Ixiolite-(Mn2+)-Ixiolite-(Fe2+) Series
A solid-solution series between two end-member minerals
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About Ixiolite-(Mn2+)-Ixiolite-(Fe2+) Series
Ixion
Colour:
Steel-grey, black
Lustre:
Sub-Metallic
Hardness:
6 - 6½
Specific Gravity:
7.03 - 7.23
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
After Ixion in Greek mythology, a character related to Tantalus, in allusion to the tantalum content of the material.
First Recorded Locality:
Series Formula:
(Ta0.67Mn2+0.33)O2 to (Ta0.67Fe2+0.33)O2
A series between Ixiolite-(Mn2+) and Ixiolite-(Fe2+)
Complex oxide with disordered cation distribution (only one cation site in the asymmetric unit) and a unit cell equivalent to a subcell of columbite. Structurally, ixiolite can be regarded as a disordered form of tantalite. The degree of disorder depends on the chemical composition.
"Significant Sn, along with Mn, Fe, and Ti in its composition, is essential to the definition of this species, the disordered counterpart of wodginite, to which it alters on heating." (Handbook of Mineralogy)
Note: Some "ixiolites" are Nb-dominant ("ashanite"?) and probably a new species (see ixiolite varieties). In 2022, nioboixiolite-(Mn2+) was approved.
Orthorhombic, although some varieties seem to be monoclinic-pseudoorthorhombic (Wise et al., 1998).
Complex oxide with disordered cation distribution (only one cation site in the asymmetric unit) and a unit cell equivalent to a subcell of columbite. Structurally, ixiolite can be regarded as a disordered form of tantalite. The degree of disorder depends on the chemical composition.
"Significant Sn, along with Mn, Fe, and Ti in its composition, is essential to the definition of this species, the disordered counterpart of wodginite, to which it alters on heating." (Handbook of Mineralogy)
Note: Some "ixiolites" are Nb-dominant ("ashanite"?) and probably a new species (see ixiolite varieties). In 2022, nioboixiolite-(Mn2+) was approved.
Orthorhombic, although some varieties seem to be monoclinic-pseudoorthorhombic (Wise et al., 1998).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2059
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2059:2
Similar Names
| Ixiolite-(Fe2+) | A valid IMA mineral species | (Ta0.67Fe2+0.33)O2 |
| Ixiolite-(Mn2+) | A valid IMA mineral species | (Ta0.67Mn2+0.33)O2 |
| Ixiolite-(Sc) | A valid IMA mineral species | (Ta0.5Sc0.5)O2 |
| Ixolite |
IMA Classification of Ixiolite-(Mn2+)-Ixiolite-(Fe2+) Series
Approval year:
1962
First published:
1857
Classification of Ixiolite-(Mn2+)-Ixiolite-(Fe2+) Series
4..
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
:
:
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
:
:
8.1.10.1
8 : MULTIPLE OXIDES CONTAINING NIOBIUM,TANTALUM OR TITANIUM
1 : ABO4
8 : MULTIPLE OXIDES CONTAINING NIOBIUM,TANTALUM OR TITANIUM
1 : ABO4
18.1.41
18 : Niobates and Tantalates
1 : Niobates and tantalates containing neither rare earths nor U
18 : Niobates and Tantalates
1 : Niobates and tantalates containing neither rare earths nor U
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Ix | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Ixl | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Physical Properties of Ixiolite-(Mn2+)-Ixiolite-(Fe2+) Series
Sub-Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Steel-grey, black
Streak:
Brown to dark brown
Hardness:
6 - 6½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Sub-Conchoidal
Density:
7.03 - 7.23 g/cm3 (Measured) 7.39 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Chemical Analysis
Oxide wt%:
| 1 | |
|---|---|
| Ta2O5 | 48.00 % |
| Nb2O5 | 18.80 % |
| MnO | 2.40 % |
| FeO | 3.20 % |
| Sc2O3 | 18.80 % |
| Y2O3 | 0.10 % |
| TiO2 | 0.40 % |
| SnO2 | 7.30 % |
| Total: | 99 % |
Empirical formulas:
| Sample ID | Empirical Formula |
|---|---|
| 1 | (Sc1.46Ta1.16Nb0.76Sn0.26Fe0.24Mn0.18Ti0.03)Σ4.09O8 |
Sample references:
| ID | Locality | Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heftetjern pegmatite, Tørdal, Drangedal, Telemark, Norway | With large areas altered to microlite. Electron Micro Probe analysis. Empirical formula, see also Raade & Kristiansen (2000) |
Crystallography of Ixiolite-(Mn2+)-Ixiolite-(Fe2+) Series
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Cell Parameters:
a = 4.785 Å, b = 5.758 Å, c = 5.160 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.831 : 1 : 0.896
Unit Cell V:
142.17 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Single crystals are "columbite-like", also as spherical aggregates. Rectangular prisms with {100}, {001}, and {010}.
Twinning:
Twinned on {103} at times.
