Ganophyllite

Ganophyllite
General
Category	Mineral
Formula (repeating unit)	(K,Na,Ca)2Mn8(Si,Al)12(O,OH)32 · 8H2O
IMA symbol	Gnp
Strunz classification	09.EG.30
Dana classification	74.01.02.01
Crystal system	Monoclinic
Crystal class	Prismatic (2/m)
Space group	A2/a
Unit cell	22,545.01 ų
Identification
Formula mass	1,514.2
Color	Brownish yellow to cinnamon brown
Crystal habit	Foliated micaceous
Cleavage	{???}Perfect
Fracture	Brittle
Mohs scale hardness	4 - 4.5
Luster	Vitreous
Streak	Brownish yellow
Diaphaneity	Transparent to transculent
Specific gravity	2.84
Density	2.84
Optical properties	Biaxial(-)
Refractive index	nα = 1.537 nβ = 1.611 nγ = 1.613
Birefringence	0.076
Pleochroism	X = Pale yellow brown Y = Dark yellow brown Z = Dark yellow brown.
Dispersion	Weak
Ultraviolet fluorescence	Non-fluorescent
Common impurities	Fe, Zn, Pb, Ca, Ba
Other characteristics	Radioactive 3.87% (K)

Ganophyllite is a phyllosilicate mineral. It was named by Axel Hamberg in 1890 from the Greek words for leaf (φύλλον) and luster (γανωμα); the latter one was chosen due to the lustrous cleavages. The mineral was approved by the IMA in 1959, and it is a grandfathered mineral, meaning its name is still believed to refer to an existing species until this day. Tamaite is the calcium analogue, while eggletonite is the natrium analogue of said mineral.

Properties

It is a member of the ganophyllite group, among with eggletonite and tamaite, and it is the potassium variety of eggletonite. The formula of ganophyllite includes potassium (K), while eggletonite includes natrium (Na) and tamaite includes calcium (Ca). Ganophyllite is pleochroic, which means the gem's color changes depending on the axis it is seen on: on the X axis, it is seen in a pale yellow-brown color, and on the Y and Z axis, it can be seen as a dark yellow-brown gem. It has a barely detectable potassium radioactivity and a barely detectable 1.8% radiation measured by GRapi (Gamma Ray American Petroleum Institute Units). It mostly consists of oxygen (47.02%), manganese (21.77%) and silicon (16.69%), but otherwise contains aluminium (5.88%), potassium (3.87%), which gives ganophyllite its irradiative attributes, magnesium (2.41%), hydrogen (1.6%) and sodium (0.76%).

Distribution

It can also be found in the Benallt mine as well. Ganophyllite occurs in metamorphosed manganese deposits, especially in zinc-manganese ones. It is a type locality of the Harstigen mine in Sweden, although the first specimen was found at the Nant mine in Wales. Other places where it has been found include Molinello and Gambatesa mines in Italy, Maple-Hovey deposits in Franklin, New Jersey and at Mont Saint-Hilaire in Canada. Asian mines include the Kumahata mine, the Noda-Tamagawa mine, the Ananai mine, and the Osu and Yonoyama mines, all in Japan. Ganophyllite can be found at the Broken hill in Australia as well.

Associated minerals

Ganophyllite has a lot of minerals associated with it, although most of it is mine specific. In each mine, the minerals associated with ganophyllite may vary.

In the Harstigen mine, the associated minerals are the followings: pyrophanite, caryopilite, calcite, garnet, rhodonite, barite, lead, and manganoan biotite.

The following associated minerals can occur with specimens from Franklin: axinite, rhodonite, datolite, willemite, roeblingite, bustamite, charlesite and clinohedrite.

Ganophyllites from the Molinello mine have the following associated minerals: caryopilite and parsettensite.