Category Borate, Oxide Strunz classification 6.AC.15 Space group I41/amd | Formula(repeating unit) (Nb,Ta)BO4 Crystal system Tetragonal | |
Crystal class Ditetragonal dipyramidal (4/mmm)H-M symbol: (4/m 2/m 2/m) | ||
Schiavinatoite is a very rare mineral, a natural niobium borate of the formula (Nb,Ta)BO4. Schiavinatoite is classified as monoborate. It contains tetrahedral borate anion instead of planar BO3 group, which is more common among minerals. Schiavinatoite is one of the most simple niobium minerals. It forms a solid solution with its tantalum-analogue, béhierite. Both minerals possess zircon-type structure (tetragonal, space group I41/amd) and occur in pegmatites. Schiavinatoite and nioboholtite are minerals with essential niobium and boron.
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Occurrence and association
Schiavinatoite was detected in miaroles of a pegmatite at Antsongombato, Madagascar. It coexists with an apatite-group mineral, béhierite, danburite, elbaite–liddicoatite, feldspar, pollucite, quartz, rhodizite, and spodumene.
Crystal structure
The main facts about schiavinatoite's structure: