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

Tinzenite

Big Photo

Molinello Mine, Graveglia Valley, Ne, Genova Province, Liguria, Italy
© Rob Lavinsky

Show Tinzenite Photos (32)
Formula:
(Ca,Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
)
 
3
Al
 
2
[OH|BSi
 
4
O
 
15
]
System:TriclinicColour:Lemon-yellow, orange, red
Lustre:VitreousHardness:6½ - 7
Name:Named after its discovery locality, Alpe Parsettens, near Tinzen, Grisons, Switzerland.


Axinite Group. Manganaxinite-Tinzenite Series.

Classification of Tinzenite

IMA status:Approved
Strunz 8th edition ID:8/E.06-40
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:9.BD.20

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
B : Sorosilicates
D : Si2O7 groups, with additional anions; cations in tetrahedral [4] and greater coordination
Dana 8th edition ID:56.2.2.4

56 : SOROSILICATES Si2O7 Groups, With Additional O, OH, F and H2O
2 : Si2O7 Groups and O, OH, F, and H2O with cations in [4] and/or >[4] coordination
Hey's CIM Ref.:17.5.42

17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
5 : Borosilicates
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-3972.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Type Occurrence of Tinzenite

Type Locality:Parsettens Alp, Tinizong (Tinzen), Oberhalbstein (Surses; Sursass), Albula Valley, Grischun (Grisons; Graubünden), Switzerland
Year of Discovery:1923

Physical Properties of Tinzenite

Lustre:Vitreous
Colour:Lemon-yellow, orange, red
Hardness (Mohs):6½ - 7

Crystallography of Tinzenite

Crystal System:Triclinic
Cell Parameters:a = 8.98Å, b = 9.17Å, c = 7.14Å
α = 102.9°, β = 98.1°, γ = 88°
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.979 : 1 : 0.779
Unit Cell Volume:V 567.39 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Optical Data of Tinzenite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.693 nβ = 1.701 nγ = 1.704
2V:Measured: 62° , Calculated: 62°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.011

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

Chemical Properties of Tinzenite

Formula:
(Ca,Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
)
 
3
Al
 
2
[OH|BSi
 
4
O
 
15
]
Essential elements:Al, B, Ca, H, O, Si
All elements listed in formula:Al, B, Ca, Fe, H, Mn, O, Si
Common Impurities:Ti,Mg,Ba,Na,K,H2O

Relationship of Tinzenite to other Species

Series:Forms a series with Axinite-(Mn) (see here)
Related to:
  • Axinite Group
    • Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):
    9.BD.05Bertrandite
    Be
     
    4
    		[(OH)
     
    2
    		|Si
     
    2
    		O
     
    7
    		]
    9.BD.10Hemimorphite
    Zn
     
    4
    		[(OH)
     
    2
    		|Si
     
    2
    		O
     
    7
    		] · H
     
    2
    		O
    9.BD.15Junitoite
    CaZn
     
    2
    		[Si
     
    2
    		O
     
    7
    		] · H
     
    2
    		O
    9.BD.20Axinite-(Fe)
    Ca
     
    2
    		Fe
    2+
     
    		Al
     
    2
    		[OH|BSi
     
    4
    		O
     
    15
    		]
    9.BD.20Axinite-(Mg)
    Ca
     
    2
    		MgAl
     
    2
    		[OH|BSi
     
    4
    		O
     
    15
    		]
    9.BD.20Axinite-(Mn)
    Ca
     
    2
    		Mn
    2+
     
    		Al
     
    2
    		[OH|BSi
     
    4
    		O
     
    15
    		]
    9.BD.25Vistepite
    SnMn
     
    4
    		B
     
    2
    		Si
     
    4
    		O
     
    16
    		(OH)
     
    2
    9.BD.30Boralsilite
    Al
     
    16
    		B
     
    6
    		Si
     
    2
    		O
     
    27
    9.BD.35Werdingite
    (Mg,Fe)
     
    2
    		Al
     
    14
    		Si
     
    4
    		B
     
    4
    		O
     
    37
    Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:
    17.5.1Manandonite
    LiAl
     
    4
    		Si
     
    3
    		BO
     
    10
    		(OH)
     
    6
    17.5.2Reedmergnerite
    Na[BSi
     
    3
    		O
     
    8
    		]
    17.5.3Searlesite
    NaBSi
     
    2
    		O
     
    5
    		(OH)
     
    2
    17.5.4Olenite
    ([ ],Na)[(Al,Li)
     
    3
    		][Al
     
    6
    		][(O,OH)
     
    3
    		|OH|(BO
     
    3
    		)
     
