Qingsongite
Qingsongite /ˈtʃɪŋsɒŋaɪt/ is a rare boron nitride mineral with cubic crystalline form. It was first described in 2009 for an occurrence as minute inclusions within chromite deposits in the Luobusa ophiolite in the Shannan Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region, China.[1] It was recognized as a mineral in August 2013 by the International Mineralogical Association. It is named after Chinese geologist Qingsong Fang (1939–2010).[1] Qingsongite is the only known boron mineral that is formed deep in the Earth's mantle.[2] Associated minerals or phases include osbornite (titanium nitride), coesite, kyanite and amorphous carbon.[3]
| Qingsongite | |
|---|---|
 Crystal structure | |
| General | |
| Category | Native element minerals: nitrides |
| Formula (repeating unit) | BN |
| Crystal system | Cubic |
| Crystal class | Hextetrahedral (43m) H-M symbol: (43m) |
| Space group | F43m |
| Unit cell | a = 3.61 Å; Z = 4 |
| Identification | |
| Crystal habit | Inclusions in chromium-rich rocks |
| Other characteristics | Not radioactive, non-magnetic |
| References | [1] |
References
- Qingsongite on Mindat.org
- Qingsongite: New Mineral from Tibet Hard as Diamond. sciencenews.org. August 5, 2013
- "Pittalwala, Iqbal, International Research Team Discovers New Mineral, UCR Today, Aug. 2, 2013". Archived from the original on 2013-08-06. Retrieved 2014-03-24.
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