Canavesite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Canavesite
Formula:
Mg2(HBO3)(CO3) · 5H2O
Colour:
Milky-white
Lustre:
Vitreous
Specific Gravity:
1.790 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named in 1978 by Giovanni Ferraris, Marinella Franchini-Angela, and Paolo Orlandini for the type locality, Vola Gera Tunnel, Brosso, Canavese District, Torino, Italy.
This page provides mineralogical data about Canavesite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
879
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:879:8
IMA Classification of Canavesite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Mg2(HBO3)(CO3)·5H2O
Approval year:
1977
First published:
1978
Classification of Canavesite
6.H0.50
6 : BORATES
H : Unclassified borates
0 :
6 : BORATES
H : Unclassified borates
0 :
17.1.8.1
17 : COMPOUND CARBONATES
1 : Miscellaneous
17 : COMPOUND CARBONATES
1 : Miscellaneous
10.4.1
10 : Borates with other anions
4 : Borates with carbonate
10 : Borates with other anions
4 : Borates with carbonate
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cnv | 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 Canavesite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Comment:
Silky in aggregates
Colour:
Milky-white
Streak:
White
Tenacity:
Flexible
Comment:
Fragile but slightly flexible
Density:
1.790 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Canavesite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.485(4) nβ = 1.494(4) nγ = 1.505(2)
2V:
Calculated: 86°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.020
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 (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:
none
Chemistry of Canavesite
Mindat Formula:
Mg2(HBO3)(CO3) · 5H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Canavesite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Cell Parameters:
a = 23.49(2) Å, b = 6.16(6) Å, c = 21.91(2) Å
β = 114.91(9)°
β = 114.91(9)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 3.813 : 1 : 3.557
Unit Cell V:
2,875.41 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
12
Morphology:
Elongate on [010]
Comment:
Point Group: n.d.; Space Group: n.d.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 9.54 Å | (100) |
| 8.12 Å | (40) |
| 7.80 Å | (18) |
| 4.56 Å | (21) |
| 3.110 Å | (19) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] | |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals |
Type Occurrence of Canavesite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Milky-white rosette-like aggregates of fibers on ludwigite and magnetite skarns.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Natural History Museum, Milan, Italy 17349, M30079, M30099, M300100, M300102.
National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian), Washington, D.C., USA, 148483–148485.
University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
National School of Mines, Paris, France.
The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1981,468.
National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian), Washington, D.C., USA, 148483–148485.
University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
National School of Mines, Paris, France.
The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1981,468.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
secondary mineral on tunnel surfaces in an abandoned mine in weathering ludwigite–magnetite skarn
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Canavesite
Other Language Names for Canavesite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 66 photos of Canavesite associated with Dypingite | Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2 · 5H2O |
| 18 photos of Canavesite associated with Inderite | MgB3O3(OH)5 · 5H2O |
| 9 photos of Canavesite associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
| 4 photos of Canavesite associated with Nesquehonite | MgCO3 · 3H2O |
| 4 photos of Canavesite associated with Goethite | Fe3+O(OH) |
| 3 photos of Canavesite associated with Magnetite | Fe2+Fe3+2O4 |
| 1 photo of Canavesite associated with Native Sulphur | S8 |
| 1 photo of Canavesite associated with Magnesite | MgCO3 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 6.H0.05 | Chelkarite | CaMgB2O4(Cl,OH)2 · 5H2O Or near, with Cl:OH = 3:1 |
| 6.H0.10 | Braitschite-(Ce) | (Ca,Na2)7(Ce,La)2B22O43 · 7H2O |
| 6.H0.15 | Satimolite | KNa2(Al5Mg2)[B12O18(OH)12](OH)6Cl4 · 4H2O |
| 6.H0.20 | Iquiqueite | K3Na4Mg(CrO4)B24O39(OH) · 12H2O |
| 6.H0.25 | Wardsmithite | Ca5Mg[B4O7]6 · 30H2O |
| 6.H0.35 | Halurgite | Mg4[B8O13(OH)2]2 · 7H2O |
| 6.H0.40 | Ekaterinite | Ca2(B4O7)(Cl,OH)2 · 2H2O |
| 6.H0.45 | Vitimite | Ca6[B14O19](SO4)(OH)14 · 5H2O |
| 6.H0.55 | Qilianshanite | NaHCO3 · H3BO3 · 2H2O |
Fluorescence of Canavesite
None
Other Information
Notes:
Effervesces with dilute HCl at room temperature.
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 Canavesite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-879.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Canavesite
Localities for Canavesite
Showing 2 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.
Italy (TL) | |
| Ferraris et al. (1978) |
USA | |
| Dunn (1995) |
Quick NavTopAbout CanavesiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography X-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Brosso Mine, Calea, Lessolo, Metropolitan City of Turin, Piedmont, Italy