Sassolite

Sassolite is a borate mineral, specifically the mineral form of boric acid. It is usually white to gray, and colourless in transmitted light. It can also take on a yellow colour from sulfur impurities, or brown from iron oxides.^[2]

Sassolite
Yellow sassolite
General
Category	Borate mineral
Formula	H3BO3
IMA symbol	Sso[1]
Strunz classification	6.AA.05
Crystal system	Triclinic
Crystal class	Pinacoidal (1) (same H-M symbol)
Space group	P1
Unit cell	a = 7.02 Å, b = 7.06 Å c = 6.59 Å; α = 103.65° β = 101.11°, γ = 59.98°; Z = 4
Identification
Colour	White to gray, may be pale yellow from included sulfur or pale brown from included iron oxides; colourless in transmitted light
Crystal habit	As scaly pseudohexagonal crystals; ncrustations; platy; tabular; may be stalactitic
Twinning	Around [001] as twin axis, common
Cleavage	Perfect on {001}, micaceous
Tenacity	Sectile
Mohs scale hardness	1
Lustre	Vitreous to pearly
Streak	White
Diaphaneity	Transparent
Specific gravity	1.46–1.50
Density	1.46-1.50 g/cm3
Optical properties	Biaxial (−)
Refractive index	nα = 1.340 nβ = 1.456 nγ = 1.459
Birefringence	δ = 0.119
2V angle	Measured: 5°, Calculated: 16°
Solubility	Soluble in water
References	[2][3][4]

History and occurrence

Its mineral form was first described in 1800, and was named after Sasso Pisano, Castelnuovo Val di Cecina, Pisa Province, Tuscany, Italy where it was found.^[4] The mineral may be found in lagoons throughout Tuscany and Sasso.^[3] It is also found in the Lipari Islands and the US state of Nevada. It occurs in volcanic fumaroles and hot springs, deposited from steam, as well as in bedded sedimentary evaporite deposits.^[2]

See also

• Earth sciences portal

• List of minerals
• Borax