    3
    		|Si
     
    6
    		O
     
    18
    		]
    17.5.5Elbaite
    [Na][(Li,Al)
     
    3
    		][Al
     
    6
    		][(OH)
     
    3
    		|OH|(BO
     
    3
    		)
     
    3
    		|Si
     
    6
    		O
     
    18
    		]
    17.5.6Kalborsite
    K
     
    6
    		[Cl|B(OH)
     
    4
    		|Al
     
    4
    		Si
     
    6
    		O
     
    20
    		]
    17.5.7Boromuscovite
    KAl
     
    2
    		[(OH)
     
    2
    		|BSi
     
    3
    		O
     
    10
    		]
    17.5.8Poudretteite
    KNa
     
    2
    		B
     
    3
    		Si
     
    12
    		O
     
    30
    17.5.9Liddicoatite
    [Ca][Li
     
    2
    		Al][Al
     
    6
    		][(OH)
     
    3
    		|F|(BO
     
    3
    		)
     
    3
    		|Si
     
    6
    		O
     
    18
    		]
    17.5.10Datolite
    CaB[OH|SiO
     
    4
    		]
    17.5.11Danburite
    Ca[BSiO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    17.5.12Howlite
    Ca
     
    2
    		B
     
    5
    		SiO
     
    9
    		(OH)
     
    5
    17.5.13Bakerite
    Ca
     
    4
    		B
     
    4
    		[(OH)
     
    4
    		|HBO
     
    4
    		|(SiO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		]
    17.5.14Oyelite
    Ca
     
    10
    		Si
     
    8
    		B
     
    2
    		O
     
    29
    		·12.5H
     
    2
    		O
    17.5.15Kornerupine
    Mg
     
    3
    		Al
     
    6
    		(Si,Al,B)
     
    5
    		O
     
    21
    		(OH)
    17.5.16Harkerite
    Ca
     
    24
    		Mg
     
    8
    		Al
     
    2
    		Si
     
    8
    		(O,OH)
     
    32
    		(BO
     
    3
    		)
     
    8
    		(CO
     
    3
    		)
     
    8
    		(H
     
    2
    		O,Cl)
    17.5.17Serendibite
    (Ca,Na)
     
    2
    		(Mg,Fe
    2+
     
    		)
     
    3
    		(Al,Fe
    3+
     
    		)
     
    3
    		[O
     
    2
    		|(Si,Al,B)
     
    6
    		O
     
    18
    		]
    17.5.18Stillwellite-(Ce)
    (Ce,La,Ca)BSiO
     
    5
    17.5.19Tadzhikite-(Ce)
    (Ca,Ce)
     
    4
    		(Ca,Y)
     
    2
    		(Ti
    4+
     
    		,Fe
    3+
     
    		,Al)[B
     
    4
    		Si
     
    4
    		O
     
    22
    		(O,OH)
     
    6
    		](OH)
     
    2
    17.5.20Melanocerite-(Ce)
    (Ce,Ca)
     
    5
    		(Si,B)
     
    3
    		O
     
    12
    		(OH,F)·nH
     
    2
    		O
    17.5.21Okanoganite-(Y)
    (Na,Ca)
     
    3
    		(Y,Ce)
     
    12
    		Si
     
    6
    		B
     
    2
    		O
     
    27
    		F
     
    14
    17.5.22Tritomite-(Ce)
    (Ce,La,Y,Th)
     
    5
    		(Si,B)
     
    3
    		(O,OH,F)
     
    13
    17.5.23Tritomite-(Y)
    (Y,Ca,La,Fe)
     
    5
    		(Si,B,Al)
     
    3
    		(O,OH,F)
     
    13
    17.5.24Cappelenite-(Y)
    Ba(Y,Ce)
     
    6
    		Si
     
    3
    		B
     
    6
    		O
     
    24
    		F
     
    2
    17.5.25Dumortierite
    (Al,Fe
    3+
     
    		)
     
    7
    		[O
     
    3
    		|BO
     
    3
    		|(SiO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		]
    17.5.26Holtite
    (Ta,Sb)Al
     
    6
    		[O
     
    3
    		|BO
     
    3
    		|(SiO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		]
    17.5.27Dravite
    [Na][Mg
     
    3
    		][Al
     
    6
    		][(OH)
     
    3
    		|OH|(BO
     
    3
    		)
     
    3
    		|Si
     
    6
    		O
     
    18
    		]
    17.5.28 Ferridravite
    17.5.29Axinite-(Mg)
    Ca
     
    2
    		MgAl
     
    2
    		[OH|BSi
     
    4
    		O
     
    15
    		]
    17.5.30Uvite
    [Ca][(Mg,Fe
    2+
     
    		)
     
