Wesselsite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Wesselsite
Wessels mine Kalahari manganese field
Wessels Mine, Joe Morolong Local Municipality, John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality, Northern Cape, South Africa
Wessels Mine, Joe Morolong Local Municipality, John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality, Northern Cape, South Africa
Formula:
SrCuSi4O10
Colour:
Blue
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
4 - 5
Specific Gravity:
3.2
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Member of:
Name:
Named after its discovery locality, the Wessels Mine, Cape Province, South Africa.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
7364
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:7364:2
IMA Classification of Wesselsite
Approved
Approval year:
1994
First published:
1996
Classification of Wesselsite
9.EA.05
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
A : Single nets of tetrahedra with 4-, 5-, (6-), and 8-membered rings
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
A : Single nets of tetrahedra with 4-, 5-, (6-), and 8-membered rings
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Wes | 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 Wesselsite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Blue
Streak:
White to light blue
Hardness:
4 - 5 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
{001}
{001}
Density:
3.2(1) g/cm3 (Measured) 3.32 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Wesselsite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.630(2) nε = 1.590(2)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.040
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.
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.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Pleochroism:
Strong
Comments:
ω = blue, ε = pale blue to pink.
Chemistry of Wesselsite
Mindat Formula:
SrCuSi4O10
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Wesselsite
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Class (H-M):
4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) - Ditetragonal Dipyramidal
Space Group:
P4/ncc
Setting:
P4/ncc
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.374(1) Å, c = 15.636(2) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 2.12
Unit Cell V:
850.22 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Twinning:
None observed
Crystal Structure
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0007207 | Wesselsite | Knight K S, Henderson C M B (2007) Structural basis for the anomalous low-temperature thermal expansion behavior of the gillespite-structured phase Ba0.5Sr0.5CuSi4O10 European Journal of Mineralogy 19 189-200 | 2007 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0007208 | Wesselsite | Knight K S, Henderson C M B (2007) Structural basis for the anomalous low-temperature thermal expansion behavior of the gillespite-structured phase Ba0.5Sr0.5CuSi4O10 European Journal of Mineralogy 19 189-200 | 2007 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0007209 | Wesselsite | Knight K S, Henderson C M B (2007) Structural basis for the anomalous low-temperature thermal expansion behavior of the gillespite-structured phase Ba0.5Sr0.5CuSi4O10 European Journal of Mineralogy 19 189-200 | 2007 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0007210 | Wesselsite | Knight K S, Henderson C M B (2007) Structural basis for the anomalous low-temperature thermal expansion behavior of the gillespite-structured phase Ba0.5Sr0.5CuSi4O10 European Journal of Mineralogy 19 189-200 | 2007 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0007211 | Wesselsite | Knight K S, Henderson C M B (2007) Structural basis for the anomalous low-temperature thermal expansion behavior of the gillespite-structured phase Ba0.5Sr0.5CuSi4O10 