Vimsite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Vimsite
Formula:
CaB2O2(OH)4
Colour:
Colourless
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
4
Specific Gravity:
2.54
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named after VIMS, the transliterated acronym for the All-Union Research Institute of Mineral Resources (Russia) [an acronym for Vses. Nauch.-Issled. Inst. Mineral. Syr’ya].
This page provides mineralogical data about Vimsite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
4183
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4183:2
IMA Classification of Vimsite
Approved
Approval year:
1968
First published:
1968
Classification of Vimsite
6.BC.15
6 : BORATES
B : Diborates
C : Ino-diborates with triangles and/or tetrahedra
6 : BORATES
B : Diborates
C : Ino-diborates with triangles and/or tetrahedra
25.1.5.1
25 : ANHYDROUS BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
1 : Monoborates
25 : ANHYDROUS BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
1 : Monoborates
9.3.5
9 : Borates
3 : Borates of Ca and Sr
9 : Borates
3 : Borates of Ca and Sr
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Vim | 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 Vimsite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless
Hardness:
4 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect along elongation
Perfect along elongation
Density:
2.54 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.56 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Vimsite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.584 - 1.585 nβ = 1.613 - 1.614 nγ = 1.613 - 1.614
2V:
Measured: 24° to 28°
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:
small
Chemistry of Vimsite
Mindat Formula:
CaB2O2(OH)4
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Vimsite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/b
Setting:
C2/c
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.026(2) Å, b = 9.558(3) Å, c = 4.440(1) Å
β = 91.31(2)°
β = 91.31(2)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.049 : 1 : 0.465
Unit Cell V:
425.37 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Elongated crystals, to 3 mm, in radial
aggregates
aggregates
Twinning:
Observed
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0012447 | Vimsite | Shashkin D P, Simonov M A, Belov N V (1968) Crystal structure of a new natural borate vimsite Ca[B2O2(OH)4] Doklady Akademii Nauk SSSR 182 821-824 | 1968 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.48 Å | (10) |
| 2.222 Å | (8) |
| 3.72 Å | (7) |
| 2.61 Å | (7) |
| 1.881 Å | (7) |
| 6.87 Å | (6) |
| 3.04 Å | (6) |
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) |
Type Occurrence of Vimsite
General Appearance of Type Material:
crystals
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Vernadsky Geological Museum, Moscow, Russia
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Vimsite
Other Language Names for Vimsite
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 6.BC.10 | Calciborite | Ca(B2O4) |
| 6.BC.20 | Parasibirskite | Ca2(B2O5) · H2O |
| 6.BC.20 | Sibirskite | Ca2(HB2O5)(OH) |
| 6.BC.25 | Shimazakiite | Ca2B2-xO5-3x(OH)3x (x = 0~0.06) |
Other Information
IR Spectrum:
Solongo material [cm-1]: 3560s, 3340, 3250, 1291, 1240sh, 1191, 1160sh, 1072s, 968s, 944s, 920sh, 807, 718, 646, 602, 500sh, 401
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 Vimsite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-4183.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Vimsite
Localities for Vimsite
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.
Japan | |
| Kobayashi et al. (2019) |
Russia | |
| [AmMin 85:1322] +1 other reference |
| Shashkin et al. (1968) +3 other references |
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Solongo B deposit, Ozernoe ore cluster, Yeravninsky District, Buryatia, Russia