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⇱ Bultfonteinite: Mineral information, data and localities.

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Bultfonteinite

A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About BultfonteiniteHide

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Formula:
Ca2(HSiO4)F · H2O
Colour:
colourless, pink
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
4½
Specific Gravity:
2.73
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
The mineral was first found by a miner named Cann in 1903
or 1904 on the 480-foot level of the Bultfontein mine at Kimberley. Named in 1932 by John Parry, Alpheus Fuller Williams, and Frederick Eugene Wright for the type locality at Bultfontein, Kimberly, Free State Province, South Africa. Pronounced bilt-von-tain-ite.
This page provides mineralogical data about Bultfonteinite.


Unique IdentifiersHide

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Mindat ID:
800
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:800:8

IMA Classification of BultfonteiniteHide

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Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Ca2SiO3(OH)F · H2O
First published:
1932

Classification of BultfonteiniteHide

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9.AG.80

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
G : Nesosilicates with additional anions; cations in > [6] +- [6] coordination
52.4.7.2

52 : NESOSILICATES Insular SiO4 Groups and O,OH,F,H2O
4 : Insular SiO4 Groups and O, OH, F, and H2O with cations in [6] and/or >[6] coordination
17.1.16

17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
1 : Silicates with fluoride (not containing Al)

Mineral SymbolsHide

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As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.

SymbolSourceReference for Standard
BulIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43
BulThe Canadian Mineralogist (2019)The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download

Physical Properties of BultfonteiniteHide

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Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless, pink
Streak:
White
Hardness:
4½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Good on {100} and {010}
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
2.73 g/cm3 (Measured)    2.74 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of BultfonteiniteHide

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Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.587(2) nβ = 1.590(2) nγ = 1.597(2)
2V:
Measured: 70°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.010
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.

Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
r > v

Chemistry of BultfonteiniteHide

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Mindat Formula:
Ca2(HSiO4)F · H2O
Element Weights:
Element% weight
Ca38.122 %
O38.047 %
Si13.358 %
F9.036 %
H1.438 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
Common Impurities:
B,Al,Na,P

Crystallography of BultfonteiniteHide

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Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.99 Å, b = 8.18 Å, c = 5.67 Å
α = 93.95°, β = 91.32°, γ = 89.85°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.344 : 1 : 0.693
Unit Cell V:
508.38 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Twinning:
Interpenetrating on {100} and {010}; polysynthetic.

Crystal StructureHide

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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0018795BultfonteiniteBiagioni C, Bonaccorsi E, Merlino S (2010) Crystal structure of bultfonteinite, Ca4[SiO3(OH)]2F2*2H2O, from N'chwaning II mine (Kalahari Manganese Field, Republic of South Africa) Atti della Societa Toscana di Scienze Naturali, Memorie, Serie A 115 9-152010N'chwaning II mine, South Africa0293
0009278BultfonteiniteMcIver E J (1963) The structure of bultfonteinite, Ca4Si2O10F2H6 Acta Crystallographica 16 551-558👁 Image
1963Bultfontein mine, Kimberley, South Africa0293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

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Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
1.93 Å(100)
8.12 Å(60)
2.92 Å(60)
2.88 Å(60)
2.037 Å(50)
4.06 Å(40)
3.50 Å(40)

Geological EnvironmentHide

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Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 3a: Earth’s earliest Hadean crust>4.50
7 : Ultramafic igneous rocks
High-? alteration and/or metamorphism
31 : Thermally altered carbonate, phosphate, and iron formations
Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere<0.6
51 : Pyrometamorphic minerals (see also #54 and #56)<0.36

Type Occurrence of BultfonteiniteHide

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General Appearance of Type Material:
As radiating prismatic acicular crystals and radial spherules, to 2 cm
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Cambridge University, Cambridge; The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1928,78.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
a large "horse" of diabase and shale fragments in a kimberlite pipe
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Other Language Names for BultfonteiniteHide

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Common AssociatesHide

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Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
159 photos of Bultfonteinite associated with OlmiiteCaMn2+[SiO3(OH)](OH)
64 photos of Bultfonteinite associated with CalciteCaCO3
42 photos of Bultfonteinite associated with XonotliteCa6(Si6O17)(OH)2
41 photos of Bultfonteinite associated with JouravskiteCa3Mn4+(SO4)(CO3)(OH)6 · 12H2O
34 photos of Bultfonteinite associated with Hydroxyapophyllite-(K)KCa4(Si8O20)(OH,F) · 8H2O
26 photos of Bultfonteinite associated with OyeliteCa10Si8B2O29 · 12.5H2O
11 photos of Bultfonteinite associated with PoldervaartiteCaCa[SiO3(OH)](OH)
11 photos of Bultfonteinite associated with AndraditeCa3Fe3+2(SiO4)3
10 photos of Bultfonteinite associated with DatoliteCaB(SiO4)(OH)
8 photos of Bultfonteinite associated with ManganiteMn3+O(OH)

