A mineral corresponding to a 1:1 polysome composed of (1) Al2SiO5 and (2) Al5BO9 modules. Module (1) has the topology and composition of sillimanite, whereas module (2) has a mullite defect structure, in which Si is replaced by B and Al.

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Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:

36058

Long-form identifier:

mindat:1:1:36058:2

GUID
(UUID V4):

7ee94a99-884c-411d-b5a2-4dfe5721b48b

Classification of BoromulliteHide

IMA status:

Approved

Approval year:

2007

First published:

2008

Type description reference:

Buick, I.S., Grew, E.S., Armbruster, T., Medenbach, O., Yates, M.G., Bebout, G.E., Clarke, G.L. (2008) Boromullite, Al9BSi2O19, a new mineral from granulite-facies metapelites, Mount Stafford, central Australia: a natural analogue of a synthetic “boron-mullite”. European Journal of Mineralogy: 20: 935-950.

Strunz-mindat (2023):

9.AF.23

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
F : Nesosilicates with additional anions; cations in [4], [5] and/or only [6] coordination

Dana 8th ed.:

52.2.3.2

52 : NESOSILICATES Insular SiO₄ Groups and O,OH,F,H₂O
2 : Insular SiO₄ Groups and O, OH, F, and H₂O with cations in [4] and >[4] coordination

Mineral SymbolsHide

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

Symbol	Source	Reference
Bmul	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 BoromulliteHide

Transparency:

Transparent

Colour:

Colorless

Streak:

White

Tenacity:

Brittle

Cleavage:

None Observed

Density:

3.081 g/cm³ (Calculated)

Comment:

Calculated using empirical formula

Optical Data of BoromulliteHide

Type:

Biaxial (+)

RI values:

n_α = 1.627 n_β = 1.634 n_γ = 1.649

2V:

Measured: 57° (2), Calculated: 69°

Max Birefringence:

δ = 0.022

Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.

Surface Relief:

Moderate

Dispersion:

Not detected

Pleochroism:

Not Visible

Chemical Properties of BoromulliteHide

Formula:

Al₉BSi₂O₁₉

Elements listed:

Al, B, O, Si - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of BoromulliteHide

Crystal System:

Orthorhombic

Class (H-M):

mm2 - Pyramidal

Space Group:

Cmc2₁

Cell Parameters:

a = 5.7168(19) Å, b = 15.023(5) Å, c = 7.675(3) Å

Ratio:

a:b:c = 0.381 : 1 : 0.511

Unit Cell V:

659.2 Å³

Crystal StructureHide

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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)
0007265	Boromullite	Buick I S, Grew E S, Armbruster T, Medenbach O, Yates M, Bebout G, Clarke G (2008) Boromullite, Al9BSi2O19, a new mineral from granulite-facies metapelites, Mount Safford, central Australia: a natural analogue of a synthetic "boron-mullite" European Journal of Mineralogy 20 935-950		2008	Mount Safford, central Australia	0	293

CIF Raw Data - click here to close

data_global
_chemical_name_mineral 'Boromullite'
loop_
_publ_author_name
'Buick I S'
'Grew E S'
'Armbruster T'
'Medenbach O'
'Yates M'
'Bebout G'
'Clarke G'
_journal_name_full 'European Journal of Mineralogy'
_journal_volume 20 
_journal_year 2008
_journal_page_first 935
_journal_page_last 950
_publ_section_title
;
 Boromullite, Al9BSi2O19, a new mineral from granulite-facies metapelites, Mount
 Safford, central Australia: a natural analogue of a synthetic "boron-mullite"
;
_database_code_amcsd 0007265
_chemical_compound_source 'Mount Safford, central Australia'
_chemical_formula_sum 'Al4.5 B.5 Si O9.5'
_cell_length_a 5.7168
_cell_length_b 15.023
_cell_length_c 7.675
_cell_angle_alpha 90
_cell_angle_beta 90
_cell_angle_gamma 90
_cell_volume 659.156
_exptl_crystal_density_diffrn      3.093
_symmetry_space_group_name_H-M 'C m c 21'
loop_
_space_group_symop_operation_xyz
  'x,y,z'
  '1/2+x,1/2+y,z'
  'x,-y,1/2+z'
  '1/2+x,1/2-y,1/2+z'
  '-x,y,z'
  '1/2-x,1/2+y,z'
  '-x,-y,1/2+z'
  '1/2-x,1/2-y,1/2+z'
loop_
_atom_site_label
_atom_site_fract_x
_atom_site_fract_y
_atom_site_fract_z
_atom_site_occupancy
_atom_site_U_iso_or_equiv
Al1   0.25440   0.12120   0.65360   1.00000   0.01180
Al2Al2   0.00000   0.29800   0.49430   0.50000   0.01270
Al3   0.50000   0.30190   0.49080   0.50000   0.01190
Al4   0.50000   0.05420   0.32140   1.00000   0.01660
Al6   0.50000   0.24350   0.34690   0.50000   0.00880
B5   0.00000   0.01400   0.38300   0.50000   0.02400
Si2Al2   0.00000   0.29800   0.49430   0.50000   0.01270
Si5   0.00000   0.04870   0.31010   0.50000   0.00630
O1   0.00000   0.19440   0.59060   1.00000   0.00940
O2   0.50000   0.18250   0.55100   1.00000   0.02200
O3   0.24050   0.31120   0.36920   1.00000   0.02210
O4   0.22520   0.05720   0.43590   1.00000   0.01050
O5   0.50000   0.04830   0.72700   1.00000   0.01000
O6   0.00000  -0.04920   0.24510   1.00000   0.01060
O7   0.00000   0.35930   0.67850   1.00000   0.03900
O8   0.00000   0.12140   0.16300   0.50000   0.01600

