Brianyoungite

Brianyoungite is a secondary zinc carbonate mineral. The Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification (CNMNC) of the International Mineralogical Association (IMA) classifies it as a carbonate with the formula Zn₃(CO₃)(OH)₄,^[1] but sulfate groups SO₄ also occupy the carbonate CO₃ positions, in the ratio of about one sulfate to three carbonates,^[3] so other sources give the formula as Zn₃(CO₃,SO₄)(OH)₄, and Gaines et al. classify the mineral as a compound carbonate.^[7] It is similar in appearance to hydrozincite, another zinc carbonate.^[5] It was discovered in 1991 and designated IMA1991-053.^[5] In 1993 it was named "brianyoungite" after Brian Young (born 1947), a field geologist with the British Geological Survey, who provided the first specimens.^[4][7]

Brianyoungite
Brianyoungite from Germany
General
Category	Carbonate mineral
Formula	Zn3(CO3,SO4)(OH)4[1]
IMA symbol	Byo[2]
Strunz classification	5.BF.30 (10 ed) 5/C.01-105 (8 ed)
Dana classification	17.1.15
Crystal system	Monoclinic
Crystal class	Prismatic (2/m) (same H-M symbol)
Space group	C2/m
Unit cell	15.724 Å, b = 6.256 Å, c = 5.427 Å; β = 90°; Z = 4
Identification
Color	White
Crystal habit	Rosettes of thin blades, pseudo-orthorhombic with β close to 90° [3]
Cleavage	Perfect on {100}, possible on {001}[3][4]
Mohs scale hardness	2 to 2.5
Luster	Vitreous
Streak	White
Diaphaneity	Transparent to translucent
Specific gravity	3.93 to 4.09
Optical properties	Biaxial
Refractive index	nω = 1.635, nε = 1.650
Birefringence	δ = 1.635[5]
Solubility	Readily soluble with effervescence in acids[3]
Other characteristics	Non-fluorescent[3]
References	[1][6][3][4][5][7]

Appearance

Brianyoungite (white) with fluorite and sphalerite from the Brownley Hill Mine, Cumbria, England.

The mineral occurs as tiny rosettes less than 100 μm across, composed of thin blades just one or two micrometers across, elongated parallel to the b crystal axis, and tapering to a sharp point.^[3] The crystals are white and transparent to translucent, with a vitreous lustre and a white streak.

Structure

The mineral belongs in the orthorhombic crystal system, or the monoclinic with β (the angle between the a and c crystal axes) close to 90^o.^[3] The space group is unknown, but assumed to be either P2₁/m, P21 or P2221.^[4][5] The structure is similar to that of hydrozincite.^[7] There are four formula units per unit cell (Z = 4) and the lengths of the sides of the unit cell are a = 15.724 Å, b = 6.256 Å and c = 5.427 Å.^[3]

Physical properties

Brianyoungite is a soft mineral with Mohs hardness similar to halite, only 2 to 2+1⁄2 according to some sources,^[6][5] but others say that the hardness is not determinable.^[3][4] It is fairly dense, with specific gravity 3.93 to 4.09, similar to that of celestine. Cleavage is perfect perpendicular to the a crystal axis (perfect on {100}) and possible perpendicular to the c crystal axis (possible on {001}).^[3][4] It is readily soluble with effervescence in acids.^[3]

Optical properties

The mineral is biaxial, with refractive indices n_ω = 1.635 and n_ε = 1.650 and maximum birefringence δ = 1.635.^[5] It exhibits straight extinction.^[3] It is not fluorescent.^[3]

Occurrence

The type locality is the Bloomsberry Horse level of the Brownley Hill mine, Nenthead, Alston Moor District, North Pennines, North and Western Region (Cumberland), Cumbria, England.^[5] The type material is conserved at the Royal Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland, 1992.17.1–8.^[4]
Brianyoungite occurs with gypsum on rubbly limestone in the oxidised zone of Brownley Hill Mine, and on specimens from the nearby Smallcleugh mine.^[3] It may be a secondary post-mining mineral.^[6][4] At the type locality it is associated with gypsum, smithsonite, pyrite and goethite.^[4]