Database of luminescent Minerals

BAVENITE

Chemical Formula: Ca₄Be₂Al₂Si₉O₂₆(OH)₂

Familly: Silicates

Status: IMA-GP

Crystal System: Orthorhombic

Mineral for Display: No

Luminescence:

Phosphorescence (in the common meaning of the term) seen by naked eye:

Thermoluminescence: Yes

Comments:

Natural fibrous crystals of bavenite collected in intra-granitic pegmatite bodies of Bustarviejo (Madrid, Spain) have been examined (Garcia-Guinea et al. 2005).

The strong luminescence emissions has been recorded.

Main Activator(s) and spectrum:

Most Common Activator: Mn²⁺

Other activators:            Sm³⁺ , Dy³⁺ , Tb³⁺ , Gd³⁺ ,

Peaks in the spectrum (nm):

Gd³⁺ : 319nm   

Sm³⁺ : 562 and 594nm   

Dy³⁺ : 572nm   

Tb³⁺ : 495nm    

Mn²⁺ replacing Ca²⁺ : Broad band at 578nm 

(?) : lines at 656, 659nm

Comments on activators and spectra:

The bavenite luminescence takes place in the 5d electron shell that interacts strongly with the crystal field;

the spectra bands assignment are Gd³⁺ (319 nm), Sm³⁺ (562 and 594 nm), Dy³⁺ (572 nm) and Tb³⁺ (495 nm).

A Mn²⁺ band at about 578 nm in Ca²⁺ sites is present as a broad band that overlaps with the Dy³⁺, Sm³⁺ and Tb³⁺ bands.

Mn²⁺ is a transition metal ion that has an electron configuration of 3d5 and interacts strongly with the crystal field (d → d) transition.

(after The role of rare earth elements and Mn2+ point defects on the luminescence of bavenite, J. Garcia-Guinea, V. Correcher, A. Quejido, A. LaIglesia and N. Can, Talanta Volume 65, Issue 1, 15 January 2005, Pages 54-61)

Best Locality for luminescence(*):

• Bustarviejo, Madrid, Spain (strong fluorescence) ;
• Venero 1 Quarry, Veneros claim, Cadalso de los Vidrios, Community of Madrid, Spain (non fluo bavenite with opal and laumontite fluorescence);

(*)Data are not exhaustive and are limited to the most important localities for fluorescence

Bibliographical Reference for luminescence:

• The Henkel Glossary of Fluorescent Minerals, Dr. Gerhard Henkel, Published by the FMS, 1989 ,

Luminescence Reference on internet:

• The role of rare earth elements and Mn2+ point defects on the luminescence of bavenite, J. Garcia-Guinea, V. Correcher, A. Quejido, A. LaIglesia and N. Can, Talanta Volume 65, Issue 1, 15 January 2005, Pages 54-61

Mineralogical Reference on internet:

  http://www.mindat.org/show.php?name=Bavenite

  http://webmineral.com/data/Bavenite.shtml

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