Comment:
Nickel et al. (1963) give space group Pcan (non-standard setting) and unit-cell parameters a = 5.731, b = 4.742, c = 5.152 Å. Grice et al. (1976) give space group Pbcn (non-standard setting) and the unit-cell parameters a = 4.785, b = 5.758, c = 5.160 Å (used above). Heating usually produces an ordered wodginite-type structure.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0005132 | Ixiolite-(Mn2+)-Ixiolite-(Fe2+) Series | Grice J D, Ferguson R B, Hawthorne F C (1976) The crystal structures of tantalite, ixiolite and wodginite from Bernic lake, Manitoba I. Tantalite and ixiolite The Canadian Mineralogist 14 540-549 |  | 1976 | Bernic lake, Manitoba, Canada | 0 | 293 |
| 0000125 | Ixiolite-(Mn2+)-Ixiolite-(Fe2+) Series | Nickel E H, Rowland J F, McAdam R C (1963) Ixiolite - a columbite substructure sample M-6591, note that the coordinates have been put into a standard setting American Mineralogist 48 961-979 | | 1963 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 34 : Complex granite pegmatites |
Geological Setting:
Ta-bearing granitic pegmatites
First Recorded Occurrence of Ixiolite-(Mn2+)-Ixiolite-(Fe2+) Series
Place of Conservation of First Recorded Material:
University of Finland, Helsinki, Finland, 1014.
Wroclaw University, Wroclaw, Poland, II–4874.
Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Canada, M6591.
Wroclaw University, Wroclaw, Poland, II–4874.
Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Canada, M6591.
Geological Setting of First Recorded Material:
Granitic pegmatite.
Synonyms of Ixiolite-(Mn2+)-Ixiolite-(Fe2+) Series
Other Language Names for Ixiolite-(Mn2+)-Ixiolite-(Fe2+) Series
Varieties of Ixiolite-(Mn2+)-Ixiolite-(Fe2+) Series
| Scandium-bearing Ixiolite (of Bergstøl & Juve) | First reported as a scandium-dominant variety of ixiolite (Bergstøl & Juve, 1988), that might be be a new species. The content of Sc2O2 was reported as varying from 1.70 to 18.80 wt % (Bergstøl & Juve, 1988). A scandium member in the ixiolite group, Ix... |
| Scandium-bearing Ixiolite (of von Knorring) | Von Knorring et al. (1969) described scandian ixiolite from Mozambique and Madagascar. The content of Sc2O3 in these these varied from 7.50 wt% (Naquissupa, Mozambique) to 2.10 wt% (Antsirabe, Madagascar) and 5.10 wt% (Betanimena, Madagascar). Later it wa... |
| Wolframoixiolite | Described as a tungsten-bearing variety of ixiolite, although the formula suggests it is Nb-dominant unlike ixiolite which is Ta-dominant; possibly a separate species. Compare qitianlingite. Originally reported from Polar Yakutia, Saha Republic (Sakha R... |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 6 photos of Ixiolite-(Mn2+)-Ixiolite-(Fe2+) Series associated with Albite | Na(AlSi3O8) |
| 5 photos of Ixiolite-(Mn2+)-Ixiolite-(Fe2+) Series associated with Beryl | Be3Al2(Si6O18) |
| 4 photos of Ixiolite-(Mn2+)-Ixiolite-(Fe2+) Series associated with Muscovite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| 3 photos of Ixiolite-(Mn2+)-Ixiolite-(Fe2+) Series associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 3 photos of Ixiolite-(Mn2+)-Ixiolite-(Fe2+) Series associated with 'Cleavelandite' | Na(AlSi3O8) |
| 2 photos of Ixiolite-(Mn2+)-Ixiolite-(Fe2+) Series associated with Thorite | Th(SiO4) |
| 2 photos of Ixiolite-(Mn2+)-Ixiolite-(Fe2+) Series associated with Microcline | K(AlSi3O8) |
| 2 photos of Ixiolite-(Mn2+)-Ixiolite-(Fe2+) Series associated with Wodginite | Mn2+Sn4+Ta2O8 |
| 1 photo of Ixiolite-(Mn2+)-Ixiolite-(Fe2+) Series associated with Microlite Group | A2-mTa2X6-wZ1-n |
| 1 photo of Ixiolite-(Mn2+)-Ixiolite-(Fe2+) Series associated with Fersmite | CaNb2O6 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:
Heating above 700 °C induces order; either to wodginite structure or to columbite structure depending on chemistry.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Industrial Uses:
Ta-ore
Internet Links for Ixiolite-(Mn2+)-Ixiolite-(Fe2+) Series
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https://www.mindat.org/min-2059.html
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References for Ixiolite-(Mn2+)-Ixiolite-(Fe2+) Series
Reference List:
Nordenskiöld, A. E. (1857) Beitrag zu Finnlands Mineralogie. Annalen der Physik und Chemie, 177. 625-642 doi:10.1002/andp.18571770807
Åmark, Karin (1941) Minerals of the Varuträsk Pegmatite. XXIX. An X'ray study of stanniferous columbite from Varuträsk and of the related Finnish minerals ainalite and ixiolite. Geologiska Föreningen i Stockholm Förhandlingar, 63 (3). 295-299 doi:10.1080/11035894109445061
Nickel, E. H., Rowland, J. F., McAdam, R. C. (1963) Ixiolite---a columbite substructure. American Mineralogist, 48 (9-10) 961-979
(2005) Ixiolite-(Mn2+)-Ixiolite-(Fe2+) Series. Handbook of Mineralogy. Mineralogical Society of America
Badanina, E. V., Gordienko, V. V., Wiechowski, A., Friedrich, G. (2008) Sc- and REE-bearing ixiolite and associated minerals from the Sosedka pegmatite vein in the Malkhan pegmatite field, central Transbaikal region. Geology of Ore Deposits, 50 (8) 772-781 doi:10.1134/s107570150808014x
Localities for Ixiolite-(Mn2+)-Ixiolite-(Fe2+) Series
Showing 243 localities.
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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.
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Belogorskoe Ta-Be deposit, Samar District, East Kazakhstan Region, Kazakhstan