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Irtyshite

A valid IMA mineral species
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08597420017271923914932.jpg
Irtysh River, Kazakhstan
Formula:
Na2(Ta,Nb)4O11
Colour:
Colorless
Lustre:
Adamantine
Hardness:
7
Specific Gravity:
7.03 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Name:
Named for the Irtysh River, a major river close to the type locality. The Irtysh leads into the Ob River. The pair, taken together, form the seventh longest river in the world.
This page provides mineralogical data about Irtyshite.


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Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
2049
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2049:3

IMA Classification of IrtyshiteHide

Classification of IrtyshiteHide

Strunz-mindat (2026):
4.DJ.05

4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
D : Metal: Oxygen = 1:2 and similar
J : With large (+- medium-sized) cations; polyhedral frameworks
Dana 8th ed.:
8.6.2.3

8 : MULTIPLE OXIDES CONTAINING NIOBIUM,TANTALUM OR TITANIUM
6 : (AB)6O11·nH2O
Hey's CIM Ref.:
18.1.6

18 : Niobates and Tantalates
1 : Niobates and tantalates containing neither rare earths nor U

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference for Standard
IrtIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of IrtyshiteHide

Lustre:
Adamantine
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colorless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
7 on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN20=1190 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Comment:
VHN40 = 1030
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
7.03 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of IrtyshiteHide

Type:
Uniaxial
Reflectivity:
WavelengthR1 (%)R2 (%)
486nm18.0%19.0%
553nm18.6%19.5%
589nm18.9%19.6%
656nm18.5%18.7%


Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 19.6%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic

Chemistry of IrtyshiteHide

Mindat Formula:
Na2(Ta,Nb)4O11
Element Weights:
Element% weight
Ta76.530 %
O18.609 %
Na4.862 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
Elements listed:
Na, Nb, O, Ta - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of IrtyshiteHide

Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.23 Å, c = 36.77 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 5.902
Unit Cell V:
1,235.95 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
6
Comment:
Р6 3/m ог Р6 3

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks>3.0
34 : Complex granite pegmatites

Type Occurrence of IrtyshiteHide

Type Locality:
ⓘ Ungursai Ta Deposit, Irtysh River, East Kazakhstan Region, Kazakhstan
General Appearance of Type Material:
veins (0.02x0.2mm) and irregular grains (0.05mm)
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
A.E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, 43776.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Granitic pegmatites
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Cassiterite'Ixiolite-(Mn2+)-Ixiolite-(Fe2+) Series'LithiotantiteTantalite-(Mn)Thoreaulite
Reference:
Voloshin, A.V., Pakhomovsky, Y.A., Bulgak, L.V., Perlina, G.A. (1985) Irtyshite - a new mineral from granitic pegmatites. Mineralogiceskij Zhurnal: 7: 83-87.

Synonyms of IrtyshiteHide

Other Language Names for IrtyshiteHide

Dutch:Irtyshiet
German:Irtyshit
Spanish:Irtyshita

Relationship of Irtyshite to other SpeciesHide

Member of:
Natrotantite Group
Other Members of Natrotantite Group:
CalciotantiteCaTa4O11Hex. 622 : P6322
NatrotantiteNa2Ta4O11Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3c

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

4.DJ.05NatrotantiteNa2Ta4O11Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3c
4.DJ.05CalciotantiteCaTa4O11Hex. 622 : P6322

Other InformationHide

Notes:
yellow-green cathodoluminescence
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 IrtyshiteHide

References for IrtyshiteHide

Localities for IrtyshiteHide

Showing 2 localities.

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
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Locality ListHide

- 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). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Kazakhstan (TL)
 
  • East Kazakhstan Region
    • Irtysh River
Voloshin et al. (1985) +1 other reference
    • Ulan District
В +19 other references
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