Otwayite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Otwayite
Formula:
Ni2(CO3)(OH)2 · H2O
Colour:
Green, bright green
Lustre:
Waxy, Silky
Hardness:
4
Specific Gravity:
3.41
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named in 1977 by Ernest H. Nickel, Bruce W. Robinson, Charles E.S. Davis in honor of Mr. Charles Albert Otway (b. 1922) of Gosnells (Perth), Western Australia, a prospector and miner who held the mineral lease and provided samples of the mineral.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3044
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3044:7
IMA Classification of Otwayite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Ni2+2CO3(OH)2·H2O
Approval year:
1976
First published:
1977
Classification of Otwayite
5.DA.15
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
D : Carbonates with additional anions, with H2O
A : With medium-sized cations
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
D : Carbonates with additional anions, with H2O
A : With medium-sized cations
16b.3.2.1
16b : HYDRATED CARBONATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
3 : AmBn(XO3)pZqxH2O & with (m+n):p = 2:1
16b : HYDRATED CARBONATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
3 : AmBn(XO3)pZq
11.14.5
11 : Carbonates
14 : Carbonates of Co and Ni
11 : Carbonates
14 : Carbonates of Co and Ni
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Otw | 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 Otwayite
Waxy, Silky
Transparency:
Translucent, Opaque
Colour:
Green, bright green
Hardness:
4 on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN5=130 - 360 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Density:
3.41 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.346 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Otwayite
Type:
Biaxial
RI values:
nα = 1.65 nγ = 1.72
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.070
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:
very strong
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
Deepest color normal to the fiber axis.
Chemistry of Otwayite
Mindat Formula:
Ni2(CO3)(OH)2 · H2O
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Mg
Crystallography of Otwayite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.18 Å, b = 27.4 Å, c = 3.22 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.372 : 1 : 0.118
Unit Cell V:
898.2 ų
Z:
8
Comment:
Orthorhombic (?). Point Group: n.d.; Space Group: n.d.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 6.84 Å | (10) |
| 5.67 Å | (8) |
| 2.737 Å | (6) |
| 3.022 Å | (5) |
| 2.529 Å | (5) |
| 2.24 Å | (5) |
| 2.370 Å | (4) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] |
Type Occurrence of Otwayite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Fibrous habit, rosette-like aggregates more or less normal to the veinlet walls.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Division of Mineralogy, CSIRO, Perth, Western Australia catalosue numbers 10016, 10027, and 10740.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Narrow veinlets to 1 mm in width, probably late-stage fracture filling, transecting nickeloan serpentine, millerite, polydymite, and apatite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Otwayite
Other Language Names for Otwayite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 1 photo of Otwayite associated with Nullaginite | Ni2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 1 photo of Otwayite associated with Widgiemoolthalite | Ni5(CO3)4(OH)2 · 5H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.DA. | Alexkhomyakovite | K6(Ca2Na)(CO3)5Cl · 6H2O |
| 5.DA. | Amoraite | Ca12Al6(OH)36(CO3)2(SO3) · 15H2O |
| 5.DA.05 | Dypingite | Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2 · 5H2O |
| 5.DA.05 | 'UM1986-10-CO:ClHMgMnZn (also called Mineral F, Dunn, 1995)' | Mg5(Zn,Mn)3(CO3)2(OH,Cl)12 · H2O |
| 5.DA.05 | 'UM1987-01-CO:HMgS' | Mg4(CO3)2(OH)4 · 6H2O ? |
| 5.DA.05 | Giorgiosite | Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2 · 5-6H2O |
