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Bixbyite

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Solarwind Claim, Thomas Range (North), Thomas Range, Juab Co., Utah, USA

Show Bixbyite Photos (78)
Formula:
(Mn
3+
 
,Fe
3+
 
)
 
2
O
 
3
System:IsometricColour:Black
Hardness:6 - 6½
Name:For Maynard Bixby (1853-1935), prospector, miner, mine broker, author, explorer of the Thomas Range, and mineral dealer of Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, who collected and provided the first specimens. He published several editions of the authoritative "Catalogue of Utah Minerals and Localities" and authored articles on several mineral localities in the western states.
This page provides mineralogical data about Bixbyite.

Classification of Bixbyite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:4/C.03-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:4.CB.10

4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
C : Metal: Oxygen = 2: 3,3: 5, and similar
B : With medium-sized cations
Dana 8th edition ID:4.3.7.2

4 : SIMPLE OXIDES
3 : A2X3
Hey's CIM Ref.:7.19.1

7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
19 : Oxides of Mn and Fe
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Type Occurrence of Bixbyite

Type Locality:Maynard's Claim (Pismire Knolls), Thomas Range, Juab Co., Utah, USA
Place of Conservation of Type Material:Yale University, New haven, Connecticut, USA: 1.6369.
Year of Discovery:1897
Geological Setting of type material:In lithophysal cavities in rhyolite
Associated Minerals at type locality:
TopazSanidineQuartzPseudobrookiteHematite
Beryl

Occurrences of Bixbyite

Geological Setting:In rhyolites; in metamorphosed manganese ores

Physical Properties of Bixbyite

Lustre:Metallic
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Opaque
Colour:Black
Streak:Black
Hardness (Mohs):6 - 6½
Hardness (Vickers):VHN100=946 - 1402 kg/mm2
Cleavage:Imperfect/Fair
on {111}, in traces
Fracture:Irregular/Uneven
Density (measured):4.945 g/cm3
Density (calculated):5.031 g/cm3

Crystallography of Bixbyite

Crystal System:Isometric
Class (H-M):m3 (2/m 3) - Diploidal
Space Group:Ia3 (I21/a 3)
Cell Parameters:a = 9.411Å
Unit Cell Volume:V 833.50 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:16
Morphology:Cubes, rarely modified by {112} or {111}, commonly striated and occasionally deeply pitted, to 6 cm; also massive.
Twinning:On {111}, as penetration twins.
Crystal Atlas:
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Bixbyite no.1 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)

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X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
d-spacingIntensity
2.72 (100)
1.664 (30)
3.84 (25)
2.01 (14)
1.845 (14)
1.4191 (14)
Comments:Recorded on synthetic Mn2O3

Optical Data of Bixbyite

Type:Isotropic
Type:Isotropic
Reflectivity:
400 nmR=24.7%
420 nmR=24.1%
440 nmR=23.5%
460 nmR=23.0%
480 nmR=22.8%
500 nmR=22.9%
520 nmR=23.3%
540 nmR=23.6%
560 nmR=23.5%
580 nmR=23.2%
600 nmR=22.9%
620 nmR=22.7%
640 nmR=22.4%
660 nmR=22.2%
680 nmR=22.2%
700 nmR=22.1%


Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 24.7%.

Chemical Properties of Bixbyite

Formula:
(Mn
3+
 
,Fe
3+
 
)
 
2
O
 
3
Essential elements:Fe, O
All elements listed in formula:Fe, Mn, O
Analyical Data:(1) Averages of two analyses of material from Thomas Range, Utah, USA
(2) Electron microprobe analysis of material from Postmasburg, South Africa
(3) Theoretical values for (Mn,Fe)2O3 with Mn:Fe = 1:1
          (1)      (2)      (3)

