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Bicchulite

A valid IMA mineral species
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01937060017271921527755.jpg
Bicchulite

Fuka mine, Fuka, Bitchū, Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture, Japan
00663530017271921553206.jpg
Bicchulite

Fuka mine, Fuka, Bitchū, Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture, Japan
06848810017271921578824.jpg
Bicchulite

Mono County, California, USA
01937060017271921527755.jpg
Bicchulite

Fuka mine, Fuka, Bitchū, Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture, Japan
00663530017271921553206.jpg
Bicchulite

Fuka mine, Fuka, Bitchū, Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture, Japan
06848810017271921578824.jpg
Bicchulite

Mono County, California, USA
01937060017271921527755.jpg
Bicchulite

Fuka mine, Fuka, Bitchū, Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture, Japan
00663530017271921553206.jpg
Bicchulite

Fuka mine, Fuka, Bitchū, Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture, Japan
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About BicchuliteHide

Formula:
Ca2(Al2SiO6)(OH)2
Colour:
Colourless to white, gray
Lustre:
Earthy
Specific Gravity:
2.75
Crystal System:
Isometric
Name:
Named in 1973 by Chiyoko Henmi, Isao Kusachi, Kitinosuke Henmi, Peter Aubrey Sabine, and Bian Raymond Young for Bicchu (also given as Bitchu, Bitcho-Cho, and Bicchu-Cho), Okayama Prefecture, Chugoku Region, Honshu Island, Japan the town wherein the Japanese type locality is situated, although Bicchu was subsequently encompassed by an expanded Takahashi City.
Dimorph of:
Kamaishilite
White to gray-white powder. Chemically very similar to gehlenite (anhydrous).


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
661
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:661:1

IMA Classification of BicchuliteHide

Classification of BicchuliteHide

Strunz-mindat (2025):
9.FB.10

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
F : Tektosilicates without zeolitic H2O
B : Tektosilicates with additional anions
Dana 8th ed.:
76.2.3.5

76 : TECTOSILICATES Al-Si Framework
2 : Al-Si Framework Feldspathoids and related species
Hey's CIM Ref.:
16.9.12

16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
9 : Aluminosilicates of Ca

Mineral SymbolsHide

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

Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.

SymbolSourceReference
BchIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43
BchThe Canadian Mineralogist (2019)The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download

Physical Properties of BicchuliteHide

Lustre:
Earthy
Transparency:
Translucent
Comment:
Fine-grained mineral
Colour:
Colourless to white, gray
Streak:
White
Tenacity:
Brittle
Density:
2.75 g/cm3 (Measured)    2.813 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Measured on synthetic material. May calculate to 2.792 using Gladstone-Dale relationship.

Optical Data of BicchuliteHide

Type:
Isotropic
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic

Chemistry of BicchuliteHide

Mindat Formula:
Ca2(Al2SiO6)(OH)2
Element Weights:
Element% weight
O43.802 %
Ca27.430 %
Al18.467 %
Si9.611 %
H0.690 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
Elements listed:
Al, Ca, H, O, Si - search for minerals with similar chemistry
Common Impurities:
Ti,Fe,Mn,Mg,Na,K,P

Crystallography of BicchuliteHide

Crystal System:
Isometric
Class (H-M):
4 3m - Hextetrahedral
Space Group:
I4 3m
Setting:
I4 3m
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.83 Å
Unit Cell V:
688.47 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4

Crystal StructureHide

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0010796BicchuliteSahl K, Chatterjee N D (1977) The crystal structure of bicchulite, Ca2[Al2SiO6](OH)2 Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 146 35-411977synthetic0293
0010826BicchuliteSahl K (1980) Refinement of the crystal structure of bicchulite, Ca2[Al2SiO6](OH)2 Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 152 13-211980synthetic0293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
3.60 Å(90)
3.49 Å(10)
3.12 Å(10)
3.04 Å(40)
2.96 Å(40)
2.786 Å(100)
2.753 Å(95)
2.597 Å(50)
2.460 Å(40)
2.354 Å(45)
2.205 Å(20)
2.135 Å(10)
2.079 Å(40)
1.984 Å(10)
1.890 Å(10)
1.801 Å(15)
1.763 Å(15)
1.732 Å(10)
1.665 Å(15)
1.625 Å(30)
1.559 Å(50)
1.514 Å(25)
Comments:
Henmi, et al. (1973). Also ICDD 27-66; formerly also ICDD 16-388

