White powdery microcrystalline nasinite and minoritary yellow orpiment and red realgar associated to some white and yellowish prismatic crystals of the very rare Na borate mineral biringuccite, in an analyzed specimen by SEM/EDS. From: Larderello, Pomarance, Pisa Province, Tuscany, Italy. Ex Vandenbroucke Museum collection from Waregem, Belgium. — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY 4.0
Nasinite
Nasinite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the borate class, with the chemical formula Na₂B₅O₈(OH)·2H₂O.
It crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system (space group Pna2_1).
Key properties: specific gravity 2.2; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Nas, IMA status: approved, named in 1961.
Occurs as scales on piping in a geothermal field.
It is found associated with Biringuccite, thénardite, orpiment, quartz.
The mineral was named to honor Rafaello Nasini (1854–1931), Italian chemist.