Boracite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Boracite
Formula:
Mg3(B7O13)Cl
Colour:
Green, blue, colourless, grey, white; dark green (ferroan); colourless in transmitted light
Lustre:
Adamantine, Vitreous
Hardness:
7 - 7½
Specific Gravity:
2.91 - 3.1
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
Named in allusion to the composition, containing BORon.
Dimorph of:
Boracite Group. Boracite-Ericaite Series. The magnesium analogue of Ericaite and Chambersite. The orthorhombic dimorph of Trembathite.
Boracite is found in evaporite deposits, usually associated with gypsum, anhydrite and/or halite.
Boracite is found in evaporite deposits, usually associated with gypsum, anhydrite and/or halite.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Boracite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
721
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:721:2
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
f8e1db21-c2d4-4dfd-a564-1f8e530039d2
IMA Classification of Boracite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Mg3B7O13Cl
Classification of Boracite
6.GA.05
6 : BORATES
G : Heptaborates and other megaborates
A : Tekto-heptaborates
6 : BORATES
G : Heptaborates and other megaborates
A : Tekto-heptaborates
Dana 7th ed.:
25.6.1.1
25.6.1.1
25 : ANHYDROUS BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
6 : Hexaborates
25 : ANHYDROUS BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
6 : Hexaborates
10.1.5
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 |
---|---|---|
Boc | 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 Boracite
Adamantine, Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Green, blue, colourless, grey, white; dark green (ferroan); colourless in transmitted light
Comment:
Very rarely pink, yellow.
Streak:
White
Hardness:
7 - 7½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Conchoidal
Density:
2.91 - 3.1 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.97 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Boracite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.658 - 1.662 nβ = 1.662 - 1.667 nγ = 1.668 - 1.673
2V:
Measured: 82°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.010 - 0.011
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:
Moderate
Dispersion:
weak
Chemistry of Boracite
Mindat Formula:
Mg3(B7O13)Cl
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Fe(II)
Crystallography of Boracite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mm2 - Pyramidal
Space Group:
Pca21
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.577(6) Å, b = 8.553(8) Å, c = 12.09(1) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.003 : 1 : 1.414
Unit Cell V:
882.47 ų
Z:
4
Morphology:
Crystals usually isolated in matrix; less often in groups. Small individuals may project from the face-centers of larger single crystals. Often cubic; also dodecahedral, tetrahedral; pseudo-octahedral or cuboctahedral with {111} commonly larger and brighter than {111}. Fine granular, fibrous to plumose aggregates. NOTE: above 265° the crystal system is isometric-hex'tetrahedral - 43_m.
Twinning:
On {111} as penetration twins, rare.
Crystallographic forms of Boracite
Crystal Atlas:
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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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0000382 | Boracite | Sueno S, Clark J R, Papike J J, Konnert J A (1973) Crystal-structure refinement of cubic boracite American Mineralogist 58 691-697 | 1973 | Solvayshall, Roschwitz, Germany | 0 | 673 | |
0019539 | Boracite | Ito T, Morimoto N, Sadanaga R (1951) The crystal structure of boracite Acta Crystallographica 4 310-316 | 1951 | Stassfurt, Germany | 0 | 293 | |
0019540 | Boracite | Ito T, Morimoto N, Sadanaga R (1951) The crystal structure of boracite Acta Crystallographica 4 310-316 | 1951 | Stassfurt, Germany | 0 | 573 | |
0010744 | Boracite | Dowty E, Clark J R (1973) Crystal-structure refinements for orthorhombic boracite, Mg3B7O13Cl, and a trigonal, iron-rich analogue Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 138 64-99 | 1973 | Solvayshall, Roschwitz, Germany | 0 | 293 | |
0018134 | Boracite | Mehmel M (1932) Kristallstrukturelle Untersuchungen an Borazit _cod_database_code 1011284 Fortschritte der Mineralogie 17 436-438 | 1932 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
2.044 Å | (100) |
3.025 Å | (88) |
2.705 Å | (55) |
3.492 Å | (45) |
2.137 Å | (30) |
6.050 Å | (27) |
2.468 Å | (21) |
Comments:
England. Data from Burns (1995).
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Near-surface Processes | |
25 : Evaporites (prebiotic) |
Geological Setting:
Bedded sedimentary deposits of gypsum and anhydrite; salt deposits; potash deposits of the oceanic type.
