Sulfoborite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About Sulfoborite
Formula:
Mg3[B(OH)4]2(SO4)(OH,F)2
Colour:
Colourless, reddish; colourless in transmitted light
Hardness:
4 - 4½
Specific Gravity:
2.38 - 2.45
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
In allusion to the composition, being both a sulphate (sulfate) and a borate.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3823
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3823:8
IMA Classification of Sulfoborite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
Classification of Sulfoborite
6.AC.55
6 : BORATES
A : Monoborates
C : B(O,OH)4, without and with additional anions; 1(T), 1(T)+OH, etc
6 : BORATES
A : Monoborates
C : B(O,OH)4, without and with additional anions; 1(T), 1(T)+OH, etc
27.1.5.1
27 : COMPOUND BORATES
1 : Miscellaneous
27 : COMPOUND BORATES
1 : Miscellaneous
10.3.1
10 : Borates with other anions
3 : Borates with sulphate
10 : Borates with other anions
3 : Borates with sulphate
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sbo | 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 Sulfoborite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Sulfoborite
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless, reddish; colourless in transmitted light
Comment:
pale red from included iron oxide
Hardness:
4 - 4½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
On {110} good; on {001} fair.
On {110} good; on {001} fair.
Density:
2.38 - 2.45 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.44 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Sulfoborite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.522 - 1.527 nβ = 1.536 - 1.540 nγ = 1.544 - 1.552
2V:
Measured: 70° to 88°, Calculated: 78°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.022 - 0.025
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.
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.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
r > v weak
Chemistry of Sulfoborite
Mindat Formula:
Mg3[B(OH)4]2(SO4)(OH,F)2
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Sulfoborite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pnma
Setting:
Pnma
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.132(1) Å, b = 12.537(1) Å, c = 7.775(1) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.808 : 1 : 0.62
Unit Cell V:
987.62 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Crystals prismatic [001] of differing habit.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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
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
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0000890 | Sulfoborite | Giese R F, Penna G (1983) The crystal structure of sulfoborite, Mg3SO4(B(OH)4)2(OH)F American Mineralogist 68 255-261 |  | 1983 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.47 Å | (100) |
| 3.09 Å | (100) |
| 2.050 Å | (100) |
| 3.13 Å | (80) |
| 2.973 Å | (70) |
| 5.55 Å | (40) |
| 4.40 Å | (40) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 25 : Evaporites (prebiotic) |
Geological Setting:
Salt deposits
Type Occurrence of Sulfoborite
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Salt deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Sulfoborite
Other Language Names for Sulfoborite
Dutch:Sulfoboriet
German:Sulfoborit
Sulphoborit
Sulphoborit
Russian:Сульфоборит
Simplified Chinese:硫硼镁石
Spanish:Sulfoborita
Sulphoborita
Sulphoborita
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 6.AC.05 | Sinhalite | MgAl(BO4) |
| 6.AC.10 | Pseudosinhalite | Mg2Al3(BO3)2(OH)O3 |
| 6.AC.15 | Béhierite | Ta(BO4) |
| 6.AC.15 | Schiavinatoite | Nb(BO4) |
| 6.AC.20 | Frolovite | Ca[B(OH)4]2 |
| 6.AC.25 | Hexahydroborite | Ca[B(OH)4]2 · 2H2O or CaB2O4 · 6H2O |
| 6.AC.30 | Henmilite | Ca2Cu[B(OH)4]2(OH)4 |
| 6.AC.35 | Bandylite | Cu[B(OH)4]Cl |
| 6.AC.40 | Teepleite | Na2[B(OH)4]Cl |
| 6.AC.45 | Moydite-(Y) | Y[B(OH)4](CO3) |
| 6.AC.50 | Carboborite | Ca2Mg[B(OH)4]2(CO3)2 · 4H2O |
| 6.AC.60 | Lüneburgite | Mg3[B2(OH)6](PO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 6.AC.65 | Seamanite | Mn2+3[B(OH)4](PO4)(OH)2 |
| 6.AC.70 | Cahnite | Ca2[B(OH)4](AsO4) |
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in acids. Decomposed by 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 Sulfoborite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3823.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 Sulfoborite
Reference List:
Palache, Charles; Berman, Harry; Frondel, Clifford (1951) The System of Mineralogy (7th ed.) Vol. 2 - Halides, Nitrates, Borates, Carbonates, Sulfates, Phosphates, Arsenates, Tungstates, Molybdates, Etc. John Wiley and Sons.pp.387-388 - as Sulfoborite
Braitsch, Otto (1961) Neue Daten für Lüneburgit und Sulfoborit. Beiträge zur Mineralogie und Petrographie, 8 (1). 60-66 doi:10.1007/bf01104960
Localities for Sulfoborite
Showing 13 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.
Belarus | |
| USGS MRDS database potash: ... |
Germany | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
Kazakhstan | |
| Pekov et al. (1993) +1 other reference |
| ERCOSPAN (2011) +1 other reference |
Russia | |
| Mazurov et al. (2007) |
UK | |
| Embrey (1978) |
| Milne (1978) |
| Smith et al. (2014) |
| Smith et al. (2014) |
| Smith et al. (2014) | |
| Kemp et al. (2016) | |
USA | |
| Tankersley et al. (2016) |
Quick NavTopAbout SulfoboriteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPronunciation Physical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Inder B deposit and salt dome, Inder District, Atyrau Region, Kazakhstan