Log InRegister
Search For:
Mineral Name:
Locality Name:
Keyword(s):
 
Home PageAbout MindatThe Mindat ManualHistory of MindatCopyright StatusWho We AreOur ScienceMindat Newsletter [Free Download]Contact Us
Donate to MindatSponsor a PageCorporate SponsorshipSponsored Pages
Learning CenterWhat Is a Mineral?The Most Common Minerals on EarthInformation for EducatorsMindat ArticlesMindat Newsletter [Free Download]The ElementsThe Mineral Quiz
Minerals by PropertiesMinerals by ChemistryMineral Visual ExplorerAdvanced Locality SearchRandom MineralRandom LocalitySearch by minIDMinerals by CountryAlphabetical Mineral IndexAlphabetical Locality SearchMineral Association SearchList of CountriesLocalities Near MePhoto SearchSearch ArticlesSearch GlossaryThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryMore Search Options
The Mindat ManualAdd a New PhotoRate PhotosLocality Edit ReportCoordinate Completion ReportAdd Glossary Item
MineralsPetrologyFossilsMeteoritesGeologic Time
Mining CompaniesStatisticsMineral MuseumsClubs & OrganizationsMineral Shows & EventsDevice SettingsTime Machine
Read DiscussionsIdentification Request
Photo SearchPhoto GalleriesSearch by ColourPhoto Colour ExplorerNew Photos TodayNew Photos YesterdayMembers' Photo GalleriesPast Photo of the Day GalleryPhotography

Jacquesdietrichite

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

About JacquesdietrichiteHide

Formula:
Cu2(H2BO3)(OH)3
Colour:
Bright blue
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
3.28
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named for Jacques Emile Dietrich, Ph.D., of Nice, France (1926 - 2009), who discovered the mineral. He was a French geologist/mineralogist who spent many years working in Morocco.
This page provides mineralogical data about Jacquesdietrichite.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
26449
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:26449:1

IMA Classification of JacquesdietrichiteHide

Classification of JacquesdietrichiteHide

6.AB.80

6 : BORATES
A : Monoborates
B : BO3, with additional anions; 1(D) + OH, etc.

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

Physical Properties of JacquesdietrichiteHide

Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Bright blue
Streak:
Pale blue
Hardness:
Hardness Data:
Measured
Comment:
Hardness could not be accurately measured
Tenacity:
Flexible
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect and very easy {100}, and good {010} and {001}
Density:
3.28(5) g/cm3 (Measured)    3.303 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of JacquesdietrichiteHide

Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.627(2) nβ = 1.699(2) nγ = 1.769(2)
2V:
Calculated: 86°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.142
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.

Surface Relief:
Very High (positive)
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.
Pleochroism:
Strong
Comments:
X (deep blue) > Y (medium blue) > Z (pale blue)
X = a
Y = c
Z = b

Chemistry of JacquesdietrichiteHide

Mindat Formula:
Cu2(H2BO3)(OH)3
Element Weights:
Element% weight
Cu53.190 %
O40.176 %
B4.525 %
H2.109 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
Cu
O
B
H

Crystallography of JacquesdietrichiteHide

Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pmna
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.455 Å, b = 5.866 Å, c = 8.668 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.612 : 1 : 1.478
Unit Cell V:
480.75 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Type material: Blades, tablets, scales. {001} is dominant with bounding forms {100} and {010}. Often tapering somewhat in thickness from tip to base.
Twinning:
None observed.

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)
0007064JacquesdietrichiteKampf A R, Favreau G (2004) Jacquesdietrichite, Cu2[BO(OH)2](OH)3, a new mineral from the Tachgagalt mine, Morocco: Description and crystal structure European Journal of Mineralogy 16 361-3662004Tachgagalt mine, Morocco0293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Near-surface Processes
23 : Subaerial aqueous alteration by non-redox-sensitive fluids (see also #47)

Type Occurrence of JacquesdietrichiteHide

General Appearance of Type Material:
Transparent bright-blue blades, sometimes intergrown into broader blades, and as aggregates of pale-blue scales.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, California, USA; 52461.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Probably formed as a secondary low-temperature product of hydrothermal reworking of boron-bearing manganese-oxide ore (gaudefroyite).
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Synonyms of JacquesdietrichiteHide

Other Language Names for JacquesdietrichiteHide

Simplified Chinese:羟硼铜石
Traditional Chinese:羥硼銅石

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
1 photo of Jacquesdietrichite associated with MalachiteCu2(CO3)(OH)2
1 photo of Jacquesdietrichite associated with DatoliteCaB(SiO4)(OH)

