Uzonite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Uzonite
Chopper view from the south
Uzon Caldera, Kronotsky Reserve, Yelizovsky District, Kamchatka Krai, Russia
Uzon Caldera, Kronotsky Reserve, Yelizovsky District, Kamchatka Krai, Russia
Formula:
As4S5
Colour:
Yellow
Lustre:
Pearly
Hardness:
1½
Specific Gravity:
3.37
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named by V.I. Popova and V.O. Pol'akov in 1985 after its discovery locality, Uzon caldera, Kamchatka peninsula, Russia.
This page provides mineralogical data about Uzonite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
4128
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4128:3
Similar Names
IMA Classification of Uzonite
Approved
Approval year:
1984
First published:
1985
Classification of Uzonite
2.FA.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
A : With As, (Sb), S
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
A : With As, (Sb), S
2.8.23.
2 : SULFIDES
8 : AmXp, with m:p = 1:1
2 : SULFIDES
8 : AmXp, with m:p = 1:1
3.7.7
3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
7 : Sulphides etc. of V, As, Sb and Bi
3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
7 : Sulphides etc. of V, As, Sb and Bi
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Uzn | 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 Uzonite
Pearly
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Yellow
Streak:
Yellow
Hardness:
1½ on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN8=66 - 71 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
{001}
{001}
Density:
3.37(2) g/cm3 (Measured) 3.385 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Uzonite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 2.38 nγ = 2.68
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.300
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:
Very High (positive)
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 biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure
- the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using
this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points
where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the
field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are
isogyres.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
No measured or calculated 2V is on file for this mineral, so the value used here (95°) is estimated from its recorded refractive indices and optic sign, not from a direct 2V measurement.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
No measured or calculated 2V is on file for this mineral, so the value used here (95°) is estimated from its recorded refractive indices and optic sign, not from a direct 2V measurement.
Dispersion:
relatively strong
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 (%) | R2 (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 400nm | 18.8% | 20.1% |
| 425nm | 18.8% | 20.0% |
| 450nm | 18.7% | 19.9% |
| 475nm | 18.3% | 19.7% |
| 500nm | 18.1% | 19.2% |
| 525nm | 19.0% | 19.8% |
| 550nm | 19.4% | 20.0% |
| 575nm | 19.4% | 19.9% |
| 600nm | 19.3% | 19.7% |
| 625nm | 19.2% | 19.4% |
| 650nm | 19.1% | 19.3% |
| 675nm | 19.0% | 19.2% |
| 700nm | 18.8% | 19.0% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 20.1%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
Grayish white
Internal Reflections:
Bright yellow
Chemistry of Uzonite
Mindat Formula:
As4S5
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Uzonite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/m
Setting:
P21/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.973 Å, b = 8.096(2) Å, c = 7.148(2) Å
β = 101.01(2)°
β = 101.01(2)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.985 : 1 : 0.883
Unit Cell V:
452.9 ų
Z:
2
Morphology:
Elongated along [001], with {110}, {001}, {101}. {110} exhibits fine striations parallel to [111].
Twinning:
Cruciform twins with twin plane (011) and axis [100].
Comment:
Cell parameters from Bindi et al. (2003).
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
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Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
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Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
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View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0012425 | Uzonite | Whitfield H J (1973) Crystal and molecular structure of tetraarsenic pentasulphide Dalton Transactions 1973 1740-1742 | 1973 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0005921 | Uzonite | Bindi L, Popova V, Bonazzi P (2003) Uzonite, As4S5, from the type locality: Single-crystal X-ray study and effects of exposure to light The Canadian Mineralogist 41 1463-1468 |  | 2003 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 5.81 Å | (100) |
| 3.602 Å | (80) |
| 2.905 Å | (80) |
| 5.31 Å | (60) |
| 3.100 Å | (60) |
| 2.820 Å | (60) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| High-? alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 33 : Minerals deposited by hydrothermal metal-rich fluids (see also [#12]) | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45a : [Sulfates, arsenates, selenates, antimonates] |
Type Occurrence of Uzonite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Yellow crystals up to 0.5 mm long.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Il’menskii Preserve Museum, Miass, Russia, 3911.
A.E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, 87574.
A.E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, 87574.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Caldera. Realgar-enriched sand-gravel and gravel-pebble tuff sediments at 10-30 cm depth.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Uzonite
Other Language Names for Uzonite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 9 photos of Uzonite associated with Realgar | As4S4 |
| 6 photos of Uzonite associated with Alacránite | As8S9 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 2.FA. | Bonazziite | As4S4 |
| 2.FA. | Anorpiment | As2S3 |
| 2.FA. | Paradimorphite | As4S3 |
| 2.FA.05 | Duranusite | As4S |
| 2.FA.10 | Dimorphite | As4S3 |
| 2.FA.15b | Pararealgar | As4S4 |
| 2.FA.15a | Realgar | As4S4 |
| 2.FA.15d | 'UM1970-18-S:As' | As4S4 |
| 2.FA.20 | Alacránite | As8S9 |
| 2.FA.30 | Laphamite | As2Se3 |
| 2.FA.30 | Orpiment | As2S3 |
| 2.FA.35 | Getchellite | AsSbS3 |
| 2.FA.40 | Wakabayashilite | [(As,Sb)6S9][As4S5] |
| 2.FA.40 | Kalgoorlieite | As2Te3 |
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:
Melts at 310 +/- 5 °C.
Notes:
Decomposes with 5-mol KOH to dark-brown powder, which dissolves during boiling. No reaction with HCl and HNO3.
Heating in a closed tube produces a white to yellowish (with increasing distance) sublimate.
Heating in a closed tube produces a white to yellowish (with increasing distance) sublimate.
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 Uzonite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-4128.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Uzonite
Localities for Uzonite
Showing 4 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.
New Zealand | |
| Kerr et al. (2018) |
| Kerr et al. (2018) | |
Romania | |
| Kristály et al. (2009) |
Russia (TL) | |
| Popova et al. (1985) +2 other references |
Quick NavTopAbout UzoniteUnique IdentifiersSimilar NamesIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Uzon Caldera, Kronotsky Reserve, Yelizovsky District, Kamchatka Krai, Russia