Calderite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Calderite
Formula:
Mn2+3Fe3+2(SiO4)3
Colour:
Dark reddish brown to dark yellowish, brown-yellow
Hardness:
7
Specific Gravity:
4.05
Crystal System:
Isometric
Member of:
Name:
Named in honor of James Calder, an early writer on the geology of India. The name calderite was first applied to a garnet-bearing rock, and later to a poorly defined massive garnet from India (Clark 1993). Dana 6th (1892) page 433 gave an analysis of the Indian mineral but it is not calderite (it only shows trace Mn). Calderite has faded from the literature and was not regarded as a valid species (Fleischer 1971, 1975), until the a manganese-iron garnet reported by Vermass (1952) from Namibia and the calderite reported from Labrador by Klein (1966) was reinvestigated by Dunn (1979). Dunn recommended revalidation of the species citing the data only from the Namibian and Canadian localities. He confirmed the Wabush calderite as being closer to end-member composition (61.5-72.8% calderite, 38.5-27.2% andradite) than those from Namibia (51% calderite, 36% grossular and 13% spessartine).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
864
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:864:6
IMA Classification of Calderite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
Type description reference:
Classification of Calderite
9.AD.25
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
D : Nesosilicates without additional anions; cations in [6] and/or greater coordination
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
D : Nesosilicates without additional anions; cations in [6] and/or greater coordination
51.4.3a.6
51 : NESOSILICATES Insular SiO4 Groups Only
4 : Insular SiO4 Groups Only with cations in [6] and >[6] coordination
51 : NESOSILICATES Insular SiO4 Groups Only
4 : Insular SiO4 Groups Only with cations in [6] and >[6] coordination
14.18.34
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
18 : Silicates of Mn and Na, K, Mg, Ca or Fe
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
18 : Silicates of Mn and Na, K, Mg, Ca or Fe
Mineral Symbols
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.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Cdr | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Cdr | The 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 Calderite
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Dark reddish brown to dark yellowish, brown-yellow
Hardness:
7 on Mohs scale
Density:
4.05 g/cm3 (Measured) 4.07 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Calderite
Type:
Isotropic
RI values:
n = 1.875 - 1.934
Birefringence:
Isotropic minerals have no birefringence
Surface Relief:
Very High
Comments:
Shows slight anisotropism.
Chemistry of Calderite
Mindat Formula:
Mn2+3Fe3+2(SiO4)3
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Ti,Mg
Crystallography of Calderite
Crystal System:
Isometric
Class (H-M):
m3m (4/m 3 2/m) - Hexoctahedral
Space Group:
Ia3d
Setting:
Ia3d
Cell Parameters:
a = 11.81 Å
Unit Cell V:
1,647.21 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
8
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0018998 | Calderite | Ottonello G, Borketa M, Sciuto P F (1996) Parameterization of energy and interactions in garnets: End-member properties American Mineralogist 81 429-447 |  | 1996 | Calculated structure | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 2.62 Å | (100) |
| 1.574 Å | (100) |
| 2.92 Å | (90) |
| 2.39 Å | (90) |
| 1.632 Å | (90) |
| 0.968 Å | (90) |
| 1.906 Å | (80) |
| 1.474 Å | (70) |
| 1.316 Å | (70) |
| 1.288 Å | (70) |
| 1.257 Å | (70) |
| 2.30 Å | (60) |
| 2.14 Å | (60) |
| 1.095 Å | (60) |
| 1.077 Å | (60) |
| 1.043 Å | (60) |
Comments:
Otjosondu, Namibia. Data from Vermaas (1952).
