Vote for your favorite mineral in #MinCup26! - Azurite vs. Smithsonite
It's carbonate-vs-carbonate to kick off Mineral Cup 2026 with copper-rich Azurite against zinc-rich Smithsonite.
Log InRegister
Quick Links : The Mindat ManualThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryMindat Newsletter [Free Download]
Home PageAbout MindatThe Mindat ManualHistory of MindatCopyright StatusWho We AreContact UsAdvertise on Mindat
Donate to MindatCorporate SponsorshipSponsor a PageSponsored PagesMindat AdvertisersAdvertise on Mindat
Learning CenterWhat is a mineral?The most common minerals on earthInformation for EducatorsMindat ArticlesThe ElementsThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryGeologic TimeExplore Fossils
Minerals by PropertiesMinerals by ChemistryMineral Visual ExplorerAdvanced Locality SearchRandom MineralRandom LocalitySearch by minIDLocalities Near MeSearch ArticlesSearch GlossaryMore Search Options
Search For:
Mineral Name:
Locality Name:
Keyword(s):
 
The Mindat ManualAdd a New PhotoRate PhotosLocality Edit ReportCoordinate Completion ReportAdd Glossary Item
Mining CompaniesStatisticsUsersMineral MuseumsClubs & OrganizationsMineral Shows & EventsThe Mindat DirectoryDevice SettingsThe Mineral QuizTime Machine
Photo SearchPhoto GalleriesSearch by ColorPhoto Colour ExplorerNew Photos TodayNew Photos YesterdayMembers' Photo GalleriesPast Photo of the Day GalleryPhotography

Burtite

A valid IMA mineral species
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
Hide all sections | Show all sections

About BurtiteHide

04390600017271921746644.jpg
Donald L. Burt
Formula:
Ca[Sn(OH)6]
Colour:
Colorless, pale yellow
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
3.28
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Name:
Named after Dr. Donald McLain Burt (1943– ), Professor of Mineralogy, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA, authority on mineral equilibria in skarn and greisen deposits, who had predicted the natural occurrence of the compound.
This page provides mineralogical data about Burtite.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
808
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:808:0

Similar NamesHide

BairditeA valid IMA mineral speciesPb2Cu42+Te26+O10(OH)2(SO4) · H2O
BarattiteA synonym of 'Unnamed (Pb-Fe Chloride Hydroxide Hydrate)'
Barettitenear (Ca,Mg,Fe)6Si5O16 · 0.5H2O
BarititeA synonym of Baryte
BarrotiteA valid IMA mineral speciesCu9Al(HSiO4)2[(SO4)(HAsO4)0.5](OH)12 · 8H2O
BorditeA synonym of Okenite
BuratiteA synonym of Aurichalcite
BurmiteA variety of 'Amber'C10H16O + (H2S)
ByruditeA valid IMA mineral species(Be,◻)(V3+,Ti,Cr)3O6
UrtiteA synonym of 'Leucocratic nephelinolite'

IMA Classification of BurtiteHide

Classification of BurtiteHide

4.FC.10

4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
F : Hydroxides (without V or U)
C : Hydroxides with OH, without H2O; corner-sharing octahedra
6.3.6.5

6 : HYDROXIDES AND OXIDES CONTAINING HYDROXYL
3 : X(OH)3
7.11.5

7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
11 : Oxides of Sn and Pb

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference for Standard
BuIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of BurtiteHide

Vitreous
Transparency:
Translucent
Comment:
Surface typically earthy due to alteration.
Colour:
Colorless, pale yellow
Hardness:
Tenacity:
Very brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Pseudocubic, good.
Density:
3.28(1) g/cm3 (Measured)    3.22 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of BurtiteHide

Type:
Isotropic (+/-)
RI values:
nα = 1.63 nβ = 1.633
Surface Relief:
Unknown
Comments:
Uniaxial (+); sections exhibit very weak birefringence and interference figures; typically appears isotropic. n = 1.633(1)

Chemistry of BurtiteHide

Mindat Formula:
Ca[Sn(OH)6]
Element Weights:
Element% weight
Sn45.512 %
O36.804 %
Ca15.365 %
H2.319 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
Sn
O
Ca
H

Crystallography of BurtiteHide

Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Cell Parameters:
a = 11.49 Å, c = 14.08 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 1.225
Unit Cell V:
1,609.81 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Comment:
Hexagonal, pseudocubic. Point Group: 3 (probable).; Space Group: R3 probable, R3, R32, R3m, R3m possible; Pn3 actually observed, thought due to twinning.

Crystal StructureHide

Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File    Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0005567BurtiteBasciano L C, Peterson R C, Roeder P L (1998) Description of schoenfliesite, MgSn(OH)6, and roxbyite, Cu1.72S, from a 1375 BC shipwreck, and rietveld neutron-diffraction refinement of synthetic schoenfliesite, wickmanite, MnSn(OH)6, and burtite, CaSn(OH)6 The Canadian Mineralogist 36 1203-12101998a 1375 BC shipwreck0293
0012123BurtiteCohen-Addad C (1967) Etude des hydroxystannates CaSn(OH)6 et ZnSn(OH)6 par diffraction des rayons X et resonance magnetique nucleaire Bulletin de la Societe Francaise de Mineralogie et de Cristallographie 90 32-351967synthetic0293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
4.06 Å(vs)
1.814 Å(s)
1.657 Å(s)
0.9850 Å(s)
0.9576 Å(s)
4.68 Å(ms)
2.87 Å(ms)