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:

d-spacing	Intensity
5.37 Å	(50)
3.38 Å	(100)
2.67 Å	(60)
2.51 Å	(60)
2.19 Å	(80)
2.11 Å	(50)
1.682 Å	(30)
1.512 Å	(80)

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):

Paragenetic Mode	Earliest Age (Ga)
Stage 5: Initiation of plate tectonics	<3.5-2.5
40 : Regional metamorphism (greenschist, amphibolite, granulite facies)

Type Occurrence of BoromulliteHide

Type Locality:

ⓘ Mount Stafford, Central Desert Region, Northern Territory, Australia

General Appearance of Type Material:

Most commonly forms very fine intergrowths with sillimanite that can only be resolved in back-scattered electron images. Rarely as prisms or bundles of prisms up to 0.4 mm long; some bundles are splayed.

Place of Conservation of Type Material:

South Australian Museum, Science Centre, Morgan Thomas Lane, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia. SAM G31520 (holotype) and SAM G31521 (2 pieces of cotype)

Geological Setting of Type Material:

Metasedimentary and metagranitic rocks

Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Reference:

Download:

https://rruff.info/rruff_1.0/uploads/EJM20_935.pdf

Synonyms of BoromulliteHide

IMA2007-021

Other Language Names for BoromulliteHide

Simplified Chinese:硼莫来石

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping Hide

9.AF.	Chegemite	Ca₇(SiO₄)₃(OH)₂	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
9.AF.	Barwoodite	Mn²⁺₆Nb⁵⁺(SiO₄)₂O₃(OH)₃	Trig. 3 : P3
9.AF.	Jingwenite-(Y)	YAlV⁴⁺(SiO₄)O₂(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m
9.AF.05	Sillimanite	Al₂(SiO₄)O	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
9.AF.05	Xenolite	Al₁₀Si₈O₃₁
9.AF.10	Andalusite	Al₂(SiO₄)O	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnnm
9.AF.10	Kanonaite	Mn³⁺Al(SiO₄)O	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnnm
9.AF.15	Kyanite	Al₂(SiO₄)O	Tric. 1 : P1
9.AF.20	Mullite	Al_4+2xSi_2-2xO_10-x	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbam
9.AF.20	Krieselite	Al₂(GeO₄)F₂	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma
9.AF.25	Yoderite	Mg(Al,Fe³⁺)₃(SiO₄)₂O(OH)	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/m
9.AF.30	Magnesiostaurolite	Mg(Mg,Li)₃(Al,Mg)₁₈Si₈O₄₄(OH)₄	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.AF.30	Staurolite	Fe²⁺₂Al₉Si₄O₂₃(OH)	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.AF.30	Zincostaurolite	Zn₂Al₉Si₄O₂₃(OH)	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
9.AF.35	Topaz	Al₂(SiO₄)(F,OH)₂	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
9.AF.40	Norbergite	Mg₃(SiO₄)F₂	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
9.AF.45	Alleghanyite	Mn²⁺₅(SiO₄)₂(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b
9.AF.45	Chondrodite	Mg₅(SiO₄)₂F₂	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b
9.AF.45	Reinhardbraunsite	Ca₅(SiO₄)₂(OH,F)₂	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b
9.AF.45	Kumtyubeite	Ca₅(SiO₄)₂F₂	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b
9.AF.45	Hydroxylchondrodite	Mg₅(SiO₄)₂(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b
9.AF.50	Humite	Mg₇(SiO₄)₃F₂	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma
9.AF.50	Manganhumite	(Mn²⁺,Mg)₇(SiO₄)₃(OH)₂	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
9.AF.50	Unnamed (Ca-analogue of Humite)	Ca₇(SiO₄)₄F₂	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
