Burnsite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Burnsite
Dr. Peter C. Burns
Formula:
KCdCu2+7(SeO3)2O2Cl9
Colour:
Dark red
Lustre:
Sub-Metallic
Hardness:
1 - 1½
Specific Gravity:
3.85 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Name:
Named in honor of Peter Carman Burns (b. 1966), Canadian Crystallographer, Professor of Mineralogy, University of Notre Dame, Indiana, USA, in recognition of his important contributions to structural mineralogy.
This page provides mineralogical data about Burnsite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
11157
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:11157:9
Similar Names
| Barnesite | A valid IMA mineral species | (Na,Ca)V6O16 · 3H2O |
| Birnessite | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | (Na,Ca)0.5(Mn4+,Mn3+)2O4 · 1.5H2O |
| Bronzite | A variety of Enstatite | (Mg,Fe2+)2[SiO3]2 |
| Bronzite (of Finch) | A synonym of Clintonite |
IMA Classification of Burnsite
Approved
IMA Formula:
KCd2+Cu2+7O2(Se4+O3)2Cl9
Approval year:
2000
First published:
2002
Type description reference:
Krivovichev, S. V., Vergasova, L. P., Starova, G. L., Filatov, S. K., Britvin, S. N., Roberts, A. C., Steele, I. M. (2002) Burnsite, KCdCu7O2(SeO3)2Cl9, a new mineral species from the Tolbachik Volcano, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia. The Canadian Mineralogist, 40 (4) 1171-1175 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.40.4.1171
Classification of Burnsite
4.JG.35
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
G : Selenites with additional anions, without H2O
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
G : Selenites with additional anions, without H2O
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 for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Bur | 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 Burnsite
Sub-Metallic
Transparency:
Translucent, Opaque
Colour:
Dark red
Streak:
Red
Hardness:
1 - 1½ on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN100=12 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Brittle
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
3.85 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Burnsite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.920(5) nε = 1.912(5)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.008
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
Very High (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized uniaxial interference figure - the conoscopic
(convergent-light, Bertrand-lens-in) view, for a grain cut with the optic axis
centred and vertical. The coloured rings are isochromatics, computed with the
same physics as the Michel-Lévy bar above; the dark cross is the isogyre.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
Bireflectance:
weak
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Comments:
Pseudo-biaxial interference figure.
Chemistry of Burnsite
Mindat Formula:
KCdCu2+7(SeO3)2O2Cl9
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Burnsite
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Class (H-M):
6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) - Dihexagonal Dipyramidal
Space Group:
P63/mmc
Setting:
P63/mmc
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.7805(8) Å, c = 15.521(2) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 1.768
Unit Cell V:
1,036.31 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Crystal Structure
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0005796 | Burnsite | Burns P C, Krivovichev S V, Filatov S K (2002) New Cu coordination polyhedra in the crystal structure of burnsite, KCdCu7O2(SeO3)2Cl9 The Canadian Mineralogist 40 1587-1595 |  | 2002 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 7.779 Å | (100) |
| 4.391 Å | (80) |
| 3.814 Å | (80) |
| 3.066 Å | (70) |
| 2.501 Å | (60) |
| 6.823 Å | (50) |
| 2.582 Å | (50) |
Reference:
Krivovichev, S. V., Vergasova, L. P., Starova, G. L., Filatov, S. K., Britvin, S. N., Roberts, A. C., Steele, I. M. (2002) Burnsite, KCdCu7O2(SeO3)2Cl9, a new mineral species from the Tolbachik Volcano, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia. The Canadian Mineralogist, 40 (4) 1171-1175 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.40.4.1171
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45a : [Sulfates, arsenates, selenates, antimonates] | |
| 45b : [Other oxidized fumarolic minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Burnsite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Isometric grains up to 0.1 mm in maximum dimension.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Mining Museum, Mining Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Fumarole.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Krivovichev, S. V., Vergasova, L. P., Starova, G. L., Filatov, S. K., Britvin, S. N., Roberts, A. C., Steele, I. M. (2002) Burnsite, KCdCu7O2(SeO3)2Cl9, a new mineral species from the Tolbachik Volcano, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia. The Canadian Mineralogist, 40 (4) 1171-1175 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.40.4.1171
Synonyms of Burnsite
Other Language Names for Burnsite
Common Associates
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.JG. | Prewittite | KPb1.5ZnCu6(SeO3)2O2Cl10 |
| 4.JG. | Masaitisite | KCu5O2(SeO3)2Cl3 |
| 4.JG. | Wangkuirenite | Pb3Cl2(SeO3)2 |
| 4.JG. | Guangyuanite | Pb3Cl3(Se4+O3)(OH) |
| 4.JG.05 | Georgbokiite | Cu5(SeO3)2O2Cl2 |
| 4.JG.05 | Parageorgbokiite | Cu5(SeO3)2O2Cl2 |
| 4.JG.10 | Chloromenite | Cu9(SeO3)4O2Cl6 |
| 4.JG.15 | Sofiite | Zn2(SeO3)Cl2 |
| 4.JG.20 | Ilinskite | (Na,K)Cu5(SeO3)2O2Cl3 |
| 4.JG.25 | Francisite | Cu3Bi(SeO3)2O2Cl |
| 4.JG.30 | Derriksite | Cu4(UO2)(SeO3)2(OH)6 |
| 4.JG.40 | Allochalcoselite | Cu+PbCu2+5(SeO3)2Cl5O2 |
| 4.JG.45 | Nicksobolevite | Cu7(SeO3)2O2Cl6 |
| 4.JG.50 | Plumboselite | Pb3O2(SeO3) |
| 4.JG.55 | Sarrabusite | Pb5CuCl4(SeO3)4 |
Radioactivity
Radioactivity:
| Element | % Content | Activity (Bq/kg) | Radiation Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uranium (U) | 0.0000% | 0 | α, β, γ |
| Thorium (Th) | 0.0000% | 0 | α, β, γ |
| Potassium (K) | 3.2546% | 1,009 | β, γ |
For comparison:
- Banana: ~15 Bq per fruit
- Granite: 1,000–3,000 Bq/kg
- EU exemption limit: 10,000 Bq/kg
Note: Risk is shown relative to daily recommended maximum exposure to non-background radiation of 1000 µSv/year. Note that natural background radiation averages around 2400 µSv/year so in reality these risks are probably extremely overstated! With infrequent handling and safe storage natural radioactive minerals do not usually pose much risk.
Interactive Simulator:
Note: The mass selector refers to the mass of radioactive mineral present, not the full specimen, also be aware that the matrix may also be radioactive, possibly more radioactive than this mineral!
Activity: –
| Distance | Dose rate | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cm | ||
| 10 cm | ||
| 1 m |
The external dose rate (D) from a radioactive mineral is estimated by summing the gamma radiation contributions from its Uranium, Thorium, and Potassium content, disregarding daughter-product which may have a significant effect in some cases (eg 'pitchblende'). This involves multiplying the activity (A, in Bq) of each element by its specific gamma ray constant (Γ), which accounts for its unique gamma emissions. The total unshielded dose at 1 cm is then scaled by the square of the distance (r, in cm) and multiplied by a shielding factor (μshield). This calculation provides a 'worst-case' or 'maximum risk' estimate because it assumes the sample is a point source and entirely neglects any self-shielding where radiation is absorbed within the mineral itself, meaning actual doses will typically be lower. The resulting dose rate (D) is expressed in microsieverts per hour (μSv/h).
D = ((AU × ΓU) + (ATh × ΓTh) + (AK × ΓK)) / r2 × μshield
Fluorescence of Burnsite
None
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 Burnsite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-11157.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Burnsite
Reference List:
Krivovichev, S. V., Vergasova, L. P., Starova, G. L., Filatov, S. K., Britvin, S. N., Roberts, A. C., Steele, I. M. (2002) Burnsite, KCdCu7O2(SeO3)2Cl9, a new mineral species from the Tolbachik Volcano, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia. The Canadian Mineralogist, 40 (4) 1171-1175 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.40.4.1171
Burns, P. C., Krivovichev, S. V., Filatov, S. K. (2002) New Cu2+ coordination polyhedra in the crystal structure of burnsite, KCdCu7O2(SeO3)2Cl9. The Canadian Mineralogist, 40 (6) 1587-1595 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.40.6.1587
Krivovichev, S. V., Vergasova, L. P., Starova, G. L., Filatov, S. K., Britvin, S. N., Roberts, A. C., Steele, I. M. (2002) Burnsite, KCdCu7O2(SeO3)2Cl9, a new mineral species from the Tolbachik Volcano, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia. The Canadian Mineralogist, 40 (4) 1171-1175 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.40.4.1171
Localities for Burnsite
Showing 1 localities.
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.
Russia (TL) | |
| Canadian Mineralogist 40 +3 other references |
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Second scoria cone, Northern Breakthrough, Great Fissure eruption, Tolbachik Volcanic field, Milkovsky District, Kamchatka Krai, Russia