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

6.AB.ChubaroviteKZn2(BO3)Cl2Trig. 32 : R32
6.AB.Rhabdoborite-(Mo)Mg12Mo6+1.33O6(BO3)6F2Hex. 6 : P63
6.AB.05HambergiteBe2(BO3)(OH)Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbca
6.AB.10BerboriteBe2(BO3)(OH) · H2OTrig.
6.AB.15JeremejeviteAl6(BO3)5(F,OH)3Hex. 6/m : P63/m
6.AB.20YuanfuliiteMg(Fe3+,Al)O(BO3)Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma
6.AB.20Warwickite(Mg,Ti,Fe,Al)2O(BO3)Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma
6.AB.25Karlite(Mg,Al)6.5(BO3)3(OH)4(◻,Cl)0.5Orth. 222 : P21212
6.AB.30MarinaiteCu2Fe3+O2(BO3)Mon. 2/m : P21/b
6.AB.30SavelievaiteMg2Cr3+O2(BO3)Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbam
6.AB.30FredrikssoniteMg2Mn3+O2(BO3)Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbam
6.AB.30VonseniteFe2+2Fe3+(BO3)O2Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbam
6.AB.30LudwigiteMg2Fe3+(BO3)O2Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbam
6.AB.30Azoproite(Mg,Fe2+)2(Fe3+,Ti,Mg)(BO3)O2Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbam
6.AB.30BonaccorditeNi2Fe3+(BO3)O2Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbam
6.AB.35FolvikiteSb5+Mn3+(Mg,Mn2+)10O8(BO3)4Mon. 2 : P2
6.AB.35Pinakiolite(Mg,Mn2+)2Mn3+(BO3)O2Mon. 2/m : B2/m
6.AB.40Takéuchiite(Mg,Mn2+)2(Mn3+,Fe3+)(BO3)O2Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnnm
6.AB.40BlatteriteSb5+3(Mn3+,Fe3+)9(Mn2+,Mg)35(BO3)16O32Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnnm
6.AB.40Orthopinakiolite(Mg,Mn2+)2Mn3+(BO3)O2Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnnm
6.AB.40ChestermaniteMg2(Fe3+,Mn3+,Al,Sb3+)(BO3)O2Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
6.AB.45Aluminomagnesiohulsite(Mg,Fe2+)2(Al,Mg,Sn)(BO3)O2Mon. 2/m : P2/m
6.AB.45HulsiteFe2+2Fe3+O2(BO3)Mon. 2/m : P2/m
6.AB.45MagnesiohulsiteMg2Fe3+O2(BO3)Mon. 2/m : P2/m
6.AB.50FluoboriteMg3(BO3)(F,OH)3Hex. 6/m : P63/m
6.AB.50HydroxylboriteMg3(BO3)(OH)3Hex. 6/m : P63/m
6.AB.55ShabyniteMg5(BO3)(OH)5(Cl,OH)2 · 4H2OMon.
6.AB.55WightmaniteMg5(BO3)O(OH)5 · 2H2OMon. 2/m
6.AB.60GaudefroyiteCa4Mn3+2-3(BO3)3(CO3)(O,OH)3Hex.
6.AB.65SakhaiteCa48Mg16(BO3)32(CO3)16 · 2(H2O,HCl)Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
6.AB.70HarkeriteCa48Mg16[AlSi4O15(OH)]4(BO3)16(CO3)16 · 2(H2O,HCl)Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
6.AB.75Pertsevite-(F)Mg2(BO3)(F,OH)Orth. mm2 : Pna21
6.AB.75Pertsevite-(OH)Mg2(BO3)(OH)Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma
6.AB.85Rhabdoborite-(V)Mg12(V5+,Mo6+,W6+)1.5O6{[BO3]6-x[(P,As)O4]xF2-x} (x < 1)Hex. 6 : P63
6.AB.85Rhabdoborite-(W)Mg12(W6+,V5+)1.5O6{[BO3]6-x[(P,As)O4]xF2-x} Hex. 6 : P63
6.AB.85PainiteCaZrAl9(BO3)O15Hex. 6/m : P63/m
6.AB.90Mengxianminite(Ca,Na)2Sn2(Mg,Fe)3Al8[(BO3)(BeO4)O6]2Orth. mm2 : Fdd2

Fluorescence of JacquesdietrichiteHide

Not fluorescent

Other InformationHide

Notes:
Dissolves quickly in dilute 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 JacquesdietrichiteHide

References for JacquesdietrichiteHide

Localities for JacquesdietrichiteHide

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.
Japan
 
  • Okayama Prefecture
    • Takahashi City
      • Bitchū
        • Fuka
Satoshi Matsubara et al. (2010)
Morocco (TL)
 
  • Drâa-Tafilalet Region
    • Zagora Province
      • Agdz Cercle
        • Tansifte Caïdat
Kampf et al. (2004)
USA
 
  • Michigan
    • Ontonagon County
      • Mass City
Travis Olds collection
 
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: October 3, 2026 16:48:25 Page updated: September 5, 2026 02:47:15
Go to top of page