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Kurgantaite

Big Photo

Korshunovskoye (Korzunovskoe; Korzhunovska; Korshunovskiy) Iron mine, Irkutskaya Oblast', Prebaikalia (Pribaikal'e), Eastern-Siberian Region, Russia
© Knut Eldjarn

Formula:
CaSr[B
 
5
O
 
9
]Cl · H
 
2
O
System:TriclinicColour:Colourless to white
Hardness:6 - 6½
Name:named for the type locality, Kargan-tau, Kazakhstan


1952 described as a new mineral, 1982 discredited as a strontian variety of Tyretskite, 2000 revalidated and IMA approved.

Classification of Kurgantaite

IMA status:Approved 2002
Explanation of status:IMA Code 00-B - Kurgantaite revalidated (2002)
Strunz 8th edition ID:5/0.0-
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:6.ED.05

6 : BORATES
E : Pentaborates
D : Tekto-pentaborates
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Type Occurrence of Kurgantaite

Type Locality:Kurgan-tau, Inder B deposit and salt dome, Atyrau (Gur'yev), Atyrau Oblysy (Atyrau Oblast'), Kazakhstan
General Appearance of Type Material:Fine-grained nodules up to 4 cm across.
Year of Discovery:1952
Geological Setting of type material:in a borate deposit

Physical Properties of Kurgantaite

Lustre:Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Colour:Colourless to white
Streak:white
Hardness (Mohs):6 - 6½
Hardness Data:Measured
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Imperfect/Fair
Fracture:Irregular/Uneven
Density (measured):2.99 g/cm3
Density (calculated):3.04 g/cm3

Crystallography of Kurgantaite

Crystal System:Triclinic
Class (H-M):1 - Pedial
Space Group:P1
Cell Parameters:a = 6.573Å, b = 6.445Å, c = 6.369Å
α = 60.995°, β = 61.257°, γ = 77.191°
Ratio:a:b:c = 1.02 : 1 : 0.988
Unit Cell Volume:V 206.9 ų
Z:1

Optical Data of Kurgantaite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.637 nβ = 1.638 nγ = 1.675
2V:Calculated: 19°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.038

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Moderate
Pleochroism:Non-pleochroic

Chemical Properties of Kurgantaite

Formula:
CaSr[B
 
5
O
 
9
]Cl · H
 
2
O
All elements listed in formula:B, Ca, Cl, H, O, Sr

Relationship of Kurgantaite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
6.ED.05Hilgardite
Ca
 
2
B
 
5
O
 
9
Cl·H
 
2
O
6.ED.05Tyretskite
Ca
 
2
B
 
5
O
 
9
OH·H
 
2
O

Other Names for Kurgantaite

Synonyms:
IMA2000-B
Other Languages:
German:Kurgantait
Spanish:Kurgantaita

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 Kurgantaite

Reference List:Yarzhemsky, Ya.Ya. (1952): Kurgantaite – a new borate mineral.- Mineral. Sbornik, Lvov Geol. Obshchest. 6, 169-174 (in Russian).

Pekov, I.V., E.V. Lovskaya, N.V. Chukanov, A.E. Zadov, V.N. Appolonov, D.Yu. Pushcharovsky, O. Ferro & S.A. Vinogradova (2001): Kurgantaite CaSr(B3O9)Cl · H2O: revalidation of the mineral species and new data.- Zapiski Vserossiyskogo Mineralogicheskogo Obshchestva: 130(3), 71-79 (in Russian).

Grew, E.S., and Anovitz, L.M. (1996) BORON: Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry, second edition, as revised (2002).

Internet Links for Kurgantaite

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    Localities for Kurgantaite

    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.
    Canada
     
    • New Brunswick
      • Kings Co.
        • Sussex
          • Cardwell Parish
    		CM 43, 1469-1487
    China
     
    • Tibet Autonomous Region
      • Ngari Prefecture
        • Gê'gyai Co.
    		Anthony, J.W. et al.: Handbook of Mineralogy
    Kazakhstan
     
    • Aqtöbe Oblysy (Aktubinsk [Aktyubinsk; Aktubinskaya] Oblast')
      • Aksai Valley
    		I.V. Pekov et al. (2001) Zap. Vser. Min. Ob. 130(3), 71-79 (in russ.).
    • Atyrau Oblysy (Atyrau Oblast')
      • Atyrau (Gur'yev)
        • Inder B deposit and salt dome
    		I.V. Pekov et al. (2001) Zap. Vser. Min. Ob. 130(3), 71-79 (in russ.).
    Russia
     
    • Eastern-Siberian Region
      • Prebaikalia (Pribaikal'e)
        • Irkutskaya Oblast'
    		AmMin 87:1509-1512
          • Lower Tunguska
            • Nepa River basin
    		I.V. Pekov et al. (2001) Zap. Vser. Min. Ob. 130(3), 71-79 (in russ.).
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