Otavite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Otavite
Otavi Mountains, Namibia
Formula:
CdCO3
Colour:
White to yellow-brown or reddish
Lustre:
Adamantine, Vitreous
Hardness:
3½ - 4
Specific Gravity:
4.96
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1906 by Otto Schneider for Otavi Mountains, Namibia, that include the type locality of the Tsumeb Mine.
Isostructural with:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3040
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3040:9
IMA Classification of Otavite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Cd2+CO3
First published:
1906
Classification of Otavite
5.AB.05
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
14.1.1.7
14 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL CARBONATES
1 : A(XO3)
14 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL CARBONATES
1 : A(XO3)
11.6.10
11 : Carbonates
6 : Carbonates of Zn and Cd
11 : Carbonates
6 : Carbonates of Zn and Cd
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ota | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Otavite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom | |
| Debbie Woolf | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Otavite
Adamantine, Vitreous
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
White to yellow-brown or reddish
Comment:
yellowish brown to reddish brown if impure
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3½ - 4 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Imperfect/Fair
On {1011}
On {1011}
Density:
4.96 g/cm3 (Measured) 5.03 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Otavite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.830 nε = 1.605
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.225
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:
Very 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.
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Comments:
colorless in thin section
Chemistry of Otavite
Mindat Formula:
CdCO3
Elements listed:
CAS Registry number:
Crystallography of Otavite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m(32/m) - Hexagonal Scalenohedral
Space Group:
R3c
Setting:
R3c
Cell Parameters:
a = 4.93 Å, c = 16.27 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 3.3
Unit Cell V:
342.46 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
6
Morphology:
Crusts of minute rhombohedral crystals, {101_1}.
Twinning:
observed
Comment:
synthetic
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0000103 | Otavite | Graf D L (1961) Crystallographic tables for the rhombohedral carbonates American Mineralogist 46 1283-1316 |  | 1961 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0018091 | Otavite | Zachariasen W (1928) Untersuchungen ueber die Kristallstruktur von Sesquioxyden und Verbindungen A B O3 _cod_database_code 1011341 Skrifter utgitt av det Norske Videnskaps-Akademi i Oslo 1928 1-165 | 1928 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
Epitaxial Relationships of Otavite
Epitaxial Minerals:
| 'Smithsonite' | ZnCO3 |
Epitaxy Comments:
Otavite oriented growths on smithsonite (Tsumeb).
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Loading XRD data...
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 2.95 Å | (100) |
| 3.78 Å | (80) |
| 2.46 Å | (35) |
| 1.825 Å | (35) |
| 2.066 Å | (25) |
| 1.838 Å | (25) |
| 1.582 Å | (16) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] |
Type Occurrence of Otavite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
n.d.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Otavite
Relationship of Otavite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Calcite Group:
| Calcite | CaCO3 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3c |
| Gaspéite | NiCO3 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3c |
| Magnesite | MgCO3 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3c |
| Rhodochrosite | MnCO3 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3c |
| Siderite | FeCO3 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3c |
| Smithsonite | ZnCO3 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3c |
| Spherocobaltite | CoCO3 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3c |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 10 photos of Otavite associated with Smithsonite | ZnCO3 |
| 7 photos of Otavite associated with Cerussite | PbCO3 |
| 6 photos of Otavite associated with Azurite | Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
| 5 photos of Otavite associated with Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 5 photos of Otavite associated with Hemimorphite | Zn4Si2O7(OH)2 · H2O |
| 5 photos of Otavite associated with Minrecordite | CaZn(CO3)2 |
| 4 photos of Otavite associated with Duftite | PbCu(AsO4)(OH) |
| 4 photos of Otavite associated with Rosasite | (Cu,Zn)2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 3 photos of Otavite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 3 photos of Otavite associated with Galena | PbS |
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 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.40 | Olekminskite | Sr(Sr,Ca,Ba)(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
Thermal Behaviour:
decomposes to CdO in the 603-648 K range; the unit cell parameter's behaviour is untypical, as it slightly increases up to 453 K, and then decreases.
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 Otavite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3040.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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Mineral Dealers:
References for Otavite
Reference List:
Rutt, H. N., Nicola, J. H. (1974) Raman spectra of carbonates of calcite structure. Journal of Physics C: Solid State Physics, 7 (24). 4522-4528 doi:10.1088/0022-3719/7/24/015
Loquet, N. F., Niepce, J. C. (1978) Three-fold transformation twin in the topotactic decomposition of cadmium carbonate crystals. Journal of Materials Science, 13. 766-776 doi:10.1007/bf00570511
Liu, Lin-gun, Lin, Chung-Cherng (1997) A calcite --> aragonite-type phase transition in CdCO3. American Mineralogist, 82 (5) 643-646 doi:10.2138/am-1997-5-625
Bromiley, F. A., Ballaran, T. B., Zhang, M. (2007) An infrared investigation of the otavite-magnesite solid solution. American Mineralogist, 92 (5) 837-843 doi:10.2138/am.2007.2317
Bromiley, F.A., Ballaran, T. B., Langenhorst, F., Seifert, F. (2007) Order and miscibility in the otavite-magnesite solid solution. American Mineralogist, 92 (5) 829-836 doi:10.2138/am.2007.2315
Ballirano, Paolo (2016) Thermal behaviour of otavite, CdCO3. European Journal of Mineralogy, 28 (2) 285-293 doi:10.1127/ejm/2015/0027-2488
Wang, Meili, Shi, Guanghai, Qin, Jiaqian, Bai, Qing (2018) Thermal behaviour of calcite-structure carbonates: a powder X-ray diffraction study between 83 and 618 K. European Journal of Mineralogy, 30 (5) 939-949 doi:10.1127/ejm/2018/0030-2768
Localities for Otavite
Showing 36 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 | |
| Birch et al. (1997) |
| Hancock et al. (2007) |
| Downes et al. (2011) |
Bolivia | |
| XRD and EDS by Joy Desor. |
| Joy Desor analyses by SEM-EDS and Raman. |
| Cacho et al. (2019) |
China | |
| Tiegeng Liu et al. (2004) +2 other references |
| Minzhi Yang (2000) |
Czech Republic | |
| Sejkora |
Germany | |
| Schnorrer-Köhler (1988) |
Greece | |
| 90. +2 other references |
Hungary | |
| Szakáll et al. (2016) |
Ireland | |
| Dr. David Green |
Italy | |
| Orlandi et al. (2005) |
| Binotto et al. (1988) |
| //doi.org/10.57635/MICRO.2025.23.17 |
| Domenico Saccardo (2019) |
| Domenico Saccardo (2019) | |
Japan | |
| Takashi Yamada (2009) +1 other reference |
Namibia (TL) | |
| National Bureau of Standards (1957) |
North Macedonia | |
| Central Asia Metals PLC |
Russia | |
| M.I. Novgorodova |
Serbia | |
| Slobodan A. Radosavljević et al. (2013) | |
| Radosavljević +3 other references |
UK | |
| Young +3 other references |
| Faithfull et al. (2001) |
| British Micromount Society +1 other reference |
USA | |
| Walstrom (n.d.) |
| "The Accidental Pocket" talk presented ... | |
| Carlson et al. (2007) |
| Silver Coin Mine. Compact Disc. Paul ... |
| The Picking Table:28 (2) +1 other reference |
| Conti (2023) |
| M Massis collection |
| Rocks & Minerals: 78 (6) | |
Vietnam | |
| Johan +3 other references |
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Su Elzu, Ozieri, Sassari Province, Sardinia, Italy