Northstarite, a new lead-tellurite-thiosulfate mineral from the North Star mine, Tintic, Utah, USA

2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
pp. 533-542
Author(s):  
Anthony R. Kampf ◽  
Robert M. Housley ◽  
George R. Rossman
Keyword(s):  
Raman Spectrum ◽  
Powder Diffraction ◽  
Electron Microprobe ◽  
Empirical Formula ◽  
New Mineral ◽  
Calculated Density ◽  
Space Group ◽  
X Ray ◽  
The North ◽  
Mohs Hardness

ABSTRACT Northstarite, Pb6(Te4+O3)5(S2O3), is a new mineral from the North Star mine, Tintic district, Juab County, Utah, USA. It is an oxidation-zone mineral occuring in a vug in massive quartz-baryte-enargite-pyrite in association with anglesite, azurite, chrysocolla, fluorapatite, plumbogummite, tellurite, zincospiroffite, and the new mineral adanite. Crystals are beige short prisms with pyramidal terminations, up to about 1 mm in length. The mineral is transparent to translucent with adamantine luster, white streak, Mohs hardness 2, brittle tenacity, irregular fracture, and no cleavage. The calculated density is 6.888 g/cm3. Northstarite is uniaxial (–) and nonpleochroic. The Raman spectrum is consistent with the presence of tellurite and thiosulfate groups and the absence of OH and H2O. Electron-microprobe analyses gave the empirical formula Pb5.80Sb3+0.05Te4+5.04S6+1.02S2–1.02O18. The mineral is hexagonal, space group P63, with a = 10.2495(5), c = 11.6677(8) Å, V = 1061.50(13) Å3, and Z = 2. The five strongest X-ray powder diffraction lines are [dobs Å(I)(hkl)]: 3.098(100)(113), 2.957(88)(300), 2.140(42)(223), 1.7335(41)(413), and 1.6256(31)(306). The structure (R1 = 0.033 for 1476 I > 2σI reflections) is a framework constructed of short (strong) Pb–O and Te–O bonds with channels along the 63 axes. The thiosulfate groups at the centers of the channels are only weakly bonded to the framework.

scholarly journals Parisite-(La), ideally CaLa2(CO3)3F2, a new mineral from Novo Horizonte, Bahia, Brazil

2018 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
pp. 133-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luiz A. D. Menezes Filho ◽  
Mario L. S. C. Chaves ◽  
Nikita V. Chukanov ◽  
Daniel Atencio ◽  
Ricardo Scholz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Crystal ◽  
Ir Spectrum ◽  
Empirical Formula ◽  
New Mineral ◽  
Formula Unit ◽  
Calculated Density ◽  
Oh Groups ◽  
Space Group ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Mohs Hardness

ABSTRACTParisite-(La) (IMA2016-031), ideally CaLa2(CO3)3F2, occurs in a hydrothermal vein crosscutting a metarhyolite of the Rio dos Remédios Group, at the Mula mine, Tapera village, Novo Horizonte county, Bahia, Brazil, associated with hematite, rutile, almeidaite, fluocerite-(Ce), brockite, monazite-(La), rhabdophane-(La) and bastnäsite-(La). Parisite-(La) occurs as residual nuclei (up to 5 mm) in steep doubly-terminated pseudo-hexagonal pyramidal crystals (up to 8.2 cm). Parisite-(La) is transparent, yellow-green to white, with a white streak and displays a vitreous (when yellow-green) to dull (when white) lustre. Cleavage is distinct on pseudo-{001}; fracture is laminated, conchoidal, or uneven. The Mohs hardness is 4 to 5, and it is brittle. Calculated density is 4.273 g cm−3. Parisite-(La) is pseudo-uniaxial (+), ω = 1.670(2) and ε = 1.782(5) (589 nm). The empirical formula normalized on the basis of 11 (O + F) atoms per formula unit (apfu) is Ca0.98(La0.83Nd0.51Ce0.37Pr0.16Sm0.04Y0.03)Σ1.94C3.03O8.91F2.09. The IR spectrum confirms the absence of OH groups. Single-crystal X-ray studies gave the following results: monoclinic (pseudo-trigonal), space group: C2, Cm, or C2/m, a = 12.356(1) Å, b = 7.1368(7) Å, c = 28.299(3) Å, β = 98.342(4)°, V = 2469.1(4) Å3 and Z = 12. Parisite-(La) is the La-dominant analogue of parisite-(Ce).

