Named in honor of Apollon Efimovich Lisitsyn (Аполлон Ефимович Лисицын) (28 May 1928, Kiev - 2 August 1999), prominent Russian specialist in the mineral resources, geology and mineralogy of boron deposits.

Type Locality:

ⓘ Koashva Open Pit, Koashva Mt, Khibiny Massif, Murmansk Oblast, Russia

This page provides mineralogical data about Lisitsynite.

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Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:

10316

Long-form identifier:

mindat:1:1:10316:3

IMA Classification of LisitsyniteHide

IMA status:

Approved

First published:

2001

Type description reference:

Khomyakov, A. P., Nechelyustov, G. N., Sokolova, E. V., Hawthorne, F. C. (2001) New borosilicates: malinkoite, NaBSiO₄ and lisitsynite, KBSi₂O₆, from alkaline pegmatites of the Khibina-Lovozero complex, Kola Peninsula. Zapiski Vserossijskogo Mineralogicheskogo Obshchestva, 129 (6) 35-42

Classification of LisitsyniteHide

Strunz-mindat (2025):

9.FA.25

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
F : Tektosilicates without zeolitic H₂O
A : Tektosilicates without additional non-tetrahedral anions

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

Symbol	Source	Reference
Lss	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 LisitsyniteHide

Lustre:

Vitreous

Colour:

Colourless

Streak:

White

Hardness:

6 on Mohs scale

Tenacity:

Brittle

Fracture:

Sub-Conchoidal

Density:

2.74 g/cm³ (Measured) 2.75 g/cm³ (Calculated)

Optical Data of LisitsyniteHide

Type:

Biaxial (-)

RI values:

n_α = 1.561 n_β = 1.563 n_γ = 1.564

2V:

Measured: 51° , Calculated: 70°

Max. Birefringence:

δ = 0.003
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.

Thickness: 30 µm

Rotation:

Surface Relief:

Moderate

Dispersion:

strong

Pleochroism:

Non-pleochroic

Chemistry of LisitsyniteHide

Mindat Formula:

KBSi₂O₆

Element Weights:

Element	% weight
O	47.505 %
Si	27.797 %
K	19.348 %
B	5.350 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.

Elements listed:

B, K, O, Si - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of LisitsyniteHide

Crystal System:

Orthorhombic

Class (H-M):

2 2 2 - Disphenoidal

Space Group:

P2 2 2

Cell Parameters:

a = 9.9630 Å, b = 10.4348 Å, c = 4.7444 Å

Ratio:

a:b:c = 0.955 : 1 : 0.455

Unit Cell V:

489.08 Å³

Morphology:

Forms {010} and {110}

Crystal StructureHide

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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)
0020487	Lisitsynite	Sokolova E V, Uvarova Yu A, Hawthorne F C, Khomyakov A P (2000) First edition. A A Balkema, Rotterdam, Netherlands Crystal chemistry of a novel zeolite mineral from the Kbibiny Alkaline Massif, Kolal Peninsula Applied Mineralogy in Research, Economy, Technology, and Culture 1 254-248		2000	Khibiny massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia	0	293

CIF Raw Data - click here to close

data_global
_chemical_name_mineral 'Lisitsynite'
loop_
_publ_author_name
'Sokolova E V'
'Uvarova Yu A'
'Hawthorne F C'
'Khomyakov A P'
_journal_name_full 'Applied Mineralogy in Research, Economy, Technology, and Culture'
_journal_volume 1 
_journal_year 2000
_journal_page_first 254
_journal_page_last 248
_publ_section_title
;
 First edition. A A Balkema, Rotterdam, Netherlands
 Crystal chemistry of a novel zeolite mineral from the Kbibiny Alkaline Massif,
 Kolal Peninsula
;
_database_code_amcsd 0020487
_chemical_compound_source 'Khibiny massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia'
_chemical_formula_sum 'K B Si2 O6'
_cell_length_a 9.9630
_cell_length_b 10.4348
_cell_length_c 4.7044
_cell_angle_alpha 90
_cell_angle_beta 90
_cell_angle_gamma 90
_cell_volume 489.078
_exptl_crystal_density_diffrn      2.744
_symmetry_space_group_name_H-M 'P 21 21 21'
loop_
_space_group_symop_operation_xyz
  'x,y,z'
  '-x,1/2+y,1/2-z'
  '1/2+x,1/2-y,-z'
  '1/2-x,-y,1/2+z'
loop_
_atom_site_label
_atom_site_fract_x
_atom_site_fract_y
_atom_site_fract_z
_atom_site_U_iso_or_equiv
K1   0.53384   0.18857   0.79808   0.01840
B1   0.73130   0.84300   0.78920   0.00890
Si1   0.80168   0.57543   0.76646   0.00760
Si2   0.60833   0.93456   0.28576   0.00770
O1   0.85630   0.91540   0.83300   0.01190
O2   0.61970  -0.10390   0.95440   0.01130
O3   0.75580   0.71090   0.88780   0.01160
O4   0.44960   0.92030   0.37580   0.01230
O5   0.69490   0.84050   0.48590   0.01060
O6   0.80440   0.47230   1.02540   0.01070

