Iranite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Iranite
Formula:
Pb10Cu(CrO4)6(SiO4)2(OH)2
Colour:
Saffron-yellow
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
3
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Member of:
Name:
After the type locality in the country of Iran.
Hemihedrite-Iranite Series. The copper analogue of hemihedrite.
Bariand and Poullen (1980) suggest that the type locality is probably not the Sebarz mine as given in Bariand and Herpin (1963), but the Chah-Khouni mine.
Bariand and Poullen (1980) suggest that the type locality is probably not the Sebarz mine as given in Bariand and Herpin (1963), but the Chah-Khouni mine.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2040
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2040:0
Similar Names
| Arenite | A rock classification type | |
| Arenito | A synonym of 'Sandstone' | |
| Erinita | A synonym of 'Erinite (of van der Lingen)' | |
| Erinite (of Beudant) | A synonym of Chalcophyllite | |
| Erinite (of Haidinger) | A synonym of Cornwallite | |
| Erinite (of van der Lingen) | A synonym of Spessartine | |
| Granite | A rock classification type | |
| Ikranite | A valid IMA mineral species | (Na,H3O)15(Ca,Mn2+)6Fe23+Zr3[H0-3Si3O9)2(Si9O27)2SiO]Cl · 2-3H2O |
| Iraqite-(La) | A valid IMA mineral species | KCa2(La,Ce,Th)Si8O20 |
| Oranite | ||
| Ranite | A synonym of Gonnardite | |
| Uraniitti | A synonym of Uraninite | |
| Uranite | A synonym of 'Uranium Mica' |
IMA Classification of Iranite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Pb2+10Cu2+(Cr6+O4)6(SiO4)2(OH)2
First published:
1963
Classification of Iranite
7.FC.15
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
F : Chromates
C : With PO4, AsO4, SiO4
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
F : Chromates
C : With PO4, AsO4, SiO4
Dana 7th ed.:
36.1.1.1
36.1.1.1
36 : COMPOUND CHROMATES
1 : Miscellaneous
36 : COMPOUND CHROMATES
1 : Miscellaneous
27.2.8
27 : Sulphites, Chromates, Molybdates and Tungstates
2 : Chromates
27 : Sulphites, Chromates, Molybdates and Tungstates
2 : Chromates
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Irn | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Iranite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Iranite
Optical Data of Iranite
Type:
Biaxial
RI values:
nα = 2.25 - 2.3 nγ = 2.4 - 2.5
2V:
Measured: Very large°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.150 - 0.200
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. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
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. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
Very High (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Dispersion:
relatively strong
Optical Extinction:
Extinction 5° to the elongation.
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
On (100): brownish-orange along the elongation, yellow-orange perpendicular to the elongation.
Comments:
One index of refraction was approximately 2.25-2.30, and another was 2.40-2.50.
Chemistry of Iranite
Mindat Formula:
Pb10Cu(CrO4)6(SiO4)2(OH)2
Element Weights:
Common Impurities:
Zn
Crystallography of Iranite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.5416(4) Å, b = 11.3992(5) Å, c = 11.3992(4) Å
α = 120.472(2)°, β = 92.470(2)°, γ = 55.531(2)°
α = 120.472(2)°, β = 92.470(2)°, γ = 55.531(2)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.837 : 1 : 1
Unit Cell V:
827.46 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1
Morphology:
Type description: Prominant forms {100}, {010}, {011} and also visible {101}, {001}, {102}.
Twinning:
Common on (121)
Comment:
Cell parameters from Tang et al. (2007).
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0010340 | Iranite | Yang H, Sano J L, Eichler C, Downs R T, Costin G (2007) Iranite, CuPb10(CrO4)6(SiO4)2(OH)2, isomorphous with hemihedrite Acta Crystallographica C63 i122-i124 |  | 2007 | Chapacase mine, Sierra Cerillos district, Tocopilla, Chile | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.60 Å | (100) |
| 3.49 Å | (100) |
| 3.28 Å | (100) |
| 3.18 Å | (100) |
| 3.08 Å | (100) |
| 4.84 Å | (80) |
| 4.42 Å | (80) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates] |
Type Occurrence of Iranite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Crystals to 0.5 mm.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
University of Pierre and Marie Curie, Paris.