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Near-surface Processes
23 : Subaerial aqueous alteration by non-redox-sensitive fluids (see also #47)
High-? alteration and/or metamorphism
31 : Thermally altered carbonate, phosphate, and iron formations
Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere<0.6
51 : Pyrometamorphic minerals (see also #54 and #56)<0.36

Type Occurrence of BicchuliteHide

Synonyms of BicchuliteHide

Other Language Names for BicchuliteHide

German:Bicchulith
Japanese:備中石
Spanish:Bicchulita

Common AssociatesHide

Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
2 photos of Bicchulite associated with GehleniteCa2Al[AlSiO7]
1 photo of Bicchulite associated with HibschiteCa3Al2(SiO4)3-x(OH)4x

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

9.FB.Åsgruvanite-(Ce)Ce16Ca5Al(SiO4)6(AsO3)8(CO3)2Cl4F3(OH)2Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1
9.FB.SteudeliteNa3(K17Ca7)Ca4(Al24Si24O96)(SO3)6F6 · 4H2OHex. 6 m2 : P62c
9.FB.Wenlanzhangite-(Y)Y2V3+2V4+2(SiO4)2O4(OH)4Tric. 1 : P1
9.FB.SlyudyankaiteNa28Ca4(Si24Al24O96)(SO4)6(S6)1/3(CO2) · 2H2OTric. 1 : P1
9.FB.Bolotinaite(Na7◻)(Al6Si6O24)F · 4H2OIso. 4 3m : I4 3m
9.FB.SapozhnikoviteNa8(Al6Si6O24)(HS)2Iso. 4 3m : P4 3n
9.FB.BetziteNa6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)Cl4Hex. 6 : P63
9.FB.05Quadridavyne(Na,K)6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)Cl4Hex. 6/m : P63/m
9.FB.05SulfhydrylbystriteNa5K2Ca[Al6Si6O24](S5)2(SH)Trig. 3m : P3 1c
9.FB.05Marinellite(Na,K)42Ca6(Al6Si6O24)6(SO4)8Cl2 · 3H2OTrig. 3m : P3 1c
9.FB.05Afghanite(Na,K)22Ca10(Si24Al24O96)(SO4)6Cl6Trig. 3m : P3 1c
9.FB.05Bystrite(Na,K)7Ca(Al6Si6O24)(S5)ClTrig. 3m : P3 1c
9.FB.05Franzinite(Na,K)6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)(SO4)2 · 0.5H2OHex.
9.FB.05KyanoxaliteNa7(Al6-xSi6+xO24)(C2O4)0.5+x · 5H2O (0 < x < 0.5)Hex. 6 : P63
9.FB.05Vishnevite(Na,K)8(Al6Si6O24)(SO4,CO3) · 2H2OHex. 6 : P63
9.FB.05Farneseite(Na,Ca,K)56(Al6Si6O24)7(SO4)12 · 6H2OHex. 6/m : P63/m
9.FB.05Alloriite(Na,Ca,K)26Ca4(Al6Si6O24)4(SO4)6Cl6Trig. 3m : P3 1c
