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Aksaite

Formula:
Mg[B
 
6
O
 
7
(OH)
 
6
] · 2H
 
2
O
System:OrthorhombicColour:Colourless, light grey, ...
Hardness:2½
Name:Named after its discovery locality in Kazakhstan.
This page provides mineralogical data about Aksaite.

Classification of Aksaite

IMA status:Approved
Strunz 8th edition ID:5/H.17-30
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:6.FA.05

6 : BORATES
F : Hexaborates
A : Neso-hexaborates
Dana 8th edition ID:26.6.4.1

26 : HYDRATED BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
6 : Hexaborates
Hey's CIM Ref.:9.2.6

9 : Borates
2 : Borates of Be and Mg
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Type Occurrence of Aksaite

Type Locality:Chelkar salt dome, Aksai Valley, Aqtöbe Oblysy (Aktubinsk [Aktyubinsk; Aktubinskaya] Oblast'), Kazakhstan
Place of Conservation of Type Material:Smithsonian - 160056
Year of Discovery:1962
Geological Setting of type material:Salt dome

Physical Properties of Aksaite

Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent, Translucent
Colour:Colourless, light grey, white
Streak:white
Hardness (Mohs):2½
Cleavage:Distinct/Good
on {100}{010}
Density (measured):2.066 g/cm3
Density (calculated):1.972 g/cm3

Crystallography of Aksaite

Crystal System:Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:Pbca (P21/b 21/c 21/a)
Cell Parameters:a = 12.54Å, b = 24.35Å, c = 7.48Å
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.515 : 1 : 0.307
Unit Cell Volume:V 2,284.01 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:Elongated crystals
Comment:On synthetic material.

Optical Data of Aksaite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.473(1) nβ = 1.508(1) nγ = 1.528(1)
2V:Measured: 88° , Calculated: 78°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.055

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Low
Dispersion:none

Chemical Properties of Aksaite

Formula:
Mg[B
 
6
O
 
7
(OH)
 
6
] · 2H
 
2
O
Essential elements:B, H, Mg, O
All elements listed in formula:B, H, Mg, O

Relationship of Aksaite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
6.FA.10Mcallisterite
Mg
 
2
[B
 
6
O
 
7
(OH)
 
6
]
 
2
 · 9H
 
2
O
6.FA.15Admontite
Mg[B
 
6
O
 
7
(OH)
 
6
] · 4H
 
2
O
6.FA.20Rivadavite
Na
 
6
Mg[B
 
6
O
 
7
(OH)
 
6
]
 
4
 · 10H
 
2
O
6.FA.25Teruggite
Ca
 
4
Mg[AsO
 
4
|B
 
6
O
 
7
(OH)
 
6
]
 
2
 · 12H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
9.2.1Hambergite
Be
 
2
[O|OH|BO
 
2
]
9.2.2Suanite
Mg
 
2
[B
 
2
O
 
5
]
9.2.3Kotoite
Mg
 
3
[BO
 
3
]
 
2
9.2.4Szaibélyite
Mg
 
2
[B
 
2
O
 
5
] · H
 
2
O
9.2.5Preobrazhenskite
Mg
 
3
B
 
11
O
 
15
(OH)
 
9
9.2.7Wightmanite
Mg
 
5
[O|(OH)
 
5
|BO
 
3
] · 2H
 
2
O
9.2.8Pinnoite
Mg[B
 
2
O
 
5
] · 3H
 
2
O
9.2.9Kurnakovite
Mg(H
 
4
B
 
3
O
 
7
)(OH) · 5H
 
2
O
9.2.10Halurgite
Mg
 
2
[B
 
4
O
 
7
]
 
2
 · 5H
 
2
O
9.2.11Inderite
Mg(H
 
4
B
 
3
O
 
7
)(OH) · 5H
 
2
O
9.2.12Hungchaoite
Mg[B
 
4
O
 
7
] · 9H
 
2
O
9.2.13Admontite
Mg[B
 
6
O
 
7
(OH)
 
6
] · 4H
 
2
O
9.2.14Mcallisterite
Mg
 
2
[B
 
6
O
 
7
(OH)
 
6
]
 
2
 · 9H
 
2
O
9.2.15Rivadavite
Na
 
6
Mg[B
 
6
O
 
7
(OH)
 
6
]
 
4
 · 10H
 
2
O
9.2.16Kaliborite
KMg
 
2
H[B
 
6
O
 
8
(OH)
 
5
]
 
2
(H
 
2
O)
 
4
9.2.17Iquiqueite
K
 
3
Na
 
4
Mg(CrO
 
4
)B
 
24
O
 
39
(OH)·12H
 
2
O

Other Names for Aksaite

Other Languages:
German:Aksait
Russian:Аксаит
Spanish:Aksaita

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 Aksaite

Reference List:American Mineralogist: 48: 209, 930-935.

American Mineralogist: 56: 1553-1566.

Articles/Blogs about Aksaite

Internet Links for Aksaite

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    Localities for Aksaite

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    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.
    Kazakhstan
     
    • Aqtöbe Oblysy (Aktubinsk [Aktyubinsk; Aktubinskaya] Oblast')
      • Aksai Valley
    		[Clark, 1993 - "Hey's Mineral Index, 3rd Edition"]
    UK
     
    • Scotland
      • Strathclyde (Ayrshire)
        • Beith
    		BMS Database
    Mineral and/or Locality
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