Celadonite

Celadonite
Green crystals of heulandite which owe their green colour to many tiny inclusions of celadonite
General
CategoryMicas
Phyllosilicate
Formula
(repeating unit)
K(Mg,Fe2+
)(Fe3+
,Al)[Si
4
O
10
](OH)
2
IMA symbolCel[1]
Crystal systemMonoclinic
Crystal classSpheroidal (2)
(same H-M symbol)
Space groupC2
Identification
ColorBlue-green to olive to applegreen
Cleavageperfect on {001}
TenacityFragile
Mohs scale hardness2
LusterWaxy, dull, earthy
DiaphaneityTranslucent
Specific gravity2.95 - 3.05
Density2.95 - 3.05
Optical propertiesBiaxial (-)
PleochroismVisible
2V angle5°- 8°
Common impuritiesMn, Na, Ca
Other characteristics Radioactive 9.11% (K)
References[2][3][4]

Celadonite is a mica group mineral, a phyllosilicate of potassium, iron in both oxidation states, aluminium and hydroxide with formula K(Mg,Fe2+
)(Fe3+
,Al)[Si
4
O
10
](OH)
2
.

It crystallizes in the monoclinic system and usually forms massive aggregates of prismatic crystallites or, more commonly, in dull clay masses. It is soft with a Mohs hardness of 2 and a specific gravity of 3. It forms vesicle fillings and linings in altered basaltic lavas. Early research suggests this mineral has ties to weakly metamorphosed plutonic rocks during formation, and is also found with montmorillonite clays or zeolite crystals.[5] Association with zeolites may indicate these minerals favor the same underlying conditions of crystal growth.[5]

It was first described in 1847 on Monte Baldo, near Verona, Italy. The name is from the French celadon, for sea-green. It is one of two minerals, along with glauconite, used in making the pigment known as green earth.[6]

Common impurities are manganese, calcium and sodium (previously known as natrium).

  1. ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. ^ Mineralienatlas
  3. ^ Mindat w/ localities
  4. ^ Webmineral
  5. ^ a b Wise, W.S.; Euster, H.P (August 1964). "Celadonite: synthesis, thermal stability and occurrence. American Mineralogist, 1974 (7-8): 1031-1083". GeoSciencedWorld.
  6. ^ Hradil, David; Grygar, Tomáš; Hrušková, Michaela; Bezdička, Petr; Lang, Kamil; Schneeweiss, Oldřich; Chvátal, Marek (2004-12-01). "Green Earth Pigment from the Kadaň Region, Czech Republic: Use of Rare Fe-rich Smectite". Clays and Clay Minerals. 52 (6): 767–778. Bibcode:2004CCM....52..767H. doi:10.1346/CCMN.2004.0520612. ISSN 1552-8367. S2CID 95885389.