Tinzenite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Tinzenite
Formula:
Ca2Mn2+4Al4[B2Si8O30](OH)2
Formula based on the IMA 16-D proposal
Colour:
Lemon-yellow, orange, red
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
6½ - 7
Specific Gravity:
3.355 - 3.433
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named after its discovery locality, Alpe Parsettens, near Tinzen, Grisons, Switzerland.
Axinite-(Mn)-Tinzenite Series.
Tinzenite occurs in veinlets cutting stratiform manganese deposits or metachert. It is also been found in a NYF garnite pegmatite (Klučov).
Note on distinguishing tinzenite from axinite-(Mn)
requires an analysis, either wet chemical or electron microprobe accompanied with an estimate of Fe2+/Fe3+ ratio and assuming stoichiometric H and B. The distinction should be based exclusively on Ca content with the cutoff being Ca = 3atoms per formula unit (apfu) (Grew 2018).
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Tinzenite.
Tinzenite occurs in veinlets cutting stratiform manganese deposits or metachert. It is also been found in a NYF garnite pegmatite (Klučov).
Note on distinguishing tinzenite from axinite-(Mn)
requires an analysis, either wet chemical or electron microprobe accompanied with an estimate of Fe2+/Fe3+ ratio and assuming stoichiometric H and B. The distinction should be based exclusively on Ca content with the cutoff being Ca = 3atoms per formula unit (apfu) (Grew 2018).
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Tinzenite.Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3972
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3972:3
Similar Names
| Tanzanite | A variety of Zoisite | (CaCa)(AlAlAl)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH) |
| Tonsonite | A synonym of Thomsonite-Ca |
IMA Classification of Tinzenite
Approved
First published:
1923
Classification of Tinzenite
9.BD.20
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
B : Sorosilicates
D : Si2O7 groups, with additional anions; cations in tetrahedral [4] and greater coordination
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
B : Sorosilicates
D : Si2O7 groups, with additional anions; cations in tetrahedral [4] and greater coordination
56.2.2.4
56 : SOROSILICATES Si2O7 Groups, With Additional O, OH, F and H2O
2 : Si2O7 Groups and O, OH, F, and H2O with cations in [4] and/or >[4] coordination
56 : SOROSILICATES Si2O7 Groups, With Additional O, OH, F and H2O
2 : Si2O7 Groups and O, OH, F, and H2O with cations in [4] and/or >[4] coordination
17.5.42
17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
5 : Borosilicates
17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
5 : Borosilicates
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tnz | 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 Tinzenite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Lemon-yellow, orange, red
Hardness:
6½ - 7 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
[{100} good; {001}, {110}, {011}, poor] (by analogy to
the axinite group
[{100} good; {001}, {110}, {011}, poor] (by analogy to
the axinite group
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Conchoidal
Density:
3.355 - 3.433 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.455 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Tinzenite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.690(2) nβ = 1.698(3) nγ = 1.705(3)
2V:
Measured: 80° to 84°, Calculated: 62°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.015
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. 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 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. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
Very High (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure
- the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using
this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points
where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the
field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are
isogyres.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Dispersion:
weak to distinct
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
X = light brown; Y = violet; Z = light yellow or colorless
in thick sections
in thick sections
Chemistry of Tinzenite
Mindat Formula:
Ca2Mn2+4Al4[B2Si8O30](OH)2
Formula based on the IMA 16-D proposal
Formula based on the IMA 16-D proposal
Element Weights:
Common Impurities:
Ti,Mg,Ba,Na,K,H2O
Crystallography of Tinzenite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.14 Å, b = 9.11 Å, c = 8.90 Å
α = 102.9°, β = 98.1°, γ = 88°
α = 102.9°, β = 98.1°, γ = 88°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.784 : 1 : 0.977
Unit Cell V:
558.66 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
aggregates of prismatic crystals, to 5 mm; massive
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
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Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
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2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0012369 | Tinzenite | Belokoneva E L, Goryunova A N, Pletnev P A, Spiridonov E M (2001) Crystal structure of high-manganese tinzenite from the Falotta deposit in Switzerland Crystallography Reports 46 30-32 | 2001 | Falotta deposit, Switzerland | 0 | 293 | |
| 0020632 | Tinzenite | Basso R, Della Giusta A, Vlaic G (1973) La struttura della tinzenite Periodico di Mineralogia 425 369-379 | 1973 | Cassagna, Eastern Liguria, Italy | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 2.812 Å | (100) |
| 3.46 Å | (80) |
| 6.30 Å | (70) |
| 3.14 Å | (70) |
| 2.975 Å | (70) |
| 2.152 Å | (70) |
| 2.008 Å | (70b) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| High-? alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 32 : Ba/Mn/Pb/Zn deposits, including metamorphic deposits |
Type Occurrence of Tinzenite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
1) Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich, Switzerland, 194804.
