Ginorite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Ginorite
Piero Ginori Conti
Formula:
Ca2B14O20(OH)6 · 5H2O
Colour:
White
Hardness:
3½
Specific Gravity:
2.07 - 2.14
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named in honor of Piero Ginori Conti (3 June 1865, Florence, Italy – 3 December 1939, Florence, Italy), Prince of Trevignano, businessman and politician. He was a leader in development of the Tuscan borax industry. He also developed geothermal power in the area.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1696
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1696:0
Similar Names
| Gunnarite | ~Fe3Ni2S8 |
IMA Classification of Ginorite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Ca2B14O20(OH)6·5H2O
First published:
1934
Type description reference:
Classification of Ginorite
6.FC.15
6 : BORATES
F : Hexaborates
C : Phyllo-hexaborates
6 : BORATES
F : Hexaborates
C : Phyllo-hexaborates
26.6.7.1
26 : HYDRATED BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
6 : Hexaborates
26 : HYDRATED BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
6 : Hexaborates
9.3.19
9 : Borates
3 : Borates of Ca and Sr
9 : Borates
3 : Borates of Ca and Sr
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Gnr | 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 Ginorite
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
White
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
On {010} with unstated quality.
On {010} with unstated quality.
Density:
2.07 - 2.14 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.09 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Ginorite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.517 nβ = 1.524 nγ = 1.577
2V:
Measured: 42° (2), Calculated: 42°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.060
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:
None to Very Low
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
Optical Extinction:
Y = b; Z ∧ c = 39°
Comments:
Positive elongation
Chemistry of Ginorite
Mindat Formula:
Ca2B14O20(OH)6 · 5H2O
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Ginorite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/b
Setting:
P21/c
Cell Parameters:
a = 12.738(1) Å, b = 14.240(1) Å, c = 12.750(1) Å
β = 101.163(2)°
β = 101.163(2)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.895 : 1 : 0.895
Unit Cell V:
2,268.96 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Crystals are flat tablets {010}. Dense masses.
Lozenge or rhomb shaped plates with acute angle of ~78-79°.
Lozenge or rhomb shaped plates with acute angle of ~78-79°.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 7.18 Å | (100) |
| 5.36 Å | (80) |
| 2.09 Å | (80) |
| 3.57 Å | (60) |
| 3.28 Å | (60) |
| 3.90 Å | (50) |
| 3.12 Å | (50) |
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] |
Type Occurrence of Ginorite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Lozenge-shaped plates. Minutely granular.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
n.d.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Veins in sandstone.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Ginorite
Other Language Names for Ginorite
Dutch:Ginoriet
German:Ginorit
Cryptomorphit
Cryptomorphit
Simplified Chinese:水硼钙石
Spanish:Cryptomorphita
Ginorita
Ginorita
Traditional Chinese:水硼鈣石
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 6.FC.05 | Nobleite | CaB6O9(OH)2 · 3H2O |
| 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.20 | Fabianite | CaB3O5(OH) |
Other Information
IR Spectrum:
Chelkar dome material (Mott prospect material in brackets) [cm-1]: (3480sh), (3420sh), 3370 (3330), 3280, 3125 (3140), 3000sh (3020sh), 1650 (1655w), 1460s (1480sh), 1396s (1381s), 1339s (1329s), 1259 (1250), 1191 (1189), 1170 (1165sh), 1129s (
Notes:
Insoluble in water.
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 Ginorite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1696.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Ginorite
Reference List:
Hey, M. H., Bannister, F. A. (1952) The identity of cryptomorphite and ginorite. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 29 (218) 955-959 doi:10.1180/minmag.1952.029.218.09
Allen, Robert D., Kramer, Henry (1957) Ginorite and sassolite from Death Valley, California. American Mineralogist, 42 (1-2) 56-61
Chukanov, Nikita V. (2014) Infrared spectra of mineral species Vol. 1 - Springer Geochemistry/Mineralogy. Springer Netherlands. doi:10.1007/978-94-007-7128-4
Pankova, Yulia A., Gorelova, Liudmila A., Krivovichev, Sergey V., Pekov, Igor V. (2018) The crystal structure of ginorite, Ca2[B14O20(OH)6]·5H2O, and the analysis of dimensional reduction and structural complexity in the CaO–B2O3–H2O system. European Journal of Mineralogy, 30 (2) 277-287 doi:10.1127/ejm/2018/0030-2695
Localities for Ginorite
Showing 11 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 | |
| Bull. Soc. Franç. Minéralo. ... +4 other references |
Canada | |
| How (1861) |
Italy (TL) | |
| D'Achiardi (1934) +1 other reference |
Kazakhstan | |
| Pekov et al. (1993) +1 other reference |
| Handbook of Mineralogy Vol V p 6 +2 other references |
Russia | |
| Garrett (1998) |
USA | |
| Cook et al. (1982) |
| Pemberton (1983) +1 other reference |
| Erd et al. (1959) +2 other references |
| Allen (1957) +7 other references |
| Erd et al. (1979) |
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East Coleman Mine, Furnace Creek, Inyo County, California, USA