Sofiite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Sofiite
Sofia I. Naboko
Formula:
Zn2(SeO3)Cl2
Colour:
Colourless
Lustre:
Vitreous, Greasy, Silky
Hardness:
2 - 2½
Specific Gravity:
3.64 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named in honor of Sofia Ivanovna Naboko (Софьа Ивановна Набоко) (13 September 1909, St Petersburg, Russian Empire - 2005), Institute of Volcanology, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskii, Russia. Naboko was an investigator of postvolcanic processes of Kamchatka. The mineral nabokoite is also named for her.
A synthetic, monoclinic polymorph is known (Johnsson & Törnroos, 2007).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3714
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3714:9
Similar Names
| Sofiita | A synonym of 'Sophiite' | |
| Suevite | A rock classification type | |
| Sveite | A valid IMA mineral species | (K3-x◻x)Al8(NO3)6O8Cl4 · nH2O |
| Søvite | A rock classification type |
IMA Classification of Sofiite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Zn2+2(Se4+O3)Cl2
Approval year:
1987
First published:
1989
Classification of Sofiite
4.JG.15
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
G : Selenites with additional anions, without H2O
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
G : Selenites with additional anions, without H2O
34.6.5.1
34 : SELENITES, TELLURITES AND SULFITES
6 : Anhydrous Selenites, Tellurites and Sulfites containing Hydroxyl or Halogen
34 : SELENITES, TELLURITES AND SULFITES
6 : Anhydrous Selenites, Tellurites and Sulfites containing Hydroxyl or Halogen
28.1.4
28 : Selenites, Selenates, Tellurites, and Tellurates
1 : Selenites
28 : Selenites, Selenates, Tellurites, and Tellurates
1 : Selenites
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sof | 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 Sofiite
Vitreous, Greasy, Silky
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless
Comment:
Becoming sky blue on long exposure to air.
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2 - 2½ on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN10=38 - 61 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect {010} and less perfect {201}
Perfect {010} and less perfect {201}
Density:
3.64 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Sofiite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.709(3) nβ = 1.726(2) nγ = 1.750(2)
2V:
Calculated: 81°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.041
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.
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.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
r > v weak
Chemistry of Sofiite
Mindat Formula:
Zn2(SeO3)Cl2
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Sofiite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pccn
Setting:
Pccn
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.251(4) Å, b = 15.223(2) Å, c = 7.666(5) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.673 : 1 : 0.504
Unit Cell V:
1,196.29 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
8
Morphology:
Pseudo-hexagonal thin-platy to mica-like crystals.
Twinning:
Swallowtail twins on {100}.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0014495 | Sofiite | Semenova T F, Rozhdestvenskaya I V, Filatov S K, Vergasova L P (1992) Crystal structure and physical properties of sophiite, Zn2(SeO3)Cl2, a new mineral Mineralogical Magazine 56 241-245 |  | 1992 | Tolbachik Main Fracture Eruption, Kamchatka, Russia | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 7.61 Å | (100) |
| 3.807 Å | (23) |
| 3.237 Å | (6) |
| 3.055 Å | (8) |
| 2.918 Å | (12) |
| 2.538 Å | (6) |
Comments:
Intensities are affected by preferred orientation owing to the {010} cleavage.
Type Occurrence of Sofiite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Well-formed, pseudo-hexagonal thin-platy to mica-like crystals.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Mining Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia, number 1550/1.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Fumarolic specimens were collected at temperatures 180-230 °C.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Sofiite
Other Language Names for Sofiite
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.JG. | Prewittite | KPb1.5ZnCu6(SeO3)2O2Cl10 |
| 4.JG. | Masaitisite | KCu5O2(SeO3)2Cl3 |
| 4.JG. | Wangkuirenite | Pb3Cl2(SeO3)2 |
| 4.JG. | Guangyuanite | Pb3Cl3(Se4+O3)(OH) |
| 4.JG.05 | Georgbokiite | Cu5(SeO3)2O2Cl2 |
| 4.JG.05 | Parageorgbokiite | Cu5(SeO3)2O2Cl2 |
| 4.JG.10 | Chloromenite | Cu9(SeO3)4O2Cl6 |
| 4.JG.20 | Ilinskite | (Na,K)Cu5(SeO3)2O2Cl3 |
| 4.JG.25 | Francisite | Cu3Bi(SeO3)2O2Cl |
| 4.JG.30 | Derriksite | Cu4(UO2)(SeO3)2(OH)6 |
| 4.JG.35 | Burnsite | KCdCu2+7(SeO3)2O2Cl9 |
| 4.JG.40 | Allochalcoselite | Cu+PbCu2+5(SeO3)2Cl5O2 |
| 4.JG.45 | Nicksobolevite | Cu7(SeO3)2O2Cl6 |
| 4.JG.50 | Plumboselite | Pb3O2(SeO3) |
| 4.JG.55 | Sarrabusite | Pb5CuCl4(SeO3)4 |
Other Information
Notes:
Readily soluble in dilute acids, soluble with difficulty in water.
Special Storage/
Display Requirements:
Display Requirements:
Becomes turbid white, and crystals bend and swell, on exposure to air; decomposition products form radial aggregates.
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 Sofiite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3714.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Sofiite
Reference List:
Jambor, John L.; Puziewicz, Jacek (1990) New Mineral Names. American Mineralogist, 75 (9-10). 1209-1216
Localities for Sofiite
Showing 9 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.
Costa Rica | |
| Rodríguez et al. (2017) |
Greece | |
| Skarpelis et al. (2009) +1 other reference |
Russia (TL) | |
| L. P. Vergasova et al.: Zap. Vses. Min. Obshch. 118 (1) |
| Pekov (1998) | |
| Pekov et al. (2015) |
| In the collection of Brent Thorne. ... +1 other reference | |
| Mandarino (2003) | |
| Pekov (1998) | |
| Pekov (1998) |
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First scoria cone, Northern Breakthrough, Great Fissure eruption, Tolbachik Volcanic field, Milkovsky District, Kamchatka Krai, Russia