Hydroniumpharmacosiderite, a new member of the pharmacosiderite supergroup from Cornwall, UK: structure and description

2010 ◽  
Vol 74 (5) ◽  
pp. 863-869 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. J. Mills ◽  
A. R. Kampf ◽  
P. A. Williams ◽  
P. Leverett ◽  
G. Poirier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crystal Structure ◽  
Diffraction Pattern ◽  
Powder Diffraction ◽  
Empirical Formula ◽  
Direct Methods ◽  
Structure Type ◽  
New Mineral ◽  
Calculated Density ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Mohs Hardness

AbstractHydroniumpharmacosiderite, ideally (H3O)Fe4(AsO4)3(OH)4·4H2O, is a new mineral from Cornwall, UK, probably from the St. Day group of mines. It occurs as a single yellowish green, slightly elongated cube, measuring 0.17 mm ×0.14 mm ×0.14 mm. The mineral is transparent with a vitreous lustre. It is brittle with a cleavage on {001}, has an irregular fracture, a white streak and a Mohs hardness of 2–3 (determined on H3O-exchanged pharmacosiderite). Hydroniumpharmacosiderite has a calculated density of 2.559 g cm–3 for the empirical formula. The empirical formula, based upon 20.5 oxygen atoms, is: [(H3O)0.50K0.48Na0.06]1.04(Fe3.79Al0.22)4.01[(As2.73P0.15)2.88O12](OH)4·4H2.14O. The five strongest lines in the X-ray powder diffraction pattern are [dobs(Å),Iobs,(hkl)]: 8.050,100,(001); 3.265,35,(112); 2.412,30,(113); 2.830,23,(202); 4.628,22,(111). Hydroniumpharmacosiderite is cubic, space group with a = 7.9587(2) Å, V = 504.11(2) Å3 and Z = 1. The crystal structure was solved by direct methods and refined to R1 = 0.0481 for 520 reflections with I > 2σ(I). The structure is consistent with determinations for H3O-exhchanged pharmacosiderite and the general pharmacosiderite structure type.

Adanite, a new lead-tellurite-sulfate mineral from the North Star mine, Tintic, Utah, and Tombstone, Arizona, USA

2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 403-410
Author(s):  
Anthony R. Kampf ◽  
Robert M. Housley ◽  
George R. Rossman ◽  
Hexiong Yang ◽  
Robert T. Downs
Keyword(s):  
Raman Spectrum ◽  
Powder Diffraction ◽  
Monoclinic Space Group ◽  
Calculated Density ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Conchoidal Fracture ◽  
The North ◽  
Cochise County ◽  
Mohs Hardness

ABSTRACT Adanite, Pb2(Te4+O3)(SO4), is a new oxidation-zone mineral from the North Star mine, Tintic district, Juab County, Utah, and from Tombstone, Cochise County, Arizona, USA. The characterization of the species is based principally on North-Star holotype material. Crystals are beige wedge-shaped blades, up to about 1 mm in length, in cockscomb intergrowths. The mineral is transparent with adamantine luster, white streak, Mohs hardness 2½, brittle tenacity, conchoidal fracture, and no cleavage. The calculated density is 6.385 g/cm3. Adanite is biaxial (–), with α = 1.90(1), β = 2.04(calc), γ = 2.08(calc), 2V(meas) = 54(1)°. The Raman spectrum is consistent with the presence of tellurite and sulfate groups and the absence of OH and H2O. Electron-microprobe analyses gave the empirical formula Pb1.89Sb3+0.02Te4+0.98S6+1.04Cl0.02O6.98. The mineral is monoclinic, space group P21/n, with a = 7.3830(3), b = 10.7545(5), c = 9.3517(7) Å, β = 111.500(8)°, V = 690.86(7) Å3, and Z = 4. The four strongest X-ray powder diffraction lines are [dobs Å(I)(hkl)]: 6.744(47), 3.454(80), 3.301(100), and 3.048(73). The structure (R1 = 0.022 for 1906 I > 2σI reflections) contains Te4+O3 pyramids that are joined by short (strong) Pb–O bonds to form sheets. Interlayer SO4 groups link the sheets via long Pb–O and Te–O bonds.