SiO2     (1.21)   (0.00)
TiO2     (1.70)
Al2O3    (2.53)   (2.02)
Fe2O3   (47.98)  (14.86)  (50.29)
Mn2O3            (82.56)  (49.71)
MnO     (42.05)
MgO      (0.10)   (0.07)
O        (4.38)

sum      99.85    99.51   100.00 wt.-%
Common Impurities:Al,Mg,Si,Ti

Relationship of Bixbyite to other Species

Common Associates:
Braunite
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):
4.CB.05Brizziite
NaSb
5+
 
O
 
3
4.CB.05Corundum
Al
 
2
O
 
3
4.CB.05Ecandrewsite
(Zn,Fe
2+
 
,Mn
2+
 
)TiO
 
3
4.CB.05Eskolaite
Cr
 
2
O
 
3
4.CB.05Geikielite
MgTiO
 
3
4.CB.05Hematite
Fe
 
2
O
 
3
4.CB.05Ilmenite
Fe
2+
 
TiO
 
3
4.CB.05Karelianite
V
 
2
O
 
3
4.CB.05Melanostibite
Mn
2+
 
(Sb
5+
 
,Fe
3+
 
)O
 
3
4.CB.05Pyrophanite
Mn
2+
 
TiO
 
3
4.CB.05Auroantimonate
AuSbO
 
3
4.CB.05Romanite
([],Pb,Ca)UFe
2+
2
(Ti,Fe
3+
 
)
 
6
Ti
 
12
O
 
38
4.CB.10Avicennite
Tl
 
2
O
 
3
4.CB.15Armalcolite
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)Ti
 
2
O
 
5
4.CB.15Pseudobrookite
Fe
 
2
TiO
 
5
4.CB.15Mongshanite
(Mg,Cr,Fe
2+
 
)
 
2
(Ti,Zr)
 
5
O
 
12
4.CB.20Zincohögbomite-2N2S
Ti(Zn,Mg,Fe)
 
2
Al
 
8
O
 
15
(OH)
4.CB.20Zincohögbomite-2N6S
Ti(Zn,Mg,Fe)
 
6
Al
 
16
O
 
31
(OH)
4.CB.20Magnesiohögbomite-6N6S
Ti(Mg,Fe)
 
2
Al
 
8
O
 
15
(OH)
4.CB.20Magnesiohögbomite-2N3S
Ti(Mg,Fe)
 
3
Al
 
10
O
 
19
(OH)
4.CB.20Magnesiohögbomite-2N2S
Ti(Mg,Fe)
 
2
Al
 
8
O
 
15
(OH)
4.CB.20Ferrohögbomite-6N12S
Ti(Fe,Mg)
 
4
Al
 
12
O
 
23
(OH)
4.CB.25Pseudorutile
Fe
 
2
Ti
 
3
O
 
9
4.CB.25Tietaiyangite
Fe
3+
4
Fe
2+
 
TiO
 
9
4.CB.30Berdesinskiite
V
3+
2
TiO
 
5
4.CB.35Kyzylkumite
V
 
2
Ti
 
3
O
 
9
4.CB.35Olkhonskite
(Cr,V)
 
2
Ti
 
3
O
 
9
4.CB.35Schreyerite
V
 
2
Ti
 
3
O
 
9
4.CB.40Kamiokite
Fe
 
2
Mo
 
3
O
 
8
4.CB.40Nolanite
(V,Fe,Fe,Ti)
 
10
O
 
14
(OH)
 
2
4.CB.40Rinmanite
Zn
 
2
Sb
 
2
Mg
 
2
Fe
 
4
O
 
14
(OH)
 
2
4.CB.45Claudetite
As
 
2
O
 
3
4.CB.45Stibioclaudetite
AsSbO
 
3
4.CB.50Arsenolite
As
 
2
O
 
3
4.CB.50Sénarmontite
Sb
 
2
O
 
3
4.CB.55Valentinite
Sb
 
2
O
 
3
4.CB.60Bismite
Bi
 
2
O
 
3
4.CB.65Sphaerobismoite
Bi
 
2
O
 
3
4.CB.70Sillénite
Bi
 
12
SiO
 
20
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:
7.19.2Janggunite
Mn
 
5-x
(Mn,Fe)
 
