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Rivadavite

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Tincalayu Mine, Salar Del Hombre Muerto, Salta, Argentina
© 2007, J. Weissman

Formula:
Na
 
6
Mg[B
 
6
O
 
7
(OH)
 
6
]
 
4
 · 10H
 
2
O
System:MonoclinicColour:colourless, white
Hardness:3½
Name:
For Argentine president Bernardino Rivadavia (1780-1845).
This page provides mineralogical data about Rivadavite.

Classification of Rivadavite

IMA status:Approved 1966
Strunz 8th edition ID:5/H.17-40
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:6.FA.20

6 : BORATES
F : Hexaborates
A : Neso-hexaborates
Dana 8th edition ID:26.6.1.1

26 : HYDRATED BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
6 : Hexaborates
Hey's CIM Ref.:9.2.15

9 : Borates
2 : Borates of Be and Mg
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Type Occurrence of Rivadavite

Type Locality:Tincalayu Mine, Salar Del Hombre Muerto, Salta, Argentina
Year of Discovery:1967

Occurrences of Rivadavite

Geological Setting:Sedimentary borate deposits, hot springs

Physical Properties of Rivadavite

Lustre:Vitreous, Silky
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Comment:Silky in aggregates
Colour:colourless, white
Streak:white
Hardness (Mohs):3½
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Perfect
Perfect on {100} {-102}
poor on {010}
Fracture:Splintery
Density (measured):1.905(2) g/cm3
Density (calculated):1.91 g/cm3

Crystallography of Rivadavite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Class (H-M):2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:P21/m {P1 1 21/m} {P21/m} {P1 21/m 1}
Space Group Setting:P21/m
Cell Parameters:a = 15.870Å, b = 8.010Å, c = 22.256Å
β = 116.40°
Ratio:a:b:c = 1.981 : 1 : 2.779
Unit Cell Volume:V 2,534.11 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:1
Morphology:Elongated crystals in subparallel massive aggregates

Optical Data of Rivadavite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.470 nβ = 1.481 nγ = 1.497
2V:Measured: 80° , Calculated: 82°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.027

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

Chemical Properties of Rivadavite

Formula:
Na
 
6
Mg[B
 
6
O
 
7
(OH)
 
6
]
 
4
 · 10H
 
2
O
Essential elements:B, H, Mg, Na, O
All elements listed in formula:B, H, Mg, Na, O

Relationship of Rivadavite to other Species

Common Associates:
BoraxTincalconite
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
6.FA.05Aksaite
Mg[B
 
6
O
 
7
(OH)
 
6
] · 2H
 
2
O
6.FA.10Mcallisterite
Mg
 
2
[B
 
6
O
 
7
(OH)
 
6
]
 
2
 · 9H
 
2
O
6.FA.15Admontite
Mg[B
 
6
O
 
7
(OH)
 
6
] · 4H
 
2
O
6.FA.25Teruggite
Ca
 
4
Mg[AsO
 
4
|B
 
6
O
 
7
(OH)
 
6
]
 
2
 · 12H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
9.2.1Hambergite
Be
 
2
[O|OH|BO
 
2
]
9.2.2Suanite
Mg
 
2
[B
 
2
O
 
5
]
9.2.3Kotoite
Mg
 
3
[BO
 
3
]
 
2
9.2.4Szaibélyite
Mg
 
2
[(OH)(B
 
2
O
 
4
(OH))]
9.2.5Preobrazhenskite
Mg
 
3
B
 
11
O
 
15
(OH)
 
9
9.2.6Aksaite
Mg[B
 
6
O
 
7
(OH)
 
6
] · 2H
 
2
O
9.2.7Wightmanite
Mg
 
5
[O|(OH)
 
5
|BO
 
3
] · 2H
 
2
O
9.2.8Pinnoite
Mg[B
 
2
O(OH)
 
6
]
9.2.9Kurnakovite
Mg(H
 
4
B
 
3
O
 
7
)(OH) · 5H
 
2
O
9.2.10Halurgite
Mg
 
2
[B
 
4
O
 
7
]
 
2
 · 5H
 
2
O
9.2.11Inderite
Mg(H
 
4
B
 
3
O
 
7
)(OH) · 5H
 
2
O
9.2.12Hungchaoite
Mg[B
 
4
O
 
7
] · 9H
 
2
O
9.2.13Admontite
Mg[B
 
6
O
 
7
(OH)
 
6
] · 4H
 
2
O
9.2.14Mcallisterite
Mg
 
2
[B
 
6
O
 
7
(OH)
 
6
]
 
2
 · 9H
 
2
O
9.2.16Kaliborite
KMg
 
2
H[B
 
6
O
 
8
(OH)
 
5
]
 
2
(H
 
2
O)
 
4
9.2.17Iquiqueite
K
 
3
Na
 
4
Mg(CrO
 
4
)B
 
24
O
 
39
(OH)·12H
 
2
O

Other Names for Rivadavite

Synonyms:
IMA1966-010
Other Languages:
German:Rivadavit
Spanish:Rivadavita

Other Information

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 Rivadavite

Reference List:American Mineralogist (1967): 52: 326-335.

Nature: 60: 350.

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

Internet Links for Rivadavite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
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  • Rivadavite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    Localities for Rivadavite

    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.
    (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, 326-336; Am Min 58:308-313
    Turkey
     
    • Marmara Region
      • Balikesir Province
        • Bigadiç
    		CAHIT HELVACI & RICARDO N. ALONSO (2000) Borate Deposits of Turkey and Argentina; A Summary and Geological Comparison. Turkish Journal of Earth Sciences, Vol. 9, 2000, pp. 1-27
    USA
     
    • California
      • Inyo Co.
        • Death Valley
          • Black Mts
            • Furnace Creek District
    		www.mineralsocal.org; Am Min 64:3-4 pp 369-375; American Mineralogist: 55: 349-357
    Econ Geol (1996) 91:622-635
    Mineral and/or Locality
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    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2009. 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. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register. Current server date and time: 26th Oct 2009 19:49:28