Type Occurrence of Boracite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Mining academy of Freiberg 19324
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Bedded sedimentary deposit of gypsum and anhydrite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Boracite
Other Language Names for Boracite
Dutch:Boraciet
German:Boracit
b-Boracit
Borazit
Kubische Quarzkrystalle
Lüneburger Sedativ-Spath
Metaboracit
Parasit
Würfelstein
b-Boracit
Borazit
Kubische Quarzkrystalle
Lüneburger Sedativ-Spath
Metaboracit
Parasit
Würfelstein
Italian:Boracite
Japanese:万硼石
Polish:Boracyt
Russian:Борацит
Simplified Chinese:方硼石
Traditional Chinese:方硼石
Varieties of Boracite
Bromboracit | Artificial Bromine analogue of Boracite |
Iron-bearing Boracite | |
Stassfurtite | A fibrous variety of Boracite from Stassfurt, Germany. |
Relationship of Boracite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
Chambersite | Mn2+3(B7O13)Cl | Orth. mm2 : Pca21 |
Congolite | (Fe2+,Mg)3(B7O13)Cl | Trig. 3m : R3c |
Ericaite | Fe2+3(B7O13)Cl | Orth. mm2 : Pca21 |
Trembathite | (Mg,Fe)3(B7O13)Cl | Trig. 3m : R3c |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
63 photos of Boracite associated with Hilgardite | Ca2B5O9Cl · H2O |
28 photos of Boracite associated with Anhydrite | CaSO4 |
7 photos of Boracite associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
4 photos of Boracite associated with Hilgardite-3Tc | |
4 photos of Boracite associated with Chromite | Fe2+Cr3+2O4 |
3 photos of Boracite associated with Magnesite | MgCO3 |
2 photos of Boracite associated with Halite | NaCl |
2 photos of Boracite associated with Ericaite | Fe2+3(B7O13)Cl |
2 photos of Boracite associated with Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
2 photos of Boracite associated with Sylvite | KCl |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
6.GA.05 | Chambersite | Mn2+3(B7O13)Cl |
6.GA.05 | Ericaite | Fe2+3(B7O13)Cl |
6.GA.10 | Congolite | (Fe2+,Mg)3(B7O13)Cl |
6.GA.10 | Trembathite | (Mg,Fe)3(B7O13)Cl |
6.GA.30 | Korzhinskite | Ca(B2O4) · H2O |
Other Information
Electrical:
Strongly piezoelectric and pyroelectric.
Thermal Behaviour:
Pyroelectric. At 265° the crystal system reverts to a high-temperature phase and the material becomes isotropic.
Notes:
Slowly but completely soluble in HCl. Very slowly decomposed by water.
Forms pseudomorphs after quartz (Douglashall).
Forms pseudomorphs after quartz (Douglashall).
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 Boracite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-721.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
References for Boracite
Reference List:
Localities for Boracite
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).
Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality.
Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Afghanistan | |
| Tucker et al. (2012) |
Australia | |
| Bottrill |
Bolivia | |
| Wilson (2001) |
| - (unpublished thesis) |
| Petrov (n.d.) |
| Federico Ahlfeld and Alfredo Petrov ... |
Canada | |
| phase relations. The Canadian Mineralogist: 34 (4) +2 other references |
| Grice et al. (2005) |
| Boehner (1986) |
China | |
| She et al. (2022) |
| Xiao et al. (2022) |
| Xiaosong Xu and Jialing Wu (1983) +1 other reference |
France | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
Germany | |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Braitsch (1961) |
| |
| Weiss: "Mineralienfundstellen et al. (Munich) |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Andreas Gerstenberg collection |
| Emser Hefte 1990 (1) |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Aufschluss 1987 (4) |
| Rob Lavinsky |
| Hoffmann (1789) +3 other references |
Palache et al. (1951) | |
| www.mineralienatlas.de (n.d.) |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
| Wand et al. (1989) +3 other references |
| Feit (1889) +1 other reference |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
Günther (1999) | |
| ... |
Naumann +1 other reference | |
Palache et al. (1951) | |
| |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
Naumann +1 other reference | |
... | |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
| Zeitschrift fUr Kristallographie et al. (1973) +1 other reference |
| Christian Bracke and M. Kampf specimens |
| Effmert +1 other reference |
| F. Heide & E. Bader (1964) |
Kazakhstan | |
| Handbook of Mineralogy Vol V p 6 +3 other references |
| Pekov et al. (1993) +2 other references |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... +2 other references |
Laos | |
| GAO et al. (2012) |
Poland | |
| Jirásek +7 other references |
| Praszkier (2010) |
| Kucha H. 1979: Anilite +1 other reference |
Republic of the Congo | |
| Henry Rauche (2009) |
Russia | |
| Vladykin et al. (2017) |
| Pekov et al. (2001) +1 other reference |
| Mazurov et al. (2007) +1 other reference |
South Africa | |
| Rozendaa et al. (2012) |
Thailand | |
| Suwanich (2010) |
UK | |
| BMS Collection +3 other references |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Smith et al. (2014) |
Smith et al. (2014) | |
Kemp et al. (2016) | |
USA | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
Rocks & Min.: 64:472. +1 other reference | |
| Justin Zzyzx specimen |
| Error in 1930s State publication |
| Smith (1994) |
| American Mineralogist 23:898 +1 other reference |
| Smith (1994) |
R&M 69:3 pp 156-162 | |
Smith (1994) | |
| Van Rythoven et al. (2020) |
Hutchinson et al. (2022) |
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