Prismatine
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Prismatine
Formula:
(◻,Fe,Mg)(Mg,Al,Fe)5Al4Si2(Si,Al)2(B,Si,Al)(O,OH,F)22
Colour:
Gray-green, gold brown, purplish gray, gray
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
6½ - 7
Specific Gravity:
3.341 - 3.345
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
For the prismatic form of the crystals.
Type Locality:
Kornerupine-Prismatine Series.
Prismatine was reintroduced as a valid species name by Grew et al. (1996) when the boron content was able to be differentiated from the boron content in kornerupine.
Prismatine was reintroduced as a valid species name by Grew et al. (1996) when the boron content was able to be differentiated from the boron content in kornerupine.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
7252
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:7252:2
IMA Classification of Prismatine
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA status notes:
Redefined by the IMA
IMA Formula:
(Mg,Al,Fe2+,Fe3+)6Al4(Si,Al)4(B,Si,Al)(O,OH,F)22
First published:
1886
Approval history:
Redefined 1995 s.p.: Grew et al. (1996).
Classification of Prismatine
9.BJ.50
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
B : Sorosilicates
J : Sorosilicates with Si3O10, Si4O11, etc. anions; cations in octahedral [6] and greater coordination
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
B : Sorosilicates
J : Sorosilicates with Si3O10, Si4O11, etc. anions; cations in octahedral [6] and greater coordination
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Prm | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Prm | Whitney & Evans (2010) | Whitney, D.L. and Evans, B.W. (2010) Abbreviations for names of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 95, 185–187 doi:10.2138/am.2010.3371 |
| Prm | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Physical Properties of Prismatine
Vitreous
Transparency:
Translucent, Opaque
Colour:
Gray-green, gold brown, purplish gray, gray
Hardness:
6½ - 7 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
{110}
{110}
Density:
3.341 - 3.345 g/cm3 (Measured)
Optical Data of Prismatine
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.669 - 1.671 nβ = 1.681 - 1.83 nγ = 1.682 - 1.684
2V:
Measured: 28° to 38°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.013
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
Dispersion:
r > v strong
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
colourless to greenish, reddish, yellow, and yellow-brown
Comments:
sections of greater than standard thickness
Chemistry of Prismatine
Mindat Formula:
(◻,Fe,Mg)(Mg,Al,Fe)5Al4Si2(Si,Al)2(B,Si,Al)(O,OH,F)22
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Prismatine
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Cmcm
Setting:
Cmcm
Cell Parameters:
a = 15.949(2) Å, b = 13.669(2) Å, c = 6.692(1) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.167 : 1 : 0.49
Unit Cell V:
1,458.90 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Comment:
Prismatine 5 105M Bahnhof
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 5: Initiation of plate tectonics | <3.5-2.5 |
| 40 : Regional metamorphism (greenschist, amphibolite, granulite facies) |
Type Occurrence of Prismatine
General Appearance of Type Material:
Unterminated prismatic crystals up to about 5-6 cm in length, distributed randomly or radially grouped.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
'Mineralogische Schausammlung', Technische Universitat Berlin.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Granulite-facies with oligoclase, sillimanite, garnet, and/or tourmaline.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Prismatine
German:Prismatin
Relationship of Prismatine to other Species
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 12 photos of Prismatine associated with Enstatite | Mg2Si2O6 |
| 9 photos of Prismatine associated with Phlogopite | KMg3(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| 9 photos of Prismatine associated with Sillimanite | Al2(SiO4)O |
