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Branchite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Branchite
Formula:
C20H34
structural formula: (CH2)3C(CH3)2C(CH3)C(H)(CH2)2C(H)C(μ2-CH2)C(H)(CH2)3C(CH3)
Colour:
white, grey, yellowish grey, colourless
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
1
Specific Gravity:
1.036 - 1.06
Crystal System:
Triclinic
A fossil resin resembling amber and found in small yellowish grains disseminated in brown coal. Chemically it is a diterpene hydrocarbon (α-phyllocladane, or more specifically (1R,4S,9S,10S,13R,14R)-5,5,9,14-tetramethyltetracyclo[11.2.1.01,10.04,9]hexadecane).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
25689
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:25689:0
Similar Names
| Bianchite | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | Zn(H2O)6(SO4) |
| Brünichite | A synonym of Apophyllite Group |
IMA Classification of Branchite
Approved
IMA status notes:
Renamed by the IMA
First published:
1841
Approval history:
Grandfathered as hartite.
2021. Discredited by IMA (Proposal 21-A) and the name was replaced by the name branchite, which has historical priority.
Historical samples of branchite, described by the Tuscan naturalist Paolo Savi (1798-1871) at the end of the 1830s, were reexamined through single-crystal X-ray diffraction, showing their identity with hartite, C20H34, a hydrocarbon mineral described by Haidinger in 1841.
The type locality of branchite is the Botro di Lavajano, Monte Vaso, Chianni, Pisa, Tuscany, Italy. Neotype material is kept in the Natural History Museum of the Pisa University under catalogue number 14426.
2021. Discredited by IMA (Proposal 21-A) and the name was replaced by the name branchite, which has historical priority.
Historical samples of branchite, described by the Tuscan naturalist Paolo Savi (1798-1871) at the end of the 1830s, were reexamined through single-crystal X-ray diffraction, showing their identity with hartite, C20H34, a hydrocarbon mineral described by Haidinger in 1841.
The type locality of branchite is the Botro di Lavajano, Monte Vaso, Chianni, Pisa, Tuscany, Italy. Neotype material is kept in the Natural History Museum of the Pisa University under catalogue number 14426.
Classification of Branchite
10.BA.10
10 : ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
B : Hydrocarbons
A : Hydrocarbons
10 : ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
B : Hydrocarbons
A : Hydrocarbons
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bran | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Branchite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Branchite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
White, grey, yellowish grey, colourless
Hardness:
1 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Waxy
Cleavage:
Very Good
Density:
1.036 - 1.06 g/cm3 (Measured) 1.064 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Branchite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.546 nβ = 1.555 nγ = 1.587
2V:
Measured: 57°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.041
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:
Low (positive)
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:
r > v
Chemistry of Branchite
Mindat Formula:
C20H34
structural formula: (CH2)3C(CH3)2C(CH3)C(H)(CH2)2C(H)C(μ2-CH2)C(H)(CH2)3C(CH3)
structural formula: (CH2)3C(CH3)2C(CH3)C(H)(CH2)2C(H)C(μ2-CH2)C(H)(CH2)3C(CH3)
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Branchite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pedial
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 11.407 Å, b = 20.952 Å, c = 7.406 Å
α = 93.941°, β = 100.75°, γ = 80.499°
α = 93.941°, β = 100.75°, γ = 80.499°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.544 : 1 : 0.353
Unit Cell V:
1,713.80 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
complex flattened to needlelike crystals to 8 mm (26 forms noted), lamellar to coarse crystalline masses or coatings
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0002053 | Branchite | Bouska V, Cisarova I, Skala R, Dvorak A, Zelinka J, Zak K (1998) Hartite from Bilina American Mineralogist 83 1340-1346 |  | 1998 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 10.38 Å | (34) |
| 6.59 Å | (33) |
| 6.11 Å | (18) |
| 5.58 Å | (17) |
| 5.54 Å | (100) |
| 3.446 Å | (13) |
| 3.850 Å | (11) |
Comments:
recorded on material from Bílina, Czech Republic
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 50 : Coal and/or oil shale minerals | <0.36 |
| 53 : Other minerals with taphonomic origins | <0.4 |
Geological Setting:
In lignite seams and fractures in fossil coalified and silicified tree trunks.
Type Occurrence of Branchite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Krahuletz Museum, Eggenburg, Austria.
Synonyms of Branchite
Other Language Names for Branchite
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 10.BA. | Freitalite | C14H10 |
| 10.BA.05 | Fichtelite | C19H34 |
| 10.BA.15 | Dinite | C20H36 |
| 10.BA.20 | Idrialite | C22H14 |
| 10.BA.25 | Kratochvílite | C13H10 |
| 10.BA.30 | Carpathite | C24H12 |
| 10.BA.35 | Phylloretine | C18H18 |
| 10.BA.40 | Ravatite | C14H10 |
| 10.BA.45 | Simonellite | C19H24 |
| 10.BA.50 | Evenkite | C21H44 |
| 10.BA.55 | Wampenite | C18H16 |
| 10.BA.60 | 'Scharizerite' |
Fluorescence of Branchite
none
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:
melting point: 71 - 71.5 °C
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Industrial Uses:
none
Internet Links for Branchite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-25689.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Branchite
Reference List:
Bouška, V.; Císařová, I.; Skála, R.; Dvořák, Z.; Zelinka, J.; Zák, K. (1998) Hartite from Bilina. American Mineralogist, 83 (11-12 Part 1). 1340-1346 doi:10.2138/am-1998-11-1224
Localities for Branchite
Showing 19 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.
Austria (TL) | |
| W. v. Haidinger: Pogg. Ann. 54 (1841) |
| Bouška et al. (1998) |
| J. W. Anthony et al.: Handbook of Mineralogy (2003) | |
| Rumpf (1870) +1 other reference |
| Kenngott (1856) | |
Czech Republic | |
| Bouška |
| Bouška | |
Germany | |
| Huhle (2013) |
Hungary | |
| GEODA 2005/3 |
Italy | |
| Bechi (1868) +14 other references |
| Sammartino et al. (2011-2012) +1 other reference |
| Sammartino et al. (2011-2012) +1 other reference |
| Stöhr (1870) +3 other references |
| Orlandi (2005) |
| Bechi (1868) +3 other references | |
| Bechi (1868) +15 other references | |
| Brizzi et al. (1991) +1 other reference | |
| J. W. Anthony et al.: Handbook of Mineralogy (2003) |
Slovakia | |
| Števko M. et al. (2026) |
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Santa Barbara Mine, Santa Barbara lignite district, Upper Valdarno, Tuscany, Italy