Aqualite

{{infobox mineral | name = Aqualite | category = Silicate mineral, cyclosilicate | image = | imagesize = | alt = | caption = | formula = (H₃O)₈(Na,K,Sr)₅Ca₆Zr₃Si₂₆O₆₆)(OH)₉Cl |IMAsymbol=Aq<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Warr|first=L.N.|date=2021|title=IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols|journal=Mineralogical Magazine|volume=85|issue=3|pages=291–320|doi=10.1180/mgm.2021.43|bibcode=2021MinM...85..291W|s2cid=235729616|doi-access=free}}</ref> | strunz = 9.CO.10 | dana = | system = Trigonal | class = Pyramidal (3) <br/>H-M symbol: (3) | symmetry = ''R3'' | unit cell = ''a'' = 14.08, ''c'' = 31.24&nbsp;[Å] (approximated); ''Z''&nbsp;=&nbsp;3 | color = Pink (pale) | colour = | habit = idiomorphic crystals (max. 3 cm) | twinning = | cleavage = None | fracture = Conchoidal | tenacity = | mohs = 4–5 | luster = Vitreous | streak = White | diaphaneity = Translucent | gravity = | density = 2.58 (measured), 2.66 (calculated) | polish = | opticalprop = Uniaxial (+) | refractive = ''n''_ω = 1.57, ''n''_ε = 1.57 (approximated) | birefringence = | pleochroism = Colorless to pink (W), pink (E) | 2V = | dispersion = | extinction = | length fast/slow = | fluorescence = dull yellow (weak) | absorption = | melt = | fusibility = | diagnostic = | solubility = | impurities = | alteration = | other = | references = <ref name=Mindat /><ref name=GOD /> }} '''Aqualite''' is a very rare mineral of the eudialyte group, with formula (H₃O)₈(Na,K,Sr)₅Ca₆Zr₃SiSi(Si₂₄O₆₆)(OH)₉Cl.<ref name=Mindat>{{cite web|url=http://www.mindat.org/min-27558.html |title=Aqualite: Aqualite mineral information and data |website=Mindat.org |accessdate=2016-03-08}}</ref><ref name=GOD>Khomyakov, A. P., Nechelyustov, G. N., and Rastsvetaeva, R. K., 2007: Aqualite, a new mineral species of the eudialyte group from the Inagli alkaline pluton, Sakha-Yakutia, Russia, and the problem of oxonium in hydrated eudialytes. Geology of Ore Deposits 49(8), 739–751.</ref> The formula given does not show the presence of cyclic silicate groups. The original formula was extended to show the presence of silicon at both M3 and M4 sites, according to the nomenclature of the eudialyte group.<ref name=CanMin>Johnsen, O., Ferraris, G., Gault, R. A., Grice, D. G., Kampf, A. R., and Pekov, I. V., 2003. The nomenclature of eudialyte-group minerals. The Canadian Mineralogist 41, 785–794.</ref> Aqualite is unique among the eudialyte group in being hydronium-rich (the only other eudialyte-group species with essential hydronium, is the recently discovered ilyukhinite).<ref name=Mindat /> Among the other representatives of the group it also distinguish in splitting of the M1 site into two sub-sites, both occupied by calcium. Thus, its symmetry is lowered from typical for most eudialytes ''R''3''m'' (or ''R''-3''m'') to ''R''3. The name refers to high content of water in the mineral.<ref name=GOD /><ref name=CanMin />

==Notes on chemistry== Elements occurring as admixtures in aqualite include barium, iron, rare-earth elements (including cerium), titanium, aluminium and trace niobium.<ref name=GOD />

==Occurrence and association== Aqualite was discovered among peralkaline pegmatites of the Inagli massif, Sakha-Yakutia, Russia. Associated minerals are aegirine, batisite, eckermanite, innelite, lorezenite, natrolite, microcline, thorite, and galena.<ref name=GOD />

==Origin== Aqualite is thought to be formed by ion exchange transformation of a precursor mineral.<ref name=GOD />

==References== {{reflist}}

Category:Cyclosilicates Category:Sodium minerals Category:Calcium minerals Category:Zirconium minerals Category:Trigonal minerals Category:Minerals in space group 146

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