| 6 photos of Prismatine associated with Almandine | Fe2+3Al2(SiO4)3 |
| 6 photos of Prismatine associated with Talc | Mg3Si4O10(OH)2 |
| 5 photos of Prismatine associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 5 photos of Prismatine associated with Biotite | K(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2 |
| 5 photos of Prismatine associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
| 1 photo of Prismatine associated with 'Ruby' | Al2O3 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.BJ. | Arsenmedaite | Mn2+6 As5+Si5O18(OH) |
| 9.BJ.05 | Orientite | Ca8Mn3+10(SiO4)3(Si3O10)3(OH)10 · 4H2O |
| 9.BJ.10 | Rosenhahnite | HCa3[Si3O9(OH)] |
| 9.BJ.15 | Trabzonite | Ca4(Si3O9)(OH)2 |
| 9.BJ.20 | Thalénite-(Y) | Y3Si3O10F |
| 9.BJ.25 | Tiragalloite | Mn2+4As5+Si3O12(OH) |
| 9.BJ.30 | Medaite | Mn2+6V5+Si5O18(OH) |
| 9.BJ.35 | Strontioruizite | Sr2Mn3+2Si4O11(OH)4 · 2H2O |
| 9.BJ.35 | Ruizite | Ca2Mn3+2[Si4O11(OH)2](OH)2 · 2H2O |
| 9.BJ.35 | Taniajacoite | SrCaMn3+2Si4O11(OH)4 · 2H2O |
| 9.BJ.40 | Ardennite-(As) | Mn2+4Al4(AlMg)(AsO4)(SiO4)2(Si3O10)(OH)6 |
| 9.BJ.40 | Kannanite | Ca4Al4(AlMg)(VO4)(SiO4)2(Si3O10)(OH)6 |
| 9.BJ.40 | Alpeite | Ca4Mn3+2Al2(Mn3+Mg)(SiO4)2(Si3O10)(V5+O4)(OH)6 |
| 9.BJ.40 | Ardennite-(V) | Mn2+4Al4(AlMg)(VO4)(SiO4)2(Si3O10)(OH)6 |
| 9.BJ.45 | Kilchoanite | Ca6(SiO4)(Si3O10) |
| 9.BJ.50 | Kornerupine | Mg3Al6(Si,Al,B)5O21(OH) |
| 9.BJ.55 | Zunyite | Al13Si5O20(OH,F)18Cl |
| 9.BJ.60 | Hubeite | Ca2Mn2+Fe3+Si4O12(OH) · 2H2O |
| 9.BJ.65 | Cassagnaite | (Ca,Mn2+)4(Fe3+,Mn3+,Al)4(V3+,Mg,Al)2(Si3O10)(SiO4)2(OH,O)8 |
| 9.BJ.70 | Pavlovskyite | Ca8(SiO4)2(Si3O10) |
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 Prismatine
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-7252.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Prismatine
Reference List:
Ussing, Ν. V. (1889) XXXIV. Untersuchungen der Mineralien von Fiskernäs in Grönland. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie - Crystalline Materials, 15 (1). 596-615 doi:10.1524/zkri.1889.15.1.596
Jambor, John L., Grew, Edward S., Roberts, Andrew C. (1996) New mineral names. American Mineralogist, 81. 1513-1518
Jonsson, E. (1996) The first occurrence of a kornerupine‐group mineral in Sweden: Prismatine from Stakholmen, Hälsingland. GFF, 118. 52-53 doi:10.1080/11035899609546333
Grew, Edward S., Cooper, Mark A., Hawthorne, Frank C. (1996) Prismatine: revalidation for boron-rich compositions in the kornerupine group. Mineralogical Magazine, 60 (400) 483-491 doi:10.1180/minmag.1996.060.400.09
Wopenka, Brigitte; Freeman, John J.; Grew, Edward S. (1999) Raman spectroscopic identification of B-free and B-rich kornerupine (prismatine). American Mineralogist, 84 (4). p.550-554. doi:10.2138/am-1999-0408
Cooper, M. A., Hawthorne, F. C., Grew, E. S. (2009) The Crystal Chemistry of the Kornerupine-Prismatine Series. I. Crystal Structure and Site Populations. The Canadian Mineralogist, 47 (2) 233-262 doi:10.3749/canmin.47.2.233
Cooper, M. A., Hawthorne, F. C., Grew, E. S., Rossman, G. R. (2009) The Crystal Chemistry of the Kornerupine-Prismatine Series. II. The Role of Hydrogen. The Canadian Mineralogist, 47 (2) 263-274 doi:10.3749/canmin.47.2.263
Hawthorne, F. C., Cooper, M. A., Grew, E. S. (2009) The Crystal Chemistry of the Kornerupine-Prismatine Series. III. Chemical Relations. The Canadian Mineralogist, 47 (2) 275-296 doi:10.3749/canmin.47.2.275
Localities for Prismatine
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.
Antarctica | |
| Can Min 41 (2) +2 other references |
| Babenko et al. (2026) | |
| Grew et al. (2006) |
Canada | |
| personal comm. Dr. E. Grew - L. Horvath +1 other reference |
Germany (TL) | |
| Sauer (1886) +3 other references |
India | |
| Sriramguru et al. (2002) |
Slovakia | |
| Pauliš et al. (2002) |
Sweden | |
| Jonsson (1996) +2 other references |
Tajikistan | |
| Grew et al. (1998) |
USA | |
| Young (1995) +2 other references |
| Darling +1 other reference |
Zimbabwe | |
| Grew et al. (1997) |
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Granulite outcrop, Waldheim, Mittelsachsen, Saxony, Germany