Iquiqueite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Iquiqueite
Iquique, Chile
Formula:
K3Na4Mg(CrO4)B24O39(OH) · 12H2O
Colour:
Bright yellow
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
2.05
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Name:
Named for the city of Iquique (pronounced ee-KEE-kay) in 1986. It was a major historic port for nitrate shipments from Tarapacá, Chile from the 1830s until the 1930s.
Type Locality:
This page provides mineralogical data about Iquiqueite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2039
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2039:4
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
fd3083fc-a356-48c0-9579-16f763875146
IMA Classification of Iquiqueite
Approved
Approval year:
1984
First published:
1986
Approval history:
IMA1984-019
Classification of Iquiqueite
6.H0.20
6 : BORATES
H : Unclassified borates
0 :
6 : BORATES
H : Unclassified borates
0 :
27.1.8.1
27 : COMPOUND BORATES
1 : Miscellaneous
27 : COMPOUND BORATES
1 : Miscellaneous
9.2.17
9 : Borates
2 : Borates of Be and Mg
9 : Borates
2 : Borates of Be and Mg
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Iqu | 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 Iquiqueite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Bright yellow
Streak:
Pale yellow to yellow
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
(0001) perfect, (1010) imperfect
(0001) perfect, (1010) imperfect
Density:
2.05(9) g/cm3 (Measured) 2.05 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Iquiqueite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.496 - 1.502 nε = 1.447 - 1.448
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.049 - 0.054
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:
Moderate
Comments:
may be anomalously biaxial
Chemistry of Iquiqueite
Mindat Formula:
K3Na4Mg(CrO4)B24O39(OH) · 12H2O
Crystallography of Iquiqueite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m - Ditrigonal Pyramidal
Space Group:
P3 1c
Cell Parameters:
a = 11.6369(14) Å, c = 30.158(7) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 2.592
Unit Cell V:
3,536.78 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
3
Morphology:
c (0001) and m (1010)
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 10.11 Å | (85) |
| 6.04 Å | (85) |
| 3.28 Å | (85) |
| 3.22 Å | (85) |
| 3.02 Å | (100) |
| 2.856 Å | (100) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 25 : Evaporites (prebiotic) |
Type Occurrence of Iquiqueite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Platelets singly or as vermiform aggregates, 5-50 µm in diameter.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian), Washington, D.C., USA, 163774.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Nitrate fields.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Ericksen, G.E., Mrose, M.E., Marinenko, J.W., McGee, J.J. (1986) Mineralogical studies of the nitrate deposits of Chile. V. Iquiqueite, Na4K3Mg(CrO4)B24O39(OH).12H2O, a new saline mineral. American Mineralogist: 71: 830-836.
Synonyms of Iquiqueite
Other Language Names for Iquiqueite
German:Iquiqueit
Spanish:Iquiqueita
Common Associates
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 6.H0.05 | Chelkarite | CaMgB2O4(Cl,OH)2 · 5H2O Or near, with Cl:OH = 3:1 |
| 6.H0.10 | Braitschite-(Ce) | (Ca,Na2)7(Ce,La)2B22O43 · 7H2O |
| 6.H0.15 | Satimolite | KNa2(Al5Mg2)[B12O18(OH)12](OH)6Cl4 · 4H2O |
| 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
Notes:
Slowly soluble in cold water
Special Storage/
Display Requirements:
Display Requirements:
Slightly hygroscopic
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 Iquiqueite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2039.html
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References for Iquiqueite
Localities for Iquiqueite
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.
Chile | |
| Christophe Boutry collection |
| RRUFF Specimen ID: R060822 |
| Ericksen et al. (1986) |
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Salar de Miraje, María Elena, Tocopilla Province, Antofagasta, Chile