European Journal of Mineralogy 19 189-200 | 2007 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0007212 | Wesselsite | Knight K S, Henderson C M B (2007) Structural basis for the anomalous low-temperature thermal expansion behavior of the gillespite-structured phase Ba0.5Sr0.5CuSi4O10 European Journal of Mineralogy 19 189-200 | 2007 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0007213 | Wesselsite | Knight K S, Henderson C M B (2007) Structural basis for the anomalous low-temperature thermal expansion behavior of the gillespite-structured phase Ba0.5Sr0.5CuSi4O10 European Journal of Mineralogy 19 189-200 | 2007 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0007214 | Wesselsite | Knight K S, Henderson C M B (2007) Structural basis for the anomalous low-temperature thermal expansion behavior of the gillespite-structured phase Ba0.5Sr0.5CuSi4O10 European Journal of Mineralogy 19 189-200 | 2007 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0018767 | Wesselsite | Knight K S, Henderson C M B, Clark S M (2010) Structural variations in the wesselsite-effenbergerite (Sr1-xBaxCuSi4O10) solid solution European Journal of Mineralogy 22 411-423 | 2010 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0018768 | Wesselsite | Knight K S, Henderson C M B, Clark S M (2010) Structural variations in the wesselsite-effenbergerite (Sr1-xBaxCuSi4O10) solid solution European Journal of Mineralogy 22 411-423 | 2010 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0018769 | Wesselsite | Knight K S, Henderson C M B, Clark S M (2010) Structural variations in the wesselsite-effenbergerite (Sr1-xBaxCuSi4O10) solid solution European Journal of Mineralogy 22 411-423 | 2010 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0018770 | Wesselsite | Knight K S, Henderson C M B, Clark S M (2010) Structural variations in the wesselsite-effenbergerite (Sr1-xBaxCuSi4O10) solid solution European Journal of Mineralogy 22 411-423 | 2010 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0018771 | Wesselsite | Knight K S, Henderson C M B, Clark S M (2010) Structural variations in the wesselsite-effenbergerite (Sr1-xBaxCuSi4O10) solid solution European Journal of Mineralogy 22 411-423 | 2010 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0018772 | Wesselsite | Knight K S, Henderson C M B, Clark S M (2010) Structural variations in the wesselsite-effenbergerite (Sr1-xBaxCuSi4O10) solid solution European Journal of Mineralogy 22 411-423 | 2010 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0013766 | Wesselsite | Chakoumakos B C, Fernandez-Baca J A, Boatner L A (1993) Refinement of the structures of the layer silicates MCuSi4O10 (M=Ca,Sr,Ba) by Rietveld analysis of neutron powder diffraction data Journal of Solid State Chemistry 103 105-113 | 1993 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.33 Å | (100) |
| 3.12 Å | (55) |
| 3.03 Å | (50) |
| 3.44 Å | (40) |
| 7.79 Å | (35) |
| 2.61 Å | (30) |
| 2.32 Å | (30) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| High-? alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 32 : Ba/Mn/Pb/Zn deposits, including metamorphic deposits |
Type Occurrence of Wesselsite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Subhedral plates with maximum dimensions of 50 x 50 x 5 µm, arranged in clusters with a diameter of up to 200 µm, embedded in xonotlite and pectolite.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Institute for Mineralogy and Crystallography, University of Vienna, Austria (8H/01.055#1).
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Wesselsite
Other Language Names for Wesselsite
Relationship of Wesselsite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Gillespite Group:
| Cuprorivaite | CaCuSi4O10 | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : P4/ncc |