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| High-? alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 32 : Ba/Mn/Pb/Zn deposits, including metamorphic deposits | |
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 34 : Complex granite pegmatites |
Type Occurrence of Calderite
Co-Type Localities:
General Appearance of Type Material:
Granular, massive.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
No defined type material.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
In a manganese deposit
Synonyms of Calderite
Other Language Names for Calderite
Relationship of Calderite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Garnet Group:
| Almandine | Fe2+3Al2(SiO4)3 | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Ia3d |
| Andradite | Ca3Fe3+2(SiO4)3 | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Ia3d |
| Blythite | Mn2+3Mn3+2[SiO4]3 | |
| Eringaite | Ca3Sc2(SiO4)3 | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Ia3d |
| Goldmanite | Ca3V3+2(SiO4)3 | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Ia3d |
| Grossular | Ca3Al2(SiO4)3 | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Ia3d |
| Khoharite | Mg3Fe3+2(SiO4)3 | |
| Knorringite | Mg3Cr2(SiO4)3 | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Ia3d |
| Majorite | Mg3(MgSi)(SiO4)3 | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Ia3d |
| Menzerite-(Y) | (Y2Ca)Mg2(SiO4)3 | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Ia3d |
| Momoiite | Mn2+3V3+2(SiO4)3 | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Ia3d |
| Morimotoite | Ca3(TiFe2+)(SiO4)3 | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Ia3d |
| Pyrope | Mg3Al2(SiO4)3 | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Ia3d |
| Rubinite | Ca3Ti3+2(SiO4)3 | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Ia3d |
| Skiagite | Fe2+3Fe3+2[SiO4]3 | |
| Spessartine | Mn2+3Al2(SiO4)3 | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Ia3d |
| UM1984-37-SiO:CrMn | Mn2+3Cr3+2(SiO4)3 | |
| Uvarovite | Ca3Cr2(SiO4)3 | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Ia3d |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 2 photos of Calderite associated with Spessartine | Mn2+3Al2(SiO4)3 |
| 2 photos of Calderite associated with Clino-ferro-suenoite | ◻{Mn2+2}{Fe2+5}(Si8O22)(OH)2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.AD. | Adrianite | Ca12(Al4Mg3Si7)O32Cl6 |
| 9.AD.05 | Larnite | Ca2SiO4 |
| 9.AD.10 | Calcio-olivine | Ca2SiO4 |
| 9.AD.15 | Merwinite | Ca3Mg(SiO4)2 |
| 9.AD.20 | Bredigite | Ca7Mg(SiO4)4 |
| 9.AD.25 | Midbarite | Ca3Mg2(V2Si)O12 |
| 9.AD.25 | Menzerite-(Y) | (Y2Ca)Mg2(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Uvarovite | Ca3Cr2(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Eltyubyuite | Ca12Fe3+10Si4O32Cl6 |
| 9.AD.25 | Eringaite | Ca3Sc2(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Henritermierite | Ca3Mn3+2(SiO4)2[◻(OH)4] |
| 9.AD.25 va | Hydrougrandite | (Ca,Mg,Fe2+)3(Fe3+,Al)2[(OH)4(SiO4)2] |
| 9.AD.25 | Nikmelnikovite | Ca12(Fe2+Fe3+3Al3◻)[SiO4]6[◻(OH)4]5◻4 |
| 9.AD.25 | Hutcheonite | Ca3Ti2(SiO4)(AlO4)2 |
| 9.AD.25 | Wadalite | (Ca,Mg)6(Al,Fe3+)4((Si,Al)O4)3O4Cl3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Rubinite | Ca3Ti3+2(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Kerimasite | Ca3Zr2(SiO4)(Fe3+O4)2 |
| 9.AD.25 | Holtstamite | Ca3Al2(SiO4)2[◻(OH)4] |
| 9.AD.25 | Spessartine | Mn2+3Al2(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Toturite | Ca3Sn2(SiO4)(Fe3+O4)2 |
| 9.AD.25 | Kimzeyite | Ca3Zr2(SiO4)(AlO4)2 |
| 9.AD.25 | Khoharite | Mg3Fe3+2(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Irinarassite | Ca3Sn2(SiO4)(AlO4)2 |
