Shigaite


Shigaite is a mineral with formula NaAl36218·12H2O that typically occurs as small, hexagonal crystals or thin coatings. It is named for Shiga Prefecture, Japan, where it was discovered in 1985. The formula was significantly revised in 1996, identifying sodium as a previously unknown constituent.

Description

Shigaite occurs as hexagonal tabular crystals up to in size or as thin films and coatings. The mineral can be yellow, burnt orange, brown or black in color. Shigaite occurs in metamorphosed deposits of manganese ore and is the Mn2+ analogue of motukoreaite.

Structure

Shigaite consists of oxycation sheets of 1+ intercalated with oxyanion sheets of 3−. Linkage between the sheets and within the oxyanion sheet results largely through hydrogen bonding.

History

Shigaite was discovered in 1985 in the Ioi Mine, Shiga Prefecture, Japan. The original study, published in the journal Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Monatshefte, identified the formula as Al4Mn7222·8H2O. The formula was significantly revised in 1996 using a sample from the N'Chwaning Mine, South Africa. Sodium, discovered to be a component of shigaite, was not identified in the original study. However, an unidentified volatile had been noted that presumably was a sodium-containing complex.

Distribution

, shigaite is known from the following sites:
The type material is housed in the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. as sample 122089.

Association

Shigaite has been found associated with the following minerals:
Ioi mine, Japan
Wessels Mine, South Africa
Iron Monarch, South Australia