Radial medusa shaped Gilalite crystals in quartz cabochon - Mina do Joao Pessao, Paraiba ,BrazilSize : 12.6 x 8.2 x 6 mm             Weight : 4.33 carat

Medusa Quartz is also known as  Paraiba quartz found in the Paraiba state of Brazil.

This  type of included quartz gemstone was discovered in August 2004

Under magnification, some gilalite inclusions resemble the shape of a floating jellyfish named medusas rondeau -  indentification of the inclusions were performed by the National Museum of Natural History in Paris

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Gilalite
GilaliteBlue Gilalite cystalsGeneralCategorySilicate mineralFormula
(repeating unit)Cu5Si6O17·7(H2O)Strunz classification09.HE.05Crystal symmetrymonoclinicUnit cella= 13.38 Å b= 19.16 Å c= 9.026 Å; β ≈ 90°; Z = 4IdentificationFormula mass884.3g/molColorBlue green, greenCrystal habitRaidiating fibrous in spherulesCrystal systemMonoclinicTenacityWaxy or gummyMohs scalehardness2LusterNonmetallicStreakLight greenDiaphaneityTranslucentSpecific gravity2.72Optical propertiesBiaxial (-)Refractive indexnα= 1.560 nβ=1.635 nΎ= 1.635Birefringenceδ = 0.075References[1][2][3]

Gilalite is a copper silicate mineral with chemical composition of Cu_{5Si6O17·7(H2O).^[3]}

It occurs as a retrograde metamorphic phase in a calc-silicate and sulfde skarn deposit. It occurs as fracture fillings and incrustations associated with diopside crystals.^{[2] It is commonly found in the form of spherules of radial fibers.}

Gilalite inclusions within a quartz crystal from Juazeiro do Norte, Ceara State, Brazil (size: 7.1 x 4.7 x 2.7 cm)

It was first described for an occurrence in the Christmas porphyry copper mine in Gila County, Arizona in 1980 along with the mineral apachite.^{[4] It derives its name from this locality. It has also been reported from the Goodsprings District, Clark County, Nevada; Juazeiro do Norte, Ceara State, Brazil and a slag area in Lavrion District, Attica, Greece.[3]}

References[edit]

1. Jump up^ gilalite - Wolfram Alpha
2. ^ Jump up to:^{a b Handbook of Mineralogy}
3. ^ Jump up to:^{a b c Gilalite: Gilalite mineral information, Mindat.org}
4. Jump up^ F.P. Cesbron and S.A. Williams; March 1980;"Apachite and gilalite, two new copper silicates from Christmas, Arizona" Mineralogical Magazine, Vol. 43, pp. 639-41

• GilalitePhotos of Gilalite (40)Gilalite, etc.
  
  Christmas Mine, Christmas, Christmas area, Banner District, Dripping Spring Mts, Gila Co., Arizona, USAGilalite
  
  Christmas Mine, Christmas, Christmas area, Banner District, Dripping Spring Mts, Gila Co., Arizona, USAGilalite, etc.
  
  Christmas Mine, Christmas, Christmas area, Banner District, Dripping Spring Mts, Gila Co., Arizona, USAFormula:Cu5Si6O17 · 7H2OSystem:MonoclinicColour:Translucent green, ...Hardness:2This page provides mineralogical data about Gilalite.
  

  Classification of GilaliteIMA status:ApprovedStrunz 8th ed.:8/D.06-10
  Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) ed.:9.HE.05
  
  9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
  H : Unclassified silicates
  E : With Cu, ZnDana 8th ed.:78.4.4.1
  
  78 : Unclassified Silicates
  4 :Heys CIM Ref.:14.2.4
  
  14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
  2 : Silicates of Cumindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-1691.html
  Please feel free to link to this page.