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:

d-spacing	Intensity
3.944 Å	(50)
3.495 Å	(80)
3.282 Å	(100)
3.149 Å	(40)
2.704 Å	(40)
2.293 Å	(40)

Locality:

Koashva Open Pit, Koashva Mt, Khibiny Massif, Murmansk Oblast, Russia

Reference:

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):

Paragenetic Mode	Earliest Age (Ga)
Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks	>3.0
35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks

Type Occurrence of LisitsyniteHide

Type Locality:

ⓘ Koashva Open Pit, Koashva Mt, Khibiny Massif, Murmansk Oblast, Russia

General Appearance of Type Material:

Irregularly shaped grains and subhedral tabular crystals (0.2 to 0.5 mm
across).

Place of Conservation of Type Material:

A.E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Moscow, Russia.

Geological Setting of Type Material:

In a hyperagpaitic pegmatite.

Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Aegirine	Cancrinite	Chkalovite	Fluorcaphite	Galena
K Feldspar	Lomonosovite	Nacaphite	Natrite	Pectolite
Sodalite	Sphalerite	Villiaumite

Reference:

Synonyms of LisitsyniteHide

IMA2000-008

Other Language Names for LisitsyniteHide

Dutch:Lisitsyniet

German:Lisitsynit

Spanish:Lisitsynita

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping Hide

9.FA.	Hexacelsian	BaAl₂Si₂O₈	Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P6₃/mcm
9.FA.	Wodegongjieite	KCa₃(Al₇Si₉)O₃₂	Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P6/mcc
9.FA.05	Panunzite	(K,Na)AlSiO₄	Hex. 6 : P6₃
9.FA.05	Yoshiokaite	(Ca,Na)[Al(Al,Si)O₄]	Trig. 3 : P3
9.FA.05	Nepheline	Na₃K(Al₄Si₄O₁₆)	Hex. 6 : P6₃
9.FA.05	Trinepheline	NaAlSiO₄	Hex. 6 : P6₁
9.FA.05	Davidsmithite	(Ca,◻)₂Na₆Al₈Si₈O₃₂	Hex. 6 : P6₃
9.FA.05	Kaliophilite	KAlSiO₄	Trig. 3 : P3
9.FA.05	Kalsilite	KAlSiO₄	Hex. 6 2 2 : P6₃ 2 2
9.FA.05	Carnegieite	NaAlSiO₄	Tric.
9.FA.05	Megakalsilite	KAlSiO₄	Hex. 6 : P6₃
9.FA.05	Trikalsilite	K₂NaAl₃(SiO₄)₃	Hex. 6 : P6₃
9.FA.10	Malinkoite	NaBSiO₄	Hex. 6 : P6₃
9.FA.15	Virgilite	LiAlSi₂O₆	Hex. 6 2 2 : P6₂ 2 2
9.FA.30	Ferrisanidine	K[Fe³⁺Si₃O₈]	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.FA.30	Buddingtonite	(NH₄)(AlSi₃O₈)	Mon. 2 : P2₁
9.FA.30	Rubicline	Rb(AlSi₃O₈)	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.FA.30	Monalbite	NaAlSi₃O₈	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.FA.30	Microcline	K(AlSi₃O₈)	Tric. 1
9.FA.30 va	Germanate-celsian	BaAl₂Ge₂O₈
9.FA.30	Celsian	Ba(Al₂Si₂O₈)	Mon. 2/m
9.FA.30	Sanidine	K(AlSi₃O₈)	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.FA.30	Orthoclase	K(AlSi₃O₈)	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.FA.35	Reedmergnerite	NaBSi₃O₈	Tric. 1 : P1
9.FA.35	Albite	Na(AlSi₃O₈)	Tric. 1
9.FA.35	Anorthite	Ca(Al₂Si₂O₈)	Tric. 1 : P1
9.FA.40	Paracelsian	Ba(Al₂Si₂O₈)	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b
9.FA.45	Svyatoslavite	Ca(Al₂Si₂O₈)	Mon. 2 : P2₁
9.FA.45	Kumdykolite	Na(AlSi₃O₈)	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnnm
9.FA.50	Slawsonite	Sr(Al₂Si₂O₈)	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b
9.FA.55	Lisetite	CaNa₂Al₄Si₄O₁₆	Orth. mm2
9.FA.60	Stronalsite	Na₂SrAl₄Si₄O₁₆	Orth.
9.FA.60	Banalsite	Na₂BaAl₄Si₄O₁₆	Orth. mm2 : Iba2
9.FA.65	Maleevite	BaB₂Si₂O₈	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma
9.FA.65	Pekovite	SrB₂Si₂O₈	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma
9.FA.65	Danburite	CaB₂Si₂O₈	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
9.FA.70	Liebermannite	KAlSi₃O₈	Tet. 4/m : I4/m
9.FA.70	Lingunite	(Na,Ca)AlSi₃O₈	Tet. 4/m : I4/m
9.FA.70	Stöfflerite	CaAl₂Si₂O₈	Tet. 4/m : I4/m
9.FA.75	Pfaffenbergite	KNa₃(Al₄Si₁₂)O₃₂	Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P6/mcc
9.FA.75	Kokchetavite	K(AlSi₃O₈)	Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P6/mcc

