Salesite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Salesite
Reno H. Sales
Formula:
Cu(IO3)(OH)
Colour:
Bluish-green; bluish green in transmitted light
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
4.72 - 4.82
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named after Reno Haber Sales (10 September 1876, Storm Lake, Iowa, USA - 9 May 1969, Bozeman, Montana, USA), chief geologist, Anaconda Copper Company, Chile. He was awarded the Penrose Award of the Society of Economic Geologists in 1939.
Attempts at synthesis gave an orthorhombic dimorph, differing in cleavage and optical properties with respect to salesite (Palache and Jarrell, 1939).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3509
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3509:1
Similar Names
| Saléeite | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | Mg(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10H2O |
| Silesite | ||
| Silicite | A synonym of 'Labradorite' | |
| Zálesíite | A valid IMA mineral species | CaCu6(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)(OH)6 · 3H2O |
IMA Classification of Salesite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Cu2+(I5+O3)(OH)
First published:
1939
Classification of Salesite
4.KB.05
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
K : Iodates: Trigonal [IO3] pyramids (mostly).
B : Iodates with additional anions, without H2O
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
K : Iodates: Trigonal [IO3] pyramids (mostly).
B : Iodates with additional anions, without H2O
Dana 7th ed.:
22.1.1.1
22.1.1.1
22 : IODATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
1 : Miscellaneous
22 : IODATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
1 : Miscellaneous
29.1
29 : Iodates
29 : Iodates
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sls | 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 Salesite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Bluish-green; bluish green in transmitted light
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
on {101}
on {101}
Density:
4.72 - 4.82 g/cm3 (Measured) 4.888 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Salesite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.786 nβ = 2.070 nγ = 2.075
2V:
Calculated: 12°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.289
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 biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure
- the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using
this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points
where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the
field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are
isogyres.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Dispersion:
r > v, extreme.
Optical Extinction:
X = c; Y = b; Z = a.
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X = Colourless
Y = Light bluish green
Z = Bluish green
Y = Light bluish green
Z = Bluish green
Chemistry of Salesite
Mindat Formula:
Cu(IO3)(OH)
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Salesite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pnma
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.794 Å, b = 6.708 Å, c = 4.781 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.609 : 1 : 0.713
Unit Cell V:
346.17 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Crystals stout prismatic [001] with pyramidal terminations. Forms include {001}, {010}, {130}, {110}, {023}, {011}, {111}.
Crystal Structure
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CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0000612 | Salesite | Ghose S, Wan C (1978) Salesite, CuIO3(OH), and Cu(IO3)2*2H2O: A comparison of the crystal structures and their magnetic behavior American Mineralogist 63 172-179 |  | 1978 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
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 |
|---|---|
| 4.37 Å | (100) |
| 3.66 Å | (65) |
| 2.394 Å | (60) |
| 1.788 Å | (55) |
| 2.698 Å | (50) |
| 5.38 Å | (40) |
| 2.636 Å | (30) |
Comments:
Chuquicamata, Chile, ICDD 22-236.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47g : [Halogen-bearing surface weathering minerals] | |
| 47h : [Near-surface oxidized, dehydrated minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Salesite
Co-Type Localities:
General Appearance of Type Material:
Stout, prismatic crystals with a pyramidal termination.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, number 95027.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Oxidized zone of copper deposit in an arid climate.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Salesite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.KB. | Pohlite | Pb7(IO3)(OH)4Cl9 |
| 4.KB. | Bluebellite | Cu6[(I5+O3)(OH)3](OH)7Cl |
| 4.KB.10 | Schwartzembergite | Pb5H2(IO2)O4Cl3 |
| 4.KB.15 | Seeligerite | Pb3(IO3)OCl3 |
Fluorescence of Salesite
None
Other Information
Notes:
Insoluble in water. Readily soluble in HNO3.
In a closed tube, when first heated, it snaps into small splinters and almost at once gives copious purple fumes of iodine that crystallize on the wall of the tube. A small amount of water is also given off.
In forceps, heated gradually, it darkens and yields a clear green flame of copper iodide without fusing. The residue left after heating on charcoal is readily reduced to metallic copper.
In a closed tube, when first heated, it snaps into small splinters and almost at once gives copious purple fumes of iodine that crystallize on the wall of the tube. A small amount of water is also given off.
In forceps, heated gradually, it darkens and yields a clear green flame of copper iodide without fusing. The residue left after heating on charcoal is readily reduced to metallic copper.
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 Salesite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3509.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Salesite
Reference List:
Palache, Charles, Jarrell, O. W. (1939) Salesite, a new mineral from Chuquicamata, Chile. American Mineralogist, 24 (6) 388-392
Ghose, S. (1962) The crystal structure of salesite, CuIO)3(OH). Acta Crystallographica, 15 (11). 1105-1109 doi:10.1107/s0365110x62002959
Localities for Salesite
Showing 3 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.
Brazil | |
| Thomas et al. (2023) |
Chile (TL) | |
| Palache et al. (1939) |
| O'Donoghue +2 other references |
Quick NavTopAbout SalesiteUnique IdentifiersSimilar NamesIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence Other LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Chuquicamata Mine, Chuquicamata District, Calama, El Loa Province, Antofagasta, Chile