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

Bismutomicrolite

Big Photo

Malkhan pegmatite field (Malchan), Krasnyi Chikoy, Chitinskaya Oblast', Transbaikalia (Zabaykalye), Eastern-Siberian Region, Russia
© Thomas Witzke

Show Bismutomicrolite Photos (2)
Formula:
(Bi,Ca)(Ta,Nb)
 
2
O
 
6
(OH)
System:IsometricColour:Yellow, pink, brown; ...
Hardness:5
Name:Assigned by the IMA Committee on pyrochlore nomenclature for the predominant bismuth content and relation to microlite in the pyrochlore group.


Pyrochlore Group. Microlite Subgroup. The bismuth analogue of the other members of the Microlite Subgroup.

Classification of Bismutomicrolite

IMA status:Approved
Strunz 8th edition ID:4/C.18-70
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:4.DH.15

4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
D : Metal: Oxygen = 1:2 and similar
H : With large (+- medium-sized) cations; sheets of edge-sharing octahedra
Dana 8th edition ID:8.2.2.5

8 : MULTIPLE OXIDES CONTAINING NIOBIUM,TANTALUM OR TITANIUM
2 : A2B2O6(O,OH,F)
Hey's CIM Ref.:18.1.35

18 : Niobates and Tantalates
1 : Niobates and tantalates containing neither rare earths nor U
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-665.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Type Occurrence of Bismutomicrolite

Type Locality:Wampewo Hill, Busiiro Co. (Bushiro Co.), Wakiso District, Uganda
Year of Discovery:1977
Geological Setting of type material:Late hydrothermal replacement of bismutotantalite in a lithium-bearing pegmatite
Associated Minerals at type locality:
WaylanditeBismutotantalite

Occurrences of Bismutomicrolite

Geological Setting:In pegmatites

Physical Properties of Bismutomicrolite

Lustre:Resinous, Dull
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Translucent
Colour:Yellow, pink, brown; dark grey to black
Hardness (Mohs):5
Tenacity:Brittle
Fracture:Irregular/Uneven
Density (measured):6.5 g/cm3
Density (calculated):6.9 g/cm3

Crystallography of Bismutomicrolite

Crystal System:Isometric
Class (H-M):m3m (4/m 3 2/m) - Hexoctahedral
Space Group:Fd3m {F41/d 3 2/m}
Cell Parameters:a = 10.46Å
Unit Cell Volume:V 1,144.45 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:8
Morphology:Rarely octahedral crystals; commonly massive, in veinlets.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
d-spacingIntensity
2.997 (vvs)
1.838 (vs)
1.568 (vs)
3.136 (s)
5.94 (ms)
2.595 (ms)
Comments:Recorded on material from the Tromba pegmatite, Brazil

Optical Data of Bismutomicrolite

Type:Isotropic
RI values: n = 2
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.000 - Isotropic minerals have no birefringence
Surface Relief:Very High

Chemical Properties of Bismutomicrolite

Formula:
(Bi,Ca)(Ta,Nb)
 
2
O
 
6
(OH)
Essential elements:Bi, H, O, Ta
All elements listed in formula:Bi, Ca, H, Nb, O, Ta
Analytical Data:Analyses of material from the type locality (1), and from the Tromba pegmatite, Brazil (2).
Empirical formula calculated from the values given in column (2), after deduction of Fe2O3.
             (1)       (2)

Nb2O5       (5.65)    (6.65)
Ta2O5      (45.49)   (63.10)
SiO2        (0.36)
Al2O3       (0.80)
Fe2O3                 (0.08)
Bi2O3      (40.40)   (25.09)
FeO + MnO   (0.22)
CaO         (1.46)    (3.35)
SrO         (0.92)
Na2O        (0.08)
K2O         (0.09)
Li2O        (0.25)
H2O+        (4.16)    (1.50)
H2O-        (0.04)

sum         99.92     99.77 wt.-%
Empirical Formula:
(Bi
 
0.64
Ca
 
0.36
)
 
=1.00
(Ta
 
1.69
Nb
 
0.31
)
 
