Spiroffite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Spiroffite
Kiril Spiroff
Formula:
Mn2+2Te4+3O8
Colour:
Purplish red to pink
Lustre:
Adamantine
Hardness:
3½
Specific Gravity:
5.01
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named in honour of Kiril Spiroff (21 April 1901, Kyustendil, Bulgaria - March 1981, Tucson, Arizona, USA), mineralogist, Michigan College of Mining and Technology, Houghton, Michigan, USA, and curator of the A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum.
This page provides mineralogical data about Spiroffite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3731
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3731:6
IMA Classification of Spiroffite
Approved
First published:
1962
Classification of Spiroffite
4.JK.10
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
K : Tellurites without 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
K : Tellurites without additional anions, without H2O
34.5.1.1
34 : SELENITES, TELLURITES AND SULFITES
5 : A(X3O8)
34 : SELENITES, TELLURITES AND SULFITES
5 : A(X3O8)
28.3.11
28 : Selenites, Selenates, Tellurites, and Tellurates
3 : Tellurites
28 : Selenites, Selenates, Tellurites, and Tellurates
3 : Tellurites
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Spf | 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 Spiroffite
Adamantine
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Purplish red to pink
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Imperfect/Fair
Noted in two directions.
Noted in two directions.
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
5.01(2) g/cm3 (Measured) 5.059 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Spiroffite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.85(1) nβ = 1.91(1) nγ = 2.2
2V:
Measured: 55°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.350
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 distinct
Chemistry of Spiroffite
Mindat Formula:
Mn2+2Te4+3O8
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Spiroffite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/b
Cell Parameters:
a = 12.87(2) Å, b = 5.3813(5) Å, c = 11.888(2) Å
β = 98.22(1)°
β = 98.22(1)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 2.392 : 1 : 2.209
Unit Cell V:
814.87 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Anhedral crystals to 1cm.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0005504 | Spiroffite | Cooper M A, Hawthorne F C (1996) The crystal structure of spiroffite The Canadian Mineralogist 34 821-826 |  | 1996 | Moctezuma, Sonora, Mexico | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 4.98 Å | (vs) |
| 3.00 Å | (vs) |
| 4.06 Å | (s) |
| 3.31 Å | (s) |
| 2.77 Å | (w) |
| 2.69 Å | (w) |
| 2.60 Å | (w) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47e : [Vanadates, chromates, manganates] | |
| 47h : [Near-surface oxidized, dehydrated minerals] |
Geological Setting:
Oxidation zone of Au-Te deposits.
Type Occurrence of Spiroffite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Small cleavable masses.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, 108109.
Natural History Museum, Paris, France, 175.79.
Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Canada, M24879.
Natural History Museum, Paris, France, 175.79.
Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Canada, M24879.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Tellurium deposit
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Spiroffite
Dutch:Spiroffiet
German:Spiroffit
Russian:Спирофит
Simplified Chinese:碲锰锌石
Spanish:Spiroffita
Traditional Chinese:碲錳鋅石
Relationship of Spiroffite to other Species
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 18 photos of Spiroffite associated with Tellurite | TeO2 |
| 6 photos of Spiroffite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 4 photos of Spiroffite associated with Native Tellurium | Te |
| 3 photos of Spiroffite associated with Paratellurite | TeO2 |
| 2 photos of Spiroffite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 1 photo of Spiroffite associated with Sonoraite | Fe3+(TeO3)(OH) · H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.JK. | Matthiasweilite | PbTe4+O3 |
| 4.JK.05 | Walfordite | (Fe3+,Te6+)Te4+3O8 |
| 4.JK.05 | Winstanleyite | TiTe4+3O8 |
| 4.JK.10 | Zincospiroffite | Zn2Te4+3O8 |
| 4.JK.15 | Balyakinite | Cu(TeO3) |
| 4.JK.20 | Rajite | Cu(Te4+2O5) |
| 4.JK.25 | Carlfriesite | CaTe4+2Te6+O8 |
| 4.JK.30 | Chenzhangruite | MnFe2+Te4+4O10 |
| 4.JK.30 | Stankeithite | Mn2+Mn2+Te4+4 O10 |
| 4.JK.30 | Paulhlavaite | CaCuTe4+ 4O10 |
| 4.JK.30 | Denningite | CaMn2+Te4+4O10 |
| 4.JK.35 | Chekhovichite | Bi2Te4+4O11 |
| 4.JK.40 | Smirnite | Bi2Te4+O5 |
| 4.JK.45 | Choloalite | (Cu,Sb)3(Pb,Ca)3(TeO3)6Cl |
| 4.JK.50 | Fairbankite | Pb2+12(Te4+O3)11(SO4) |
| 4.JK.55 | Plumbotellurite | Pb(TeO3) |
| 4.JK.60 | Magnolite | [Hg2]2+[Te4+O3] |
| 4.JK.65 | Moctezumite | Pb(UO2)(TeO3)2 |
| 4.JK.70 | Schmitterite | (UO2)(TeO3) |
| 4.JK.75 | Cliffordite | (UO2)Te4+3O7 |
Other Information
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 Spiroffite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3731.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Spiroffite
Localities for Spiroffite
Showing 6 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.
Japan | |
| Rocks & Min.: 62:167 +2 other references |
Mexico | |
| Collected by Joe Ruiz and analyzed by ... |
| Mandarino (1962) +2 other references |
USA | |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
| Hayes et al. (2019) |
| Kampf et al. (2022) |
Quick NavTopAbout SpiroffiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence Other LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Bambollita Mine, Moctezuma, Moctezuma Municipality, Sonora, Mexico