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Simonellite

A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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05472000017271926546204.jpg
Simonellite

Fognano, Montepulciano, Siena Province, Tuscany, Italy
05666850017271926574988.jpg
Simonellite

Fognano, Montepulciano, Siena Province, Tuscany, Italy
05472000017271926546204.jpg
Simonellite

Fognano, Montepulciano, Siena Province, Tuscany, Italy
05666850017271926574988.jpg
Simonellite

Fognano, Montepulciano, Siena Province, Tuscany, Italy
05472000017271926546204.jpg
Simonellite

Fognano, Montepulciano, Siena Province, Tuscany, Italy
05666850017271926574988.jpg
Simonellite

Fognano, Montepulciano, Siena Province, Tuscany, Italy
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About SimonelliteHide

Formula:
C19H24
structural formula: (CH2)3C(CH3)2C2(CH)2C2(CH)3C(C3H7)
Colour:
White
Specific Gravity:
1.08
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named after Vittorio Simonelli (May 1860 - February 9, 1929), italian geologist, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy, who discovered the mineral.
Chemical name: 1,1-Dimethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-7-isopropylphenanthrene.

Conifer tree biomarker.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
3666
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3666:1

IMA Classification of SimonelliteHide

IMA status:
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
Approval history:
IMA 24-F: Definition of neotype material for simonellite, C19H24

Classification of SimonelliteHide

Strunz-mindat (2026):
10.BA.45

10 : ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
B : Hydrocarbons
A : Hydrocarbons
Dana 8th ed.:
50.3.3.1

50 : ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
3 : Hydrocarbons
Hey's CIM Ref.:
32.3

32 : Hydrocarbons, Resins and other Organic Compounds

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

Physical Properties of SimonelliteHide

Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
White
Density:
1.08 g/cm3 (Measured)    1.10 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of SimonelliteHide

Type:
Biaxial

Chemistry of SimonelliteHide

Mindat Formula:
C19H24

structural formula: (CH2)3C(CH3)2C2(CH)2C2(CH)3C(C3H7)
Element Weights:
Element% weight
C90.416 %
H9.584 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
C
H
Elements listed:
C, H - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of SimonelliteHide

Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pnna
Setting:
Pnna
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.231(3) Å, b = 9.134(3) Å, c = 36.01(1) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.011 : 1 : 3.942
Unit Cell V:
3,036.22 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
8
Morphology:
Crusts.
Comment:
From recrystallized material

Crystal StructureHide

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0012054SimonelliteForesti E, Riva di Sanseverino L (1969) The X-ray crystal and molecular structure of an organic mineral: simonellite, C19H24 Atti della Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei 47 41-541969synthetic0293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
- Å()
Locality:
Fognano, Montepulciano, Siena Province, Tuscany, Italy
Comments:
No published X-ray powder diffraction data.

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere<0.6
50 : Coal and/or oil shale minerals<0.36

Type Occurrence of SimonelliteHide

Type Locality:
ⓘ Fognano, Montepulciano, Siena Province, Tuscany, Italy
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Neotype material is deposited in the mineralogical collection of the Museo di Storia Naturale of the University of Pisa, Italy, under catalogue number 20079.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Lignite

Other Language Names for SimonelliteHide

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

10.BA.FreitaliteC14H10Mon. 2/m : P21/c
10.BA.05FichteliteC19H34Mon. 2 : P21
10.BA.10BranchiteC20H34Tric. 1 : P1
10.BA.15DiniteC20H36Orth. 222 : P212121
10.BA.20IdrialiteC22H14Orth.
10.BA.25KratochvíliteC13H10Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
10.BA.30CarpathiteC24H12Mon. 2/m : P21/c
10.BA.35PhylloretineC18H18Orth.
10.BA.40RavatiteC14H10Mon. 2 : P21
10.BA.50EvenkiteC23H50Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbcm
10.BA.55WampeniteC18H16Mon. 2/m : P21/c
10.BA.60'Scharizerite'

Other InformationHide

Notes:
The mineral is soluble in benzene or ethyl acetate, but only slightly in alcohol.
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 SimonelliteHide

References for SimonelliteHide

Reference List:
Boeris, G. (1919) Sopra un idrocarburo della lignite di Fognano. Nota preliminare.. Rendiconto delle sessioni Della R. Accademia Delle Scienze Dell’ Istituto Bologna 23, 83-87
Wherry, E.T., Holden, E.F. (1922) New minerals - new species. American Mineralogist: 7: 178-180.
Emiliani, F., Pellizzer, R., Andreatta, C.C. (1952) Studio morfologico ed ottico della simonellite. Rendiconti Lincei Scienze Fisiche e Naturali, 12, 724-728.
Emiliani, F., Pellizzer, R., Andreatta, C.C. (1953) Cella elementare e gruppo spaziale della simonellite. Rendiconti Lincei Scienze Fisiche e Naturali, 14, 652-657.
Ghigi, E., Drusiani, A., Plessi, L., Cavrini, V. (1968) Sulla struttura di un terpenoide fossile. - Nota II. Sintesi della simonellite. Gazzetta Chimica Italiana, 98, 795-799.
Foresti, E., Riva di Sanseverino, L. (1969) The X-ray crystal and molecular structure of an organic mineral: simonellite, C19H24. Atti della Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, 47, 41-54.
Fleischer, M.; Nickel, E.H. (1970) New Minerals Names. American Mineralogist, 55 (9-10). p.1810-1818. p.1818
Peters, K.E., Walters, C.C., Moldowan, J.M. (2005): The Biomarker Guide, 2nd ed. II. Biomarkers and Isotopes in Petroleum Systems and Earth History. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 1155 pp.
(2005) Simonellite. Handbook of Mineralogy. Mineralogical Society of America
[1]Bosi, Ferdinando, Hatert, Frédéric, Pasero, Marco, Mills, Stuart J. (2025) IMA Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification (CNMNC) – Newsletter 84. Mineralogical Magazine, 1-14 doi:10.1180/mgm.2025.22
Mauro, Daniela; Biagioni, Cristian (2026) Definition of Neotype Material for Simonellite, C19H24. Minerals, 16 (2). p.138. doi:10.3390/min16020138

Localities for SimonelliteHide

Showing 1 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.
Italy (TL)
 
  • Tuscany
    • Siena Province
      • Montepulciano
The xray crystal and molecular ... +1 other reference
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