Nifontovite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Nifontovite
Roman V. Nifontov
Formula:
Ca3B6O6(OH)12(H2O)2
Colour:
Colorless to gray
Lustre:
Vitreous, Silky
Hardness:
3½
Specific Gravity:
2.35
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named in honor of Roman Vladimirovich Nifontov (Роман Владимирович Нифонтов) (13 February 1901, Yaroslavy now Dankovsky district, Russian Empire - 24 November 1960, Moscow, USSR), geologist who made significant contributions to the exploration and development of mineral deposits in the USSR.
Visit gemdat.org for Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2902
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2902:1
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
f3b95a05-9f6f-4e7b-995f-a0c54ad3666b
IMA Classification of Nifontovite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Ca3[BO(OH)2]6 · 2H2O
First published:
1961
Classification of Nifontovite
6.CA.50
6 : BORATES
C : Triborates
A : Neso-triborates
6 : BORATES
C : Triborates
A : Neso-triborates
26.3.7.1
26 : HYDRATED BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
3 : Triborates
26 : HYDRATED BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
3 : Triborates
9.3.10
9 : Borates
3 : Borates of Ca and Sr
9 : Borates
3 : Borates of Ca and Sr
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Nif | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Nifontovite
Vitreous, Silky
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Colorless to gray
Hardness:
3½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Poor/Indistinct
One parallel to elongation
One parallel to elongation
Density:
2.35 g/cm3 (Measured)
Optical Data of Nifontovite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.573 - 1.575 nβ = 1.577 - 1.578 nγ = 1.584 - 1.585
2V:
Measured: 66° to 76°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.011
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Low
Dispersion:
very weak
Comments:
shows anomalous interference colors
Chemistry of Nifontovite
Mindat Formula:
Ca3B6O6(OH)12(H2O)2
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Nifontovite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/b
Setting:
C2/c
Cell Parameters:
a = 13.11 Å, b = 9.51 Å, c = 13.50 Å
β = 119.20°
β = 119.20°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.379 : 1 : 1.42
Unit Cell V:
1,469.24 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Tabular prismatic crystals, to 3.5 cm; typically, granular and less than 1 mm.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0015605 | Nifontovite | Simonov M A, Egorov-Tismenko Y K, Kazanskaya E V, Belokoneva E L, Belov N V (1978) Hydrogen bonds in the crystal structure of nifontovite Ca2/B5O3(OH)6/2*2H2O Soviet Physics Doklady 23 159-161 | 1978 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 2.41 Å | (10) |
| 7.04 Å | (8) |
| 2.21 Å | (8) |
| 3.79 Å | (7) |
| 3.66 Å | (7) |
| 3.02 Å | (7) |
| 2.05 Å | (7) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 23 : Subaerial aqueous alteration by non-redox-sensitive fluids (see also #47) |
Type Occurrence of Nifontovite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Vernadsky Geological Museum (48611) and the A.E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Russian Academy of Sciences (64942), Moscow, Russia.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Skarn
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Malinko, S.V., Lisitsyn, A.E. (1961) A new boron mineral — nifontovite. Doklady Akademii Nauk SSSR: 139: 188-190.
Other Language Names for Nifontovite
German:Nifontovit
Russian:Нифонтовит
Simplified Chinese:粒水硼钙石
Spanish:Nifontovita
Traditional Chinese:粒水硼鈣石
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 6.CA.10 | Ameghinite | Na(H4B3O7) |
| 6.CA.15 | Inderite | MgB3O3(OH)5 · 5H2O |
| 6.CA.20 | Kurnakovite | MgB3O3(OH)5 · 5H2O |
| 6.CA.25 | Inderborite | CaMg(H3B3O7)2 · 8H2O |
| 6.CA.30 | Meyerhofferite | CaB3O3(OH)5 · H2O |
| 6.CA.35 | Inyoite | Ca(H4B3O7)(OH) · 4H2O |
| 6.CA.40 | Solongoite | Ca2(H3B3O7)(OH)Cl |
| 6.CA.45 | Peprossiite-(Ce) | (Ce,La)(Al3O)2/3B4O10 |
| 6.CA.55 | Olshanskyite | Ca2[B3O3(OH)6](OH) · 3H2O |
Fluorescence of Nifontovite
Violet in LW UV
Other Information
Notes:
Insoluble in water, slowly soluble in 10% acetic acid or l0% HCl at room temperature, dissolving rapidly when warmed.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Nifontovite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2902.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Nifontovite
Localities for Nifontovite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
China | |
| Ottens et al. (2014) |
Japan | |
| Mineralogical Record: 27: 306. +3 other references |
Mexico | |
| Pinch et al. (2005) |
| Arizona Lapidary & Gem Rough specimen | |
| Lapis 34 (4) | |
Russia (TL) | |
| Min Rec 36:4 pp375-376 +1 other reference |
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Charcas, Charcas Municipality, San Luis Potosí, Mexico