1+x
O
 
8
(OH)
 
6
7.19.3Jacobsite
Mn
2+
 
Fe
3+
2
O
 
4
7.19.4Vernadite
(Mn
4+
 
,Fe
3+
 
,Ca,Na)(O,OH)
 
2
 · nH
 
2
O
7.19.5Galaxite
(Mn,Fe,Mg)(Al,Fe)
 
2
O
 
4
7.19.6Filipstadite
(Mn,Mg)
 
2
(Sb
 
.5
Fe
 
.5
)O
 
4
7.19.7Manganochromite
(Mn,Fe)(Cr,V)
 
2
O
 
4
7.19.8Zenzénite
Pb
 
3
(Fe,Mn)
 
4
Mn
 
3
O
 
13

Other Names for Bixbyite

Synonyms:
ManganbixbyiteSitaparite
German names:
BixbyitManganbixbyitSitaparit
Russian names:
Биксбиит
Spanish names:
BixbyitaManganbixbyitaSitaparita

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 Bixbyite

Reference List:Penfield and Foote (1897), American Journal of Science 4, 105.

Fermor (1909), Geological Survey of India, Rec. 37, 199.

Fermor (1909), Geological Survey of india, Mem. 37, 49.

Pauling and Shappell (1930), Zeitschrift für Kristallographie 75, 128.

Orcel and Pavlovitch (1932), Bull. soc. min. 54, 108.

Cortelezzi, Himmel, and Schroeder (1934), Centralblatt für Mineralogie, 129.

Montgomery, A. (1934): A recent find of bixbyite and associated minerals in the Thomas Range, Utah. American Mineralogist 19, 82-87.

de Villiers (1943), American Mineralogist 28, 336, 468 (as partridgeite).

Palache, C., Berman, H. and Frondel, C. (1944): The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume I: Elements, Sulfides, Sulfosalts, Oxides. John Wiley and Sons, Inc. (New York), 7th edition, revised and enlarged, 550-551.

NBS Circ. 539 (1959), 9, 37.

Zeitschrift für Kristallographie (1962), 107, 370-395.

Geller, S. (1971): Structures of alpha-Mn2O3, (Mn0.983Fe0.017)2O3 and (Mn0.37Fe0.63)2O3 and relation to magnetic ordering. Acta Crystallographica 27, 821-828.

Moore, P. B. and Araki, T. (1976): Braunite: its structure and relationship to bixbyite, and some insights on the genealogy of fluorite derivative structures. American Mineralogist 61, 1226-1240.

Mitchell, R. S. (1987) Who's who in mineral names: John George Cowles and Maynard Bixby. Rocks & Minerals, 62, 120-123.

de Villiers, J. P. and Buseck, P. R. (1989): Stacking variations and nonstoichiometry in the bixbyite-braunite polysomatic mineral group. American Mineralogist 74, 1325-1336.

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.: 66.

Internet Links for Bixbyite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Bixbyite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Bixbyite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    Localities for Bixbyite

    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.
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    (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.
    Afghanistan
     
    • Badakhshan (Badakshan; Badahsan) Province
      • Koksha Valley (Kokscha; Kokcha)
    		No reference listed
    Argentina
     
    • Chubut
      • Paso de Indios
    Australia
     
    • Queensland
      • Mt Isa - Cloncurry area
        • Mt Isa
    		T.Kwak & P.Abeysinghe: "Rare earth and uranium minera;s present as daughter crystals in fluid inclusions, Mary Kathleen U-REE skarn, Queensland, Australia: Min. Mag. 51,665-670(1987)
    Austria
     
    • Carinthia
      • Hohe Tauern Mts
        • Goldberg group
          • Kleine Fleiß valley
            • Zirmsee area
    		R. Exel: Die Mineralien und Erzlagerstätten Österreichs (1993)
    • Salzburg
      • Hohe Tauern Mts
        • Rauris valley
          • Hüttwinkl valley
            • Alteck Mt. - Hoher Sonnblick Mt. area
    		A. Strasser: Die Minerale Salzburgs (1989)
    China
     
