Hoelite - Occurrence, Properties, and Distribution

Hoelite is a very rare organic mineral discovered in 1922 at Mt. Pyramide, Spitsbergen, Norway. The mineral was named after Adolf Hoel, geologist, leader of a Norwegian expedition to Spitzbergen.

Properties of Hoelite

The following are the key properties of Hoelite:

• Cell Data
  • Space Group: P211a
  • a = 15.81
  • b = 3.967
  • c = 7.876
  • f3 = 102.67°
  • Z = 2.
• Crystal Data
  • Monoclinic, pseudo-orthorhombic
  • Point Group: 21m
  • As delicate needles, to several mm long
  • X-ray Powder Pattern: 3.52 (100), 7.69 (95), 3.36 (80), 6.16 (50), 3.84 (35), 3.14 (14), 3.79 (10).
• Optical Properties
  • Optical Class: [Biaxial (+)]
  • Orientation: X II elongation
  • α = ∼1.75
  • β = ∼1.75
  • γ = ∼2
  • 2V{meas.) = n.d.
• Estimated Properties

  Electron density	Bulk density (electron density) = 1.48cm3 note: Specific gravity of Hoelite = 1.43 g/cm3
  Photoelectric	PEHoelite = 0.19 barns/electron U= PEHoelite x ρElectron density = 0.28 barns/cm3
  Fermion index	Fermion index = 0.008 Boson index = 0.991
  Radioactivity	Hoelite is not radioactive

How to Identify Hoelite

Hoelite is a yellow or yellow green mineral with light yellow streak and good cleavage. The density of hoelite is 1.42 g/cm³.

Global Distribution

Hoelite is largely distributed in Mt. Pyramide, Spitsbergen, Norway.

Occurrence of Hoelite and Useful Mineral Association

Hoelite occurs in crusts around the surface vents of a burning coal deposit. It is closely associated with sulfur and sal ammoniac.

References

• Hoelite – Mindat
• Hoelite Mineral Data – Webmineral
• Hoelite.pdf - Rruff Project Website - University of Arizona