| 9.AD.25 | Knorringite | Mg3Cr2(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Goldmanite | Ca3V3+2(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Blythite | Mn2+3Mn3+2[SiO4]3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Skiagite | Fe2+3Fe3+2[SiO4]3 |
| 9.AD.25 | UM1984-37-SiO:CrMn | Mn2+3Cr3+2(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Almandine | Fe2+3Al2(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 va | Yamatoite | (Mn2+,Ca)3(V3+,Al)2(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Momoiite | Mn2+3V3+2(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Grossular | Ca3Al2(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Andradite | Ca3Fe3+2(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Morimotoite | Ca3(TiFe2+)(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Majorite | Mg3(MgSi)(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Pyrope | Mg3Al2(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.25 | Schorlomite | Ca3Ti2(SiO4)(Fe3+O4)2 |
| 9.AD.30 | Hafnon | Hf(SiO4) |
| 9.AD.30 | Zircon | Zr(SiO4) |
| 9.AD.30 | Coffinite | U(SiO4) · nH2O |
| 9.AD.30 | Thorite | Th(SiO4) |
| 9.AD.30 va | Auerlite | near Th(Si,P)O4 |
| 9.AD.30 | Stetindite-(Ce) | Ce(SiO4) |
| 9.AD.35 | Tombarthite-(Y) | Y4(Si,H4)4O12-x(OH)4+2x |
| 9.AD.35 | Huttonite | ThSiO4 |
| 9.AD.40 | Eulytine | Bi4(SiO4)3 |
| 9.AD.45 | Reidite | Zr(SiO4) |
| 9.AD.55 | Jeffbenite | Mg3Al2Si3O12 |
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 Calderite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-864.html
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External Links:
References for Calderite
Reference List:
Vermaas, F. H. S. (1952) Manganese-iron garnet from Otjosondu, South-West Africa. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 29 (218) 946-951 doi:10.1180/minmag.1952.029.218.07
Klein, C. (1966) Mineralogy and petrology of the metamorphosed Wabush Iron Formation, southwestern Labrador. Journal of Petrology, 7 (2) 246-305 doi:10.1093/petrology/7.2.246
Fleischer, Michael, Cabri, Louis J. (1981) New Mineral Names. American Mineralogist, 66 (11-12) 1274-1280
Lattard, Dominique, Schreyer, Werner (1983) Synthesis and stability of the garnet calderite in the system Fe-Mn-Si-O. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 84 (2) 199-214 doi:10.1007/bf00371286
Amthauer, Georg; Katz-Lehnert, Kerstin; Lattard, Dominique; Okrusch, Martin; Woermann, Eduard (1989) Crystal chemistry of natural Mn3+-bearing calderite-andradite garnets from Otjosondu, SWA/Namibia. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, 189 (1-2). 43-56 doi:10.1524/zkri.1989.189.1-2.43
Localities for Calderite
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.
Australia | |
| Oberti et al. (2016) |
Austria | |
| Hölblinger et al. (2019) |
Canada (TL) | |
| Klein (1966) +1 other reference |
France | |
| Cenki-Tok et al. (2006) |
Greece | |
| Reinecke et al. (1985) +1 other reference |
India | |
| Dunn (1979) +1 other reference |
| Dasgupta et al. (1987) |
Italy | |
| Cenki-Tok et al. (2006) |
| Piccoli et al. (2007) |
Kosovo | |
| Lauf (2013) |
Namibia (TL) | |
| Vermaas (1952) +4 other references |
Romania | |
| Hîrtopanu et al. (2003) | |
| Hârtopanu P et al. (1997) |
| Udubasa et al. (1996) +1 other reference |
| Hârtopanu et al. (1996) +1 other reference |
| Munteanu (1993) +1 other reference |
| minerals-of-the-carpathians.eu (2008) |
| Hîrtopanu (1997) +1 other reference |
South Africa | |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) |
| Rozendaal et al. (2017) | |
Sweden | |
| Åberg (2015) |
| Folvik (2010) +1 other reference |
| Nysten et al. (2016) +1 other reference |
Switzerland | |
| Gianluca Armellino et al. (2025) |
| Brugger J. (1996) +1 other reference | |
USA | |
| Gaines et al. (1997) |
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Schmorrasgrat-South, Ausserferrera, Ferrera, Viamala Region, Grisons, Switzerland