Mindat Logo
Home Page Log In Message Board The Mindat Directory
Register Search Pages Chat Now! (2 online) Mindat Auctions

Ruitenbergite

Formula:
Ca
 
9
B
 
26
O
 
34
(OH)
 
24
Cl
 
4
·13H
 
2
O
System:MonoclinicColour:Colourless to orange, ...
Hardness:3 - 4
Name:Named after Arie A. Ruitenberg, geologist.
Dimorph of:Pringleite


The monoclinic dimorph of Pringleite.

Classification of Ruitenbergite

IMA status:Approved
Strunz 8th edition ID:5/K.09-20
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:6.GD.05

6 : BORATES
G : Heptaborates and other megaborates
D : Mega-tektoborates
Dana 8th edition ID:26.5.17.2

26 : HYDRATED BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
5 : Pentaborates
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-3475.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Type Occurrence of Ruitenbergite

Type Locality:Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Mine (PCS Mine; Potash Corporation of America Mine), Penobsquis, Cardwell Parish, Sussex, Kings Co., New Brunswick, Canada
Year of Discovery:1993

Physical Properties of Ruitenbergite

Lustre:Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Colour:Colourless to orange, white, pale yellow
Hardness (Mohs):3 - 4

Crystallography of Ruitenbergite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Cell Parameters:a = 19.88Å, b = 9.71Å, c = 17.55Å
β = 114.85°
Ratio:a:b:c = 2.047 : 1 : 1.807
Unit Cell Volume:V 3,074.09 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Optical Data of Ruitenbergite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.542 nβ = 1.545 nγ = 1.565
2V:Measured: 42° to 47°, Calculated: 44°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.023

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

Chemical Properties of Ruitenbergite

Formula:
Ca
 
9
B
 
26
O
 
34
(OH)
 
24
Cl
 
4
·13H
 
2
O
Essential elements:B, Ca, Cl, H, O
All elements listed in formula:B, Ca, Cl, H, O

Relationship of Ruitenbergite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
6.GD.05Pringleite
Ca
 
9
B
 
26
O
 
34
(OH)
 
24
Cl
 
4
·13H
 
2
O
6.GD.10Metaborite
HBO
 
2

Other Names for Ruitenbergite

Synonyms:
IMA1992-011
Other Languages:
German:Ruitenbergit
Russian:Рутенбергит
Spanish:Ruitenbergita

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 Ruitenbergite

Reference List:Roberts, A.C., Stirling, J.A.R., Grice, J.D., Burns, P.C., Curtis, J.D., and Jambor, J.L. (1993) Pringleite and ruitenbergite, polymorphs of Ca2B26O34(OH)24Cl4·13H2O, two new mineral species from Sussex, New Brunswick. Canadian Mineralogist: 31: 795-800.

New Minerals (1997), New Minerals 1990-1994.

Grice, J.D., Burns, P.C., and Hawthorne, F.C. (1994) Determination of the megastructures of the borate polymorphs pringleite and ruitenbergite. Canadian Mineralogist (1994): 32: 1-14.

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

Internet Links for Ruitenbergite

Search Engines:
  • Look for Ruitenbergite on Google
  • Look for Ruitenbergite images on Google
    • External Links:
  • Look for Ruitenbergite on Webmineral
  • Look for Ruitenbergite on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Ruitenbergite on Wikipedia
  • Look for Ruitenbergite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Ruitenbergite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Ruitenbergite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
    • Mineral Dealers:
  • Wilensky Fine Minerals
  • Wendel Minerals - Auktion & Shop
  • High-end worldwide specimens & outstanding customer service
  • Fabre Minerals - search for Ruitenbergite specimens
  • The Arkenstone - Fine Minerals
  • Top quality minerals from Kristalle of California
  • SpiriferMinerals.com - high quality specimens
  • Buy fine minerals and gemstones from Pala International
  • Search for - Ruitenbergite - on e-Rocks Mineral Sales & Auctions
  • Buy Fine Minerals from mineralsweb.com
  • Edwards Minerals - Fine Specimens
  • Rare and Unusual minerals at Mineralogical Research Company
    • Jobs:
  • Mining & Geology Jobs

    • Page Sponsor

    Sponsorship:This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.

    Localities for Ruitenbergite

    (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.
    Canada
     
    • New Brunswick
      • Kings Co.
        • Sussex
          • Cardwell Parish
            • Penobsquis
    		Can.Min.(1993) 31, 795-800
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
    www.mindat.org Web
    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: 10th Nov 2009 20:32:46