Fabianite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Fabianite
Formula:
CaB3O5(OH)
Colour:
Colourless
Hardness:
6
Specific Gravity:
2.77
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
For Hans-Joachim Fabian, geologist, Wintershall AG., Erdolwerke Niedersachsen.
Type Locality:
This page provides mineralogical data about Fabianite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1433
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1433:1
Similar Names
| Vabanit | A synonym of 'Vabanite' |
| Vabanite | A synonym of 'Jasper' |
IMA Classification of Fabianite
Approved
First published:
1962
Classification of Fabianite
6.FC.20
6 : BORATES
F : Hexaborates
C : Phyllo-hexaborates
6 : BORATES
F : Hexaborates
C : Phyllo-hexaborates
25.3.3.1
25 : ANHYDROUS BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
3 : Triborates
25 : ANHYDROUS BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
3 : Triborates
9.3.3
9 : Borates
3 : Borates of Ca and Sr
9 : Borates
3 : Borates of Ca and Sr
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Fbn | 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 Fabianite
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Colourless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
6 on Mohs scale
Density:
2.77(1) g/cm3 (Measured) 2.788 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Fabianite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.6085 nβ = 1.6375 nγ = 1.65
2V:
Measured: 65° (2)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.042
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:
v > r, very low
Optical Extinction:
Y = b; X ∧ a = 22°; Z ∧ c = -45°.
Data from Erd, et al. (1969). Differs from the type description.
Data from Erd, et al. (1969). Differs from the type description.
Chemistry of Fabianite
Mindat Formula:
CaB3O5(OH)
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Fabianite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/b
Setting:
P21/a
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.593(1) Å, b = 10.488(2) Å, c = 6.365(1) Å
β = 113.38°
β = 113.38°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.629 : 1 : 0.607
Unit Cell V:
403.99 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Prismatic, forms (001), (100), (120), (110), (320), (011), (021).
Comment:
Cell parameters from Erd et al. (1969)
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0010718 | Fabianite | Konnert J A, Clark J R, Christ C L (1970) Crystal structure of fabianite, CaB3O5(OH), and comparison with the structure of its syntheic dimorph Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 132 241-254 |  | 1970 | salt deposits near Diepholz, Germany | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.27 Å | (10) |
| 2.075 Å | (7) |
| 2.026 Å | (Z) |
| 3.97 Å | (4) |
| 3.04 Å | (4) |
| 2.926 Å | (4) |
| 2.149 Å | (4) |
| 2.020 Å | (4) |
| 1.944 Å | (4) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] |
Type Occurrence of Fabianite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Good crystals, 3-25 mm in size.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 160098.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Marine evaporites.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Fabianite
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 6.FC.05 | Nobleite | CaB6O9(OH)2 · 3H2O |
| 6.FC.05 | Tunellite | SrB6O9(OH)2 · 3H2O |
| 6.FC.10 | Strontioborite | Sr[B8O11(OH)4] |
| 6.FC.15 | Strontioginorite | CaSrB14O20(OH)6 · 5H2O |
| 6.FC.15 | Ginorite | Ca2B14O20(OH)6 · 5H2O |
Fluorescence of Fabianite
Brownish-yellow fluorescence
Other Information
Notes:
Nearly insoluble in water, soluble in HCl and HNO3
Special Storage/
Display Requirements:
Display Requirements:
Slightly soluble in H2O.
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 Fabianite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1433.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Fabianite
Reference List:
Clark, J. R.; Christ, C. L.; Appleman, D. E. (1962) Studies of borate minerals. X. The crystal structure of CaB3O5(OH). Acta Crystallographica, 15 (3). 207-213 doi:10.1107/s0365110x62000535
Localities for Fabianite
Showing 1 localities.
ⓘ - 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.
- 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.
Germany (TL) | |
| Kühn et al. (1962) +3 other references |
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Rehden, Diepholz District, Lower Saxony, Germany