9.FB.05Liottite(Na,K)16Ca8(Al6Si6O24)3(SO4)5Cl4Hex. 6 : P6
9.FB.05DepmeieriteNa8(Al6Si6O24)(PO4,CO3)1-x · 3H2O (x<0.5)Hex. 6 : P63
9.FB.05Biachellaite(Na,Ca,K)8(Al6Si6O24)(SO4)2(OH)0.5 · H2OTrig. 3 : P3
9.FB.05Cancrinite(Na,Ca,◻)8(Al6Si6O24)(CO3,SO4)2 · 2H2OHex. 6 : P63
9.FB.05CancrisiliteNa7(Al5Si7O24)(CO3) · 3H2OHex. 6mm : P63mc
9.FB.05Fantappièite[Na82.5Ca33K16.5](Si99Al99O396)(SO4)33 · 4H2OTrig. 3 : R3
9.FB.05CarbobystriteNa8(Al6Si6O24)(CO3) · 3.5H2OTrig. 3m : P3 1c
9.FB.05MicrosommiteNa4K2Ca2(Al6Si6O24)(SO4)Cl2Hex. 6 2 2 : P63 2 2
9.FB.05PitiglianoiteNa6K2(Al6Si6O24)(SO4) · 2H2OHex. 6 : P63
9.FB.05Tounkite(Na,Ca,K)8(Si6Al6)O24(SO4)2Cl · 0.5H2OHex. 6 2 2 : P62 2 2
9.FB.05Balliranoite(Na,K)6Ca2(Si6Al6O24)Cl2(CO3)Hex. 6 : P63
9.FB.05Giuseppettite(Na,K,Ca)7-8(Al6Si6O24)(SO4,Cl)1-2Trig. 3m : P3 1c
9.FB.05Sacrofanite(Na61K19Ca32)(Si84Al84O336)(SO4)26Cl2F6 · 2H2OHex.
9.FB.05KircheriteNa5Ca2K(Al6Si6O24)(SO4)2 · 0.33H2OTrig. 3 2 : R3 2
9.FB.05HydroxycancriniteNa8(Al6Si6O24)(OH)2 · 2H2OHex. 6 : P63
9.FB.05Davyne(Na,K)6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)(Cl2,SO4)2Hex. 6/m : P63/m
9.FB.10HaüyneNa3Ca(Si3Al3)O12(SO4)Iso. 4 3m : P4 3n
9.FB.10LazuriteNa7Ca(Al6Si6O24)(SO4)(S3) · H2OIso. 4 3m : P4 3n
9.FB.10DanaliteBe3Fe2+4(SiO4)3SIso. 4 3m : P4 3n
9.FB.10HelvineBe3Mn2+4(SiO4)3SIso. 4 3m : P4 3n
9.FB.10KamaishiliteCa2(Al2SiO6)(OH)2Tet.
9.FB.10SodaliteNa4(Si3Al3)O12ClIso. 4 3m : P4 3n
9.FB.10NoseanNa8(Al6Si6O24)(SO4) · H2OIso. 4 3m : P4 3n
9.FB.10GenthelviteBe3Zn4(SiO4)3SIso. 4 3m : P4 3n
9.FB.10Tsaregorodtsevite(N(CH3)4)(AlSi5O12)Orth. 2 2 2 : I2 2 2
9.FB.10VladimirivanoviteNa6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)(SO4,S3,S2,Cl)2 · H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
9.FB.10Tugtupite(BeAlSi)Na4(SiO4)3ClTet. 4 : I4
9.FB.15MarialiteNa4Al3Si9O24ClTet. 4/m : I4/m
9.FB.15MeioniteCa4Al6Si6O24CO3Tet. 4/m : I4/m
9.FB.15Silvialite(Ca,Na)4(Al6Si6O24)(SO4,CO3)Tet. 4/m : I4/m

Fluorescence of BicchuliteHide

In UV light:
Fluoresces dark red under all wavelengths, see e.g. https://www.mindat.org/photo-1305648.html

