Nobleite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Nobleite
Levi F. Noble
Formula:
CaB6O9(OH)2 · 3H2O
Colour:
Colorless, white
Lustre:
Sub-Vitreous, Pearly
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
2.09
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named in honor of Levi Fatzinger Noble (11 November 1882, Auburn, New York, USA - 4 August 1965, Los Angeles, California, USA), geologist with the United States Geological Survey (USGS). He made significant contributions to the geology of the Death Valley, the Grand Canyon, and the San Andreas Fault.
Crystal structure details/elements:
- fundamental building block (FBB) in the structure, that comprises three BO4 tetrahedra and three BO3 triangles
- 3 tetrahedra have one common corner
- six-membered B-O rings, formed by corner sharing involving tetrahedra and a triangle
- sheets || 100 plane are due to polymerization of the FBBs
- Ca cations: in the holes of the sheets
- water molecules: between the sheets
- CaO6(H2O)3 polyhedra, with the oxygen atoms belonging to FBB; the polyhedron is a distorted hexagonal bipyramid, in which one vertex is split
- hydrogen bonds: mainly between the sheets, bonds, involve all OH and H2O groups.
Nobleite is not isostructural with tunnellite.
- fundamental building block (FBB) in the structure, that comprises three BO4 tetrahedra and three BO3 triangles
- 3 tetrahedra have one common corner
- six-membered B-O rings, formed by corner sharing involving tetrahedra and a triangle
- sheets || 100 plane are due to polymerization of the FBBs
- Ca cations: in the holes of the sheets
- water molecules: between the sheets
- CaO6(H2O)3 polyhedra, with the oxygen atoms belonging to FBB; the polyhedron is a distorted hexagonal bipyramid, in which one vertex is split
- hydrogen bonds: mainly between the sheets, bonds, involve all OH and H2O groups.
Nobleite is not isostructural with tunnellite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
7197
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:7197:6
Similar Names
| Knobellite | A mixture of two or more distinct mineral species |
| Nebulite | A rock classification type |
| Nobelit | A synonym of 'Nobelite' |
IMA Classification of Nobleite
Approved
IMA Formula:
CaB6O9(OH)2(H2O)3
First published:
1961
Classification of Nobleite
6.FC.05
6 : BORATES
F : Hexaborates
C : Phyllo-hexaborates
6 : BORATES
F : Hexaborates
C : Phyllo-hexaborates
26.6.6.1
26 : HYDRATED BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
6 : Hexaborates
26 : HYDRATED BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
6 : Hexaborates
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nob | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Nobleite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Nobleite
Sub-Vitreous, Pearly
Transparency:
Transparent
Comment:
pearly on cleavages.
Colour:
Colorless, white
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Sectile
Cleavage:
Perfect
perfect {100} and indistinct {001}
perfect {100} and indistinct {001}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
2.09(1) g/cm3 (Measured) 2.098 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Nobleite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.500(3) nβ = 1.520(2) nγ = 1.554(2)
2V:
Measured: 76° , Calculated: 78°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.054
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:
Low (negative)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
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
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure
- the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using
this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points
where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the
field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are
isogyres.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Dispersion:
relatively weak
Chemistry of Nobleite
Mindat Formula:
CaB6O9(OH)2 · 3H2O
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Nobleite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:
a = 14.57(1) Å, b = 8.01(1) Å, c = 9.84(1) Å
β = 111.77(3)°
β = 111.77(3)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.819 : 1 : 1.228
Unit Cell V:
1,066.48 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Twinning:
Contact twins common on {100}.
Comment:
Space group is P21/a
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
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Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
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Display Options
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View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
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Rotation
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Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0007081 | Nobleite | Karanovic L, Rosic A, Poleti D (2004) Crystal structure of nobleite, Ca[B6O9(OH)2]*3H2O, from Jarandol (Serbia) European Journal of Mineralogy 16 825-833 | 2004 | Kopaonik Mt, central Serbia | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 6.79 Å | (100) |
| 3.39 Å | (31) |
| 5.18 Å | (9) |
| 2.566 Å | (9) |
| 3.12 Å | (7) |
| 2.309 Å | (7) |
| 4.68 Å | (5) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 25 : Evaporites (prebiotic) | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] |
Type Occurrence of Nobleite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Platy rhombic to pseudohexagonal crystals
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA; 136416, 147960.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
a recent incrustation produced by weathering of colemanite and priceite
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Nobleite
Other Language Names for Nobleite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 15 photos of Nobleite associated with Colemanite | Ca[B3O4(OH)3] · H2O |
| 4 photos of Nobleite associated with Gowerite | Ca[B5O8(OH)][B(OH)3] · 3H2O |
| 1 photo of Nobleite associated with Ulexite | NaCa[B5O6(OH)6] · 5H2O |
| 1 photo of Nobleite associated with Inyoite | Ca(H4B3O7)(OH) · 4H2O |
| 1 photo of Nobleite associated with Meyerhofferite | CaB3O3(OH)5 · H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 6.FC.05 | Tunellite | SrB6O9(OH)2 · 3H2O |
| 6.FC.10 | Strontioborite | Sr[B8O11(OH)4] |
| 6.FC.15 | Strontioginorite | CaSrB14O20(OH)6 · 5H2O |
| 6.FC.15 | Ginorite | Ca2B14O20(OH)6 · 5H2O |
| 6.FC.20 | Fabianite | CaB3O5(OH) |
Fluorescence of Nobleite
Not fluorescent
Other Information
Notes:
Slightly to moderately soluble in H2O.
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 Nobleite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-7197.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 Nobleite
Reference List:
Erd, R. C., McAllister, J. F., Vlisidis, A. C. (1961) Nobleite, another new hydrous calcium borate from the Death Valley region, California. American Mineralogist, 46 (5-6) 560-571
Fleischer, Michael; Foster, Margaret D. (1962) New mineral names. American Mineralogist, 47 (5-6). 805-812
IMA (1967) International Mineralogical Association: Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 36 (277) 131-136 doi:10.1180/minmag.1967.036.277.20
Burns, C. P., Hawthorne, F. C. (1994) Hydrogen bonding in tunellite. The Canadian Mineralogist, 32 (4) 895-902
Localities for Nobleite
Showing 12 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.
Argentina | |
| Rock Currier collection |
| Helvaci et al. (2000) +2 other references | |
Chile | |
| MinMag 66:253 |
China | |
| Shaoxiu (1991) |
USA | |
| Erd et al. (1959) +4 other references |
| Erd et al. (1961) +4 other references |
| Erd et al. (1961) +2 other references | |
| Erd et al. (1961) | |
| Erd et al. (1961) | |
| Erd et al. (1979) |
| Erd et al. (1979) | |
| Luetcke (n.d.) |
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Corkscrew Canyon Mine, Ryan, Furnace Creek Mining District, Inyo County, California, USA