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Braithwaiteite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Braithwaiteite
R. S. W. Braithwaite
Formula:
NaCu5(Ti4+Sb5+)(AsO4)4(HAsO4)2O2 · 8H2O
Ti and Sb disordered on same crystal site: ratio is 0.87:1.13 in type material.
Colour:
Blue
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
3.442
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
Named in 2009 by Werner H. Paar, Mark A. Cooper, Frank C. Hawthorne, Elizabeth Moffatt, Mickey E. Gunter, Andrew C. Roberts, and Pete J. Dunn in honour of Richard S. W. Braithwaite [1930-], a British mineral spectroscopist and professor at the University of Manchester, United Kingdom.
New structure type.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
31499
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:31499:0
IMA Classification of Braithwaiteite
Approved
IMA Formula:
NaCu2+5(Ti4+Sb5+)O2(As5+O4)4[As5+O3(OH)]2·8H2O
Approval year:
2006
First published:
2009
Classification of Braithwaiteite
8.DB.75
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
B : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4< 1:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
B : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4< 1:1
39.3.16.
39 : HYDRATED ACID PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
3 : Miscellaneous
39 : HYDRATED ACID PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
3 : Miscellaneous
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bwt | 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 Braithwaiteite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Braithwaiteite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Blue
Streak:
Very pale blue
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
{001}
{001}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
3.442 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.753 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Braithwaiteite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.6982 nβ = 1.7575 nγ = 1.7835
2V:
Measured: 59° , Calculated: 65°
Birefringence:
0.085
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.085
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:
Very 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
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.
Optical Extinction:
X ∧ a = 20.5°, X ∧ b = 109.2°, X ∧ c = 110.8°.
Y ∧ a = 69.5°, Y ∧ b = 42.3°, Y ∧ c = 79.9°.
Z ∧ a = 88.4°, Z ∧ b = 125.9°, Z ∧ c = 23.4°.
Y ∧ a = 69.5°, Y ∧ b = 42.3°, Y ∧ c = 79.9°.
Z ∧ a = 88.4°, Z ∧ b = 125.9°, Z ∧ c = 23.4°.
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X = Y = pale blue, Z = greenish blue.
Comments:
Absorption: X = Y < Z.
Chemistry of Braithwaiteite
Mindat Formula:
NaCu5(Ti4+Sb5+)(AsO4)4(HAsO4)2O2 · 8H2O
Ti and Sb disordered on same crystal site: ratio is 0.87:1.13 in type material.
Ti and Sb disordered on same crystal site: ratio is 0.87:1.13 in type material.
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Braithwaiteite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Setting:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.0308 Å, b = 9.8823 Å, c = 10.6754 Å
α = 106.973°, β = 104.274°, γ = 93.839°
α = 106.973°, β = 104.274°, γ = 93.839°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.711 : 1 : 1.08
Unit Cell V:
679.76 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1
Morphology:
