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Balangeroite

A valid IMA mineral species
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09667740017271921241997.jpg
Balangeroite

Poggio San Vittore asbestos mine, Balangero, Metropolitan City of Turin, Piedmont, Italy
05800480017860646917469.jpg
Balangeroite, etc.

Poggio San Vittore asbestos mine, Balangero, Metropolitan City of Turin, Piedmont, Italy
03641820017271921306105.jpg
Balangeroite

Poggio San Vittore asbestos mine, Balangero, Metropolitan City of Turin, Piedmont, Italy
09667740017271921241997.jpg
Balangeroite

Poggio San Vittore asbestos mine, Balangero, Metropolitan City of Turin, Piedmont, Italy
05843990017854056752871.jpg
Balangeroite, etc.

Poggio San Vittore asbestos mine, Balangero, Metropolitan City of Turin, Piedmont, Italy
03641820017271921306105.jpg
Balangeroite

Poggio San Vittore asbestos mine, Balangero, Metropolitan City of Turin, Piedmont, Italy
06213620017271921322282.jpg
Balangeroite

Poggio San Vittore asbestos mine, Balangero, Metropolitan City of Turin, Piedmont, Italy
05800480017860646917469.jpg
Balangeroite, etc.

Poggio San Vittore asbestos mine, Balangero, Metropolitan City of Turin, Piedmont, Italy
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About BalangeroiteHide

Formula:
(Mg,Fe2+,Fe3+,Mn2+)42Si16O54(OH)40
Colour:
Brown
Lustre:
Vitreous, Greasy
Specific Gravity:
2.96 - 3.10
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named for the type locality in the Balangero - Corio area, Torino Province, Piedmont, Italy.
Isostructural with:
Gageite
Two polytypes are known, 2M and 1A (Bonaccorsi et al., 2012).


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
492
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:492:3

Similar NamesHide

BoulangeriteA valid IMA mineral species - grandfatheredPb5Sb4S11

IMA Classification of BalangeroiteHide

Classification of BalangeroiteHide

Strunz-mindat (2026):
9.DH.35

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
D : Inosilicates
H : Inosilicates with 4-periodic single chains, Si4O12
Dana 8th ed.:
65.3.2.1

65 : INOSILICATES Single-Width,Unbranched Chains,(W=1)
3 : Single-Width Unbranched Chains, W=1 with chains P=4
Hey's CIM Ref.:
14.21.14

14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
21 : Silicates of Fe and Mg

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference for Standard
BalIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of BalangeroiteHide

Lustre:
Vitreous, Greasy
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Brown
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Very Good
One or more on {hkl} are very good.
Density:
2.96 - 3.10 g/cm3 (Measured)    3.098 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of BalangeroiteHide

Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.68 nγ = 1.68
Surface Relief:
Very High (positive)
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
Dispersion:
r > v strong
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
dark brown parallel [001]; yellow-brown perpendicular [001].

Chemistry of BalangeroiteHide

Mindat Formula:
(Mg,Fe2+,Fe3+,Mn2+)42Si16O54(OH)40
Element Weights:
Element% weight
O49.891 %
Mg33.864 %
Si14.907 %
H1.338 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
O
Mg
Si
H
Elements listed:
Fe, H, Mg, Mn, O, Si - search for minerals with similar chemistry
Common Impurities:
Ti,Al,Cr,Ca

Crystallography of BalangeroiteHide

Polytype:
Formula:
Crystal System:
Class (H-M)
Space Group:
Space Group Setting:
Cell Parameters:
Ratio:
Unit Cell Volume (calc):
Z:
Comment:
Balangeroite-1ABalangeroite-2M
(Mg,Fe2+,Fe3+,Mn2+)42Si16O54(OH)40(Mg,Fe2+,Fe3+,Mn2+)42Si16O54(OH)40
Triclinic Monoclinic 
1 - Pinacoidal2/m - Prismatic
P1 
  
a = 9.602 Å, b = 13.891 Å, c = 14.012 Å
α = 86.99°, β = 76.79°, γ = 76.67°		a = 19.179 Å, b = 9.601 Å, c = 19.218 Å
β = 90.52°
a:b:c = 0.691 : 1 : 1.009a:b:c = 1.998 : 1 : 2.002
V 1,770.47 ų
(Calculated from Unit Cell)		V 3,538.61 ų
(Calculated from Unit Cell)
 2
 Space group P2/n.

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
2.714 Å(100)
6.77 Å(80)
2.674 Å(75)
3.378 Å(45)
9.59 Å(40)
3.278 Å(40)
2.516 Å(40)

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 3b: Earth’s earliest hydrosphere>4.45
13 : Hadean serpentinization
Stage 5: Initiation of plate tectonics<3.5-2.5
38 : Ophiolites

Type Occurrence of BalangeroiteHide

Type Locality:
ⓘ Poggio San Vittore asbestos mine, Balangero, Metropolitan City of Turin, Piedmont, Italy
General Appearance of Type Material:
Fibrous, both loose and compact
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Mineralogy Institute, Turin University, Turin, Italy, 14873.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
schistose serpentinite in proximity to a large ultramafic massif.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
AntigoriteAragoniteCalciteChlorite GroupChrysotile
DiopsideMagnetiteOlivine Group
Reference:
Compagnoni, Roberto, Ferraris, Giovanni, Fiora, Laura (1983) Balangeroite, a new fibrous silicate related to gageite from Balangero, Italy. American Mineralogist, 68 (1-2) 214-219

