Tincalconite

A species of Minerals, Also known as Octahedral Borax

Tincalconite is a hydrous sodium borate mineral closely related to borax, and is a secondary mineral that forms as a dehydration product of borax. Its formula is Na2B4O7·5H2O or Na2[B4O5(OH)4]·3H2O. Tincalconite typically occurs as a fine grained white powder. It crystallizes in the hexagonal crystal system and has been found as primary euhedral di-rhombohedral, pseudo-octahedral crystals. It is also found pseudomorphically replacing borax crystals. It has a specific gravity of 1.88 and a Mohs hardness of 2. Refractive index values are nω=1.460 and nε=1.470. While most tincalconite is created by man through exposing borax to dry air, there are natural occurrences of tincalconite, as in Searles Lake, California where it was first described in 1878. In addition to several California and Nevada locations it is reported from Argentina, Italy, Turkey and Ukraine. The name comes from "tincal", Sanskrit for borax, and Greek, "konis", meaning powder, for its composition and typical powdery nature.

Hardness:

Density:

1.894 g/cm³

General Info About Tincalconite

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Physical Properties of Tincalconite

Colors

White, colourless (artificial material); colourless in transmitted light.

Hardness

2 , Extremely soft

Density

1.894 g/cm³, Obviously Light Weight

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Chemical Properties of Tincalconite

Formula

Na₂(B₄O₇) · 5H₂O

Elements listed

B, H, Na, O

Characteristics of Tincalconite

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Bismutite

Bismutite or bismuthite is a bismuth carbonate mineral with formula Bi2(CO3)O2 (bismuth subcarbonate). Bismutite occurs as an oxidation product of other bismuth minerals such as bismuthinite and native bismuth in hydrothermal veins and pegmatites. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic system and typically occurs as earthy to fibrous masses. It was first described in 1841 for an occurrence in Saxony. The term bismuthite has been used in the past for bismuthinite.