Braitschite-(Ce)
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Braitschite-(Ce)
Formula:
(Ca,Na2)7(Ce,La)2B22O43 · 7H2O
Formula based on the crystal structure refinement: Ca6.15Na0.85REE2.08[B6O7(OH)3(O,OH)3]4(H2O). It may thus be simplified as NaCa6(Ce,La)2[B6O7(OH)3(O,OH)3]4(H2O) (Rowland et al., 2011)
Colour:
Colorless to white
Lustre:
Vitreous
Specific Gravity:
2.903
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Name:
Named by O.B. Raup, A.J. Gude, E.J. Dwornik, F. Cuttitta, and H.J. Rose in 1968 in honor of Otto Braitsch (17 December 1921 - 25 July 1966), professor at the University of Freiburg, Germany, for his contributions to evaporite mineralogy and geochemistry. The suffix follows IMA naming rules an indicates the dominant rare-earth element.
The name is pronounced brītsch'ite.
The name is pronounced brītsch'ite.
This page provides mineralogical data about Braitschite-(Ce).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
752
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:752:2
IMA Classification of Braitschite-(Ce)
Approved
IMA Formula:
Ca6.15Na0.85REE2.08[B6O7(OH)3(O,OH)3]4 · H2O
Approval year:
1966
First published:
1968
Classification of Braitschite-(Ce)
6.H0.10
6 : BORATES
H : Unclassified borates
0 :
6 : BORATES
H : Unclassified borates
0 :
26.7.6.1
26 : HYDRATED BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
7 : Miscellaneous
26 : HYDRATED BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
7 : Miscellaneous
9.5.3
9 : Borates
5 : Borates of Al and rare earths
9 : Borates
5 : Borates of Al and rare earths
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Btc-Ce | 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 Braitschite-(Ce)
Optical Data of Braitschite-(Ce)
Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 1.646 nε = 1.647
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.001
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
Chemistry of Braitschite-(Ce)
Mindat Formula:
(Ca,Na2)7(Ce,La)2B22O43 · 7H2O
Formula based on the crystal structure refinement: Ca6.15Na0.85REE2.08[B6O7(OH)3(O,OH)3]4(H2O). It may thus be simplified as NaCa6(Ce,La)2[B6O7(OH)3(O,OH)3]4(H2O) (Rowland et al., 2011)
Formula based on the crystal structure refinement: Ca6.15Na0.85REE2.08[B6O7(OH)3(O,OH)3]4(H2O). It may thus be simplified as NaCa6(Ce,La)2[B6O7(OH)3(O,OH)3]4(H2O) (Rowland et al., 2011)
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Braitschite-(Ce)
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Class (H-M):
6/m - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
P6/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 12.1506(6) Å, c = 7.3678(4) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.606
Unit Cell V:
942.03 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1
Morphology:
Simple hexagonal plates, having only prism and pinacoid faces.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0017877 | Braitschite-(Ce) | Rowland C E, Cahill C L, Post J E (2011) The structure of braitschite, a calcium rare earth borate American Mineralogist 96 197-201 | 2011 | Cane Creek mine near Moab, Utah, USA | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 10.52 Å | (54) |
| 4.283 Å | (100) |
| 3.021 Å | (92) |
| 2.8090 Å | (53) |
| 1.9117 Å | (34) |
| 1.8805 Å | (35) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 25 : Evaporites (prebiotic) |
Type Occurrence of Braitschite-(Ce)
General Appearance of Type Material:
Rounded nodules in anhydrite. The nodules are a mixture of minerals. The braitschite-(Ce) is minute hexagonal plates.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
U. S. National Museum, Catalog Number 120627.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Evaporite deposit
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Braitschite-(Ce)
Other Language Names for Braitschite-(Ce)
Dutch:Braitschiet-(Ce)
German:Braitschit-(Ce)
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 6.H0.05 | Chelkarite | CaMgB2O4(Cl,OH)2 · 5H2O Or near, with Cl:OH = 3:1 |
| 6.H0.15 | Satimolite | KNa2(Al5Mg2)[B12O18(OH)12](OH)6Cl4 · 4H2O |
| 6.H0.20 | Iquiqueite | K3Na4Mg(CrO4)B24O39(OH) · 12H2O |
| 6.H0.25 | Wardsmithite | Ca5Mg[B4O7]6 · 30H2O |
| 6.H0.35 | Halurgite | Mg4[B8O13(OH)2]2 · 7H2O |
| 6.H0.40 | Ekaterinite | Ca2(B4O7)(Cl,OH)2 · 2H2O |
| 6.H0.45 | Vitimite | Ca6[B14O19](SO4)(OH)14 · 5H2O |
| 6.H0.50 | Canavesite | Mg2(HBO3)(CO3) · 5H2O |
| 6.H0.55 | Qilianshanite | NaHCO3 · H3BO3 · 2H2O |
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 Braitschite-(Ce)
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-752.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Braitschite-(Ce)
Reference List:
Gude, Omer B. Raup Arthur J., 3rd,, Dwornik, E. J., Cuttitta, Frank, Rose, Harry J. (1968) Braitschite, a new hydrous calcium rare-earth borate mineral from the Paradox Basin, Grand County, Utah. American Mineralogist, 53 (7-8) 1081-1095
Nickel, Ernest H., Mandarino, Joseph A. (1987) Procedures involving the IMA Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names and guidelines on mineral nomenclature. American Mineralogist, 72 (9-10) 1031-1042
Localities for Braitschite-(Ce)
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.
USA (TL) | |
| Am Min 53:1081-1095 |
| Bullock (1981) |
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Cane Creek potash mine, Interriver Mining District, Grand County, Utah, USA