Navajoite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Navajoite
Flag of the Navajo Nation
Formula:
Fe3+V5+9O24 · 12H2O
Colour:
Dark brown
Lustre:
Adamantine, Silky
Hardness:
1½
Specific Gravity:
2.56
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named in honor of the Navajo Nation of Native Americans, upon whose reservation the type material occurred.
This page provides mineralogical data about Navajoite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2867
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2867:3
IMA Classification of Navajoite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
(V5+,Fe3+)10O24·12H2O
First published:
1954
Classification of Navajoite
4.HG.30
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
H : V[5,6] Vanadates
G : Unclassified V oxides
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
H : V[5,6] Vanadates
G : Unclassified V oxides
4.6.2.1
4 : SIMPLE OXIDES
6 : Miscellaneous
4 : SIMPLE OXIDES
6 : Miscellaneous
7.12.8
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
12 : Oxides of V, Nb and Ta
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
12 : Oxides of V, Nb and Ta
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nvj | 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 Navajoite
Adamantine, Silky
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Dark brown
Streak:
Light brown
Hardness:
1½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Sectile
Density:
2.56 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.53 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Navajoite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.905 nβ = 2.02 nγ = 2.02
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.115
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:
Moderate
Dispersion:
Dispersion not observed
Optical Extinction:
Z = b.
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X = Y = yellowish brown; Z = dark brown.
Chemistry of Navajoite
Mindat Formula:
Fe3+V5+9O24 · 12H2O
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Navajoite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/m
Setting:
C2/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 34.94(2) Å, b = 3.597(2) Å, c = 11.79(1) Å
β = 95.98(6)°
β = 95.98(6)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 9.714 : 1 : 3.278
Unit Cell V:
1,473.69 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Fibrous cross vein fillings.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 17.38 Å | (7) |
| 11.79 Å | (100) |
| 10.54 Å | (3) |
| 5.79 Å | (6) |
| 3.41 Å | (20) |
| 3.18 Å | (8) |
| 1.992 Å | (4) |
Comments:
Affected by preferred orientation.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47e : [Vanadates, chromates, manganates] | |
| 47h : [Near-surface oxidized, dehydrated minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Navajoite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Brown fibrous seams and coatings, with fibers perpendicular to the wall rock.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, number 105102.
National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian Institution), Washington, D.C., USA, number 106900.
National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian Institution), Washington, D.C., USA, number 106900.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Colorado Plateau U-V deposit. Forming seams in sandstone and crescent-shaped coatings above and below conglomerate pebbles.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Navajoite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 2 photos of Navajoite associated with 'Sandstone' | |
| 2 photos of Navajoite associated with Montroseite | (V3+,Fe3+)O(OH) |
| 1 photo of Navajoite associated with Hendersonite | (Ca,Sr)1.3V6O16 · 6H2O |
| 1 photo of Navajoite associated with Uraninite | UO2 |
| 1 photo of Navajoite associated with Grantsite | (Na,Ca)2+x(V5+,V4+)6O16 · 4H2O |
| 1 photo of Navajoite associated with Corvusite | (Na,K,Ca,Mg)2(V5+,V4+,Fe2+)8O20 · 6-10H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.HG. | Calciodelrioite | Ca(VO3)2 · 4H2O |
| 4.HG. | Trebiskyite | Na3Mg2[TiV9O28] · 22H2O |
| 4.HG. | Cadvanite | Cd(VO3)2 |
| 4.HG.05 | Fervanite | Fe3+4V5+4O16 · 5H2O |
| 4.HG.10 | Huemulite | Na4Mg(V10O28) · 24H2O |
| 4.HG.15 | Vanalite | NaAl9V12O42(OH)4 · 33H2O |
| 4.HG.20 | Simplotite | CaV4+4O9 · 5H2O |
| 4.HG.25 | Vanoxite | V4+4V5+2O13 · 8H2O |
| 4.HG.35 | Delrioite | Sr(VO3)2 · 4H2O |
| 4.HG.40 | Metadelrioite | CaSr(V2O6)(OH)2 |
| 4.HG.45 | Barnesite | (Na,Ca)V6O16 · 3H2O |
| 4.HG.50 | Hendersonite | (Ca,Sr)1.3V6O16 · 6H2O |
| 4.HG.55 | Grantsite | (Na,Ca)2+x(V5+,V4+)6O16 · 4H2O |
| 4.HG.60 | Lenoblite | V4+2O4 · 2H2O |
| 4.HG.65 | Satpaevite | Al12V4+2V5+6O37 · 30H2O |
| 4.HG.70 | Pandoraite-Ba | BaV4+5V5+2O16 · 3H2O |
| 4.HG.70 | Pandoraite-Ca | CaV4+5V5+2O16 · 3H2O |
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 Navajoite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2867.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
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References for Navajoite
Reference List:
Weeks, A. D., Thompson, M. E., Sherwood, A. M. (1954) Navajoite, a New Vanadium Oxide from Arizona. Science, 119 (3088) 326 doi:10.1126/science.119.3088.326
Weeks, Alice D., Thompson, Mary E., Sherwood, Alexander W. (1955) Navajoite, a new vanadium oxide from Arizona. American Mineralogist, 40 (3-4) 207-212
Localities for Navajoite
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.
China | |
| Zongwen Yang (2008) |
| Xiao et al. (2018) |
USA (TL) | |
| Weeks et al. (1954) +7 other references |
| Howard +1 other reference |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) | |
| Carnegie Museum of Natural History |
| Kampf et al. (2017) | |
| |
| Eckel et al. (1997) | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) +1 other reference |
| Collected by and in the collection of ... |
| EDX results from Kaygeedee Minerals +1 other reference |
| Collected by and in the collection of ... | |
| Kampf et al. (2012) | |
| |
| Bullock (1981) |
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Blue Cap Mine, La Sal Creek Mining District, San Juan County, Utah, USA