=2.00
O
 
6
(OH)
Common Impurities:Al,Fe,K,Li,Mn,Na,Si,Sr

Relationship of Bismutomicrolite to other Species

Member of Group:
Microlite Subgroup:
Pyrochlore Group:
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
4.DH.05Brannerite
(U
4+
 
,Ca)(Ti,Fe
3+
 
)
 
2
O
 
6
4.DH.05Orthobrannerite
U
4+
 
U
6+
 
Ti
 
4
O
 
12
(OH)
 
2
4.DH.05Thorutite
(Th,U,Ca)Ti
 
2
(O,OH)
 
6
4.DH.10Kassite
CaTi
 
2
O
 
4
(OH)
 
2
4.DH.10Lucasite-(Ce)
CeTi
 
2
(O,OH)
 
6
4.DH.15Alumotungstite
(W,Al)(O,OH)
 
3
4.DH.15Bariomicrolite
Ba(Ta,Nb)
 
2
(O,OH)
 
7
4.DH.15Bariopyrochlore
(Ba,Sr)
 
2-x
(Nb,Ti)
 
2
(O,OH)
 
7
4.DH.15Betafite
(Ca,U)
 
2
(Ti,Nb)
 
2
O
 
6
(OH)
4.DH.15Calciobetafite
(Ca,RE,Th,U)
 
2
(Nb,Ta,Ti)
 
2
O
 
7
4.DH.15Ceriopyrochlore-(Ce)
(Ce,Ca,Y)
 
2
(Nb,Ta)
 
2
O
 
6
(OH,F)
4.DH.15Cesstibtantite
(Cs,Na)SbTa
 
4
O
 
12
4.DH.15Ferritungstite
(W,Fe
3+
 
)(O,OH)
 
3
4.DH.15Jixianite
Pb(W,Fe
3+
 
)
 
2
(O,OH)
 
7
4.DH.15Kalipyrochlore
(K,Sr)
 
2-x
Nb
 
2
O
 
6
(O,OH)·nH
 
2
O
4.DH.15Microlite
(Ca,Na)
 
2
Ta
 
2
O
 
6
(O,OH,F)
4.DH.15Natrobistantite
(Na,Cs)Bi(Ta,Nb,Sb)
 
4
O
 
12
4.DH.15Plumbopyrochlore
(Pb,Ca,Y,U)
 
2-x
(Nb,Ta,Ti)
 
2
O
 
6
(OH,O)
4.DH.15Plumbomicrolite
(Pb,Ca,U)
 
2-x
(Ta,Nb,Sn)
 
2
O
 
6
(O,[])
4.DH.15Plumbobetafite
(Pb,U,Ca)(Ti,Nb)
 
2
O
 
6
(OH,F)
4.DH.15Pyrochlore
(Ca,Na)
 
2
Nb
 
2
O
 
6
(OH,F)
4.DH.15Stibiomicrolite
(Sb,Ca,Na)
 
2
(Ta,Nb)
 
2
O
 
7
4.DH.15Strontiopyrochlore
(Sr,Ce,Ca)
 
2-x
(Nb,Fe)
 
2
(O,OH)
 
7
4.DH.15Stannomicrolite
(Sn,Fe,Mn)
 
2
(Ta,Nb,Sn)
 
2
(O,OH)
 
7
4.DH.15Stibiobetafite
(Sb,Ca)
 
2
(Ti,Nb,Ta)
 
2
(O,OH)
 
7
4.DH.15Uranmicrolite
(U,Ca,Ce)
 
2
(Ta,Nb)
 
2
O
 
6
(OH,F)
4.DH.15Uranpyrochlore
(U,Ca,Ce)
 
2
(Nb,Ta)
 
2
O
 
6
(OH,F)
4.DH.15Yttrobetafite-(Y)
(Y,U,Ce)
 
2
(Ti,Nb,Ta)
 
2
O
 
6
OH
4.DH.15Yttropyrochlore-(Y)
(Y,Ca,U)
 
1-2
(Nb,Ta,Ti)
 
2
(O,OH)
 
7
4.DH.15Fluornatromicrolite
(Na,Ca,Bi)
 
