Vote for your favorite mineral in #MinCup26! - Azurite vs. Smithsonite
It's carbonate-vs-carbonate to kick off Mineral Cup 2026 with copper-rich Azurite against zinc-rich Smithsonite.
Log InRegister
Quick Links : The Mindat ManualThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryMindat Newsletter [Free Download]
Home PageAbout MindatThe Mindat ManualHistory of MindatCopyright StatusWho We AreContact UsAdvertise on Mindat
Donate to MindatCorporate SponsorshipSponsor a PageSponsored PagesMindat AdvertisersAdvertise on Mindat
Learning CenterWhat is a mineral?The most common minerals on earthInformation for EducatorsMindat ArticlesThe ElementsThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryGeologic TimeExplore Fossils
Minerals by PropertiesMinerals by ChemistryMineral Visual ExplorerAdvanced Locality SearchRandom MineralRandom LocalitySearch by minIDLocalities Near MeSearch ArticlesSearch GlossaryMore Search Options
Search For:
Mineral Name:
Locality Name:
Keyword(s):
 
The Mindat ManualAdd a New PhotoRate PhotosLocality Edit ReportCoordinate Completion ReportAdd Glossary Item
Mining CompaniesStatisticsUsersMineral MuseumsClubs & OrganizationsMineral Shows & EventsThe Mindat DirectoryDevice SettingsThe Mineral QuizTime Machine
Photo SearchPhoto GalleriesSearch by ColorPhoto Colour ExplorerNew Photos TodayNew Photos YesterdayMembers' Photo GalleriesPast Photo of the Day GalleryPhotography

Ferro-bosiite

A valid IMA mineral species - pending publication
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
Formula:
NaFe3+3(Al4Fe2+2)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3O
Colour:
black
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
7
Specific Gravity:
3.216 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Name:
Named as the Fe2+ analogue of bosiite.
This page provides mineralogical data about Ferro-bosiite.


Hide all sections | Show all sections

Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
470501
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:470501:3

IMA Classification of Ferro-bosiiteHide

Approved, Pending publication
Approval year:
2022

Classification of Ferro-bosiiteHide

9.CK.

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
C : Cyclosilicates
K : [Si6O18]12- 6-membered single rings, with insular complex anions

Mineral SymbolsHide

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

SymbolSourceReference for Standard
FbosIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of Ferro-bosiiteHide

Vitreous
Colour:
Black
Streak:
Brown
Hardness:
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
3.216 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of Ferro-bosiiteHide

Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.675(5) nε = 1.645(5)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.030
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.

Surface Relief:
Very High (positive)
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 uniaxial interference figure - the conoscopic (convergent-light, Bertrand-lens-in) view, for a grain cut with the optic axis centred and vertical. The coloured rings are isochromatics, computed with the same physics as the Michel-Lévy bar above; the dark cross is the isogyre.

For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
O = dark grey, E = pale yellow; O > E.

Chemistry of Ferro-bosiiteHide

Mindat Formula:
NaFe3+3(Al4Fe2+2)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3O
Element Weights:
Element% weight
O44.679 %
Fe25.153 %
Si15.180 %
Al9.722 %
B2.922 %
Na2.071 %
H0.272 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
O
Fe
Si
Al
B
Na
H

Crystallography of Ferro-bosiiteHide

Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m - Ditrigonal Pyramidal
Space Group:
R3m
Cell Parameters:
a = 16.0499(5) Å, c = 7.2977(2) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.455
Unit Cell V:
1,628.03 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
3

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
6.461 Å(51)
4.264 Å(48)
4.012 Å(62)
3.529 Å(46)
2.997 Å(59)
2.598 Å(100)
2.060 Å(41)
1.937 Å(23)

