Nullaginite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Nullaginite
Formula:
Ni2(CO3)(OH)2
Colour:
Green
Lustre:
Waxy, Dull
Hardness:
1½ - 2
Specific Gravity:
3.56
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named for the Nullagine district in Western Australia.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2943
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2943:4
IMA Classification of Nullaginite
Classification of Nullaginite
5.BA.10
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
B : Carbonates with additional anions, without H2O
A : With Cu, Co, Ni, Zn, Mg, Mn
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
B : Carbonates with additional anions, without H2O
A : With Cu, Co, Ni, Zn, Mg, Mn
16a.3.2.1
16a : ANHYDROUS CARBONATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
3 : (AB)2(XO3)Zq
16a : ANHYDROUS CARBONATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
3 : (AB)2(XO3)Zq
11.14.3
11 : Carbonates
14 : Carbonates of Co and Ni
11 : Carbonates
14 : Carbonates of Co and Ni
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nlg | 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 Nullaginite
Waxy, Dull
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Green
Hardness:
1½ - 2 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Sectile
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
3.56 g/cm3 (Measured) 4.10 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Nullaginite
Type:
Biaxial
RI values:
nα = 1.67 nβ = 1.78 nγ = 1.78
Birefringence:
0.11
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.110
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:
Very High (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
Dispersion:
r < v perceptible
Chemistry of Nullaginite
Mindat Formula:
Ni2(CO3)(OH)2
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Nullaginite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/b
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.2363 Å, b = 12.0016 Å, c = 3.0912 Å
β = 90.48°
β = 90.48°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.77 : 1 : 0.258
Unit Cell V:
342.65 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Comment:
P21/*
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 7.302 Å | (30) |
| 6.018 Å | (5) |
| 5.038 Å | (30) |
| 4.619 Å | (40) |
| 3.660 Å | (40) |
| 3.097 Å | (20) |
| 3.001 Å | (10) |
| 2.981 Å | (10) |
| 2.932 Å | (20) |
| 2.854 Å | (20) |
| 2.740 Å | (20) |
| 2.653 Å | (10) |
| 2.579 Å | (100) |
| 2.557 Å | (90) |
| 2.516 Å | (20) |
| 2.449 Å | (10) |
| 2.192 Å | (10) |
| 2.129 Å | (10) |
| 2.117 Å | (5) |
| 2.095 Å | (5) |
| 2.000 Å | (5) |
| 1.835 Å | (5) |
| 1.763 Å | (10) |
| 1.736 Å | (5) |
| 1.545 Å | (30) |
| 1.541 Å | (30) |
| 1.528 Å | (20) |
| 1.368 Å | (5) |
Comments:
ICDD 35-501. Type material was intergrown with pecoraite.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 3a: Earth’s earliest Hadean crust | >4.50 |
| 7 : Ultramafic igneous rocks | |
| Stage 3b: Earth’s earliest hydrosphere | >4.45 |
| 13 : Hadean serpentinization | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] |
Type Occurrence of Nullaginite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Nodular grains and cross-fibre veinlets.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National History Museum, London, United Kingdom, number BM 1982,74 (cotype).
Western Australian Museum, Perth, Australia, number M76a.1991, M76b.1991 (holotype/cotype).
Western Australian Museum, Perth, Australia, number M76a.1991, M76b.1991 (holotype/cotype).
