Mindat Logo
Home Page Log In Message Board The Mindat Directory
Register Search Pages Chat Now! (2 online) Mindat Auctions

Holtite

Big Photo

Vasin-Myl'k Mt, Voron'i Tundry, Kola Peninsula, Murmanskaja Oblast', Northern Region, Russia
© Pavel M. Kartashov

Show Holtite Photos (6)
Formula:
(Ta,Sb)Al
 
6
[O
 
3
|BO
 
3
|(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
]
System:OrthorhombicColour:Light buff to ...
Hardness:8½
Name:
After Harold Edward Holt (1908-1967), Prime Minister of Australia (1966-1967).


Note: Groat et al. (2008) give the formula (Ta,[],Al)Al6(BO3)(Si,Sb,As)3O12(O,OH,[])3.

Classification of Holtite

IMA status:Approved
Strunz 8th edition ID:8/B.31-30
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:9.AJ.10

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
J : Nesosilicates with BO3 triangles and/or B[4], Be[4] tetrahedra, cornersharing with SiO4
Dana 8th edition ID:54.1.3.1

54 : NESOSILICATES Borosilicates and Some Beryllosilicates
1 : Borosilicates and Some Beryllosilicates with (BO3)
Hey's CIM Ref.:17.5.26

17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
5 : Borosilicates
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-1925.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Type Occurrence of Holtite

Type Locality:Greenbushes Sn placers, Greenbushes Tinfield, Western Australia, Australia
Year of Discovery:1971

Occurrences of Holtite

Geological Setting:Pegmatites

Physical Properties of Holtite

Lustre:Vitreous, Resinous, Dull
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Translucent
Comment:Dull when weathered
Colour:Light buff to cream-buff, deep olive-buff, brown, russet
Streak:Light buff
Hardness (Mohs):8½
Cleavage:Distinct/Good
Good on {001}, may be parting
Density (measured):3.60 - 3.90 g/cm3

Crystallography of Holtite

Crystal System:Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:Pnma {P21/n 21/m 21/a}
Space Group Setting:Pnma
Cell Parameters:a = 4.6914(5) Å, b = 11.896(2) Å, c = 20.383(4) Å
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.394 : 1 : 1.713
Unit Cell Volume:V 1,137.55 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:4
Morphology:Blocky crystals, pseudohexagonal needles
Twinning:Multiple on {011}

Optical Data of Holtite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.705 - 1.746 nβ = 1.728 - 1.759 nγ = 1.730 - 1.761
2V:Measured: 20° to 55°, Calculated: 32° to 42°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.025

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:High
Dispersion:r < v
Pleochroism:Visible
Comments:Various shades of yellow to colorless

Chemical Properties of Holtite

Formula:
(Ta,Sb)Al
 
6
[O
 
3
|BO
 
3
|(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
]
Essential elements:Al, B, O, Si, Ta
All elements listed in formula:Al, B, O, Sb, Si, Ta
Common Impurities:Ti,Fe,As,Nb,Mn,Be,Mg,Ca,Li,Na,K,Rb,Cs

Relationship of Holtite to other Species

Common Associates:
StibiotantaliteMicrolite
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
9.AJ.05Grandidierite
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)(Al,Fe
3+
 
)
 
3
[O
 
2
|BO
 
3
|SiO
 
4
]
9.AJ.05Ominelite
(Fe
2+
 
,Mg)(Al,Fe
3+
 
)
 
3
[O
 
2
|BO
 
3
|SiO
 
4
]
9.AJ.10Dumortierite
(Al,Fe
3+
 
)
 
7
[O
 
3
|BO
 
3
|(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
]
9.AJ.10Magnesiodumortierite
(Mg,Ti,[](Al,Mg)
 
2
Al
 
4
Si
 
3
O
 
18-y
(OH)
 
y
B y = 2-3
9.AJ.15Garrelsite
Ba
 
3
NaSi
 
2
B
 
7
O
 
16
(OH)
 
4
9.AJ.20Bakerite
Ca
 
4
B
 
4
[(OH)
 
4
|HBO
 
4
|(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
]
9.AJ.20Datolite
CaB[OH|SiO
 
4
]
9.AJ.20Gadolinite-(Ce)
(Ce,La,Nd,Y)
 
2
Fe
2+
 
Be
 
2
[O|SiO
 
4
]
 
2
9.AJ.20Gadolinite-(Y)
Y
 
2
Fe
2+
 
Be
 
2
[O|SiO
 
4
]
 
2
9.AJ.20Hingganite-(Ce)
(Ce,REE)
 
2
(□,Fe
2+
 
)Be
 
2
[SiO
 
4
]
 
2
(OH)
 
