Mindat Logo
Home Page Log In Messageboard The Mindat Directory
Register Search Pages Mineral Chatroom The Mindat Store

Bunsenite

This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
Big Photo

Johanngeorgenstadt, Johanngeorgenstadt District, Erzgebirge, Saxony, Germany
© Andreas Gerstenberg




Formula:
NiO
System:IsometricColour:Dark pistachio-green
Hardness:5½
Member of:Periclase Group
Name:
Named after Robert Wilhelm Eberhard Bunsen (1811-1899), Professor of Chemistry, Heidelberg


Periclase Group.

A rare nickel oxide.

Classification of Bunsenite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:4/A.04-30
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:4.AB.25

4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
A : Metal: Oxygen = 2:1 and 1:1
B : M:O = 1:1 (and up to 1:1.25); with small to medium-sized cations only
Dana 8th edition ID:4.2.1.2

4 : SIMPLE OXIDES
2 : AX
Hey's CIM Ref.:7.22.1

7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
22 : Oxides of Ni
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-801.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Type Occurrence of Bunsenite

Type Locality:Johanngeorgenstadt, Johanngeorgenstadt District, Erzgebirge, Saxony, Germany
Year of Discovery:1858

Occurrences of Bunsenite

Geological Setting:Hydrothermal vein, metamorphosed meteorite

Physical Properties of Bunsenite

Lustre:Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Colour:Dark pistachio-green
Streak:Brownish-black
Hardness (Mohs):5½
Density (measured):6.898 g/cm3
Density (calculated):6.806 g/cm3

Crystallography of Bunsenite

Crystal System:Isometric
Class (H-M):m3m (4/m 3 2/m) - Hexoctahedral
Space Group:Fm3m {F4/m 3 2/m}
Cell Parameters:a = 4.1769Å
Unit Cell Volume:V 72.87 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:4
Morphology:Octahedral, sometimes with modifying dodecahedron or cube.
Twinning:Observed on natural crystals.
Comment:synthetic

Optical Data of Bunsenite

Type:Isotropic
RI values: n = 2.37
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.000 - Isotropic minerals have no birefringence
Surface Relief:Very High

Chemical Properties of Bunsenite

Formula:
NiO
Essential elements:Ni, O
All elements listed in formula:Ni, O

Relationship of Bunsenite to other Species

Member of:Periclase Group
Other Members of Group:

- +
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
4.AB.05Crednerite
CuMnO
 
2
4.AB.10Tenorite
CuO
4.AB.15Delafossite
CuFeO
 
2
4.AB.15Mcconnellite
CuCrO
 
2
4.AB.20Bromellite
BeO
4.AB.20Zincite
(Zn,Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
)O
4.AB.25Lime
CaO
4.AB.25Manganosite
MnO
4.AB.25Monteponite
CdO
4.AB.25Periclase
MgO
4.AB.25Wüstite
FeO
4.AB.30Palladinite
PdO
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
7.22.3Theophrastite
Ni(OH)
 
2
7.22.4Jamborite
(Ni
2+
 
,Ni
3+
 
,Co,Fe)(OH)
 
2
(OH,S,H
 
2
O)
7.22.5Takovite
Ni
 
6
Al
 
2
(OH)
 
16
[CO
 
3
] · 4H
 
2
O
7.22.6Trevorite
Ni
2+
 
Fe
3+
2
O
 
4
7.22.7Nichromite
(Ni,Co,Fe)(Cr,Fe,Al)
 
2
O
 
4

Other Names for Bunsenite

Synonyms:
Nickeloxydul
Other Languages:
German:Bunsenit
Russian:Бунзенит
Spanish:Bunsenita

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 Bunsenite

Reference List:

- +
Bergemann (1858), Journal pr. Chem.: 75: 243 (as nickeloxydul).

Bergemann (1859), Jb. Min.: 450 (as nickeloxydul).

Dana (1868): 135.

Palache, Charles, Harry Berman & Clifford Frondel (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: 500-501.

Bergemann, C. (1858): Ueber einige Nickelerze.- Journal für praktische Chemie [1] 75, 239-244

Internet Links for Bunsenite

Search Engines:
  • Look for Bunsenite on Google
  • Look for Bunsenite images on Google
    • External Links:
  • Look for Bunsenite on Webmineral
  • Look for Bunsenite on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Bunsenite on Wikipedia
  • Look for Bunsenite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Bunsenite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
    • Mineral Dealers:
  • rare and unusual minerals mainly crystallized
  • Mineral Classics - Worldwide Collector Quality Minerals and Gems
  • Buy minerals from YourMineralCollection
  • Fine Minerals from Weinrich Minerals, Inc.
  • The Arkenstone - Fine Minerals
  • Buy RARE Minerals from Rocks of Africa
  • Find Bunsenite on www.crystalclassics.co.uk
  • Fabre Minerals - search for Bunsenite specimens
  • webminerals
  • Buy from David K Joyce minerals
  • Search for - Bunsenite - on e-Rocks Mineral Sales & Auctions
  • Wilensky Fine Minerals
    • Jobs:
  • Mining & Geology Jobs

    • Localities for Bunsenite

    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.
    Hide Locality List
    (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.
    Germany
     
    • Saxony-Anhalt
      • Mansfeld Basin
        • Helbra
    		H. Knoll; Fundstellen im Mansfelder Land, Interessante Mineralien aus den Schlacken der Kupferschiefer-Verhüttung. MineralienWelt, Jg 19 (2008), Heft 1 (Jan-Feb), pag 36-47.
    • Saxony
      • Erzgebirge
        • Johanngeorgenstadt District
    		C. Bergemann (1858) Journal für praktische Chemie 75, 239-244
    Thalheim, K. & Kaden, M. (2006): Die Sammlung Sachsen - Interessante Neubestimmungen. Pp. 154-155 in: Lange, J. M. & Kühne, E., Eds. (2006): Das Museum für Mineralogie und Geologie in den Staatlichen Naturhistorischen Sammlungen Dresden. Von der kurfürstlichen Kunstkammer zum staatlichen Forschungsmuseum. Museum für Mineralogie und Geologie, Staatliche Naturhistorische Sammlungen Dresden, Dresden, Germany, 200 pp.
          • Lauta
    		Hajek, W. (2010): Kristallwelten Marienberg. Weise Verlag, München.
    Norway
     
    • Finnmark
      • Karasjok
    		J. Hysingjord (1978, letter 11/1)cited in Neumann, H. (1985): Norges Mineraler. Norges geologiske Undersøkelse Skrifter 68 p. 53.
    Russia
     
    • Urals Region
      • Southern Urals
        • Orenburgskaya Oblast'
          • Aidyrlya River
    		Pavel M. Kartashov data
    South Africa
     
    • Mpumalanga Province
      • Barberton District
        • Bon Accord
    		Am. Min. 61, 502 (1976)
    • North West Province
    		www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/impacts97/pdf/6055.pdf.
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Search Google
     
    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2013. 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. Mindat does not offer minerals for sale. 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 Apr 2013 13:51:02
    Mineral and Locality Search
    Mineral:
    and/or Locality:
    Options
    Fade toolbar when not in focusFix toolbar to bottom of page
    Hide Social Media Links
    Slideshow frame delay seconds