Canutite, NaMn3[AsO4][AsO3(OH)]2, a new protonated alluaudite-group mineral from the Torrecillas mine, Iquique Province, Chile

2014 ◽  
Vol 78 (4) ◽  
pp. 787-795 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. R. Kampf ◽  
S. J. Mills ◽  
F. Hatert ◽  
B. P. Nash ◽  
M. Dini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Powder Diffraction ◽  
White Light ◽  
Electron Microprobe ◽  
New Mineral ◽  
Optical Orientation ◽  
Calculated Density ◽  
Secondary Alteration ◽  
Group Mineral ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Mohs Hardness

AbstractThe new mineral canutite (IMA2013-070), NaMn3[AsO4][AsO3(OH)]2, was found at two different locations at the Torrecillas mine, Salar Grande, Iquique Province, Chile, where it occurs as a secondary alteration phase in association with anhydrite, halite, lavendulan, magnesiokoritnigite, pyrite, quartz and scorodite. Canutite is reddish brown in colour. It forms as prisms elongated on [20] and exhibiting the forms {010}, {100}, {10}, {201} and {102}, or as tablets flattened on {102} and exhibiting the forms {102} and {110}. Crystals are transparent with a vitreous lustre. The mineral has a pale tan streak, Mohs hardness of 2½, brittle tenacity, splintery fracture and two perfect cleavages, on {010} and {101}. The calculated density is 4.112 g cm−3. Optically, canutite is biaxial (+) with α = 1.712(3), β = 1.725(3) and γ = 1.756(3) (measured in white light). The measured 2V is 65.6(4)°, the dispersion is r < v (slight), the optical orientation is Z = b; X ^ a = 18° in obtuse β and pleochroism is imperceptible. The mineral is slowly soluble in cold, dilute HCl. The empirical formula (for tabular crystals from near the mineshaft), determined from electron - microprobe analyses, is (Na1.05Mn2.64Mg0.34Cu0.14Co0.03)∑4.20As3O12H1.62. Canutite is monoclinic, C2/c, a = 12.3282(4), b = 12.6039(5), c = 6.8814(5) Å, β = 113.480(8)°, V = 980.72(10) Å3 and Z = 4. The eight strongest X-ray powder diffraction lines are [dobs Å(I)(hkl)]: 6.33(34)(020), 4.12(26)(21), 3.608(29)(310,31), 3.296(57)(12), 3.150(28)(002,131), 2.819(42)(400,041,330), 2.740(100)(240,02,112) and 1.5364(31)(multiple). The structure, refined to R1 = 2.33% for 1089 Fo > 4σF reflections, shows canutite to be isostructural with protonated members of the alluaudite group.

Ferroefremovite, (NH4)2Fe2+2(SO4)3, a new mineral from Solfatara di Pozzuoli, Campania, Italy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anatoly V. Kasatkin ◽  
Jakub Plášil ◽  
Radek Škoda ◽  
Italo Campostrini ◽  
Nikita V. Chukanov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Raman Spectrum ◽  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Electron Microprobe ◽  
Empirical Formula ◽  
New Mineral ◽  
Volcanic Complex ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Cubic Crystals ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Mohs Hardness

ABSTRACT The new sulfate mineral ferroefremovite, ideally (NH4)2Fe2+2(SO4)3, was discovered at the “Bocca Grande” fumarole, Solfatara di Pozzuoli, Flegrean Volcanic Complex, Naples Province, Campania, Italy. Associated minerals are adranosite, adranosite-(Fe), godovikovite, huizingite-(Al), mascagnite, and opal. Ferroefremovite forms cubic crystals up to 0.1 mm across. The new mineral is colorless and has a vitreous luster and white streak. It is brittle and has an uneven fracture. No cleavage or parting are observed. Mohs hardness is 2. Dmeas. = 2.69(1) g/cm3. Dcalc. = 2.700 g/cm3. Optically, ferroefremovite is isotropic, n = 1.574(3) (λ = 589 nm). It is non-pleochroic. The presence of the NH4+ cation is confirmed by the Raman spectrum. The chemical composition of ferroefremovite is (wt.%; electron microprobe, N determined by CNH analysis) (NH4)2O 11.51, Na2O 0.11, K2O 1.35, MgO 8.38, MnO 0.98, FeO 18.94, SO3 57.08, total 98.35. The empirical formula based on 12 O apfu is [(NH4)1.85K0.12Na0.01]Σ1.98(Fe2+1.11Mg0.87Mn0.06)Σ2.04S2.99O12. Ferroefremovite is cubic, space group P213, with a = 10.0484(9) Å, V = 1014.59(16) Å3, and Z = 4. The strongest lines of the powder X-ray diffraction pattern [d, Å (I, %) (hkl)] are 5.80 (40) (111), 4.50 (20) (201, 210), 4.11 (30) (211), 3.17 (100) (310, 301), 3.02 (20) (311), 2.68 (50) (312, 321), 1.86 (18) (502, 432), 1.62 (18) (523, 532, 611).

