Nifontovite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Nifontovite
Roman V. Nifontov
Formula:
Ca3B6O6(OH)12(H2O)2
Colour:
Colorless to gray
Lustre:
Vitreous, Silky
Hardness:
3½
Specific Gravity:
2.35
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named in honor of Roman Vladimirovich Nifontov (Роман Владимирович Нифонтов) (13 February 1901, Yaroslavy now Dankovsky district, Russian Empire - 24 November 1960, Moscow, USSR), geologist who made significant contributions to the exploration and development of mineral deposits in the USSR.
Visit gemdat.org for Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2902
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2902:1
IMA Classification of Nifontovite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Ca3[BO(OH)2]6(H2O)2
First published:
1961
Classification of Nifontovite
6.CA.50
6 : BORATES
C : Triborates
A : Neso-triborates
6 : BORATES
C : Triborates
A : Neso-triborates
26.3.7.1
26 : HYDRATED BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
3 : Triborates
26 : HYDRATED BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
3 : Triborates
9.3.10
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nif | 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 Nifontovite
Vitreous, Silky
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Colorless to gray
Hardness:
3½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Poor/Indistinct
One parallel to elongation
One parallel to elongation
Density:
2.35 g/cm3 (Measured)
Optical Data of Nifontovite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.573 - 1.575 nβ = 1.577 - 1.578 nγ = 1.584 - 1.585
2V:
Measured: 66° to 76°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.010 - 0.011
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 (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 biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure
- the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using
this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points
where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the
field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are
isogyres.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Dispersion:
very weak
Comments:
shows anomalous interference colors
Chemistry of Nifontovite
Mindat Formula:
Ca3B6O6(OH)12(H2O)2
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Nifontovite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/b
Setting:
C2/c
Cell Parameters:
a = 13.11 Å, b = 9.51 Å, c = 13.50 Å
β = 119.20°
β = 119.20°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.379 : 1 : 1.42
Unit Cell V:
1,469.24 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Tabular prismatic crystals, to 3.5 cm; typically, granular and less than 1 mm.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0015605 | Nifontovite | Simonov M A, Egorov-Tismenko Y K, Kazanskaya E V, Belokoneva E L, Belov N V (1978) Hydrogen bonds in the crystal structure of nifontovite Ca2/B5O3(OH)6/2*2H2O Soviet Physics Doklady 23 159-161 | 1978 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 2.41 Å | (10) |
| 7.04 Å | (8) |
| 2.21 Å | (8) |
| 3.79 Å | (7) |
| 3.66 Å | (7) |
| 3.02 Å | (7) |
| 2.05 Å | (7) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 23 : Subaerial aqueous alteration by non-redox-sensitive fluids (see also #47) |
Type Occurrence of Nifontovite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Vernadsky Geological Museum (48611) and the A.E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Russian Academy of Sciences (64942), Moscow, Russia.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Skarn
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Nifontovite
Dutch:Nifontoviet
German:Nifontovit
Russian:Нифонтовит
Simplified Chinese:粒水硼钙石
Spanish:Nifontovita
Traditional Chinese:粒水硼鈣石
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 6 photos of Nifontovite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 5 photos of Nifontovite associated with Sphalerite | ZnS |
| 4 photos of Nifontovite associated with Borcarite | Ca4Mg(B4O6(OH)6)(CO3)2 |
| 3 photos of Nifontovite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 1 photo of Nifontovite associated with Numanoite | Ca4Cu(B4O6(OH)6)(CO3)2 |
| 1 photo of Nifontovite associated with Danburite | CaB2Si2O8 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 6.CA.10 | Ameghinite | Na(H4B3O7) |
| 6.CA.15 | Inderite | MgB3O3(OH)5 · 5H2O |
| 6.CA.20 | Kurnakovite | MgB3O3(OH)5 · 5H2O |
| 6.CA.25 | Inderborite | CaMg(H3B3O7)2 · 8H2O |
| 6.CA.30 | Meyerhofferite | CaB3O3(OH)5 · H2O |
| 6.CA.35 | Inyoite | Ca(H4B3O7)(OH) · 4H2O |
| 6.CA.40 | Solongoite | Ca2(H3B3O7)(OH)Cl |
| 6.CA.45 | Peprossiite-(Ce) | CeAl2(B3.67Si0.33)O10.67 |
| 6.CA.45 | Peprossiite-(Y) | YAl2(B3.67Si0.33)O10.67 |
| 6.CA.55 | Olshanskyite | Ca2[B3O3(OH)6](OH) · 3H2O |
Fluorescence of Nifontovite
Violet in LW UV
Other Information
Notes:
Insoluble in water, slowly soluble in 10% acetic acid or l0% HCl at room temperature, dissolving rapidly when warmed.
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 Nifontovite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2902.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Nifontovite
Localities for Nifontovite
Showing 6 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.
China | |
| Ottens et al. (2014) |
Japan | |
| Kusachi et al. (1994) +3 other references |
Mexico | |
| Pinch et al. (2005) |
| Arizona Lapidary & Gem Rough specimen | |
| Lapis 34 (4) | |
Russia (TL) | |
| Pekov (1998) +1 other reference |
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Charcas, Charcas Municipality, San Luis Potosí, Mexico