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Qilianshanite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Qilianshanite
Formula:
NaHCO3 · H3BO3 · 2H2O
Colour:
Colourless
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
1.706
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named after its discovery locality in the Qilian Mountains (Qilian Shan in Chinese) in Qinghai Province.
This page provides mineralogical data about Qilianshanite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3332
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3332:5
IMA Classification of Qilianshanite
Approved
IMA Formula:
NaH4(CO3)(BO3)·2H2O
Approval year:
1992
First published:
1993
Classification of Qilianshanite
6.H0.55
6 : BORATES
H : Unclassified borates
0 :
6 : BORATES
H : Unclassified borates
0 :
17.1.13.1
17 : COMPOUND CARBONATES
1 : Miscellaneous
17 : COMPOUND CARBONATES
1 : Miscellaneous
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMAâCNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Qil | IMAâCNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMAâCNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Qilianshanite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
{100} and {010}
{100} and {010}
Density:
1.706 g/cm3 (Measured) 1.639 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Qilianshanite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.351 nβ = 1.459(2) nγ = 1.486(2)
2V:
Measured: 50° , Calculated: 48°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.135
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 ”m thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 ”m thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
none
Chemistry of Qilianshanite
Mindat Formula:
NaHCO3 · H3BO3 · 2H2O
Element Weights:
Common Impurities:
Ca
Crystallography of Qilianshanite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2 - Sphenoidal
Space Group:
B2
Setting:
C2
Cell Parameters:
a = 16.119(8) Å, b = 6.928(4) Å, c = 6.730(3) Å
β = 100.46(4)°
β = 100.46(4)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 2.327 : 1 : 0.971
Unit Cell V:
739.07 Ă
Âł (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Twinning:
Polysynthetic
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0012663 | Qilianshanite | Wang L, Zhou K, Shi J (1994) Refinement of the qilianshanite structure Geological Review 40 347-353 | 1994 | Qinghai Province, China | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.464 Ă | (100) |
| 3.173 Ă | (59) |
| 6.36 Ă | (25) |
| 1.731 Ă | (19) |
| 4.203 Ă | (6) |
| 2.608 Ă | (5) |
| 2.642 Ă | (3) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 25 : Evaporites (prebiotic) | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] |
Type Occurrence of Qilianshanite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Colorless aggregates to 4 mm in diameter, less commonly as tabular or prismatic crystals to 2 mm.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Geology, Beijing, China.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Borate deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Qilianshanite
Other Language Names for Qilianshanite
Dutch:Qilianshaniet
German:Qilianshanit
Simplified Chinese:ç„èżć±±çł
Spanish:Qilianshanita
Traditional Chinese:ç„éŁć±±çł
Common Associates
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 6.H0.05 | Chelkarite | CaMgB2O4(Cl,OH)2 · 5H2O Or near, with Cl:OH = 3:1 |
| 6.H0.10 | Braitschite-(Ce) | (Ca,Na2)7(Ce,La)2B22O43 · 7H2O |
| 6.H0.15 | Satimolite | KNa2(Al5Mg2)[B12O18(OH)12](OH)6Cl4 · 4H2O |
| 6.H0.20 | Iquiqueite | K3Na4Mg(CrO4)B24O39(OH) · 12H2O |
| 6.H0.25 | Wardsmithite | Ca5Mg[B4O7]6 · 30H2O |
| 6.H0.35 | Halurgite | Mg4[B8O13(OH)2]2 · 7H2O |
| 6.H0.40 | Ekaterinite | Ca2(B4O7)(Cl,OH)2 · 2H2O |
| 6.H0.45 | Vitimite | Ca6[B14O19](SO4)(OH)14 · 5H2O |
| 6.H0.50 | Canavesite | Mg2(HBO3)(CO3) · 5H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in water
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 Qilianshanite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3332.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Qilianshanite
Localities for Qilianshanite
Showing 4 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
â - 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.
Antarctica | |
| Liu et al. (2015) |
China (TL) | |
| Shiqing Luo et al. (1993) +1 other reference |
Norway | |
| Nordrum (2005) +1 other reference |
USA | |
| FĂ€rber (n.d.) |
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Alkali Lake, Lake County, Oregon, USA