    3
    		][MgAl
     
    5
    		][(OH)
     
    3
    		|OH|(BO
     
    3
    		)
     
    3
    		|Si
     
    6
    		O
     
    18
    		]
    17.5.31Garrelsite
    Ba
     
    3
    		NaSi
     
    2
    		B
     
    7
    		O
     
    16
    		(OH)
     
    4
    17.5.32Tienshanite
    Na
     
    2
    		BaMnTiB
     
    2
    		Si
     
    6
    		O
     
    20
    17.5.33Leucosphenite
    BaNa
     
    4
    		Ti
     
    2
    		B
     
    2
    		Si
     
    10
    		O
     
    30
    17.5.34Taramellite
    Ba
     
    4
    		(Fe
    3+
     
    		,Ti,Fe
    2+
     
    		,Mg)
     
    4
    		(B
     
    2
    		Si
     
    8
    		O
     
    27
    		)O
     
    2
    		Cl
     
    x
    17.5.35Titantaramellite
    Ba
     
    4
    		(Ti,Fe
    3+
     
    		,Fe
    2+
     
    		,Mg)
     
    4
    		(B
     
    2
    		Si
     
    8
    		O
     
    27
    		)O
     
    2
    		Cl
     
    x
    17.5.36Nagashimalite
    Ba
     
    4
    		(V,Ti)
     
    4
    		B
     
    2
    		Si
     
    8
    		O
     
    27
    		(O,OH)
     
    2
    		Cl
    17.5.37Chromdravite
    [Na][Mg
     
    3
    		][(Cr
    3+
     
    		,Fe
    3+
     
    		)
     
    6
    		][(OH)
     
    3
    		|OH|(BO
     
    3
    		)
     
    3
    		|Si
     
    6
    		O
     
    18
    		]
    17.5.38Wawayandaite
    Ca
     
    6
    		Mn
     
    2
    		BBe
     
    9
    		Si
     
    6
    		O
     
    23
    		(OH,Cl)
     
    15
    17.5.39Werdingite
    (Mg,Fe)
     
    2
    		Al
     
    14
    		Si
     
    4
    		B
     
    4
    		O
     
    37
    17.5.40Axinite-(Mn)
    Ca
     
    2
    		Mn
    2+
     
    		Al
     
    2
    		[OH|BSi
     
    4
    		O
     
    15
    		]
    17.5.41Axinite
    (Ca,Fe,Mn)Al
     
    2
    		BSi
     
    4
    		O
     
    15
    		OH
    17.5.44Schorl
    [Na][Fe
    2+
    3
    		][Al
     
    6
    		][(OH)
     
    3
    		|OH|(BO
     
    3
    		)
     
    3
    		|Si
     
    6
    		O
     
    18
    		]
    17.5.45Buergerite
    [Na][Fe
    3+
    3
    		][Al
     
    6
    		][O
     
    3
    		|F|(BO
     
    3
    		)
     
    3
    		|Si
     
    6
    		O
     
    18
    		]
    17.5.46Feruvite
    [Ca][(Fe
    2+
     
    		 ,Mg)
     
    3
    		][MgAl
     
    5
    		][(OH)
     
    3
    		|OH|(BO
     
    3
    		)
     
    3
    		|Si
     
    6
    		O
     
    18
    		]
    17.5.47Axinite-(Fe)
    Ca
     
    2
    		Fe
    2+
     
    		Al
     
    2
    		[OH|BSi
     
    4
    		O
     
    15
    		]
    17.5.48Homilite
    Ca
     
    2
    		(Fe
    2+
     
    		,Mg)B
     
    2
    		[O|SiO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    17.5.49Grandidierite
    (Mg,Fe
    2+
     
    		)(Al,Fe
    3+
     
    		)
     
    3
    		[O
     
    2
    		|BO
     
    3
    		|SiO
     
    4
    		]
    17.5.50Hyalotekite
    (Ba,Pb,Ca,K)
     
    6
    		(B,Si,Al)
     
    2
    		(Si,Be)
     
    10
    		O
     
    28
    		(F,Cl)
    17.5.51Hellandite-(Y)
    (Ca,Y)
     
    6
    		(Al,Fe
    3+
     
    		)Si
     
    4
    		B
     
    4
    		O
     
    20
    		(OH)
     
    4

    Other Names for Tinzenite

    Esperanto names:
    Tinzenito
    German names:
    Tinzenit
    Japanese names:
    ティンツェン斧石
    Russian names:
    Тинценит
    Spanish names:
    Tinzenita

    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 Tinzenite

    Reference List:Schweizerische mineralogische und petrographische Mitteilungen (1923), 3, 234.

    American Mineralogist (1928): 13: 202.

