Benstonite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Benstonite
Formula:
Ba6Ca6Mg(CO3)13
Ba may be replaced by minor Sr, and Ca by minor Mn.
Colour:
White to ivory, very pale yellow, pale yellowish brown
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
3 - 4
Specific Gravity:
3.956
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Name:
Named in honor of Orlando J. Benston (February 1901, Whalan, Minnesota, USA - 20 January 1966, Malvern, Arkansas, USA), an ore dressing metallurgist for the Baroid Division, National Lead Co., Malvern, Arkansas, USA, who supplied the first specimens.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
626
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:626:8
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
f6fd9cf4-ae2c-4bb0-a61c-9ed7fbf52a93
IMA Classification of Benstonite
Approved
First published:
1961
Type description reference:
Classification of Benstonite
5.AB.55
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
A : Carbonates without additional anions, without H2O
B : Alkali-earth (and other M2+) carbonates
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
A : Carbonates without additional anions, without H2O
B : Alkali-earth (and other M2+) carbonates
14.2.3.1
14 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL CARBONATES
2 : AB(XO3)2
14 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL CARBONATES
2 : AB(XO3)2
11.5.7
11 : Carbonates
5 : Carbonates of Sr and Ba
11 : Carbonates
5 : Carbonates of Sr and Ba
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ben | 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 Benstonite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
White to ivory, very pale yellow, pale yellowish brown
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3 - 4 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Good on (31_42)
Good on (31_42)
Density:
3.956 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.695 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Benstonite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.690 nε = 1.527
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.163
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
Chemistry of Benstonite
Mindat Formula:
Ba6Ca6Mg(CO3)13
Ba may be replaced by minor Sr, and Ca by minor Mn.
Ba may be replaced by minor Sr, and Ca by minor Mn.
Crystallography of Benstonite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3 - Rhombohedral
Space Group:
R3
Cell Parameters:
a = 18.280 Å, c = 8.652 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.473
Unit Cell V:
2,503.80 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
3
Morphology:
Rhombohedral crystals to 1cm.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0014709 | Benstonite | Effenberger H (1979) Kristallstruktur und chemische formel des benstonits, Ba6Ca6Mg(CO3)13 Neues Jahrbuch fur Mineralogie, Abhandlungen 136 326-337 | 1979 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
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Radiation - Copper Kα
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.08 Å | (95) |
| 3.92 Å | (38) |
| 2.536 Å | (28) |
| 2.127 Å | (23) |
| 1.905 Å | (17) |
| 4.19 Å | (16) |
| 3.53 Å | (10) |
Comments:
Magnet Cove, Arkansas, USA. Data from the type description. The intensity of the strongest peak is given as 95, rather than 100.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| High-𝑇 alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 32 : Ba/Mn/Pb/Zn deposits, including metamorphic deposits | |
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 36 : Carbonatites, kimberlites, and related igneous rocks |
Geological Setting:
Barite deposits
Type Occurrence of Benstonite
General Appearance of Type Material:
White cleavable masses, with cleavage faces to 1 cm across.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Mineralogische Sammlungen, Mineralogisch-Petrographisches Institut, Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany, number S.21.3.5.1 (holotype).
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA numbers 120234 and 120236 (type).
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA numbers 120234 and 120236 (type).
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Baryte deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Lippmann, F. (1961) Benstonit, Ca7Ba6(CO3)13, ein neues mineral. Naturwissenschaften: 16: 550-551.
Other Language Names for Benstonite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.AB.05 | Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 5.AB.05 | Gaspéite | NiCO3 |
| 5.AB.05 | Magnesite | MgCO3 |
| 5.AB.05 | Otavite | CdCO3 |
| 5.AB.05 | Rhodochrosite | MnCO3 |
| 5.AB.05 | Siderite | FeCO3 |
| 5.AB.05 | Smithsonite | ZnCO3 |
| 5.AB.05 | Spherocobaltite | CoCO3 |
| 5.AB.05 va | Parakutnohorite | |
| 5.AB.10 | Ankerite | Ca(Fe2+,Mg)(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.10 | Dolomite | CaMg(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.10 | Kutnohorite | CaMn2+(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.10 | Minrecordite | CaZn(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.10 | Škáchaite | CaCo(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.15 | Aragonite | CaCO3 |
| 5.AB.15 | Cerussite | PbCO3 |
| 5.AB.15 | Strontianite | SrCO3 |
| 5.AB.15 | Witherite | BaCO3 |
| 5.AB.20 | Vaterite | CaCO3 |
| 5.AB.25 | Huntite | CaMg3(CO3)4 |
| 5.AB.30 | Norsethite | BaMg(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.35 | Alstonite | BaCa(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.40 | Olekminskite | Sr(Sr,Ca,Ba)(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.40 | Paralstonite | BaCa(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.45 | Barytocalcite | BaCa(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.50 | Carbocernaite | (Ca,Na)(Sr,Ce,Ba)(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.60 | Juangodoyite | Na2Cu(CO3)2 |
Fluorescence of Benstonite
Red or yellow in SW-UV, LW-UV, or X-rays.
Red phosphorescence.
Red phosphorescence.
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in HCl.
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 Benstonite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-626.html
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References for Benstonite
Localities for Benstonite
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.
Canada | |
| Shang (2000) |
| Econ Geol (1985) |
| Econ Geol (1989) | |
China | |
| Youbin Liang et al. (1981) |
Greece | |
| Skarpelis et al. (2004) |
India | |
| Semenov et al. (1971) +2 other references |
| Kumar et al. (2001) |
| Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| Ramasamy et al. (2013) |
Italy | |
| Biagioni et al. (2010) |
Namibia | |
| Bode Verlag GmbH et al. (in English) +2 other references |
Romania | |
| Hirtopanu (2006) | |
Russia | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
| Vladykin et al. (2018) | |
| Vladykin et al. (2008) |
| Konev A A et al. (2004) +1 other reference |
| Konev A. A. +4 other references | |
Sweden | |
| Holtstam et al. (1999) |
USA | |
| Rocks & Min.:63:108 +1 other reference |
| Lippmann (1962) | |
| Smith | |
| Mineralogical Record |
| Rocks & Minerals: 63: 217. +1 other reference |
| Smith (1991) |
| Smith (1991) | |
| Smith (1991) |
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Minerva No. 1 Mine, Ozark-Mahoning group, Cave-In-Rock Mining Sub-District, Hardin County, Illinois, USA