Bismutocolumbite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Bismutocolumbite
Formula:
BiNbO4
Colour:
Black; brown in transmitted light
Lustre:
Sub-Metallic
Hardness:
5½
Specific Gravity:
7.17
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
For the bismuth in its composition and its relation to the minerals of the columbite-tantalite series.
This page provides mineralogical data about Bismutocolumbite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
688
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:688:8
IMA Classification of Bismutocolumbite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Bi3+Nb5+O4
Approval year:
1991
First published:
1992
Classification of Bismutocolumbite
4.DE.30
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
D : Metal: Oxygen = 1:2 and similar
E : With medium-sized cations; with various polyhedra
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
D : Metal: Oxygen = 1:2 and similar
E : With medium-sized cations; with various polyhedra
8.1.6.4
8 : MULTIPLE OXIDES CONTAINING NIOBIUM,TANTALUM OR TITANIUM
1 : ABO4
8 : MULTIPLE OXIDES CONTAINING NIOBIUM,TANTALUM OR TITANIUM
1 : ABO4
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bclb | 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 Bismutocolumbite
Sub-Metallic
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Black; brown in transmitted light
Streak:
Brown to pale yellow
Hardness:
5½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
on {010}
on {010}
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
7.17 g/cm3 (Measured) 7.66 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Bismutocolumbite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 2.38 nβ = 2.42 nγ = 2.47
2V:
Calculated: 85°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.090
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:
Relatively strong
Chemistry of Bismutocolumbite
Mindat Formula:
BiNbO4
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Ta,Pb,Sb,Sn,Ti
Crystallography of Bismutocolumbite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Cell Parameters:
a = 4.992 Å, b = 5.677 Å, c = 11.731 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.879 : 1 : 2.066
Unit Cell V:
332.45 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Comment:
Space Group: Pcnn
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.164 Å | (100) |
| 2.934 Å | (90) |
| 1.734 Å | (80) |
| 2.842 Å | (45) |
| 2.495 Å | (45) |
| 1.769 Å | (45) |
| 1.899 Å | (40) |
Comments:
Recorded on type material
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 34 : Complex granite pegmatites |
Type Occurrence of Bismutocolumbite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Prismatic crystals to 2 mm, striated parallel to their elongation
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
A. E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
Geological Setting of Type Material:
In a pegmatite
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Bismutocolumbite
Other Language Names for Bismutocolumbite
Relationship of Bismutocolumbite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Cervantite Group:
| Bismutotantalite | BiTaO4 | Orth. |
| Cervantite | Sb3+Sb5+O4 | Orth. mm2 |
| Clinocervantite | Sb3+Sb5+O4 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Stibiocolumbite | SbNbO4 | Orth. mm2 |
| Stibiotantalite | Sb3+TaO4 | Orth. mm2 |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.DE. | Colchesterite | Bi3+2Mo6+2O9 |
| 4.DE. | Pertoldite | GeO2 |
| 4.DE. | Ziroite | ZrO2 |
| 4.DE.05 | Downeyite | SeO2 |
| 4.DE.10 | Koragoite | (Mn2+,Fe3+)3(Nb,Ta,Ti)2(Nb,Mn)2(W,Ta)2O20 |
| 4.DE.15 | Russellite | Bi2WO6 |
| 4.DE.15 | Koechlinite | Bi2MoO6 |
| 4.DE.15 | Tungstibite | Sb3+2WO6 |
| 4.DE.20 | Tellurite | TeO2 |
| 4.DE.25 | Paratellurite | TeO2 |
| 4.DE.30 | Bismutotantalite | BiTaO4 |
| 4.DE.30 | Stibiotantalite | Sb3+TaO4 |
| 4.DE.30 | Cervantite | Sb3+Sb5+O4 |
| 4.DE.30 | Stibiocolumbite | SbNbO4 |
| 4.DE.30 | Clinocervantite | Sb3+Sb5+O4 |
| 4.DE.35 | Baddeleyite | ZrO2 |
| 4.DE.40 | Billwiseite | Sb3+5Nb3WO18 |
| 4.DE.45 | Kyawthuite | Bi3+Sb5+O4 |
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 Bismutocolumbite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-688.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Bismutocolumbite
Localities for Bismutocolumbite
Showing 4 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.
Italy | |
| Pezzotta +1 other reference |
Russia | |
| Fialova et al. (2013) |
| ZVMO (1992) +1 other reference | |
Tajikistan | |
| Leonid Pautov and Mirak Mirakov ... |
Quick NavTopAbout BismutocolumbiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography X-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Danburitovaya pegmatite vein, Malkhan pegmatite field, Krasnyi Chikoy, Krasnochikoysky District, Zabaykalsky Krai, Russia