Named for Alfred Wilhelm Stelzner [December 20, 1840 Dresden, Germany - February 25, 1895 Wiesbaden, Hesse, Germany]. Professor of mineralogy at the Bergakademie Freiberg.

Type Locality:

ⓘ Santa Rosa mine, Sijes, Susques Department, Jujuy Province, Argentina

This page provides mineralogical data about Alfredstelznerite.

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Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:

35790

Long-form identifier:

mindat:1:1:35790:4

IMA Classification of AlfredstelzneriteHide

IMA status:

Approved

IMA Formula:

Ca₄B₁₆O₁₆(OH)₂₄·19H₂O

Approval year:

2007

First published:

2010

Classification of AlfredstelzneriteHide

Strunz-mindat (2026):

6.D0.

6 : BORATES
D : Tetraborates
0 :

Dana 8th ed.:

26.4.6.

26 : HYDRATED BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
4 : Tetraborates

Mineral SymbolsHide

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
Asz	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 AlfredstelzneriteHide

Lustre:

Vitreous, Silky

Transparency:

Transparent

Colour:

Colorless

Comment:

Aggregates are white.

Streak:

White

Hardness:

2 on Mohs scale

Tenacity:

Brittle

Cleavage:

Perfect
Parallel to {010}.

Fracture:

Irregular/Uneven

Density:

1.77(1) g/cm³ (Measured) 1.775 g/cm³ (Calculated)

Optical Data of AlfredstelzneriteHide

Type:

Biaxial (+)

RI values:

n_α = 1.476(3) n_β = 1.478(3) n_γ = 1.494(3)

2V:

Calculated: 39°

Max. Birefringence:

δ = 0.018
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.

Thickness: 30 µm Order divisions

Rotation:

Surface Relief:

Moderate (negative)
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.

Focus:

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.

Thickness: 30 µm

Stage rotation: 0°

Dispersion:

None observed.

Optical Extinction:

X = b, Y = c, Z = a.

Pleochroism:

Not Visible

Chemistry of AlfredstelzneriteHide

Mindat Formula:

Ca₄(H₂O)₄[B₄O₄(OH)₆]₄(H₂O)₁₅

Element Weights:

Element	% weight
O	70.459 %
B	12.911 %
Ca	11.966 %
H	4.665 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.

Elements listed:

B, Ca, H, O - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of AlfredstelzneriteHide

Crystal System:

Orthorhombic

Class (H-M):

mm2 - Pyramidal

Space Group:

Pca2₁

Cell Parameters:

a = 12.161 Å, b = 40.477 Å, c = 10.1843 Å

Ratio:

a:b:c = 0.3 : 1 : 0.252

Unit Cell V:

5,013.13 Å³ (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Morphology:

Radial aggregates; sometimes parallel aggregates. Elongate along [001].

Type material: The forms observed are {010} dominant, {hk0}, {100}, {hkl}, and {hkl}.

Crystal StructureHide

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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)
0006321	Alfredstelznerite	Cooper M A, Hawthorne F C, Galliski M A, Marquez-Zavalia M F (2010) The crystal structure of alfredstelznerite, Ca4(H2O)4[B4O4(OH)6]4(H2O)15, a complex hydroxy-hydrated calcium borate mineral The Canadian Mineralogist 48 129-138		2010	Santa Rosa mine, Sijes, Salta, Argentina	0	293

