Ericaite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Ericaite
Erica mammosa
Formula:
Fe2+3(B7O13)Cl
Colour:
Green, red, purple, brown, black
Hardness:
7 - 7½
Specific Gravity:
3.17 - 3.27
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
From the flower known in English as heather, for its typical reddish color.
Dimorph of:
Boracite Group. Boracite-Ericaite Series. The Fe2+ analogue of Boracite and Chambersite. The orthorhombic dimorph of Congolite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1396
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1396:9
Similar Names
IMA Classification of Ericaite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Fe2+3B7O13Cl
First published:
1950
Type description reference:
Classification of Ericaite
6.GA.05
6 : BORATES
G : Heptaborates and other megaborates
A : Tekto-heptaborates
6 : BORATES
G : Heptaborates and other megaborates
A : Tekto-heptaborates
25.6.1.2
25 : ANHYDROUS BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
6 : Hexaborates
25 : ANHYDROUS BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
6 : Hexaborates
10.1.20
10 : Borates with other anions
1 : Borates with halide
10 : Borates with other anions
1 : Borates with halide
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Eic | 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 Ericaite
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Green, red, purple, brown, black
Hardness:
7 - 7½ on Mohs scale
Density:
3.17 - 3.27 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.44 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Ericaite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.731 nβ = 1.755 nγ = 1.755
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.024
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:
Moderate
Dispersion:
r > v
Chemistry of Ericaite
Mindat Formula:
Fe2+3(B7O13)Cl
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Mg,Mn(II)
Crystallography of Ericaite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mm2 - Pyramidal
Space Group:
Pca21
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.58 Å, b = 8.65 Å, c = 12.17 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.992 : 1 : 1.407
Unit Cell V:
903.22 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Pseudocubic. Dominanted by {100} and modified by {111}.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.51 Å | (4) |
| 3.04 Å | (10) |
| 2.72 Å | (6) |
| 2.15 Å | (5) |
| 2.06 Å | (7) |
| 1.83 Å | (4) |
| 1.47 Å | (2) |
| 1.24 Å | (3) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 25 : Evaporites (prebiotic) |
Geological Setting:
Salt diapirs.
Type Occurrence of Ericaite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
n.d.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Marine evaporite deposits.
Synonyms of Ericaite
Fe-Borazit (in part)
Other Language Names for Ericaite
Relationship of Ericaite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Boracite Group:
| Boracite | Mg3(B7O13)Cl | Orth. mm2 : Pca21 |
| Chambersite | Mn2+3(B7O13)Cl | Orth. mm2 : Pca21 |
| Congolite | Fe2+3B7O13Cl | Trig. 3m : R3c |
| Trembathite | Mg3B7O13Cl | Trig. 3m : R3c |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 6.GA.05 | Chambersite | Mn2+3(B7O13)Cl |
| 6.GA.05 | Boracite | Mg3(B7O13)Cl |
| 6.GA.10 | Congolite | Fe2+3B7O13Cl |
| 6.GA.10 | Trembathite | Mg3B7O13Cl |
| 6.GA.30 | Korzhinskite | Ca(B2O4) · 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.
Industrial Uses:
none
Internet Links for Ericaite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1396.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 Ericaite
Reference List:
Nelmes, R. J. (1974) Structural studies of boracites. A review of the properties of boracites. Journal of Physics C: Solid State Physics, 7 (21) 3840-3854 doi:10.1088/0022-3719/7/21/008
Localities for Ericaite
Showing 10 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.
Bolivia | |
| [MinRec 32:461] XRD and wet chemical ... |
Germany | |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Aufschluss 1987 (4) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Horst (1989) |
Kazakhstan | |
| Коротченкова et al. (2016) |
Poland | |
| PIECZKA et al. (2012) |
UK | |
| Milne (1978) +1 other reference |
| Smith et al. (2014) |
USA | |
| R&M 72:3 p 192 |
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Riedel Potash Works, Hänigsen, Uetze, Hanover Region, Lower Saxony, Germany