Vote for your favorite mineral in #MinCup26! - Pyromorphite vs. Graphite
Linked by archaic translations and mineralogical misunderstandings, the quarterfinals are ending in hexagons with vivid pyromorphite vs writeable graphite.
Log InRegister
Quick Links : The Mindat ManualThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryMindat Newsletter [Free Download]
Home PageAbout MindatThe Mindat ManualHistory of MindatCopyright StatusWho We AreContact UsAdvertise on Mindat
Donate to MindatCorporate SponsorshipSponsor a PageSponsored PagesMindat AdvertisersAdvertise on Mindat
Learning CenterWhat is a mineral?The most common minerals on earthInformation for EducatorsMindat ArticlesThe ElementsThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryGeologic TimeExplore Fossils
Minerals by PropertiesMinerals by ChemistryMineral Visual ExplorerAdvanced Locality SearchRandom MineralRandom LocalitySearch by minIDLocalities Near MeSearch ArticlesSearch GlossaryMore Search Options
Search For:
Mineral Name:
Locality Name:
Keyword(s):
 
The Mindat ManualAdd a New PhotoRate PhotosLocality Edit ReportCoordinate Completion ReportAdd Glossary Item
Mining CompaniesStatisticsUsersMineral MuseumsClubs & OrganizationsMineral Shows & EventsThe Mindat DirectoryDevice SettingsThe Mineral QuizTime Machine
Photo SearchPhoto GalleriesSearch by ColorPhoto Colour ExplorerNew Photos TodayNew Photos YesterdayMembers' Photo GalleriesPast Photo of the Day GalleryPhotography

Cerchiaraite-(Fe)

A valid IMA mineral species
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
Hide all sections | Show all sections

About Cerchiaraite-(Fe)Hide

Formula:
Ba4Fe3+4O3(OH)3(Si4O12)[Si2O3(OH)4]Cl
Colour:
tan to brown; blue to bluish-green
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
4½
Specific Gravity:
3.710 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Name:
to address the mineral relation with "cerchiaraite" (now cerchiaraite-(Mn))
The Fe analogue of cerchiaraite-(Mn) (ex-cerchiaraite) and cerchiaraite-(Al). Chemically similar to fencooperite, and somewhat to traskite and hyttsjöite.

The structure details (1) corner-sharing silicate tetrahedra, forming 4-membered rings; (2) the rings share corners with an edge-sharing chain of Fe3+O6 octahedra || c; (3) the rings alternate with Cl sites alternates along c; (4) large channels in the framework host Ba around
their peripheries, statistically distributed Si2O3(OH)4 dimers, and Cl atoms.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
42784
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:42784:1

Similar NamesHide

Cerchiaraite-(Al)A valid IMA mineral speciesBa4Al4O3(OH)3(Si4O12)[Si2O3(OH)4]Cl
Cerchiaraite-(Mn)A valid IMA mineral speciesBa4Mn43+(Si4O12)O2(OH)4Cl2[Si2O3(OH)4]
CherchiaraiteA synonym of Cerchiaraite Group

IMA Classification of Cerchiaraite-(Fe)Hide

Classification of Cerchiaraite-(Fe)Hide

9.CF.25

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
C : Cyclosilicates
F : [Si4O12]8- 4-membered single rings, with insular complex anions

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

Physical Properties of Cerchiaraite-(Fe)Hide

Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Tan to brown; blue to bluish-green
Comment:
tan/brown: Cerchiara; blue/bluish-green: California
Streak:
Colorless to tan (Cerchiara), pale green-blue (California)
Hardness:
4½ on Mohs scale
Comment:
ca. 4.5
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
3.710 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
couldn't be measured due to fibrous habit

Optical Data of Cerchiaraite-(Fe)Hide

Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 1.741(2) nε = 1.768(2)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.027
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.

Surface Relief:
Very High (positive)
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.
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
colorless (O), yellow (E), O < E

Chemistry of Cerchiaraite-(Fe)Hide

Mindat Formula:
Ba4Fe3+4O3(OH)3(Si4O12)[Si2O3(OH)4]Cl
Element Weights:
Element% weight
Ba39.699 %
O28.907 %
Fe16.144 %
Si12.179 %
Cl2.562 %
H0.510 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
Ba
O
Fe
Si
Cl
H
Common Impurities:
Ti,Al

Crystallography of Cerchiaraite-(Fe)Hide

Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Class (H-M):
4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) - Ditetragonal Dipyramidal
Space Group:
I4/mmm
Cell Parameters:
a = 14.3354(19) Å, c = 6.0151(8) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.42
Unit Cell V:
1230.6 ų
Z:
2

Crystal StructureHide

Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File    Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0019795Cerchiaraite-(Fe)Kampf A R, Roberts A C, Venance K E, Carbone C, Belmonte D, Dunning G E, Walstrom R E (2013) Cerchiaraite-(Fe) and cerchiaraite-(Al), two new barium cyclosilicate chlorides from Italy and California, USA Mineralogical Magazine 77 69-802013Esquire No. 8 claim, Big Creek, Fresno County, California, USA0293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Near-surface Processes
23 : Subaerial aqueous alteration by non-redox-sensitive fluids (see also #47)
Geological Setting:
quartz-sanbomite vein assemblages resulting from fluid interaction along the margin of the vein (Esquire #7 and #8 claims)

