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Tusionite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Tusionite
Formula:
Mn2+Sn4+[BO3]2
Sc-bearing varieties are known (Mirakov et al., 2018, 2019).
Colour:
Colourless, yellow-brown, honey yellow
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
5 - 6
Specific Gravity:
4.73
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Name:
Named after its discovery locality, Tusion River valley, Pamir Mountains, Tajikistan.
Type Locality:
This page provides mineralogical data about Tusionite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
4062
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4062:0
Similar Names
| Touchonite | A synonym of 'Pietersite' |
IMA Classification of Tusionite
Classification of Tusionite
6.AA.15
6 : BORATES
A : Monoborates
A : BO3, without additional anions; 1(D).
6 : BORATES
A : Monoborates
A : BO3, without additional anions; 1(D).
24.3.3.2
24 : ANHYDROUS BORATES
3 : AmBn[XO3]p
24 : ANHYDROUS BORATES
3 : AmBn[XO3]p
9.7.10
9 : Borates
7 : Borates of Mn
9 : Borates
7 : Borates of Mn
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 for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Tsn | 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 Tusionite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Colourless, yellow-brown, honey yellow
Hardness:
5 - 6 on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN40=400 - 750 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Comment:
VH 400-500 on (001); 700-750 perpendicular to (001)
Cleavage:
Perfect
(001)
(001)
Density:
4.73 g/cm3 (Measured) 4.85 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Tusionite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.854(2) nε = 1.752(2)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.102
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 µm 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.
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 µm 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.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Colour in reflected light:
grayish white
Chemistry of Tusionite
Mindat Formula:
Mn2+Sn4+[BO3]2
Sc-bearing varieties are known (Mirakov et al., 2018, 2019).
Sc-bearing varieties are known (Mirakov et al., 2018, 2019).
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Tusionite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3 - Rhombohedral
Space Group:
R3
Cell Parameters:
a = 4.781(1) Å, c = 15.381(7) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 3.217
Unit Cell V:
304.48 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
3
Morphology:
Thin platy crystals, to 1.5 cm, in rosettelike aggregates.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0005417 | Tusionite | Cooper M A, Hawthorne F C, Novak M (1994) The crystal structure of tusionite, MnSn(BO3)2, a dolomite-structure borate The Canadian Mineralogist 32 903-907 |  | 1994 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 5.12 Å | (4) |
| 4.02 Å | (4) |
| 3.65 Å | (9) |
| 2.818 Å | (10) |
| 2.393 Å | (6) |
| 1.999 Å | (6) |
| 1.744 Å | (8) |
Phenakite Mine, Khetchel village, Molo quarter, Momeik Township, Kyaukme District, Shan State, Myanmar