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Kurchatovite

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Big Photo

Solongo B deposit, Vitim Plateau, Buriatia (Buryatia) Republic, Transbaikalia (Zabaykalye), Eastern-Siberian Region, Russia
© Pavel M. Kartashov

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Formula:
Ca(Mg,Mn
2+
 
)[B
 
2
O
 
5
]
System:OrthorhombicColour:Pale gray
Hardness:4½
Name:
After Igor Vasil’evich Kurchatov (1903– 1960), Russian physicist, Institute of Nuclear Energy, Moscow, Russia.
Dimorph of:Clinokurchatovite
This page provides mineralogical data about Kurchatovite.

Classification of Kurchatovite

IMA status:Approved 1965
Strunz 8th edition ID:5/H.01-30
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:6.BA.10

6 : BORATES
B : Diborates
A : Neso-diborates with double triangles B2(O,OH)5; 2(2D); 2(2D) + OH, etc.
Dana 8th edition ID:24.4.2.1

24 : ANHYDROUS BORATES
4 : A2[X2O5]
Hey's CIM Ref.:9.7.6

9 : Borates
7 : Borates of Mn
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Type Occurrence of Kurchatovite

Type Locality:Solongo B deposit, Vitim Plateau, Buriatia (Buryatia) Republic, Transbaikalia (Zabaykalye), Eastern-Siberian Region, Russia
Place of Conservation of Type Material:Fersman Museum
Geological Setting of type material:Iron bearing skarn

Physical Properties of Kurchatovite

Lustre:Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Colour:Pale gray
Hardness (Mohs):4½
Cleavage:Perfect
One perfect, parallel elongation; two imperfect
Density (measured):3.20 g/cm3

Crystallography of Kurchatovite

Crystal System:Orthorhombic
Cell Parameters:a = 11.15(2) Å, b = 36.4(1) Å, c = 5.55(1) Å
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.306 : 1 : 0.152
Unit Cell Volume:V 2,252.52 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:24
Morphology:Granular to 4mm

Optical Data of Kurchatovite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.635 nβ = 1.681 nγ = 1.698
2V:Measured: 66°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.063

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:High
Dispersion:r > v slight

Chemical Properties of Kurchatovite

Formula:
Ca(Mg,Mn
2+
 
)[B
 
2
O
 
5
]
Essential elements:B, Ca, Mg, O
All elements listed in formula:B, Ca, Mg, Mn, O

Relationship of Kurchatovite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
6.BA.05Suanite
Mg
 
2
[B
 
2
O
 
5
]
6.BA.10Clinokurchatovite
Ca(Mg,Fe
2+
 
,Mn
2+
 
)[B
 
2
O
 
5
]
6.BA.15Sussexite
(Mn
2+
 
,Mg)
 
2
[(OH)(B
 
2
O
 
4
(OH))]
6.BA.15Szaibélyite
Mg
 
2
[(OH)(B
 
2
O
 
4
(OH))]
6.BA.20Wiserite
(Mn,Mg)
 
14
[Cl|(OH)
 
8
|(Si,Mg)(O,OH)
 
4
|(B
 
2
O
 
5
)
 
4
]
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
9.7.1Pinakiolite
(Mg,Mn
2+
 
)
 
2
Mn
3+
 
(BO
 
3
)O
 
2
9.7.2Orthopinakiolite
(Mg,Mn
2+
 
)
 
2
Mn
3+
 
(BO
 
3
)O
 
2
9.7.3Jimboite
(Mn
2+
 
,Mg)
 
3
[BO
 
3
]
 
2
9.7.4Sussexite
(Mn
2+
 
,Mg)
 
2
[(OH)(B
 
2
O
 
4
(OH))]
9.7.5Wiserite
(Mn,Mg)
 
14
[Cl|(OH)
 
8
|(Si,Mg)(O,OH)
 
4
|(B
 
2
O
 
5
)
 
4
]
9.7.7Clinokurchatovite
Ca(Mg,Fe
2+
 
,Mn
2+
 
)[B
 
2
O
 
5
]
9.7.8Takéuchiite
(Mg,Mn
2+
 
)
 
2
(Mn
3+
 
,Fe
3+
 
)(BO
 
3
)O
 
2
9.7.9Blatterite
(Mn
2+
 
,Mg)
 
2
(Mn
3+
 
,Sb
3+
 
,Fe
3+
 
)(BO
 
3
)O
 
2
9.7.10Tusionite
Mn
2+
 
Sn
4+
 
[BO
 
3
]
 
2

Other Names for Kurchatovite

Synonyms:
IMA1965-034
Other Languages:
German:Kurchatovit
Russian:Курчатовит
Simplified Chinese:硼镁钙石
Spanish:Kurchatovita

Other Information

Fluorescence in UV light:Bright violet in long wave UV
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 Kurchatovite

Reference List:

- +
Malinko, S.V., Lisitsin, A.E., Dorofeeva, K.A., Ostravskaya, I.V., Shashkin, D.P. (1966): Kurchatovite - new mineral. Zapiski Vserossiyskogo Mineralogicheskogo Obshchestva: 95: 203-209.

American Mineralogist (1966): 51: 1817 *(abstract).

Zapiski Vserossiyskogo Mineralogicheskogo Obshchestva (1978): 107: 276.

Malinko, S.V., I.I. Khalturina, A.A. Ozol, V.M. Bocharov (1991) Minerals of boron,- Moscow, Nedra, pp. 108-110 (in Russian).

Pekov, I.V. (1998) Minerals first discovered on the territory of the Former Soviet Union, - Moscow, Ocean Pictures, p.235.

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

Callegari, A., Mazzi, F., Tadini, C. (2003) Modular aspects of the crystal structures of kurchatovite and clinokurchatovite. European Journal of Mineralogy: 15: 277-282.

Internet Links for Kurchatovite

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    • Localities for Kurchatovite

    Hide Locality List
    (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.
    Russia
     
    • Eastern-Siberian Region
      • Transbaikalia (Zabaykalye)
        • Buriatia (Buryatia) Republic
          • Vitim Plateau
    		[AmMin 85:1322]; American Mineralogist, Volume 87, pages 1509–1513, 2002; Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
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