Stepanovite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Stepanovite
Pavel I. Stepanov
Formula:
NaMgFe3+(C2O4)3 · 8-9H2O
Synthetic material (identical to the natural one): Na[Mg(H2O)6][Fe(C2O4)3]·3H2O
Colour:
Light green
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Name:
Named after Pavel Ivanovich Stepanov (Павел Иванович Степанов) (4 (16) June 1880, Tara, Russian Empire - 26 August 1947, Moscow, USSR), director Coal Geology Division, Institute of Geological Sciences (Moscow).
Type Locality:
Isostructural with:
The Fe analogue of zhemchuzhnikovite. Unique combination of elements.
The originally reported unit cell is a sub-cell, with correct space group and unit cell based on weak superstructure reflections.
The originally reported unit cell is a sub-cell, with correct space group and unit cell based on weak superstructure reflections.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3763
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3763:7
IMA Classification of Stepanovite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
NaMgFe3+((C2)6+O4)3·9H2O
Classification of Stepanovite
10.AB.20
10 : ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
A : Salts of organic acids
B : Oxalates
10 : ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
A : Salts of organic acids
B : Oxalates
50.1.7.1
50 : ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
1 : Oxalates
50 : ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
1 : Oxalates
31.1.8
31 : Oxalates, Citrates, Mellitates and Acetates
1 : Oxalates
31 : Oxalates, Citrates, Mellitates and Acetates
1 : Oxalates
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Stpn | 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 Stepanovite
Optical Data of Stepanovite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.515 nε = 1.417
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.098
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 (negative)
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 uniaxial interference figure - the conoscopic
(convergent-light, Bertrand-lens-in) view, for a grain cut with the optic axis
centred and vertical. The coloured rings are isochromatics, computed with the
same physics as the Michel-Lévy bar above; the dark cross is the isogyre.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
Chemistry of Stepanovite
Mindat Formula:
NaMgFe3+(C2O4)3 · 8-9H2O
Synthetic material (identical to the natural one): Na[Mg(H2O)6][Fe(C2O4)3]·3H2O
Synthetic material (identical to the natural one): Na[Mg(H2O)6][Fe(C2O4)3]·3H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Stepanovite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m - Ditrigonal Pyramidal
Space Group:
P3c1
Setting:
P3c1
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.28 Å, c = 36.67 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 3.952
Unit Cell V:
2,734.88 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Forms: {0001}, {1120}, {0112}, {1014}, and {5142}.
Comment:
Note: American Mineralogist (1964) 49, 442-443 says in a note: "data given for a:c and Z are inconsistent with the value a 9.28 kX; perhaps it is a typographical error for a 9.78 kX."; Space group for the synthetic material, that has been shown to be identical to the natural one; parameters for the synthetic material: a=17.0483, c=12.4218
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| - Å | () |
Comments:
A powder XRD plot is given in Huskić et al (2016), but there are no published tabulated data.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 50 : Coal and/or oil shale minerals | <0.36 |
Type Occurrence of Stepanovite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Yellowish-green granular aggregates; also as xenomorphic grains.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Mining Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia, number 1659/1 (type).
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Thin veinlets in coal.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Stepanovite
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 10.AB. | Deveroite-(Ce) | Ce2(C2O4)3 · 10H2O |
| 10.AB. | Edwindavisite | Cu(C2O4)(NH3) |
| 10.AB.X | Falottaite | MnC2O4 · 3H2O |
| 10.AB. | Uroxite | [(UO2)2(C2O4)(OH)2(H2O)2] · H2O |
| 10.AB.05 | Katsarosite | Zn(C2O4) · 2H2O |
| 10.AB.05 | Andreybulakhite | Ni(C2O4) · 2H2O |
| 10.AB.05 | Humboldtine | Fe2+(C2O4) · 2H2O |
| 10.AB.05 | Lindbergite | Mn2+(C2O4) · 2H2O |
| 10.AB.10 | Glushinskite | Mg(C2O4) · 2H2O |
| 10.AB.15 | Moolooite | Cu(C2O4) · nH2O |
| 10.AB.25 | Minguzzite | K3Fe3+(C2O4)3 · 3H2O |
| 10.AB.30 | Wheatleyite | Na2Cu(C2O4)2 · 2H2O |
| 10.AB.35 | Zhemchuzhnikovite | NaMgAl(C2O4)3 · 8H2O |
| 10.AB.40 | Weddellite | Ca(C2O4) · (2.5-x)H2O |
| 10.AB.45 | Whewellite | Ca(C2O4) · H2O |
| 10.AB.47 | Fiemmeite | Cu2(C2O4)(OH)2 · 2H2O |
| 10.AB.50 | Caoxite | Ca(C2O4) · 3H2O |
| 10.AB.50 | Middlebackite | Cu2C2O4(OH)2 |
| 10.AB.52 | Metauroxite | (UO2)2(C2O4)(OH)2(H2O)2 |
| 10.AB.55 | Oxammite | (NH4)2(C2O4) · H2O |
| 10.AB.60 | Natroxalate | Na2(C2O4) |
| 10.AB.60 | Phoxite | (NH4)2Mg2(C2O4)(PO3OH)2(H2O)4 |
| 10.AB.60 | Carboferriphoxite | [(NH4)K(H2CO3)][Fe3+(HPO4)(H2PO4)(C2O4)] |
| 10.AB.60 | Ferriphoxite | [(NH4)2K(H2O)][Fe3+(HPO4)2(C2O4)] |
| 10.AB.65 | Coskrenite-(Ce) | Ce2(SO4)2(C2O4) · 8H2O |
| 10.AB.70 | Levinsonite-(Y) | (Y,Nd,La)Al(C2O4)(SO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 10.AB.75 | Zugshunstite-(Ce) | (Ce,Nd,La)Al(C2O4)(SO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 10.AB.80 | Novgorodovaite | Ca2(C2O4)Cl2 · 2H2O |
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 Stepanovite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3763.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Stepanovite
Reference List:
Fleischer, Michael (1964) New Mineral Names. American Mineralogist, 49 (3-4) 439-448 [also with note on possibly misprinted cell parameter a]
IMA (1967) International Mineralogical Association: Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 36 (277) 131-136 doi:10.1180/minmag.1967.036.277.20
Echigo, T., Kimata, M. (2010) Crystal Chemistry and Genesis of Organic Minerals: a Review of Oxalate and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Minerals. The Canadian Mineralogist, 48 (6) 1329-1357 doi:10.3749/canmin.48.5.1329
Localities for Stepanovite
Showing 2 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.
Russia | |
| Knipovich et al. (1963) +2 other references |
| Nefedov E I (1953) +1 other reference |
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Chai-Tumus coal deposits, Lena River Basin, Bulun District, Polar Yakutia, Sakha, Russia