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
High-? alteration and/or metamorphism
31 : Thermally altered carbonate, phosphate, and iron formations
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event<2.4
47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals]

Type Occurrence of BurtiteHide

General Appearance of Type Material:
As pseudo-octahedral crystals to 2 mm
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Catholic University of Louvain, Louvain, Belgium, EH80016.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
From a garnetite in a tin-bearing skarn
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Synonyms of BurtiteHide

Other Language Names for BurtiteHide

Dutch:Burtiet
German:Burtit
Russian:Буртит
Simplified Chinese:羟锡钙石
Spanish:Burtita

Relationship of Burtite to other SpeciesHide

Other Members of Schoenfliesite Subgroup:
JeanbandyiteFe3+Sn(OH)5OTet. 4/m : P42/n
Mushistonite(Cu,Zn,Fe2+)[Sn(OH)6]Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnnn
NataniteFe2+[Sn(OH)6]Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Pn3m
SchoenfliesiteMg[Sn(OH)6]Iso. m3(2/m3) : Pn3
VismirnoviteZn[Sn(OH)6]Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Pn3m
WickmaniteMn2+[Sn(OH)6]Iso. m3(2/m3) : Pn3

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

4.FC.05DzhalinditeIn(OH)3Iso. m3(2/m3) : Im3
4.FC.05BernaliteFe(OH)3 · nH2O (n = 0.0 to 0.25)Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pmmn
4.FC.05SöhngeiteGa(OH)3Tet.
4.FC.10Mushistonite(Cu,Zn,Fe2+)[Sn(OH)6]Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnnn
4.FC.10NataniteFe2+[Sn(OH)6]Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Pn3m
4.FC.10VismirnoviteZn[Sn(OH)6]Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Pn3m
4.FC.10WickmaniteMn2+[Sn(OH)6]Iso. m3(2/m3) : Pn3
4.FC.10SchoenfliesiteMg[Sn(OH)6]Iso. m3(2/m3) : Pn3
4.FC.15JeanbandyiteFe3+Sn(OH)5OTet. 4/m : P42/n
4.FC.15TetrawickmaniteMn2+[Sn4+(OH)6]Tet. 4/m : P42/n
4.FC.15NancyrossiteFeGeO6H5Tet. 4/m : P42/n
4.FC.15ZincostottiteZnGe(OH)6Tet. 4/m : P42/n
4.FC.15StottiteFe2+[Ge4+(OH)6]Tet. 4/m : P42/n
4.FC.15MopungiteNa[Sb5+(OH)6]Tet. 4/m : P42/n
4.FC.20Ferronigerite-2N1S(Al,Fe,Zn)2(Al,Sn)6O11(OH)Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1
4.FC.20Magnesionigerite-6N6S(Mg,Al,Zn)3(Al,Sn,Fe)8O15(OH)Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
4.FC.20Magnesionigerite-2N1S(Mg,Al,Zn)2(Al,Sn)6O11(OH)Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1
4.FC.20Ferronigerite-6N6S(Al,Fe,Zn)3(Al,Sn,Fe)8O15(OH)Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
4.FC.20Zinconigerite-2N1S(Zn,Al,Mg)2(Al,Sn)6O11(OH)Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1
4.FC.20Zinconigerite-6N6SZn3Sn2Al16O30(OH)2Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
4.FC.25Magnesiotaaffeite-6N’3SMg2BeAl6O12Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
4.FC.25Magnesiotaaffeite-2N’2SMg3Al8BeO16Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m)
4.FC.25Ferrotaaffeite-2N’2SBe(Fe,Mg,Zn)3Al8O16 Hex. 6mm : P63mc

Other InformationHide

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 BurtiteHide

References for BurtiteHide

Localities for BurtiteHide

Showing 3 localities.

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
Hide all sections | Show all sections

Locality ListHide

- 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). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Morocco
 
  • Rabat-Salé-Kénitra Region
    • Khémisset Province
      • Khémisset Cercle
        • Ait Mimoune Caïdat
          • El Hammam
Econ Geol (1989)
      • Oulmès Cercle
Sonnet (1981)
Russia
 
  • Primorsky Krai
    • Kavalerovsky District
      • Karadubsky ore field
N.V.
 
and/or  
Mindat.org® is an outreach project of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Mindat® and mindat.org® are registered trademarks of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy.
Copyright © mindat.org and the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy 1993-2026, except where stated. Most political location boundaries are © OpenStreetMap contributors. Mindat.org relies on the contributions of thousands of members and supporters. Founded in 2000 by Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau.
Content on this site may not be used to train, fine-tune, or otherwise develop artificial intelligence or machine learning models without prior written permission - see our Terms & Conditions.
To cite: Ralph, J., Von Bargen, D., Martynov, P., Zhang, J., Que, X., Prabhu, A., Morrison, S. M., Li, W., Chen, W., & Ma, X. (2025). Mindat.org: The open access mineralogy database to accelerate data-intensive geoscience research. American Mineralogist, 110(6), 833–844. doi:10.2138/am-2024-9486.
Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Contact Us / DMCA issues - Report a bug/vulnerability Current server date and time: September 1, 2026 12:17:40 Page updated: August 30, 2026 17:11:57
Go to top of page