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Lüneburgite

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Kerch peninsula (Kertch peninsula), Crimea peninsula, Crimea Oblast', Ukraine
© Sergey Vasiliev

Formula:
Mg
 
3
B
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
·6H
 
2
O
System:TriclinicColour:White to brownish or ...
Hardness:2
Name:After the type locality, Lüneburg, Germany.


Luneburgite is found in clays with evaporite minerals (Halite, Sylvite, Polyhalite, etc) and has also been found in guano deposits.

Classification of Lüneburgite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:5/H.03-20
Strunz 9th edition ID:6.AC.25
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:6.AC.60

6 : BORATES
A : Monoborates
C : B(O,OH)4, without and with additional anions; 1(T), 1(T)+OH, etc
Dana 8th edition ID:43.5.11.1

43 : COMPOUND PHOSPHATES, ETC.
5 : Hydrated Compound Phosphates, etc·, Containing Hydroxyl or Halogen
Hey's CIM Ref.:10.2.1

10 : Borates with other anions
2 : Borates with phosphate or arsenate
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Type Occurrence of Lüneburgite

Type Locality:Kalkberg hill, Lüneburg, Lower Saxony, Germany
Year of Discovery:1870
Geological Setting of type material:Gypsum-bearing marl.
Associated Minerals at type locality:
GypsumBoracite

Physical Properties of Lüneburgite

Colour:White to brownish or green
Hardness (Mohs):2
Cleavage:Poor/Indistinct
Prismatic cleavage with an angle of about 73° (viewed microscopically). Minute pseudo-hexagonal plates.
Density (measured):2.05 g/cm3

Crystallography of Lüneburgite

Crystal System:Triclinic
Morphology:Flattened masses and nodules with fine fibrous to earthy structure. Minute pseudo-hexagonal tablets.

Optical Data of Lüneburgite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.520 - 1.522 nβ = 1.540 - 1.541 nγ = 1.545 - 1.548
2V:Measured: 63° , Calculated: 52° to 60°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.025 - 0.026

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Low
Dispersion:distinct to strong

Chemical Properties of Lüneburgite

Formula:
Mg
 
3
B
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
·6H
 
2
O
Essential elements:B, H, Mg, O, P
All elements listed in formula:B, H, Mg, O, P

Relationship of Lüneburgite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
6.AC.05Sinhalite
MgAl[O|BO
 
3
]
6.AC.10Pseudosinhalite
Mg
 
2
Al
 
3
[O
 
3
|OH|(BO
 
3
)
 
2
]
6.AC.15Behierite
(Ta
5+
 
,Nb
5+
 
)[O|BO
 
3
]
6.AC.15Schiavinatoite
(Nb,Ta)BO
 
4
6.AC.20Frolovite
Ca[B(OH)
 
4
]
 
2
6.AC.25Hexahydroborite
Ca[B(OH)
 
4
]
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
6.AC.30Henmilite
Ca
 
2
Cu[(OH)
 
2
|B(OH)
 
4
]
 
2
6.AC.35Bandylite
Cu[Cl|B(OH)
 
4
]
6.AC.40Teepleite
Na
 
2
[Cl|B(OH)
 
4
]
6.AC.45Moydite-(Y)
Y[CO
 
3
|B(OH)
 
4
]
6.AC.50Carboborite
Ca
 
2
Mg[CO
 
3
|B(OH)
 
4
]
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
6.AC.55Sulfoborite
Mg
 
3
[(OH,F)
 
2
|SO
 
4
|{B(OH)
 
4
}
 
2
]
6.AC.65Seamanite
Mn
2+
3
[(OH)
 
2
|PO
 
4
|B(OH)
 
4
]
6.AC.70Cahnite
Ca
 
2
[AsO
 
4
|B(OH)
 
4
]
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
10.2.2Cahnite
Ca
 
2
[AsO
 
4
|B(OH)
 
4
]
10.2.3Teruggite
Ca
 
4
Mg[AsO
 
4
|B
 
6
O
 
7
(OH)
 
6
]
 
2
 · 12H
 
2
O
10.2.4Seamanite
Mn
2+
3
[(OH)
 
2
|PO
 
4
|B(OH)
 
4
]

Other Names for Lüneburgite

Synonyms:
Lueneburgite
Other Languages:
German:Lueneburgit
Luneburgit
Russian:Люнебургит
Spanish:Lueneburgita
Luneburgita

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 Lüneburgite

Reference List:Nöllner (1870) Akademie der Wissenschaften, Munich, Sitzber.: 291.

Domeyko (1880) Comptes rendu de l’Académie des sciences de Paris: 90: 544.

Biltz and Marcus (1912) Zeitschrift für anorganische und allgemeine Chemie, Hamburg, Leipzig: 77: 124.

Larsen, E.S. (1921) The Microscopic Determination of the Nonopaque Minerals, First edition, USGS Bulletin 679: 103.

Schaller and Henderson (1932) USGS Bulletin 833: 47.

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: 385.

American Mineralogist (1991): 76: 1400-1407.

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

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    Localities for Lüneburgite

    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.
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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.
    Chile
     
    • Antofagasta Region
      • Tocopilla Province
        • Mejillones
    		No reference listed
    Germany
     
    • Lower Saxony
      • Lüneburg
    		C. Noellner: "Über Lüneburgit", Jb. Naturw. Verein Fstm. Lüneburg (1876), 148-151; 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: 385.
    • Thuringia
      • Thuringian Forest
        • Bad Salzungen
    		F. Heide & E. Bader (1964): Boracit und Lüneburgit im Werra-Kaligebiet.- Chemie der Erde 23, 219-221
    Ukraine
     
    • Crimea Oblast'
      • Crimea peninsula
    USA
     
    • New Mexico
      • Eddy Co.
    		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: 385.
    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: 385.
    Mineral and/or Locality
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