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Sassolite

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Sassolite

La Fossa crater, Vulcano Island, Lipari, Eolie Islands, Messina Province, Sicily, Italy
Sassolite

Anna Mine, Alsdorf, Aachen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Sassolite

Vulcano Island, Lipari, Eolie Islands, Messina Province, Sicily, Italy
Sassolite

La Fossa crater, Vulcano Island, Lipari, Eolie Islands, Messina Province, Sicily, Italy
Sassolite

Anna Mine, Alsdorf, Aachen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Sassolite

Vulcano Island, Lipari, Eolie Islands, Messina Province, Sicily, Italy
Sassolite

La Fossa crater, Vulcano Island, Lipari, Eolie Islands, Messina Province, Sicily, Italy
Sassolite

Anna Mine, Alsdorf, Aachen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
View of the Sasso Pisano soffioni area, ca. 1920.

Sasso Pisano, Castelnuovo Val di Cecina, Pisa Province, Tuscany, Italy
Formula:
H3BO3
Colour:
White to grey, occasionally colourless, yellow or brown.
Lustre:
Pearly
Hardness:
1
Specific Gravity:
1.46 - 1.5
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
Named after its discovery locality, Sasso, Tuscany, Italy.
This page provides mineralogical data about Sassolite.


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Classification of SassoliteHide

IMA status:
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
Strunz 8th ed.:
4/F.01-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) ed.:
6.AA.05

6 : BORATES
A : Monoborates
A : BO3, without additional anions; 1(D).
Dana 8th ed.:
24.3.1.1

24 : ANHYDROUS BORATES
3 : AmBn[XO3]p
Hey's CIM Ref.:
9.1.1

9 : Borates
1 : Borates of the alkalis and boric acid

Physical Properties of SassoliteHide

Lustre:
Pearly
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
White to grey, occasionally colourless, yellow or brown.
Streak:
White
Hardness:
1 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
{001} micaceous
Density:
1.46 - 1.5 g/cm3 (Measured)    1.48 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of SassoliteHide

Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.340 nβ = 1.456 nγ = 1.459
2V:
Measured: 5° , Calculated: 16°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.119
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
none

Chemical Properties of SassoliteHide

Formula:
H3BO3
IMA Formula:
B(OH)3
Elements listed:
B, H, O - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of SassoliteHide

Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.02 Å, b = 7.06 Å, c = 6.59 Å
α = 103.65°, β = 101.11°, γ = 59.98°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.994 : 1 : 0.933
Unit Cell V:
273.72 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Tabular crystals {001}, pseudohexagonal in development; rarely needle-lke [001]. Usually small scales; grouped in stalactitic forms at times. Coatings.
Twinning:
Common on twin axis [001].

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Image Loading

Radiation - Copper Kα
Data Set:
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.

Type Occurrence of SassoliteHide

Synonyms of SassoliteHide

Other Language Names for SassoliteHide

Common AssociatesHide

Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
Realgar2 photos of Sassolite associated with Realgar on mindat.org.
Kremersite1 photo of Sassolite associated with Kremersite on mindat.org.

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz GroupingHide

6.AA.15NordenskiöldineCaSn4+[BO3]2Trig. 3 : R3
6.AA.15TusioniteMn2+Sn4+[BO3]2Trig. 3 : R3
6.AA.35Jimboite(Mn2+,Mg)3[BO3]2Orth.
6.AA.35KotoiteMg3[BO3]2Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnnm
6.AA.40TakedaiteCa3[BO3]2Trig.

Related Minerals - Hey's Chemical Index of Minerals GroupingHide

9.1.2MetaboriteHBO2Iso.
9.1.3DiomigniteLi2[B4O7]Tet.
9.1.4BiringucciteNa2B5O8(OH) · H2OMon.
9.1.5NasiniteNa2[B5O8(OH)] · 2H2OOrth.
9.1.6KerniteNa2[B4O6(OH)2] · 3H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
9.1.7EzcurriteNa4B10O17 · 7H2OTric. 1 : P1
9.1.8TincalconiteNa2(B4O7) · 5H2OTrig. 3 2 : R3 2
9.1.9BoraxNa2(B4O5)(OH)4 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
9.1.10AmeghiniteNa(H4B3O7)Mon.
9.1.11SborgiteNa[B5O6(OH)4] · 3H2OMon.
9.1.12AristarainiteNa2MgB12O20 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
9.1.13SantiteK[B5O6(OH)4] · 2H2OOrth.
9.1.14Larderellite(NH4)B5O7(OH)2 · H2OMon.
9.1.15Ammonioborite(NH4)2[B5O6(OH)4]2 · H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
9.1.16Rhodizite(K,Cs)Al4Be4(B,Be)12O28Iso. 4 3m : P4 3m

Other InformationHide

Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

References for SassoliteHide

Reference List:
Sort by Year (asc) | by Year (desc) | by Author (A-Z) | by Author (Z-A)
Hofer, U.F. (1778) Memorie sopra il sale sedativo naturale di Toscana e del borace che da quello si compone. Firenze.
Mascagni, P. (1779) Dei lagoni del Senese e del Volterrano. Commentari. Siena.
Klaproth, M.H. (1802) Untersuchung des Sassolins, Beiträge zur chemischen Kenntniss der Mineralkörper, Dritter Band, Rottmann Berlin: 95-101.
Karsten, D.L.G. (1808) Mineralogische Tabellen mit Rücksicht auf die neuesten Entdeckungen ausgearbeitet und mit erläuternden Anmerkungen versehen. H. A. Rottmann, Ed., Berlin: 105 pp. [sassolite at page 40].
Haushofer (1884) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 9: 77.
Zachariasen (1934) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 88: 150.
Palache, C., Berman, H., Frondel, C. (1944), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana Yale University 1837-1892, Volume I: Elements, Sulfides, Sulfosalts, Oxides. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York. 7th edition, revised and enlarged: 662-663.
Zachariasen, W.H. (1954) The precise structure of orthoboric acid. Acta Crystallographica: 7: 305-310.
Smith, R.L. (1958) Some new occurrences of sassolite in the United States. American Mineralogist: 43: 1204-1205.
Grew, E.S., Anovitz, L. M. (eds) (2002) Boron: Mineralogy, Petrology, and Geochemistry. Reviews in Mineralogy: 33.

Internet Links for SassoliteHide

Localities for SassoliteHide

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 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 (eg from pseudomorphs.)

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Australia
 
  • South Australia
    • Eyre Peninsula
      • Middleback Range
        • Iron Knob
Australian Jour.Min. v.6, no. 1
Chile
 
  • Antofagasta Region
    • El Loa Province
TESIS PARA OPTAR AL GRADO DE MAGÍSTER EN CIENCIAS, MENCIÓN GEOLOGÍA MEMORIA PARA OPTAR AL TÍTULO DE GEÓLOGO CONSTANZA BEATRIZ NICOLAU DEL ROURE EYLERTS, 2013
Germany
 
  • North Rhine-Westphalia
    • Aachen
      • Alsdorf
Sindern, S., Warnsloh, J. M., Witzke, T., Havenith, V., Neef, R. & Etoundi, Y. (2005): Mineralogy and geochemistry of vents formed on the burning coal mining waste dump Anna I, Alsdorf, Germany. Eur. J. Mineral. 17, Beih. 1, 130; Witzke, T., de Wit, F., Kolitsch, U. and Blaß, G. (2015): Mineralogy of the Burning Anna I Coal Mine Dump, Alsdorf, Germany. Chapter 7, pp. 203-240, in: Stracher, G. B., Prakash, A. and Sokol, E. V.: Coal and Peat Fires: A Global Perspective, Volume 3: Case Studies - Coal Fires, Elsevier, 786 pp.
India
 
  • Jammu and Kashmir
Walter Schumann (2008) Minerals of the World: Second Edition
Italy
 
