Meyerhofferite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Meyerhofferite
Wilhelm Meyerhoffer
Formula:
CaB3O3(OH)5 · H2O
formerly given as Ca2(H3B3O7)2.4H2O
Colour:
Colourless, white
Lustre:
Vitreous, Silky
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
2.12
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named in honor of Wilhelm Meyerhoffer (13 September 1864, Pinsk, Belarus – 21 April 1906, Merano, Italy), chemist at the University of Vienna and University of Berlin. He was a collaborator with J.H. van't Hoff on the composition and origin of saline minerals, and he synthesized the compound.
Inderite Group.
Occurs principally as an alteration product of Inyoite.
The crystal structure is based on:
* two BO2(OH)2 tetrahedra,
* one BO2(OH) triangular group; these two are linked via corner-sharing to give [B3O3(OH)5]2− rings;
* distorted Ca polyhedra, CaO3(OH)4(OH2), linked via edge-sharing to give infinite chains || [001];
* H bonding system connecting chains comprising the Ca polyhedra and B-bearing rings.
Occurs principally as an alteration product of Inyoite.
The crystal structure is based on:
* two BO2(OH)2 tetrahedra,
* one BO2(OH) triangular group; these two are linked via corner-sharing to give [B3O3(OH)5]2− rings;
* distorted Ca polyhedra, CaO3(OH)4(OH2), linked via edge-sharing to give infinite chains || [001];
* H bonding system connecting chains comprising the Ca polyhedra and B-bearing rings.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2699
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2699:0
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
16e72009-5e46-4a1a-9ce6-b91da4322978
IMA Classification of Meyerhofferite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
Classification of Meyerhofferite
6.CA.30
6 : BORATES
C : Triborates
A : Neso-triborates
6 : BORATES
C : Triborates
A : Neso-triborates
26.3.2.1
26 : HYDRATED BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
3 : Triborates
26 : HYDRATED BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
3 : Triborates
9.3.17
9 : Borates
3 : Borates of Ca and Sr
9 : Borates
3 : Borates of Ca and Sr
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mhf | 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 Meyerhofferite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Meyerhofferite
Vitreous, Silky
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Colourless, white
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {010} perfect; {100} and {110} in traces.
On {010} perfect; {100} and {110} in traces.
Density:
2.12 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.116 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Meyerhofferite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.500 nβ = 1.535 nγ = 1.560
2V:
Measured: 78° , Calculated: 78°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.060
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Low
Dispersion:
relatively weak
Optical Extinction:
X (165°,62°); Y (45°30′,47°); Z (-83°,55°) with c(0°,0°) and b∗(0°,90°) using (φ,ρ).
Chemistry of Meyerhofferite
Mindat Formula:
CaB3O3(OH)5 · H2O
formerly given as Ca2(H3B3O7)2.4H2O
formerly given as Ca2(H3B3O7)2.4H2O
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Meyerhofferite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.632(1) Å, b = 8.337(1) Å, c = 6.4748(6) Å
α = 90.81(1)°, β = 101.97(1)°, γ = 86.76(1)°
α = 90.81(1)°, β = 101.97(1)°, γ = 86.76(1)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.795 : 1 : 0.777
Unit Cell V:
349.65 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Crystals elongated [001] and usually flattened (100). Fibrous. As pseudomorphs after inyoite.
Forms include:
Pinacoids: a{100}, b{010}, c{001}
Positive prisms: k{370}, l{120}, A{350}, j{450}, m{110}, q{210}, n{520}, s{310}, B{510}, r{810}.
Negative prisms: v{350}, M{110}, w{430}, h{310}.
Positive domes: t{101}, d{12.0.11}, e{706}, f{605}, g{504}, i{705}, x{302}, z{12.0.1}.
Negative dome: y{101}.
Pyramid: p{111}.
Forms include:
Pinacoids: a{100}, b{010}, c{001}
Positive prisms: k{370}, l{120}, A{350}, j{450}, m{110}, q{210}, n{520}, s{310}, B{510}, r{810}.
Negative prisms: v{350}, M{110}, w{430}, h{310}.
Positive domes: t{101}, d{12.0.11}, e{706}, f{605}, g{504}, i{705}, x{302}, z{12.0.1}.
Negative dome: y{101}.
Pyramid: p{111}.
Twinning:
No twinning observed.
Comment:
Cell parameters are from Burns and Hawthorne (1993).