CIF Raw Data - click here to close

data_global
_chemical_name_mineral 'Alfredstelznerite'
loop_
_publ_author_name
'Cooper M A'
'Hawthorne F C'
'Galliski M A'
'Marquez-Zavalia M F'
_journal_name_full 'The Canadian Mineralogist'
_journal_volume 48 
_journal_year 2010
_journal_page_first 129
_journal_page_last 138
_publ_section_title
;
 The crystal structure of alfredstelznerite, Ca4(H2O)4[B4O4(OH)6]4(H2O)15,
 a complex hydroxy-hydrated calcium borate mineral
;
_database_code_amcsd 0006321
_chemical_compound_source 'Santa Rosa mine, Sijes, Salta, Argentina'
_chemical_formula_sum 'Ca4 B16 O59 H62'
_cell_length_a 12.161
_cell_length_b 40.477
_cell_length_c 10.1843
_cell_angle_alpha 90
_cell_angle_beta 90
_cell_angle_gamma 90
_cell_volume 5013.128
_exptl_crystal_density_diffrn      1.775
_symmetry_space_group_name_H-M 'P c a 21'
loop_
_space_group_symop_operation_xyz
  'x,y,z'
  '1/2+x,-y,z'
  '1/2-x,y,1/2+z'
  '-x,-y,1/2+z'
loop_
_atom_site_label
_atom_site_fract_x
_atom_site_fract_y
_atom_site_fract_z
_atom_site_U_iso_or_equiv
Ca1   0.62910   0.28603   0.00000   0.00720
Ca2   0.37270   0.25068   0.50360   0.00720
Ca3   0.37510   0.48287   0.47370   0.00720
Ca4   0.37690   0.01816   0.48610   0.00720
B1   0.77190   0.35250   0.15700   0.00630
B2   0.93060   0.33740   0.29200   0.00630
B3   0.78460   0.29400   0.22300   0.00630
B4   0.61320   0.27350   0.33700   0.00630
B5   0.24510   0.18280   0.18200   0.00630
B6   0.41780   0.19680   0.30100   0.00630
B7   0.28250   0.24120   0.22600   0.00630
B8   0.11240   0.26090   0.34100   0.00630
B9   0.24350   0.08690   0.80900   0.00630
B10   0.41240   0.07260   0.69000   0.00630
B11   0.28150   0.02760   0.76300   0.00630
B12   0.11450   0.00490   0.65100   0.00630
B13   0.27700   0.41590   0.82300   0.00630
B14   0.43780   0.43070   0.68300   0.00630
B15   0.28610   0.47410   0.75200   0.00630
B16   0.12040   0.49520   0.63500   0.00630
O1   0.73200   0.32140   0.14680   0.01240
O2   0.85550   0.36160   0.23300   0.01240
O3   0.89390   0.30350   0.26690   0.01240
O4   0.71760   0.28620   0.34050   0.01240
O5   0.23100   0.21410   0.14830   0.01240
O6   0.32700   0.17360   0.26790   0.01240
O7   0.39220   0.23180   0.27130   0.01240
O8   0.21530   0.24880   0.34140   0.01240
O9   0.22750   0.05340   0.84350   0.01240
O10   0.31600   0.09420   0.71170   0.01240
O11   0.38800   0.03760   0.71980   0.01240
O12   0.21680   0.01990   0.64290   0.01240
O13   0.23540   0.44790   0.82790   0.01240
O14   0.36220   0.40690   0.74760   0.01240
O15   0.39650   0.46530   0.70890   0.01240
O16   0.22470   0.48180   0.63120   0.01240
O-H17   0.72210   0.37610   0.07800   0.01240
O-H18   0.93200   0.34190   0.43560   0.01240
O-H19   0.04130   0.34200   0.23420   0.01240
O-H20   0.78600   0.26610   0.13200   0.01240
O-H21   0.55630   0.27140   0.21920   0.01240
O-H22   0.56980   0.26210   0.45100   0.01240
O-H23   0.18080   0.15870   0.12480   0.01240
O-H24   0.43740   0.19550   0.44480   0.01240
O-H25   0.51500   0.18740   0.22930   0.01240
O-H26   0.28860   0.26950   0.13430   0.01240
O-H27   0.05600   0.26380   0.22330   0.01240
O-H28   0.06650   0.27340   0.45370   0.01240
O-H29   0.17270   0.10880   0.86030   0.01240
O-H30   0.51150   0.08270   0.76400   0.01240
O-H31   0.44230   0.07420   0.54510   0.01240
O-H32   0.28350  -0.00180   0.85070   0.01240
O-H33   0.05630   0.00280   0.76710   0.01240
O-H34   0.06180  -0.00580   0.54060   0.01240
O-H35   0.22720   0.39320   0.90790   0.01240
O-H36   0.54910   0.42660   0.72970   0.01240
O-H37   0.43230   0.42590   0.54090   0.01240
O-H38   0.28630   0.50310   0.83800   0.01240
O-H39   0.06200   0.49410   0.75200   0.01240
O-H40   0.06570   0.50560   0.52890   0.01240
Wat41   0.63410   0.22940  -0.04540   0.01240
Wat42   0.38510   0.30950   0.48710   0.01240
Wat43   0.39680   0.54530   0.47490   0.01240
Wat44   0.37270  -0.03790   0.55830   0.01240
Wat45   0.37600   0.36050   0.06600   0.03400
Wat46   0.62200   0.40450   0.40500   0.05900
Wat47   0.76850   0.20720   0.75820   0.02600
Wat48   0.44210   0.18990   0.95700   0.05200
Wat49   0.25540   0.32590   0.26200   0.03900
Wat50   0.70860   0.13540   0.98800   0.04200
Wat51   0.55790   0.11950   0.20000   0.03900
Wat52   0.63540   0.17850   0.57000   0.03400
Wat53   0.52800   0.34630   0.32500   0.09200
Wat54   0.73070   0.44050   0.20480   0.02400
Wat55   0.72960   0.06130   0.73200   0.04100
Wat56   0.44240 794.00000   0.03700   0.05000
Wat57   0.47700   0.42080   0.15800   0.10900
Wat58   0.55920   0.14670   0.79900   0.04300
Wat59   0.63500   0.08920   0.41500   0.06600