Type Occurrence of Ferro-bosiiteHide

General Appearance of Type Material:
black acicular late-stage overgrowth at the analogous pole of multicolored fluor-elbaite crystal
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Type material is deposited in the collections of the Museo Universitario di Scienze della Terra, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, I-00185 Rome, Italy, catalogue number 33308/405
Geological Setting of Type Material:
granitic pegmatite
ferro-bosiite formed during late-stage interaction with B-rich hydrothermal fluids that became enriched in Fe and Mg, likely due to a distinct fluid phase active after the collapse of a giant cavity.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Synonyms of Ferro-bosiiteHide

Other Language Names for Ferro-bosiiteHide

Relationship of Ferro-bosiite to other SpeciesHide

Other Members of Tourmaline:
AdachiiteCaFe3Al6(Si5AlO18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)Trig. 3m : R3m
Alumino-oxy-rossmanite◻Al3Al6(Si5AlO18)(BO3)3(OH)3OTrig. 3m : R3m
BosiiteNaFe3+3(Al4Mg2)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3OTrig. 3m : R3m
Celleriite◻(Mn2+2Al)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)Trig. 3m : R3m
Chromium-draviteNaMg3Cr3+6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)Trig. 3m : R3m
Chromo-alumino-povondraiteNaCr3(Al4Mg2)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3OTrig. 3m : R3m
DarrellhenryiteNa(Al2Li)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3OTrig. 3m : R3m
DraviteNaMg3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)Trig. 3m : R3m
DutrowiteNa(Fe2+2.5Ti0.5)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3OTrig. 3m : R3m
ElbaiteNa(Li1.5Al1.5)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)Trig. 3m : R3m
ErtliteNaAl3Al6(Si4B2O18)(BO3)3(OH)3OTrig. 3m : R3m
FeruviteCaFe2+3(Al5Mg)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)Trig. 3m : R3m
Fluor-buergeriteNaFe3+3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3O3FTrig. 3m : R3m
Fluor-draviteNaMg3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3FTrig. 3m : R3m
Fluor-elbaiteNa(Li1.5Al1.5)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3FTrig. 3m : R3m
Fluor-liddicoatiteCa(Li2Al)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3FTrig. 3m : R3m
Fluor-rossmanite◻(Al2Li)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3FTrig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
Fluor-schorlNaFe2+3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3FTrig. 3m : R3m
Fluor-tsilaisiteNaMn2+3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3FTrig. 3m : R3m
Fluor-uviteCaMg3(Al5Mg)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3FTrig. 3m : R3m
Foitite◻(Fe2+2Al)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)Trig. 3m : R3m
LiddicoatiteCa(Li2Al)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)Trig. 3m : R3m
LucchesiiteCaFe2+3 Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3OTrig. 3m : R3m
Magnesio-dutrowiteNa(Mg2.5Ti0.5)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3OTrig. 3m : R3m
Magnesio-foitite◻(Mg2Al)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)Trig. 3m : R3m
Magnesio-lucchesiiteCaMg3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3OTrig. 3m : R3m
MaruyamaiteK(Al2Mg)(Al5Mg)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3OTrig. 3m : R3m
OleniteNaAl3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3O3(OH)Trig. 3m : R3m
Oxy-chromium-draviteNaCr3(Cr4Mg2)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3O Trig. 3m : R3m
Oxy-draviteNa(Al2Mg)(Al5Mg)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3OTrig. 3m : R3m
Oxy-foitite◻(Fe2+Al2)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3OTrig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
Oxy-schorlNa(Fe2+2Al)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3OTrig. 3m : R3m
Oxy-vanadium-draviteNaV3(V4Mg2)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3OTrig. 3m : R3m
PovondraiteNaFe3+3(Mg2Fe3+4)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3OTrig. 3m : R3m
PrincivalleiteNa(Mn2Al)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3OTrig. 3m : R3m
Rossmanite◻(LiAl2)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)Trig. 3m : R3m
SchorlNaFe2+3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)Trig. 3m : R3m
TsilaisiteNaMn2+3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)Trig. 3m : R3m
'UM2000-64-SiO:BFeHKMg'(K,Na)Fe3+3(Mg2Fe3+4)Si6O18(BO3)3(OH)3O
'UM2008-52-SiO:AlBCaFFeHLiMgNa'(Ca,Na,◻)(Al,Li,Fe,Mg)3Al6[Si6O18](BO3)3(OH,O)3(F,O)
'Unnamed (F analogue of feruvite)'CaFe2+3(Al5Mg)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3F
'Unnamed (Mn2+-F-analogue of foitite)'◻(Mn2+2Al)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3F ?
'Unnamed (Pb-analogue of Fluor-liddicoatite)'Pb(Li2Al)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3F
UviteCaMg3(Al5Mg)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)Trig. 3m : R3m
Vanadio-oxy-chromium-draviteNaV3(Cr4Mg2)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3O Trig. 3m : R3m
Vanadio-oxy-draviteNaV3(Al4Mg2)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3OTrig. 3m : R3m

