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Borcarite

A valid IMA mineral species
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About BorcariteHide

Formula:
Ca4Mg(B4O6(OH)6)(CO3)2
Colour:
Greenish-blue to bluish green, nearly colorless, colorless in section
Lustre:
Vitreous, Pearly
Hardness:
4
Specific Gravity:
2.77
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named in allusion to its composition, being a BORate and CARbonate.
This page provides mineralogical data about Borcarite.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
723
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:723:0
GUID
(UUID V4):
a09eb207-f250-4023-b0da-e1cb86d4b771

IMA Classification of BorcariteHide

Classification of BorcariteHide

6.DA.40

6 : BORATES
D : Tetraborates
A : Neso-tetraborates
27.1.3.1

27 : COMPOUND BORATES
1 : Miscellaneous
10.4.3

10 : Borates with other anions
4 : Borates with carbonate

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference
BcrIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of BorcariteHide

Vitreous, Pearly
Transparency:
Translucent
Comment:
slightly pearly on cleavages.
Colour:
Greenish-blue to bluish green, nearly colorless, colorless in section
Hardness:
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect on {100} and {110} and in several directions {hkl} and {hOl} with angles β 50-70°. The cleavage plane {100} is always smooth; the cleavage plane {110} is very often striated parallel to c.
Density:
2.77(1) g/cm3 (Measured)    2.765 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of BorcariteHide

Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.590 nβ = 1.651 nγ = 1.657
2V:
Measured: 30° (2), Calculated: 32°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.067
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
r < v distinct
Comments:
Z = b; Y ∧ c = 28(4)°

Chemistry of BorcariteHide

Mindat Formula:
Ca4Mg(B4O6(OH)6)(CO3)2

Crystallography of BorcariteHide

Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/m
Setting:
C2/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 17.840(4) Å, b = 8.380(2) Å, c = 4.445(1) Å
β = 102.04(3)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 2.129 : 1 : 0.53
Unit Cell V:
649.91 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2

Crystal StructureHide

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0014516BorcariteBurns P C, Hawthorne F C (1995) Hydrogen bonding in borcarite, an unusual borate-carbonate mineral Mineralogical Magazine 59 297-3041995Yakutskaya, Russia0293
0020477BorcariteYamnova N A, Simonov M A, Kazanskaya E V, Belov N V (1975) Refinement of the crystal structure of the Ca, Mg-carbonatoborate borcarite Ca4Mg/B4O6(OH)6/(CO3)2 Soviet Physics Doklady 20 799-8011975Solongo metasomatite deposit, Buryatia, Russia0293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
7.57 Å(100)
2.67 Å(100)
1.886 Å(100)
2.91 Å(90)
2.27 Å(90)
2.21 Å(90)
1.610 Å(90)

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):

Type Occurrence of BorcariteHide

General Appearance of Type Material:
Dense masses up to 0.5 m in diameter and as veins.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
1) Vernadsky Geological Museum, Moscow, Russia, 48151.
2) A.E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, 68747, 68748.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Occurs in kotoite marbles, formed in dolomites near a contact with granodiorite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Pertzev, N.N., Ostravskaya, I.V., Nikitina, I.B. (1965) The new mineral borcarite. Zapiski Vsesoyuznogo Mineralogicheskogo Obshchestva: 94: 180-186.

Other Language Names for BorcariteHide

German:Borcarit
Japanese:硼灰石
Simplified Chinese:硼灰石
Spanish:Borcarita

Common AssociatesHide

Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
68 photos of Borcarite associated with CahniteCa2[B(OH)4](AsO4)
6 photos of Borcarite associated with SzaibélyiteMgBO2(OH)
2 photos of Borcarite associated with NumanoiteCa4Cu(B4O6(OH)6)(CO3)2
1 photo of Borcarite associated with LudwigiteMg2Fe3+(BO3)O2
1 photo of Borcarite associated with QuartzSiO2

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

6.DA.10BoraxNa2(B4O5)(OH)4 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
6.DA.15TincalconiteNa2(B4O7) · 5H2OTrig. 3 2 : R3 2
6.DA.20HungchaoiteMg(B4O7) · 9H2OTric. 1 : P1
6.DA.25FedorovskiteCa2Mg2B4O7(OH)6Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbam
6.DA.25RoweiteCa2Mn2+2B4O7(OH)6Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbam
6.DA.30HydrochlorboriteCa4B8O15Cl2 · 21H2OMon. 2/m
6.DA.35UralboriteCa2[B3O3(OH)5 · OB(OH)3]Mon. 2/m
6.DA.40NumanoiteCa4Cu(B4O6(OH)6)(CO3)2Mon. 2/m : B2/m
6.DA.60Fontarnauite(Na,K)2(Sr,Ca) (SO4)[B5O8(OH)] · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b

Other InformationHide

Notes:
Not soluble in water. Easily soluble in acids, even acetic. Effervesces in HCl.
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 BorcariteHide

References for BorcariteHide

Reference List:

Localities for BorcariteHide

This 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.

Locality ListHide

- 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.
China
 
  • Inner Mongolia
    • Chifeng City (Ulanhad League; Chifeng Prefecture)
      • Hexigten Banner (Keshiketeng Co.)
        • Huanggang Fe-Sn deposit
Ottens et al. (2012)
Ottens et al. (2014)
Japan
 
  • Okayama Prefecture
    • Takahashi City
      • Bitchū
        • Fuka
Kusachi et al. (1997) +2 other references
Mexico
 
  • San Luis Potosí
    • Charcas Municipality
Peter Megaw collection
Pakistan
 
  • Balochistan Region
Bashir et al. (2009)
Russia
 
  • Buryatia
    • Yeravninsky District
      • Ozernoe ore cluster
Handbook of Mineralogy. +1 other reference
  • Sakha
    • Polar Yakutia
      • Dogdo River Basin
        • Tas-Khayakhtakh Range
          • Titovskoe B deposit
            • Izvestkovyi Stream
Pertzev et al. (1965) +2 other references
Jeff Weissman collection
 
Mineral and/or Locality  
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