2
Ta
 
2
O
 
6
F
4.DH.15Bismutopyrochlore
(Bi,U,Ca,Pb)
 
1+x
(Nb,Ta)
 
2
O
 
6
(OH)·nH
 
2
O
4.DH.15Thorian Pyrochlore
4.DH.15Elsmoreite
WO
 
3
·0.5H
 
2
O
4.DH.20Bismutostibiconite
Bi(Sb
5+
 
,Fe
3+
 
)
 
2
O
 
7
4.DH.20Bindheimite
Pb
 
2
Sb
 
2
O
 
6
(O,OH)
4.DH.20Monimolite
(Pb,Ca,Fe)
 
3
Sb
 
2
O
 
7
4.DH.20Partzite
Cu
 
2
Sb
 
2
(O,OH)
 
7
4.DH.20Roméite
(Ca,Fe,Mn,Na)
 
2
(Sb,Ti)
 
2
O
 
6
(O,OH,F)
4.DH.20Stetefeldtite
Ag
 
2
Sb
 
2
(O,OH)
 
7
4.DH.20Stibiconite
Sb
3+
 
Sb
5+
2
O
 
6
(OH)
4.DH.25Rosiaite
PbSb
5+
2
O
 
6
4.DH.30Zirconolite
CaZrTi
 
2
O
 
7
4.DH.35Liandratite
U(Nb,Ta)
 
2
O
 
8
4.DH.35Petscheckite
UFe(Nb,Ta)
 
2
O
 
8
4.DH.40Ingersonite
Ca
 
3
MnSb
 
4
O
 
14
4.DH.45Pittongite
Na
 
0.22
(W,Fe
3+
 
)(O,OH)
 
3
 · 0.44H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
18.1.1Lithiotantite
Li(Ta,Nb)
 
3
O
 
8
18.1.2Lueshite
NaNbO
 
3
18.1.3Natroniobite
NaNbO
 
3
18.1.4Franconite
Na
 
2
Nb
 
4
O
 
11
·9H
 
2
O
18.1.5Natrotantite
Na
 
2
Ta
 
4
O
 
11
18.1.6Irtyshite
Na
 
2
(Ta,Nb)
 
4
O
 
11
18.1.7Rankamaite
(Na,K,Pb,Li)
 
3
(Ta,Nb,Al)
 
11
(O,OH)
 
30
18.1.8Kalipyrochlore
(K,Sr)
 
2-x
Nb
 
2
O
 
6
(O,OH)·nH
 
2
O
18.1.9Calciotantite
CaTa
 
4
O
 
11
18.1.10Rynersonite
Ca(Ta,Nb)
 
2
O
 
6
18.1.11Microlite
(Ca,Na)
 
2
Ta
 
2
O
 
6
(O,OH,F)
18.1.12Belyankinite
Ca
 
1-2
(Ti,Zr,Nb)
 
5
O
 
12
 · 9H
 
2
O (?)
18.1.13Latrappite
(Ca,Na)(Nb,Ti,Fe)O
 
3
18.1.14Hochelagaite
(Ca,Na,Sr)(Nb,Ti,Si,Al)
 
4
O
 
11
·8H
 
2
O
18.1.15Bariomicrolite
Ba(Ta,Nb)
 
2
(O,OH)
 
7
18.1.16Parabariomicrolite
BaTa
 
4
O
 
10
(OH)
 
2
·2H
 
2
O
18.1.17Bariopyrochlore
(Ba,Sr)
 
2-x
(Nb,Ti)
 
2
(O,OH)
 
7
18.1.18Alumotantite
AlTaO
 
4
18.1.19Simpsonite
Al
 
4
(Ta,Nb)
 
3
O
 
13
(OH,F)
18.1.20Sosedkoite
(K,Na)
 
5
Al
 
2
(Ta,Nb)
 
22
O
 
60
18.1.21Thoreaulite
SnTa
 
2
O
 
6
18.1.22Stannomicrolite
(Sn,Fe,Mn)
 
2
(Ta,Nb,Sn)
 
2
(O,OH)
 