  Type Occurrence of GilaliteType Locality:Christmas Mine (Red Bird shafts; Inspiration Mine; Hackberry shafts), Christmas, Christmas area, Banner District, Dripping Spring Mts, Gila Co., Arizona, USAYear of Discovery:1980

  Physical Properties of GilaliteColour:Translucent green, blue-greenHardness (Mohs):2

  Crystallography of GilaliteCrystal System:MonoclinicCell Parameters:a = 13.38Å, b = 19.16Å, c = 9.02Å
  β = 90°Ratio:a:b:c = 0.698 : 1 : 0.471Unit Cell Volume:V 2,312.37 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)Comment:Neither point group nor space group known.X-Ray Powder Diffraction Data:d-spacingIntensity13.4(100)7.786(50)4.790(40)3.897(40)10.97(30)6.684(30)3.315(30)

  Optical Data of GilaliteType:Biaxial (-)RI values:nα = 1.560 nβ = 1.635 nγ = 1.635Max Birefringence:δ = 0.075
  Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.Surface Relief:ModerateDispersion:none

  Chemical Properties of GilaliteFormula:Cu5Si6O17 · 7H2OAll elements listed in formula:Cu, H, O, Si - search for minerals with similar chemistryCommon Impurities:Mn,Mg,Ca

  Relationship of Gilalite to other SpeciesRelated Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):9.HE.10ApachiteCu9Si10O29 · 11H2ORelated Minerals - Heys Index Grouping:14.2.1DioptaseCuSiO3 · H2O14.2.2ShattuckiteCu5(Si2O6)2(OH)214.2.3PlancheiteCu8(Si8O22)(OH)4 · H2O14.2.5ChrysocollaCu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O14.2.6LitidioniteCuNaKSi4O1014.2.7ReinhardbraunsiteCa5(SiO4)2(OH,F)214.2.8CuprorivaiteCaCu[Si4O10]14.2.9KinoiteCa2Cu2(H2O)2[Si3O10]14.2.10StringhamiteCaCu(SiO4) · H2O14.2.11ApachiteCu9Si10O29 · 11H2O

  Other Names for GilaliteSynonyms:

  IMA1979-021

  Name in Other Languages:German:GilalitSpanish:Gilalita

  Other InformationHealth Risks:No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

  References for GilaliteReference List:Cesbron, F.P. and S.A. Williams (1980): Apachite and gilalite, two new copper silicates from Christmas, Arizona. Mineral. Mag., 43, 639-641. [Abs. in American Mineralogist: 65: 1065]
  

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  Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project

  American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database

  Gilalite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)Mineral Dealers:

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  Localities for GilaliteMap data ©2016Terms of UseReport a map errorMapSatellitemap 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.(TL) indicates type locality for a valid mineral species. (FRL) indicates first recorded locality for everything else. ? indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. All other localities listed without reference should be considered as uncertain and unproven until references can be found.
  Brazil 

  • ⓘ CearáRob Lavinsky
    • Paraíba
      • Borborema mineral province
        • Salgadinho
          • ⓘ São José da BatalhaGems & Gemology Magazine Fall 2005 article, volume 41, issue 3.
            Greece 
            • Attikí Prefecture (Attica; Attika)
              • Lavrion District (Laurion; Laurium)
                • ⓘ Lavrion District slag localitiesSchnorrer-Köhler, G., Standfuss, L. & Standfuss, K. (1991): Neue Funde aus den antiken Schlacken von Lavrion, Griechenland. Lapis, 16 (6), 21-23; 58.
                  USA (TL) 
                  • Arizona
                    • Gila Co.
                      • Dripping Spring Mts
                        • Banner District
                          • Christmas area
                            • Christmas
                              • ⓘ Christmas Mine (Red Bird shafts; Inspiration Mine; Hackberry shafts) (TL) Cesbron, F.P. & S.A. Williams (1980), Apachite and gilalite, two new copper silicates from Christmas, AZ, Min.Mag.: 43: 639-641; Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 231, 428.
                                • ⓘ Christmas open pitEckhard D. Stuart
                                  • Nevada
                                    • Clark Co.
                                      • Spring Mts
                                        • Goodsprings District
                                          • ⓘ Boss MineNBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada