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Bobtraillite

A valid IMA mineral species

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Discuss Bobtraillite

Edit Bobtraillite Add Synonym Edit CIF structures Clear Cache

Bob Traill

Formula:

(Na,◻)₁₂(◻,Na)₁₂Sr₁₂Zr₁₄(Si₃O₉)₁₀[Si₂BO₇(OH)₂]₆ · 12H₂O

The above formula is from new refinement of Wang et al. (2023) on the Chinese material; formerly given as (Na,Ca)₁₃Sr₁₁(Zr,Y,Nb)₁₄(Si₃O₉)₁₀(H₂BSi₂O₉)₆^.12H₂O

Colour:

Grey to brown

Lustre:

Vitreous

Hardness:

5½

Specific Gravity:

3.16 (Calculated)

Crystal System:

Trigonal

Name:

Honouring Robert ("Bob") James Traill (1921-2011) mineralogist and former head of the Mineralogy Section at the Geological Survey of Canada (1953–1980).

Type Locality:

ⓘ Poudrette quarry (De-Mix quarry; Demix quarry; Uni-Mix quarry; Carrière Mont Saint-Hilaire; MSH), Mont Saint-Hilaire, La Vallée-du-Richelieu RCM, Montérégie, Québec, Canada

A complex zirconium silicate, consisting of isolated (ZrO6) octahedra that are linked by trisilicate (Si3O9) rings to form a pinwheel-like motif similar to that found in Wadeite. Additional trisilicate (Si3O9) and boro-trisilicate (H2BSi2O9) rings complete a two-dimensional, giant pinwheel motif along [001]. Bonding between the rings and the (ZrO6) octahedra along [001] completes the structure in three dimensions. Channels along [001] are occupied by Na and Sr ions and water molecules.

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Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:

27406

Long-form identifier:

mindat:1:1:27406:3

IMA Classification of BobtrailliteHide

IMA status:

Approved

IMA Formula:

(Na,◻)₁₂(◻,Na)₁₂Sr₁₂Zr⁴⁺₁₄(Si₃O₉)₁₀[Si₂BO₇(OH)₂]₆·12H₂O

Approval year:

2001

First published:

2005

Type description reference:

McDonald, A. M., Chao, G. Y. (2005) Bobtraillite, (Na,Ca)₁₃Sr₁₁(Zr,Y,Nb)₁₄Si₄₂B₆O₁₃₂(OH)₁₂·12H₂O, a new mineral species from Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec: description, structure determination and relationship to benitoite and wadeite. The Canadian Mineralogist, 43 (2) 747-758 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.43.2.747

Classification of BobtrailliteHide

Strunz-mindat (2026):

9.CA.30

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
C : Cyclosilicates
A : [Si₃O₉]₆- 3-membered single rings (dreier-Einfachringe), without insular complex anions

Mineral SymbolsHide

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
Bta	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 BobtrailliteHide

Lustre:

Vitreous

Transparency:

Transparent

Colour:

Grey to brown

Streak:

White

Hardness:

5½ on Mohs scale

Tenacity:

Brittle

Cleavage:

None Observed

Fracture:

Irregular/Uneven, Conchoidal

Density:

3.16 g/cm³ (Calculated)

Comment:

Could not be measured due to lack of material.

Optical Data of BobtrailliteHide

Type:

Uniaxial (+)

RI values:

n_ω = 1.627 n_ε = 1.645

Max. Birefringence:

δ = 0.018
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.

Thickness: 30 µm

Rotation:

Surface Relief:

Moderate

Pleochroism:

Non-pleochroic

Chemistry of BobtrailliteHide

Mindat Formula:

(Na,◻)₁₂(◻,Na)₁₂Sr₁₂Zr₁₄(Si₃O₉)₁₀[Si₂BO₇(OH)₂]₆ · 12H₂O

The above formula is from new refinement of Wang et al. (2023) on the Chinese material; formerly given as (Na,Ca)₁₃Sr₁₁(Zr,Y,Nb)₁₄(Si₃O₉)₁₀(H₂BSi₂O₉)₆^.12H₂O

Element Weights:

Element	% weight
O	39.114 %
Zr	20.014 %
Si	18.486 %
Sr	16.477 %
Na	4.323 %
B	1.017 %
H	0.569 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.

