Tuzlaite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Tuzlaite
Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Formula:
NaCaB5O8(OH)2 · 3H2O
Colour:
White to colourless
Lustre:
Silky, Pearly
Hardness:
2 - 3
Specific Gravity:
2.21
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named after its discovery locality, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Note: Some acicular gypsum from Niedersachswerfen has been erroneously sold as tuzlaite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
4063
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4063:7
IMA Classification of Tuzlaite
Approved
Approval year:
1993
First published:
1994
Classification of Tuzlaite
6.EC.25
6 : BORATES
E : Pentaborates
C : Phyllo-pentaborates
6 : BORATES
E : Pentaborates
C : Phyllo-pentaborates
26.5.12.2
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tuz | 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 Tuzlaite
Silky, Pearly
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
White to colourless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2 - 3 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
{001}
{001}
Density:
2.21 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.23 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Tuzlaite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.532 nβ = 1.544 nγ = 1.561
2V:
Measured: 80° to 82°, Calculated: 82°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.029
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.
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.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
weak
Optical Extinction:
Y = b; Z ∧ a = 14°.
Chemistry of Tuzlaite
Mindat Formula:
NaCaB5O8(OH)2 · 3H2O
Element Weights:
Common Impurities:
Sr,Al
Crystallography of Tuzlaite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/b
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.5 Å, b = 13.28 Å, c = 11.46 Å
β = 92.97°
β = 92.97°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.489 : 1 : 0.863
Unit Cell V:
987.90 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Prismatic and elongate to a.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0001662 | Tuzlaite | Bermanec V, Armbruster T, Tibljas D, Sturman D, Kniewald G (1994) Tuzlaite, NaCa[B5O8(OH)2].3H2O, a new mineral with a pentaborate sheet structure from the Tuzla salt mine, Bosnia and Hercegovina American Mineralogist 79 562-569 |  | 1994 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 8.638 Å | (100) |
| 6.617 Å | (30) |
| 2.868 Å | (29) |
| 4.179 Å | (17) |
| 2.586 Å | (15) |
| 2.845 Å | (14) |
| 2.065 Å | (14) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 23 : Subaerial aqueous alteration by non-redox-sensitive fluids (see also #47) | |
| 25 : Evaporites (prebiotic) |
Type Occurrence of Tuzlaite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Crosscutting veinlets in marl between halite layers.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Croatian Museum of Natural History, Zagreb, Croatia, HPM 8888.
Natural History Museum, Bern, Switzerland, B 8361.
Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Canada, M45848a.
Natural History Museum, Bern, Switzerland, B 8361.
Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Canada, M45848a.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Evaporite deposits.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Tuzlaite
Other Language Names for Tuzlaite
Common Associates
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 6.EC. | Calcioveatchite | SrCaB11O16(OH)5 · 5H2O |
| 6.EC.05 | Nasinite | Na2[B5O8(OH)] · 2H2O |
| 6.EC.05 | Biringuccite | Na2B5O8(OH) · H2O |
| 6.EC.10 | Gowerite | Ca[B5O8(OH)][B(OH)3] · 3H2O |
| 6.EC.15 | 'Veatchite-2M' | Sr2B11O16(OH)5 · H2O |
| 6.EC.15 | 'Veatchite-A' | Sr2B11O16(OH)5 · H2O |
| 6.EC.15 | Veatchite | Sr2B11O16(OH)5 · H2O |
| 6.EC.15 | 'Veatchite-1M' | Sr2B11O16(OH)5 · H2O |
| 6.EC.20 | Volkovskite | KCa4[B5O8OH]4[B(OH)3]2Cl · 4H2O |
| 6.EC.30 | Heidornite | Na2Ca3B5O8(SO4)2Cl(OH)2 |
| 6.EC.35 | Popugaevaite | Ca3[B5O6(OH)6]FCl2 · 8H2O |
| 6.EC.35 | Brianroulstonite | Ca3[B5O6(OH)6](OH)Cl2 · 8H2O |
Fluorescence of Tuzlaite
None
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 Tuzlaite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-4063.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Tuzlaite
Reference List:
Bermanec, Vladimir, Armbruster, Thomas, Tibljas, Darko, Sturman, Darko, Kniewald, Goran (1994) Tuzlaite, NaCa[B5O8(OH)2]·3H2O, a new mineral with a pentaborate sheet structure from the Tuzla salt mine, Bosnia and Hercegovina. American Mineralogist, 79 (5-6) 562-569
Localities for Tuzlaite
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.
Bosnia and Herzegovina (TL) | |
| Bermanec et al. (1994) |
Germany | |
| Siemroth (2008) |
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Tuzla Mine, Tuzla, Tuzla Canton, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bosnia and Herzegovina