Some white prismatic crystals of the very rare Na borate mineral biringuccite from the TL and only known locality worldwide in Italy for the mineral (Larderello, Pomarance, Pisa Province, Tuscany, Italy) in a completely analyzed specimen by SEM/EDS. Ex Vandenbroucke Museum collection from Waregem, Belgium. — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY-SA 4.0
Biringuccite
Biringuccite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the borate class, with the chemical formula Na₂B₅O₈(OH)·H₂O.
It crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system (space group P2_1/c).
Key properties: specific gravity 2.32; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Bgc, IMA status: approved, named in 1961.
Occurs as scales on piping in a geothermal field.
It is found associated with Nasinite, thénardite, orpiment, quartz.
The mineral was named to honor Vannoccio Biringuccio (1480–1538/9), alchemist and metallurgist, author of the Pirotechnia.