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Cryolithionite

A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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01205250017271922307393.jpg
Cryolithionite, etc.

Ivigtut Mine, Ivigtut stock, Arsuk Fjord, Sermersooq, Greenland
04054650017271922324722.jpg
Cryolithionite, etc.

Pit No. 69, Ilmen Mountains, Chelyabinsk Oblast, Russia
09944410017271922346340.jpg
Cryolithionite

Ivigtut Mine, Ivigtut stock, Arsuk Fjord, Sermersooq, Greenland
01205250017271922307393.jpg
Cryolithionite, etc.

Ivigtut Mine, Ivigtut stock, Arsuk Fjord, Sermersooq, Greenland
04054650017271922324722.jpg
Cryolithionite, etc.

Pit No. 69, Ilmen Mountains, Chelyabinsk Oblast, Russia
09944410017271922346340.jpg
Cryolithionite

Ivigtut Mine, Ivigtut stock, Arsuk Fjord, Sermersooq, Greenland
01205250017271922307393.jpg
Cryolithionite, etc.

Ivigtut Mine, Ivigtut stock, Arsuk Fjord, Sermersooq, Greenland
07650170017271922388351.jpg
Cryolithionite, etc.

Pit No. 69, Ilmen Mountains, Chelyabinsk Oblast, Russia
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About CryolithioniteHide

Formula:
Na3Al2(LiF4)3
Colour:
Colourless, white
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
4
Specific Gravity:
2.77
Crystal System:
Isometric
Name:
In allusion to its resemblance to CRYOLite and the LITHIum content.
Ungrouped member of the Garnet Supergroup.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
1162
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1162:0

IMA Classification of CryolithioniteHide

Classification of CryolithioniteHide

Strunz-mindat (2025):
3.CB.05

3 : HALIDES
C : Complex halides
B : Neso-aluminofluorides
Dana 8th ed.:
11.6.4.1

11 : HALIDE COMPLEXES
6 : Aluminofluorides - Isolated Octahedra
Hey's CIM Ref.:
8.6.4

8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
6 : Halides of Al

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

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

Physical Properties of CryolithioniteHide

Lustre:
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless, white
Streak:
White
Hardness:
4 on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN50=385 - 473 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Comment:
Originally given as Mohs 2.5-3. A modern measurement and discussion given by Pauly (1985).
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
On {011}.
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Sub-Conchoidal
Density:
2.77 g/cm3 (Measured)    2.772 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of CryolithioniteHide

Type:
Isotropic

Chemistry of CryolithioniteHide

Mindat Formula:
Na3Al2(LiF4)3
Element Weights:
Element% weight
F61.329 %
Na18.553 %
Al14.517 %
Li5.602 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
Elements listed:
Al, F, Li, Na - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of CryolithioniteHide

Crystal System:
Isometric
Class (H-M):
m3m (4/m 3 2/m) - Hexoctahedral
Space Group:
Ia3d
Cell Parameters:
a = 12.12 Å
Unit Cell V:
1,780.36 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Crystals dodecahedral, modified by {112} (Urals). Artificial crystals cubic. Crystals to 17 cm (Ivigtut).

Crystallographic forms of CryolithioniteHide

Crystal Atlas:
Image Loading
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Cryolithionite no.2 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Cryolithionite no.3 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
3d models and HTML5 code kindly provided by www.smorf.nl.

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Crystal StructureHide

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0000220CryolithioniteGeller S (1971) Refinement of the crystal structure of cryolithionite, {Na3}[Al2](Li3)F12 American Mineralogist 56 18-2319710293
0017668CryolithioniteMenzer G (1927) Die Kristallstruktur von Kryolithionit. _cod_database_code 1010947 Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 66 457-45819270293
0017656CryolithioniteMenzer G (1930) Die Kristallstruktur des Kryolithionit _cod_database_code 1010934 Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 75 265-28719300293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
4.28 Å(100)
3.029 Å(55)
1.966 Å(55)
2.213 Å(50)
2.711 Å(35)
2.376 Å(35)
1.619 Å(30)
Comments:
Synthetic.

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks>3.0
34 : Complex granite pegmatites

Type Occurrence of CryolithioniteHide

Synonyms of CryolithioniteHide

Other Language Names for CryolithioniteHide

Relationship of Cryolithionite to other SpeciesHide

Member of:
Garnet Supergroup
Other Members of Garnet Supergroup:
Berzeliite GroupX3Z2[TO4]3
Bitikleite GroupCa3Z2[TO4]3
Garnet GroupX3Z2(SiO4)3
Henritermierite GroupCa3Z2(SiO4)2[◻(OH)4]
KatoiteCa3Al2[◻(OH)4]3Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Ia3d
MidbariteCa3Mg2(V2Si)O12Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m)
MonteneveiteCa3Sb5+2(Fe3+2Fe2+)O12Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Ia3d
NikmelnikoviteCa12(Fe2+Fe3+3Al3◻)[SiO4]6[◻(OH)4]5◻4Trig. 3 : R3
Priscillagrewite-(Y)(Ca2Y)Zr2(AlO4)3Iso.
Schorlomite GroupCa3Z2[SiO4][TO4]2
XuiteCa3Fe3+2[(AlO3(OH)]3Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m)
YafsoaniteCa3Te6+2(ZnO4)3Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Ia3d

Common AssociatesHide

Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
15 photos of Cryolithionite associated with CryoliteNa2NaAlF6
6 photos of Cryolithionite associated with SideriteFeCO3
2 photos of Cryolithionite associated with SimmonsiteNa2LiAlF6

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

3.CB.15ElpasoliteK2NaAlF6Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3
3.CB.15SimmonsiteNa2LiAlF6Mon.
3.CB.15CryoliteNa2NaAlF6Mon. 2/m
3.CB.20ColquiriiteCaLi[AlF6]Trig.
3.CB.25LeonardseniteMgAlF5 · 2H2O Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Imma
3.CB.25WeberiteNa2Mg[AlF6]FOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Immm
3.CB.30KarasugiteSrCa[Al(F,OH)7]Mon. 2/m : P21/b
3.CB.35UsoviteBa2CaMgAl2F14Mon. 2/m : B2/b
3.CB.40ThomsenoliteNaCa[AlF6] · H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
3.CB.40PachnoliteNaCa[AlF6] · H2OMon. 2/m
3.CB.45CarlhintzeiteCa2[AlF6]F · H2OTric.
3.CB.50YaroslaviteCa3Al2F10(OH)2 · H2OOrth.
3.CB.55SbacchiiteCa2AlF7Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma
3.CB.60VerneiteNa2Ca3Al2F14Iso. 2 3 : I21 3

Other InformationHide

Thermal Behaviour:
Melting point 710°C.
Notes:
Slightly soluble in water. Soluble in sulfuric acid, with generation of HF.
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 CryolithioniteHide

References for CryolithioniteHide

Localities for CryolithioniteHide

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.

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.
Greenland (TL)
 
  • Sermersooq
    • Arsuk Fjord
      • Ivigtut stock
Ussing (1904) +2 other references
Mexico
 
  • San Luis Potosí
    • Rioverde Municipality
Planer-Friedrich (2000)
Russia
 
  • Bashkortostan
    • Beloretsk district
      • Ishlya
Крупенин М.Т. et al. (Башкирский мегантиклинорий)
  • Chelyabinsk Oblast
    • Ilmen Mountains
Bailey (1980) +1 other reference
USA
 
  • Nevada
    • Mineral County
      • Fitting Mining District
        • Gillis Range
Mandarino (2000)
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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.
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