7
18.1.23Foordite
(Sn,Pb)(Nb,Ta)
 
2
O
 
6
18.1.24Changbaiite
PbNb
 
2
O
 
6
18.1.25Plumbopyrochlore
(Pb,Ca,Y,U)
 
2-x
(Nb,Ta,Ti)
 
2
O
 
6
(OH,O)
18.1.26Plumbomicrolite
(Pb,Ca,U)
 
2-x
(Ta,Nb,Sn)
 
2
O
 
6
(O,[])
18.1.27Stibiocolumbite
Sb(Nb,Ta)O
 
4
18.1.28Stibiotantalite
Sb(Ta,Nb)O
 
4
18.1.29Natrobistantite
(Na,Cs)Bi(Ta,Nb,Sb)
 
4
O
 
12
18.1.30Cesplumtantite
(Cs,Na)
 
2
(Pb,Sb
3+
 
)
 
3
Ta
 
8
O
 
24
18.1.31Stibiomicrolite
(Sb,Ca,Na)
 
2
(Ta,Nb)
 
2
O
 
7
18.1.32Cesstibtantite
(Cs,Na)SbTa
 
4
O
 
12
18.1.33 Stibobetafite
(Ca,Sb)
 
2
(Ti,Nb,Ta)
 
2
(O,OH)
 
7
18.1.34Bismutotantalite
Bi(Ta,Nb)O
 
4
18.1.36Tantalite-(Mn)
MnTa
 
2
O
 
6
18.1.37Gerasimovskite
(Mn,Ca)(Nb,Ti)
 
5
O
 
12
·9H
 
2
O
18.1.38Tapiolite-(Mn)
(Mn,Fe)(Ta,Nb)
 
2
O
 
6
18.1.39Columbite-(Mn)
(Mn,Fe)(Nb,Ta)
 
2
O
 
6
18.1.40Wodginite
Mn(Sn,Ta)Ta
 
2
O
 
8
18.1.41Ixiolite
(Ta,Nb,Sn,Fe,Mn)
 
4
O
 
8
18.1.42Columbite-(Fe)
FeNb
 
2
O
 
6
18.1.43Tantalite-(Fe)
FeTa
 
2
O
 
6
18.1.44Columbite
(Fe,Mn)(Nb,Ta)
 
2
O
 
6
18.1.45Tantalite
(Fe,Mn)(Ta,Nb)
 
2
O
 
6
18.1.46Tapiolite
(Fe,Mn)(Ta,Nb)
 
2
O
 
6
18.1.47Tapiolite-(Fe)
(Fe,Mn)(Ta,Nb)
 
2
O
 
6
18.1.48Columbite-(Mg)
(Mg,Fe,Mn)(Nb,Ta)
 
2
O
 
6
18.1.50Strüverite
(Ti,Ta,Fe)O
 
2
18.1.51 Staringite
(Fe,Mn)
 
x
(Ta,Nb)
 
2x
Sn
 
6-3x
O
 
12

Other Names for Bismutomicrolite

Synonyms:
Westgrenite
Other Languages:
German:Bismutomicrolit
Bismutomikrolith
Westgrenit
Russian:Висмутомикролит
Spanish:Bismutomicrolita
Westgrenita

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 Bismutomicrolite

Reference List:von Knorring, O. and Mrose, M. E. (1963): Westgrenite [bismutomicrolite] and waylandite, two new bismuth minerals from Uganda. Geol. Soc. Amer. Spec. Paper 73, 256-257. - American Mineralogist 48, 215 (abstract).

Erichsen de Oliveira, O., Rocha Baptista, N. and Baptista, A. (1970): Westgrenita [bismutomicrolite] no pegmatito de Tromba, Estado de Goiás. An. Acad. brasil. Ciénc. 42(1), 41-44 (in Portuguese).

Hogarth, D. D. (1977): Classification and nomenclature of the pyrochlore group. American Mineralogist 62, 403-410, esp. 408.

Anthony, J.W., Bideaux, R.A., Bladh, K.W., and Nichols, M.C. (1997) Handbook of Mineralogy, Volume III. Halides, Hydroxides, Oxides. Mineral Data Publishing, Tucson, AZ, 628pp.: 63.

