Suanite

Suanite is a magnesium borate mineral with formula Mg2B2O5.

Suanite
General
CategoryBorate mineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
Mg2B2O5
Strunz classification6.BA.05
Crystal systemMonoclinic
Crystal classPrismatic (2/m)
(same H-M symbol)
Space groupP21/a
Unit cella = 12.31 Å, b = 3.12 Å
c = 9.2 Å; β = 104.33°
Identification
ColorWhite to pale gray
Crystal habitClusters of prismatic to fibrous crystals
CleavagePerfect parallel to {010}
Mohs scale hardness5.5
LusterSilky to pearly
StreakWhite
DiaphaneityTranslucent
Specific gravity2.91
Optical propertiesBiaxial (–)
Refractive indexnα = 1.596 nβ = 1.639 nγ = 1.670
Birefringenceδ = 0.074
2V angle70°
References[1][2][3]

It was first described in 1953 by Japanese scientist Takeo Watanabe from the University of Tokyo.[4] His first contact with the mineral was during analysis of gold- and copper- bearing skarn minerals from the Hol Kol mine, located in North Korea obtained in 1939. Due to the small sample size available to him, he was only able to determine the unknown substance's optical properties under a microscope. Watanabe was able to return to the site in 1943 and obtain further samples that permitted him to perform chemical analysis on the material.[4]

References


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