Satimolite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Satimolite
Formula:
KNa2(Al5Mg2)[B12O18(OH)12](OH)6Cl4 · 4H2O
Redefined in 2018. Original formula did not contain Mg: КNа2Аl4(В2O5)3Сl3 · 13Н2O.
Colour:
White to colorless
Lustre:
Vitreous, Dull
Hardness:
1 - 2
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Name:
Named after its discovery locality.
The formula was recently redefined to KNa2(Al5Mg2)[B12O18(OH)12](OH)6Cl4·4H2O.
Unique combination of elements.
Unique combination of elements.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3541
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3541:1
IMA Classification of Satimolite
Approved
IMA status notes:
Redefined by the IMA
IMA Formula:
KNa2(Al5Mg2)[B12O18(OH)12](OH)6Cl4·4H2O
Approval year:
1967
First published:
1969
Approval history:
IMA 2018: Formula modified (CNMNC Newsletter No. 47)
Classification of Satimolite
6.H0.15
6 : BORATES
H : Unclassified borates
0 :
6 : BORATES
H : Unclassified borates
0 :
26.7.4.1
26 : HYDRATED BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
7 : Miscellaneous
26 : HYDRATED BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
7 : Miscellaneous
10.1.17
10 : Borates with other anions
1 : Borates with halide
10 : Borates with other anions
1 : Borates with halide
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sati | 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 Satimolite
Vitreous, Dull
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Comment:
Separate crystals are colourless and transparent, with strong vitreous lustre
Colour:
White to colorless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
1 - 2 on Mohs scale
Optical Data of Satimolite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.535 nβ = 1.552 nγ = 1.553
2V:
Calculated: 26°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.018
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:
None to Very Low
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:
r > v weak
Chemistry of Satimolite
Mindat Formula:
KNa2(Al5Mg2)[B12O18(OH)12](OH)6Cl4 · 4H2O
Redefined in 2018. Original formula did not contain Mg: КNа2Аl4(В2O5)3Сl3 · 13Н2O.
Redefined in 2018. Original formula did not contain Mg: КNа2Аl4(В2O5)3Сl3 · 13Н2O.
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Satimolite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m(32/m) - Hexagonal Scalenohedral
Space Group:
R3m
Setting:
R3m
Cell Parameters:
a = 15.1431(8) Å, c = 14.4558(14) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.955
Unit Cell V:
2870.8 ų
Z:
3
Morphology:
Blocky rhombohedral crstals, massive
Comment:
Redefinition, Pekov et al. (2018)
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.20 Å | (100) |
| 9.5 Å | (90) |
| 6.3 Å | (90) |
| 4.01 Å | (90) |
| 3.51 Å | (80) |
| 2.441 Å | (80) |
| 1.966 Å | (80) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 25 : Evaporites (prebiotic) |
Type Occurrence of Satimolite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Dense, rounded aggregates up to 6-8 mm in diameter that crumble under light pressure into a fine chalk-like powder, consisting of grains (0.001-0.003 mm) usually irregular in form. Rarely as tabular rhombic forms up to 0.02 mm long along the long diagonal
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Mining Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia, 1023/1.
A.E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, 69941.
A.E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, 69941.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Evaporite deposit
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Satimolite
Other Language Names for Satimolite
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 6.H0.05 | Chelkarite | CaMgB2O4(Cl,OH)2 · 5H2O Or near, with Cl:OH = 3:1 |
| 6.H0.10 | Braitschite-(Ce) | (Ca,Na2)7(Ce,La)2B22O43 · 7H2O |
| 6.H0.20 | Iquiqueite | K3Na4Mg(CrO4)B24O39(OH) · 12H2O |
| 6.H0.25 | Wardsmithite | Ca5Mg[B4O7]6 · 30H2O |
| 6.H0.35 | Halurgite | Mg4[B8O13(OH)2]2 · 7H2O |
| 6.H0.40 | Ekaterinite | Ca2(B4O7)(Cl,OH)2 · 2H2O |
| 6.H0.45 | Vitimite | Ca6[B14O19](SO4)(OH)14 · 5H2O |
| 6.H0.50 | Canavesite | Mg2(HBO3)(CO3) · 5H2O |
| 6.H0.55 | Qilianshanite | NaHCO3 · H3BO3 · 2H2O |
Radioactivity
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 Satimolite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3541.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Satimolite
Reference List:
Pekov, Igor V., Zubkova, Natalia V., Ksenofontov, Dmitry A., Chukanov, Nikita V., Yapaskurt, Vasiliy O., Korotchenkova, Oksana V., Chaikovskiy, Ilya I., Bocharov, Vladimir M., Britvin, Sergey N., Pushcharovsky, Dmitry Yu. (2018) Redefinition of satimolite. Mineralogical Magazine, 82 (5) 1033-1047 doi:10.1180/minmag.2017.081.081
Localities for Satimolite
Showing 3 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.
Kazakhstan (TL) | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... +2 other references |
| Коротченкова et al. (2016) +1 other reference |
| Pekov et al. (2020) |
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Satimola salt dome, Oral, West Kazakhstan Region, Kazakhstan