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Tincalconite

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Boron, Kramer District, Kern Co., California, USA
© 2002 John H. Betts

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Formula:
Na
 
2
(B
 
4
O
 
7
) · 5H
 
2
O
System:TrigonalColour:White, colourless ...
Hardness:2
Name:From "tincal", a Sanskrit name for borax, plus Greek κουία, "konis", powder, alluding to its composition and typical pulverulent occurrence.


Tincalconite-Borax Group.
Typically forms as a dehydration product (white, powdery) of other borates (e.g., borax).

Classification of Tincalconite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:5/H.10-20
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:6.DA.15

6 : BORATES
D : Tetraborates
A : Neso-tetraborates
Dana 8th edition ID:26.4.2.1

26 : HYDRATED BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
4 : Tetraborates
Hey's CIM Ref.:9.1.8

9 : Borates
1 : Borates of the alkalis and boric acid
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Type Occurrence of Tincalconite

Type Locality:Searles Lake, San Bernardino Co., California, USA
Year of Discovery:1878
Geological Setting of type material:Metamorphosed bedded borate deposit in clay-shales.
Associated Minerals at type locality:
KerniteBorax

Physical Properties of Tincalconite

Lustre:Vitreous, Dull
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent, Translucent
Colour:White, colourless (artificial material); colourless in transmitted light.
Hardness (Mohs):2
Fracture:Hackly
Density (measured):1.88 g/cm3
Density (calculated):1.894 g/cm3

Crystallography of Tincalconite

Crystal System:Trigonal
Class (H-M):3 2 - Trapezohedral
Space Group:R3 2
Cell Parameters:a = 11.097(2) Å, c = 21.114(4) Å
Ratio:a:c = 1 : 1.903
Unit Cell Volume:V 2,251.71 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:9
Morphology:Fine-grained powder. Artificial crystals pseudo-cubic with equal development of the commonest forms "r" and "c," yielding an octahedron-like habit.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
Image Loading

Radiation - Copper Kα
Data Set:
Horizontal Axis: ° to ° Vertical Axis: % Source Data: Filtered Data:
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.

Optical Data of Tincalconite

Type:Uniaxial (+)
RI values: nω = 1.461 nε = 1.474
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.013

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

Chemical Properties of Tincalconite

Formula:
Na
 
2
(B
 
4
O
 
7
) · 5H
 
2
O
Essential elements:B, H, Na, O
All elements listed in formula:B, H, Na, O

Relationship of Tincalconite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
6.DA.10Borax
Na
 
2
(B
 
4
O
 
5
)(OH)
 
4
 · 8H
 
2
O
6.DA.20Hungchaoite
Mg(B
 
4
O
 
7
) · 9H
 
2
O
6.DA.25Fedorovskite
Ca
 
2
(Mg,Mn
2+
 
)
 
2
(B
 
4
O
 
7
)(OH)
 
6
6.DA.25Roweite
Ca
 
2
Mn
2+
2
(B
 
4
O
 
7
)(OH)
 
6
6.DA.30Hydrochlorborite
Ca
 
4
B
 
8
O
 
15
Cl
 
2
 · 21H
 
2
O
6.DA.35Uralborite
Ca
 
2
[B
 
3
O
 
3
(OH)
 
5
 · OB(OH)
 
3
]
6.DA.40Borcarite
Ca
 
4
Mg(B
 
4
O
 
6
(OH)
 
6
)(CO
 
3
)
 
2
6.DA.40Numanoite
Ca
 
4
Cu(B
 
4
O
 
6
(OH)
 
6
)(CO
 
3
)
 
2
6.DA.60Fontarnauite
(Na,K)
 
2
(Sr,Ca)B
 
4
SH
 
8
O
 
15
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
9.1.1Sassolite
H
 
3
BO
 
3
9.1.2Metaborite
HBO
 
2
9.1.3Diomignite
Li
 
2
[B
 
4
O
 
7
]
9.1.4Biringuccite
Na
 
2
B
 
5
O
 
8
(OH) · H
 
2
O
9.1.5Nasinite
Na
 
4
B
 
10
O
 
17
 · 5H
 
2
O
9.1.6Kernite
Na
 
2
[B
 
4
O
 
6
(OH)
 
2
] · 3H
 
2
O
9.1.7Ezcurrite
Na
 
4
B
 
10
O
 
17
 · 7H
 
2
O
9.1.9Borax
Na
 
2
(B
 
4
O
 
5
)(OH)
 
4
 · 8H
 
2
O
9.1.10Ameghinite
Na(H
 
4
B
 
3
O
 
7
)
9.1.11Sborgite
Na[B
 
5
O
 
6
(OH)
 
4
] · 3H
 
2
O
9.1.12Aristarainite
Na
 
2
MgB
 
12
O
 
20
 · 8H
 
2
O
9.1.13Santite
K[B
 
5
O
 
6
(OH)
 
4
] · 2H
 
2
O
9.1.14Larderellite
(NH
 
4
)B
 
5
O
 
6
(OH)
 
4
9.1.15Ammonioborite
(NH
 
4
)
 
2
[B
 
5
O
 
6
(OH)
 
4
]
 
2
 · H
 
2
O
9.1.16Rhodizite
(K,Cs)Al
 
4
Be
 
4
(B,Be)
 
12
O
 
28

Other Names for Tincalconite

Synonyms:
MohaviteOctahedral Borax
Other Languages:
German:Juwelierborax
Tincalconit
Russian:Тинкалконит
Spanish:Tincalconita

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 Tincalconite

Reference List:

- +
Payen (1827) Journal chim. méd.: 3: 594 (as Octahedral borax).

