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Trinepheline

A valid IMA mineral species
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Formula:
NaAlSiO4
Colour:
White to pale yellow
Lustre:
Sub-Vitreous, Greasy
Hardness:
5 - 5½
Specific Gravity:
2.642 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Name:
Named in 2012 by Cristiano Ferraris, Sylvain Pont, Gian Carlo Parodi, Benjamin Rondeau, and Jean-Pierre Lorand for the polymorphic relationship to nepheline.
Dimorph of:
Nepheline
Trinepheline is a pseudomorph after jadeite with fabrièsite and occurs as skeletal crystals up to 15–20 μm long and 5–10 μm wide.

Likely polymorphous with so-called carnegieite and 'α-carnegieite'.

Compare also an unnamed monohydrated phase 'UM1967-10-SiO:AlHNa'.


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Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
43338
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:43338:3

IMA Classification of TrinephelineHide

Classification of TrinephelineHide

Strunz-mindat (2025):
9.FA.05

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.

Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.

SymbolSourceReference
TnphIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43
TneThe Canadian Mineralogist (2019)The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download

Physical Properties of TrinephelineHide

Lustre:
Sub-Vitreous, Greasy
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
White to pale yellow
Streak:
White
Hardness:
5 - 5½ on Mohs scale
Density:
2.642 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Chemistry of TrinephelineHide

Mindat Formula:
NaAlSiO4
Element Weights:
Element% weight
O45.052 %
Si19.771 %
Al18.994 %
Na16.184 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
Elements listed:
Al, Na, O, Si - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of TrinephelineHide

Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Class (H-M):
6 - Pyramidal
Space Group:
P61
Setting:
P61
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.995(2) Å, c = 24.797(4) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 2.481
Unit Cell V:
2,145.34 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Comment:
+ spacegroup P65

Crystal StructureHide

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0002011TrinephelineKahlenberg V, Bohm H (1998) Crystal structure of hexagonal trinepheline - A new synthetic NaAlSiO4 modification American Mineralogist 83 631-6371998synthetic0293
0004612TrinephelineVulic P, Kahlenberg V, Konzett J (2008) On the existence of a Na-deficient monoclinic trinepheline with composition Na7.85Al7.85Si8.15O32 American Mineralogist 93 1072-10792008synthetic0293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 5: Initiation of plate tectonics<3.5-2.5
39 : High-𝑃 metamorphism (blueschist, eclogite, ultrahigh 𝑃 facies)

Type Occurrence of TrinephelineHide

Type Locality:
ⓘ Tawmaw (Tawhmaw; Taw Maw), Hpakant-Tawmaw Jade Tract, Hpakant Township (Hpakan; Phakant; Phakan), Mohnyin District, Kachin State, Myanmar
General Appearance of Type Material:
Intergrown with nepheline and fabrièsite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle(MNHN), Paris, France,registration number MNHN 212-001.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Late-stage metamorphic veins in a jadeite deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Harmotome
Reference:
Ferraris, C., Parodi, G.C., Pont, S., Rondeau, B., Lorand, J.-P. (2014): Trinepheline and fabriesite: two new mineral species from the jadeite deposit of Tawmaw (Myanmar). European Journal of Mineralogy, 26, 257-263.

Synonyms of TrinephelineHide

Other Language Names for TrinephelineHide

Relationship of Trinepheline to other SpeciesHide

Member of:
Feldspathoid Group
Other Members of Feldspathoid:
Cancrinite GroupA large, structurally complex group of alumosilicates.
CarnegieiteNaAlSiO4Tric.
Davidsmithite(Ca,◻)2Na6Al8Si8O32Hex. 6 : P63
KalsiliteKAlSiO4Hex. 6 2 2 : P63 2 2
LeuciteK(AlSi2O6)Tet. 4/m : I41/a
MetaleuciteA name for isometric leucite that is stable above 625 degrees C.
NephelineNa3K(Al4Si4O16)Hex. 6 : P63
Sodalite GroupThe Sodalite Group is characterised by sodalite-type stacking of alumosilicate building units that produces Cubo ...
TrikalsiliteK2NaAl3(SiO4)3Hex. 6 : P63
Yoshiokaite(Ca,Na)[Al(Al,Si)O4]Trig. 3 : P3