2
9.AJ.20Hingganite-(Y)
(Y,REE,Ca)
 
2
(□,Fe
2+
 
)Be
 
2
[SiO
 
4
]
 
2
(OH)
 
2
9.AJ.20Hingganite-(Yb)
(Yb,Y,REE)
 
2
□Be
 
2
[SiO
 
4
]
 
2
(OH)
 
2
9.AJ.20Homilite
Ca
 
2
(Fe
2+
 
,Mg)B
 
2
[O|SiO
 
4
]
 
2
9.AJ.20Melanocerite-(Ce)
(Ce,Ca)
 
5
(Si,B)
 
3
O
 
12
(OH,F)·nH
 
2
O
9.AJ.20Minasgeraisite-(Y)
Y
 
2
CaBe
 
2
[O|SiO
 
4
]
 
2
9.AJ.20Calcybeborosilite-(Y)
(Y,Ca)
 
2
(□,Fe
2+
 
)(B,Be)
 
2
[SiO
 
4
]
 
2
(OH,O)
 
2
9.AJ.25Stillwellite-(Ce)
(Ce,La,Ca)BSiO
 
5
9.AJ.30Cappelenite-(Y)
Ba(Y,Ce)
 
6
Si
 
3
B
 
6
O
 
24
F
 
2
9.AJ.35Okanoganite-(Y)
(Na,Ca)
 
3
(Y,Ce)
 
12
Si
 
6
B
 
2
O
 
27
F
 
14
9.AJ.35Vicanite-(Ce)
(Ca,Ce,La,Th)
 
15
As
5+
 
(As
3+
0.5
,Na
 
0.5
)Fe
3+
 
Si
 
6
B
 
4
O
 
40
F
 
7
9.AJ.35Hundholmenite-(Y)
(Y,REE,Ca,Na)
 
15
(Al,Fe
3+
 
)(Ca
 
x
As
3+
1-x
)(Si,As
5+
 
)Si
 
6
B
 
3
(O,F)
 
48
9.AJ.35Proshchenkoite-(Y)
(Y,REE,Ca,Na,Mn)
 
15
Fe
2+
 
Ca(P,Si)Si
 
6
B
 
3
O
 
34
F
 
14
9.AJ.40Jadarite
LiNaSiB
 
3
O
 
7
(OH)
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
17.5.1Manandonite
LiAl
 
4
Si
 
3
BO
 
10
(OH)
 
6
17.5.2Reedmergnerite
Na[BSi
 
3
O
 
8
]
17.5.3Searlesite
NaBSi
 
2
O
 
5
(OH)
 
2
17.5.4Olenite
(Na,[ ])[(Al,Li)
 
3
][Al
 
6
][(O,OH)
 
3
|OH|(BO
 
3
)
 
3
|Si
 
6
O
 
18
]
17.5.5Elbaite
[Na][(Li,Al)
 
3
][Al
 
6
][(OH)
 
3
|OH|(BO
 
3
)
 
3
|Si
 
6
O
 
18
]
17.5.6Kalborsite
K
 
6
[Cl|B(OH)
 
4
|Al
 
4
Si
 
6
O
 
20
]
17.5.7Boromuscovite
KAl
 
2
[(OH)
 
2
|BSi
 
3
O
 
10
]
17.5.8Poudretteite
KNa
 
2
B
 
3
Si
 
12
O
 
30
17.5.9Liddicoatite
[Ca][Li
 
2
Al][Al
 
6
][(OH)
 
3
|F|(BO
 
3
)
 
3
|Si
 
6
O
 
18
]
17.5.10Datolite
CaB[OH|SiO
 
4
]
17.5.11Danburite
CaB
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
17.5.12Howlite
Ca
 
2
B
 
5
SiO
 
9
(OH)
 
5
17.5.13Bakerite
Ca
 
4
B
 
4
[(OH)
 
4
|HBO
 
4
|(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
]
17.5.14Oyelite
Ca
 
10
Si
 
8
B
 
2
O
 
29
·12.5H
 
2
O
17.5.15Kornerupine
Mg
 
3
Al
 
6
(Si,Al,B)
 
5
O
 
21
(OH)
17.5.16Harkerite
Ca
 
24
Mg
 
8
Al
 
2
Si
 
8
(O,OH)
 
32
(BO
 
3
)
 
8
(CO
 
3
)
 
8
(H
 
2
O,Cl)
17.5.17Serendibite
(Ca,Na)
 
2
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)
 
3
(Al,Fe
3+
 
)
 
3
[O
 
2
|(Si,Al,B)
 