Internet Links for Bismutomicrolite

Search Engines:
  • Look for Bismutomicrolite on Google
  • Look for Bismutomicrolite images on Google
    • External Links:
  • Look for Bismutomicrolite on Webmineral
  • Look for Bismutomicrolite on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Bismutomicrolite on Wikipedia
  • Look for Bismutomicrolite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Bismutomicrolite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Bismutomicrolite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
    • Mineral Dealers:
  • DAKOTA MATRIX offers Cabinet and Rare Species from Worldwide Localities.
  • SpiriferMinerals.com - high quality specimens
  • Wendel Minerals - Auktion & Shop
  • Edwards Minerals - Fine Specimens
  • Buy from David K Joyce minerals
  • The Arkenstone - Fine Minerals
  • Buy fine minerals and gemstones from Pala International
  • Buy Minerals and Crystals from Crystalarium.com
  • High-end worldwide specimens & outstanding customer service
  • Fine Minerals from Dan Weinrich Minerals
  • Buy minerals from Mineralium.com
  • Search for - Bismutomicrolite - on e-Rocks Mineral Sales & Auctions
    • Jobs:
  • Mining & Geology Jobs

    • Page Sponsor

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

    Localities for Bismutomicrolite

    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
      • Nevados de Palermo
        • El Quemado District
    		Galliski et al. (2001) Bismutotantalite from northwestern Argentina: description and crystal structure. Can. Min. Vol. 39, pp. 103-110.
    Brazil
     
    • Central-West Region
      • Goiás
        • Trombas
    		Anthony, J. W. et al. (1997): Handbook of Mineralogy, Vol. 3, 63
    • Northeast Region
      • Paraíba
        • Borborema mineral province
          • Junco do Seridó
    		Anthony, J. W. et al. (1997): Handbook of Mineralogy, Vol. 3, 63
      • Rio Grande do Norte
        • Borborema mineral province
          • Carnaúba dos Dantas
            • Ermo
    		Anthony, J. W. et al. (1997): Handbook of Mineralogy, Vol. 3, 63
          • Equador
          • Parelhas
    		Beurlen, H., Da Silva, M.R.R., Thomas, R., Soares, D.R., and Olivier, P. (2008): Mineralium Deposita 43, 207-228.
    Canada
     
    • Ontario
      • Kenora District
        • Separation Rapids (Separation Lake area)
    		Tindle, A.G. & Breaks, F.W. (1998) Oxide minerals of the Separation Rapids rare-element granitic pegmatite group, northwestern Ontario. Canadian Mineralogist, 36, 609-635.
    China
     
    • Xinjiang (Xinjiang-Uygur) Autonomous Region
      • Yili Hasake (Ili Kazakh) Autonomous Prefecture
        • Aletai (Altay) Prefecture
          • Fuyun Co.
    		http://www.smartminerals.com/cina2004/art_China_localities.htm
    Madagascar
     
    • Fianarantsoa Province
      • Amoron'i Mania Region
        • Ambatofinandrahana District
    		Pers.com Roy Kristiansen 1996, XRD analysis Smithsonian Institution, USA 1974
    Russia
     
    • Eastern-Siberian Region
      • Transbaikalia (Zabaykalye)
        • Chitinskaya Oblast'
          • Krasnyi Chikoy
            • Malkhan pegmatite field (Malchan)
    		[Lapis 1993:1 p13-15]
    • Urals Region
      • Middle Urals
        • Ekaterinburgskaya (Sverdlovskaya) Oblast'
          • Rezh District
            • Lipovka pegmatite field
    Uganda
     
    • Wakiso District
      • Busiiro Co. (Bushiro Co.)
    		Am Min 62 (1977), 403; HB3 (1997)
    USA
     
    • Wisconsin
      • Jefferson Co.
        • Waterloo
    		Buchholz, T.W., Falster, A.U., and Simmons, WmB. (2007) 34th Rochester Mineralogical Symposium, Contributed Papers.
    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: 11th Nov 2009 23:52:34