Common AssociatesHide

Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
4 photos of Trinepheline associated with FabrièsiteNa3Al3Si3O12 · 2H2O
2 photos of Trinepheline associated with NephelineNa3K(Al4Si4O16)
2 photos of Trinepheline associated with ChromojadeiteNa(Al,Cr)Si2O6
2 photos of Trinepheline associated with BanalsiteNa2BaAl4Si4O16
2 photos of Trinepheline associated with StronalsiteNa2SrAl4Si4O16
2 photos of Trinepheline associated with AlbiteNa(AlSi3O8)
2 photos of Trinepheline associated with NatroliteNa2Al2Si3O10 · 2H2O

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

9.FA.HexacelsianBaAl2Si2O8Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P63/mcm
9.FA.Wodegongjieite KCa3(Al7Si9)O32Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P6/mcc
9.FA.05Panunzite(K,Na)AlSiO4Hex. 6 : P63
9.FA.05Yoshiokaite(Ca,Na)[Al(Al,Si)O4]Trig. 3 : P3
9.FA.05NephelineNa3K(Al4Si4O16)Hex. 6 : P63
9.FA.05Davidsmithite(Ca,◻)2Na6Al8Si8O32Hex. 6 : P63
9.FA.05KaliophiliteKAlSiO4Trig. 3 : P3
9.FA.05KalsiliteKAlSiO4Hex. 6 2 2 : P63 2 2
9.FA.05CarnegieiteNaAlSiO4Tric.
9.FA.05MegakalsiliteKAlSiO4Hex. 6 : P63
9.FA.05TrikalsiliteK2NaAl3(SiO4)3Hex. 6 : P63
9.FA.10MalinkoiteNaBSiO4Hex. 6 : P63
9.FA.15VirgiliteLiAlSi2O6Hex. 6 2 2 : P62 2 2
9.FA.25LisitsyniteKBSi2O6Orth. 2 2 2 : P2 2 2
9.FA.30FerrisanidineK[Fe3+Si3O8]Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.FA.30Buddingtonite(NH4)(AlSi3O8)Mon. 2 : P21
9.FA.30RubiclineRb(AlSi3O8)Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.FA.30MonalbiteNaAlSi3O8Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.FA.30MicroclineK(AlSi3O8)Tric. 1
9.FA.30 vaGermanate-celsianBaAl2Ge2O8
9.FA.30CelsianBa(Al2Si2O8)Mon. 2/m
9.FA.30SanidineK(AlSi3O8)Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.FA.30OrthoclaseK(AlSi3O8)Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.FA.35ReedmergneriteNaBSi3O8Tric. 1 : P1
9.FA.35AlbiteNa(AlSi3O8)Tric. 1
9.FA.35AnorthiteCa(Al2Si2O8)Tric. 1 : P1
9.FA.40ParacelsianBa(Al2Si2O8)Mon. 2/m : P21/b
9.FA.45SvyatoslaviteCa(Al2Si2O8)Mon. 2 : P21
9.FA.45KumdykoliteNa(AlSi3O8)Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnnm
9.FA.50SlawsoniteSr(Al2Si2O8)Mon. 2/m : P21/b
9.FA.55LisetiteCaNa2Al4Si4O16Orth. mm2
9.FA.60StronalsiteNa2SrAl4Si4O16Orth.
9.FA.60BanalsiteNa2BaAl4Si4O16Orth. mm2 : Iba2
9.FA.65MaleeviteBaB2Si2O8Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma
9.FA.65PekoviteSrB2Si2O8Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma
9.FA.65DanburiteCaB2Si2O8Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
9.FA.70LiebermanniteKAlSi3O8Tet. 4/m : I4/m
9.FA.70Lingunite(Na,Ca)AlSi3O8Tet. 4/m : I4/m
9.FA.70StöffleriteCaAl2Si2O8Tet. 4/m : I4/m
9.FA.75Pfaffenbergite KNa3(Al4Si12)O32Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P6/mcc
9.FA.75KokchetaviteK(AlSi3O8)Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P6/mcc

Fluorescence of TrinephelineHide

In UV light:
Not fluorescent in UV

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 TrinephelineHide

References for TrinephelineHide

Localities for TrinephelineHide

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.
Myanmar (TL)
 
  • Kachin State
    • Mohnyin District
      • Hpakant Township (Hpakan; Phakant; Phakan)
        • Hpakant-Tawmaw Jade Tract
Williams et al. (2012) +1 other reference
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