Elements listed:

B, H, Na, O, Si, Sr, Zr - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Common Impurities:

Ba,Hf

Crystallography of BobtrailliteHide

Crystal System:

Trigonal

Class (H-M):

3m(32/m) - Hexagonal Scalenohedral

Space Group:

P31c

Cell Parameters:

a = 19.72 Å, c = 9.9788 Å

Ratio:

a:c = 1 : 0.506

Unit Cell V:

3360.7 Å³

Morphology:

Commonly blocky to prismatic, elongate along [001].

Crystal StructureHide

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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)
0006016	Bobtraillite	McDonald A M, Chao G Y (2005) Bobtraillite, (Na,Ca)13Sr11(Zr,Y,Nb)14Si42B6O132(OH)1212H2O, a new mineral species from Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec: description, structure determination and relationship to benitoite and wadeite* The Canadian Mineralogist 43 747-758		2005	Poudrette quarry, Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada	0	293

CIF Raw Data - click here to close

data_global
_chemical_name_mineral 'Bobtraillite'
loop_
_publ_author_name
'McDonald A M'
'Chao G Y'
_journal_name_full 'The Canadian Mineralogist'
_journal_volume 43 
_journal_year 2005
_journal_page_first 747
_journal_page_last 758
_publ_section_title
;
 Bobtraillite, (Na,Ca)13Sr11(Zr,Y,Nb)14Si42B6O132(OH)12*12H2O,
 a new mineral species from Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec: description,
 structure determination and relationship to benitoite and wadeite
;
_database_code_amcsd 0006016
_chemical_compound_source 'Poudrette quarry, Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada'
_chemical_formula_sum 'Na6.462 Sr5.496 Zr7 Si21 B3 O78 H18'
_cell_length_a 19.720
_cell_length_b 19.720
_cell_length_c 9.9788
_cell_angle_alpha 90
_cell_angle_beta 90
_cell_angle_gamma 120
_cell_volume 3360.646
_exptl_crystal_density_diffrn      3.120
_symmetry_space_group_name_H-M 'P -3 c 1'
loop_
_space_group_symop_operation_xyz
  'x,y,z'
  '-y,-x,1/2+z'
  'y,-x+y,-z'
  '-x,-x+y,1/2-z'
  '-x+y,-x,z'
  '-x+y,y,1/2+z'
  '-x,-y,-z'
  'y,x,1/2-z'
  '-y,x-y,z'
  'x,x-y,1/2+z'
  'x-y,x,-z'
  'x-y,-y,1/2-z'
loop_
_atom_site_label
_atom_site_fract_x
_atom_site_fract_y
_atom_site_fract_z
_atom_site_occupancy
_atom_site_U_iso_or_equiv
Nal   0.78230   0.89130   0.99970   0.83700   0.02800
Na2   0.67190   0.67180   0.49470   0.24000   0.04800
Sr   0.43604   0.56401   0.50000   0.91600   0.01400
Zr1   0.56592   0.78293   0.50000   1.00000   0.00880
Zr2   0.00000   0.00000   0.50000   1.00000   0.00660
Si1   0.87020   0.00000   0.75000   1.00000   0.01180
Si2   0.69223   0.91164   0.75010   1.00000   0.01230
Si3   0.56438   0.65133   0.75000   1.00000   0.01060
Si4   0.42971   0.74333   0.75000   1.00000   0.00950
B   0.47980   0.47980   0.75000   1.00000   0.01500
O1   0.47760   0.78460   0.61640   1.00000   0.01560
O2   0.47790   0.69320   0.38240   1.00000   0.01500
O3   0.65170   0.86830   0.61640   1.00000   0.02600
O4   0.78090   0.92370   0.74970   1.00000   0.02160
O5   0.99990   0.08850   0.38600   1.00000   0.02600
O6   0.55850   0.86740   0.38700   1.00000   0.01580
O7   0.55840   0.69110   0.61410   1.00000   0.01430
O8   0.65160   0.78360   0.38430   1.00000   0.02600
O9   0.48930   0.56180   0.74980   1.00000   0.01460
O10   0.40050   0.64920   0.74980   1.00000   0.01190
O11   0.64230   0.64230   0.75000   1.00000   0.01300
O12   0.70280   0.00000   0.75000   1.00000   0.02000
O-H13   0.44180   0.44180   0.62160   1.00000   0.02500
Wat14   0.77620   0.99980   0.09070   1.00000   0.05800
loop_
_atom_site_aniso_label
_atom_site_aniso_U_11
_atom_site_aniso_U_22
_atom_site_aniso_U_33
_atom_site_aniso_U_12
_atom_site_aniso_U_13
_atom_site_aniso_U_23
Nal 0.02400 0.02700 0.03100 0.01200 0.00200 0.01300
Na2 0.03700 0.03400 0.05000 0.00100 0.02100 0.02500
Sr 0.01260 0.01240 0.01520 0.00490 -0.00120 -0.00100
Zr1 0.01000 0.00960 0.00680 0.00500 0.00010 0.00010
Zr2 0.00760 0.00760 0.00450 0.00380 0.00000 0.00000
Si1 0.01080 0.01300 0.01200 0.00670 0.00010 0.00020
Si2 0.00940 0.01280 0.01260 0.00400 0.00020 0.00050
Si3 0.01170 0.01160 0.01130 0.00790 -0.00080 -0.00050
Si4 0.00890 0.01040 0.01040 0.00580 0.00030 0.00020
B 0.01800 0.01800 0.01000 0.00900 -0.00100 0.00100
O1 0.01800 0.01600 0.01400 0.00900 0.00600 0.00300
O2 0.01500 0.01600 0.01300 0.00700 -0.00600 -0.00600
O3 0.03200 0.03000 0.01500 0.01600 -0.00900 -0.00800
O4 0.01100 0.00900 0.04100 0.00200 0.00100 0.00300
O5 0.02600 0.02500 0.02700 0.01200 0.00100 0.00800
O6 0.01700 0.02100 0.01100 0.01100 -0.00100 0.00400
O7 0.01500 0.01500 0.01100 0.00600 0.00100 0.00300
O8 0.03600 0.02800 0.01500 0.01600 0.01000 0.00100
O9 0.01000 0.01000 0.02000 0.00300 -0.00100 -0.00100
O10 0.00300 0.00300 0.02700 -0.00100 -0.00100 0.00100
O11 0.01300 0.01300 0.01700 0.00900 0.00100 -0.00100
O12 0.00900 0.01000 0.04100 0.00500 -0.00200 -0.04000
O-H13 0.02600 0.02700 0.02400 0.01500 -0.00600 -0.00700
Wat14 0.05800 0.04900 0.06100 0.02300 0.01500 0.00000