6
O
 
18
]
17.5.18Stillwellite-(Ce)
(Ce,La,Ca)BSiO
 
5
17.5.19Tadzhikite-(Ce)
(Ca,Ce)
 
4
(Ce,Y)
 
2
(Ti
4+
 
,Fe
3+
 
,Al)[B
 
4
Si
 
4
O
 
22
](OH)
 
2
17.5.20Melanocerite-(Ce)
(Ce,Ca)
 
5
(Si,B)
 
3
O
 
12
(OH,F)·nH
 
2
O
17.5.21Okanoganite-(Y)
(Na,Ca)
 
3
(Y,Ce)
 
12
Si
 
6
B
 
2
O
 
27
F
 
14
17.5.22Tritomite-(Ce)
(Ce,La,Y,Th)
 
5
(Si,B)
 
3
(O,OH,F)
 
13
17.5.23Tritomite-(Y)
(Y,Ca,La,Fe)
 
5
(Si,B,Al)
 
3
(O,OH,F)
 
13
17.5.24Cappelenite-(Y)
Ba(Y,Ce)
 
6
Si
 
3
B
 
6
O
 
24
F
 
2
17.5.25Dumortierite
(Al,Fe
3+
 
)
 
7
[O
 
3
|BO
 
3
|(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
]
17.5.27Dravite
[Na][Mg
 
3
][Al
 
6
][(OH)
 
3
|OH|(BO
 
3
)
 
3
|Si
 
6
O
 
18
]
17.5.28 Ferridravite
17.5.29Axinite-(Mg)
Ca
 
2
MgAl
 
2
[OH|BSi
 
4
O
 
15
]
17.5.30Uvite
[Ca][(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)
 
3
][MgAl
 
5
][(OH)
 
3
|F|(BO
 
3
)
 
3
|Si
 
6
O
 
18
]
17.5.31Garrelsite
Ba
 
3
NaSi
 
2
B
 
7
O
 
16
(OH)
 
4
17.5.32Tienshanite
KNa
 
3
Na
 
6
Ca
 
2
Ba
 
6
Mn
 
6
(Ti
4+
 
,Nb)
 
6
B
 
12
Si
 
36
O
 
114
(O,OH,F)
 
11
17.5.33Leucosphenite
BaNa
 
4
Ti
 
2
B
 
2
Si
 
10
O
 
30
17.5.34Taramellite
Ba
 
4
(Fe
3+
 
,Ti,Fe
2+
 
,Mg)
 
4
(B
 
2
Si
 
8
O
 
27
)O
 
2
Cl
 
x
17.5.35Titantaramellite
Ba
 
4
(Ti,Fe
3+
 
,Fe
2+
 
,Mg)
 
4
(B
 
2
Si
 
8
O
 
27
)O
 
2
Cl
 
x
17.5.36Nagashimalite
Ba
 
4
(V,Ti)
 
4
B
 
2
Si
 
8
O
 
27
(O,OH)
 
2
Cl
17.5.37Chromdravite
[Na][Mg
 
3
][(Cr
3+
 
,Fe
3+
 
)
 
6
][(OH)
 
3
|OH|(BO
 
3
)
 
3
|Si
 
6
O
 
18
]
17.5.38Wawayandaite
Ca
 
6
Mn
 
2
BBe
 
9
Si
 
6
O
 
23
(OH,Cl)
 
15
17.5.39Werdingite
(Mg,Fe)
 
2
Al
 
14
Si
 
4
B
 
4
O
 
37
17.5.40Axinite-(Mn)
Ca
 
2
Mn
2+
 
Al
 
2
[OH|BSi
 
4
O
 
15
]
17.5.41Axinite
17.5.42Tinzenite
(Ca,Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
)
 
3
Al
 
2
[OH|BSi
 
4
O
 
15
]
17.5.44Schorl
[Na][Fe
2+
3
][Al
 
6
][(OH)
 
3
|OH|(BO
 
3
)
 
3
|Si
 
6
O
 
18
]
17.5.45Buergerite
[Na][Fe
3+
3
][Al
 
6
][O
 
3
|F|(BO
 
3
)
 
3
|Si
 
6
O
 
18
]
17.5.46Feruvite
[Ca][(Fe
2+
 
 ,Mg)
 
3
][MgAl
 
5
][(OH)
 
3
|F|(BO
 
3
)
 
3
|Si
 
6
O
 
18
]
17.5.47Axinite-(Fe)
Ca
 
2
Fe
2+
 
Al
 
2
[OH|BSi
 
4
O
 
15
]
17.5.48Homilite
Ca
 
2
(Fe
2+
 
,Mg)B
 
2
[O|SiO
 
4
]
 
2
17.5.49Grandidierite
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)(Al,Fe
3+
 
