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Aristarainite

Formula:
Na
 
2
MgB
 
12
O
 
20
·8H
 
2
O
System:MonoclinicColour:Colourless, white
Hardness:3½
Name:For Argentine mineralogist Lorenzo Francisco Aristarain (1926-).
This page provides mineralogical data about Aristarainite.

Classification of Aristarainite

IMA status:Approved 1973
Strunz 8th edition ID:5/J.06-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:6.FB.05

6 : BORATES
F : Hexaborates
B : Ino-hexaborates
Dana 8th edition ID:26.6.5.1

26 : HYDRATED BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
6 : Hexaborates
Hey's CIM Ref.:9.1.12

9 : Borates
1 : Borates of the alkalis and boric acid
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Type Occurrence of Aristarainite

Type Locality:Tincalayu Mine, Salar Del Hombre Muerto, Salta, Argentina
Place of Conservation of Type Material:Smithsonian 136046
Year of Discovery:1974
Geological Setting of type material:Playa evaporite

Occurrences of Aristarainite

Geological Setting:Borax spring

Physical Properties of Aristarainite

Lustre:Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent, Translucent
Colour:Colourless, white
Hardness (Mohs):3½
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Perfect
Perfect on {001}{100}
Fair {110}
Fracture:Splintery
Density (measured):2.027(5) g/cm3
Density (calculated):2.005 g/cm3

Crystallography of Aristarainite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Class (H-M):2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:P21/b {P1 1 21/b} {P21/c} {P1 21/c 1} {P21/a}
Cell Parameters:a = 18.886Å, b = 7.521Å, c = 7.815Å
β = 97.73°
Ratio:a:b:c = 2.511 : 1 : 1.039
Unit Cell Volume:V 1,099.97 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:2
Morphology:Tabular or elongated crystals, rosette aggregates, crusts.

Optical Data of Aristarainite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.484 nβ = 1.498 nγ = 1.523
2V:Measured: 70° , Calculated: 76°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.039

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Moderate
Dispersion:r > v to r < v strong

Chemical Properties of Aristarainite

Formula:
Na
 
2
MgB
 
12
O
 
20
·8H
 
2
O
Essential elements:B, H, Mg, Na, O
All elements listed in formula:B, H, Mg, Na, O

Relationship of Aristarainite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
6.FB.10Kaliborite
KMg
 
2
H[B
 
6
O
 
8
(OH)
 
5
]
 
2
(H
 
2
O)
 
4
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
9.1.1Sassolite
H
 
3
BO
 
3
9.1.2Metaborite
HBO
 
2
9.1.3Diomignite
Li
 
2
[B
 
4
O
 
7
]
9.1.4Biringuccite
Na
 
2
B
 
5
O
 
8
(OH)·H
 
2
O
9.1.5Nasinite
Na
 
4
B
 
10
O
 
17
·5H
 
2
O
9.1.6Kernite
Na
 
2
[B
 
4
O
 
6
(OH)
 
2
] · 3H
 
2
O
9.1.7Ezcurrite
Na
 
4
B
 
10
O
 
17
·7H
 
2
O
9.1.8Tincalconite
Na
 
2
[B
 
4
O
 
7
] · 5H
 
2
O
9.1.9Borax
Na
 
2
[B
 
4
O
 
7
] · 10H
 
2
O
9.1.10Ameghinite
Na(H
 
4
B
 
3
O
 
7
)
9.1.11Sborgite
Na[B
 
5
O
 
6
(OH)
 
4
] · 3H
 
2
O
9.1.13Santite
K[B
 
5
O
 
6
(OH)
 
4
] · 2H
 
2
O
9.1.14Larderellite
(NH
 
4
)B
 
5
O
 
6
(OH)
 
4
9.1.15Ammonioborite
(NH
 
4
)
 
2
[B
 
5
O
 
6
(OH)
 
4
]
 
2
 · H
 
2
O
9.1.16Rhodizite
(K,Cs)Al
 
4
Be
 
4
(B,Be)
 
12
O
 
28

Other Names for Aristarainite

Synonyms:
IMA1973-029
Other Languages:
German:Aristarainit
Russian:Эристеренит
Spanish:Aristarainita

Other Information

Fluorescence in UV light:Moderate cream white in SW, weakly phosphorescent.
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 Aristarainite

Reference List:American Mineralogist: 59: 647-651.

American Mineralogist: 62: 979-989.

Internet Links for Aristarainite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
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    Localities for Aristarainite

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