# Dickite

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Phyllosilicate mineral in the kaolinite subgroup

Dickite General Category Phyllosilicate minerals Group Kaolinite-Serpentine group, kaolinite subgroup Formula Al2Si2O5(OH)4 IMA symbol Dck[1] Strunz classification 9.ED.05 Dana classification 71.01.01.01 Crystal system Monoclinic Crystal class Domatic (m) (same H-M symbol) Space group Cc Unit cell a = 5.150, b = 8.940 c = 14.424 [Å]; β = 96.8°; Z = 4 Identification Color White, with coloration from impurities Crystal habit Pseudohexagonal crystals, aggregates of platelets and compact massive Cleavage Perfect on {001} Tenacity Flexible but inelastic Mohs scale hardness 1.5–2 Luster Satiny to pearly Streak White Diaphaneity Transparent Specific gravity 2.6 Optical properties Biaxial (+) Refractive index nα = 1.561 – 1.564 nβ = 1.561 – 1.566 nγ = 1.566 – 1.570 Birefringence δ = 0.005 – 0.006 2V angle Measured: 50° to 80° References [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]

**Dickite** (Al2Si2O5(OH)4) is a [phyllosilicate](/source/Silicate_minerals) [clay mineral](/source/Clay_mineral) named after the [metallurgical](/source/Metallurgy) chemist Allan Brugh Dick, who first described it. It is [chemically composed](/source/Chemical_composition) of 20.90% [aluminium](/source/Aluminium), 21.76% [silicon](/source/Silicon), 1.56% [hydrogen](/source/Hydrogen) and 55.78% [oxygen](/source/Oxygen). It has the same composition as [kaolinite](/source/Kaolinite), [nacrite](/source/Nacrite), and [halloysite](/source/Halloysite), but with a different crystal structure ([polymorph](/source/Polymorphism_(materials_science))). Dickite sometimes contains impurities such as [titanium](/source/Titanium), [iron](/source/Iron), [magnesium](/source/Magnesium), [calcium](/source/Calcium), [sodium](/source/Sodium) and [potassium](/source/Potassium).[3]

Dickite occurs with other clays and requires x-ray diffraction for its positive identification. Dickite is an important alteration indicator[*[clarification needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Please_clarify)*] in [hydrothermal](/source/Hydrothermal) systems as well as occurring in soils and shales.

Dickite's [type location](/source/Type_locality_(geology)) is in [Pant-y-Gaseg](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pant-y-Gaseg&action=edit&redlink=1) [[cy](https://cy.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantygaseg)], [Amlwch](/source/Amlwch), [Isle of Anglesey](/source/Isle_of_Anglesey), [Wales](/source/Wales), United Kingdom, where it was first described in 1888.[3] Dickite appears in locations with similar qualities and is found in [China](/source/China), [Jamaica](/source/Jamaica), [France](/source/France), [Germany](/source/Germany), [United Kingdom](/source/United_Kingdom), [United States](/source/United_States), [Italy](/source/Italy), [Belgium](/source/Belgium) and [Canada](/source/Canada).[12]

## History

In 1888, Allan Brugh Dick (1833–1926), a Scottish [metallurgical](/source/Metallurgy) chemist, was on the island of [Anglesey](/source/Anglesey) to conduct research on kaolin. He performed various experiments describing the [clay mineral](/source/Clay_mineral).[8] It was not until 1931 that Clarence S. Ross and Paul F. Kerr looked closer at the mineral and concluded that it was different from the known minerals of [kaolinite](/source/Kaolinite) and [nacrite](/source/Nacrite). They named it after the first person to describe the mineral.

## Composition

Al2Si2O5(OH)4 is the chemical formula of dickite. The calculated percent abundances are very close when compared to other kaolin minerals.

Chemical composition of dickite:[7]

- SiO2 46.54%

- Al2O3 39.50%

- H2O 13.96%

Dickite and other kaolin minerals are commonly developed by weathering of [feldspars](/source/Feldspar) and [muscovite](/source/Muscovite).[7] Through its evolution, dickite, a phyllosilicate mineral, maintains the aluminium and silicon elements influencing the formation of hexagonal sheets common to clay minerals.

The problem of mistaken identity arises when comparing dickite to other kaolin minerals due to the fact that kaolinite, dickite, and nacrite all have the same formula but different molecular structures. The only way to determine the true identity of the mineral is through powder x-ray diffraction and optical means.

