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Colimaite

A valid IMA mineral species
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About ColimaiteHide

Formula:
K3VS4
Colour:
Yellow-green
Lustre:
Resinous, Greasy
Specific Gravity:
2.235 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named for type locality - Colima Volcano, Mexico.
This page provides mineralogical data about Colimaite.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
35575
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:35575:7

Similar NamesHide

CalamaiteA valid IMA mineral speciesNa2TiO(SO4)2 · 2H2O
CalamiteA synonym of Tremolite
ColomiteA synonym of Roscoelite
ColumbiteA synonym of 'Columbite-(Fe)-Columbite-(Mn) Series'
Columbite-(Fe)A valid IMA mineral species - grandfatheredFe2+Nb2O6
Columbite-(Fe)-Tantalite-(Fe) SeriesA solid-solution series between two end-member minerals
Columbite-(Mg)A valid IMA mineral species(Mg,Fe,Mn)(Nb,Ta)2O6
Columbite-(Mn)A valid IMA mineral species - grandfatheredMn2+Nb2O6
Columbite-(Mn)-Tantalite-(Mn) SeriesA solid-solution series between two end-member minerals
KolumbiteA synonym of 'Columbite'
KolymiteA valid IMA mineral speciesCu7Hg6

IMA Classification of ColimaiteHide

Approved
IMA Formula:
K3V5+S2-4
Approval year:
2007
First published:
2008

Classification of ColimaiteHide

2.FB.25

2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
F : Sulfides of arsenic, alkalies; sulfides with halide, oxide, hydroxide, H2O
B : With alkalies (without Cl, etc.)

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference for Standard
ComIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of ColimaiteHide

Resinous, Greasy
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Yellow-green
Streak:
Yellow green
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Splintery
Density:
2.235 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Chemistry of ColimaiteHide

Mindat Formula:
K3VS4
Element Weights:
Element% weight
S43.259 %
K39.560 %
V17.181 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.

Crystallography of ColimaiteHide

Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pnma
Setting:
Pnma
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.138 Å, b = 10.627 Å, c = 9.131 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.86 : 1 : 0.859
Unit Cell V:
886.71 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Comment:
Determined from powder diffraction

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
3.464 Å(77)
3.237 Å(57)
3.229 Å(66)
2.926 Å(70)
2.890 Å(52)
2.799 Å(100)
2.787 Å(75)
2.676 Å(80)

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 3a: Earth’s earliest Hadean crust>4.50
11 : Volcanic fumarole minerals; reduced phases (see also #45)

Type Occurrence of ColimaiteHide

General Appearance of Type Material:
Micro-sized needles (10–100 µm in size) .
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Sociedad Mexicana de Mineralogía (Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México) (FIM 08/01).
Geological Setting of Type Material:
High temperature fumaroles (450-600 °C).
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Synonyms of ColimaiteHide

Other Language Names for ColimaiteHide

Albanian:Colimaite
Dutch:Colimaiet
German:Colimait

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

2.FB.05SchöllhorniteNa0.3CrS2 · H2OTrig.
2.FB.05CaswellsilveriteNaCrS2Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
2.FB.05CronusiteCa0.2CrS2 · 2 H2OTrig. 3m : R3m
2.FB.10ChvilevaiteNa(Cu,Fe,Zn)2S4Trig. 3m : R3m
2.FB.15Orickite2CuFeS2 · H2OHex.
2.FB.20RasvumiteKFe2S3Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Cmcm
2.FB.20PautoviteCsFe2S3Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Cmcm

RadioactivityHide

Radioactivity:
Element % Content Activity (Bq/kg) Radiation Type
Uranium (U) 0.0000% 0 α, β, γ
Thorium (Th) 0.0000% 0 α, β, γ
Potassium (K) 39.5603% 12,264 β, γ

For comparison:

  • Banana: ~15 Bq per fruit
  • Granite: 1,000–3,000 Bq/kg
  • EU exemption limit: 10,000 Bq/kg

Note: Risk is shown relative to daily recommended maximum exposure to non-background radiation of 1000 µSv/year. Note that natural background radiation averages around 2400 µSv/year so in reality these risks are probably extremely overstated! With infrequent handling and safe storage natural radioactive minerals do not usually pose much risk.

Interactive Simulator:

Note: The mass selector refers to the mass of radioactive mineral present, not the full specimen, also be aware that the matrix may also be radioactive, possibly more radioactive than this mineral!

Activity:

DistanceDose rateRisk
1 cm
10 cm
1 m

The external dose rate (D) from a radioactive mineral is estimated by summing the gamma radiation contributions from its Uranium, Thorium, and Potassium content, disregarding daughter-product which may have a significant effect in some cases (eg 'pitchblende'). This involves multiplying the activity (A, in Bq) of each element by its specific gamma ray constant (Γ), which accounts for its unique gamma emissions. The total unshielded dose at 1 cm is then scaled by the square of the distance (r, in cm) and multiplied by a shielding factor (μshield). This calculation provides a 'worst-case' or 'maximum risk' estimate because it assumes the sample is a point source and entirely neglects any self-shielding where radiation is absorbed within the mineral itself, meaning actual doses will typically be lower. The resulting dose rate (D) is expressed in microsieverts per hour (μSv/h).

D = ((AU × ΓU) + (ATh × ΓTh) + (AK × ΓK)) / r2 × μshield

Other InformationHide

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 ColimaiteHide

References for ColimaiteHide

Localities for ColimaiteHide

Showing 1 localities.

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
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Locality ListHide

- 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). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Mexico (TL)
 
  • Jalisco
    • Colima volcanic complex
Ostrooumov et al. (2009) +1 other reference
 
and/or  
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