Hsianghualite


Hsianghualite is a tectosilicate of lithium, calcium and beryllium, with fluorine, a member of the zeolite group. It was discovered in 1958 and named for the type locality, Hsiang Hua, 香花, meaning fragrant flower.

Structure

Structure is analogous to that of analcime with Be and Si in tetrahedral co-ordination forming a three-dimensional framework.
Its space group is I213. Unit cell parameters are a = 12.879 or 12.897, and Z = 8.

Environment

It occurs within phlogopite veins in the light-coloured band of green and white banded metamorphosed Devonian limestone which has been intruded by beryllium-bearing granite. Associated mineral include fluorite, liberite, chrysoberyl, taaffeite and nigerite.

Localities

Hsianghualite has been found only at the type locality, the Xianghualing Mine in Linwu County, Hunan Province, China.