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Tychite

A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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00907220017271927268772.jpg
Tychite

Searles Lake, San Bernardino County, California, USA
03452500017271927294935.jpg
Tychite

Searles Lake, San Bernardino County, California, USA
00248980017271927336893.jpg
Tychite

Searles Lake, San Bernardino County, California, USA
00907220017271927268772.jpg
Tychite

Searles Lake, San Bernardino County, California, USA
03452500017271927294935.jpg
Tychite

Searles Lake, San Bernardino County, California, USA
00248980017271927336893.jpg
Tychite

Searles Lake, San Bernardino County, California, USA
00907220017271927268772.jpg
Tychite

Searles Lake, San Bernardino County, California, USA
03452500017271927294935.jpg
Tychite

Searles Lake, San Bernardino County, California, USA
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About TychiteHide

Formula:
Na6Mg2(CO3)4(SO4)
Colour:
Colourless, white; colourless in transmitted light
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
3½
Specific Gravity:
2.456
Crystal System:
Isometric
Name:
From Greek τυχή, "tyche", luck or chance, because the first and only one of the last 10 crystals of a stock of about 5,000 crystals of Northupite being examined by Penfield and Jamieson turned out to be Tychite.
Isostructural with:
Northupite
Northupite Group. Ferrotychite-Tychite Series.
magnesium analogue of Ferrotychite and Manganotychite.

A complete series between Tychite and Northupite exists in artificial material.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
4068
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4068:2

IMA Classification of TychiteHide

Classification of TychiteHide

Strunz-mindat (2026):
5.BF.05

5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
B : Carbonates with additional anions, without H2O
F : With (Cl), SO4, PO4, TeO3
Dana 8th ed.:
17.1.1.1

17 : COMPOUND CARBONATES
1 : Miscellaneous
Hey's CIM Ref.:
12.2.3

12 : Carbonates with other anions
2 : Carbonates with sulphate

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

Physical Properties of TychiteHide

Lustre:
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless, white; colourless in transmitted light
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
2.456 g/cm3 (Measured)    2.59 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of TychiteHide

Type:
Isotropic

Chemistry of TychiteHide

Mindat Formula:
Na6Mg2(CO3)4(SO4)
Element Weights:
Element% weight
O48.980 %
Na26.392 %
Mg9.301 %
C9.192 %
S6.135 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
Elements listed:
C, Mg, Na, O, S - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of TychiteHide

Crystal System:
Isometric
Class (H-M):
m3 (2/m 3) - Diploidal
Space Group:
Fd3
Cell Parameters:
a = 13.9038 Å
Unit Cell V:
2687.82 ų
Z:
8
Morphology:
Octahedral crystals.

Crystal StructureHide

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0010470TychiteSchmidt G R, Reynard J, Yang H, Downs R T (2006) Tychite, Na6Mg2(SO4)(CO3)4: Structure analysis and Raman spectroscopic data Acta Crystallographica E62 i207-i2092006Searles Lake, Trona, San Bernardino County, California, USA0293
0015445TychiteWatanabe T (1933) Les structures cristallines de la northupite 2MgCO32Na2CO32NaCl et de la tychite 2MgCO32Na2CO3Na2SO4 Scientific Papers of the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research 21 40-6219330293
0018038TychiteShiba H, Watanabe T (1931) Les structures des cristaux de northupite, de northupite bromee et de tychite. _cod_database_code 1011158 Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Seances de l'Academie des Sciences 193 1421-142319310293
0012243TychiteShiba H, Watanabe T (1931) Les structures des cristaux de northupite, de northupite bromee et de tychite Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Seances de l'Academie des Sciences 193 1421-142319310293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
2.674 Å(100)
4.18 Å(76)
2.459 Å(40)
3.190 Å(24)
1.605 Å(24)
2.006 Å(17)
1.736 Å(17)

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks>3.0
35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks
36 : Carbonatites, kimberlites, and related igneous rocks

Type Occurrence of TychiteHide

Type Locality:
ⓘ Searles Lake, San Bernardino County, California, USA
General Appearance of Type Material:
Small (< 3 mm), octahedrons, sometimes in clusters.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA (3.1634).
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Lacustrine sedimentary clay bed.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
GaylussiteNorthupitePirssoniteSchaireriteThénardite
Reference:
Penfield S.L., Jamieson G.S. (1905) On tychite, a new mineral from Borax Lake, California, and on its artificial production and its relations to northupite, American Journal of Science, 4th. Series: 20: 217-224.

Other Language Names for TychiteHide

Dutch:Tychiet
German:Tychit
Russian:Тихит
Simplified Chinese:杂芒硝
Spanish:Tychita
Traditional Chinese:雜芒硝

Relationship of Tychite to other SpeciesHide

Member of:
Northupite Group
Other Members of Northupite Group:
FerrotychiteNa6(Fe,Mn,Mg)2(CO3)4(SO4)Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Fd3
ManganotychiteNa6Mn2(CO3)4(SO4)Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Fd3
NorthupiteNa3Mg(CO3)2ClIso. m3 (2/m 3) : Fd3
Forms a series with:
FerrotychiteFerrotychite-Tychite Series

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

5.BF.05NorthupiteNa3Mg(CO3)2ClIso. m3 (2/m 3) : Fd3
5.BF.05ManganotychiteNa6Mn2(CO3)4(SO4)Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Fd3
5.BF.05FerrotychiteNa6(Fe,Mn,Mg)2(CO3)4(SO4)Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Fd3
5.BF.10SidorenkiteNa3Mn2+(CO3)(PO4)Mon.
5.BF.10CrawforditeNa3Sr(CO3)(PO4)Mon. 2 : P21
5.BF.10BonshtedtiteNa3Fe2+(CO3)(PO4)Mon. 2/m : P21/m
5.BF.10BradleyiteNa3Mg(CO3)(PO4)Mon. 2/m : P21/m
5.BF.15Daqingshanite-(Ce)(Sr,Ca,Ba)3(Ce,La)(CO3)3-x(PO4)(OH,F)2xTrig.
5.BF.20Reederite-(Y)(Na,Mn)15Y2(CO3)9(FSO3)ClHex. 6 : P6
5.BF.25Mineevite-(Y)Na25Ba(Y,Gd,Dy)2(CO3)11(HCO3)4(SO4)2F2ClHex. 6/m : P63/m
5.BF.30BrianyoungiteZn3(CO3,SO4)(OH)4Mon. 2/m : P21/m
5.BF.35PhilolithitePb12Mn2+(Mg,Mn2+)2(Mn2+,Mg)4(CO3)4(SO4)O6(OH)12Cl4Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m)
5.BF.40LeadhillitePb4(CO3)2(SO4)(OH)2Mon. 2/m : P21/b
5.BF.40MacphersonitePb4(CO3)2(SO4)(OH)2Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
5.BF.40SusannitePb4(CO3)2(SO4)(OH)2Trig. 3 : P3
5.BF.45Peatite-(Y)Li4Na12Y12(PO4)12(CO3)4(F,OH)8Orth. 2 2 2 : P2 2 2
5.BF.50Ramikite-(Y)Li4(Na,Ca)12Y6Zr6(PO4)12(CO3)4O4[(OH),F]4Tric. 1 : P1

Other InformationHide

Notes:
Soluble in dilute acids.
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 TychiteHide

References for TychiteHide

Reference List:
Penfield S.L., Jamieson G.S. (1905) On tychite, a new mineral from Borax Lake, California, and on its artificial production and its relations to northupite, American Journal of Science, 4th. Series: 20: 217-224.
Penfield, S. L.; Jamieson, G. S. (1906) Über Tychit, ein neues Mineral vom Boraxsee in Californien, seine künstliche Darstellung und seine Beziehungen zum Northupit. Zeitschrift für Krystallographie und Mineralogie, 41 (1-6). 235-242 doi:10.1524/zkri.1906.41.1.235
de Schulten (1906) Comptes rendus de l’Académie des sciences de Paris: 143: 403.
Goßner, B.; Koch, I. (1931) Über das Kristallgitter von Langbeinit, Northupit und Hanksit. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, 80 (1-6). 455-464 doi:10.1524/zkri.1931.80.1.455p.458
Shiba, H., Watanabé, T. (1931) Les structures des cristaux de northupite, de northupite bromée et de tychite. Comptes rendus de l’Académie des Sciences de Paris: 193: 1421-1423.
Watanabé, T. (1933) Les structures cristallines de la northupite 2MgCO32Na2CO32NaCl et de la tychite 2MgCO32Na2CO3Na2SO4. Scientific Papers of the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research: 21: 40-62.
Palache, Charles, Berman, Harry, Frondel, Clifford (1951) The System of Mineralogy (7th ed.) Vol. 2 - Halides, Nitrates, Borates, Carbonates, Sulfates, Phosphates, Arsenates, Tungstates, Molybdates, Ect. John Wiley and Sons, New York.pp.294-295
Keester, Kenneth L., Johnson, Gerald G., Vand, Vladimir (1969) New data on tychite. American Mineralogist, 54 (1-2) 302-305
Acta Crystallographica (1980) B36: 1332.
Schmidt, Gregory R.; Reynard, Jacqueline; Yang, Hexiong; Downs, Robert T. (2006) Tychite, Na6Mg2(SO4)(CO3)4: structure analysis and Raman spectroscopic data. Acta Crystallographica Section E Structure Reports Online, 62 (10). i207-i209 doi:10.1107/s160053680603491x
Piilonen, P. C., Locock, A. J., Rowe, R., Ercit, T. S. (2007) New Mineral Names. American Mineralogist, 92 (4) 703-707 doi:10.2138/am.2007.488
Palaich, S. E. M., Manning, C. E., Schauble, E., Kavner, A. (2013) Spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction investigation of the behavior of hanksite and tychite at high pressures, and a model for the compressibility of sulfate minerals. American Mineralogist, 98 (8) 1543-1549 doi:10.2138/am.2013.4384
(2020) Tychite. Handbook of Mineralogy. Mineralogical Society of America
Sidorov, M., Kompanchenko, A., Fomina, E., Kozlov, E. (2022): Raman Spectroscopic Study of Northupite Group Minerals (Tychite, Manganotychite, and Ferrotychite). Zapiski RMO (Proceedings of the Russian Mineralogical Society): 151: 94-101.

Localities for TychiteHide

Showing 10 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.
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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
 
  • Saskatchewan
Shang (2000)
China
 
  • Tibet
    • Nagqu
      • Baingoin Co. (Bange Co.)
Xiyu Zheng and Shengsong Yu (1981) +1 other reference
Costa Rica
 
  • Alajuela Province
    • Sarchí Canton
Rodríguez et al. (2017)
Russia
 
  • Murmansk Oblast
Sharygin et al. (2014)
  • Sakha
    • Mirninsky District
      • Daldyn
kimberlites of Udachnaya-East pipe (Siberia) +1 other reference
South Africa
 
  • Northern Cape
    • Frances Baard District Municipality
      • Sol Plaatje Local Municipality
        • Kimberley
          • KEM JV Mine (Kimberley Ekapa Mining Joint Venture mine; Kimberley Underground mine)
Tarasov (2022)
Uganda
 
  • Western Region
    • Kasese
      • Katwe-Kikorongo volcanic field (Katwe volcanic field)
Collection of NHM +2 other references
USA
 
  • California
    • Lake County
      • Sulphur Creek Mining District (Sulfur Creek Mining District; Wilbur Springs Mining District)
        • Clear Lake Oaks
Palache et al. (1951)
    • San Bernardino County
Penfield (1905) +9 other references
Wayne C. Shanks et al. (2012)
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