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Blatterite - Occurrence, Properties, and Distribution

Blatterite is an orthorhombic-dipyramidal black mineral, which is composed of oxygen, manganese, magnesium, iron, boron, and antimony. It is a member of the orthopinakiolite group.

The mineral was named after Fritz Blatter, a German mineral collector, who discovered it from the Kittel mine, Varmland, Sweden.

Properties of Blatterite

The following are the key properties of Blatterite:

  • Cell Data
    • Space Group: Pnnm
    • a = 37.654(8)
    • b = 12.615(3)
    • c = 6.2472(8)
    • Z = 2

  • Crystal Data
    • Orthorhombic
    • Point Group: 2/m 2/m 2/m
    • Lath-like crystals, to 5mm, elongated and striated parallel [001], showing {110}, poorly terminated, may be slightly curved
    • X-ray Powder Pattern: 2.605 (100), 5.243 (45), 2.721 (40), 2.621 (35), 1.564 (35), 2.520 (30), 5.621 (20)

  • Chemical Composition
    Elements Content 1 Content 2
    MnO [46.2] [38.89]
    B2O3 14.4 [14.63]
    MgO 13.0 14.89
    Sb2O5 12.65 12.80
    Fe2O3 3.48 1.96
    Mn2O3 [9.9] [16.03]
    TiO2 - 0.19
    Al2O3 - 0.33
    Total [99.63] [99.72]

  • Optical Properties
    • Optical Class: Biaxial (–)
    • Orientation: X = a; Y = c; Z = b
    • Anisotropism: Weak to distinct; shades of grayish-brown
    • Bireflectance: Buff, creamy buff, pale buff
  • Estimated Properties
    Electron density Bulk density (electron density) = 4.42 g/cm3
    note: Specific gravity of Blatterite = 4.70 g/cm3
    Photoelectric PEBlatterite = 41.67 barns/electron
    U = PEBlatterite x ρElectron density = 184.36 barns/cm3
    Fermion index Fermion index = 0.01
    Boson index = 0.99
    Radioactivity
    Blatterite is not radioactive

How to Identify Blatterite

Blatterite is black in color, with a brown streak and sub-metallic luster. It has prismatic crystals, perfect cleavages, and opaque characteristics.

The hardness of the mineral is 6, and its density is 4.7 g/cm3.

Global Distribution

Blatterite is largely distributed at Nordmark, and at Langban, Varmland, Sweden.

Occurrence of Blatterite and Useful Mineral Association

Blatterite occurs in metamorphosed Fe–Mn orebodies.

Calcite, katoptrite, hausmannite, pyrochroite, and manganosite are all closely associated with blatterite.

References

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