Ruitenbergite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Ruitenbergite
Formula:
Ca9B26O34(OH)24Cl4 · 13H2O
Colour:
Colourless to orange, white, pale yellow
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
3 - 4
Specific Gravity:
2.13 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
After Arie Anne Ruitenberg (b. 1929), resident geologist for southern New Brunswick, Department of Natural Resources, Sussex, New Brunswick, Canada, for his contributions to the geology of New Brunswick.
Type Locality:
Dimorph of:
The monoclinic dimorph of Pringleite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3475
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3475:9
IMA Classification of Ruitenbergite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Ca9B26O34(OH)24Cl4·13H2O
Approval year:
1992
Classification of Ruitenbergite
6.GD.05
6 : BORATES
G : Heptaborates and other megaborates
D : Mega-tektoborates
6 : BORATES
G : Heptaborates and other megaborates
D : Mega-tektoborates
26.5.17.2
26 : HYDRATED BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
5 : Pentaborates
26 : HYDRATED BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
5 : Pentaborates
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Rtb | 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 Ruitenbergite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Colourless to orange, white, pale yellow
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3 - 4 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
{100}, good.
{100}, good.
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
2.13 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Ruitenbergite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.542(1) nβ = 1.545(1) nγ = 1.565(1)
2V:
Measured: 47° (1), Calculated: 42°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.023
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:
weak
Colour in reflected light:
blue gray
Chemistry of Ruitenbergite
Mindat Formula:
Ca9B26O34(OH)24Cl4 · 13H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Ruitenbergite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2 - Sphenoidal
Space Group:
P21
Setting:
P21
Cell Parameters:
a = 19.857(7) Å, b = 9.708(4) Å, c = 17.522(6) Å
β = 115.68°
β = 115.68°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 2.045 : 1 : 1.805
Unit Cell V:
3,044.12 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0005342 | Ruitenbergite | Grice J D, Burns P C, Hawthorne F C (1994) Determination of the megastructures of the borate polymorphs pringleite and ruitenbergite The Canadian Mineralogist 32 1-14 |  | 1994 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 8.56 Å | (100) |
| 6.62 Å | (70) |
| 9.03 Å | (60) |
| 6.14 Å | (30b) |
| 5.12 Å | (30) |
| 4.09 Å | (30) |
| 3.786 Å | (30) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 25 : Evaporites (prebiotic) |
Type Occurrence of Ruitenbergite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Anhedral granular, to 7 mm.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Geological Survey of Canada, Ottawa, 66920; Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, Canada, 82047.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Ruitenbergite
Other Language Names for Ruitenbergite
Common Associates
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 6.GD.05 | Pringleite | Ca9B26O34(OH)24Cl4 · 13H2O |
| 6.GD.10 | Metaborite | HBO2 |
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 Ruitenbergite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3475.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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Mineral Dealers:
References for Ruitenbergite
Reference List:
Roberts, Andrew C., Stirling, J. A. R., Grice, Joel D., Burns, P. C., Curtis, J. D., Jambor, J. L. (1993) Pringleite and ruitenbergite, polymorphs of Ca2B26O34(OH)24Cl4·13H2O, two new mineral species from Sussex, New Brunswick. The Canadian Mineralogist, 31 (4) 795-800
Grice, Joel D., Burns, Peter C., Hawthorne, Franck C. (1994) Determination of the megastructures of the borate polymorphs pringleite and ruitenbergite. The Canadian Mineralogist, 32 (1) 1-14
Localities for Ruitenbergite
Showing 2 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.
Canada (TL) | |
| Roberts et al. (1993) |
| Burns et al. (1992) |
Quick NavTopAbout RuitenbergiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Mine, Penobsquis, Cardwell Parish, Kings Co., New Brunswick, Canada