Jun 11 2014
Biringuccite is a monoclinic-prismatic mineral, containing sodium, oxygen, hydrogen, and boron. The mineral was first discovered in 1961 from the Larderello, Val di Cecina, Tuscany, Italy.
It was named after Vannoccio Biringuccio, an alchemist and metallurgist and the author of the Pirotechnia.
Properties of Biringuccite
The following are the key properties of Biringuccite:
- Cell Data
- Space Group: P21/c (synthetic)
- a = 11.1955(7)
- b = 6.5607(4)
- c = 20.7566(9)
- α = 93.891(6)°
- Z = 4
- Crystal Data
- Monoclinic
- Point Group: 2/m
- Tiny crystals and microcrystalline clusters, in earthy masses
- X-ray Powder Pattern: 3.45 (100), 10.32 (80), 3.05 (55), 3.03 (55), 2.589 (45), 5.18 (40), 2.853 (40)
- Optical Properties
- Optical Class: Biaxial (–) (synthetic)
- Orientation: Y = b; Z ∧ a = 5.4(6)°
- α = 1.496(2)
- β = 1.539(2)
- γ = 1.557(2)
- 2V(meas.) = 62.7°
- 2V(calc.) = 64.6°
| Electron density |
Bulk density (electron density) = 2.29 g/cm3
note: Specific gravity of Biringuccite = 2.32 g/cm3 |
| Photoelectric |
PEBiringuccite = 0.53 barns/electron
U = PEBiringuccite x ρ Electron density = 1.21 barns/cm3 |
| Fermion index |
Fermion index = 0.04
Boson index = 0.96 |
| Radioactivity |
Biringuccite is not radioactive |
How to Identify Biringuccite
Biringuccite is a colorless or white mineral, having good cleavage, white streak, and a transparent appearance.
The density of biringuccite is 2.32 g/cm3.
Global Distribution
Biringuccite is widely distributed in the Larderello, Val di Cecina, Tuscany, Italy.
Occurrence of Biringuccite and Useful Mineral Association
Biringuccite occurs as scales on piping in a geothermal field.
It is closely associated with quartz, orpiment, thenardite, and nasinite.
References