Alvanite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Alvanite
Formula:
ZnAl4(V5+O3)2(OH)12 · 2H2O
Colour:
Pale bluish green to bluish black.
Lustre:
Vitreous, Pearly
Hardness:
3 - 3½
Specific Gravity:
2.49
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named in allusion to its composition, containing ALuminium and VANadium.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
165
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:165:2
Similar Names
| Albanite | A synonym of 'Clinopyroxene leucitite' | |
| Aldanite | A variety of Thorianite | (Th,Pb)O2 ? |
| Allanite | A synonym of Allanite Group | |
| Allanite-(Ce) | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | (CaCe)(AlAlFe2+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH) |
| Allanite-(La) | A valid IMA mineral species | (CaLa)(AlAlFe2+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH) |
| Allanite-(Nd) | A valid IMA mineral species | (CaNd)(AlAlFe2+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH) |
| Allanite-(Sm) | A valid IMA mineral species | (CaSm)(AlAlFe2+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH) |
| Allanite-(Y) | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | (CaY)(AlAlFe2+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH) |
| Elvanite | A synonym of 'Elvan' |
IMA Classification of Alvanite
Classification of Alvanite
8.FE.05
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
F : Polyphosphates, Polyarsenates, [4]-Polyvanadates
E : Ino-[4]-vanadates
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
F : Polyphosphates, Polyarsenates, [4]-Polyvanadates
E : Ino-[4]-vanadates
42.13.13.1
42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
13 : Miscellaneous
42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
13 : Miscellaneous
21.3.2
21 : Vanadates (and vanadates with arsenate or phosphate)
3 : Vanadates of Al, rare earths, Pb, V or Bi
21 : Vanadates (and vanadates with arsenate or phosphate)
3 : Vanadates of Al, rare earths, Pb, V or Bi
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Alv | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Alvanite
Vitreous, Pearly
Transparency:
Translucent
Comment:
Pearly on cleavages.
Colour:
Pale bluish green to bluish black.
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3 - 3½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {010}.
On {010}.
Fracture:
Micaceous
Density:
2.49 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.492 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Alvanite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.658 nγ = 1.714
2V:
Measured: 80° to 85°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.056
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
r < v, strong
Chemistry of Alvanite
Mindat Formula:
ZnAl4(V5+O3)2(OH)12 · 2H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Alvanite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 17.808 Å, b = 5.132 Å, c = 8.881 Å
β = 92.11°
β = 92.11°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 3.47 : 1 : 1.731
Unit Cell V:
811.09 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
In hexagonal platelets, micalike, with forms {001}, {010}, {100}, and {101}.
Twinning:
Polysynthetic, parallel to {010}.
Crystal Structure
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0014847 | Alvanite | Pertlik F, Dunn P J (1990) Crystal structure of alvanite, (Zn,Ni)Al4(VO3)2(OH)12*2H2O, the first example of an unbranched zweier-single chain vanadate in nature Neues Jahrbuch fur Mineralogie, Monatshefte 1990 385-392 | 1990 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 4.46 Å | (100) |
| 8.91 Å | (90) |
| 7.85 Å | (80) |
| 5.02 Å | (50) |
| 1.973 Å | (40) |
| 3.287 Å | (35) |
| 2.957 Å | (35) |
Comments:
Kazakhstan. Data from Dunn et al. (1990).
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47e : [Vanadates, chromates, manganates] |
Type Occurrence of Alvanite
Co-Type Localities:
General Appearance of Type Material:
Micalike platelets.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Mining Institute, St. Petersburg, 1249/2; A.E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, 65614.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
In the oxidation zone of a vanadiferous clay-anthraxolite horizon.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Alvanite
Relationship of Alvanite to other Species
Structurally related to group(s):
| Chalcoalumite Group | A group of metal(II)-Al-sulphates, with additional anions in some species. |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.FE. | Yellowcatite | KNaFe3+2(Se4+O3)2(V5+2O7) · 7H2O |
| 8.FE.05 | Ankinovichite | (Ni,Zn)Al4(V5+O3)2(OH)12 · 2.5H2O |
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:
Heated in the closed tube, it yields much acid water and turns brown.
Notes:
Soluble in HCl and HNO3 only when heated.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Alvanite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-165.html
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References for Alvanite
Localities for Alvanite
Showing 4 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Kazakhstan (TL) | |
| Ankinovich (1959) +2 other references |
| Amer.Mineral. (1961) |
| Ankinovich (1959) +2 other references |
| Bernard et al. (2004) |
Quick NavTopAbout AlvaniteUnique IdentifiersSimilar NamesIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence Other LanguagesRelationshipsStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Kurumsak V Deposit, Aksumbe, Sozak District, Turkistan Region, Kazakhstan