Type Occurrence of Cerchiaraite-(Fe)Hide

General Appearance of Type Material:
thin prisms and matted fibers (Italy); irregular prisms in subparallel crystal aggregates, generally less than 1 mm across (California, USA)
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, California, USA, catalogue numbers 63515, 63516, 63517 and 63518
Geological Setting of Type Material:
small fractures and veinlets within metacherts of a Jurassic ophiolitic sequence; genesis: re-equilibration of the ophiolitic sequences during tectonometamorphic overprinting, aged ca. 80 Ma, in prehnite-pumpellyite facies conditions (2–3kB, 250–300oC)
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Synonyms of Cerchiaraite-(Fe)Hide

Other Language Names for Cerchiaraite-(Fe)Hide

Relationship of Cerchiaraite-(Fe) to other SpeciesHide

Other Members of Cerchiaraite Group:
Cerchiaraite-(Al)Ba4Al4O3(OH)3(Si4O12)[Si2O3(OH)4]Cl Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I4/mmm
Cerchiaraite-(Mn)Ba4Mn3+4(Si4O12)O2(OH)4Cl2[Si2O3(OH)4]Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I4/mmm

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
13 photos of Cerchiaraite-(Fe) associated with SanborniteBaSi2O5
13 photos of Cerchiaraite-(Fe) associated with QuartzSiO2
7 photos of Cerchiaraite-(Fe) associated with PyrrhotiteFe1-xS
7 photos of Cerchiaraite-(Fe) associated with TitantaramelliteBa4(Ti,Fe3+,Fe2+,Mg)4(B2Si8O27)O2Clx
5 photos of Cerchiaraite-(Fe) associated with GillespiteBaFe2+Si4O10
4 photos of Cerchiaraite-(Fe) associated with 'Tobermorite-11Å'
4 photos of Cerchiaraite-(Fe) associated with HedenbergiteCaFe2+Si2O6
4 photos of Cerchiaraite-(Fe) associated with MuiriteBa10(Ca2Mn2+Ti)[Si8O24]O2Cl10
4 photos of Cerchiaraite-(Fe) associated with PellyiteBa2CaFe2+2Si6O17
3 photos of Cerchiaraite-(Fe) associated with CalciteCaCO3

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

9.CF.BobmeyeritePb4(Al3Cu)(Si4O12)(S0.5Si0.5O4)(OH)7Cl(H2O)3Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnnm
9.CF.05AshburtonitePb4Cu4(Si4O12)(HCO3)4(OH)3Cl · H2OTet.
9.CF.10Kainosite-(Y)Ca2Y2(SiO3)4(CO3) · H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
9.CF.15ClinophosinaiteNa12(Ca,Sr)4(Si4O12)(PO4)4Mon. 2/m : P2/b
9.CF.15Phosinaite-(Ce)Na13Ca2(Ce,La,Th,Nd,Pr)(Si4O12)(PO4)4Orth. 222 : P21212
9.CF.20StrakhoviteNaBa3Mn2+2Mn3+2Si6O19(OH)3Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
9.CF.25Cerchiaraite-(Al)Ba4Al4O3(OH)3(Si4O12)[Si2O3(OH)4]Cl Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I4/mmm
9.CF.25Cerchiaraite-(Mn)Ba4Mn3+4(Si4O12)O2(OH)4Cl2[Si2O3(OH)4]Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I4/mmm

Other InformationHide

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 Cerchiaraite-(Fe)Hide

References for Cerchiaraite-(Fe)Hide

Localities for Cerchiaraite-(Fe)Hide

Showing 9 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.
Hide all sections | Show all sections

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
 
  • Yukon
    • Watson Lake mining district
      • Itsi Mountain
        • Wilson Lake
McNeil et al. (2013) +1 other reference
Kampf et al. (2014)
Italy (TL)
 
  • Liguria
    • La Spezia Province
      • Borghetto di Vara
Williams et al. (2012) +1 other reference
Mexico
 
  • Baja California
    • Tres Pozos
Frank K. Mazdab collection (petrography + EPMA characterized) +2 other references
Sweden
 
  • Örebro County
    • Askersund
      • Zinkgruvan
Cámara et al. (2021)
USA (TL)
 
  • California
    • Fresno County
      • Big Creek-Rush Creek Mining District
        • Big Creek
Walstrom (n.d.) +2 other references
Walstrom (n.d.) +2 other references
    • Mariposa County
      • East Belt
        • Clearing House Mining District
          • Clearing House
            • Trumbull Peak
Kampf et al. (2013)
    • Tulare County
      • Dumtah
Walstrom (n.d.)
 
and/or  
Mindat.org® is an outreach project of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Mindat® and mindat.org® are registered trademarks of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy.
Copyright © mindat.org and the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy 1993-2026, except where stated. Most political location boundaries are © OpenStreetMap contributors. Mindat.org relies on the contributions of thousands of members and supporters. Founded in 2000 by Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau.
Content on this site may not be used to train, fine-tune, or otherwise develop artificial intelligence or machine learning models without prior written permission - see our Terms & Conditions.
To cite: Ralph, J., Von Bargen, D., Martynov, P., Zhang, J., Que, X., Prabhu, A., Morrison, S. M., Li, W., Chen, W., & Ma, X. (2025). Mindat.org: The open access mineralogy database to accelerate data-intensive geoscience research. American Mineralogist, 110(6), 833–844. doi:10.2138/am-2024-9486.
Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Contact Us / DMCA issues - Report a bug/vulnerability Current server date and time: September 28, 2026 21:00:23 Page updated: August 30, 2026 07:36:28
Go to top of page