Ericaite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Ericaite
Formula:
Fe2+3(B7O13)Cl
Colour:
Green, red, purple, brown, black
Hardness:
7 - 7½
Specific Gravity:
3.17 - 3.27
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
From the flower known in English as heather, for its typical reddish color.
Dimorph of:
Boracite Group. Boracite-Ericaite Series. The Fe2+ analogue of Boracite and Chambersite. The orthorhombic dimorph of Congolite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1396
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1396:9
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
ebb374c7-667a-40d7-acb0-3977a7e2ba8b
IMA Classification of Ericaite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Fe2+3B7O13Cl
First published:
1950
Type description reference:
Classification of Ericaite
6.GA.05
6 : BORATES
G : Heptaborates and other megaborates
A : Tekto-heptaborates
6 : BORATES
G : Heptaborates and other megaborates
A : Tekto-heptaborates
25.6.1.2
25 : ANHYDROUS BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
6 : Hexaborates
25 : ANHYDROUS BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
6 : Hexaborates
10.1.20
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 |
---|---|---|
Eic | 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 Ericaite
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Green, red, purple, brown, black
Hardness:
7 - 7½ on Mohs scale
Density:
3.17 - 3.27 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.44 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Ericaite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.731 nβ = 1.755 nγ = 1.755
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.024
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:
High
Dispersion:
r > v
Chemistry of Ericaite
Mindat Formula:
Fe2+3(B7O13)Cl
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Mg,Mn(II)
Crystallography of Ericaite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mm2 - Pyramidal
Space Group:
Pca21
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.58 Å, b = 8.65 Å, c = 12.17 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.992 : 1 : 1.407
Unit Cell V:
903.22 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Pseudocubic. Dominanted by {100} and modified by {111}.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
3.51 Å | (4) |
3.04 Å | (10) |
2.72 Å | (6) |
2.15 Å | (5) |
2.06 Å | (7) |
1.83 Å | (4) |
1.47 Å | (2) |
1.24 Å | (3) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Near-surface Processes | |
25 : Evaporites (prebiotic) |
Geological Setting:
Salt diapirs.
Type Occurrence of Ericaite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
n.d.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Marine evaporite deposits.
Reference:
Werner, H. (1950) Das boracit-vorkommen im salzstock von Wathlingen-Hänigsen. Aufschluss, 1, 24-26.
Synonyms of Ericaite
Fe-Borazit (in part)
Other Language Names for Ericaite
Relationship of Ericaite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
Boracite | Mg3(B7O13)Cl | Orth. mm2 : Pca21 |
Chambersite | Mn2+3(B7O13)Cl | Orth. mm2 : Pca21 |
Congolite | (Fe2+,Mg)3(B7O13)Cl | Trig. 3m : R3c |
Trembathite | (Mg,Fe)3(B7O13)Cl | Trig. 3m : R3c |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
6.GA.05 | Boracite | Mg3(B7O13)Cl |
6.GA.05 | Chambersite | Mn2+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
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Industrial Uses:
none
Internet Links for Ericaite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1396.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Ericaite
Localities for Ericaite
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.
Bolivia | |
| [MinRec 32:461] XRD and wet chemical ... |
Germany | |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Aufschluss 1987 (4) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Horst (1989) |
Kazakhstan | |
| Коротченкова et al. (2016) |
UK | |
| Milne (1978) +1 other reference |
| Smith et al. (2014) |
USA | |
| R&M 72:3 p 192 |
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Holungen shaft, Bischofferode potash mine, Am Ohmberg, Eichsfeld District, Thuringia, Germany