Ammonioborite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Ammonioborite
Formula:
(NH4)2[B5O6(OH)4]2 · H2O
Colour:
White; colourless in transmitted light
Specific Gravity:
1.765
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
In allusion to the composition, containing AMMONIum and being a BORate.
Type Locality:
Dimorph of:
Microscopic plates, grouped in parallel; commonly as fine-grained granular masses.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
204
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:204:0
IMA Classification of Ammonioborite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
(NH4)3B15O20(OH)8 · 4H2O
Classification of Ammonioborite
6.EA.15
6 : BORATES
E : Pentaborates
A : Neso-pentaborates
6 : BORATES
E : Pentaborates
A : Neso-pentaborates
26.5.3.1
26 : HYDRATED BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
5 : Pentaborates
26 : HYDRATED BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
5 : Pentaborates
9.1.15
9 : Borates
1 : Borates of the alkalis and boric acid
9 : Borates
1 : Borates of the alkalis and boric acid
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Abo | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Ammonioborite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Ammonioborite
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
White; colourless in transmitted light
Streak:
White
Cleavage:
None Observed
Density:
1.765(4) g/cm3 (Measured) 1.76 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Ammonioborite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.47 nβ = 1.487 nγ = 1.54
2V:
Measured: 60° , Calculated: 62°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.070
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.
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.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
relatively weak
Optical Extinction:
Z ∧ elongation ≃ 7°–13°; Y = b.
Chemistry of Ammonioborite
Mindat Formula:
(NH4)2[B5O6(OH)4]2 · H2O
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Ammonioborite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/b
Cell Parameters:
a = 25.27 Å, b = 9.65 Å, c = 11.56 Å
β = 94.29°
β = 94.29°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 2.619 : 1 : 1.198
Unit Cell V:
2,811.07 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Compact, fine-grained masses. Partially as platy microscopic crystals, frequently grouped in parallel position.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0015421 | Ammonioborite | Merlino S, Sartori F (1971) Ammonioborite: New borate polyion and its structure Science 171 377-379 | 1971 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.16 Å | (100) |
| 3.09 Å | (100) |
| 5.70 Å | (60) |
| 2.876 Å | (60) |
| 3.01 Å | (50) |
| 8.98 Å | (40) |
| 5.44 Å | (30) |
Comments:
Synthetic.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 25 : Evaporites (prebiotic) | |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals | |
| 57 : Other minerals formed by human processes |
Type Occurrence of Ammonioborite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Granular, white, and lustrous, forming a compact mass with sassolite.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 93756, 94172, R6167.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Boric acid fumaroles in a volcanic region. In boric acid-rich fumarolic lagoons.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Ammonioborite
Dutch:Ammonioboriet
French:Ammonioborite
German:Ammonioborit
Norwegian:Ammonioboritt
Spanish:Ammonioborita
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 6.EA.05 | Sborgite | Na[B5O6(OH)4] · 3H2O |
| 6.EA.05 | Leucostaurite | Pb2[B5O9]Cl · 0.5H2O |
| 6.EA.10 | Ramanite-(Rb) | Rb[B5O6(OH)4] · 2H2O |
| 6.EA.10 | Ramanite-(Cs) | Cs[B5O6(OH)4] · 2H2O |
| 6.EA.10 | Santite | K[B5O6(OH)4] · 2H2O |
| 6.EA.25 | Ulexite | NaCa[B5O6(OH)6] · 5H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
Slowly and completely soluble in cold water.
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 Ammonioborite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-204.html
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References for Ammonioborite
Localities for Ammonioborite
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.
Italy (TL) | |
| D'Achiardi G. (1932) +3 other references |
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Larderello, Pomarance, Pisa Province, Tuscany, Italy