Bonacinaite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Bonacinaite
Enrico Bonacina (2019)
Formula:
Sc(AsO4) · 2H2O
Colour:
colourless (with faint to distinct violet tints)
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
3½ - 4
Specific Gravity:
2.82 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named in honor of Enrico Bonacina (1928-2024), dean of micromineral photography in Italy.
Type Locality:
The As analogue of kolbeckite. Unique combination of elements: the first natural scandium arsenate.
Known as a synthetic phase.
Known as a synthetic phase.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
53152
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:53152:4
IMA Classification of Bonacinaite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Sc(As5+O4)·2H2O
Approval year:
2018
Type description reference:
Classification of Bonacinaite
8.CD.05
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
D : With only medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O = 1:2
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
D : With only medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O = 1:2
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bci | 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 Bonacinaite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
colourless (with faint to distinct violet tints)
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3½ - 4 on Mohs scale
Comment:
by analogy with other members of the metavariscite group
Tenacity:
Brittle
Density:
2.82 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Bonacinaite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.598(4) nβ = 1.618(3) nγ = 1.638(3)
2V:
Calculated: -88.9°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.040
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. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
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.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
X is colourless to light grey, Y is light violet and Z is light violet
Chemistry of Bonacinaite
Mindat Formula:
Sc(AsO4) · 2H2O
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Bonacinaite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.533(1) Å, b = 10.409(2) Å, c = 9.306(2) Å
β = 91.94(3)°
β = 91.94(3)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.532 : 1 : 0.894
Unit Cell V:
535.65 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Twinning:
none
Comment:
Space group is P21/n
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 4.865 Å | (100) |
| 4.638 Å | (18) |
| 4.525 Å | (32) |
| 3.771 Å | (34) |
| 2.924 Å | (44) |
| 2.759 Å | (31) |
| 2.665 Å | (94) |
| 1.733 Å | (36) |
Reference:
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates] |
Type Occurrence of Bonacinaite
General Appearance of Type Material:
pseudohexagonal, thick tabular crystals, up to 0.25 mm in size, sometimes with annular internal
zones showing violet tinges, or as small, faintly violet lath-shaped crystals
zones showing violet tinges, or as small, faintly violet lath-shaped crystals
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
(1) Mineralogical collections of the Museum of the Earth Sciences Department, University of Milano, catalogue number MCMGPG-H2018-001 (holotype); (2) the Natural History Museum, Vienna, catalogue number O 571 (crystal used for the crystal structure determination).
Geological Setting of Type Material:
an old manganese mine, where it occurs as a low-temperature hydrothermal mineral
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Synonyms of Bonacinaite
Other Language Names for Bonacinaite
Dutch:Bonacinaiet
German:Bonacinait
Relationship of Bonacinaite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Metavariscite Group:
| Kolbeckite | ScPO4 · 2H2O | Mon. 2/m |
| Metavariscite | AlPO4 · 2H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Phosphosiderite | FePO4 · 2H2O | Mon. 2/m |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.CD. | Castellaroite | Mn2+3(AsO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CD. | Sergeysmirnovite | MgZn2(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CD.05 | Phosphosiderite | FePO4 · 2H2O |
| 8.CD.05 | Metavariscite | AlPO4 · 2H2O |
| 8.CD.05 | Kolbeckite | ScPO4 · 2H2O |
| 8.CD.10 | Yanomamite | InAsO4 · 2H2O |
| 8.CD.10 | Mansfieldite | AlAsO4 · 2H2O |
| 8.CD.10 | Scorodite | Fe3+AsO4 · 2H2O |
| 8.CD.10 | Variscite | AlPO4 · 2H2O |
| 8.CD.10 | Strengite | FePO4 · 2H2O |
| 8.CD.15 | Parascorodite | FeAsO4 · 2H2O |
| 8.CD.20 | Ludlamite | Fe2+3(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CD.25 | Sterlinghillite | Mn2+3(AsO4)2 · 3H2O |
| 8.CD.30 | Rollandite | Cu3(AsO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CD.35 | Liversidgeite | Zn6(PO4)4 · 7H2O |
| 8.CD.40 | Thorasphite | Th2H(PO4,AsO4)3 · 6H2O |
Fluorescence of Bonacinaite
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 Bonacinaite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-53152.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Bonacinaite
Reference List:
Hålenius, U., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2018) CNMNC Newsletter 45, New minerals and nomenclature modifications approved in 2018. Mineralogical Magazine, 82 (5) 1225-1232 doi:10.1180/mgm.2018.160p.1228
Kolitsch, Uwe, Weil, Matthias, Kovrugin, Vadim M., Krivovichev, Sergey V. (2020) Crystal chemistry of the variscite and metavariscite groups: Crystal structures of synthetic CrAsO4⋅2H2O, TlPO4⋅2H2O, MnSeO4⋅2H2O, CdSeO4⋅2H2O and natural bonacinaite, ScAsO4⋅2H2O. Mineralogical Magazine, 84 (4) 568-583 doi:10.1180/mgm.2020.57
Localities for Bonacinaite
Showing 1 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.
Italy (TL) | |
| Barresi et al. (2005) +4 other references |
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Varenche Mine, Saint-Barthélemy, Nus, Aosta Valley, Italy