Magnesiotaaffeite-2N’2S
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Magnesiotaaffeite-2N’2S
Formula:
Mg3Al8BeO16
Colour:
White, green
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
8 - 8½
Specific Gravity:
3.605
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Member of:
Name:
Named taaffeite in honor of Count Edward Charles Richard Taaffe, gemologist of Dublin (1898, Bohemia, Austria-Hungary - 1967, Dublin, Ireland), who discovered the mineral in 1945. It was the first case of a new mineral discovered as a facetted gem. The suffix was added by Armbruster et al. (2002) to indicate the polysome.
Taaffeite Group.
The stacking of the spinel-type (Mg2Al4O8) and nolanite-type (BeMgAl4O8) modules is N'SN'S. Malcherek & Schlüter (2016) describe a new polytype of the mineral, Magnesiotaaffeite-2N’2S2, with N'SSN'' stacking sequence; this new polytype crystallizes in the trigonal system, space group P-3m1; it is Cr-bearing.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Magnesiotaaffeite-2N’2S.
The stacking of the spinel-type (Mg2Al4O8) and nolanite-type (BeMgAl4O8) modules is N'SN'S. Malcherek & Schlüter (2016) describe a new polytype of the mineral, Magnesiotaaffeite-2N’2S2, with N'SSN'' stacking sequence; this new polytype crystallizes in the trigonal system, space group P-3m1; it is Cr-bearing.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Magnesiotaaffeite-2N’2S.Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3863
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3863:4
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
33da88cf-5c98-4301-bbe9-2d7b62a1705a
IMA Classification of Magnesiotaaffeite-2N’2S
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Mg3BeAl8O16
Classification of Magnesiotaaffeite-2N’2S
4.FC.25
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
F : Hydroxides (without V or U)
C : Hydroxides with OH, without H2O; corner-sharing octahedra
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
F : Hydroxides (without V or U)
C : Hydroxides with OH, without H2O; corner-sharing octahedra
7.2.11.1
7 : MULTIPLE OXIDES
2 : AB2X4
7 : MULTIPLE OXIDES
2 : AB2X4
7.4.5
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
4 : Oxides of Be, Mg and the alkaline earths
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
4 : Oxides of Be, Mg and the alkaline earths
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mtf-2N'2S | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Mta | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Physical Properties of Magnesiotaaffeite-2N’2S
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
White, green
Streak:
White
Hardness:
8 - 8½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Imperfect/Fair
Fair {001}
Fair {001}
Fracture:
Conchoidal, Sub-Conchoidal
Density:
3.605 g/cm3 (Measured)
Optical Data of Magnesiotaaffeite-2N’2S
Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 1.722 nε = 1.777
Birefringence:
0.05
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.055
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:
High
Chemistry of Magnesiotaaffeite-2N’2S
Mindat Formula:
Mg3Al8BeO16
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Magnesiotaaffeite-2N’2S
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Class (H-M):
6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) - Dihexagonal Dipyramidal
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.68 Å, c = 18.33 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 3.227
Unit Cell V:
512.14 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Twinning:
By reflection on (0001)?