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

9.CK.AdachiiteCaFe3Al6(Si5AlO18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)Trig. 3m : R3m
9.CK.Magnesio-dutrowiteNa(Mg2.5Ti0.5)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3OTrig. 3m : R3m
9.CK.DarrellhenryiteNa(Al2Li)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3OTrig. 3m : R3m
9.CK.Fluor-schorlNaFe2+3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3FTrig. 3m : R3m
9.CK.PrincivalleiteNa(Mn2Al)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3OTrig. 3m : R3m
9.CK.Alumino-oxy-rossmanite◻Al3Al6(Si5AlO18)(BO3)3(OH)3OTrig. 3m : R3m
9.CK.DutrowiteNa(Fe2+2.5Ti0.5)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3OTrig. 3m : R3m
9.CK.BosiiteNaFe3+3(Al4Mg2)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3OTrig. 3m : R3m
9.CK.Celleriite◻(Mn2+2Al)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)Trig. 3m : R3m
9.CK.05FeruviteCaFe2+3(Al5Mg)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)Trig. 3m : R3m
9.CK.05Chromium-draviteNaMg3Cr3+6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)Trig. 3m : R3m
9.CK.05Fluor-rossmanite◻(Al2Li)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3FTrig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
9.CK.05Oxy-schorlNa(Fe2+2Al)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3OTrig. 3m : R3m
9.CK.05Fluor-elbaiteNa(Li1.5Al1.5)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3FTrig. 3m : R3m
9.CK.05DraviteNaMg3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)Trig. 3m : R3m
9.CK.05Fluor-uviteCaMg3(Al5Mg)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3FTrig. 3m : R3m
9.CK.05Foitite◻(Fe2+2Al)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)Trig. 3m : R3m
9.CK.05Vanadio-oxy-draviteNaV3(Al4Mg2)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3OTrig. 3m : R3m
9.CK.05Fluor-buergeriteNaFe3+3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3O3FTrig. 3m : R3m
9.CK.05'Unnamed (F analogue of feruvite)'CaFe2+3(Al5Mg)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3F
9.CK.05ErtliteNaAl3Al6(Si4B2O18)(BO3)3(OH)3OTrig. 3m : R3m
9.CK.05TsilaisiteNaMn2+3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)Trig. 3m : R3m
9.CK.05Fluor-liddicoatiteCa(Li2Al)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3FTrig. 3m : R3m
9.CK.05UviteCaMg3(Al5Mg)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)Trig. 3m : R3m
9.CK.05ElbaiteNa(Li1.5Al1.5)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)Trig. 3m : R3m
9.CK.05Fluor-tsilaisiteNaMn2+3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3FTrig. 3m : R3m
9.CK.05Oxy-foitite◻(Fe2+Al2)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3OTrig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
9.CK.05LiddicoatiteCa(Li2Al)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)Trig. 3m : R3m
9.CK.05Vanadio-oxy-chromium-draviteNaV3(Cr4Mg2)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3O Trig. 3m : R3m
9.CK.05Rossmanite◻(LiAl2)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)Trig. 3m : R3m
9.CK.05Oxy-vanadium-draviteNaV3(V4Mg2)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3OTrig. 3m : R3m
9.CK.05OleniteNaAl3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3O3(OH)Trig. 3m : R3m
9.CK.05'UM2000-64-SiO:BFeHKMg'(K,Na)Fe3+3(Mg2Fe3+4)Si6O18(BO3)3(OH)3O
9.CK.05Magnesio-lucchesiiteCaMg3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3OTrig. 3m : R3m
9.CK.05PovondraiteNaFe3+3(Mg2Fe3+4)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3OTrig. 3m : R3m
9.CK.05LucchesiiteCaFe2+3 Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3OTrig. 3m : R3m
9.CK.05Chromo-alumino-povondraiteNaCr3(Al4Mg2)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3OTrig. 3m : R3m
9.CK.05Fluor-draviteNaMg3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3FTrig. 3m : R3m
9.CK.05Oxy-draviteNa(Al2Mg)(Al5Mg)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3OTrig. 3m : R3m
9.CK.05Oxy-chromium-draviteNaCr3(Cr4Mg2)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3O Trig. 3m : R3m
9.CK.05'Luinaite-(OH)'NaFe2+3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)Mon. m : Bm
9.CK.05SchorlNaFe2+3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)Trig. 3m : R3m
9.CK.05Magnesio-foitite◻(Mg2Al)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)Trig. 3m : R3m
9.CK.05MaruyamaiteK(Al2Mg)(Al5Mg)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3OTrig. 3m : R3m
9.CK.10Abenakiite-(Ce)Na26Ce6(Si6O18)(PO4)6(CO3)6(SO2)OTrig. 3 : R3
9.CK.15ScawtiteCa7(Si3O9)2CO3 · 2H2OMon. 2/m
9.CK.20Thorosteenstrupine(Ca,Th,Mn)3Si4O11F · 6H2O
9.CK.20Steenstrupine-(Ce)Na14Mn2+2Fe3+2Ce6Zr(Si6O18)2(PO4)6(PO3OH)(OH)2 · 2H2OTrig. 3m(32/m) : R3m