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:

d-spacing	Intensity
10.501 Å	(100)
5.226 Å	(70)
3.837 Å	(70)
3.118 Å	(70 broad)
4.623 Å	(60 broad)
2.612 Å	(60)
2.538 Å	(60)

Locality:

Santa Rosa mine, Sijes, Susques Department, Jujuy Province, Argentina

Comments:

Santa Rosa Mine, Argentina. Data from the type description.

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):

Paragenetic Mode	Earliest Age (Ga)
Near-surface Processes
25 : Evaporites (prebiotic)

Type Occurrence of AlfredstelzneriteHide

Type Locality:

ⓘ Santa Rosa mine, Sijes, Susques Department, Jujuy Province, Argentina

General Appearance of Type Material:

White radial aggregates. The crystals are up to 5 mm long and 30 mm wide.

Place of Conservation of Type Material:

Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina, number MS003266.

Geological Setting of Type Material:

Sedimentary-evaporitic borate-bearing clays. Found immediately after the rainy season.

Synonyms of AlfredstelzneriteHide

IMA2007-050

Other Language Names for AlfredstelzneriteHide

Dutch:Alfredstelzneriet

French:Alfredstelznerite

German:Alfredstelznerit

Norwegian:Alfredstelzneritt

Fluorescence of AlfredstelzneriteHide

In UV light:

Not fluorescent.

Other InformationHide

Notes:

Dissolves slowly in warm water. Soluble in HCl, and the solution colors a flame yellowish green, as is typical of boron-bearing minerals.

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 AlfredstelzneriteHide

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https://www.mindat.org/min-35790.html
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External Links:

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Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project

References and PDF downloads at RRUFF project

American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database

Handbook of Mineralogy page PDF

Mineral Dealers:

Buy from D. Joyce minerals

References for AlfredstelzneriteHide

Reference List:

Galliski, M. A., Cooper, M. A., Marquez-Zavalia, M. F., Hawthorne, F. C. (2010) Alfredstelznerite: A new species of calcium borate hydrate from the Santa Rosa mine, Salta, northwestern Argentina. The Canadian Mineralogist, 48 (1) 123-128 doi:10.3749/canmin.48.1.123

Cooper, M. A., Hawthorne, F. C., Galliski, M. A., Marquez-zavalia, M. F. (2010) The crystal structure of alfredstelznerite, Ca₄(H₂O)₄[B₄O₄(OH)₆]₄(H₂O)₁₅, a complex hydroxy-hydrated calcium borate mineral. The Canadian Mineralogist, 48 (1) 129-138 doi:10.3749/canmin.48.1.129

(2011) Alfredstelznerite. Handbook of Mineralogy. Mineralogical Society of America

Localities for AlfredstelzneriteHide

Showing 1 localities.

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the

symbol to view information about a locality. The

symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.

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Locality ListHide

- 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). ~~Struck out~~ - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.

Argentina (TL)

Jujuy Province

Susques Department

Sijes

ⓘ Santa Rosa mine (TL)

Galliski et al. (2010)

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