Olekminskite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Olekminskite
Olekminsk, Russia
Formula:
Sr(Sr,Ca,Ba)(CO3)2
Colour:
white
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
3.650 - 3.682
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Name:
Named for the city of Olekminsk, the administration center of the Murunskij alkaline complex.
Type Locality:
Isostructural with:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2971
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2971:7
IMA Classification of Olekminskite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Sr2(CO3)2
Approval year:
1989
First published:
1991
Classification of Olekminskite
5.AB.40
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
A : Carbonates without additional anions, without H2O
B : Alkali-earth (and other M2+) carbonates
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
A : Carbonates without additional anions, without H2O
B : Alkali-earth (and other M2+) carbonates
14.2.2.3
14 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL CARBONATES
2 : AB(XO3)2
14 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL CARBONATES
2 : AB(XO3)2
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Okm | 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 Olekminskite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
White
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Density:
3.650 - 3.682 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.66(1) g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Olekminskite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.670(2) nε = 1.527(2)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.143
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:
High (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized uniaxial interference figure - the conoscopic
(convergent-light, Bertrand-lens-in) view, for a grain cut with the optic axis
centred and vertical. The coloured rings are isochromatics, computed with the
same physics as the Michel-Lévy bar above; the dark cross is the isogyre.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
Chemistry of Olekminskite
Mindat Formula:
Sr(Sr,Ca,Ba)(CO3)2
Common Impurities:
TR,La,Ce
Crystallography of Olekminskite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
32 - Trapezohedral
Space Group:
P321
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.66(2) Å, c = 6.08(2) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.702
Unit Cell V:
394.88 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
3
Comment:
Hexagonal symnrletry and space group P321 were assumed by analogy with paralstonite.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.50 Å | (100) |
| 2.49 Å | (90) |
| 2.03 Å | (90) |
| 1.928 Å | (60) |
| 1.837 Å | (60) |
| 1.581 Å | (60 broad) |
| 1.443 Å | (60 broad) |
| 1.305 Å | (70 broad) |
| 1.277 Å | (40 broad) |
| 1.252 Å | (40 broad) |
| 1.178 Å | (50 broad) |
Comments:
Kedrovyi alkaline massif, Russia. The data are from the type description.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks | |
| 36 : Carbonatites, kimberlites, and related igneous rocks |
Geological Setting:
Daughter products in fluid inclusions in carbonatites.
Type Occurrence of Olekminskite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Needle-like crystals, 0.005-0.010 mm thick, occurring in spherulitic aggregates 0.10-0.15 mm in radius.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Mining Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia, number 2071/1.
A.E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, number p461/1.
A.E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, number p461/1.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
In barytocalcite-quartz veins that cut intrusive breccias accompanying an alkaline massif.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Olekminskite
Other Language Names for Olekminskite
Relationship of Olekminskite to other Species
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 2 photos of Olekminskite associated with Barytocalcite | BaCa(CO3)2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.AB.05 | Siderite | FeCO3 |
| 5.AB.05 | Rhodochrosite | MnCO3 |
| 5.AB.05 | Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 5.AB.05 | Smithsonite | ZnCO3 |
| 5.AB.05 | Gaspéite | NiCO3 |
| 5.AB.05 | Spherocobaltite | CoCO3 |
| 5.AB.05 | Magnesite | MgCO3 |
| 5.AB.05 | Otavite | CdCO3 |
| 5.AB.05 va | 'Parakutnohorite' | |
| 5.AB.10 | Dolomite | CaMg(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.10 | Minrecordite | CaZn(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.10 | Škáchaite | CaCo(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.10 | Ankerite | Ca(Fe2+,Mg)(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.10 | Kutnohorite | CaMn2+(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.15 | Aragonite | CaCO3 |
| 5.AB.15 | Cerussite | PbCO3 |
| 5.AB.15 | Witherite | BaCO3 |
| 5.AB.15 | Strontianite | SrCO3 |
| 5.AB.20 | Vaterite | CaCO3 |
| 5.AB.25 | Huntite | CaMg3(CO3)4 |
| 5.AB.30 | Norsethite | BaMg(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.35 | Alstonite | BaCa(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.40 | Paralstonite | BaCa(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.45 | Barytocalcite | BaCa(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.50 | Carbocernaite | (Ca,Na)(Sr,Ce,Ba)(CO3)2 |
| 5.AB.55 | Benstonite | Ba6Ca6Mg(CO3)13 |
| 5.AB.60 | Juangodoyite | Na2Cu(CO3)2 |
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 Olekminskite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2971.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Olekminskite
Reference List:
Localities for Olekminskite
Showing 18 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.
Australia | |
| Chandler et al. (2024) |
Bolivia | |
| Laszlo Horvath |
Brazil | |
| Gomide (2015) |
| Gomide (2015) |
| Gomide (2015) | |
| Gomide (2015) |
Canada | |
| Edahbi et al. (2022, October) |
Greenland | |
| HUTCHINSON et al. (2008) |
Russia | |
| Konev et al. (1993) |
| Konyev et al. (1991) +2 other references | |
| Sharygin +10 other references |
| Sorokhtina et al. (2008) |
| Mikhailova et al. (2015) |
| Belovitskaya et al. (2004) |
| Sharygin et al. (2008) |
| Sharygin (2016) +1 other reference |
South Africa | |
| Wilson |
| Mitchell et al. (2004) |
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Kedrovyi alkaline massif, Murunskii Massif, Chara and Tokko Rivers Confluence, Aldan Shield, Russia