Brandholzite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Brandholzite
Formula:
MgSb2(OH)12 · 6H2O
Colour:
Colourless
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2 - 3
Specific Gravity:
2.65
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Member of:
Name:
Named after the type locality - the former mining district of Brandholz-Goldkronach, Fichtelgebirge, Germany.
This page provides mineralogical data about Brandholzite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
7046
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:7046:7
IMA Classification of Brandholzite
Approved
IMA Formula:
MgSb5+2(OH)12·6H2O
Approval year:
1998
Type description reference:
Classification of Brandholzite
4.FH.05
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
F : Hydroxides (without V or U)
H : Hydroxides with H2O +- (OH); insular octahedra
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
F : Hydroxides (without V or U)
H : Hydroxides with H2O +- (OH); insular octahedra
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bdh | 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 Brandholzite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2 - 3 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
2.65(5) g/cm3 (Measured) 2.57 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Brandholzite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.570(2) nε = 1.569(2)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.001
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
Chemistry of Brandholzite
Mindat Formula:
MgSb2(OH)12 · 6H2O
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Brandholzite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3 - Pyramidal
Space Group:
P3
Cell Parameters:
a = 16.119 Å, c = 9.868 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.612
Unit Cell V:
2,220.42 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
6
Morphology:
Tabular hexagonal crystals with predominant forms {1010} and {0001}.
Twinning:
On {1010}.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0002426 | Brandholzite | Friedrich A, Wildner M, Tillmanns E, Merz P L (2000) Crystal chemistry of the new mineral brandholzite, Mg(H2O)6[Sb(OH)6]2, and of the synthetic analogues M(H2O)6[Sb(OH)6]2 (Me=Mg,Co) American Mineralogist 85 593-599 |  | 2000 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0017004 | Brandholzite | Beintema J (1936) On the crystal-structure of magnesium- and nickelantimonate. _cod_database_code 1010069 Proceedings of the Koninklijke Nederlandse Academie van Wetenschappen 39 241-252 | 1936 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 4.636 Å | (100) |
| 3.392 Å | (70) |
| 4.946 Å | (50) |
| 2.356 Å | (40) |
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] |
Geological Setting:
Oxidation zone of Sb ore deposits.
Type Occurrence of Brandholzite
Co-Type Localities:
General Appearance of Type Material:
Tabular, hexagonal crystals up to ~1 mm in diameter (but mostly <0.5 mm), often forming rose-like aggregates.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Institut für Mineralogie und Kristallographie, Universität Wien, Vienna, Austria. Note: Inventory no. is not given.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
An alteration product of stibnite within a zone of oxidation.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Brandholzite
Other Language Names for Brandholzite
Relationship of Brandholzite to other Species
Common Associates
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.FH.05 | Bottinoite | Ni2+Sb5+2(OH)12 · 6H2O |
Fluorescence of Brandholzite
Not fluorescent.
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 Brandholzite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-7046.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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Mineral Dealers:
References for Brandholzite
Reference List:
Friedrich, Alexandra; Wildner, Manfred; Tillmanns, Ekkehart; Merz, Peter L. (2000) Crystal chemistry of the new mineral brandholzite, Mg(H2O)6[Sb(OH)6]2, and of the synthetic analogues M2+(H2O)6[Sb(OH)6]2 (M2+ = Mg, Co). American Mineralogist, 85 (3-4). 593-599 doi:10.2138/am-2000-0422
Sejkora, J., Ozdín, D., Ďuďa, R. (2010) The supergene mineral association with brandholzite from Pernek, Malé Karpaty Mountains, Slovak Republic. Journal of GEOsciences, 55 (2) 149-160
Rintoul, Llew, Bahfenne, Silmarilly, Frost, Ray L. (2011) Single-crystal Raman spectroscopy of brandholzite Mg[Sb(OH)6]2•6H2O and bottinoite Ni[Sb(OH)6]2• 6H2O and the polycrystalline Raman spectrum of mopungite Na[Sb(OH)6]. Journal of Raman Spectroscopy, 42 (5). 1147-1153 doi:10.1002/jrs.2804
Localities for Brandholzite
Showing 10 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.
Austria | |
| Auer (2023) |
Canada | |
| Borčinová Radková et al. (2020) |
Germany (TL) | |
| Friedrich et al. (2000) |
| Friedrich et al. (1998) +2 other references |
| Meier (1995) | |
Italy | |
| Orlandi (2011) +1 other reference |
Luxembourg | |
| Bakker et al. (2010) +2 other references |
Slovakia | |
| Sejkora S. et al. (2004) +3 other references |
| Števko M. et al. (2012) +3 other references |
Spain | |
| Georges FAVREAU collection and EDX ... |
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Kolársky vrch deposit, Pezinok, Pezinok District, Bratislava Region, Slovakia