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Ameghinite

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Formula:
Na(H
 
4
B
 
3
O
 
7
)
System:MonoclinicColour:Colourless
Hardness:2 - 3
Name:Named in honor of the brothers Carlos Ameghino (1865–1936) and Florentino Ameghino (1854–1911), Argentine geologists.
This page provides mineralogical data about Ameghinite.

Classification of Ameghinite

IMA status:Approved 1966
Strunz 8th edition ID:5/H.05-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:6.CA.10

6 : BORATES
C : Triborates
A : Neso-triborates
Dana 8th edition ID:25.3.1.1

25 : ANHYDROUS BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
3 : Triborates
Hey's CIM Ref.:9.1.10

9 : Borates
1 : Borates of the alkalis and boric acid
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Type Occurrence of Ameghinite

Type Locality:Tincalayu Mine, Salar Del Hombre Muerto, Salta, Argentina
Place of Conservation of Type Material:Natural History Museum, Paris, France; Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 109054; National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 137297.
Year of Discovery:1967
Geological Setting of type material:Formed in massive borax in a borate-rich playa.
Associated Minerals at type locality:
TincalconiteRivadaviteEzcurriteBorax

Physical Properties of Ameghinite

Lustre:Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Colour:Colourless
Hardness (Mohs):2 - 3
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Very Good
{100}, very good; {001} and {010}, poor.
Fracture:Conchoidal

Crystallography of Ameghinite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Cell Parameters:a = 18.45Å, b = 9.89Å, c = 6.32Å
β = 104.3°
Ratio:a:b:c = 1.866 : 1 : 0.639
Unit Cell Volume:V 1,117.48 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:Crystals are elongated along [010], may be bent or curved, showing {001}, {010}, {100}, {110}, {011}, {101}, {101}, {310}, to 5 mm; as cluster of crystals and nodular masses.

Optical Data of Ameghinite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.429 nβ = 1.528 nγ = 1.538
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.109

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Low
Dispersion:none

Chemical Properties of Ameghinite

Formula:
Na(H
 
4
B
 
3
O
 
7
)
Essential elements:B, H, Na, O
All elements listed in formula:B, H, Na, O

Relationship of Ameghinite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
6.CA.15Inderite
Mg(H
 
4
B
 
3
O
 
7
)(OH) · 5H
 
2
O
6.CA.20Kurnakovite
Mg(H
 
4
B
 
3
O
 
7
)(OH) · 5H
 
2
O
6.CA.25Inderborite
CaMg(H
 
3
B
 
3
O
 
7
)
 
2
· 8H
 
2
O
6.CA.30Meyerhofferite
Ca
 
2
(H
 
3
B
 
3
O
 
7
)
 
2
· 4H
 
2
O
6.CA.35Inyoite
Ca(H
 
4
B
 
3
O
 
7
)(OH) · 4H
 
2
O
6.CA.40Solongoite
Ca
 
2
(H
 
3
B
 
3
O
 
7
)(OH)Cl
6.CA.45Peprossiite-(Ce)
(Ce,La)(Al
 
3
O)
 
2/3
B
 
4
O
 
10
6.CA.50Nifontovite
Ca(B
 
2
O
 
4
) · 2.3H
 
2
O
6.CA.55Olshanskyite
Ca
 
3
[B(OH)
 
4
]
 
4
(OH)
 
2
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
9.1.1Sassolite
H
 
3
BO
 
3
9.1.2Metaborite
HBO
 
2
9.1.3Diomignite
Li
 
2
[B
 
4
O
 
7
]
9.1.4Biringuccite
Na
 
2
B
 
5
O
 
8
(OH) · H
 
2
O
9.1.5Nasinite
Na
 
4
B
 
10
O
 
17
· 5H
 
2
O
9.1.6Kernite
Na
 
2
[B
 
4
O
 
6
(OH)
 
2
] · 3H
 
2
O
9.1.7Ezcurrite
Na
 
4
B
 
10
O
 
17
· 7H
 
2
O
9.1.8Tincalconite
Na
 
2
(B
 
4
O
 
7
) · 5H
 
2
O
9.1.9Borax
Na
 
2
(B
 
4
O
 
5
)(OH)
 
4
· 8H
 
2
O
9.1.11Sborgite
Na[B
 
5
O
 
6
(OH)
 
4
] · 3H
 
2
O
9.1.12Aristarainite
Na
 
2
MgB
 
12
O
 
20
· 8H
 
2
O
9.1.13Santite
K[B
 
5
O
 
6
(OH)
 
4
] · 2H
 
2
O
9.1.14Larderellite
(NH
 
4
)B
 
5
O
 
6
(OH)
 
4
9.1.15Ammonioborite
(NH
 
4
)
 
2
[B
 
5
O
 
6
(OH)
 
4
]
 
2
· H
 
2
O
9.1.16Rhodizite
(K,Cs)Al
 
4
Be
 
4
(B,Be)
 
12
O
 
28

Other Names for Ameghinite

Synonyms:
IMA1966-034
Other Languages:
German:Ameghinit
Russian:Амегинит
Spanish:Ameghinita

Other Information

Fluorescence in UV light:pale blue fluorescence and phosphorescence under SW and LW UV.
Other Information:soluble in water
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 Ameghinite

Reference List:

- +
American Mineralogist: 52: 935-945.

American Mineralogist: 60: 879-883.

Internet Links for Ameghinite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project[Link Broken?]
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  • Localities for Ameghinite

    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.
    Argentina
     
    • Salta
      • Salar Del Hombre Muerto
    Amer.Min.(1967) 52, 935-945; Am Min 58:308-313
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    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2011. 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. Mindat does not offer minerals for sale. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register. Current server date and time: 18th Jun 2011 14:24:32
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