Arzruni (1876) Annalen der Physik, Halle, Leipzig: 158: 250.

Shepard (1878) Bulletin de la Société française de Minéralogie: 1: 144.

Schaller (1930) USGS Professional Paper 158: 137.

Schaller (1934) Mineralogical Magazine: 23: 634 (as Mohavite).

Minder (1935) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 92: 301.

Pabst and Sawyer (1948) American Mineralogist: 33: 472.

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: 337-339.

American Minealogist (1973): 58: 523.

Acta Crystallographica: C47: 2279-2282.

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

Anthony, J.W., Bideaux, R.A., Bladh, K.W., and Nichols, M.C. (2003) Handbook of Mineralogy, Volume V. Borates, Carbonates, Sulfates. Mineral Data Publishing, Tucson, AZ, 813 pp.: 707.

Best Localities for Tincalconite

Best of Species:Tincalconite

Internet Links for Tincalconite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
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    • Specimens:The following Tincalconite specimens are currently listed for sale on minfind.com.
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    • Localities for Tincalconite

    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.
    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.
    Argentina
     
    • Salta
      • Salar Del Hombre Muerto
    		Bull. Soc. Franç. Minéralo. Cristallo. , 1974, 97, p. 497.; Am Min 58:308-313
    China
     
    • Gansu Province
      • Jiuquan Prefecture
        • Yumen Co.
    		Anthony, J.W. et al.: Handbook of Mineralogy
    • Qinghai Province
      • Haixi Autonomous Prefecture
        • Da Qaidam (Dachaidan) Co.
    		Dapeng Sun, Zhanghong Gao, and Kejun Wang (1984): Acta Sedimentologica Sinica 2(4)
    • Tibet Autonomous Region
      • Nagchu (Naqu) Prefecture
        • Xainza (Shenzha) Co.
    		http://www.mineralmundi.com/dujiali-lake-10055350.htm
      • Ngari Prefecture
        • Gê'gyai (Geji) Co.
    		http://www.mineralmundi.com/chalaka-10055348.htm
    Italy
     
    • Tuscany
      • Pisa Province
        • Pomarance
    		Quagliarella Asciano F., Vurro F. (1973) - Tincalconite di Larderello - Per. Min. Roma, 42, 3, pp. 583-589
    Turkey
     
    • Central Anatolia Region
      • Eskişehir Province
    		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
    Ukraine
     
    • Crimea Oblast'
    		World of Stones v.9
        • Kerch peninsula (Kertch peninsula)
          • Bondarenkovo Village area
    		Deyak M.A. Modern water-chemogenic formations of mud volcanoes of Kerch Peninsula. Dissertation to Scientific Candidate Degree in Geological Sciences in speciality 04.00.21 – lithology. –Department of marine geology and sedimentary ore formation of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. – Kyiv, 2010.
          • Novoselovka Village area
    		Deyak M.A. Modern water-chemogenic formations of mud volcanoes of Kerch Peninsula. Dissertation to Scientific Candidate Degree in Geological Sciences in speciality 04.00.21 – lithology. –Department of marine geology and sedimentary ore formation of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. – Kyiv, 2010.
          • Vulcanovka Village area
    		Deyak M.A. Modern water-chemogenic formations of mud volcanoes of Kerch Peninsula. Dissertation to Scientific Candidate Degree in Geological Sciences in speciality 04.00.21 – lithology. –Department of marine geology and sedimentary ore formation of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. – Kyiv, 2010.
    USA
     
    • California
      • Inyo Co.
        • Death Valley National Park
    		USGS
    Econ Geol (1996) 91:622-635
    McAllister, James Franklin (1970) Geology of the Furnace Creek borate area, Death Valley, Inyo County, California. California Division of Mines and Geology Map Sheet 14, 9 pp.: 9; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 238.
      • Kern Co.
        • Kramer District
    		[www.johnbetts-fineminerals.com]
    U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
              • Baker Mine
    		Am Min (1958) 43:169-170
    V. King
    No reference listed
    Have collected them in the mine-Rock Currier
      • Lake Co.
        • Sulphur Creek District (Sulfur Creek District; Wilbur Springs District)
          • Clear Lake Oaks
      • Los Angeles Co.
        • Lang
          • Tick Canyon
            • Tick Canyon Borate deposit
    		Masimer, G.E. (1966) Tick Canyon revisited. Gems and Minerals: 347: 20-23; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 261; www.mineralsocal.org.
      • San Bernardino Co.
    		Pabst, Adolf & Dwight L. Sawyer, Jr. (1948), Tincalconite crystals from Searles Lake, San Bernardino County, California: American Mineralogist: 33: 472; Bowser, C.J. (1964), The origin of tincalconite at Searles Lake, California: (title) American Mineralogist: 49: 1507; Smith, George Irving & D.V. Haines (1964), Character and distribution of nonclastic minerals in the Searles Lake evaporite deposit, California: USGS Bulletin 1181-P: 21; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 261; American Mineralogist (1965): 50: 281; American Mineralogist (1973): 58: 523.
    • Nevada
      • Esmeralda Co.
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
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