How do I identify Bicchulite?

Bicchulite can be identified by its Colourless to white color. Look for these key characteristics when examining specimens.

What color is Bicchulite?

Bicchulite typically appears in Colourless to white, gray. Color can vary depending on impurities and formation conditions.

Bicchulite

A variety of Minerals

What is Bicchulite?

Bicchulite has an ideal chemical formula of 2CaO •Al2O3 •SiO2 •H2O, which was formularized from the hydrothermal synthesis of synthetic gehlenite (2CaO •Al2O3 •SiO2). Also, bicchulite was sighted in the mines of Japan with related minerals. This sodalite-type structured bicchulite has an uncommon ratio of aluminium to silicon, causing difficulties deciphering the structure. Because of bicchulite's structure it has a powdery texture, which leads to complications in obtaining information on the mineral's physical properties. Despite this problem, the color, specific gravity, and crystal size of bicchulite are known. Although bicchulite was only discovered about 40 years ago, technology has been rapidly advancing, allowing more accurate results to be made from experiments done today.

Bicchulite Market Value Calculator

Estimate the market value of Bicchulite using size, quality, and finish. This preview calculator is for quick context and is not a formal appraisal.

Bicchulite Localities Map

See where Bicchulite is found with a localities map, collecting zones, and geology context. Generate a sample map preview below.

Map preview

North ZoneCentral RidgeSouth Basin

Key Characteristics

Composition of Bicchulite

Considering that bicchulite was found in skarns, the mineral contains various impurities, thus preventing the formation of an absolute chemical formula. Even with the use of X-ray powder diffraction techniques, an accurate composition of bicchulite could not be determined. However, after performing some experiments of hydrating gehlenite, not only was bicchulite created but also an ideal chemical formula for the rare mineral was arranged as 2CaO •Al2O3 •SiO2 •H2O. Since bicchulite contains aluminium, silicon, and oxygen it is considered an aluminosilicate. At room temperature aluminosilicates typically have a ratio of aluminium to silicon that is close to 1 as a result of alternating linkages of Al and Si ions with O, or Loewenstein's rule. Though bicchulite is an aluminosilicate, it is the only one to have an Al to Si ratio of 2:1 and have a framework structure. Bicchulite is also a sodalite-type mineral not only because of its similar composition components of Na6(Na,Ca)2(Al6Si6O24)X1−2n•H2O, but also because of its analogous structure.