| 5.DA.05 | Hydromagnesite | Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.05 | Widgiemoolthalite | Ni5(CO3)4(OH)2 · 5H2O |
| 5.DA.10 | Artinite | Mg2(CO3)(OH)2 · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.10 | Chlorartinite | Mg2(CO3)(OH)Cl · 2H2O |
| 5.DA.10 | Indigirite | Mg2Al2(CO3)4(OH)2 · 15H2O |
| 5.DA.15 | Zaratite | Ni3(CO3)(OH)4 · 4H2O ? |
| 5.DA.20 | Kambaldaite | NaNi4(CO3)3(OH)3 · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.25 | Callaghanite | Cu2Mg2(CO3)(OH)6 · 2H2O |
| 5.DA.30 | Claraite | (Cu,Zn)15(CO3)4(AsO4)2(SO4)(OH)14 · 7H2O |
| 5.DA.35 | Hydroscarbroite | Al14(CO3)3(OH)36 · nH2O |
| 5.DA.35 | Scarbroite | Al5(CO3)(OH)13 · 5H2O |
| 5.DA.40 | Karchevskyite | Mg18Al9(OH)54Sr2(CO3)9(H2O)6(H3O)5 |
| 5.DA.40 | 'UM1987-05-OH:AlCMg' | Mg4Al2(OH)12(CO3,SO4) · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.40 | Quintinite | Mg4Al2(OH)12(CO3) · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.40 | Charmarite | Mn2+4Al2(OH)12[CO3] · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.40 | Caresite | Fe2+4Al2(OH)12[CO3] · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.45 | 'Hydrotalcite-2H' | Mg6Al2(CO3)(OH)16 · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.45 | 'Stichtite-2H' | Mg6(Cr,Al)2(CO3)(OH)16 · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.45 | Brugnatellite | Mg6Fe3+(CO3)(OH)13 · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.45 | Zaccagnaite | Zn4Al2(OH)12[CO3] · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.45 | 'Pyroaurite-2H' | Mg6Fe3+2(OH)16(CO3) · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.45 | Liudongshengite | Zn4Cr2(OH)12(CO3) · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.45 | Chlormagaluminite | Mg4Al2(OH)12Cl2 · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.50 | Pyroaurite | Mg6Fe3+2(OH)16[CO3] · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.50 | Takovite | Ni6Al2(OH)16[CO3] · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.50 | Reevesite | Ni6Fe3+2(OH)16(CO3) · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.50 | Kaznakhtite | Ni6Co3+2(CO3)(OH)16 · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.50 | Comblainite | Ni4Co2(OH)12[CO3] · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.50 | Marioantofilliite | [Cu4Al2(OH)12](CO3) · 3H2O |
| 5.DA.50 | Hydrotalcite | Mg6Al2(CO3)(OH)16 · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.50 | Stichtite | Mg6Cr3+2(OH)16[CO3] · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.50 | Desautelsite | Mg6Mn3+2(OH)16[CO3] · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.55 | Coalingite | Mg10Fe3+2(OH)24[CO3] · 2H2O |
| 5.DA.55 | Akopovaite | Al4Li2(OH)12(CO3)(H2O)3 |
| 5.DA.60 | Šlikite | Zn2Mg(CO3)2(OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 5.DA.65 | Marklite | Cu5(CO3)2(OH)6 · 6H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
Dissolves slowly in cold 1:1 HCl; at 100 C it dissolves rapidly, with visible evolution of CO2 bubbles.
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 Otwayite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3044.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 Otwayite
Reference List:
Nickel, Ernest H., Robinson, Bruce W., Davis, Charles E. S., MacDonald, Robert D. (1977) Otwayite, a new nickel mineral from Western Australia. American Mineralogist, 62 (9-10) 999-1002
Localities for Otwayite
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.
Australia | |
| Witzke et al. (2022) +2 other references |
| Naldrett (2004) |
| Nickel et al. (1993) +1 other reference |
| Nickel +3 other references |
Greece | |
| Shen (n.d.) |
South Africa | |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) | |
Spain | |
| Joan Abella i Creus: ... +1 other reference |
Quick NavTopAbout OtwayiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography X-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
132 North Ni Mine, Widgiemooltha, Coolgardie Shire, Western Australia, Australia