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

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9.AG.Aluminotaipingite-(CeCa)(Ce6Ca3)◻Al(SiO4)3[SiO3(OH)]4F3Trig. 3m : R3c
9.AG.Ivanyukite-Na-TNa2Ti4(SiO4)3(OH)O3 · 7H2OTrig. 3m : R3m
9.AG.Ivanyukite-Na-CNa2Ti4(SiO4)3(OH)2O2 · 6H2OIso. 43m : P43m
9.AG.EdgrewiteCa9(SiO4)4F2 Mon. 2/m : P21/b
9.AG.02GatedaliteZrMn2+2Mn3+4SiO12Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I41/acd
9.AG.05AbswurmbachiteCuMn3+6(SiO4)O8Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I41/acd
9.AG.05NeltneriteCaMn3+6(SiO4)O8Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I41/acd
9.AG.05SkogbyiteZr(Mg2Mn3+4)SiO12Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I41/acd
9.AG.05BrauniteMn2+Mn3+6(SiO4)O8Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I41/acd
9.AG.05'Braunite-II'Ca(Mn3+,Fe)14(SiO4)O20Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I41/acd
9.AG.10LångbaniteMn2+4Mn3+9Sb5+O16(SiO4)2Trig. 3m : P3m1
9.AG.12Taipingite-(CeCa)(Ce7Ca2)◻Mg(SiO4)3[SiO3(OH)]4F3Trig. 3m : R3c
9.AG.15ŻabińskiiteCa[Al0.5(Ta,Nb)0.5)](SiO4)OTric. 1
9.AG.15TitaniteCaTi(SiO4)OMon. 2/m : P21/b
9.AG.15VanadomalayaiteCaV4+(SiO4)OMon. 2/m : B2/b
9.AG.15Natrotitanite(Na0.5Y0.5)Ti(SiO4)OMon. 2/m : B2/b
9.AG.15MalayaiteCaSn(SiO4)OMon. 2/m
9.AG.20Ferricerite-(LaCa)(La6Ca3)◻Fe3+(SiO4)3(SiO3OH)4(OH)3Trig. 3m : R3c
9.AG.20Aluminocerite-(CeCa)(Ce6Ca3)◻Al(SiO4)3[SiO3(OH)]4(OH)3Trig. 3m : R3c
9.AG.20Cerite-(CeCa)(Ce7Ca2)◻Mg(SiO4)3(SiO3OH)4(OH)3Trig. 3m : R3c
9.AG.20Nipeiite-(Ce)Ce9Fe3+(SiO4)6[SiO3(OH)](OH)3Trig. 3m : R3c
9.AG.25'Yftisite-(Y)'(Y,Dy,Er)4(Ti,Sn)(SiO4)2O(F,OH)6
9.AG.25Mieite-(Y)Y4Ti(SiO4)2O[F,(OH)]6Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Cmcm
9.AG.25Trimounsite-(Y)Y2Ti2(SiO4)O5Mon. 2/m : P21/b
9.AG.30SitinakiteKNa2Ti4(SiO4)2O5(OH) · 4H2OTet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : P42/mcm
9.AG.35KittatinnyiteCa2Mn2Mn(SiO4)2(OH)4 · 9H2OHex.
9.AG.40bParanatisiteNa2Ti(SiO4)OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pmma
9.AG.40aNatisiteNa2Ti(SiO4)OTet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m)
9.AG.45Törnebohmite-(Ce)Ce2Al(SiO4)2(OH)Mon. 2/m : P21/b
9.AG.45Törnebohmite-(La)La2Al(SiO4)2(OH)
9.AG.50Ivanyukite-NaNa2Ti4(SiO4)3(OH)2O2 · 6H2OTrig. 3m : R3m
9.AG.50Ivanyukite-KK2Ti4(SiO4)3(OH)2O2 · 9H2OIso. 43m : P43m
9.AG.50Ivanyukite-CuCuTi4(SiO4)3(OH)2O2 · 7H2OIso. 43m : P43m
9.AG.50Kuliokite-(Y)Y4Al(SiO4)2(OH)2F5Mon. m
9.AG.50HydroxyledgrewiteCa9(SiO4)4(OH)2 Mon. 2/m : P21/b
9.AG.52Ulfanderssonite-(Ce)(Ce15Ca)Σ16Mg2(SiO4)10(SiO3OH)(OH,F)5Cl3Mon. m : Bm
9.AG.55ChantaliteCaAl2(SiO4)(OH)4Tet. 4/m : I41/a
9.AG.60VuagnatiteCaAl(SiO4)(OH)Orth. 222 : P212121
9.AG.60MozartiteCaMn3+(SiO4)(OH)Orth. 222 : P212121
9.AG.65HatruriteCa3(SiO4)OTrig.
9.AG.70JasmunditeCa11(SiO4)4O2STet. 42m : I4m2
9.AG.75AfwilliteCa3[SiO4][SiO2(OH)2] · 2H2OMon. m : Bb
9.AG.85ZoltaiiteBaV4+2V3+12(SiO4)2O19Trig. 3 : P3
9.AG.90Tranquillityite(Fe2+,Ca)8(Zr,Y)2Ti3(SiO4)3O12Hex.

