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Bandylite

A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About BandyliteHide

00789380017271921356392.jpg
Mark C. Bandy
Formula:
Cu[B(OH)4]Cl
Colour:
Deep blue with greenish portions; cendre blue to Italian blue, becoming greener with atacamite inclusions; blue in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Vitreous, Pearly
Hardness:
Specific Gravity:
2.81
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Name:
Named in honor of Mark Chance Bandy (22 July 1900, Redfield, Iowa, USA - 3 June 1963), American mining engineer, mineralogist and mineral collector, who first collected the mineral. He worked at many different places over his career, especially in South America. The mineral jeanbandyite is named for his wife.
A water-soluble mineral. It alters readily to Eriochalcite upon exposure to air.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
506
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:506:5

IMA Classification of BandyliteHide

Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
CuB(OH)4Cl
First published:
1938

Classification of BandyliteHide

6.AC.35

6 : BORATES
A : Monoborates
C : B(O,OH)4, without and with additional anions; 1(T), 1(T)+OH, etc
25.1.4.2

25 : ANHYDROUS BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
1 : Monoborates
10.1.2

10 : Borates with other anions
1 : Borates with halide

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

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

Physical Properties of BandyliteHide

Vitreous, Pearly
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Deep blue with greenish portions; cendre blue to Italian blue, becoming greener with atacamite inclusions; blue in transmitted light.
Streak:
Pale blue
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Elastic
Cleavage:
Perfect
on {001}.
Density:
2.81 g/cm3 (Measured)    2.81 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of BandyliteHide

Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.691 - 1.692 nε = 1.64 - 1.641
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.051
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.

Surface Relief:
Moderate
Pleochroism:
Strong
Comments:
O = Deep cendre blue
E = Light greenish yellow

Chemistry of BandyliteHide

Mindat Formula:
Cu[B(OH)4]Cl
Element Weights:
Element% weight
O35.986 %
Cu35.732 %
Cl19.935 %
B6.079 %
H2.267 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
Common Impurities:
Fe

Crystallography of BandyliteHide

Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Class (H-M):
4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) - Ditetragonal Dipyramidal
Space Group:
P4/nmm
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.19 Å, c = 5.61 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.906
Unit Cell V:
214.95 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Crystals typically tabular on {001} or equant with large {001}, {201}, and {110}, having quadrangular terraces on {001}. dominant forms are {001}, {111}, {201} and {110}. Occurs as subparallel clusters forming lichen-like groups with the individual crystals flattened on the base or on a pyramidal face.

Crystal StructureHide

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0005654BandyliteLi Y, Burns P C (2000) Refinement of the structure of bandylite The Canadian Mineralogist 38 713-71520000293
0009143BandyliteCollin R L (1951) The crystal structure of bandylite, CuCl2*CuB2O4*(H2O)4 Acta Crystallographica 4 204-20919510293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
5.59 Å(10)
3.08 Å(8)
2.54 Å(8)
1.952 Å(7)
4.35 Å(6)
1.655 Å(6)
4.13 Å(5.5)
Comments:
Recorded on material from Queténa Mine, Chile

Geological EnvironmentHide

Type Occurrence of BandyliteHide

General Appearance of Type Material:
Tabular or pyramidal crystals to 5 mm and almost lichen-like radial clusters in joints in the rock.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA (No. C5459)
Geological Setting of Type Material:
In a leached zone above massive iron sulphates
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Other Language Names for BandyliteHide

Common AssociatesHide

Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
7 photos of Bandylite associated with Betpakdalite-NaCa[Na2(H2O)17Ca(H2O)6][Mo6+8As5+2Fe3+3O34(OH)3]
6 photos of Bandylite associated with HexahydriteMgSO4 · 6H2O
6 photos of Bandylite associated with NitratineNaNO3
6 photos of Bandylite associated with BlöditeNa2Mg(SO4)2 · 4H2O
3 photos of Bandylite associated with EriochalciteCuCl2 · 2H2O
3 photos of Bandylite associated with AtacamiteCu2(OH)3Cl

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

6.AC.05SinhaliteMgAl(BO4)Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
6.AC.10PseudosinhaliteMg2Al3(BO3)2(OH)O3Mon. 2/m : P21/b
6.AC.15BéhieriteTa(BO4)Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : I41/amd
6.AC.15SchiavinatoiteNb(BO4)Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : I41/amd
6.AC.20FroloviteCa[B(OH)4]2Tric. 1 : P1
6.AC.25HexahydroboriteCa[B(OH)4]2 · 2H2O or CaB2O4 · 6H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
6.AC.30HenmiliteCa2Cu[B(OH)4]2(OH)4Tric. 1 : P1
6.AC.40TeepleiteNa2[B(OH)4]ClTet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : P4/nmm
6.AC.45Moydite-(Y)Y[B(OH)4](CO3)Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbca
6.AC.50CarboboriteCa2Mg[B(OH)4]2(CO3)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m
6.AC.55SulfoboriteMg3[B(OH)4]2(SO4)(OH,F)2Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma
6.AC.60LüneburgiteMg3[B2(OH)6](PO4)2 · 6H2OTric. 1 : P1
6.AC.65SeamaniteMn2+3[B(OH)4](PO4)(OH)2Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
6.AC.70CahniteCa2[B(OH)4](AsO4)Tet. 4 : P4

Other InformationHide

IR Spectrum:
Cerro Palestina material [cm-1]: 3430sh, 3395s, 3310sh, 1257s, 1078, 912s, 636, 601, 504, 402w
Notes:
Decomposed by water, leaving a residue of green copper borate. Readily soluble in NH4OH, to an intense blue solution. Less readily soluble in HCl or HNO3.
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 BandyliteHide

References for BandyliteHide

Localities for BandyliteHide

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.

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.
Canada
 
  • Yukon
    • Watson Lake mining district
Liverton et al. (eds.)
Chile
 
  • Antofagasta
    • Antofagasta Province
      • Cerro Palestina
        • Estación Cerro Negro
Łukasz Kruszewski
Anthony (1997)
    • El Loa Province
      • Calama
        • Chuquicamata District
          • Toki Cu deposit (Toki Cluster)
Palache et al. (1938) +2 other references
 
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