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Melanovanadite

A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About MelanovanaditeHide

Formula:
Ca(V5+,V4+)4O10 · 5H2O
Colour:
Black; dark reddish brown in transmitted light
Lustre:
Sub-Metallic
Hardness:
Specific Gravity:
2.55
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
From the Greek for "black," in allusion to its colour, and in allusion to its composition, containing VANADium.
A secondary mineral occurring in Colorado Plateau-type U-V deposits and in altered black shale in a very rich vanadium deposit (TL). Contains interlayer H2O which is easily displaced.

Charge balance implies the correct ideal formula is CaV5+2V4+2O10 · 5H2O


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
2622
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2622:8

IMA Classification of MelanovanaditeHide

Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
CaV4+2V5+2O10·5H2O
First published:
1921

Classification of MelanovanaditeHide

4.HE.05

4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
H : V[5,6] Vanadates
E : Phyllovanadates
47.3.6.1

47 : VANADIUM OXYSALTS
3 : Hydrated Normal Vanadium Oxysalts
21.2.10

21 : Vanadates (and vanadates with arsenate or phosphate)
2 : Vanadates of Mg, Ca, Sr or Ba

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

Physical Properties of MelanovanaditeHide

Sub-Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Black; dark reddish brown in transmitted light
Streak:
Dark reddish brown
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {010}, perfect.
Density:
2.55 g/cm3 (Measured)    2.53 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of MelanovanaditeHide

Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.73 nβ = 1.96 nγ = 1.98
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.250
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.

Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
relatively strong
Optical Extinction:
Z = b; Y ∧ c = 15°.
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X = Light reddish brown; Y = Deep reddish brown; Z = Dark reddish brown.
Comments:
2V = medium.

Chemistry of MelanovanaditeHide

Mindat Formula:
Ca(V5+,V4+)4O10 · 5H2O
Element Weights:
Element% weight
O48.590 %
V41.255 %
Ca8.114 %
H2.041 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.

Crystallography of MelanovanaditeHide

Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.360(2) Å, b = 18.090(9) Å, c = 6.276(2) Å
α = 110.18(4)°, β = 101.62(3)°, γ = 82.86(4)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.352 : 1 : 0.347
Unit Cell V:
662.67 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Crystals prismatic, striated and elongated [001], with prominent but rounded prism zone and complexly terminated; radiating aggregates and rosettes; velvety.

Crystal StructureHide

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0001095MelanovanaditeKonnert J A, Evans H T (1987) Crystal structure and crystal chemistry of melanovanadite, a natural vanadium bronze note: reportd Uiso values seem off by a factor of 10, so they have been modified American Mineralogist 72 637-6441987Minas Ragra, Cerro de Pasco, Peru0293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Loading XRD data...
Data Set:
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
8.40 Å(100)
4.208 Å(55)
2.974 Å(50)
2.473 Å(50)
3.109 Å(45)
4.120 Å(40)
3.182 Å(40)
Comments:
Minasragra, Peru. Data from Bayliss and Hughes (1985).

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Geological Setting:
Colorado Plateau-type U-V deposits in Shinarump sandstone.

Type Occurrence of MelanovanaditeHide

Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA: #90452. American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York, USA: #19310. U.S. National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA: #138067, 160076.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Altered black shale in a very rich vanadium deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Other Language Names for MelanovanaditeHide

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
47 photos of Melanovanadite associated with PatróniteVS4
8 photos of Melanovanadite associated with PyriteFeS2
3 photos of Melanovanadite associated with BarianditeAl0.6(V5+,V4+)8O20 · 9H2O
2 photos of Melanovanadite associated with 'Bravoite'(Fe,Ni)S2
1 photo of Melanovanadite associated with Fernandinite(Ca,K)(V5+,V4+,Fe2+)8O20 · 10H2O
1 photo of Melanovanadite associated with Corvusite(Na,K,Ca,Mg)2(V5+,V4+,Fe2+)8O20 · 6-10H2O
1 photo of Melanovanadite associated with MartyiteZn3(V2O7)(OH)2 · 2H2O

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

4.HE.10ShcherbinaiteV5+2O5Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pmmn
4.HE.15HewettiteCaV6O16 · 9H2OMon. 2/m : P21/m
4.HE.15MetahewettiteCaV6O16 · 3H2OMon. 2/m
4.HE.20BarianditeAl0.6(V5+,V4+)8O20 · 9H2OMon.
4.HE.20Corvusite(Na,K,Ca,Mg)2(V5+,V4+,Fe2+)8O20 · 6-10H2OMon. 2/m : B2/m
4.HE.20Bokite(Al,Fe)1.3(V5+,V4+,Fe3+)8O20 · 7.5H2OMon.
4.HE.20Fernandinite(Ca,K)(V5+,V4+,Fe2+)8O20 · 10H2OMon. 2/m : B2/m
4.HE.20Straczekite(Ca,K,Ba)(V5+,V4+)8O20 · 3H2OMon. 2/m : B2/m
4.HE.25HäggiteV3+V4+O2(OH)3Mon. 2/m : B2/m
4.HE.30DoloresiteV4+3O4(OH)4Mon. 2/m : B2/m
4.HE.35DuttoniteV4+O(OH)2Mon. 2/m
4.HE.40CavoiteCaV4+3O7Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma

Other InformationHide

Thermal Behaviour:
Before the blowpipe it fuses easily to a brown liquid.
Notes:
Readily soluble in acids. Decomposed by KOH.
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 MelanovanaditeHide

References for MelanovanaditeHide

Localities for MelanovanaditeHide

Showing 27 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.
Czech Republic
 
  • Pardubice Region
    • Chrudim District
      • Prachovice
Sejkora et al. (2013)
Gabon
 
  • Haut-Ogooué Province
    • Léboumbi-Leyou Department
      • Mounana
Geffroy et al. (1960)
Peru (TL)
 
  • Pasco
    • Pasco Province
      • Huayllay District
Lindgren (1921) +2 other references
Spain
 
  • Canary Islands
    • Santa Cruz de Tenerife Province
      • Tenerife
        • Candelaria
          • Barranco Hondo
Dill et al. (2023)
USA
 
  • Arizona
    • Apache County
      • Lukachukai Mountains
        • Lukachukai Mining District
Galbraith (1959)
          • White Ash Peak
Page et al. (1956) +2 other references
Scarborough (1981)
Galbraith (1959) +1 other reference
Galbraith (1959) +1 other reference
  • Colorado
    • Garfield County
      • East Rifle Creek area
Eckel et al. (1997)
    • Mesa County
      • Gateway Mining District
        • Beaver Mesa
Carnegie Museum of Natural History ...
    • Montrose County
      • Bull Canyon
Garrels et al. (1959)
      • Paradox Valley
Eckel et al. (1997)
USGS Prof Paper 320
Thorne (n.d.)
In the collection of Alex Earl
Eckel et al. (1997)
    • Slick Rock Mining District
Collected by and in the collection of ...
  • Utah
    • Grand County
      • Gateway Mining District
Thorne (n.d.)
Collection of Joe Marty
      • Thompsons Mining District
Bullock (1981)
        • Yellow Cat Mesa
Kasatkin et al. (2014) +1 other reference
Mineralogical Society of America - ...
    • San Juan County
      • La Sal Creek Mining District
Bullock (1981)
Collected by and in the collection of ...
Carter et al. (1965)
Bullock (1981)
 
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