Usovite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Usovite
Mikhail A. Usov
Formula:
Ba2CaMgAl2F14
Colour:
Brown to dark brown, yellow, white, colourless
Lustre:
Vitreous, Greasy
Hardness:
3½
Specific Gravity:
4.26 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named by A.D. Nozhkin, V.A. Gavrilenko, and V.A. Moleva in 1967 in honor of Mikhail Antonovich Usov (20 February 1883, Kainsk (now Kuybyshev), Tomsk Governorate, Russia - 26 July 1939, Belokurikha, Altai Krai, Russia), Director, All-Union Scientific Research Institute of Geology, Russia.
Compare other Ba-Al fluoride minerals, 'Unnamed (Ba-Al Fluoride Hydroxide)' and 'Unnamed (Ba-analogue of calcioaravaipaite)'.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
4121
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4121:4
Similar Names
IMA Classification of Usovite
Approved
Approval year:
1966
First published:
1967
Classification of Usovite
3.CB.35
3 : HALIDES
C : Complex halides
B : Neso-aluminofluorides
3 : HALIDES
C : Complex halides
B : Neso-aluminofluorides
11.6.14.1
11 : HALIDE COMPLEXES
6 : Aluminofluorides - Isolated Octahedra
11 : HALIDE COMPLEXES
6 : Aluminofluorides - Isolated Octahedra
8.4.17
8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
4 : Halides of the alkaline earths and Mg
8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
4 : Halides of the alkaline earths and Mg
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Usv | 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 Usovite
Vitreous, Greasy
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent, Opaque
Colour:
Brown to dark brown, yellow, white, colourless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3½ on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN100=294 - Vickers
Cleavage:
Perfect
One direction, perfect; another at 44 degrees to the first noted
One direction, perfect; another at 44 degrees to the first noted
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
4.26 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Usovite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.441(1) nβ = 1.442(1) nγ = 1.444(1)
2V:
Measured: 70° , Calculated: 72°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.003
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:
dispersion not observed
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
X = Y = brownish yellow; Z = pale yellow.
Chemistry of Usovite
Mindat Formula:
Ba2CaMgAl2F14
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Usovite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/b
Setting:
C2/c
Cell Parameters:
a = 13.565(1) Å, b = 5.200(4) Å, c = 14.557(10) Å
β = 91.35°
β = 91.35°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 2.609 : 1 : 2.799
Unit Cell V:
1,026.54 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0012515 | Usovite | Litvin A L, Petrunina A A, Ostapenko S S (1980) Crystal structure of usovite Dopovidi Akademii Nauk Ukrainskoi RSR Seriya B-Geologichni Khimichni Ta Biologichni Nauki 3 47-80 | 1980 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.41 Å | (10) |
| 1.205 Å | (9) |
| 1.025 Å | (9) |
| 1.132 Å | (8) |
| 1.093 Å | (8) |
| 1.012 Å | (8) |
| 1.005 Å | (8) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 23 : Subaerial aqueous alteration by non-redox-sensitive fluids (see also #47) | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45b : [Other oxidized fumarolic minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Usovite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Tomsk Polytechnic Institute, Tomsk; Central Siberian Geological Museum, Novosibirsk, VI-15/1; Mining Institute, St. Petersburg, 1089/1; A.E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, 69852, 76161, vis1194.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Usovite
Other Language Names for Usovite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 3.CB.05 | Cryolithionite | Na3Al2(LiF4)3 |
| 3.CB.15 | Elpasolite | K2NaAlF6 |
| 3.CB.15 | Simmonsite | Na2LiAlF6 |
| 3.CB.15 | Cryolite | Na2NaAlF6 |
| 3.CB.20 | Colquiriite | CaLi[AlF6] |
| 3.CB.25 | Leonardsenite | MgAlF5 · 2H2O |
| 3.CB.25 | Weberite | Na2Mg[AlF6]F |
| 3.CB.30 | Karasugite | SrCa[Al(F,OH)7] |
| 3.CB.40 | Thomsenolite | NaCa[AlF6] · H2O |
| 3.CB.40 | Pachnolite | NaCa[AlF6] · H2O |
| 3.CB.45 | Carlhintzeite | Ca2[AlF6]F · H2O |
| 3.CB.50 | Yaroslavite | Ca3Al2F10(OH)2 · H2O |
| 3.CB.55 | Sbacchiite | Ca2AlF7 |
| 3.CB.60 | Verneite | Na2Ca3Al2F14 |
Other Information
Magnetism:
Diamagnetic
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 Usovite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-4121.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Usovite
Localities for Usovite
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.
Germany | |
| Kolitsch (1997) +2 other references |
Italy | |
| Campostrini et al. (2019) |
| Campostrini et al. (2019) | |
| Campostrini et al. (2019) | |
Russia (TL) | |
| Pekov (1998) |
| Starikova et al. (2015) |
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Clara Mine, Oberwolfach, Ortenaukreis, Freiburg Region, Baden-Württemberg, Germany