Burbankite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Burbankite
Wilbur S. Burbank
Formula:
(Na,Ca)3(Sr,Ba,Ce)3(CO3)5
Colour:
Colorless, grayish yellow, pale yellow, pink, pale greenish, reddish brown.
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
3½ - 4
Specific Gravity:
3.50 - 3.58
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Member of:
Name:
Named after Wilbur Sweet Burbank (30 March 1898, Amesbury, Massachusetts, USA – 1 April 1975), geologist with the United States Geological Survey, in recognition of his contributions to the geology of mineral deposits of the western United States.
Compare UM1990-98-CO:BaCaNaREESr.
Sometimes a little radioactive because of a minor thorium content.
Sometimes a little radioactive because of a minor thorium content.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
803
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:803:5
IMA Classification of Burbankite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
(Na,Ca)3(Sr,Ba,Ce3+)3(CO3)5
First published:
1953
Classification of Burbankite
5.AC.30
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
A : Carbonates without additional anions, without H2O
C : Alkali and alkali-earth carbonates
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
A : Carbonates without additional anions, without H2O
C : Alkali and alkali-earth carbonates
14.4.4.1
14 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL CARBONATES
4 : Miscellaneous
14 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL CARBONATES
4 : Miscellaneous
11.8.14
11 : Carbonates
8 : Carbonates of the rare earths
11 : Carbonates
8 : Carbonates of the rare earths
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bbn | 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 Burbankite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Colorless, grayish yellow, pale yellow, pink, pale greenish, reddish brown.
Hardness:
3½ - 4 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Imperfect/Fair
{1010}
{1010}
Density:
3.50 - 3.58 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.52(2) g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Burbankite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.616 - 1.635 nε = 1.597 - 1.623
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.012 - 0.019
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 Burbankite
Mindat Formula:
(Na,Ca)3(Sr,Ba,Ce)3(CO3)5
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Burbankite
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Class (H-M):
6mm - Dihexagonal Pyramidal
Space Group:
P63mc
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.47 Å, c = 6.45 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.616
Unit Cell V:
612.33 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Long dihexagonal prismatic crystals with shallow pyramidal terminations, striated parallel [001], may be in fibrous spherical aggregates; anhedral granular, to 5 cm.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0007286 | Burbankite | Onac B P, Bernhardt H J, Effenberger H (2009) Authigenic burbankite in the Cioclovina Cave sediments (Romania) European Journal of Mineralogy 21 507-514 | 2009 | Cioclovina Cave sediments, Romania | 0 | 293 | |
| 0012366 | Burbankite | Belovitskaya Yu V, Pekov I V, Kabalov Yu K (2000) Refinement of the crystal structures of low-rare-earth and "typical" burbankites by the Rietveld method Crystallography Reports 45 26-29 | 2000 | Khibiny Massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia | 0 | 293 | |
| 0012365 | Burbankite | Belovitskaya Yu V, Pekov I V, Kabalov Yu K (2000) Refinement of the crystal structures of low-rare-earth and "typical" burbankites by the Rietveld method Crystallography Reports 45 26-29 | 2000 | Khibiny Massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Loading XRD data...