## Geologic occurrence

Dickite was first discovered in [Almwch](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Almwch&action=edit&redlink=1), Island of [Anglesey](/source/Anglesey), Wales, UK. Dickite is scattered across Wales forming occurrences in vein assemblages and as a rock-forming mineral. This area and others where dickite can be found all share similar characteristics. Pockets in phylloid [algal](/source/Algal) [limestones](/source/Limestone), in interstices of biocalcarenites and [sandstone](/source/Sandstone) are a suitable environment for dickite. Very low pressure and high temperatures are the ideal environment for the formation of dickite. The more perfected crystallization of dickite occurs in porous algal limestones in the form of a white powder. The more disordered dickites can be found in less porous rocks.

Another occurrence spot, as indicated by Brindley and Porter of the American Mineralogists journal, is the Northerly dickite-bearing zone in [Jamaica](/source/Jamaica). The dickite in this zone ranges from indurate [breccias](/source/Breccia) containing cream to pinkish and purplish fragments composed largely of dickite with subordinate [anatase](/source/Anatase) set in a matrix of greenish dickite, to discrete veins and surface coatings of white, cream and translucent dickite. It appears that dickite in the northerly zone were formed by hot ascending waters from an uncertain origin.

Dickite is found worldwide in locations such as [Ouray](/source/Ouray%2C_Colorado), [Colorado](/source/Colorado), US; San Juanito, [Chihuahua](/source/Chihuahua_(state)), Mexico, in a silicified zone among the [rhyolite](/source/Rhyolite) area; and in [St. George](/source/St._George%2C_Utah), [Utah](/source/Utah), US, where the mineral is thought to be associated with [volcanic rock](/source/Volcanic_rock).[11] An extensive study was done on dickite pertaining to its location in [Pennsylvanian](/source/Pennsylvanian_(geology)) limestones of southeastern [Kansas](/source/Kansas), US.

In the dickite deposits of southeast Kansas the distribution is dependent on the following: the [stratigraphic](/source/Stratigraphic) alternation of limestones and [shales](/source/Shale), westward regional [dip](/source/Strike_and_dip), thick deposits of highly porous algal limestones, and [igneous intrusions](/source/Igneous_intrusion). It was found that [groundwaters](/source/Groundwater) substantially heated along with [magmatic waters](/source/Magmatic_water) which made its way up-dip and through the intrusions in the conduit-like [algal mounds](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Algal_mound&action=edit&redlink=1) which allowed the dickite to be deposited in this area and it might be conclusive to say that this trend follows elsewhere in other locations around the world.[9]

## Physical properties

Dickite takes on the appearance of a white, brown earthy color and is often found embedded in many other minerals such as quartz.

Dickite has perfect cleavage in the (001) direction. Its color varies from blue, gray, white to colorless. It usually has a dull [clay](/source/Clay)-like texture. Its hardness on the [Mohs scale](/source/Mohs_scale) is 1.5–2, basically between [talc](/source/Talc) and [gypsum](/source/Gypsum). This is attributed to its loose chemical bonds. It is held with hydrogen bonds, which are otherwise weak. It leaves a white streak and it has a pearly luster. It has a density of 2.6. Dickite is biaxial, its [birefringence](/source/Birefringence) is between 0.0050–0.0090, its surface relief is low and it has no dispersion. The plane of the optical axis is normal to the plane of symmetry and inclined 160, rear to the normal to (0,0,1).

The atomic structure of dickite, being very similar to that of kaolinite and other kaolin type minerals, has a very specific arrangement that differs slightly enough to set its physical appearance and other physical properties apart from that of its family members kaolinite and nacrite. In a comparison of the family of minerals through experiments examined by Ross and Kerr the similarities between them are clearly evident and can, depending on the samples, be indistinguishable by optical means.[5]

The hexagonal structure and the stacking of the atoms influence the physical properties in many ways including the color, hardness, cleavage, density, and luster. Another important factor in influencing physical properties of minerals is the presence of bonding between atoms. Within dickite there exists dominant O-H bonding, a type of strong ionic bonding.[10]

## Structure

Dickite has a [monoclinic crystal system](/source/Monoclinic_crystal_system) and its crystal class is domatic (m). This crystal system contains two non-equal axes (a and b) that are perpendicular to each other and a third axis (c) that is inclined with respect to the a axis. The a and c axes lie in a plane. Dickite involves an interlayer bonding with at least 3 identifiable bonds: an [ionic](/source/Ionic_bond) type interaction due to net unbalanced charges on the layers, [Van der Waals forces](/source/Van_der_Waals_forces) between layers and [hydrogen bonds](/source/Hydrogen_bonds) between oxygen atoms on the surface of one layer and hydroxyl groups on the opposing surface. A hydrogen bond, as the term is used here, involves a long range interaction between hydrogen of a [hydroxyl group](/source/Hydroxyl_group) coordinated to a [cation](/source/Cation) and an oxygen atom coordinated to another cation. The reaction is predominantly electrostatic; hence an ionic bonding model is appropriate. Its [axial ratio](/source/Axial_ratio) is a=0.576, b=1, c=1.6135.