Other InformationHide

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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 BultfonteiniteHide

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mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-800.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

References for BultfonteiniteHide

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Reference List:

Localities for BultfonteiniteHide

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Showing 26 localities.

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the 👁 Image
symbol to view information about a locality. The 👁 Image
symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.

Locality ListHide

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👁 Image
- This locality has map coordinates listed. 👁 Image
- This locality has estimated coordinates. ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence. ? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. 👁 Image
- Good crystals or important locality for species. 👁 Image
- World class for species or very significant. (TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species. (FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Australia
  • Victoria
    • Rural City of Benalla
Henry (1999)
Botswana
  • Central District
    • Letlhakane
      • Orapa
Debswana Diamond Company Ltd
Canada
  • Northwest Territories
Anton R. Chakhmouradian and Roger H. Mitchell (2001)
      • Ekati Mine
Abersteiner et al. (2018)
China
  • Inner Mongolia
    • Chifeng City (Ulanhad League; Chifeng Prefecture)
      • Hexigten Banner (Keshiketeng Co.)
Ed Richard collection +1 other reference
Germany
  • Rhineland-Palatinate
    • Mayen-Koblenz
      • Vordereifel
        • Ettringen
          • Caspar quarry
Juroszek et al. (Ti 5 Fe)
Japan
  • Mie Prefecture
    • Ise City
Minakawa et al. (1986)
  • Okayama Prefecture
    • Ibara City
      • Higashi-Mihara
    • Takahashi City
      • Bitchū
        • Fuka
Kusachi et al. (1991) +3 other references
Jordan
  • Amman Governorate
    • Transjordan Plateau
      • Daba-Siwaqa complex
        • Hashem region
Anthony et al. (2016)
Fleurance et al. (2013)
            • Siwaga
              • Tulul al Hammam
Sokol +9 other references
Middle East
Gross (1977)
Russia
  • Kabardino-Balkaria
    • Chegemsky District
Galuskin et al. (2012) +1 other reference
        • Lakargi Mountain
Galuskina et al. (2015)
Galuskin +10 other references
Koneva A.A. (1991)
Slovakia
  • Prešov Region
    • Vranov nad Topľou District
      • Vechec
Zajzon N. et al. (2021)
South Africa
  • Free State
    • Xhariep District Municipality
      • Kopanong Local Municipality
        • Jagersfontein
Parry et al. (1932) +1 other reference
  • Northern Cape
    • Frances Baard District Municipality
      • Sol Plaatje Local Municipality
        • Kimberley
          • KEM JV Mine (Kimberley Ekapa Mining Joint Venture mine; Kimberley Underground mine)
Parry et al. (1932)
Parry et al. (1932) +1 other reference
    • John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality
      • Joe Morolong Local Municipality
        • N'Chwaning Mines
Pohl et al. (1991)
Lapis (2004) +1 other reference
Pohl et al. (1991)
USA
  • California
    • Riverside County
      • Jurupa Valley
        • Crestmore
          • Crestmore quarries
            • Sky Blue Hill
Murdoch (1954) +6 other references
  • New Jersey
    • Sussex County
      • Franklin
Dunn (1995)
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