Ferribushmakinite, Pb2Fe3+(PO4)(VO4)(OH), the Fe3+ analogue of bushmakinite from the Silver Coin mine, Valmy, Nevada

2015 ◽  
Vol 79 (3) ◽  
pp. 661-669 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. R. Kampf ◽  
P. M. Adams ◽  
B. P. Nash ◽  
J. Marty
Keyword(s):  
Low Temperature ◽  
Electron Microprobe ◽  
New Mineral ◽  
Secondary Mineral ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Calculated Density ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Silver Coin ◽  
Humboldt County ◽  
Mohs Hardness

AbstractFerribushmakinite (IMA2014-055), Pb2Fe3+(PO4)(VO4)(OH), the Fe3+ analogue of bushmakinite, is a new mineral from the Silver Coin mine, Valmy, Iron Point district, Humboldt County, Nevada, USA, where it occurs as a low-temperature secondary mineral in association with plumbogummite, mottramite, Br-rich chlorargyrite and baryte on massive quartz. Ferribushmakinite forms yellow slightly flattened prisms up to 0.2 mm long growing in X and sixling twins. The streak is pale yellow. Crystals are translucent and have adamantine lustre. The Mohs hardness is ∼2, the tenacity is brittle, the fracture is irregular to splintery and crystals exhibit one or two fair cleavages in the [010] zone. The calculated density is 6.154 g/cm3. Electron microprobe analyses provided: PbO 63.69, CaO 0.07, CuO 1.11, Fe2O3 7.63, Al2O3 1.63, V2O5 12.65, As2O5 3.09, P2O58.63, H2O 1.50 (structure), total 100.00 wt.% (normalized). The empirical formula (based on nine O a.p.f.u.) is: (Pb1.99Ca0.01)Σ2.00(Fe0.66Al0.22Cu0.10)Σ0.98(V0.97P0.85As0.19)Σ2.01O7.84(OH)1.16. Ferribushmakinite is monoclinic, P21/m, a = 7.7719(10), b = 5.9060(7), c = 8.7929(12) Å, β = 111.604(8)°, V = 375.24(9) Å3 and Z = 2. The eight strongest lines in the powder X-ray diffraction pattern are [dobs in Å (I)(hkl)]: 4.794(46)(011); 3.245(84)(211); 2.947(100)(020,212,103); 2.743(49)(112); 2.288(30)(220); 1.8532(27)(314,403); 1.8084(27)(multiple); and 1.7204(28)(312,114,321). Ferribushmakinite is a member of the brackebuschite supergroup. Its structure (R1 = 3.83% for 577 Fo > 4σF) differs from that of bushmakinite only in the dominance of Fe3+ over Al in the octahedral site.

Magnesiokoritnigite, Mg(AsO3OH)·H2O, from the Torrecillas mine, Iquique Province, Chile: the Mg-analogue of koritnigite

2013 ◽  
Vol 77 (8) ◽  
pp. 3081-3092 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. R. Kampf ◽  
B. P. Nash ◽  
M. Dini ◽  
A. A. Molina Donoso
Keyword(s):  
Powder Diffraction ◽  
Electron Microprobe ◽  
New Mineral ◽  
Optical Orientation ◽  
Secondary Alteration ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Conchoidal Fracture ◽  
Pale Pink ◽  
Perfect Cleavage ◽  
Mohs Hardness