  • Campania
    • Naples Province
      • Somma-Vesuvius Complex
Russo, M., 2006: I minerali di formazione fumarolica della grande eruzione vesuviana del 1906
Russo, M., Punzo, I. (2004): I minerali del Somma-Vesuvio, AMI
    • Phlegrean Volcanic Complex
      • Naples Province
        • Phlegrean Fields
          • Pozzuoli
Scacchi, A. (1849): Memorie geologiche sulla Campania. Memoria III. Esame delle sustanze che si formato presso i fumaroli della regione flegrea. Rendiconti della Reale Accademia della Scienze di Napoli.
  • Sicily
    • Messina Province
      • Eolie Islands (Aeolian Islands)
        • Lipari
          • Vulcano Island
HOLLAND, 1813. Jervis, G. (1881): I tesori sotterranei dell'Italia. Vol. 3: Regioni delle Isole. Sardegna e Sicilia. Addenda ai precedenti volumi. Loescher, Torino, XXII+539 pp.; Garavelli, A., Laviano, R., Vurro, F. (1997): Sublimate deposition from hydrothermal fluids at the Fossa Crater - Vulcano, Italy. European Journal of Mineralogy, 9, 2, 423-432.
            • Porto Levante
              • Faraglioni di Levante (Grotte dei Faraglioni; Grotte del Faraglione; "Grotte de Faraglione")
HOLLAND, 1813.
  • Tuscany
    • Pisa Province
      • Castelnuovo Val di Cecina
American Mineralogist (1957) 42, 56
      • Pomarance
Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 366; S. Merlino, F. Sartori: Can. Mineral. 27:159-165 (1970)
Japan
 
  • Hokkaido
    • Iburi Province
      • Usu-zan
Okamoto collection (curated at the Geological Survey museum, Japan)
  • Kyushu Region
    • Nansei Archipelago
      • Kagoshima Prefecture
        • Mishima village
Okano, T. (1962) Sassolite from Iwo-zima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture. Journal of the Japanese Association of Mineralogists, Petrologists and Economic Geologists, 47, 188-189.
            • Iodake (Iwodake; Ioudake)
Okano, T. (1962) Sassolite from Iwo-zima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture. Journal of the Japanese Association of Mineralogists, Petrologists and Economic Geologists, 47, 188-189.
Mozambique
 
  • Zambezia Province
    • Alto Ligonha District
 Thomas, R., Davidson, P. (2010): Hambergite-rich melt inclusions in morganite crystals from the Muiane pegmatite, Mozambique and some remarks on the paragenesis of hambergite. - Mineralogy and Petrology, 100, 3-4, 227-23; Thomas, R., & Davidson, P. (2010). Hambergite-rich melt inclusions in morganite crystals from the Muiane pegmatite, Mozambique and some remarks on the paragenesis of hambergite. Mineralogy and Petrology, 100(3-4), 227-239.
Nicaragua
 
  • León Department
Quisefit, J.P., Toutain, J.P., Bergametti, G., Javoy, M., Cheynet, B., Person, A. (1989): Evolution versus cooling of gaseous volcanic emissions from Momotombo Volcano, Nicaragua: Thermochemical model and observations. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta: 53: 2591-2608
Russia
 
  • Eastern-Siberian Region
    • Transbaikalia (Zabaykalye)
Thomas, R., Davidson, P., & Badanina, E. (2009). A melt and fluid inclusion assemblage in beryl from pegmatite in the Orlovka amazonite granite, East Transbaikalia, Russia: implications for pegmatite-forming melt systems. Mineralogy and Petrology, 96(3-4), 129-140.
  • Far-Eastern Region
    • Kamchatka Oblast'
[Der Aufschluss 1995:4 p163-180]
[Der Aufschluss 1995:4 p.163-180]
Tajikistan
 
  • Viloyati Mukhtori Gorno-Badakhshan (Viloyati Badakhshoni Kuni)
    • Pamir Mts
      • Rangkul' Highlands
 Thomas, R., Davidson, P. (2010): Hambergite-rich melt inclusions in morganite crystals from the Muiane pegmatite, Mozambique and some remarks on the paragenesis of hambergite. - Mineralogy and Petrology, 100, 3-4, 227-23
USA
 