    • Jiangxi Province
      • Jingdezhen Prefecture
        • Leping Co.
    		http://www.mineralmundi.com/zongfujie-10003778.htm
    • Liaoning Province (Manchuria; Dongbei Region)
      • Chaoyang Prefecture
        • Chaoyang Co.
    		Fan, D., Ye, J., and Li, J. (1999): Ore Geology Reviews 15(1), 31-53.
    France
     
    • Franche-Comté
      • Haute-Saône
    		Wittern, Journée: "Mineralien finden in den Vogesen", von Loga (Cologne), 1997
    Germany
     
    • Baden-Württemberg
      • Black Forest
        • Titisee-Neustadt
          • Eisenbach
    		K. Walenta: "Die Mineralien des Schwarzwaldes", Weise (Munich), 1992
        • Villingen
          • Unterkirnach
    		K. Walenta: "Die Mineralien des Schwarzwaldes", Weise (Munich), 1992
    • Rhineland-Palatinate
      • Eifel Mts
        • Daun
          • Hinterweiler
    		Blass, G., Graf , HW., Neue Mineralienfunde aus der Vulkaneifel, MW 1/2001
        • Kelberg
          • Drees
    		Schüller, W., Die Mineralien des Niveligsberges bei Drees in der Eifel, Der Aufschluß SB 33, 1990
        • Mayen
          • Ettringen
    		[Hentschel, G., Weitere bemerkenswerte Mineralfunde aus quartären Vulkanvorkommen der Eifel, Mainzer geowiss. Mitt. 8, 169-172, 1980] [Lapis, 15 (5), 9-36]
    India
     
    • Karnataka
      • Bellary-Hospet iron belt
        • Sandur
    		Rao, J. S. R. K., Naidu, B. V. & Rao, K. V. (1979): Ore microscopic, x-ray and trace elemental data on manganese ores from Sandur, Karnataka, India. Acta Mineralogica-Petrographica 24, 91-97.
    • Madhya Pradesh
      • Jabalpur Division
        • Chhindwara District (Chindawara District; Chindwara District)
    		Anthony, J. W. et al. (1997): Handbook of Mineralogy, Vol. 3, 66
      • Jhabua District
    		Am. Min.:77:1112-1115 (1992); Dana 6:A2:52.
    Italy
     
    • Liguria
      • La Spezia Province
    		Di Lisi S., Natucci A., Passarino G., 2004. Cristalli di braunite nelle ricerche minerarie di Riccò del Golfo. Riv. Mineral. Ital., 28, 4: 204-211
    • Lombardy
      • Sondrio Province
    		AA. VV., 1996. Collezionare minerali. Hobby & Work.
    Japan
     
    • Kyushu Island
      • Nagasaki Prefecture
        • Nishisonogi-gun
    		Miyahisa (1957) Ehime Daigaku Kiyo, section II, 4, 91-105.
    Mexico
     
    • Chihuahua
    		Anthony, J. W. et al. (1997): Handbook of Mineralogy, Vol. 3, 66
    • Durango
      • Mun. de Durango
        • Victoria de Durango
    		No reference listed
    • Michoacan
      • Mun. de Coalcomám
    • San Luis Potosí
      • Mun. de Villa de Arriaga
    		Anthony, J. W. et al. (1997): Handbook of Mineralogy, Vol. 3, 66
    Namibia
     
    • Erongo Region
      • Swakopmund District
        • Swakopmund
    		Mineralogical Record: 36(4): 317-335.
    • Otjozondjupa Region
    		Anthony, J. W. et al. (1997): Handbook of Mineralogy, Vol. 3, 66
    South Africa
     