Lath-like. Forms include {100}, {103}, {001}, {203}.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0013021 | Braithwaiteite | Hawthorne F C, Cooper M A, Paar W H (2008) The crystal structure of braithwaiteite Journal of Coordination Chemistry 61 15-29 | 2008 | Black Vein, Laurani, Bolivia | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 9.825 Å | (100) |
| 9.334 Å | (10) |
| 5.887 Å | (50) |
| 5.454 Å | (15) |
| 5.075 Å | (20) |
| 4.635 Å | (30) |
| 4.109 Å | (20) |
| 3.674 Å | (25) |
| 3.601 Å | (3) |
| 3.503 Å | (20) |
| 3.354 Å | (30) |
| 3.232 Å | (30) |
| 3.195 Å | (5) |
| 3.105 Å | (20) |
| 3.020 Å | (5) |
| 2.947 Å | (60) |
| 2.858 Å | (10) |
| 2.812 Å | (3) |
| 2.736 Å | (30 |
| 2.633 Å | (3) |
| 2.589 Å | (5) |
| 2.548 Å | (5) |
| 2.524 Å | (10) |
| 2.442 Å | (30b) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates] |
Type Occurrence of Braithwaiteite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Small dark sky-blue bladed crystals or masses.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, number CMNMC 86085.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Oxidized portion of an epithermal vein deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Braithwaiteite
Other Language Names for Braithwaiteite
Dutch:Braithwaiteiet
German:Braithwaiteit
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.DB. | Arangasite | Al2F(PO4)(SO4) · 9H2O |
| 8.DB. | Höslite | Fe3+3(VO4)2(SO4)(OH)(H2O)4 · 3H2O |
| 8.DB. | Agujaite | Na6Al6(H2O)15(OH)3(AsO4)5(AsO3OH)3 · 3H2O |
| 8.DB. | Camaronesite | [Fe3+(H2O)2(PO3OH)]2(SO4) · 1-2H2O |
| 8.DB.05 | Destinezite | Fe3+2(PO4)(SO4)(OH) · 6H2O |
| 8.DB.05 | Pitticite | (Fe, AsO4, H2O) (?) |
| 8.DB.05 | Diadochite | Fe3+2(PO4)(SO4)(OH) · 6H2O |
| 8.DB.07 | Wilhelmgümbelite | ZnFe2+Fe3+3(PO4)3(OH)4(H2O)5 · 2H2O |
| 8.DB.07 | Schmidite | [Zn2(Fe3+,Mn2+)2Fe3+(PO4)3(OH)3(H2O)6] · 2H2O |
| 8.DB.07 | Wildenauerite | Zn(Fe3+,Mn2+)2MnFe3+(PO4)3(OH)3(H2O)6 · 2H2O |
| 8.DB.10 | Vashegyite | Al11(PO4)9(OH)6 · 38H2O |
| 8.DB.15 | Schoonerite | ZnMn2+Fe2+2Fe3+(PO4)3(OH)2 · 9H2O |
| 8.DB.20 | Sinkankasite | Mn2+Al(PO3OH)2(OH) · 6H2O |
| 8.DB.25 | Mitryaevaite | Al6(PO4)((P,S)O3(OH,O))2F2(OH)2 · 14.5H2O |
| 8.DB.30 | Sanjuanite | Al2(PO4)(SO4)(OH) · 9H2O |
| 8.DB.35 | Sarmientite | Fe3+2(AsO4)(SO4)(OH) · 5H2O |
| 8.DB.40 | Bukovskýite | Fe3+2(AsO4)(SO4)(OH) · 9H2O |
| 8.DB.40 | Manganflurlite | ZnMn2+3Fe3+(PO4)3(OH)2(H2O)7 · 2H2O |
| 8.DB.40 | Flurlite | Zn3Mn2+Fe3+(PO4)3(OH)2 · 9H2O |
| 8.DB.42 | Bohuslavite | Fe3+4(PO4)3(SO4)(OH) · nH2O |
| 8.DB.45 | Zýkaite | Fe3+4(AsO4)3(SO4)(OH) · 15H2O |
| 8.DB.47 | Lapeyreite | Cu3O[AsO3(OH)]2 · 0.75H2O |
| 8.DB.50 | Rossiantonite | Al3(PO4)(SO4)2(OH)2(H2O)14 |
| 8.DB.50 | Giniite | Fe2+Fe3+4(PO4)3(OH)5 · 2H2O |
| 8.DB.52 | 'Arctowskite' | Al9(PO4)8(OH)3 · 27H2O |
| 8.DB.55 | Sasaite | (Al,Fe3+)14(PO4)11(SO4)(OH)7 · 83H2O |
| 8.DB.60 | Mcauslanite | Fe3Al2(PO4)3(PO3OH)F · 18H2O |
| 8.DB.65 | Goldquarryite | CuCd2Al3(PO4)4F2(H2O,F)2 · 10H2O |
| 8.DB.70 | Birchite | Cd2Cu2(PO4)2(SO4) · 5H2O |
Fluorescence of Braithwaiteite
Not fluorescent in UV.
Other Information
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 Braithwaiteite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-31499.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Braithwaiteite
Localities for Braithwaiteite
Showing 1 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.
Bolivia (TL) | |
| Canadian Mineralogist 47 (2009) |
Quick NavTopAbout BraithwaiteiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPronunciation Physical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesStrunz-MindatFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Laurani Mine, Sica Sica Municipality, Aroma Province, La Paz, Bolivia