Fluoborite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Fluoborite
Formula:
Mg3(BO3)(F,OH)3
Colour:
Colourless, violet or white; colourless in transmitted light
Lustre:
Silky
Hardness:
3½
Specific Gravity:
2.98
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Name:
Named in 1926 by Per Geijer allusion to its composition, containing both FLUOrine and BORon.
Isostructural with:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1566
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1566:6
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
cce35dfa-d28c-49a7-b900-02c738c5a3ee
IMA Classification of Fluoborite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Mg3(BO3)F3
Classification of Fluoborite
6.AB.50
6 : BORATES
A : Monoborates
B : BO3, with additional anions; 1(D) + OH, etc.
6 : BORATES
A : Monoborates
B : BO3, with additional anions; 1(D) + OH, etc.
25.1.2.1
25 : ANHYDROUS BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
1 : Monoborates
25 : ANHYDROUS BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
1 : Monoborates
10.1.4
10 : Borates with other anions
1 : Borates with halide
10 : Borates with other anions
1 : Borates with halide
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Fbo | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Fluoborite
Silky
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Colourless, violet or white; colourless in transmitted light
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
good On [0001].
good On [0001].
Density:
2.98 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.92 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Fluoborite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.570 nε = 1.534
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.036
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Low
Chemistry of Fluoborite
Mindat Formula:
Mg3(BO3)(F,OH)3
Crystallography of Fluoborite
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Class (H-M):
6/m - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
P63/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.8612(12) Å, c = 3.1021(6) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.35
Unit Cell V:
210.95 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
3
Morphology:
Acicular hexagonal prisms without measurable terminal faces. Fan-shaped or stellate groups. Fluffy, felted aggregates; rice-like grains.
Crystal Structure
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0002341 | Fluoborite | Camara F, Ottolini L (2000) New data on the crystal-chemistry of fluoborite by means of SREF, SIMS and EMP analysis American Mineralogist 85 103-107 |  | 2000 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0002342 | Fluoborite | Camara F, Ottolini L (2000) New data on the crystal-chemistry of fluoborite by means of SREF, SIMS and EMP analysis American Mineralogist 85 103-107 | | 2000 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0015645 | Fluoborite | Dal Negro A, Tadini C (1974) Refinement of the crystal structure of fluoborite, Mg3(F,OH)3(BO3) Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen 21 94-100 | 1974 | Nocera, Italy | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 2.424 Å | (s) |
| 4.462 Å | (ms) |
| 2.143 Å | (ms) |
| 2.129 Å | (ms) |
| 7.72 Å | (m) |
| 2.575 Å | (m) |
| 1.815 Å | (m) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 23 : Subaerial aqueous alteration by non-redox-sensitive fluids (see also #47) | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45b : [Other oxidized fumarolic minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Fluoborite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Contact metasomatic magnetite deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Geijer P (1926) Norbergite and fluoborite, two new minerals from the Norberg mining district. Geologiska Föreningens i Stockholm Förhandlingar 48, 84-85
Synonyms of Fluoborite
Other Language Names for Fluoborite
Relationship of Fluoborite to other Species
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 19 photos of Fluoborite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 16 photos of Fluoborite associated with Dolomite | CaMg(CO3)2 |
| 13 photos of Fluoborite associated with UM1986-10-CO:ClHMgMnZn (also called Mineral F, Dunn, 1995) | Mg5(Zn,Mn)3(CO3)2(OH,Cl)12 · H2O |
| 13 photos of Fluoborite associated with Graphite | C |
| 11 photos of Fluoborite associated with Pyrochroite | Mn(OH)2 |
| 11 photos of Fluoborite associated with Mooreite | Mg9◻2Mn2Zn4(SO4)2(OH)26 · 8H2O |
| 9 photos of Fluoborite associated with Fluorite | CaF2 |
| 9 photos of Fluoborite associated with Szaibélyite | MgBO2(OH) |
| 8 photos of Fluoborite associated with Franklinite | Zn2+Fe3+2O4 |
| 7 photos of Fluoborite associated with Rhodochrosite | MnCO3 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 6.AB. | Rhabdoborite-(Mo) | Mg12Mo6+1.33O6(BO3)6F2 |
