Probertite (original) (raw)
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
About ProbertiteHide
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Formula:
NaCa[B5O7(OH)4] · 3H2O
Colour:
Colourless, white; colourless in transmitted light
Specific Gravity:
2.135 - 2.141
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named in honor of Frank Holman Probert (13 June 1876, London, England – 7 May 1940, Berkeley, California, USA), Dean of the Mining College, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA, who provided the first specimens.
The structure is based on the pentaborate polyanion, of 5(2Δ + 3T) topology. It comprises oxygen-sharing B-bearing tetrahedra and B-bearing triangular groups. The polyanion comprises 5 geometrical components: BO3, BO2(OH), BO4, BO3(OH), and BO2(OH)2. The polyanions are joined, thus forming chains || [100]. Calcium forms clusters comprising distorted Ca polyhedra, CaO5(OH)3(OH2). Sodium exists as NaO(OH)2(OH2)3 polyhedra, that are connected via edge-sharing. Hydrogen bonding is present, too.
Unique IdentifiersHide
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Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3285:4
3fe625b7-5ed5-4797-b0c5-95d4bdcb816d
IMA Classification of ProbertiteHide
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Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
NaCaB5O7(OH)4 · 3H2O
Type description reference:
Classification of ProbertiteHide
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6.EB.15
6 : BORATES
E : Pentaborates
B : Ino-pentaborates
26.5.12.1
26 : HYDRATED BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
5 : Pentaborates
9.3.20
9 : Borates
3 : Borates of Ca and Sr
Mineral SymbolsHide
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As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Pbr | 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 ProbertiteHide
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Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Colourless, white; colourless in transmitted light
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {110}.
Density:
2.135 - 2.141 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.132 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of ProbertiteHide
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RI values:
_n_α = 1.514 - 1.517 _n_β = 1.524 _n_γ = 1.543 - 1.544
2V:
Measured: 73° , Calculated: 74°
δ = 0.029
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Dispersion:
Relatively weak.
Optical Extinction:
Y = b; Z ∧ c = 12°–13°.
Chemistry of ProbertiteHide
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Mindat Formula:
NaCa[B5O7(OH)4] · 3H2O
Crystallography of ProbertiteHide
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Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:
a = 13.428(2) Å, b = 12.560(2) Å, c = 6.588(1) Å
β = 99.97(1)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.069 : 1 : 0.525
Unit Cell V:
1,094.32 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Crystals aggregated into rosettes or radial groups of needles or laths. Spherulitic; as tough, compactly reticulated aggregates. Single crystals rare. Crystals acicular [001], commonly flattened {100} (slightly to considerably); also flattened {110}, rare. Faces "b," "a," and "m" usually striated [001] and rounded.
Twinning:
Doubtful under the microscope.
Crystal StructureHide
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| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0009784 | Probertite | Menchetti S, Sabelli C, Trosti-Ferroni R (1982) Probertite, CaNa[B5O7(OH)4]*3H2O: a refinement Acta Crystallographica B38 3072-3075 |  |
1982 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide
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Radiation - Copper Kα
Data Set:
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 9.12 Å | (100) |
| 2.807 Å | (35) |
| 6.62 Å | (20) |
| 3.52 Å | (20) |
| 2.935 Å | (20) |
| 2.884 Å | (20) |
| 2.172 Å | (20) |
Comments:
Boron, California, USA. Data from Clark and Christ (1959).
Geological EnvironmentHide
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Type Occurrence of ProbertiteHide
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General Appearance of Type Material:
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 95832–95833.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Eakle, A.S. (1929) Probertite, a new borate. American Mineralogist: 14: 427-430.
Synonyms of ProbertiteHide
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Other Language Names for ProbertiteHide
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Common AssociatesHide
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Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide
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Other InformationHide
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Notes:
Readily soluble in dilute acids. Partially decomposed in hot or cold water, with Na being leached relative to Ca.
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 ProbertiteHide
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References for ProbertiteHide
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Reference List:
Gatta, G. Diego, Cannaò, Enrico, Gagliardi, Valentina, Fabelo, Oscar (2022) Crystal-chemical reinvestigation of probertite, CaNa[B5O7(OH)4]·3H2O, a mineral commodity of boron. American Mineralogist, 107 (7) 1378-1384 doi:10.2138/am-2022-8086
Localities for ProbertiteHide
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This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the 
symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
Locality ListHide
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- 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). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.