Benstonite information

Benstonite
Benstonite
	Benstonite with calcite
General
Category	Carbonate minerals
Formula; (repeating unit)	Ba6Ca6Mg(CO3)13
IMA symbol	Ben
Strunz classification	5.AB.55
Dana classification	14.2.3.1
Crystal system	Trigonal
Crystal class	Rhombohedral (3) ; H-M group: (3)
Space group	R3
Unit cell	a = 18.280 Å, c = 8.652 Å; Z = 3
Identification
Color	Snow-white, ivory, very pale yellow, pale yellowish brown
Cleavage	Good on {3142}
Mohs scale hardness	3–4
Luster	Vitreous
Streak	White
Diaphaneity	Translucent
Optical properties	Uniaxial (−)
Refractive index	nω = 1.690 nε = 1.527
Birefringence	δ = 0.163
Ultraviolet fluorescence	Red or yellow under UV and X-rays
References

Benstonite is a mineral with formula Ba₆Ca₆Mg(CO₃)₁₃.^[1] Discovered in 1954, the mineral was described in 1961 and named after Orlando J. Benston (1901–1966).

^ ^a ^b "The New IMA List of Minerals – A Work in Progress – Update: November 2012" (PDF). Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification. International Mineralogical Association. p. 17. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 21, 2013. Retrieved December 2, 2012.
^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
^ ^a ^b ^c Anthony, John W.; Bideaux, Richard A.; Bladh, Kenneth W.; Nichols, Monte C. (eds.). "Benstonite" (PDF). Handbook of Mineralogy. Chantilly, VA: Mineralogical Society of America.
^ "Benstonite". Mindat. Retrieved December 2, 2012.

[IMA2012-1] "The New IMA List of Minerals – A Work in Progress – Update: November 2012" (PDF). Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification. International Mineralogical Association. p. 17. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 21, 2013. Retrieved December 2, 2012.

[2] Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.

[handbook-3] Anthony, John W.; Bideaux, Richard A.; Bladh, Kenneth W.; Nichols, Monte C. (eds.). "Benstonite" (PDF). Handbook of Mineralogy. Chantilly, VA: Mineralogical Society of America.

[mindat-4] "Benstonite". Mindat. Retrieved December 2, 2012.

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