Branchite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Branchite
Formula:
C20H34
structural formula: (CH2)3C(CH3)2C(CH3)C(H)(CH2)2C(H)C(μ2-CH2)C(H)(CH2)3C(CH3)
Colour:
white, grey, yellowish grey, colourless
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
1
Specific Gravity:
1.036 - 1.06
Crystal System:
Triclinic
A fossil resin resembling amber and found in small yellowish grains disseminated in brown coal. Chemically it is a diterpene hydrocarbon (α-phyllocladane, or more specifically (1R,4S,9S,10S,13R,14R)-5,5,9,14-tetramethyltetracyclo[11.2.1.01,10.04,9]hexadecane).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
25689
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:25689:0
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
8f377986-5455-45da-baff-a39d34e87872
IMA Classification of Branchite
Approved
IMA status notes:
Renamed by the IMA
First published:
1841
Approval history:
Grandfathered as hartite.
2021. Discredited by IMA (Proposal 21-A) and the name was replaced by the name branchite, which has historical priority.
2021. Discredited by IMA (Proposal 21-A) and the name was replaced by the name branchite, which has historical priority.
Classification of Branchite
10.BA.10
10 : ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
B : Hydrocarbons
A : Hydrocarbons
10 : ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
B : Hydrocarbons
A : Hydrocarbons
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Hrt | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Branchite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Branchite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
white, grey, yellowish grey, colourless
Hardness:
1 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Waxy
Cleavage:
Very Good
Density:
1.036 - 1.06 g/cm3 (Measured) 1.064 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Branchite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.546 nβ = 1.555 nγ = 1.587
2V:
Measured: 57°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.041
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
Dispersion:
r > v
Chemistry of Branchite
Mindat Formula:
C20H34
structural formula: (CH2)3C(CH3)2C(CH3)C(H)(CH2)2C(H)C(μ2-CH2)C(H)(CH2)3C(CH3)
structural formula: (CH2)3C(CH3)2C(CH3)C(H)(CH2)2C(H)C(μ2-CH2)C(H)(CH2)3C(CH3)
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Branchite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pedial
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 11.407 Å, b = 20.952 Å, c = 7.406 Å
α = 93.941°, β = 100.75°, γ = 80.499°
α = 93.941°, β = 100.75°, γ = 80.499°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.544 : 1 : 0.353
Unit Cell V:
1,713.80 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
complex flattened to needlelike crystals to 8 mm (26 forms noted), lamellar to coarse crystalline masses or coatings
Crystal Structure
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2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0002053 | Branchite | Bouska V, Cisarova I, Skala R, Dvorak A, Zelinka J, Zak K (1998) Hartite from Bilina American Mineralogist 83 1340-1346 |  | 1998 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 10.38 Å | (34) |
| 6.59 Å | (33) |
| 6.11 Å | (18) |
| 5.58 Å | (17) |
| 5.54 Å | (100) |
| 3.446 Å | (13) |
| 3.850 Å | (11) |
Comments:
recorded on material from Bílina, Czech Republic
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 50 : Coal and/or oil shale minerals | <0.36 |
| 53 : Other minerals with taphonomic origins | <0.4 |
Geological Setting:
in lignite seams and fractures in fossil coalified and silicified tree trunks
Type Occurrence of Branchite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Krahuletz Museum, Eggenburg, Austria
Reference:
Haidinger, W. (1841) Ueber den Hartit, eine neue Species aus der Ordnung der Erdharze. Annalen der Physik und Chemie: 130: 261-265.
Synonyms of Branchite
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 10.BA. | Freitalite | C14H10 |
| 10.BA.05 | Fichtelite | C19H34 |
| 10.BA.15 | Dinite | C20H36 |
| 10.BA.20 | Idrialite | C22H14 |
| 10.BA.25 | Kratochvílite | C13H10 |
| 10.BA.30 | Carpathite | C24H12 |
| 10.BA.35 | Phylloretine | C18H18 |
| 10.BA.40 | Ravatite | C14H10 |
| 10.BA.45 | Simonellite | C19H24 |
| 10.BA.50 | Evenkite | C21H44 |
| 10.BA.55 | Wampenite | C18H16 |
| 10.BA.60 | Scharizerite |
Fluorescence of Branchite
none
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:
melting point: 71 - 71.5 °C
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 Branchite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-25689.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
References for Branchite
Localities for Branchite
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.
Austria (TL) | |
| W. v. Haidinger: Pogg. Ann. 54 (1841) |
| American Mineralogist Dec (1998) |
| J. W. Anthony et al.: Handbook of Mineralogy (2003) | |
| Rumpf (1870) +1 other reference |
| Kenngott (1856) | |
Czech Republic | |
| Bouška |
| Bouška | |
Germany | |
| Huhle (2013) |
Hungary | |
| GEODA 2005/3 |
Italy | |
| Bechi (1868) +14 other references |
| Sammartino et al. (2011-2012) +1 other reference |
| Sammartino et al. (2011-2012) +1 other reference |
| Stöhr (1870) +3 other references |
| Orlandi P. (2005) |
| Bechi (1868) +3 other references | |
| Bechi (1868) +15 other references | |
| Brizzi et al. (1991) +1 other reference | |
| J. W. Anthony et al.: Handbook of Mineralogy (2003) |
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Castelnuovo Mine, Cavriglia, Arezzo Province, Tuscany, Italy