)
 
3
[O
 
2
|BO
 
3
|SiO
 
4
]
17.5.50Hyalotekite
(Ba,Pb,Ca,K)
 
6
(B,Si,Al)
 
2
(Si,Be)
 
10
O
 
28
(F,Cl)
17.5.51Hellandite-(Y)
(Ca,Y)
 
6
(Al,Fe
3+
 
)Si
 
4
B
 
4
O
 
20
(OH)
 
4

Other Names for Holtite

Synonyms:
IMA1969-029
Other Languages:
German:Holtit
Russian:Холтит
Spanish:Holtita

Polytypes for Holtite

Polytypes:
Holtite IHoltite II

Other Information

Health Warning:No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

References for Holtite

Reference List:Pryce, M.W. (1971) Holtite: a new mineral allied to dumortierite. Mineralogical Magazine: 38: 21-25.

American Mineralogist (1972): 57: 1556 (abstract).
Voloshin, A.V., V.V. Gordienko, E.M. Gel'man, M.L. Zorina, N.A. Elina, E.A. Kul'chitskaya, Y.P. Men'shikov, L.I. Polezhaeva, R.I. Ryzhova, P.B. Sokolov, and G.I. Utochkina (1977) Holtite (first find in the USSR) and its interaction with other tantalum minerals in rare metal pegmatites. Zap. Vses. Mineral. Obshch., 106, 337-347 (in Russian).

Hoskins, B.F., W.G. Mumme, and M.W. Pryce (1989) Holtite, (Si2.25Sb0.75)B[Al6(Al0.43Ta0.27 □0.30)O15(O,OH)2.25]: crystal structure and crystal chemistry. Mineralogical Magazine: 53: 457-463.

American Mineralogist (1990): 75: 937.

Grew, E.S., and Anovitz, L.M. (1996) BORON: Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry, second edition, as revised (2002).

Kazantsev, S.S., Pushcharovsky, D.Yu., Pasero, M., Merlino, S., Zubkova, N.V., Kabalov, Yu.K., Voloshin, A.V. (2005): Crystal structure of holtite I. Crystallography Reports: 50, 42-47.

Zubkova, N.; Pushcharovski, D.; Kabalov, Yu.; Kazantsev, S.; Voloshin, A. (2006): Crystal structure of holtite II. Crystallography Reports, 51, 16-22.

Groat, L.A. et al. (2008): Ordering in the crystal structure of holtite. Goldschmidt Conference Abstracts, A330. http://www.goldschmidt2008.org/abstracts/finalPDFs/A330.pdf]

Internet Links for Holtite

Search Engines:
  • Look for Holtite on Google
  • Look for Holtite images on Google
    • External Links:
  • Look for Holtite on Webmineral
  • Look for Holtite on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Holtite on Wikipedia
  • Look for Holtite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Holtite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Holtite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
    • Mineral Dealers:
  • Find Holtite on www.crystalclassics.co.uk
  • Wilensky Fine Minerals
  • Buy minerals from Mineralium.com
  • Search for - Holtite - on e-Rocks Mineral Sales & Auctions
  • Buy Minerals and Crystals from Crystalarium.com
  • Buy fine minerals and gemstones from Pala International
  • Lapis Mineral Magazin
  • Top quality minerals from Kristalle of California
  • Fine Minerals from Dan Weinrich Minerals
  • Buy Fine Minerals from mineralsweb.com
  • High-end worldwide specimens & outstanding customer service
  • Wendel Minerals - Auktion & Shop
    • Jobs:
  • Mining & Geology Jobs

    • Page Sponsor

    Sponsorship:This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.

    Localities for Holtite

    Hide Locality List
    The map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
    (TL) indicates type locality. ? indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. All other localities listed without reference should be considered as uncertain and unproven until references can be found.
    Australia
     
    • Western Australia
      • Greenbushes Tinfield
    		MM 1971, 21-5
    Poland
     
    • Lower Silesia (Dolnośląskie)
      • Ząbkowice District
        • Ząbkowice (Frankenstein)
          • Szklary (Gläsendorf)
    		Geologia Sudetica, 33 (1): 23-31.
    Russia
     
    • Northern Region
      • Murmanskaja Oblast'
        • Kola Peninsula
          • Voron'i Tundry
    		Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
    www.mindat.org Web
    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2009. Site Map. Locality, mineral & photograph data are the copyright of the individuals who submitted them.Further information contact the Site hosted & developed by Jolyon Ralph. Mindat.org is an online information resource dedicated to providing free mineralogical information to all. Mindat relies on the contributions of hundreds of members and supporters. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register. Current server date and time: 15th Nov 2009 13:29:32