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Nickel-rich assemblage in shears in serpentinized peridotite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Nullaginite
Other Language Names for Nullaginite
Relationship of Nullaginite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Malachite-Rosasite Group:
| Chukanovite | Fe2+2(CO3)(OH)2 | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Glaukosphaerite | (Cu,Ni)2(CO3)(OH)2 | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Kolwezite | CuCo(CO3)(OH)2 | Tric. |
| Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Mcguinnessite | (Mg,Cu)2(CO3)(OH)2 | Mon. 2/m |
| Parádsasvárite | Zn2(CO3)(OH)2 | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Perchiazziite | Co2(CO3)(OH)2 | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Pokrovskite | Mg2(CO3)(OH)2 | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Rosasite | (Cu,Zn)2(CO3)(OH)2 | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Zincrosasite | (Zn,Cu)2(CO3)(OH)2 | Mon. |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 8 photos of Nullaginite associated with Gaspéite | NiCO3 |
| 7 photos of Nullaginite associated with Pecoraite | Ni3(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| 1 photo of Nullaginite associated with Magnesite | MgCO3 |
| 1 photo of Nullaginite associated with Hydrohonessite | (Ni1-xFe3+x)(OH)2(SO4)x/2 · nH2O |
| 1 photo of Nullaginite associated with Otwayite | Ni2(CO3)(OH)2 · H2O |
| 1 photo of Nullaginite associated with Heazlewoodite | Ni3S2 |
| 1 photo of Nullaginite associated with Chrysotile | Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| 1 photo of Nullaginite associated with Falcondoite | (Ni,Mg)4Si6O15(OH)2 · 6H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.BA.05 | Azurite | Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
| 5.BA.10 | Mcguinnessite | (Mg,Cu)2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 5.BA.10 | Zincrosasite | (Zn,Cu)2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 5.BA.10 | Parádsasvárite | Zn2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 5.BA.10 | Rosasite | (Cu,Zn)2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 5.BA.10 | Georgeite | [Cu(OH)2-x(H2O)x][CO3]x/2 |
| 5.BA.10 | Glaukosphaerite | (Cu,Ni)2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 5.BA.10 | Pokrovskite | Mg2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 5.BA.10 | Kolwezite | CuCo(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 5.BA.10 | Chukanovite | Fe2+2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 5.BA.10 | Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 5.BA.10 | Perchiazziite | Co2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 5.BA.15 | Aurichalcite | (Zn,Cu)5(CO3)2(OH)6 |
| 5.BA.15 | Hydrozincite | Zn5(CO3)2(OH)6 |
| 5.BA.20 | Holdawayite | Mn6(CO3)2(OH)7(Cl,OH) |
| 5.BA.25 | 'UM1977-03-COSiO:CaClH' | Ca10-11(CO3)7(SiO4)Cl1-2(OH)1-2 |
| 5.BA.25 | Defernite | Ca6(CO3)1.58(Si2O7)0.21(OH)7[Cl0.50(OH)0.08(H2O)0.42] |
| 5.BA.30 | Sclarite | Zn7(CO3)2(OH)10 |
| 5.BA.30 | Loseyite | (Mn2+,Zn,Mg)4Zn3(CO3)2(OH)10 |
Fluorescence of Nullaginite
Not fluorescent in UV.
Other Information
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 Nullaginite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2943.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Nullaginite
Reference List:
Nickel, E. H., Berry, L. G. (1981) The new mineral nullaginite and additional data on the related minerals rosasite and glaukosphaerite. The Canadian Mineralogist, 19 (2) 315-324
Fleischer, Michael; Chao, George Y.; Mandarino, Joseph A. (1982) New mineral names. American Mineralogist, 67 (7-8). p.854-860. pp.857-858
Perchiazzi, Natale; Merlino, Stefano (2006) The malachite-rosasite group: crystal structures of glaukosphaerite and pokrovskite. European Journal of Mineralogy, 18 (6). 787-792 doi:10.1127/0935-1221/2006/0018-0787(with comments on probable structure of nullaginite)
Frost, Ray L. (2006) A Raman spectroscopic study of selected minerals of the rosasite group. Journal of Raman Spectroscopy, 37 (9) 910-921 doi:10.1002/jrs.1521
Localities for Nullaginite
Showing 4 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 | |
| Witzke et al. (2022) +1 other reference |
| Nickel et al. (1993) +1 other reference |
| Nickel +3 other references |
USA | |
| Travis Olds collection |
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132 North Ni Mine, Widgiemooltha, Coolgardie Shire, Western Australia, Australia