Lorenzenite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Lorenzenite
Formula:
Na2Ti2(Si2O6)O3
Colour:
Pale purple-brown, pale pink to mauve, brown to black
Lustre:
Adamantine, Vitreous, Sub-Metallic, Dull
Hardness:
6
Specific Gravity:
3.42 - 3.45
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
For Johannes Theodor Lorenzen (1855-1884), Danish mineralogist
This page provides mineralogical data about Lorenzenite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2436
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2436:1
IMA Classification of Lorenzenite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Na2Ti4+2O3(Si2O6)
First published:
1898
Classification of Lorenzenite
9.DB.10
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
D : Inosilicates
B : Inosilicates with 2-periodic single chains, Si2O6; Pyroxene-related minerals
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
D : Inosilicates
B : Inosilicates with 2-periodic single chains, Si2O6; Pyroxene-related minerals
65.1.6.1
65 : INOSILICATES Single-Width,Unbranched Chains,(W=1)
1 : Single-Width Unbranched Chains, W=1 with chains P=2
65 : INOSILICATES Single-Width,Unbranched Chains,(W=1)
1 : Single-Width Unbranched Chains, W=1 with chains P=2
14.9.2
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
9 : Silicates of Ti
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
9 : Silicates of Ti
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Lrz | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Lorenzenite
Adamantine, Vitreous, Sub-Metallic, Dull
Transparency:
Transparent, Opaque
Colour:
Pale purple-brown, pale pink to mauve, brown to black
Streak:
White to pale brown
Hardness:
6 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Distinct on {010}
Distinct on {010}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
3.42 - 3.45 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.44 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Lorenzenite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.91 - 1.95 nβ = 2.01 - 2.04 nγ = 2.03 - 2.06
2V:
Measured: 38° to 41°, Calculated: 34°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.110 - 0.120
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
Very High (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure
- the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using
this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points
where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the
field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are
isogyres.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Dispersion:
r > v distinct
Optical Extinction:
X = b; Y = a; Z = c.
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
X=Y= pale reddish yellow, yellowish brown to light brown
Z= pale yellow, brownish to dark brown
Z= pale yellow, brownish to dark brown
Chemistry of Lorenzenite
Mindat Formula:
Na2Ti2(Si2O6)O3
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Zr,Al,Y,TR,La,Ce,Fe,Nb,Mn,Ca,Sr,F,H2O
Crystallography of Lorenzenite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pbcn
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.7128(10) Å, b = 5.2327(5) Å, c = 14.487(2) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.665 : 1 : 2.769
Unit Cell V:
660.48 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Equant, bladed prismatic to needlelike
Comment:
Cell parameters from Sundberg et al. (1987)
Crystallographic forms of Lorenzenite
Crystal Atlas:
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Lorenzenite no.1 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Lorenzenite no.2 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Lorenzenite no.3 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
3d models and HTML5 code kindly provided by
www.smorf.nl.
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Crystal Structure
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0001064 | Lorenzenite | Sundberg M R, Lehtinen M, Kivekas R (1987) Refinement of the crystal structure of ramsayite (lorenzenite) American Mineralogist 72 173-177 |  | 1987 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 2.74 Å | (100) |
| 3.33 Å | (70) |
| 1.60 Å | (50) |
| 5.56 Å | (40) |
| 2.45 Å | (40) |
| 1.64 Å | (40) |
| 3.12 Å | (30) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks |
Geological Setting:
Nepheline syenites and pegmatites
Type Occurrence of Lorenzenite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark, 1967.382.
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, 87917.
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, 87917.