Fluorescence of Ferro-bosiiteHide

Other InformationHide

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 Ferro-bosiiteHide

References for Ferro-bosiiteHide

Localities for Ferro-bosiiteHide

Showing 2 localities.

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

Locality ListHide

- 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). 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.
Mozambique (TL)
 
  • Nampula Province
    • Mogovolas District
      • Mavuco
Miyawaki et al. (2022) +2 other references
Russia
 
  • Chukotka Autonomous Okrug
    • Chukchi Peninsula (Chukotka Peninsula; Chukotski Peninsula)
Baksheev et al. (2025)
 
and/or  
Mindat.org® is an outreach project of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Mindat® and mindat.org® are registered trademarks of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy.
Copyright © mindat.org and the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy 1993-2026, except where stated. Most political location boundaries are © OpenStreetMap contributors. Mindat.org relies on the contributions of thousands of members and supporters. Founded in 2000 by Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau.
Content on this site may not be used to train, fine-tune, or otherwise develop artificial intelligence or machine learning models without prior written permission - see our Terms & Conditions.
To cite: Ralph, J., Von Bargen, D., Martynov, P., Zhang, J., Que, X., Prabhu, A., Morrison, S. M., Li, W., Chen, W., & Ma, X. (2025). Mindat.org: The open access mineralogy database to accelerate data-intensive geoscience research. American Mineralogist, 110(6), 833–844. doi:10.2138/am-2024-9486.
Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Contact Us / DMCA issues - Report a bug/vulnerability Current server date and time: September 1, 2026 04:26:49 Page updated: August 24, 2026 20:08:35
Go to top of page