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Barentsite

Big Photo

Restin'yun Mt, Khibiny Massif, Kola Peninsula, Murmanskaja Oblast', Northern Region, Russia
© 2008, JGW

Formula:
Na
 
7
AlH
 
2
(CO
 
3
)
 
4
F
 
4
System:TriclinicColour:Colourless
Lustre:Vitreous, Pearly, DullHardness:3
Name:
Named after Willem Barents (1550–1597), the famous Dutch seafarer, for whom the Barents Sea, northeast of the Kola Peninsula, was named.


Alters surficially to a white powder in air. Slowly decomposed by water.

Classification of Barentsite

IMA status:Approved
Strunz 8th edition ID:5/C.02-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:5.BB.05

5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
B : Carbonates with additional anions, without H2O
B : With alkalies, etc.
Dana 8th edition ID:13.1.8.1

13 : ACID CARBONATES
1 : Miscellaneous
Hey's CIM Ref.:12.1.2

12 : Carbonates with other anions
1 : Carbonates with halides
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Type Occurrence of Barentsite

Type Locality:Restin'yun Mt, Khibiny Massif, Kola Peninsula, Murmanskaja Oblast', Northern Region, Russia
Place of Conservation of Type Material:Fernsman museum 82753
Year of Discovery:1983

Occurrences of Barentsite

Geological Setting:Hydrothermal veinlets in alkalic pegmatites.

Physical Properties of Barentsite

Lustre:Vitreous, Pearly, Dull
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Comment:Pearly on cleavages, dull if weathered
Colour:Colourless
Hardness (Mohs):3
Hardness (Vickers):VHN100=86 - 172
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Perfect
on {001}{110}
Density (measured):2.56 g/cm3
Density (calculated):2.55 g/cm3

Crystallography of Barentsite

Crystal System:Triclinic
Cell Parameters:a = 6.472Å, b = 6.735Å, c = 8.806Å
α = 92.5°, β = 97.33°, γ = 119.32°
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.961 : 1 : 1.307
Unit Cell Volume:V 329.43 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:1
Morphology:Granular to 5mm.

Optical Data of Barentsite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.358 nβ = 1.479 nγ = 1.530
2V:Measured: 62° , Calculated: 60°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.172

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

Chemical Properties of Barentsite

Formula:
Na
 
7
AlH
 
2
(CO
 
3
)
 
4
F
 
4
Essential elements:Al, C, F, H, Na, O
All elements listed in formula:Al, C, F, H, Na, O

Relationship of Barentsite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
5.BB.10Dawsonite
NaAlCO
 
3
(OH)
 
2
5.BB.15Tunisite
NaCa
 
2
Al
 
4
(CO
 
3
)
 
4
(OH)
 
8
Cl
5.BB.20Sabinaite
Na
 
4
Zr
 
2
TiO
 
4
(CO
 
3
)
 
4
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
12.1.1Northupite
Na
 
3
Mg(CO
 
3
)
 
2
Cl
12.1.3Rouvilleite
Na
 
3
(Ca,Mn,Fe)
 
2
(CO
 
3
)
 
3
F
12.1.4Chlormagaluminite
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)
 
4
Al
 
2
[(OH)
 
12
|(Cl
 
2
,CO
 
3
)] · 2H
 
2
O
12.1.5Defernite
Ca
 
6
(CO
 
3
)
 
2-x
(SiO
 
4
)
 
x
(OH)
 
7
(Cl,OH)
 
1-2x
 (x=0.5)
12.1.6Brenkite
Ca
 
2
[F
 
2
|CO
 
3
]
12.1.7Stenonite
(Sr,Ba,Na)
 
2
AlCO
 
3
F
 
5
12.1.8Bastnäsite-(Ce)
(Ce,La)[F|CO
 
3
]
12.1.9Bastnäsite-(La)
(La,Ce)[F|CO
 
3
]
12.1.10Bastnäsite-(Y)
(Y,Ce)[F|CO
 
3
]
12.1.11Parisite-(Ce)
Ca(Ce,La)
 
2
[F
 
2
|(CO
 
3
)
 
3
]
12.1.12Parisite-(Nd)
Ca(Nd,Ce,La)
 
2
[F
 
2
|(CO
 
3
)
 
3
]
12.1.13Synchysite-(Ce)
Ca(Ce,La)[F|(CO
 
3
)
 
2
]
12.1.14Synchysite-(Y)
Ca(Y,Ce)[F|(CO
 
3
)
 
2
]
12.1.15Synchysite-(Nd)
Ca(Nd,Y,Gd)[F|(CO
 
3
)
 
2
]
12.1.16Röntgenite-(Ce)
Ca
 
2
(Ce,La)
 
3
[F
 
3
|(CO
 
3
)
 
5
]
12.1.17Cordylite-(Ce)
(Na,Ca)BaCe
 
2
(CO
 
3
)
 
4
F
12.1.19Huanghoite-(Ce)
BaCe[F|(CO
 
3
)
 
2
]
12.1.20Zhonghuacerite-(Ce)
Ba
 
2
Ce[F|(CO
 
3
)
 
3
]
12.1.21Cebaite-(Ce)
Ba
 
3
Ce
 
2
[F
 
2
|(CO
 
3
)
 
5
]
12.1.22Thorbastnäsite
Th(Ca,Ce)(CO
 
3
)
 
2
F
 
2
·3H
 
2
O
12.1.23Phosgenite
Pb
 
2
[Cl
 
2
|CO
 
3
]
12.1.24Barstowite
Pb
 
4
[Cl
 
6
|CO
 
3
] · H
 
2
O
12.1.25Albrechtschraufite
Ca
 
4
Mg(UO
 
2
)
 
2
[F
 
2
|(CO
 
3
)
 
6
] · 17 H
 
2
O
12.1.26Kettnerite
(BiO)Ca[F|CO
 
3
]

Other Names for Barentsite

Synonyms:
IMA1982-101
Other Languages:
German:Barentsit
Russian:Баренцит
Spanish:Barentsita

Other Information

Special Storage/
Display Requirements:		Alters to a white powder in air, slowly decomposed by 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 Barentsite

Reference List:American Mineralogist: 69: 565.

Doklady Akademii Nauk SSSR: 273: 699-704.

Internet Links for Barentsite

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    Localities for Barentsite

    (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.
    Russia
     
    • Northern Region
      • Murmanskaja Oblast'
        • Kola Peninsula
          • Khibiny Massif
    		Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
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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: 12th Nov 2009 15:50:58