9.AF.50	Fluorchegemite	Ca₇(SiO₄)₃F₂	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
9.AF.50	Unnamed (OH-analogue of humite)	Mg₇(SiO₄)₃(OH)₂	Orth.
9.AF.55	Clinohumite	Mg₉(SiO₄)₄F₂	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b
9.AF.55	Sonolite	Mn²⁺₉(SiO₄)₄(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b
9.AF.55	Hydroxylclinohumite	Mg₉(SiO₄)₄(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b
9.AF.60	Leucophoenicite	Mn²⁺₇(SiO₄)₃(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b
9.AF.65	Ribbeite	Mn²⁺₅(SiO₄)₂(OH)₂	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
9.AF.70	Jerrygibbsite	Mn²⁺₉(SiO₄)₄(OH)₂	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbcn
9.AF.75	Franciscanite	Mn²⁺₆(V⁵⁺,◻)₂(SiO₄)₂(O,OH)₆	Trig. 3 : P3
9.AF.75	Örebroite	Mn²⁺₃(Sb⁵⁺,Fe³⁺)(SiO₄)(O,OH)₃	Trig. 3 : P3
9.AF.75	Welinite	Mn²⁺₆(W⁶⁺,Mg)₂(SiO₄)₂(O,OH)₆	Trig. 3 : P3
9.AF.75	Scorticoite	Mn₆(Sb,◻)_Σ2(SiO₄)₂O₃(OH)₃	Trig. 3 : P3
9.AF.80	Ellenbergerite	Mg₆(Mg,Ti,Zr,◻)₂(Al,Mg)₆Si₈O₂₈(OH)₁₀	Hex. 6 : P6₃
9.AF.85	Chloritoid	(Fe²⁺,Mg,Mn²⁺)Al₂(SiO₄)O(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.AF.85	Magnesiochloritoid	MgAl₂(SiO₄)O(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.AF.85	Ottrélite	(Mn²⁺,Fe²⁺,Mg)Al₂(SiO₄)O(OH)₂	Mon.
9.AF.90	Poldervaartite	CaCa[SiO₃(OH)](OH)	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbca
9.AF.90	Olmiite	CaMn²⁺[SiO₃(OH)](OH)	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbca
9.AF.95	Pilawite-(Y)	Ca₂Y₂Al₄(SiO₄)₄O₂(OH)₂	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b

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.

Internet Links for BoromulliteHide

mindat.org URL:

https://www.mindat.org/min-36058.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Search Engines:

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External Links:

Look for Boromullite on Webmineral

Look for Boromullite on Wikipedia

Look for Boromullite on Mineralien Atlas

Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project

References and PDF downloads at RRUFF project

American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database

Handbook of Mineralogy page PDF

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References for BoromulliteHide

Reference List:

Scholze, H. (1956) Über Aluminiumborate. Zeitschrift für anorganische und allgemeine Chemie: 284: 272-277. (synthetic)

Werding, G., Schreyer, W. (1984) Alkali-free tourmaline in the system MgO-Al2O3-B2O3-SiO2-H2O. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta: 48: 1331-1344. (synthetic)

Werding, G., Schreyer, W. (1996) Experimental studies on borosilicates and selected borates. in “Boron: Mineralogy, Petrology, and Geochemistry”, Grew, E.S., Anovitz, L.M. eds., Rev. Mineral.: 33: Mineralogical Society of America, Chantilly, Va.: 117-163. (synthetic)

Piilonen, P.C., Poirier, G., Tait, K.T. (2009) New mineral names. American Mineralogist: 94: 648-652.

Localities for BoromulliteHide

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.

Australia (TL)

Northern Territory

Central Desert Region

ⓘ Mount Stafford (TL)

IMA Website

Palya, A. P., Buick, I. S., & Bebout, G. E. (2011). Storage and mobility of nitrogen in the continental crust: Evidence from partially melted metasedimentary rocks, Mt. Stafford, Australia. Chemical Geology, 281(3-4), 211-226.

Boromullite