Faizievite Explained

Faizievite
Category:Silicate mineral, Cyclosilicate
Formula:K2Na(Ca6Na)Ti4Li6Si24O66F2
Imasymbol:Fai[1]
Dana:63.2.10.1
System:Triclinic
Class:Pinacoidal
(same H-M symbol)
Symmetry:P
Unit Cell:a = 9.82, b = 9.82
c = 17.31 [Å], α = 99.209(2)°
β = 94.67(2)°, γ = 119.839(1)° (approximated); Z = 1
Color:Colorless
Habit:tabular plates
Cleavage:None
Tenacity:Brittle
Mohs:4-4.5
Luster:Vitreous
Diaphaneity:Opaque
Density:2.83 (measured)
Opticalprop:Biaxal (+)
Refractive:np=1.65, nm=1.66 (approximated)
2V:-72o (measured), -70o (calculated, approximated)

Faizievite is a very rare mineral[2] with the formula K2Na(Ca6Na)Ti4Li6Si24O66F2.[3] This triclinic mineral is chemically related to baratovite and katayamalite.[4] [5] Faizievite is a single-locality mineral, coming from the moraine of the Darai-Pioz glacier, Tien Shan Mountains, Tajikistan. Alkaline rocks of this site are famous for containing numerous rare minerals, often enriched in boron, caesium, lithium, titanium, rare earth elements, barium, and others.[6]

Occurrence and association

Faizievite was detected in quartz boulders, together with aegirine, baratovite, fluorite, leucosphenite, pectolite, and polylithionite.

Notes on chemistry and structure

Strontium and trace amounts of rubidium, barium and niobium are present in the structure of faizievite. One of the sodium sites is partially vacant, and fluorine may be substituted by oxygen.

Relation to other minerals

Faizievite is related to beryl and osumilite groups of minerals.

Notes and References

  1. Warr. L.N.. 2021. IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine. 85. 3. 291–320. 10.1180/mgm.2021.43. 2021MinM...85..291W. 235729616. free.
  2. Web site: Faizievite: Faizievite mineral information and data . Mindat.org . 2016-03-05.
  3. Agakhanov, A.A., Pautov, L.A., Uvarova, Y.A., Sokolova, E.V., Hawthorne, F.C., Karpenko, V.Y., and Gafurov, F.G., 2007. Faizievite, K2Na(Ca6Na)Ti4Li6Si24O66F2 - a new mineral species. New data on minerals 42, 5-10
  4. Web site: Baratovite: Baratovite mineral information and data . Mindat.org . 2016-03-10.
  5. Web site: Katayamalite: Katayamalite mineral information and data . Mindat.org . 2016-03-10.
  6. Web site: Darai-Pioz Glacier (Dara-i-Pioz; Dara-Pioz), Alai Range (Alayskiy), Tien Shan Mtn, Region of Republican Subordination, Tajikistan - Mindat.org . Mindat.org . 2016-03-05.