Nitromagnesite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Nitromagnesite
Formula:
Mg(NO3)2 · 6H2O
Colour:
Colourless to white
Lustre:
Vitreous
Specific Gravity:
1.46 - 1.58
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
In allusion to the composition, being a NITRate of MAGNESIum.
This page provides mineralogical data about Nitromagnesite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2920
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2920:5
IMA Classification of Nitromagnesite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
[Mg(H2O)6](N5+O3)2
Classification of Nitromagnesite
5.NC.05
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
N : NITRATES
C : With H2O
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
N : NITRATES
C : With H2O
Dana 7th ed.:
18.2.3.1
18.2.3.1
18 : NORMAL NITRATES
2 : A(XO3)2·xH2O, where x can equal zero
18 : NORMAL NITRATES
2 : A(XO3)2·xH2O, where x can equal zero
13.4
13 : Nitrates
13 : Nitrates
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nmgs | 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 Nitromagnesite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless to white
Comment:
may be yellow from contained bat urine
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {110}.
On {110}.
Density:
1.46 - 1.58 g/cm3 (Measured) 1.64 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Nitromagnesite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.34(1) nβ = 1.506(3) nγ = 1.506(3)
2V:
Measured: 4° to 6°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.166
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:
none
Chemistry of Nitromagnesite
Mindat Formula:
Mg(NO3)2 · 6H2O
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Nitromagnesite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/b
Setting:
P21/c
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.194(2) Å, b = 12.71(3) Å, c = 6.600(2) Å
β = 92.99°
β = 92.99°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.487 : 1 : 0.519
Unit Cell V:
518.88 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Flocculent to earthy efflorescences. Artificial crystals long prismatic [001] with {001} and {110} dominant.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0009664 | Nitromagnesite | Braibanti A, Tiripicchio A, Lanfredi A M M, Bigoli F (1979) The crystal structures of nitrates of divalent hexaquocations. II. Hexaquomagnesium nitrate Acta Crystallographica B35 354-361 |  | 1979 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.295 Å | (100) |
| 2.925 Å | (75) |
| 4.433 Å | (55) |
| 5.840 Å | (45) |
| 4.154 Å | (35) |
| 3.190 Å | (35) |
| 2.688 Å | (35) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 52 : Guano- and urine-derived minerals | <0.4 |
Type Occurrence of Nitromagnesite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 128717
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Nitromagnesite
Other Language Names for Nitromagnesite
Dutch:Nitromagnesiet
Spanish:Nitromagnesita
Common Associates
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.NC.10 | Nitrocalcite | Ca(NO3)2 · 4H2O |
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:
Melting Point = 90°.
Notes:
Readily soluble in 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 Nitromagnesite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2920.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Nitromagnesite
Reference List:
Beudant, François-Sulpice (1832) Traité élémentaire de minéralogie. Deuxiéme Edition [Elementary Treatise on Mineralogy. Second Edition] (2nd ed.) Vol. 2 - Tome II [Volume II]. Chez Verdière. p.384
Lacroix, A. (1907) Minéralogie de la France et de ses colonies Vol. 3. Library Polytechnique, Paris. p.414 - citation of Ogérien
Localities for Nitromagnesite
Showing 14 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.
Australia | |
| |
France | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
Italy | |
| Zimmerman E.A.G. (1789) +2 other references |
Kenya | |
| Bowell et al. (1996) |
Poland | |
| Kruszewski et al. (2020) |
South Africa | |
| Martini et al. (1978) |
| Martini et al. (1978) |
| Martini et al. (1978) |
| Martini et al. (1978) |
Spain | |
| Martínez-Arkarazo et al. (2007) |
Ukraine | |
| Dvoichenko P.A. The minerals of Crimea (1914) |
USA (TL) | |
| Acta Cryst. 14 (1961) |
| Dietrich (1990) |
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Great Australia Mine, Cloncurry, Cloncurry Shire, Queensland, Australia