| 6.AB. | Chubarovite | KZn2(BO3)Cl2 |
| 6.AB. | Savelievaite | Mg2Cr3+O2(BO3) |
| 6.AB.05 | Hambergite | Be2(BO3)(OH) |
| 6.AB.10 | Berborite | Be2(BO3)(OH,F) · H2O |
| 6.AB.15 | Jeremejevite | Al6(BO3)5(F,OH)3 |
| 6.AB.20 | Warwickite | (Mg,Ti,Fe,Al)2O(BO3) |
| 6.AB.20 | Yuanfuliite | Mg(Fe3+,Al)O(BO3) |
| 6.AB.25 | Karlite | (Mg,Al)6.5(BO3)3(OH)4(◻,Cl)0.5 |
| 6.AB.30 | Azoproite | (Mg,Fe2+)2(Fe3+,Ti,Mg)(BO3)O2 |
| 6.AB.30 | Bonaccordite | Ni2Fe3+(BO3)O2 |
| 6.AB.30 | Fredrikssonite | Mg2(Mn3+,Fe3+)(BO3)O2 |
| 6.AB.30 | Ludwigite | Mg2Fe3+(BO3)O2 |
| 6.AB.30 | Vonsenite | Fe2+2Fe3+(BO3)O2 |
| 6.AB.30 | Marinaite | Cu2Fe3+O2(BO3) |
| 6.AB.35 | Pinakiolite | (Mg,Mn2+)2Mn3+(BO3)O2 |
| 6.AB.35 | Folvikite | Sb5+Mn3+(Mg,Mn2+)10O8(BO3)4 |
| 6.AB.40 | Blatterite | Sb5+3(Mn3+,Fe3+)9(Mn2+,Mg)35(BO3)16O32 |
| 6.AB.40 | Chestermanite | Mg2(Fe3+,Mn3+,Al,Sb3+)(BO3)O2 |
| 6.AB.40 | Orthopinakiolite | (Mg,Mn2+)2Mn3+(BO3)O2 |
| 6.AB.40 | Takéuchiite | (Mg,Mn2+)2(Mn3+,Fe3+)(BO3)O2 |
| 6.AB.45 | Hulsite | (Fe2+,Mg)2(Fe3+,Sn)(BO3)O2 |
| 6.AB.45 | Magnesiohulsite | (Mg,Fe2+)2(Fe3+,Sn,Mg)(BO3)O2 |
| 6.AB.45 | Aluminomagnesiohulsite | (Mg,Fe2+)2(Al,Mg,Sn)(BO3)O2 |
| 6.AB.50 | Hydroxylborite | Mg3(BO3)(OH)3 |
| 6.AB.55 | Shabynite | Mg5(BO3)(OH)5(Cl,OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 6.AB.55 | Wightmanite | Mg5(BO3)O(OH)5 · 2H2O |
| 6.AB.60 | Gaudefroyite | Ca4Mn3+2-3(BO3)3(CO3)(O,OH)3 |
| 6.AB.65 | Sakhaite | Ca48Mg16(BO3)32(CO3)16 · 2(H2O,HCl) |
| 6.AB.70 | Harkerite | Ca48Mg16[AlSi4O15(OH)]4(BO3)16(CO3)16 · 2(H2O,HCl) |
| 6.AB.75 | Pertsevite-(F) | Mg2(BO3)(F,OH) |
| 6.AB.75 | Pertsevite-(OH) | Mg2(BO3)(OH) |
| 6.AB.80 | Jacquesdietrichite | Cu2(H2BO3)(OH)3 |
| 6.AB.85 | Painite | CaZrAl9(BO3)O15 |
| 6.AB.85 | Rhabdoborite-(V) | Mg12(V5+,Mo6+,W6+)1.5O6{[BO3]6-x[(P,As)O4]xF2-x} (x < 1) |
| 6.AB.85 | Rhabdoborite-(W) | Mg12(W6+,V5+)1.5O6{[BO3]6-x[(P,As)O4]xF2-x} |
| 6.AB.90 | Mengxianminite | (Ca,Na)2Sn2(Mg,Fe)3Al8[(BO3)(BeO4)O6]2 |
Fluorescence of Fluoborite
White (SW UV)(Franklin Marble, NJ & NY, USA).
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Fluoborite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1566.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
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Search Engines:
External Links:
References for Fluoborite
Localities for Fluoborite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Australia | |
| Bottrill +1 other reference |
| Kwak et al. (1988) |
Canada | |
| 162-165. +1 other reference |
| Sabina (1982) |
| Ref.: Geological Survey of Canada ... |
| Liverton et al. (eds.) |
China | |
| Wang (1983) +1 other reference |
| Zhenhai Wang (2000) |
| Aleksandrov (1998) |
| Gu Xiongfei et al. (1976) |
| Rongwen Zhou and Zhishun Chen (1991) |
| Yang Guangming et al. (1985) +1 other reference | |
| Feibao Wu and Zongyu Li (1986) |
| Chengdian Pen (1986) |
France | |
| Goujou et al. (2000) |
Germany | |
| EDX-Analysis performed by Andreas ... |
Italy | |
| Dondi M. et al. (1990) |
| Dondi M. et al. (1990) | |
| Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| Imma Punzo find & collection |
| Scacchi (1881) +9 other references |
| Caponera I. |
| Caponera et al. (2003) | |
| luigi mattei | |
| Caponera et al. (2003) | |
Malaysia | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
Mexico | |
| Panczner (1987) |
North Korea | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
Romania | |
| Ş +1 other reference |
| Shimizu et al. (1998) | |
| Ş +1 other reference | |
Russia | |
| American Mineralogist |
| Apollonov (1998) +1 other reference |
| Mazurov et al. (2007) |
| Pekov et al. (2014) +2 other references |
| Malinko S.V. e.a. (1991) |
| Ivashchenko et al. (2006) +2 other references | |
| V.A. Gorelov (1997) |
| [World of Stones 12:49] | |
| Seltmann et al. (2010) |
| Chukanov (2014) |
| Kovalev et al. (2019) |
South Africa | |
| Braithwaite et al. (1994) +2 other references |
Spain | |
| Calvo Rebollar (2018) |
Sweden | |
| |
| Gatedal (2003) |
| Knut Edvard Larsen collection # 3929 (visually identified, ex- H. Fylling collection) | |
| Geologiska Föreningens I Stockholm. ... +2 other references |
UK | |
| Kemp et al. (2016) |
| |
| Livingstone (2002) |
USA | |
| Aleksandrov (2007) |
| Erd et al. (1988) |
| Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 237. +3 other references |
| Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 516. +7 other references |
| Gillerman (1982) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Gillson et al. (1925) +1 other reference | |
| Betancourt (The Picking Table, Vol. 27) +1 other reference |
| Common knowledge among local collectors. |
| Modris Baum |
| Palache (1935) +2 other references | |
| Dunn (1995) |
| Robinson et al. (2007) |
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New Method Mine, Amboy area, Bristol Mountains, San Bernardino County, California, USA