Zincospiroffite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Zincospiroffite
Formula:
Zn2Te4+3O8
Colour:
Grey
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2½
Specific Gravity:
5.57 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named as the zinc analogue of Spiroffite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
25709
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:25709:3
IMA Classification of Zincospiroffite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Zn2+2Te4+3O8
Approval year:
2002
First published:
2004
Classification of Zincospiroffite
4.JK.10
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
K : Tellurites without additional anions, without H2O
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
K : Tellurites without additional anions, without H2O
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Zspf | 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 Zincospiroffite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Grey
Streak:
Dark green
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
5.57 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Zincospiroffite
Anisotropism:
Weak
Bireflectance:
Weak
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 (%) | R2 (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 400nm | 22.3% | 29.7% |
| 420nm | 12.7% | 16.1% |
| 440nm | 6.9% | 8.6% |
| 460nm | 6.7% | 7.3% |
| 470nm | 7.0% | 7.5% |
| 480nm | 7.4% | 7.7% |
| 500nm | 7.6% | 7.9% |
| 520nm | 7.6% | 8.1% |
| 540nm | 7.4% | 7.8% |
| 546nm | 7.1% | 7.3% |
| 560nm | 6.9% | 6.9% |
| 580nm | 6.4% | 6.4% |
| 589nm | 6.1% | 6.2% |
| 600nm | 5.9% | 6.0% |
| 620nm | 5.4% | 5.6% |
| 640nm | 4.8% | 5.3% |
| 650nm | 4.4% | 5.0% |
| 660nm | 4.1% | 4.6% |
| 680nm | 3.6% | 4.2% |
| 700nm | 3.1% | 3.7% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 29.7%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
Gray
Internal Reflections:
None
Pleochroism:
Weak
Chemistry of Zincospiroffite
Mindat Formula:
Zn2Te4+3O8
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Zincospiroffite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/b
Setting:
C2/c
Cell Parameters:
a = 12.72(4) Å, b = 5.15(1) Å, c = 11.82(3) Å
β = 99.2(3)°
β = 99.2(3)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 2.47 : 1 : 2.295
Unit Cell V:
764.34 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
micrometric aggregates to 0.35 mm
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 4.758 Å | (w) |
| 3.240 Å | (w) |
| 2.928 Å | (m) |
| 2.820 Å | (w) |
| 2.155 Å | (w) |
| 1.985 Å | (w) |
| 1.599 Å | (w) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47e : [Vanadates, chromates, manganates] | |
| 47h : [Near-surface oxidized, dehydrated minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Zincospiroffite
General Appearance of Type Material:
As micrometric films coating calaverite or in irregular aggregates replacing calaverite .
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Geological Museum of China, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; M10442.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Secondary co-oxidation product in gold-bearing ore veins.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Zincospiroffite
Other Language Names for Zincospiroffite
Dutch:Zincospiroffiet
German:Zincospiroffit
Zinkospiroffit
Zinkospiroffit
Simplified Chinese:碲锌石
Traditional Chinese:碲鋅石
Relationship of Zincospiroffite to other Species
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 12 photos of Zincospiroffite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 4 photos of Zincospiroffite associated with Eurekadumpite | (Cu,Zn)16(TeO3)2(AsO4)3Cl(OH)18 · 7H2O |
| 3 photos of Zincospiroffite associated with Zemannite | Mg0.5ZnFe3+(Te4+O3)3 · 4.5H2O |
| 3 photos of Zincospiroffite associated with Goldfieldite | (Cu4◻2)(Cu4Cu+2)Te4S12S |
| 3 photos of Zincospiroffite associated with Baryte | BaSO4 |
| 1 photo of Zincospiroffite associated with Arsenogoldfieldite | (Cu4Cu2)(Cu4Cu+2)(As2Te2)S12S |
| 1 photo of Zincospiroffite associated with Goethite | Fe3+O(OH) |
| 1 photo of Zincospiroffite associated with Hessite | Ag2Te |
| 1 photo of Zincospiroffite associated with Dugganite | Pb3Zn3(AsO4)2(TeO6) |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.JK. | Matthiasweilite | PbTe4+O3 |
| 4.JK.05 | Walfordite | (Fe3+,Te6+)Te4+3O8 |
| 4.JK.05 | Winstanleyite | TiTe4+3O8 |
| 4.JK.10 | Spiroffite | Mn2+2Te4+3O8 |
| 4.JK.15 | Balyakinite | Cu(TeO3) |
| 4.JK.20 | Rajite | Cu(Te4+2O5) |
| 4.JK.25 | Carlfriesite | CaTe4+2Te6+O8 |
| 4.JK.30 | Chenzhangruite | MnFe2+Te4+4O10 |
| 4.JK.30 | Stankeithite | Mn2+Mn2+Te4+4 O10 |
| 4.JK.30 | Paulhlavaite | CaCuTe4+ 4O10 |
| 4.JK.30 | Denningite | CaMn2+Te4+4O10 |
| 4.JK.35 | Chekhovichite | Bi2Te4+4O11 |
| 4.JK.40 | Smirnite | Bi2Te4+O5 |
| 4.JK.45 | Choloalite | (Cu,Sb)3(Pb,Ca)3(TeO3)6Cl |
| 4.JK.50 | Fairbankite | Pb2+12(Te4+O3)11(SO4) |
| 4.JK.55 | Plumbotellurite | Pb(TeO3) |
| 4.JK.60 | Magnolite | [Hg2]2+[Te4+O3] |
| 4.JK.65 | Moctezumite | Pb(UO2)(TeO3)2 |
| 4.JK.70 | Schmitterite | (UO2)(TeO3) |
| 4.JK.75 | Cliffordite | (UO2)Te4+3O7 |
Other Information
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 Zincospiroffite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-25709.html
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References for Zincospiroffite
Localities for Zincospiroffite
Showing 8 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.
China | |
| Peihua Zhang et al. (2002) +1 other reference |
| Zhang et al. (2004) |
Mexico | |
| In the collection of Brent Thorne. ... |
USA | |
| Joy Desor |
| Collected by and in the collection of ... +1 other reference |
| Collected by and in the collection of ... | |
| EDS analyzed. |
| In the collection of Alex Earl |
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Hilltop Mine, Organ Mining District, Organ Mountains, Doña Ana County, New Mexico, USA