  • California
    • Inyo Co.
      • Death Valley
        • Furnace Creek
Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 238, 254.
Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 238.
        • Ryan
          • Biddy McCarthy Mines
RRUFF Specimen R060496 - http://rruff.info/sassolite/names/asc/R060496
        • Twenty Mule Team Canyon
Allen, Robert D. & Henry C. Kramer (1957), Ginorite and sassolite from Death Valley, California, American Mineralogist: 42: 56-61; Erd, R.C., J.F. McAllister & H. Almond (1959), Gowerite, a new hydrous calcium borate from Death Valley, California: American Mineralogist: 44: 913; Schaller, Waldemar Theodore, et al (1965), American Mineralogist: 65: 629-640; McAllister, James Franklin (1970) Geology of the Furnace Creek borate area, Death Valley, Inyo County, California. California Division of Mines and Geology Map Sheet 14, 9 pp.; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 238.
Am Min 64:3-4 pp 369-375; Erd, R.C., J.F. McAllister, and G.D. Eberlein (1979) New data on hungchaoite, the second world occurrence, Death Valley region, California. American Mineralogist: 64: 369-375.
    • Kern Co.
      • Kramer District (Kramer Borate District)
        • Boron
Cal Div of Mines & Geology "Mineral Information Service" V. 22 N. 10 Oct 1969
Smith, George Irving, Hy Almond, & D.L. Sawyer, Jr. (1958), Sassolite from the Kramer borate district, California: American Mineralogist: 43: 1070; Murdoch, Joseph & Robert W. Webb (1966), Minerals of California, Centennial Volume (1866-1966): California Division Mines & Geology Bulletin 189: 327, 333; Morgan, V. and Erd, R.C. (1969) Minerals of the Kramer borate district, California California Division of Mines and Geology Mineral Information Service: 22: 166; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 238.
Smith, George Irving, Hy Almond, & D.L. Sawyer, Jr. (1958), Sassolite from the Kramer borate district, California: American Mineralogist: 43: 1070; Murdoch, Joseph & Robert W. Webb (1966), Minerals of California, Centennial Volume (1866-1966): California Division Mines & Geology Bulletin 189: 327; Morgan, V. and Erd, R.C. (1969) Minerals of the Kramer borate district, California California Division of Mines and Geology Mineral Information Service: 22: 166; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 238.
Donald E. Garrett (1998) Borates: Handbook of Deposits, Processing, Properties, and Use. Academic Press
            • West Baker
    • Lake Co.
      • Mayacmas Mts (Mayacamas Mts)
        • East Mayacmas District
          • Cobb
Veatch, John Allen (1867), Discovery of borax in California, in Browne and Taylor, Mineral resources of the states and territories west of the Mississippi: 180; Bailey, Gilbert E. (1902), The saline deposits of California: California Mining Bureau Bulletin 24: 54; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 238.
      • Sulphur Creek District (Sulfur Creek District; Wilbur Springs District)
        • Clear Lake Oaks
    • Sonoma Co.
      • Mayacmas Mts (Mayacamas Mts)
        • West Mayacmas District
Smith, Robert Leland (1958), Some new occurrences of sassolite in the United States: American Mineralogist: 43: 1204; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 239; Dunning, G. S. & Cooper, J. F. (1993): History and minerals of The Geysers Sonoma County, California. Mineralogical Record: 24(5): 339-352.
    • Tehama Co.
      • Bend
Bailey, Gilbert E. (1902), The saline deposits of California: California Mining Bureau Bulletin 24: 69; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 239.
  • Nevada
    • Washoe Co.
      • Steamboat Springs District
NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
Vietnam
 
  • Yenbai Province (Yen Bai Province)
    • Luc Yen
      • An Phu (Anfu)
Le Thi-Thu Huong (2017): Gem-quality danburite from the Luc Yen mining area, northern Viet Nam. Talk given on 9 June 2017 at Institute for Mineralogy and Crystallography, University of Vienna.; Le Thi-Thu Huong, Kurt Krenn, Christoph Hauzenberger (2017): Sassolite- and CO2-H2O-bearing fluid inclusions in yellow danburite from Luc Yen, Vietnam. Journal of Gemmology, 35, 544-550.
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