    • Northern Cape Province
      • Kalahari manganese fields
        • Hotazel
    		MinRecord 9:137-153
        • N'Chwaning Mines
    		[Von Bezing, K. L. et al. (1991) - The Kalahari (Afrique du Sud) manganese field : an update, Mineralogical Record, 22 (3), 279-302.]
    Minerals of South Africa
      • Postmasburg manganese field
    		Minerals of South Africa
    Minerals of South Africa
    Minerals of South Africa
    Minerals of South Africa
    Minerals of South Africa
    Minerals of South Africa
    Minerals of South Africa
    Spain
     
    • Catalonia
      • Girona (Gerona)
        • Ripollès
    		Anthony, J. W. et al. (1997): Handbook of Mineralogy, Vol. 3, 66
    Sweden
     
    • Lappland
      • Jokkmokk
        • Ultevis
    		Anthony, J. W. et al. (1997): Handbook of Mineralogy, Vol. 3, 66
    • Värmland
      • Filipstad
    		Nysten, P., Holtstam, D. and Jonsson, E. (1999) The Långban minerals. In Långban - The mines,their minerals, geology and explorers (D. Holtstam and J. Langhof, eds.), Swedish Museum of Natural History and Raster Förlag, Stockholm & Chr. Weise Verlag, Munich, pp. 89-183.
    Tanzania
     
    • Dodoma Region
      • Kongwa
    		www.min.uni-kiel.de/petrographie/schenk/projekte/tansania/mautia/dmg_mautia.pdf.
    UK
     
    • Wales
      • Gwynedd (Caernarvonshire)
        • Lleyn Peninsula
          • Llanfaelrhys
            • Rhiw
    		No reference listed
    USA
     
    • Arizona
      • Cochise Co.
        • Mule Mts
          • Warren District
            • Bisbee
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 140; Graeme, R. (1981), Famous mineral localities: Bisbee, AZ, Min.Rec.: 12: 256-319.
      • Pinal Co.
        • Dripping Spring Mts
          • Saddle Mountain District
            • Winkelman
              • Ash Creek
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 140, 336, 399; White, Jr., J.S. (1992), An occurrence of bixbyite, spessartine, topaz and pseudobrookite from Ash Creek near Hayden, AZ, Min.Rec.: 23: 487-492.
        • Hayden
    		MinRecord 23:487-492
      • Yuma Co.
        • Kofa Mts (S.H. Mts)
          • Kofa District
            • King of Arizona Mine (King of Arizona property; King of Arizona group of claims; King of Arizona vein; Kofa Mine; Gleason Mine; Homestake claim)
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 140.
            • North Star Mine
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 240, 339, 398.
    Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 140, 339.
    • Arkansas
      • Independence Co.
    		Howard, 1987. Mineral Species of Arkansas
    • Nevada
      • Mineral Co.
        • Candelaria District
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    • New Mexico
      • Catron Co.
        • Taylor Creek District
    		Min Rec 16:2 p145
          • Sawmill Creek
    		NMGS 37th Field Conference
      • Sierra Co.
    		Min Rec 16:2 p145
        • Taylor Creek Tin District (Black Range Tin District)
    		Northrup, Minerals of New Mexico, 3rd Rev. Ed., 1996
    • Texas
      • Presidio Co.
        • Shafter District
    • Utah
      • Beaver Co.
        • Wah Wah Mts
    		Min Rec 10:5 pp261-278
      • Juab Co.
    		UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
        • Thomas Range
    		Mineralogical Record, March/April 1995, page 126
    Am Min 74 (1989), 1325; Lapis 5 (1986), 5
          • Starvation Canyon (Searles Canyon)
    		Min Rec (2006) 37:311-317
          • Thomas Range (North)
    		No reference listed
    UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
    J. Holfert, W. Mroch, J. Fuller (1996) A Field Guide to Topaz and Associated Minerals of the Thomas Range, Utah (Topaz Mountain) Vol I HM Publishing 103pp
      • Piute Co.
        • Marysvale
    		No reference listed
      • Tooele Co.
        • Dugway Range
    		UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
    Zimbabwe
     
    • Mashonaland West
    		Anthony, J. W. et al. (1997): Handbook of Mineralogy, Vol. 3, 66
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
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