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 2.630 Å | (100) |
| 3.034 Å | (60) |
| 5.26 Å | (50) |
| 3.719 Å | (50) |
| 2.145 Å | (50) |
| 1.754 Å | (30) |
| 1.662 Å | (30) |
Comments:
Big Sandy Creek, Montana, USA. USGS Film #9105.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks | |
| 36 : Carbonatites, kimberlites, and related igneous rocks |
Geological Setting:
accessory mineral in carbonatites
Type Occurrence of Burbankite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Intimately intergrown with ancylite as irregular masses or veinlets, and as separate crystals in calcite.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 106843.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Hydrothermal deposits composed essentially of silicates, carbonates, and sulfides, cutting shonkinite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Burbankite
Dutch:Burbankiet
German:Burbankit
Russian:Бурбанкит
Simplified Chinese:黄碳锶钠石
Spanish:Burbankita
Traditional Chinese:黃碳鍶鈉石
Varieties of Burbankite
| Strontioburbankite | REE- and Ba-free variety of burbankite, which usually is close to composition Na^2Ca(Sr,Ba)^2Ce[CO^3]^5. |
Relationship of Burbankite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Burbankite Group:
| Calcioburbankite | Na3(Ca,REE,Sr)3(CO3)5 | Hex. 6mm : P63mc |
| Khanneshite | (Na,Ca)3(Ba,Sr,Ce,Ca)3(CO3)5 | Hex. 6mm : P63mc |
| Lishiite | (Ca2◻)Sr3(CO3)5 | Hex. 6mm : P63mc |
| Petersenite-(Ce) | Na4(Ce,La,Nd)2(CO3)5 | Mon. 2 : P21 |
| Rémondite-(Ce) | Na3(Ce,Ca,Na)3(CO3)5 | Mon. 2 : P21 |
| Rémondite-(La) | Na3(La,Ca,Na)3(CO3)5 | Mon. 2 : P21 |
| Sanrománite | Na2CaPb3[CO3]5 | Hex. 6mm : P63mc |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 23 photos of Burbankite associated with Analcime | Na(AlSi2O6) · H2O |
| 14 photos of Burbankite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 13 photos of Burbankite associated with Natrolite | Na2Al2Si3O10 · 2H2O |
| 12 photos of Burbankite associated with Ilmenite | Fe2+TiO3 |
| 12 photos of Burbankite associated with Microcline | K(AlSi3O8) |
| 11 photos of Burbankite associated with Gaidonnayite | Na2Zr(Si3O9) · 2H2O |
| 8 photos of Burbankite associated with Sodalite | Na4(Si3Al3)O12Cl |
| 8 photos of Burbankite associated with 'Manganese-bearing Calcite' | (Ca,Mn)CO3 |
| 8 photos of Burbankite associated with Pyrrhotite | Fe1-xS |
| 7 photos of Burbankite associated with Fluorite | CaF2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.AC.05 | Eitelite | Na2Mg(CO3)2 |
| 5.AC.10 | Zemkorite | Na2Ca(CO3)2 |
| 5.AC.10 | Nyerereite | Na2Ca(CO3)2 |
| 5.AC.15 | Bütschliite | K2Ca(CO3)2 |
| 5.AC.20 | Fairchildite | K2Ca(CO3)2 |
| 5.AC.25 | Shortite | Na2Ca2(CO3)3 |
| 5.AC.30 | Calcioburbankite | Na3(Ca,REE,Sr)3(CO3)5 |
| 5.AC.30 | Sanrománite | Na2CaPb3[CO3]5 |
| 5.AC.30 | Khanneshite | (Na,Ca)3(Ba,Sr,Ce,Ca)3(CO3)5 |
| 5.AC.30 | Lishiite | (Ca2◻)Sr3(CO3)5 |
Other Information
Electrical:
Piezoelectric
Notes:
Effervesces strongly in cold dilute (1:5) HCl.
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 Burbankite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-803.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Burbankite
Reference List:
Pecora, W. T., Kerr, Joe H. (1953) Burbankite and calkinsite, two new carbonate minerals from Montana. American Mineralogist, 38 (11-12) 1169-1183
Chen, T. T., Chao, G. Y. (1974) Burbankite from Mont St-Hilaire, Quebec. The Canadian Mineralogist, 12 (5) 342-345
Fitzpatrick, Joan, Pabst, Adolf (1977) Burbankite from the Green River Formation, Wyoming. American Mineralogist, 62 (1-2) 158-163
Ginderow, D. (1989) Structure de Na3 M 3(CO3)5 (M = terre rare, Ca, Na, Sr), rattaché á la burbankite. Acta Crystallographica Section C Crystal Structure Communications, 45 (2) 185-187 doi:10.1107/s0108270188009898
Buehn, Bernhard, Rankin, Andrew H., Radtke, Martin, Haller, Martin, Knoechel, Arndt (1999) Burbankite, a (Sr, REE, Na, Ca)-carbonate in fluid inclusions from carbonatite-derived fluids; identification and characterization using laser Raman spectroscopy, SEM-EDX, and synchrotron micro-XRF analysis. American Mineralogist, 84 (7) 1117-1125 doi:10.2138/am-1999-7-814
Belovitskaya, Yu. V., Pekov, I. V., Kabalov, Yu. K. (2000) Refinement of the crystal structures of low-rare-earth and “typical” burbankites by the Rietveld method. Crystallography Reports, 45 (1) 26-29 doi:10.1134/1.171131
Belovitskaya, Yulia V., Pekov, Igor V. (2004) Genetic mineralogy of the burbankite group. New Data on Minerals, 39. 50-64
Localities for Burbankite
Showing 109 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.
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Poudrette quarry, Mont Saint-Hilaire, La Vallée-du-Richelieu RCM, Montérégie, Québec, Canada