Rubicline

Rubicline
General
Category Feldspar group
Formula
(repeating unit)		 (Rb, K)[AlSi3O8]
Strunz classification 9.FA.30
Crystal system Triclinic
Crystal class Pinacoidal (1)
(same H-M symbol)
Space group P1
Identification
Formula mass 313.11 g/mol
Color Colorless
Cleavage {001}
Luster Vitreous
Diaphaneity Transparent
Density 2.8 g/cm3
Optical properties biaxial
Refractive index nα = 1.520 nβ = 1.524 nγ = 1.527
Birefringence δ = 0.007
Dispersion Strong
Other characteristics Radioactive
References [1][2]

Rubicline, also referred to as Rb-microcline, is the rubidium analogue of microcline, an important tectosilicate mineral. Its chemical formula is (Rb, K)[AlSi3O8] with an ideal composition of RbAlSi3O8. Chemical analysis by electron microprobe indicated the average weight of the crystal is 56.66% SiO2, 16.95% Al2O3, and 23.77% Rb2O,[3] along with trace amounts of caesium oxide (Cs2O) and iron(III) oxide (Fe2O3).[4]

Rubicline was first discovered in 1998 in Elba, Italy, by a team from the University of Manitoba. It was the first mineral to have been discovered with rubidium as an essential constituent.[4] It has also been found in Mozambique[5] and the Kola Peninsula in Russia.[6] Rubicline occurs as small, abundant, rounded grains found within veins of rubidian microcline. Pure rubicline with an ideal potassium-free composition has never been found in nature.[3] Rubicline was synthesized in 2001 by placing powdered albite in a solvent of RbCl. This mixture was then placed in a silver tube containing H2O, heated to 400 °C and pressurized to 60 MPa.[3]

Unlike microcline, which can be yellow, red, or green, rubicline is colorless. It is also transparent, brittle,[4] and has a vitreous luster.[7] Rubicline has been classified as both triclinic and monoclinic.[3][7] The crystal does not show twinning. Other minerals in this group include adularia, anorthoclase, buddingtonite, celsian, hyalophane, microcline, monalbite, orthoclase, and sanidine.[7]

Like all potassium compounds, rubicline is mildly radioactive. Activity and dose rate of various amounts of rubicline are listed in the table below.[1]

Specimen weight/size Calculated
activity (Bq)		 Calculated
activity (Ci)		 Estimated
activity GR(api)		 Estimated
exposure (mRem)/hr*
1000 g / 8.79 cm183,3554.96×10−68,449.312.78
100 g / 4.08 cm18,3364.96×10−7844.930.28
10 g / 1.89 cm1,8344.96×10−884.490.03
1 g / 8.79 mm1834.96×10−98.450.00
0.1 g / 4.08 mm184.96×10−100.840.00
0.01 g / 1.89 mm24.96×10−110.080.00
0.001 g / 0.88 mm04.96×10−120.010.00
  • If held in hand for one hour.
  • Government estimate of average annual exposure (360 mRem)
  • Max permissible adult dose 50,000 mRem/yr (hands), 15,000 mRem/yr (eyes)
  • Lethal exposure 400,000 to 500,000 mRem

References

  1. 1 2 Rubicline at Webminerals
  2. ↑ Rubicline at Mindat
  3. 1 2 3 4 Kyono, A. & Kimata, M. (August 2001). "Refinement of the crystal structure of a synthetic non-stoichiometric Rb-feldspar" (PDF). Mineralogical Magazine. 65 (4): 523–531. doi:10.1180/002646101750377542.
  4. 1 2 3 Teertstra, David K.; et al. (December 2008). "Rubicline, a new feldspar from San Piero in Campo, Elba, Italy". American Mineralogist. 83 (11–12): 1335–1339.
  5. ↑ Teertstra, D. K.; Cerny, P.; Hawthorne, F. C. (1999). "Subsolidus rubidium-dominant feldspar from the Morrua pegmatite, Mozambique: paragenesis and composition". Mineralogical Magazine. 63 (3): 313–320. doi:10.1180/002646199548538. ISSN 0026-461X.
  6. ↑ "Rubicline R070044". RRUFF. Retrieved 15 February 2010.
  7. 1 2 3 Ralph, Jolyon & Chau, Ida (2010). "Rubicline". Mindat.org. Retrieved 15 February 2010.
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