| Hsianghualite | |
|---|---|
 Hsianghualite from the type locality. Specimen size 1.5 cm | |
| General | |
| Category | Tectosilicate minerals |
| Group | Zeolite group |
| Formula | Ca3Li2(Be3Si3O12)F2[1] |
| IMA symbol | Hsi[2] |
| Strunz classification | 9.GB.05 (10 ed) 8/J.16-10 (8 ed) |
| Dana classification | 77.1.1.5 |
| Crystal system | Isometric |
| Crystal class | Tetartoidal (23) H-M symbol: (23) |
| Space group | I213,[3] originally reported as 4 3 2[4] |
| Identification | |
| Formula mass | 475.4 g/mol |
| Color | White or colorless |
| Crystal habit | trisoctahedral ordodecahedral crystals or granular masses[4] |
| Cleavage | None |
| Tenacity | Brittle[5] |
| Mohs scale hardness | 6.5 |
| Luster | Vitreous |
| Streak | White |
| Diaphaneity | Transparent to translucent |
| Specific gravity | 2.97 to 3.00, measured[6] |
| Refractive index | n = 1.6132[4] |
Hsianghualite is atectosilicate (framework silicate) oflithium,calcium andberyllium, withfluorine, a member of thezeolite group. It was discovered in 1958 and named for thetype locality, Hsiang Hua, 香花, meaning fragrant flower.
Structure is analogous to that ofanalcime with Be and Si intetrahedralco-ordination forming a three-dimensional framework.[3]Its space group is I213[3] (Previously reported as I4132[4]). Unit cell parameters are a = 12.879 or 12.897,[4][6] and Z = 8.
It occurs withinphlogopite veins in the light-coloured band of green and white banded metamorphosedDevonianlimestone which has been intruded by beryllium-bearinggranite.[7] Associated mineral includefluorite,liberite,chrysoberyl,taaffeite and nigerite.[3]
Hsianghualite has been found only at thetype locality, the Xianghualing Mine inLinwu County, Hunan Province, China.