AbstractThe new mineral magnesiokoritnigite (IMA 2013-049), ideally Mg(AsO3OH)·H2O, was found at the Torrecillas mine, Salar Grande, Iquique Province, Chile, where it occurs as a secondary alteration phase in association with anhydrite, chudobaite, halite, lavendulan, quartz and scorodite. Crystals of magnesiokoritnigite are colourless to pale-pink, thin to thick laths up to 2 mm long. Laths are elongated on [001], flattened on {010} and exhibit the forms {010}, {110}, {10}, {101}, {031} and {01}. The crystals also occur in dense deep-pink intergrowths. Crystals are transparent with a vitreous lustre. The mineral has a white streak, Mohs hardness of ∼3, brittle tenacity, conchoidal fracture and one perfect cleavage on {101}. The measured and calculated densities are 2.95(3) and 2.935 g cm– 3, respectively. Optically, magnesiokoritnigite is biaxial (+) with α = 1.579(1), β = 1.586(1) and γ = 1.620(1) (measured in white light). The measured 2V is 50(2)° and the calculated 2V is 50°. Dispersion is r < v, medium. The optical orientation is Y ≈ b; Z ^ c = 36° in obtuse β (note pseudomonoclinic symmetry). The mineral is non-pleochroic. The empirical formula, determined from electron-microprobe analyses, is (Mg0.94Cu0.03Mn0.02Ca0.01)Σ 1.00As0.96O5H3.19. Magnesiokoritnigite is triclinic, P, with a = 7.8702(7), b = 15.8081(6), c = 6.6389(14) Å, α = 90.814(6), β = 96.193(6), γ = 90.094(7)°, V = 821.06(19) Å3 and Z = 8. The eight strongest X-ray powder diffraction lines are [dobs Å (I)(hkl)]: 7.96(100)(020), 4.80(54)(101), 3.791(85)(10,210,1,31), 3.242(56)(02,1,012), 3.157(92)(21,30,230), 3.021(61)(11,141,21,221), 2.798(41)(02,032) and 1.908(43)(multiple). The structure, refined to R1 = 5.74% for 2360 Fo > 4σF reflections, shows magnesiokoritnigite to be isostructural with koritnigite and cobaltkoritnigite.

Gajardoite, KCa0.5As3+4O6Cl2·5H2O, a new mineral related to lucabindiite and torrecillasite from the Torrecillas mine, Iquique Province, Chile

2016 ◽  
Vol 80 (7) ◽  
pp. 1265-1272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony R. Kampf ◽  
Barbara P. Nash ◽  
Maurizio Dini ◽  
Arturo Molina A. Donoso
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microprobe ◽  
Room Temperature ◽  
New Mineral ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Calculated Density ◽  
Secondary Alteration ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Mohs Hardness ◽  
Measured Density ◽  
Irregular Cleavage

AbstractThe new mineral gajardoite (IMA2015-040), KCa0.5As3+4O6Cl2·5H2O, was found at the Torrecillas mine, Iquique Province, Chile, where it occurs as a secondary alteration phase in association with native arsenic, arsenolite,chongite, talmessite and torrecillasite. Gajardoite occurs as hexagonal plates up to ∼100 μm in diameter and 5 μm thick, in rosette-like subparallel intergrowths. Crystals are transparent, with vitreous lustre and white streak. The Mohs hardness is ∼1½, tenacity is brittleand fracture is irregular. Cleavage is perfect on {001}. The measured density is 2.64 g/cm3 and the calculated density is 2.676 g/cm3. Optically, gajardoite is uniaxial (–) with ω = 1.780(3) and ε = 1.570(5) (measured in white light). The mineral is very slowly soluble in H2O and slowly soluble in dilute HCl at room temperature. The empirical formula, determined from electron-microprobe analyses, is (K0.77Ca0.71Na0.05Mg0.05)∑1.58As4O11Cl1.96H9.62.Gajardoite is hexagonal, P6/mmm, a = 5.2558(8), c = 15.9666(18) Å, V = 381.96(13) Å3 and Z = 1. The eight strongest powder X-ray diffraction lines are [dobs Å(I)(hkl)]: 16.00(100)(001), 5.31(48)(003),3.466 (31)(103), 3.013(44)(104), 2.624(51)(006,110,111), 2.353(36)(113), 1.8647(21)(116,205) and 1.4605(17) (119,303,216). The structure, refined to R1 = 3.49% for 169 Fo > 4σF reflections, contains two types of layers. One layer of formulaKAs3+4O6Cl2 consists of two neutral As2O3 sheets, between which are K+ cations and on the outside of which are Cl– anions. This layer is topologically identical to a slice of the lucabindiite structureand similar to a slice of the torrecillasite structure. The second layer consists of an edge-sharing sheet of Ca(H2O)6 trigonal pyramids with isolated H2O groups centred in the hexagonal cavities in the sheet.