The hexagonal network of Si-O tetrahedra along with the superimposed layer of Al-O, OH octahedra make up the kaolin layer found in dickite. Dickite is composed of regular sequences of one, two and six kaolin layers. Analysis of the dickite structure reveals the space group to be C4s-Cc. The a and c axis both lie on the glide plane of symmetry.[10] Dickite's structure is made up of a shared layer of corner-sharing tetrahedra filled by a plane of oxygens and hydroxyls along with a sheet of edge-sharing octahedra with every third site left empty.[7]

An experiment was conducted using a pseudo-hexagonal crystal of dickite to determine the unit cell information and the layers that exist within dickite. It was found that there are six layers within the kaolin layer within dickite. This is evidenced in the following findings. There is an oxygen atom from the all oxygen layer that lies at the center. The atoms of the O layer, the Si layer and the O, (OH) layer are situated for the ideal kaolin layer.[10]

X-ray experiments were performed by C. J. Ksanda and Tom F. W. Barth and it was concluded that dickite is composed of tiny layers of [cations](/source/Cations) and [anions](/source/Anions) which are parallel to the a-b plane stacked on top of one another which they found to be exactly as Gruner had described. It was also concluded that the two dimensional arrangement of some of the atoms are not as Gruner described.[6]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Warr, L.N. (2021). ["IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols"](https://doi.org/10.1180%2Fmgm.2021.43). *Mineralogical Magazine*. **85** (3): 291–320. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2021MinM...85..291W](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2021MinM...85..291W). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1180/mgm.2021.43](https://doi.org/10.1180%2Fmgm.2021.43). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [235729616](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:235729616).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Handbook_2-0)** Anthony JW, Bideaux RA, Bladh KW, et al. (1995). ["Dickite"](http://rruff.info/doclib/hom/dickite.pdf) (PDF). *Handbook of mineralogy*. Tucson, Ariz.: Mineral Data Publishing. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780962209734](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780962209734). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [20759166](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/20759166).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Mindat_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Mindat_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Mindat_3-2) ["Dickite: Mineral information, data and localities"](https://www.mindat.org/min-1287.html). *MinDat.org*. Retrieved 27 Mar 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Webmin_4-0)** ["Dickite Mineral Data"](http://webmineral.com/data/Dickite.shtml). *webmineral.com*. Retrieved 27 Mar 2019.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Dick_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Dick_5-1) Dick AB (1888). ["On Kaolinite"](https://web.archive.org/web/20161005125030/https://www.minersoc.org/pages/Archive-MM/Volume_8/8-36-15.pdf) (PDF). *[Mineral. Mag.](/source/Mineralogical_Magazine)* **8** (36): 15–27. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[1888MinM....8...15D](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1888MinM....8...15D). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1180/minmag.1888.008.36.03](https://doi.org/10.1180%2Fminmag.1888.008.36.03). Archived from [the original](https://www.minersoc.org/pages/Archive-MM/Volume_8/8-36-15.pdf) (PDF) on 5 October 2016. Retrieved 28 March 2019.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-barth_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-barth_6-1) Ksanda CJ, Barth TF (1935). ["Note on the Structure of Dickite and Other Clay Minerals"](https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/msa/ammin/article-abstract/20/9/631/537647/note-on-the-structure-of-dickite-and-other-clay). *[Am. Mineral.](/source/American_Mineralogist)* **20** (9): 631–637.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-cruz_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-cruz_7-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-cruz_7-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-cruz_7-3) Cruz MD. ["Genesis and Evolution of the Kaolin-group Minerals During the Diagenesis and the Beginning of Metamorphism"](http://www.ehu.eus/sem/seminario_pdf/SEMINARIOS_SEM_3_41.pdf) (PDF). *University of the Basque Country Seminar* (seminar material): 41–52.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ross_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ross_8-1) Ross C, Kerr PF (1931). ["Dickite, a Kaolin Mineral"](http://www.minsocam.org/ammin/AM15/AM15_34.pdf) (PDF). *[Am. Mineral.](/source/American_Mineralogist)* **15** (1): 34–39.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-hayes_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-hayes_9-1) Schroeder RJ, Hayes JB (1968). "Dickite and Kaolinite in Pennsylvanian Limestones of Southeastern Kansas". *Clays and Clay Minerals*. **16** (1): 41–49. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[1968CCM....16...41S](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1968CCM....16...41S). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1346/CCMN.1968.0160106](https://doi.org/10.1346%2FCCMN.1968.0160106).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Brind_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Brind_10-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Brind_10-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Brind_10-3) Newnham RE, Brindley GW (1956). ["The Crystal Structure of Dickite"](https://doi.org/10.1107%2FS0365110X56002060). *[Acta Crystallogr.](/source/Acta_Crystallographica)* **9** (9): 759–764. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[1956AcCry...9..759N](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1956AcCry...9..759N). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1107/S0365110X56002060](https://doi.org/10.1107%2FS0365110X56002060).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Main_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Main_11-1) Holmes RJ (1951). "Reference Clay Localities". In Ker PF, Main MS, Hamilton PK (eds.). *Occurrence and microscopic examination of reference clay Mineral specimens: Preliminary reports*. American Petroleum Institute Research Project. Vol. 4. New York: Columbia University. [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [223495759](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/223495759).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-porter_12-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-porter_12-1) Brindley GW, Porter AR (1978). "Occurrence of dickite in Jamaica-ordered and disordered varieties". *[Am. Mineral.](/source/American_Mineralogist)* **63** (5–6): 554–562. [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [41328124](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:41328124).