Synonyms of BalangeroiteHide

Other Language Names for BalangeroiteHide

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
1 photo of Balangeroite associated with 'Serpentinite'
1 photo of Balangeroite associated with ChrysotileMg3(Si2O5)(OH)4

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

9.DH.DevilliersiteCa4Ca2Fe3+10O4[(Fe3+10Si2)O36]Tric. 1 : P1
9.DH.'Gageite-2M'(Mn,Mg,Zn)42Si16O54(OH)40Mon. 2/m
9.DH.BavsiiteBa2V2O2[Si4O12]Tet. 4/m : I4/m
9.DH.YuzuxiangiteSr3Fe3+(Si2O6)2(OH) · 3H2OMon. 2/m : P21/m
9.DH.LouisfuchsiteCa2(Mg4Ti2)(Al4Si2)O20Tric. 1 : P1
9.DH.05LeucophaniteNaCaBeSi2O6FOrth. 222 : P212121
9.DH.10OhmiliteSr3(Ti,Fe3+)(Si4O12)(O,OH) · 2-3H2OMon. 2/m : P21/m
9.DH.15HaradaiteSrVSi2O7Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
9.DH.15SuzukiiteBaVSi2O7Orth.
9.DH.20Shcherbakovite(K,Ba)KNa(Ti,Nb)2(Si4O12)O2Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Imma
9.DH.20BatisiteBaNaNaTi2(Si4O12)O2Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Imma
9.DH.20NoonkanbahiteBaKNaTi2(Si4O12)O2Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Imma
9.DH.25TaikaniteSr3BaMn2+2(Si4O12)O2Mon. 2 : B2
9.DH.30KrauskopfiteBaSi2O5 · 3H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
9.DH.35GageiteMn21(Si4O12)2O3(OH)20Mon. 2/m
9.DH.40KuratiteCa2(Fe2+5Ti)O2[Si4Al2O18]Tric. 1 : P1
9.DH.40AenigmatiteNa4[Fe2+10Ti2]O4[Si12O36]Tric. 1 : P1
9.DH.40DorriteCa4(Mg3Fe3+9)O4(Si3Al8Fe3+O36)Tric.
9.DH.40SerendibiteCa4[Mg6Al6]O4[Si6B3Al3O36]Tric. 1 : P1
9.DH.40RhöniteCa4[Mg8Fe3+2Ti2]O4[Si6Al6O36]Tric. 1 : P1
9.DH.40KhesiniteCa4(Mg3Fe3+9)O4(Fe3+9Si3)O36Tric. 1 : P1
9.DH.40'UM1991-29-SiO:FeMgNa'Na4(Mg5Fe3+7)O4[Si9Fe3+3O36]
9.DH.40HøgtuvaiteCa4[Fe2+6Fe3+6]O4[Si8Be2Al2O36]Tric. 1 : P1
9.DH.40'Leucorhönite'Ca2(Mg,Fe3+,Al)6(Si,Al)6O20Tric.
9.DH.40WelshiteCa4Mg9Sb3O4[Si6Be3AlFe2O36]Tric. 1 : P1
9.DH.40WilkinsoniteNa2Fe2+4Fe3+2(Si6O18)O2Tric. 1 : P1
9.DH.40KrinoviteNa2Mg4Cr3+2(Si6O18)O2Tric. 1 : P1
9.DH.40Makarochkinite(Ca,Na)4[Fe2+8Fe3+2Ti2]O4[Si8Be2Al2O36]Tric. 1 : P1
9.DH.45SapphirineMg4(Mg3Al9)O4[Si3Al9O36]Mon. 2/m : P21/b
9.DH.50Khmaralite(Mg,Al,Fe)16[(Al,Si,Be)12O36]O4Mon. 2/m : P21/b
9.DH.55'UM1988-26-SiO:AlMg'Mg4Al2O[Si3Al2O15]
9.DH.55Surinamite(Mg,Fe)3Al4BeSi3O16Mon. 2/m
9.DH.60DeeriteFe2+6Fe3+3(Si6O17)O3(OH)5Mon. 2/m : P21/b
9.DH.65Taneyamalite(Na,Ca)Mn2+12(Si,Al)12(O,OH)44Tric.
9.DH.65HowieiteNa(Fe2+,Fe3+,Al,Mg)12(Si6O17)2(O,OH)10Tric. 1 : P1
9.DH.70JohninnesiteNa2Mn2+9Mg7(OH)8[AsO4]2[Si6O17]2Tric.
9.DH.75AgrelliteNaCa2Si4O10FTric. 1 : P1

Other InformationHide

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 BalangeroiteHide

References for BalangeroiteHide

Localities for BalangeroiteHide

Showing 4 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.
Italy (TL)
 
  • Piedmont
    • Metropolitan City of Turin
      • Balangero
Compagnoni et al. (1983) +3 other references
Christophe Boutry collection
      • Lanzo Torinese
Belluso et al. (1995)
      • Varisella
Belluso et al. (1995)
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