Ferruccite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Ferruccite
Ferruccio Zambonini (1880-1932)
Formula:
Na[BF4]
Colour:
Colourless to white
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
2.496
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named by Guido Carobbi in 1933 in honor of Ferruccio Zambonini (17 December 1880, Rome, Italy - 12 January 1932, Naples, Italy), Italian mineralogist who focused on Vesuvius. He worked at the Mineralogical Museum at the University of Naples and the University of Sassari (Chair of Chemistry).
Isostructural with:
Also isostructural with NaClO4 and KMnO4.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1537
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1537:6
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
6e51f362-371f-40db-90ef-52a893aab7ef
IMA Classification of Ferruccite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
NaBF4
First published:
1933
Classification of Ferruccite
3.CA.05
3 : HALIDES
C : Complex halides
A : Borofluorides
3 : HALIDES
C : Complex halides
A : Borofluorides
11.2.3.1
11 : HALIDE COMPLEXES
2 : AmBX4
11 : HALIDE COMPLEXES
2 : AmBX4
8.12.1
8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
12 : Fluorborates (BF'4) and fluosilicates (SiF''6)
8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
12 : Fluorborates (BF'4) and fluosilicates (SiF''6)
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Fru | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Ferruccite
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Colourless to white
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
On {100}, {010}, and {001}.
On {100}, {010}, and {001}.
Density:
2.496 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.511 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Ferruccite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.301 nβ = 1.301 nγ = 1.307
2V:
Measured: 11° , Calculated: 22°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.006
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
r > v strong
Chemistry of Ferruccite
Mindat Formula:
Na[BF4]
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Ferruccite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Cmcm
Setting:
Cmcm
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.82 Å, b = 6.25 Å, c = 6.77 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.091 : 1 : 1.083
Unit Cell V:
288.57 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Artificial crystals tabular {001} or {010} with c{001}, a{100}, b{010}, and m{110}.
Comment:
Synthetic
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0009350 | Ferruccite | Brunton G (1968) Refinement of the structure of NaBF4 Acta Crystallographica B24 1703-1704 |  | 1968 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.39 Å | (100) |
| 3.41 Å | (85) |
| 2.31 Å | (40) |
| 2.84 Å | (25) |
| 3.82 Å | (20) |
| 2.14 Å | (20) |
| 2.03 Å | (20) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45b : [Other oxidized fumarolic minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Ferruccite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
University of Florence, Florence, Italy, 1974/l; National School of Mines, Paris, France; The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1933,419.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Active volcanic fumaroles.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Carobbi, G. (1933) Sulla presenza di un nuova minerale fra i prodotti dell’attività fumarolica del Vesuvio. Periodico di Mineralogia-Roma: 4: 410-422.
Other Language Names for Ferruccite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 1 photo of Ferruccite associated with Avogadrite | (K,Cs)[BF4] |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 3.CA.10 | Avogadrite | (K,Cs)[BF4] |
| 3.CA.10 | Barberiite | (NH4)[BF4] |
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:
Several high temperature polymorphs are known.
Notes:
Soluble in water. Readily fusible.
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 Ferruccite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1537.html
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References for Ferruccite
Reference List:
Localities for Ferruccite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - 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.
Italy (TL) | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Russo et al. (2004) | |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
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Vesuvius fumaroles, Mount Vesuvius, Somma-Vesuvius Complex, Naples, Campania, Italy