RadioactivityHide

Radioactivity:

Element	% Content	Activity (Bq/kg)	Radiation Type
Uranium (U)	0.0000%	0	α, β, γ
Thorium (Th)	0.0000%	0	α, β, γ
Potassium (K)	19.3482%	5,998	β, γ

For comparison:

Banana: ~15 Bq per fruit
Granite: 1,000–3,000 Bq/kg
EU exemption limit: 10,000 Bq/kg

Note: Risk is shown relative to daily recommended maximum exposure to non-background radiation of 1000 µSv/year. Note that natural background radiation averages around 2400 µSv/year so in reality these risks are probably extremely overstated! With infrequent handling and safe storage natural radioactive minerals do not usually pose much risk.

Interactive Simulator:

Note: The mass selector refers to the mass of radioactive mineral present, not the full specimen, also be aware that the matrix may also be radioactive, possibly more radioactive than this mineral!

Mass of radioactive mineral:

Shielding material:

Activity: –

Distance	Dose rate	Risk
1 cm
10 cm
1 m

The external dose rate (D) from a radioactive mineral is estimated by summing the gamma radiation contributions from its Uranium, Thorium, and Potassium content, disregarding daughter-product which may have a significant effect in some cases (eg 'pitchblende'). This involves multiplying the activity (A, in Bq) of each element by its specific gamma ray constant (Γ), which accounts for its unique gamma emissions. The total unshielded dose at 1 cm is then scaled by the square of the distance (r, in cm) and multiplied by a shielding factor (μ_shield). This calculation provides a 'worst-case' or 'maximum risk' estimate because it assumes the sample is a point source and entirely neglects any self-shielding where radiation is absorbed within the mineral itself, meaning actual doses will typically be lower. The resulting dose rate (D) is expressed in microsieverts per hour (μSv/h).

D = ((A_U × Γ_U) + (A_Th × Γ_Th) + (A_K × Γ_K)) / r² × μ_shield

Other InformationHide

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 LisitsyniteHide

mindat.org URL:

https://www.mindat.org/min-10316.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

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Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project

References and PDF downloads at RRUFF project

American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database

Handbook of Mineralogy page PDF

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References for LisitsyniteHide

Reference List:

Grew, Edward S., Anovitz, Lawrence M., Grew, Edward S., Anovitz, Lawrence M. - Eds. (1996) Boron - Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry. Reviews in Mineralogy Vol. 33. Mineralogical Society of America

(2021) Lisitsynite. Handbook of Mineralogy. Mineralogical Society of America

Localities for LisitsyniteHide

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the

symbol to view information about a locality. The

symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.

Locality ListHide

- 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). ~~Struck out~~ - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.

Russia (TL)

Murmansk Oblast

Khibiny Massif

Koashva Mt

ⓘ Koashva Open Pit (TL)

[AmMin 87:181] +1 other reference

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Lisitsynite