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 BicchuliteHide

References for BicchuliteHide

Reference List:
Carlson, E.T. (1964) Hydrothermal preparation of a gehlenite hydrate. US National Bureau of Standards Journal of Research: 68A(5): 449-452.
Henmi, Chiyoko, Kusachi, Isao, Henmi, Kitinosuke, Sabine, Peter Aubrey, Young, Brian Raymond (1973) A new mineral bicchulite, the natural analogue of gehlenite hydrate, from Fuka, Okayama Prefecture, Japan and Carneal, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Mineralogical Journal, 7 (3) 243-251 doi:10.2465/minerj1953.7.243
Fleischer, M. (1974) New mineral names. American Mineralogist: 59: 1330-1332.
HENMI, Chiyoko (1976) Synthesis of bicchulite from gehlenite solid solutions. Mineralogical Journal, 8 (3) 171-183 doi:10.2465/minerj.8.171
Sahl, Kurt, Chatterjee, Niranjan Deb (1977) The crystal structure of bicchulite, Ca2[Al2SiO6](OH)2. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie - Crystalline Materials, 146 (1-3). 35-41 doi:10.1524/zkri.1977.146.1-3.35
Gupta, Alok K., Chatterjee, Niranjan D. (1978) Synthesis, composition, thermal stability, and thermodynamic properties of bicchulite, Ca2[Al2SiO6](OH)2. American Mineralogist, 63 (1-2) 58-65
Leoni, L., Mellini, M., Merlino, S., Orlandi, P. (1979) Cancrinite-like minerals: new data and crystal chemical considerations. Rendiconti della Società Italiana di Mineralogia e Petrologia: 35: 713-719.
Sahl, Kurt (1980) Refinement of the crystal structure of bicchulite, Ca2[Al2SiO6](OH)2. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie - Crystalline Materials, 152 (1) 13-21 doi:10.1524/zkri.1980.152.1-2.13
Uchida, E., Iiyama, J.T. (1981) On Kamaishilite, Ca2Al2SiO6(OH)2, a New Mineral Dimorphous (Tetragonal) with Bicchulite from the Kamaishi Mine, Japan. Proceedings of the Japan Academy, Series B: 57(7): 239-243.
Bunno, M., Shimazaki, H., & Sato, K. (1982) Occurrence and genesis of bicchulite and tilleyite skarns at the Sakae adit, the Akagane mine, Iwate Prefecture. Mining Geology: 32: 141-150.
Hassan, I., Grundy, H. D. (1984) The crystal structures of sodalite-group minerals. Acta Crystallographica Section B Structural Science, 40 (1) 6-13 doi:10.1107/s0108768184001683
Dann, S.E., Mead, P.J., Weller, M.T. (1996) Löwenstein's Rule Extended to an Aluminum Rich Framework. The Structure of Bicchulite, Ca8(Al2SiO6)4(OH)8, by MASNMR and Neutron Diffraction. Inorganic Chemistry: 35(6): 1427-1428.
(2001) Bicchulite. Handbook of Mineralogy. Mineralogical Society of America
Winkler, B., Milman, V., Pickard, C.J. (2004) Quantum mechanical study of Al/Si disorder in leucite and bicchulite. Mineralogical Magazine: 68(5): 819–824.
Peters, L., Knorr, K., Katzke, H., Knapp, M., Depmeier, W. (2006) The transformation mechanism of the sodalite- to the melilite-topology: Thermal expansion and decomposition of bicchulite-type to melilite-type compounds. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie - Crystalline Materials: 221(3): 198–205.
Meller, Nicola, Kyritsis, Konstantinos, Hall, Christopher (2009) The mineralogy of the CaO–Al2O3–SiO2–H2O (CASH) hydroceramic system from 200 to 350 °C. Cement and Concrete Research, 39 (1). 45-53 doi:10.1016/j.cemconres.2008.10.002

Localities for BicchuliteHide

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.
Japan
 
  • Iwate Prefecture
    • Kamaishi City
- (n.d.)
    • Oshu City
      • Esashi ward
Bunno et al. (1982) +1 other reference
Harada et al. (2016)
  • Okayama Prefecture
    • Takahashi City
      • Bitchū
        • Fuka
Henmi et al. (1973) +2 other references
Middle East
 
Vapnik et al. (2014)
Turkey
 
  • Rize Province
Taner et al. (2013)
UK
 
  • Northern Ireland
    • Co. Antrim
      • Larne
        • Glenoe
Henmi et al. (1973) +1 other reference
USA
 
  • California
rruff.info (n.d.)
  • Texas
    • Uvalde County
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