| Effenbergerite | BaCuSi4O10 | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : P4/ncc |
| Gillespite | BaFe2+Si4O10 | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : P4/ncc |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 19 photos of Wesselsite associated with Sugilite | KNa2Fe3+2Li3[Si12O30] |
| 8 photos of Wesselsite associated with Lavinskyite | K(LiCu)Cu6(Si4O11)2(OH)4 |
| 5 photos of Wesselsite associated with Scottyite | BaCu2Si2O7 |
| 3 photos of Wesselsite associated with Effenbergerite | BaCuSi4O10 |
| 1 photo of Wesselsite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.EA. | Hydroxymcglassonite-(K) | KSr4Si8O20(OH) · 8H2O |
| 9.EA. | Miyawakiite-(Y) | ◻Y4Fe2(Si8O20)(CO3)4(H2O)3 |
| 9.EA. | Bussyite-(Y) | (Y,REE,Ca)3(Na,Ca)6MnSi9Be5(O,OH,F)34 |
| 9.EA. | Fluorapophyllite-(NH4) | NH4Ca4(Si8O20)F · 8H2O |
| 9.EA.05 | Gillespite | BaFe2+Si4O10 |
| 9.EA.05 | Cuprorivaite | CaCuSi4O10 |
| 9.EA.05 | Effenbergerite | BaCuSi4O10 |
| 9.EA.07 | Fluorapophyllite-(Cs) | CsCa4(Si8O20)F · 8H2O |
| 9.EA.10 | Ekanite | Ca2ThSi8O20 |
| 9.EA.15 | Fluorapophyllite-(Na) | NaCa4(Si8O20)F · 8H2O |
| 9.EA.15 | Fluorapophyllite-(K) | KCa4(Si8O20)(F,OH) · 8H2O |
| 9.EA.15 | Hydroxyapophyllite-(K) | KCa4(Si8O20)(OH,F) · 8H2O |
| 9.EA.20 | Magadiite | Na2Si14O29 · 11H2O |
| 9.EA.25 | Dalyite | K2ZrSi6O15 |
| 9.EA.25 | Davanite | K2TiSi6O15 |
| 9.EA.30 | Sazhinite-(La) | Na3La[Si6O15] · 2H2O |
| 9.EA.30 | Sazhinite-(Ce) | Na3CeSi6O15 · 2H2O |
| 9.EA.35 | Armstrongite | CaZr[Si6O15] · 3H2O |
| 9.EA.40 | Okenite | Ca10Si18O46 · 18H2O |
| 9.EA.45 | Perettiite-(Y) | Y2Mn4FeSi2B8O24 |
| 9.EA.45 | Nekoite | Ca3Si6O15 · 7H2O |
| 9.EA.45 | Badakhshanite-(Y) | Y2Mn4Al(Si2B7BeO24) |
| 9.EA.47 | Shlykovite | KCa[Si4O9(OH)] · 3H2O |
| 9.EA.50 | Diegogattaite | Na2CaCu2Si8O20 · H2O |
| 9.EA.50 | Cavansite | Ca(VO)Si4O10 · 4H2O |
| 9.EA.52 | Yangite | PbMnSi3O8 · H2O |
| 9.EA.55 | Pentagonite | Ca(VO)Si4O10 · 4H2O |
| 9.EA.60 | Penkvilksite | Na4Ti2Si8O22 · 4H2O |
| 9.EA.60 | Tumchaite | Na2Zr(Si4O11) · 2H2O |
| 9.EA.65 | Nabesite | Na2BeSi4O10 · 4H2O |
| 9.EA.70 | Ajoite | (K,Na)Cu7AlSi9O24(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 9.EA.75 | Zeravshanite | Na2Cs4Zr3[Si18O45]*2H2O |
| 9.EA.80 | Bussyite-(Ce) | (Ce,REE)3(Na,H2O)6MnSi9Be5(O,OH)30F4 |
| 9.EA.85 | Plumbophyllite | Pb2Si4O10 · H2O |
Fluorescence of Wesselsite
Not fluorescent
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 Wesselsite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-7364.html
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References for Wesselsite
Reference List:
Pabst, A. (1959) Structures of some tetragonal sheet silicates. Acta Crystallographica, 12 (10) 733-739 doi:10.1107/s0365110x5900216x
Chakoumakos, Bryan C., Fernandez-Baca, Jaime A., Boatner, Lynn A. (1993) Refinement of the Structures of the Layer Silicates MCuSi4O10 (M = Ca, Sr, Ba) by Rietveld Analysis of Neutron Powder Diffraction Data. Journal of Solid State Chemistry, 103. 105-113 doi:10.1006/jssc.1993.1083
Giester, G., Rieck, B. (1996) Wesselsite, SrCu[Si4O10], a further new gillespite-group mineral from the Kalahari Manganese Field, South Africa. Mineralogical Magazine, 60 (402) 795-798 doi:10.1180/minmag.1996.060.402.09
Knight, Kevin S., Henderson, C. Michael B. Clark (2010) Structural variations in the wesselsite-effenbergerite (Sr1xBaxCuSi4O10) solid solution. European Journal of Mineralogy, 22 (3). 411-423 doi:10.1127/0935-1221/2010/0022-2025
Localities for Wesselsite
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.
Germany | |
| in the collection of Christof Schäfer +1 other reference |
South Africa (TL) | |
| Giester et al. (1996) +1 other reference |
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Wessels Mine, Joe Morolong Local Municipality, John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality, Northern Cape, South Africa