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:

d-spacing	Intensity
2.752 Å	(100)
3.13 Å	(70)
3.96 Å	(51)
3.76 Å	(49)
6.46 Å	(38)
5.43 Å	(33)

Locality:

Poudrette quarry (De-Mix quarry; Demix quarry; Uni-Mix quarry; Carrière Mont Saint-Hilaire; MSH), Mont Saint-Hilaire, La Vallée-du-Richelieu RCM, Montérégie, Québec, Canada

Reference:

Comments:

Format: d (I) (hkl). Only the six strongest lines are given.

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):

Paragenetic Mode	Earliest Age (Ga)
Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks	>3.0
35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event	<2.4
47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals]
47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates]

Type Occurrence of BobtrailliteHide

Type Locality:

ⓘ Poudrette quarry (De-Mix quarry; Demix quarry; Uni-Mix quarry; Carrière Mont Saint-Hilaire; MSH), Mont Saint-Hilaire, La Vallée-du-Richelieu RCM, Montérégie, Québec, Canada

General Appearance of Type Material:

Generally isolated single crystals with a maximum length of 2 mm or simple parallel intergrowths with two or three members, rarely in small (<0.1 mm) rosettes.

Place of Conservation of Type Material:

Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, Canada (CMNMC 83718).

Geological Setting of Type Material:

The mineral is found in igneous breccias and nepheline syenite pegmatites. It is paragenetically late, arising from unusual, hydrous fluids enriched in B, Sr, Na and Zr.

Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Aegirine	Albite	Analcime	Annite	Calcite
Clinopyroxene Subgroup	Donnayite-(Y)	Mica Group	Microcline	Pyrite
Pyrrhotite	Titanite

Reference:

Synonyms of BobtrailliteHide

IMA2001-041

Unnamed (MSH UK-69)

Other Language Names for BobtrailliteHide

Dutch:Bobtrailliet

German:Bobtraillit

Russian:Бобтраилит

Simplified Chinese:水硼硅锶钠锆石

Traditional Chinese:水硼矽鍶鈉鋯石

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping Hide

9.CA.	'UM1975-18-SiO:Mn'	α-MnSiO₃	Tric.
9.CA.	Raudseppite	Ba₂Ca₇(Si₃O₉)₂(CO₃)₂Cl₂	Tric. 1 : P1
9.CA.	Kopylovite	K₂Ti(Si₃O₉)	Hex. 6/m : P6₃/m
9.CA.05	Bazirite	BaZr(Si₃O₉)	Hex. 6m2 : P6c2
9.CA.05	Benitoite	BaTi(Si₃O₉)	Hex. 6m2 : P62c
9.CA.05	Pabstite	Ba(Sn,Ti)(Si₃O₉)	Hex. 6m2 : P6c2
9.CA.10	Wadeite	K₂Zr(Si₃O₉)	Hex. 6/m : P6₃/m
9.CA.15	Calciocatapleiite	CaZr(Si₃O₉) · 2H₂O	Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
9.CA.15	Catapleiite	Na₂Zr(Si₃O₉) · 2H₂O	Mon.
9.CA.20	Pseudowollastonite	CaSiO₃	Mon. 2/m : B2/b
9.CA.25	Margarosanite	Ca₂PbSi₃O₉	Tric. 1 : P1
9.CA.25	Walstromite	BaCa₂(Si₃O₉)	Tric. 1 : P1
9.CA.25	Anatolygurbanovite	SrCa₂Si₃O₉	Tric. 1 : P1
9.CA.25	Breyite	Ca₃Si₃O₉	Tric. 1 : P1
9.CA.35	Rogermitchellite	Na₆Sr₁₂Ba₂Zr₁₃Si₃₉B₄O₁₂₃(OH)₆ · 20H₂O	Hex. 6mm : P6₃cm

Fluorescence of BobtrailliteHide

In UV light:

none

Other InformationHide

Notes:

Does not effervesce in 1:1 HCl at room temperature.

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 BobtrailliteHide

mindat.org URL:

https://www.mindat.org/min-27406.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

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External Links:

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Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project

References and PDF downloads at RRUFF project

American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database

Handbook of Mineralogy page PDF

Mineral Dealers:

Buy from D. Joyce minerals

References for BobtrailliteHide

Reference List:

(2014) Bobtraillite. Handbook of Mineralogy. Mineralogical Society of America

Wang, Y., Nestola, F., Hou, Z., Gu, X., Dong, G., Yang, Z., Fan, G., Xiao, Z., Qu, K. (2023): Bobtraillite from Gejiu hyperagpaitic nepheline syenite, southwestern China: new occurrence and crystal structure. European Journal of Mineralalogy: 35: 65–74.

Localities for BobtrailliteHide

Showing 4 localities.

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the

symbol to view information about a locality. The

symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.

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Locality ListHide

- 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.


Canada (TL)
Québec Montérégie La Vallée-du-Richelieu RCM Mont Saint-Hilaire ⓘ Poudrette quarry (De-Mix quarry; Demix quarry; Uni-Mix quarry; Carrière Mont Saint-Hilaire; MSH) (TL)	McDonald et al. (2005)

China
Liaoning Dandong ⓘ Saima complex	Wu et al. (2023) +1 other reference
Yunnan Honghe Gejiu City ⓘ Gejiu intrusion	Wang et al. (2023)
Gejiu Sn-polymetallic ore field ⓘ Moxuanxueite type locality	Wang et al. (2023) +1 other reference

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Bobtraillite

Unique IdentifiersHide

IMA Classification of BobtrailliteHide

Classification of BobtrailliteHide

Mineral SymbolsHide

Physical Properties of BobtrailliteHide

Optical Data of BobtrailliteHide

Chemistry of BobtrailliteHide

Crystallography of BobtrailliteHide

Crystal StructureHide

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Geological EnvironmentHide

Type Occurrence of BobtrailliteHide

Synonyms of BobtrailliteHide

Other Language Names for BobtrailliteHide

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

Fluorescence of BobtrailliteHide

Other InformationHide

Internet Links for BobtrailliteHide

References for BobtrailliteHide

Localities for BobtrailliteHide

Locality ListHide

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping Hide