Synonyms of Lorenzenite
Other Language Names for Lorenzenite
Dutch:Lorenzeniet
German:Lorenzenit
Ramsayit
Ramzait
Ramsayit
Ramzait
Russian:Лоренценит
Рамзаит
Рамзаит
Simplified Chinese:硅钠钛矿
Spanish:Lorenzenita
Ramsayita
Ramzaita
Ramsayita
Ramzaita
Traditional Chinese:矽鈉鈦礦
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 64 photos of Lorenzenite associated with Aegirine | NaFe3+Si2O6 |
| 34 photos of Lorenzenite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 20 photos of Lorenzenite associated with Elpidite | Na2ZrSi6O15 · 3H2O |
| 15 photos of Lorenzenite associated with Albite | Na(AlSi3O8) |
| 14 photos of Lorenzenite associated with Fluorite | CaF2 |
| 14 photos of Lorenzenite associated with Eudialyte | Na15Ca6Fe3Zr3Si(Si25O73)(O,OH,H2O)3(Cl,OH)2 |
| 14 photos of Lorenzenite associated with Nepheline | Na3K(Al4Si4O16) |
| 13 photos of Lorenzenite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 12 photos of Lorenzenite associated with Arfvedsonite Root Name Group | ANa2(C2+4Fe3+}Si8O22W2 |
| 11 photos of Lorenzenite associated with Leucosphenite | BaNa4Ti2B2Si10O30 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.DB.05 | Potassiccarpholite | K(Mn2+,Li)2Al4Si4O12(OH,F)8 |
| 9.DB.05 | Carpholite | Mn2+Al2(Si2O6)(OH)4 |
| 9.DB.05 | Vanadiocarpholite | Mn2+V3+Al(Si2O6)(OH)4 |
| 9.DB.05 | Magnesiocarpholite | MgAl2Si2O6(OH)4 |
| 9.DB.05 | Ferrocarpholite | Fe2+Al2Si2O6(OH)4 |
| 9.DB.05 | Balipholite | BaLiMg2Al3(Si2O6)2(OH)4 |
| 9.DB.15 | Punkaruaivite | LiTi2(HSi4O12)(OH)2 · H2O |
| 9.DB.15 | Lintisite | LiNa3Ti2(Si2O6)2O2 · 2H2O |
| 9.DB.17 | Eliseevite | LiNa1.5Ti2(H1.5Si4O12)O2 · 2H2O |
| 9.DB.20 | Kukisvumite | Na6ZnTi4(Si8O24)O4 · 4H2O |
| 9.DB.20 | Manganokukisvumite | Na6MnTi4(Si8O24)O4 · 4H2O |
| 9.DB.25 | Vinogradovite | Na4Ti4(Si2O6)2[(Si,Al)4O10]O4 · (H2O,Na,K)3 |
| 9.DB.25 | Paravinogradovite | Na1-2(Ti,Fe3+)4(Si2O6)2(AlSi3O10)(OH)4 · H2O |
| 9.DB.30 | Nchwaningite | Mn2+2(SiO3)(OH)2 · H2O |
| 9.DB.40 | Shattuckite | Cu5(Si2O6)2(OH)2 |
| 9.DB.40 | 'UM2005-31-SiO:CuH' | Cu11(SiO4)(OH)18 · 9H2O (?) |
| 9.DB.45 | Aerinite | (Ca5.1Na0.5)(Fe3+,Al,Fe2+,Mg)4(Al,Mg)6[HSi12O36(OH)12][(CO3)1.2(H2O)12] |
| 9.DB.50 | Capranicaite | KCaNaAl4B4Si2O18 |
Fluorescence of Lorenzenite
Pale yellow to dull green in SW
Other Information
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 Lorenzenite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2436.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Lorenzenite
Reference List:
Flink, Gust. (1898) Berättelse om en Mineralogsik Resa i Syd-Grönland sommaren 1897. [Narrative of a Mineralogical Journey in South Greenland in the summer of 1897]. Meddelelser om Grønland, 14. 221-262 doi:10.7146/mog.v14.139846p.250
Localities for Lorenzenite
Showing 113 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- 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).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
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Poudrette quarry, Mont Saint-Hilaire, La Vallée-du-Richelieu RCM, Montérégie, Québec, Canada