National School of Mines, Paris, France.
The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1969,52.
National School of Mines, Paris, France.
The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1969,52.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Oxidized zone of hydrothermal veins.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Iranite
Other Language Names for Iranite
Relationship of Iranite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Iranite Group:
| Hemihedrite | Pb10Zn(CrO4)6(SiO4)2(OH)2 | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Raygrantite | Pb10Zn(SO4)6(SiO4)2(OH)2 | Tric. 1 : P1 |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 21 photos of Iranite associated with Fornacite | Pb2Cu(CrO4)(AsO4)(OH) |
| 18 photos of Iranite associated with Mimetite | Pb5(AsO4)3Cl |
| 13 photos of Iranite associated with Wulfenite | Pb(MoO4) |
| 12 photos of Iranite associated with Phoenicochroite | Pb2(CrO4)O |
| 7 photos of Iranite associated with Wickenburgite | CaPb3Al2Si10O24(OH)6 |
| 6 photos of Iranite associated with 'Chromium-bearing Wulfenite' | Pb(Mo,Cr)O4 |
| 5 photos of Iranite associated with Hemimorphite | Zn4Si2O7(OH)2 · H2O |
| 4 photos of Iranite associated with Galena | PbS |
| 3 photos of Iranite associated with Polyhalite | K2Ca2Mg(SO4)4 · 2H2O |
| 3 photos of Iranite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.FC.05 | Vauquelinite | Pb2Cu(CrO4)(PO4)(OH) |
| 7.FC.10 | Fornacite | Pb2Cu(CrO4)(AsO4)(OH) |
| 7.FC.10 | Molybdofornacite | Pb2Cu(MoO4,CrO4)(AsO4,PO4)(OH) |
| 7.FC.15 | Hemihedrite | Pb10Zn(CrO4)6(SiO4)2(OH)2 |
| 7.FC.15 | Raygrantite | Pb10Zn(SO4)6(SiO4)2(OH)2 |
| 7.FC.20 | Embreyite | Pb5(CrO4)2(PO4)2 · H2O |
| 7.FC.20 | Cassedanneite | Pb5(CrO4)2(VO4)2 · H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in warm Na2CO3 solution.
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 Iranite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2040.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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Mineral Dealers:
References for Iranite
Reference List:
Bariand, Pierre, Herpin, Paulette (1963) Une nouvelle espèce minérale : l'iranite, chromate hydraté de plomb. Bulletin de Minéralogie, 86 (2) 133-135 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1963.5633
Adib, D., Ottemann, J. (1970) Some new lead oxide minerals and murdochite from T. Khuni Mine, Anarak, Iran. Mineralium Deposita, 5 (1) 86-93 doi:10.1007/bf00207007
Fleischer, Michael, Pabst, Adolf, Mandarino, Joseph A., Chao, George Y., Cabri, Louis, J. (1976) New Mineral Names. American Mineralogist, 61 (1-2) 174-186 p.186
Bariand, Pierre, Poullen, J. F. (1980) Rare Chromates from Seh-Changi, Iran. The Mineralogical Record, 11 (5) Tucson. 293-297
Cesbron, Fabien, Williams, Sydney A. (1980) Iranite˗hémihédrite, bellite, phoenicochroite, vauquelinite et fornacite : synthèse et nouvelles données. Bulletin de Minéralogie, 103 (5) 469-477 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1980.7409
Localities for Iranite
Showing 17 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.
Chile | |
| SEM-EDS and Raman Spectroscopy by Joy ... |
| M.Dini & A.Molina collection | |
| "Yacimientos Metalíferos de Chile" +1 other reference |
| Maurizio Dini collection +1 other reference |
| T. Kampf analysis |
Iran | |
| Bariand |
| Bariand et al. (1963) | |
| Andreas Schloth collection |
UK | |
| The First British Occurrence of Iranite From The Leadhills-Wanlockhead Mining District (2025) |
USA | |
| Luetcke (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
| The following photos with MinIDs are ... +3 other references |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Castor et al. (2004) +1 other reference |
| Hayes et al. (2008) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
Quick NavTopAbout IraniteUnique IdentifiersSimilar NamesIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPronunciation Physical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Chah Khouni Mine, Anarak District, Nain County, Isfahan Province, Iran