Gananite
A variety of Minerals
What is Gananite?
Gananite (simplified Chinese: 赣南矿; traditional Chinese: 贛南礦; pinyin: gànnánkuàng) is a rare bismuth fluoride mineral form of bismuth trifluoride with a general formula of BiF3. Gananite is an isotropic mineral, it belongs to the space group P43m. This means that gananite does not show any colors in cross polarized light, because when polarized light passes through it, it does not split into two perpendicular rays. In other words, because gananite is an isometric mineral, it does not exhibit double refraction. Moreover, this tells us that this mineral is not birefringent. Its color in plane-polarized light is blackish-brown, and it does not show pleochroism.
Uses & Applications
Despite the obscurity of gananite and its very limited use, it is sometimes used in China as a bismuth ore.
Market Value Factors
Pricing varies for every rock and mineral, so use these universal factors to gauge Gananite before comparing listings or appraisals.
Size & Weight
Larger, intact specimens usually command higher prices.
Rarity & Demand
Scarce material or popular varieties sell at a premium.
Condition & Finish
Chips, repairs, and heavy wear lower value; clean prep helps.
Treatment & Provenance
Untreated specimens with documented locality are prized.
Gananite Localities Map
See where Gananite is found with a localities map, collecting zones, and geology context. Generate a sample map preview below.
Key Characteristics
Formation of Gananite
It was first described in 1984 for an occurrence in the Laikeng Mining District, Gan County, Ganzhou Prefecture, Jiangxi Province, China. The name is given for its occurrence in the Southern Ganzhou (Gannan) region of China. In the Gannan occurrence, the only reported location, it occurs in quartz veins in association with wolframite, native bismuth, bismuthinite, pyrite and chalcopyrite.
Quick Facts
Physical Properties
- Color
- brown to black and greenish-black
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 3.5
- Density
- 8.928 g/cm³
- Streak
- Dark gray
Chemical Properties
- Chemical Formula
- BiF3
- Elements
- Bi, F
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Gananite FAQs
How do I identify Gananite?
Gananite can be identified by its hardness of 3.5 on the Mohs scale, brown to black and greenish-black color. Look for these key characteristics when examining specimens.
What color is Gananite?
Gananite typically appears in brown to black and greenish-black. Color can vary depending on impurities and formation conditions.
How hard is Gananite?
Gananite has a hardness of 3.5 on the Mohs scale. This gives it moderate hardness.
What is the formation of gananite of Gananite?
It was first described in 1984 for an occurrence in the Laikeng Mining District, Gan County, Ganzhou Prefecture, Jiangxi Province, China. The name is given for its occurrence in the Southern Ganzhou (Gannan) region of China. In the Gannan occurrence, the only reported location, it occurs in quartz veins in association with wolframite, native bismuth, bismuthinite, pyrite and chalcopyrite.
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