Comment:
New polytype (Malcherek & Schlüter, 2016): trigonal, P-3m1, a = 5.6788(3), c = 18.3368(14) Å, V = 512.11 Å3, Z = 2.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 26 : Hadean detrital minerals | |
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 34 : Complex granite pegmatites | |
| Stage 5: Initiation of plate tectonics | <3.5-2.5 |
| 40 : Regional metamorphism (greenschist, amphibolite, granulite facies) |
Type Occurrence of Magnesiotaaffeite-2N’2S
Synonyms of Magnesiotaaffeite-2N’2S
Other Language Names for Magnesiotaaffeite-2N’2S
German:Bemagalit
Taaffeit
Taprobanit
Taaffeit
Taprobanit
Russian:Магнезиотаафеит-2N'2S
Simplified Chinese:塔菲石
Spanish:Bemagalita
Taaffeita
Taprobanita
Taaffeita
Taprobanita
Relationship of Magnesiotaaffeite-2N’2S to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
| Magnesiotaaffeite-2N’2S2 | Mg3BeAl8O16 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1 |
| Magnesiotaaffeite-6N’3S | Mg2BeAl6O12 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 1 photo of Magnesiotaaffeite-2N’2S associated with Swedenborgite | NaBe4Sb5+O7 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.FC.05 | Bernalite | Fe(OH)3 · nH2O (n = 0.0 to 0.25) |
| 4.FC.05 | Dzhalindite | In(OH)3 |
| 4.FC.05 | Söhngeite | Ga(OH)3 |
| 4.FC.10 | Burtite | Ca[Sn(OH)6] |
| 4.FC.10 | Mushistonite | (Cu,Zn,Fe2+)[Sn(OH)6] |
| 4.FC.10 | Natanite | Fe2+[Sn(OH)6] |
| 4.FC.10 | Schoenfliesite | Mg[Sn(OH)6] |
| 4.FC.10 | Vismirnovite | Zn[Sn(OH)6] |
| 4.FC.10 | Wickmanite | Mn2+[Sn(OH)6] |
| 4.FC.15 | Jeanbandyite | Fe3+xFe2+1-xSn(OH)6-xOx |
| 4.FC.15 | Mopungite | Na[Sb5+(OH)6] |
| 4.FC.15 | Stottite | Fe2+[Ge4+(OH)6] |
| 4.FC.15 | Tetrawickmanite | Mn2+[Sn4+(OH)6] |
| 4.FC.20 | Ferronigerite-2N1S | (Al,Fe,Zn)2(Al,Sn)6O11(OH) |
| 4.FC.20 | Magnesionigerite-6N6S | (Mg,Al,Zn)3(Al,Sn,Fe)8O15(OH) |
| 4.FC.20 | Magnesionigerite-2N1S | (Mg,Al,Zn)2(Al,Sn)6O11(OH) |
| 4.FC.20 | Ferronigerite-6N6S | (Al,Fe,Zn)3(Al,Sn,Fe)8O15(OH) |
| 4.FC.20 | Zinconigerite-2N1S | (Zn,Al,Mg)2(Al,Sn)6O11(OH) |
| 4.FC.20 | Zinconigerite-6N6S | Zn3Sn2Al16O30(OH)2 |
| 4.FC.25 | Magnesiotaaffeite-6N’3S | Mg2BeAl6O12 |
| 4.FC.25 | Ferrotaaffeite-2N’2S | Be(Fe,Mg,Zn)3Al8O16 |
Fluorescence of Magnesiotaaffeite-2N’2S
Sometimes fluoresces weak red 365nm LW UV, pale yellow to white in 254nm SW UV
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 Magnesiotaaffeite-2N’2S
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3863.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Magnesiotaaffeite-2N’2S
Reference List:
Localities for Magnesiotaaffeite-2N’2S
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.
Australia | |
| Mineralogical Magazine |
Austria | |
| Bernhard (2008) |
China | |
| AM 44 (1959) +3 other references |
| Yuzhou Li (1990) | |
| Shimou Chen et al. (1981) +3 other references |
| Chen Jingzhong et al. (1989) +1 other reference |
Madagascar | |
| Ranorosoa (1986) | |
| Ranorosoa (1986) |
Myanmar | |
| Harald Schillhammer collection |
| Themelis (2008) |
| Pavel M. Kartashov analytical data +1 other reference |
Russia | |
| Schmetzer (1983) |
Sri Lanka | |
| Fernando et al. (2005, September) |
| - (n.d.) |
| www.multicolour.com (2006) |
| Mineralogical Magazine (1951) +1 other reference |
Sweden | |
| Gatedal (n.d.) +1 other reference |
Tanzania | |
| Thomas (2008) |
USA | |
| Dietrich (1990) |
Quick NavTopAbout Magnesiotaaffeite-2N’2SUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Geological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Xianghualing Mine, Xianghualing Sn-polymetallic ore field, Linwu Co., Chenzhou, Hunan, China