Metaborite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Metaborite
Formula:
HBO2
Colour:
Colourless, pale brown
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
5
Specific Gravity:
2.47
Crystal System:
Isometric
Name:
Named for being naturally occurring metaboric acid. The meta refers to a dehydrated state of boric acid.
Type Locality:
Dimorph of:
This page provides mineralogical data about Metaborite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2668
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2668:6
IMA Classification of Metaborite
Approved
First published:
1964
Classification of Metaborite
6.GD.10
6 : BORATES
G : Heptaborates and other megaborates
D : Mega-tektoborates
6 : BORATES
G : Heptaborates and other megaborates
D : Mega-tektoborates
24.5.1.1
24 : ANHYDROUS BORATES
5 : Miscellaneous
24 : ANHYDROUS BORATES
5 : Miscellaneous
9.1.2
9 : Borates
1 : Borates of the alkalis and boric acid
9 : Borates
1 : Borates of the alkalis and boric acid
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMAâCNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Mbo | IMAâCNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMAâCNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Metaborite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Colourless, pale brown
Hardness:
5 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
2.47 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.489 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Metaborite
Type:
Isotropic
RI values:
n = 1.618(2)
Surface Relief:
High (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
Chemistry of Metaborite
Mindat Formula:
HBO2
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Metaborite
Crystal System:
Isometric
Class (H-M):
43m - Hextetrahedral
Space Group:
P43n
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.89(1) Å
Unit Cell V:
702.60 Ã
Âģ (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
24
Crystal Structure
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0018652 | Metaborite | Freyhardt C C, Wiebcke M, Felsche J (2000) The monoclinic and cubic phases of metaboric acid (precise redeterminations) Acta Crystallographica C56 276-278 |  | 2000 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0009277 | Metaborite | Zachariasen W H (1963) The crystal structure of cubic metaboric acid Acta Crystallographica 16 380-384 | | 1963 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 1.938 Ã | (10) |
| 4.53 Ã | (5) |
| 2.835 Ã | (4) |
| 6.60 Ã | (3) |
| 3.71 Ã | (3) |
| 2.388 Ã | (3) |
| 2.102 Ã | (3) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 25 : Evaporites (prebiotic) | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45b : [Other oxidized fumarolic minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Metaborite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Aggregates up to 1 cm in size, showing single faces of the tetrahedron and trigonal tristetrahedron.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Mining Institute, St. Petersburg, 1015/1; A.E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, 69825.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Metaborite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 1 photo of Metaborite associated with Clinometaborite | HBO2 |
| 1 photo of Metaborite associated with Sassolite | H3BO3 |
| 1 photo of Metaborite associated with Adranosite | (NH4)4NaAl2(SO4)4Cl(OH)2 |
| 1 photo of Metaborite associated with Aiolosite | Na4Bi(SO4)3Cl |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 6.GD.05 | Ruitenbergite | Ca9B26O34(OH)24Cl4 · 13H2O |
| 6.GD.05 | Pringleite | Ca9B26O34(OH)24Cl4 · 13H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
Slowly soluble 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 Metaborite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2668.html
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References for Metaborite
Reference List:
Zachariasen, W. H. (1963) The crystal structure of cubic metaboric acid. Acta Crystallographica, 16 (5) 380-384 doi:10.1107/s0365110x63001018
Peters, C. R., Milberg, M. E. (1964) The refined structure of orthorhombic metaboric acid. Acta Crystallographica, 17 (3) 229-234 doi:10.1107/s0365110x64000597
IMA (1967) International Mineralogical Association: Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 36 (277) 131-136 doi:10.1180/minmag.1967.036.277.20
Localities for Metaborite
Showing 4 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
â - 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.
Finland | |
| Al-Ani et al. (2013) |
Italy | |
| Campostrini et al. (2010) |
Kazakhstan (TL) | |
| Handbook of Mineralogy Vol V p 6 +3 other references |
Russia | |
| Mazurov et al. (2007) |
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La Fossa crater, Vulcano Island, Lipari, Eolie Islands, Metropolitan City of Messina, Sicily, Italy