Kurgantaite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About Kurgantaite
Formula:
CaSr[B5O9]Cl · H2O
Colour:
Colourless to white
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
6 - 6½
Specific Gravity:
2.99
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named for the type locality, Kargan-tau, Kazakhstan.
Hilgardite Group.
1952 described as a new mineral, 1982 discredited as a strontian variety of tyretskite, 2000 revalidated and approved by the IMA.
1952 described as a new mineral, 1982 discredited as a strontian variety of tyretskite, 2000 revalidated and approved by the IMA.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
8212
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:8212:5
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
6427fb83-c41b-4427-99c2-3150d7e18481
IMA Classification of Kurgantaite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
CaSrB5O9Cl · H2O
Approval year:
2002
First published:
1952
Approval history:
IMA Code 00-B - Kurgantaite revalidated (2002).
Classification of Kurgantaite
6.ED.05
6 : BORATES
E : Pentaborates
D : Tekto-pentaborates
6 : BORATES
E : Pentaborates
D : Tekto-pentaborates
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 |
---|---|---|
Kga | 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 Kurgantaite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless to white
Streak:
White
Hardness:
6 - 6½ on Mohs scale
Hardness Data:
Measured
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Imperfect/Fair
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
2.99 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.04 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Kurgantaite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.637 nβ = 1.638 nγ = 1.675
2V:
Calculated: 19°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.038
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:
Moderate
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Kurgantaite
Mindat Formula:
CaSr[B5O9]Cl · H2O
Crystallography of Kurgantaite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pedial
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.573 Å, b = 6.445 Å, c = 6.369 Å
α = 60.995°, β = 61.257°, γ = 77.191°
α = 60.995°, β = 61.257°, γ = 77.191°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.02 : 1 : 0.988
Unit Cell V:
206.9 ų
Z:
1
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
5.69 Å | (80) |
3.22 Å | (90) |
3.13 Å | (70) |
2.92 Å | (100) |
2.84 Å | (90) |
2.79 Å | (80) |
2.14 Å | (70) |
2.07 Å | (70) |
Comments:
Chelkar salt dome, Kazakhstan. The data are from Pekov et al. (2001).
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Near-surface Processes | |
25 : Evaporites (prebiotic) |
Type Occurrence of Kurgantaite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Fine-grained nodules up to 4 cm across.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
A. E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Moscow, Russia (neotype).
Geological Setting of Type Material:
In a borate deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Kurgantaite
Other Language Names for Kurgantaite
Relationship of Kurgantaite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
Hilgardite | Ca2B5O9Cl · H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
Leucostaurite | Pb2[B5O9]Cl · 0.5H2O | Orth. mm2 : Pnn2 |
Tyretskite | Ca2B5O9OH · H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
6.ED.05 | Hilgardite | Ca2B5O9Cl · H2O |
6.ED.05 | Tyretskite | Ca2B5O9OH · 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.
Internet Links for Kurgantaite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-8212.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Kurgantaite
Localities for Kurgantaite
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.
Canada | |
| Grice et al. (2005) |
Grice et al. (2002) | |
China | |
| Anthony |
Kazakhstan | |
| I.V. Pekov et al. (2001) +1 other reference |
| Pekov et al. (2001) |
Russia | |
| AmMin 87:1509-1512 |
| Pekov et al. (2001) +1 other reference |
Quick NavTopAbout KurgantaiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography X-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesRelationshipsStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Korshunovskoye iron deposit, Zheleznogorsk-Ilimsky, Nizhneilimsky District, Irkutsk Oblast, Russia