Tuzlaite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Tuzlaite
Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Formula:
NaCaB5O8(OH)2 · 3H2O
Colour:
White to colourless
Lustre:
Silky, Pearly
Hardness:
2 - 3
Specific Gravity:
2.21
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named after its discovery locality, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Note: Some acicular gypsum from Niedersachswerfen has been erroneously sold as tuzlaite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
4063
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4063:7
IMA Classification of Tuzlaite
Approved
IMA Formula:
NaCaB5O8(OH)2·3H2O
Approval year:
1993
First published:
1994
Classification of Tuzlaite
6.EC.25
6 : BORATES
E : Pentaborates
C : Phyllo-pentaborates
6 : BORATES
E : Pentaborates
C : Phyllo-pentaborates
26.5.12.2
26 : HYDRATED BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
5 : Pentaborates
26 : HYDRATED BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
5 : Pentaborates
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tuz | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Tuzlaite
Silky, Pearly
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
White to colourless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2 - 3 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
{001}
{001}
Density:
2.21 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.23 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Tuzlaite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.532 nβ = 1.544 nγ = 1.561
2V:
Measured: 80° to 82°, Calculated: 82°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.029
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:
None to Very Low
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:
weak
Optical Extinction:
Y = b; Z ∧ a = 14°.
Chemistry of Tuzlaite
Mindat Formula:
NaCaB5O8(OH)2 · 3H2O
Element Weights:
Common Impurities:
Sr,Al
Crystallography of Tuzlaite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/b
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.5 Å, b = 13.28 Å, c = 11.46 Å
β = 92.97°
β = 92.97°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.489 : 1 : 0.863
Unit Cell V:
987.90 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Prismatic and elongate to a.
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
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0001662 | Tuzlaite | Bermanec V, Armbruster T, Tibljas D, Sturman D, Kniewald G (1994) Tuzlaite, NaCa[B5O8(OH)2].3H2O, a new mineral with a pentaborate sheet structure from the Tuzla salt mine, Bosnia and Hercegovina American Mineralogist 79 562-569 |  | 1994 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 8.638 Å | (100) |
| 6.617 Å | (30) |
| 2.868 Å | (29) |
| 4.179 Å | (17) |
| 2.586 Å | (15) |
| 2.845 Å | (14) |
| 2.065 Å | (14) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 23 : Subaerial aqueous alteration by non-redox-sensitive fluids (see also #47) | |
| 25 : Evaporites (prebiotic) |
Type Occurrence of Tuzlaite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Crosscutting veinlets in marl between halite layers.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Croatian Museum of Natural History, Zagreb, Croatia, HPM 8888.
Natural History Museum, Bern, Switzerland, B 8361.
Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Canada, M45848a.
Natural History Museum, Bern, Switzerland, B 8361.
Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Canada, M45848a.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Evaporite deposits.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Tuzlaite
Other Language Names for Tuzlaite
Common Associates
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 6.EC. | Calcioveatchite | SrCaB11O16(OH)5 · 5H2O |
| 6.EC.05 | Nasinite | Na2[B5O8(OH)] · 2H2O |
| 6.EC.05 | Biringuccite | Na2B5O8(OH) · H2O |
| 6.EC.10 | Gowerite | Ca[B5O8(OH)][B(OH)3] · 3H2O |
| 6.EC.15 | 'Veatchite-2M' | Sr2B11O16(OH)5 · H2O |
| 6.EC.15 | 'Veatchite-A' | Sr2B11O16(OH)5 · H2O |
| 6.EC.15 | Veatchite | Sr2B11O16(OH)5 · H2O |
| 6.EC.15 | 'Veatchite-1M' | Sr2B11O16(OH)5 · H2O |
| 6.EC.20 | Volkovskite | KCa4[B5O8OH]4[B(OH)3]2Cl · 4H2O |
| 6.EC.30 | Heidornite | Na2Ca3B5O8(SO4)2Cl(OH)2 |
| 6.EC.35 | Popugaevaite | Ca3[B5O6(OH)6]FCl2 · 8H2O |
| 6.EC.35 | Brianroulstonite | Ca3[B5O6(OH)6](OH)Cl2 · 8H2O |
Fluorescence of Tuzlaite
None
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 Tuzlaite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-4063.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 Tuzlaite
Reference List:
Bermanec, Vladimir, Armbruster, Thomas, Tibljas, Darko, Sturman, Darko, Kniewald, Goran (1994) Tuzlaite, NaCa[B5O8(OH)2]·3H2O, a new mineral with a pentaborate sheet structure from the Tuzla salt mine, Bosnia and Hercegovina. American Mineralogist, 79 (5-6) 562-569
Localities for Tuzlaite
Showing 2 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.
Bosnia and Herzegovina (TL) | |
| Bermanec et al. (1994) |
Germany | |
| Siemroth (2008) |
Quick NavTopAbout TuzlaiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Tuzla Mine, Tuzla, Tuzla Canton, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bosnia and Herzegovina