Crystallographic forms of Meyerhofferite
Crystal Atlas:
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Meyerhofferite no.1 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
3d models and HTML5 code kindly provided by
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0005296 | Meyerhofferite | Burns P C, Hawthorne F C (1993) Hydrogen bonding in meyerhofferite: An X-ray and structure energy study from Mount Blanco, Death Valley, California The Canadian Mineralogist 31 305-312 |  | 1993 | Mount Blanco, Death Valley, California, USA | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 8.31 Å | (100) |
| 6.47 Å | (100) |
| 4.97 Å | (25) |
| 4.15 Å | (20) |
| 3.15 Å | (20) |
| 3.07 Å | (20) |
| 2.501 Å | (20) |
Comments:
Mt. Blanco, California, USA. ICDD 12-411.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 25 : Evaporites (prebiotic) |
Type Occurrence of Meyerhofferite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Reticulated structures of white silky fibrous material. The crystals are prismatic and up to about 1 mm thick and 10 mm long.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Harvard Mineralogical Museum, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, number 134572 (type).
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, numbers 087237 and 093640 (type).
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, numbers 087237 and 093640 (type).
Geological Setting of Type Material:
A secondary borate mineral, formed as an alteration of inyoite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Meyerhofferite
Relationship of Meyerhofferite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
| Inderborite | CaMg(H3B3O7)2 · 8H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Inderite | MgB3O3(OH)5 · 5H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Inyoite | Ca(H4B3O7)(OH) · 4H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Kurnakovite | MgB3O3(OH)5 · 5H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Solongoite | Ca2(H3B3O7)(OH)Cl | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 86 photos of Meyerhofferite associated with Inyoite | Ca(H4B3O7)(OH) · 4H2O |
| 8 photos of Meyerhofferite associated with Colemanite | Ca[B3O4(OH)3] · H2O |
| 2 photos of Meyerhofferite associated with Todorokite | (Na,Ca,K,Ba,Sr)1-x(Mn,Mg,Al)6O12 · 3-4H2O |
| 1 photo of Meyerhofferite associated with Nobleite | CaB6O9(OH)2 · 3H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 6.CA.10 | Ameghinite | Na(H4B3O7) |
| 6.CA.15 | Inderite | MgB3O3(OH)5 · 5H2O |
| 6.CA.20 | Kurnakovite | MgB3O3(OH)5 · 5H2O |
| 6.CA.25 | Inderborite | CaMg(H3B3O7)2 · 8H2O |
| 6.CA.35 | Inyoite | Ca(H4B3O7)(OH) · 4H2O |
| 6.CA.40 | Solongoite | Ca2(H3B3O7)(OH)Cl |
| 6.CA.45 | Peprossiite-(Ce) | (Ce,La)(Al3O)2/3B4O10 |
| 6.CA.50 | Nifontovite | Ca3B6O6(OH)12(H2O)2 |
| 6.CA.55 | Olshanskyite | Ca2[B3O3(OH)6](OH) · 3H2O |
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:
Heated in a blowpipe flame it fuses readily without decrepitation but with intumescence to an opaque white enamel, giving a greenish color to the flame. Heated in a closed tube, it fuses, giving off abundant water.
Notes:
Readily soluble in acids.
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 Meyerhofferite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2699.html
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References for Meyerhofferite
Reference List:
Christ, C. L., Clark, J. R. (1956) The structure of meyer-hofferite, 2CaO.3B2O3.7H2O, aP\overline{1} crystal, determined by the direct method of Hauptman & Karle. Acta Crystallographica, 9 (10) 830 doi:10.1107/s0365110x56002333
Burns, P. C., Hawthorne, F. C. (1993) Hydrogen bonding in meyerhofferite; an X-ray and structure energy study. The Canadian Mineralogist, 31 (2) 305-312 doi:10.3749/1499-1276-31.2.305
Frost, Ray L., López, Andrés, Xi, Yunfei, Scholz, Ricardo, Costa, Geraldo Magela da, Belotti, Fernanda M., Lima, Rosa Malena Fernandes (2013) Vibrational spectroscopy of the mineral meyerhofferite CaB3O3(OH)5·H2O – An assessment of the molecular structure. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 114. 27-32 doi:10.1016/j.saa.2013.05.016
Localities for Meyerhofferite
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.
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Monte Blanco Mine, Monte Blanco, Black Mountains, Amargosa Range, Inyo County, California, USA