- Fialips CI, Majzlan J, Beaufort D, et al. (2003). "New thermochemical evidence on the stability of dickite vs. kaolinite". *[Am. Mineral.](/source/American_Mineralogist)* **88** (5–6): 837–845. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2003AmMin..88..837F](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2003AmMin..88..837F). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.2138/am-2003-5-612](https://doi.org/10.2138%2Fam-2003-5-612). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [5174457](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:5174457).

v t e Phyllosilicates Micas Aluminoceladonite Anandite Annite Aspidolite Balestraite Bityite Biotite Boromuscovite Bramallite Celadonite Chernykhite Chromphyllite Clintonite Eastonite Ephesite Ferroaluminoceladonite Ferroceladonite Fluorannite Fluorokinoshitalite Fluorophlogopite Fluorotetraferriphlogopite Garmite Glauconite Gorbunovite Hendricksite Illite Kinoshitalite Lepidolite Luanshiweiite Manganiceladonite Margarite Masutomilite Montdorite Muscovite Nanpingite Norrishite Orlovite Oxyphlogopite Paragonite Phengite Phlogopite Polylithionite Preiswerkite Roscoelite Siderophyllite Suhailite Tainiolite Tetraferriannite Trilithionite Voloshinite Wonesite Yangzhumingite Talcs Minnesotaite Talc Willemseite Pyrophyllite series Ferripyrophyllite Pyrophyllite Kaolinites Bismutoferrite Dickite Halloysite Hisingerite Kaolinite Nacrite Serpentines Amesite Antigorite Berthierine Brindleyite Caryopilite Chrysotile Cronstedtite Fraipontite Greenalite Guidottiite Kellyite Lizardite Manandonite Népouite Odinite Pecoraite Corrensites Aliettite Brinrobertsite Corrensite Dozyite Hydrobiotite Karpinskite Kulkeite Lunijianlaite Rectorite Saliotite Tosudite Smectites and vermiculite family Beidellite Ferrosaponite Montmorillonite Nontronite Saponite Sauconite Swinefordite Vermiculite Volkonskoite Yakhontovite Chlorites Baileychlore Borocookeite Chamosite Clinochlore Cookeite Donbassite Gonyerite Nimite Pennantite Sudoite Allophanes Allophane Chrysocolla Imogolite Neotocite Sepiolites Falcondoite Ferrisepiolite Sepiolite Pyrosmalites Friedelite Mcgillite Nelenite Pyrosmalite Schallerite Stilpnomelanes Bannisterite Franklinphilite Lennilenapeite Parsettensite Stilpnomelane Structural groups mainly; based on rruff.info/ima, modified Minerals portal

v t e Clay minerals Allophane Chlorite Dickite Halloysite Hectorite Illite Imogolite Kaolinite Montmorillonite Nacrite Nontronite Palygorskite Saponite Sepiolite Smectite Talc Minerals portal

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Dickite](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dickite) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dickite?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.