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Ammonioborite

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Larderello, Pomarance, Pisa Province, Tuscany, Italy
© Sergey Vasiliev




Formula:
(NH
 
4
)
 
2
[B
 
5
O
 
6
(OH)
 
4
]
 
2
 · H
 
2
O
System:MonoclinicColour:White; colourless in ...
Name:In allusion to the composition, containing AMMONIum and being a BORate.
Dimorph of:Larderellite


Microscopic plates, grouped in parallel; commonly as fine-grained granular masses.

Classification of Ammonioborite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:5/H.15-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:6.EA.15

6 : BORATES
E : Pentaborates
A : Neso-pentaborates
Dana 8th edition ID:26.5.3.1

26 : HYDRATED BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
5 : Pentaborates
Hey's CIM Ref.:9.1.15

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

Type Locality:Larderello, Pomarance, Pisa Province, Tuscany, Italy
Place of Conservation of Type Material:National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 93756, 94172, R6167.
Year of Discovery:1931
Geological Setting of type material:Boric acid fumaroles in a volcanic region. In boric acid-rich fumarolic lagoons.
Associated Minerals at type locality:
SassoliteLarderellite

Physical Properties of Ammonioborite

Diaphaneity (Transparency):Translucent
Colour:White; colourless in transmitted light
Cleavage:None Observed
Density (measured):1.765(4) g/cm3
Density (calculated):1.76 g/cm3

Crystallography of Ammonioborite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Class (H-M):2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:B2/b {B1 1 2/b} {C2/c} {C1 2/c 1}
Cell Parameters:a = 25.27Å, b = 9.65Å, c = 11.56Å
β = 94.29°
Ratio:a:b:c = 2.619 : 1 : 1.198
Unit Cell Volume:V 2,811.07 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:4
Morphology:Compact, fine-grained masses. Partially as platy microscopic crystals, frequently grouped in parallel position.

Optical Data of Ammonioborite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.470 nβ = 1.487 nγ = 1.540
2V:Measured: 60° , Calculated: 62°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.070

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Moderate
Dispersion:relatively weak

Chemical Properties of Ammonioborite

Formula:
(NH
 
4
)
 
2
[B
 
5
O
 
6
(OH)
 
4
]
 
2
 · H
 
2
O
Essential elements:B, H, N, O
All elements listed in formula:B, H, N, O

Relationship of Ammonioborite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
6.EA.05Sborgite
Na[B
 
5
O
 
6
(OH)
 
4
] · 3H
 
2
O
6.EA.05Leucostaurite
Pb
 
2
[B
 
5
O
 
9
]Cl · 0.5H
 
2
O
6.EA.10Santite
K[B
 
5
O
 
6
(OH)
 
4
] · 2H
 
2
O
6.EA.10Ramanite-(Rb)
Rb[B
 
5
O
 
6
(OH)
 
4
] · 2H
 
2
O
6.EA.10Ramanite-(Cs)
Cs[B
 
5
O
 
6
(OH)
 
4
] · 2H
 
2
O
6.EA.25Ulexite
NaCa[B
 
5
O
 
6
(OH)
 
6
] · 5H
 
2
O
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
9.1.10Ameghinite
Na(H
 
4
B
 
3
O
 
7
)
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
9.1.16Rhodizite
(K,Cs)Al
 
4
Be
 
4
(B,Be)
 
12
O
 
28

Other Names for Ammonioborite

Other Languages:
German:Ammonioborit
Spanish:Ammonioborita

Other Information

Other Information:Slowly and completely soluble in cold 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 Ammonioborite

Reference List:

- +
Sborgi and Meccacci (1916) Reale accademia nazionale dei Lincei, Rome, Att.: 25: 455.

Schaller (1931) American Mineralogist: 16: 114.

D'Achiardi (1932) Periodico de Mineralogia-Roma: 3: 36.

Schaller (1933) American Mineralogist: 18: 480.

Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged: 366-367.

American Mineralogist (1959): 44: 1150-1158.

Science: 171: 377-379.

Anderson J E, Bubnova R S, Filatov S K, Ugolkov V L, Britvin S N (2009): Thermal investigation of ammonioborite (NH4)3[B15O20(OH)8]•4H2O. Glass Phys. Chem. 35, 191-198.

Internet Links for Ammonioborite

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    • Localities for Ammonioborite

    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.
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    (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.
    Italy
     
    • Tuscany
      • Pisa Province
        • Pomarance
    		D'Achiardi G. (1932): Considerazioni e ricerche sulla larderellite, ammonioborite (?) e bechilite (?) di Larderello (Pisa). Periodico di Mineralogia - Roma pp. 36-42; Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 366.
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