Black crystals of the extremely rare mineral blatterite from the type locality and only known locality worldwide: Kittelgruvan, Nordmark, Värmland, Sweden. Blatterite is a antimony manganese borate. — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY-SA 4.0
Blatterite
Blatterite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the borate class, with the chemical formula Sb⁵⁺₃Mn³⁺₉Mn²⁺₃₅(BO₃)₁₆O₃₂.
It crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system (space group Pnnm).
Key properties: Mohs hardness 6; specific gravity 4.7; Brown streak; Metallic to submetallic luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Bla, IMA status: approved, named in 1984.
From metamorphosed Fe–Mn orebodies.
It is found associated with Manganosite, pyrochroite, hausmannite, katoptrite, calcite.
The mineral was named to honor Fritz Blatter (1943–), German mineral collector, who provided the original material.