Wiserite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Wiserite
David F. Wiser
Formula:
(Mn2+,Mg)14(B2O5)4(OH)8 · (Si,Mg)(O,OH)4Cl
Colour:
Yellowish white, pink-brown, light red
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2½
Specific Gravity:
3.54
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Name:
Named by Haidinger in 1845 for David Friedrich Wiser (6 May 1802, Zurich, Switzerland - 22 March 1878, Zurich, Switzerland), iron trader and mineralogical chemist, who had discovered the mineral in 1842. He was able to retire from his profession at the age of 38 and spent the rest of his life focused on minerals. He built what was likely the finest collection of Swiss minerals in the 19th century, and was awarded an honorary Ph.D. from Zurich University in 1865.
This page provides mineralogical data about Wiserite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
4298
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4298:3
Similar Names
| Iserite (of Dana) | A synonym of 'Iserine' | |
| Iserite (of Janovsky) | A variety of Rutile | near FeTi2O5 |
| Miserite | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | K1.5-x(Ca,Y,REE)5(Si6O15)(Si2O7)(OH,F)2 · yH2O |
| Wiserine | A synonym of Anatase |
IMA Classification of Wiserite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Mn2+14(B2O5)4(OH)8·(Si,Mg)(O,OH)4Cl
Classification of Wiserite
6.BA.20
6 : BORATES
B : Diborates
A : Neso-diborates with double triangles B2(O,OH)5; 2(2D); 2(2D) + OH, etc.
6 : BORATES
B : Diborates
A : Neso-diborates with double triangles B2(O,OH)5; 2(2D); 2(2D) + OH, etc.
27.1.10.1
27 : COMPOUND BORATES
1 : Miscellaneous
27 : COMPOUND BORATES
1 : Miscellaneous
9.7.5
9 : Borates
7 : Borates of Mn
9 : Borates
7 : Borates of Mn
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Wis | 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 Wiserite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Yellowish white, pink-brown, light red
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Density:
3.54(8) g/cm3 (Measured) 3.57 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Wiserite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.751 - 1.753 nε = 1.700 - 1.715
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.038 - 0.051
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
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
O = colorless to bright orange-brown; E = bright to dark orange-brown
Chemistry of Wiserite
Mindat Formula:
(Mn2+,Mg)14(B2O5)4(OH)8 · (Si,Mg)(O,OH)4Cl
Element Weights:
Common Impurities:
Fe,Ca,H2O
Crystallography of Wiserite
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Class (H-M):
4/m - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
P4/n
Cell Parameters:
a = 20.192(6) Å, c = 3.281(2) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.162
Unit Cell V:
1,337.72 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Fibrous, asbestiform masses
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0001283 | Wiserite | Pertlik F, Dunn P J (1989) Crystal structure of wiserite American Mineralogist 74 1351-1354 |  | 1989 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.365 Å | (100) |
| 2.854 Å | (90) |
| 6.40 Å | (85) |
| 2.654 Å | (80) |
| 2.753 Å | (70) |
| 2.702 Å | (65) |
| 2.522 Å | (65) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| High-? alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 32 : Ba/Mn/Pb/Zn deposits, including metamorphic deposits | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] | |
| 47g : [Halogen-bearing surface weathering minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Wiserite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Fibrous masses, intimately intergrown with sussexite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich, Switzerland, 194501; Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 126918; National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 163804, 163341.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
In veins of rhodochrosite-hausmannite ore
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Wiserite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 6.BA.05 | Suanite | Mg2[B2O5] |
| 6.BA.10 | Clinokurchatovite | Ca(Mg,Fe2+,Mn2+)[B2O5] |
| 6.BA.10 | Kurchatovite | Ca(Mg,Mn2+)[B2O5] |
| 6.BA.15 | Szaibélyite | MgBO2(OH) |
| 6.BA.15 | Sussexite | Mn2+BO2(OH) |
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 Wiserite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-4298.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Wiserite
Reference List:
Fleischer, M. F. (1960) New Mineral Names; New data; Redefinition of mineral. American Mineralogist, 45 (1-2). 252-258
Pertlik, Franz, Dunn, Pete J. (1989) Crystal structure of wiserite. American Mineralogist, 74 (11-12) 1351-1354
Dunn, Pete J., Francis, Carl A., Ramik, Robert A., Nelen, Joseph A., Innes, John (1989) Wiserite, an occurrence at the Kombat mine in Namibia, and new data. American Mineralogist, 74 (11-12) 1374-1376
Localities for Wiserite
Showing 17 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.
Ghana | |
| Addae et al. (2026) |
Japan | |
| 加藤昭 (1980) |
| 加藤昭 (1980) |
| 加藤昭 (1980) | |
| 加藤昭 (1980) |
| 加藤昭 (1980) | |
| 加藤昭 (1980) |
| K. Nishikubo et al. (2005) +1 other reference |
| Am Min 74: pp 1374-1376 +1 other reference |
| 加藤昭 (1980) +1 other reference |
| 加藤昭 (1980) | |
| Akira Kato (undated manuscript) +1 other reference |
| 加藤昭 (1980) |
| photo in: Koubutsu Doshikai (2017) | |
Namibia | |
| Dunn et al. (1989) +1 other reference |
Romania | |
| Hirtopanu et al. (2015) |
Switzerland (TL) | |
| Haidinger (1845) +1 other reference |
Quick NavTopAbout WiseriteUnique IdentifiersSimilar NamesIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence Other LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Gonzen Mine, Sargans, Sarganserland, St. Gallen, Switzerland