    American Mineralogist (1968): 53: 1407-1411.

    Philosophical Magazine: 42: 369-379.

    Basso R., Della Giusta A., Vlaic G. (1973), La struttura della Tinzenite. Periodico di mineralogia – Roma, pp. 369- 379.

    American Mineralogist (1979): 64: 635-645.

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

    Internet Links for Tinzenite

    Search Engines:
  • Look for Tinzenite on Google
  • Look for Tinzenite images on Google
    • External Links:
  • Look for Tinzenite on Webmineral
  • Look for Tinzenite on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Tinzenite on Wikipedia
  • Look for Tinzenite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Tinzenite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Tinzenite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
    • Mineral Dealers:
  • Buy from David K Joyce minerals
  • High-end worldwide specimens & outstanding customer service
  • Search for Tinzenite on minvision.com
  • Fabre Minerals - search for Tinzenite specimens
  • Wilensky Fine Minerals
  • Search for Tinzenite at Thames Valley Minerals
  • Top quality minerals from Kristalle of California
  • Lapis Mineral Magazin
  • e-Rocks - Mineral Auctions and Sales
  • Wright's Rock Shop - excellent mineral specimens since 1970
  • Find Tinzenite on www.crystalclassics.co.uk
  • rare and unusual minerals mainly crystallized
    • Jobs:
  • Mining & Geology Jobs

    • Localities for Tinzenite

    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.
    These maps work faster with Firefox!
    (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.
    Czech Republic
     
    • Moravia (Mähren; Maehren)
      • Vysočina Region
        • Třebíč
    		Škoda, R., Novák, M., Houzar, S.: Granitické NYF pegmatity třebíčského plutonu. Acta Musei Moraviae, Scientiae geologicae, 2006, roč. 91, s. 129 - 176.
    France
     
    • Midi-Pyrénées
      • Hautes-Pyrénées
    		 Le Règne Minéral 47: 5-21
          • Nabias
    		European J. Mineralogy, 11/5, 879-890
          • Vielle Aure
    		DE ASCENCAO GUEDES R., TIXADOR Y., CASTERET A. & GOUJOU JC. (2002) La mine de Coustou, Vielle-Aure, Hautes-Pyrénées. Le Règne Minéral, 47, 23-31. (in french)
    Italy
     
    • Liguria
      • Genova Province
        • Ne
          • Graveglia Valley
    		Redazionale (2005): Sistematica ligure: resoconto 2005. Notiziario di Mineralogia del Ferrania Club, 19 , 3-5.
    No reference listed
    [MinRec 32:356]
            • Reppia
    		[MinRec 32:354]
    • Tuscany
      • Lucca Province
        • Apuan Alps
    		Biagioni C., 2004. Le mineralizzazioni manganesifere dei Diaspri Auctt. di Vagli (Alpi Apuane, Lucca). Tesina di Laurea inedita, Università di Pisa
    Biagioni C., 2004. Le mineralizzazioni manganesifere dei Diaspri Auctt. di Vagli (Alpi Apuane, Lucca). Tesina di Laurea inedita, Università di Pisa.
    Japan
     
    • Honshu Island
      • Kanto Region
        • Tokyo Prefecture
          • Nishi-Tama-gun
            • Okutama
    		Dr. Kameki Kinoshita collection (curated at Geological Survey of Japan)
    • Shikoku Island
      • Kochi Prefecture
        • Outoyo (Ohtoyo)
    		Masutomi Museum specimen, Kyoto
    New Zealand
     
    • South Island
      • Otago
        • Dunedin
    		www.minsocam.org/msa/Handbook/Tinzenite.PDF.
    Norway
     
    • Sør-Trøndelag
      • Oppdal
    		Mineral was "analysed" for a fee in an East European country. But when re-analysed in Norway it turned out to be titanite.
    Switzerland
     
    • Grischun (Grisons; Graubünden)
      • Albula Valley
        • Oberhalbstein (Surses; Sursass)
          • Tinizong (Tinzen)
    		[MinRec 32:211]; Belokoneva E. L., Goryuonova A. N., Pletnev P. A., Spiridonov E. M., 2001. Crystal structure of High-Manganese Tinzenite from the Falotta Deposit in Switzerland. Crystall. Rep., 46: 30-32.
    [AmMin 64:635]
    USA
     
    • Arizona
      • Cochise Co.
        • Huachuca Mountains
    		David Garske
    Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 396.
    • Nevada
      • Mineral Co.
    		NBMG Spec Pub 31 Minerals of Nevada
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
    www.mindat.org Web
    Copyright © Jolyon & Ida Ralph 1993-2008. 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. Mineral Specimens available here.