(SiO4) · H2O |
| 21 photos of Roeblingite associated with Ganophyllite | (K,Na)xMn2+6(Si,Al)10O24(OH)4 · nH2O (x = 1-2; n = 7-11) |
| 18 photos of Roeblingite associated with Xonotlite | Ca6(Si6O17)(OH)2 |
| 11 photos of Roeblingite associated with Hancockite | (CaPb)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH) |
| 8 photos of Roeblingite associated with Willemite | Zn2SiO4 |
| 6 photos of Roeblingite associated with Charlesite | Ca6(Al,Si)2(SO4)2[B(OH)4](OH,O)12 · 26H2O |
| 5 photos of Roeblingite associated with Prehnite | Ca2Al2Si3O10(OH)2 |
| 3 photos of Roeblingite associated with Pennantite | Mn2+5Al(AlSi3O10)(OH)8 |
| 1 photo of Roeblingite associated with Rhodonite | CaMn3Mn[Si5O15] |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.CB.10 | Diversilite-(Ce) | Na2(Ba,K)6Fe2+Ce2Ti3(Si3O9)3(HSiO4)3(OH,H2O)9 |
| 9.CB.15 | Ilímaussite-(Ce) | (Na,K)7-8(Ba,K)10Ce5(Nb,Ti)6(Si3O9)4(Si9O18)O6(O,OH)24 |
Fluorescence of Roeblingite
Dull red (SW UV)
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 Roeblingite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3436.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Roeblingite
Reference List:
Hurlbut, C. S., Baum, J. L. (1960) Ettringite from Franklin, New Jersey. American Mineralogist, 45 (11-12) 1137-1143
Dunn, Pete J., Norberg, Julie A., Leavens, Peter B. (1982) Roeblingite: new chemical data. Mineralogical Magazine, 46 (340) 341-342 doi:10.1180/minmag.1982.046.340.07
Dunn, P. J.; Cabri, L. J.; Clark, A. M.; Fleischer, M. (1983) New mineral names. American Mineralogist, 68 (7-8). 849-852
Moore, Paul Brian, Shen, Jinchuan (1984) Roeblingite, Pb2Ca6(SO4)2(OH)2(H2O)4[Mn(Si3O9)2]: its crystal structure and comments on the lone pair effect. American Mineralogist, 69 (11-12) 1173-1179
Dunn, Pete J. (1985) The lead silicates from Franklin, New Jersey: occurrence and composition. Mineralogical Magazine, 49 (354) 721-727 doi:10.1180/minmag.1985.049.354.12
Localities for Roeblingite
Showing 4 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.
Sweden | |
| Holtstam et al. (1999) +1 other reference |
USA | |
| Palache (1935) +3 other references |
| FOMS Millsite Committee (1986) | |
| Penfield et al. (1897) +2 other references |
Quick NavTopAbout RoeblingiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence Other LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Franklin Mine, Franklin, Sussex County, New Jersey, USA