2) The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1926,499-501.
3) Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
2) The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1926,499-501.
3) Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Tinzenite
Relationship of Tinzenite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Axinite Group:
| Axinite-(Fe) | Ca2Fe2+Al2BSi4O15OH | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Axinite-(Mg) | Ca2MgAl2BSi4O15OH | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Axinite-(Mn) | Ca2Mn2+Al2BSi4O15(OH) | Tric. 1 : P1 |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 66 photos of Tinzenite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 9 photos of Tinzenite associated with Lindbergite | Mn2+(C2O4) · 2H2O |
| 6 photos of Tinzenite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 5 photos of Tinzenite associated with Sursassite | Mn2+2Al3(SiO4)(Si2O7)(OH)3 |
| 4 photos of Tinzenite associated with Parsettensite | (K,Na,Ca)7.5(Mn,Mg)49Si72O168(OH)50 · nH2O |
| 4 photos of Tinzenite associated with Piemontite | (CaCa)(AlAlMn3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH) |
| 3 photos of Tinzenite associated with Phillipsite Subgroup | (Ca0.5,K,Na,Ba0.5)4-7[Al4-7Si12-9O32] . 12H2O |
| 3 photos of Tinzenite associated with Hematite | Fe2O3 |
| 2 photos of Tinzenite associated with 'Harmotome-Phillipsite-Ca Series' | |
| 2 photos of Tinzenite associated with Kutnohorite | CaMn2+(CO3)2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.BD.05 | Bertrandite | Be4(Si2O7)(OH)2 |
| 9.BD.10 | Hemimorphite | Zn4Si2O7(OH)2 · H2O |
| 9.BD.15 | Junitoite | CaZn2Si2O7 · H2O |
| 9.BD.20 | Axinite-(Fe) | Ca2Fe2+Al2BSi4O15OH |
| 9.BD.20 | Dubińskaite | Ca4Sc2Al4[Be2Si8O30](OH)2 |
| 9.BD.20 | Axinite-(Mg) | Ca2MgAl2BSi4O15OH |
| 9.BD.20 | Axinite-(Mn) | Ca2Mn2+Al2BSi4O15(OH) |
| 9.BD.25 | Vistepite | SnMn4B2Si4O16(OH)2 |
| 9.BD.30 | Boralsilite | Al16B6O30(Si2O7) |
| 9.BD.35 | Werdingite | (Mg,Fe)2Al14Si4B4O37 |
| 9.BD.40 | Vránaite | Al16B4Si4O38 |
Other Information
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 Tinzenite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3972.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Tinzenite
Reference List:
Milton, C., Hildebrand, F. A., Sherwood, and A. M. (1953) The identity of tinzenite with manganoan axinite. American Mineralogist, 38 (11-12) 1148-1158
Sanero, E., Gottardi, G. (1968) Nomenclature and crystal-chemistry of axinites. American Mineralogist, 53 (7-8) 1407-1410
Lumpkin, Gregory R., Ribbe, Paul H. (1979) Chemistry and physical properties of axinites. American Mineralogist, 64 (5-6) 635-645
Localities for Tinzenite
Showing 32 localities.
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.
Quick NavTopAbout TinzeniteUnique IdentifiersSimilar NamesIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence Other LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Molinello Mine, Ne, Genoa, Liguria, Italy