Mauriziodiniite, NH4(As2O3)2I, the ammonium and iodine analogue of lucabindiite from the Torrecillas mine, Iquique Province, Chile

2019 ◽  
Vol 84 (2) ◽  
pp. 267-273
Author(s):  
Anthony R. Kampf ◽  
Barbara P. Nash ◽  
Arturo A. Molina Donoso
Keyword(s):  
White Light ◽  
Electron Microprobe ◽  
Empirical Formula ◽  
New Mineral ◽  
Calculated Density ◽  
Secondary Alteration ◽  
Layer Sequence ◽  
Mohs Hardness ◽  
Elastic Fracture ◽  
White Streak

AbstractThe new mineral mauriziodiniite (IMA2019-036), NH4(As2O3)2I, was found at the Torrecillas mine, Iquique Province, Chile, where it is a secondary alteration phase associated with calcite, cuatrocapaite-(NH4), lavendulan, magnesiokoritnigite and torrecillasite on matrix consisting of native arsenic, arsenolite and pyrite. Mauriziodiniite occurs as hexagonal tablets up to ~300 μm in diameter. Crystals are colourless and transparent, with pearly to adamantine lustre and white streak. The Mohs hardness is ~1. Tablets are sectile and easily flexible, but not elastic. Fracture is curved, irregular and stepped. Cleavage is perfect on {001}. The calculated density is 3.916 g/cm3. Optically, mauriziodiniite is uniaxial (–) with ω = 2.07(calc) and ɛ = 1.770(5) (white light). The empirical formula, determined from electron microprobe analyses, is (NH4)0.94K0.03(As2O3)2I0.92Cl0.03. Mauriziodiniite is hexagonal, P6/mmm, a = 5.289(2), c = 9.317(2) Å, V = 225.68(18) Å3 and Z = 1. The structure, refined to R1 = 4.16% for 135 Io > 2σI reflections, contains three types of layers: (1) a planar neutral As2O3 (arsenite) sheet; (2) an NH4+ layer that links adjacent arsenite sheets via bonds to their O atoms; and (3) an I– layer that links adjacent arsenite sheets via bonds to their As atoms. The layer sequence is I–As2O3–NH4–As2O3–I. Mauriziodiniite is isostructural with lucabindiite and is structurally related to gajardoite, cuatrocapaite-(NH4), cuatrocapaite-(K) and torrecillasite.

Moraskoite, Na2Mg(PO4)F, a new mineral from the Morasko IAB-MG iron meteorite (Poland)

2015 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. 387-398 ◽  
Author(s):  
Łukasz Karwowski ◽  
Joachim Kusz ◽  
Andrzej Muszyński ◽  
Ryszard Kryza ◽  
Maciej Sitarz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Raman Spectrum ◽  
Powder Diffraction ◽  
Empirical Formula ◽  
Iron Meteorite ◽  
New Mineral ◽  
Synthetic Analogue ◽  
Calculated Density ◽  
Conchoidal Fracture ◽  
Phosphate Phase ◽  
Individual Grains

AbstractMoraskoite, a new natural phosphate of composition Na2Mg(PO4)F, has been found in the Morasko IAB-MG iron meteorite. The new phosphate occurs in a graphite-troilite inclusion enclosed in a kamacite-taenite matrix. Associated minerals in the inclusions are chlorapatite, buchwaldite, brianite, merrillite, a new phosphate phase of composition Na4MgCa3(PO4)4, chromite, enstatite (bronzite), kosmochlor, kosmochlor–augite, olivine, albite, orthoclase, quartz, cohenite, schreibersite, nickelphosphide, altaite, pyrrhotite, sphalerite, daubreelite, djerfischerite, whitlockite and native Cu. The inclusions are rimmed by a schreibersite-cohenite halo. Moraskoite forms aggregates up to 1.5 mm in size, with individual grains 20–300 μm across. It is colourless and transparent, with a white streak and vitreous lustre; fluorescence is weak blue in ultraviolet radiation (254 and 360 nm); hardness is 4–5; it has irregular, conchoidal fracture and cleavage is rarely observed. Calculated density (using the empirical formula) is 2.925 g cm–3. The moraskoite structure (Pbcn, a = 5.2117(10), b = 13.711(3), c = 11.665(2) Å, V = 833.6(3) Å3 and Z = 8) is similar to that of its synthetic analogue. The strongest diffraction lines of the moraskoite powder diffraction pattern are as follows (dhkl, I): 3.909(75), 3.382(52), 2.955(90), 2.606(100), 2.571(96), 2.545(68), 1.691 (67). In the Raman spectrum, the following characteristic bands are distinguished (cm–1, strong bands bold): 1114, 1027, 962, 589, 438, 336, 308, 279, 262, 244, 193, 184, 147 and 131. The Raman data prove the absence of H2O and CO2. Moraskoite is interpreted as being a primary phosphate, which crystallized together with graphite, troilite and other accessories inside the nodule.

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