Vigezzite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Vigezzite
Formula:
CaNb2O6
Previously given as (Ca,Ce)(Nb,Ta,Ti)2O6. Redefined in 2025.
Colour:
Orange-yellow
Hardness:
4½ - 5
Specific Gravity:
5.54 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
Named after its discovery locality in the Vigezzo valley, Piedmont, Italy.
Dimorph of:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
4177
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4177:1
Similar Names
| Vogesite | A rock classification type |
IMA Classification of Vigezzite
Classification of Vigezzite
4.DF.05
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
D : Metal: Oxygen = 1:2 and similar
F : With large (+- medium-sized) cations; dimers and trimers of edgesharing octahedra
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
D : Metal: Oxygen = 1:2 and similar
F : With large (+- medium-sized) cations; dimers and trimers of edgesharing octahedra
8.3.7.1
8 : MULTIPLE OXIDES CONTAINING NIOBIUM,TANTALUM OR TITANIUM
3 : AB2O6
8 : MULTIPLE OXIDES CONTAINING NIOBIUM,TANTALUM OR TITANIUM
3 : AB2O6
18.2.19
18 : Niobates and Tantalates
2 : Niobates and tantalates containing rare earths but not U
18 : Niobates and Tantalates
2 : Niobates and tantalates containing rare earths but not U
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Vgz | 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 Vigezzite
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Orange-yellow
Streak:
White
Hardness:
4½ - 5 on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN50=396 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Very brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
{010}, distinct
{010}, distinct
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
5.54 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Vigezzite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 2.14(2) nγ = 2.315(2)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.175
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 (93°) 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 (93°) is estimated from its recorded refractive indices and optic sign, not from a direct 2V measurement.
Dispersion:
extreme
Optical Extinction:
X = a; Y = b; Z = c.
Chemistry of Vigezzite
Mindat Formula:
CaNb2O6
Previously given as (Ca,Ce)(Nb,Ta,Ti)2O6. Redefined in 2025.
Previously given as (Ca,Ce)(Nb,Ta,Ti)2O6. Redefined in 2025.
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Ta
Crystallography of Vigezzite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pnma
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.55 Å, b = 11.03 Å, c = 5.36 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.684 : 1 : 0.486
Unit Cell V:
446.36 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Euhedral, flattened prismatic crystals, strongly striated on {010} parallel to prism axis. The prisms are terminated only by the pinacoid {100}.
Comment:
Space group Pnmb (non-standard setting).
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0014844 | Vigezzite | Giuseppetti G, Tadini P (1990) The crystal structure of vigezzite, (Ca,Ce)(Nb,Ta,Ti)2O6, intermediate term of the aeschynite series Neues Jahrbuch fur Mineralogie, Monatshefte 1990 301-308 | 1990 | Vigezzo Valley, Novara, Italy | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.036 Å | (100) |
| 2.974 Å | (100) |
| 4.821 Å | (90) |
| 3.784 Å | (80) |
| 1.6018 Å | (70) |
| 1.7128 Å | (60) |
| 2.864 Å | (40) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 34 : Complex granite pegmatites | |
| 36 : Carbonatites, kimberlites, and related igneous rocks |
Type Occurrence of Vigezzite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Euhedral, flat prismatic crystals up to 2-3 mm in length.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Mineralogical Institute, University of Basel, Basel; Natural History Museum, Basel, Switzerland, MB27:336.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
In cavities of an albitic rock.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Vigezzite
Other Language Names for Vigezzite
Relationship of Vigezzite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Aeschynite Group:
| Aeschynite-(Ce) | Ce(TiNb)O6 | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pmna |
| Aeschynite-(Nd) | Nd(TiNb)O6 | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) |
| Aeschynite-(Y) | Y(TiNb)O6 | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pmna |
| Rynersonite | CaTa2O6 | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) |
| Tantalaeschynite-(Ce) | Ce(TiTa)O6 | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma |
| Tantalaeschynite-(Y) | Y(TiTa)O6 | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) |
| 'UM2001-09-O:CaNbREESiTiY' | (Ca,Y,REE)(Ti,Nb,Si)2(O,OH)6 | |
| Yulinite | SrNb2O6 | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 6 photos of Vigezzite associated with 'Actinolite-Tremolite Series' | |
| 2 photos of Vigezzite associated with Actinolite | ◻Ca2(Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5)Si8O22(OH)2 |
| 2 photos of Vigezzite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 1 photo of Vigezzite associated with Aegirine | NaFe3+Si2O6 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.DF.05 | Aeschynite-(Ce) | Ce(TiNb)O6 |
| 4.DF.05 | Aeschynite-(Nd) | Nd(TiNb)O6 |
| 4.DF.05 | Aeschynite-(Y) | Y(TiNb)O6 |
| 4.DF.05 | Tantalaeschynite-(Y) | Y(TiTa)O6 |
| 4.DF.05 | Rynersonite | CaTa2O6 |
| 4.DF.05 | Yulinite | SrNb2O6 |
| 4.DF.10 | Changbaiite | PbNb2O6 |
| 4.DF.15 | Murataite-(Y) | (Y,Na)6Zn(Zn,Fe3+)4(Ti,Nb,Na)12O29(O,F,OH)10F4 |
Fluorescence of Vigezzite
Not fluorescent with SW or LW UV, however, a quartz-lamp produces a brilliant green fluorescence, characteristic of cerium-bearing minerals.
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 Vigezzite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-4177.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Vigezzite
Reference List:
Graeser, S., Schwander, H., Hänni, H., Mattioli, V. (1979) Vigezzite, (Ca, Ce) (Nb, Ta,Ti)2O6, a new aeschynite-type mineral from the Alps. Mineralogical Magazine, 43 (328) 459-462 doi:10.1180/minmag.1979.043.328.02
Fleischer, Michael, Cabri, Louis J., Chao, G. Y., Pabst, Adolf (1980) New Mineral Names. American Mineralogist, 65 (7-8) 808-814 pp.811-812
Localities for Vigezzite
Showing 22 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.
Angola | |
| Amores-Casals et al. (2019) |
Brazil | |
| Oliveira et al. (2020) |
| Menezes Filho et al. (2015) | |
Canada | |
| ontariominerals.com |
Czech Republic | |
| Výravský et al. (2017) |
Italy | |
| Sergio Varvello collection |
| Graeser et al. (1979) +1 other reference |
| Varvello et al. (2013) |
| Mattioli (1979 a) +8 other references |
Madagascar | |
| Pezzotta (2007) |
Mozambique | |
| Gomes et al. (2022) |
Norway | |
| Husdal (2019) |
| Husdal (2023) | |
Russia | |
| webmineral.ru (2021) |
| Sorokina et al. (2019) |
| Koneva A.A. et al. (2010) |
| |
| Sorokhtina et al. (2018) |
Spain | |
| Garcia-Guinea et al. (2005) |
| Sainz de Baranda Graf et al. (2026) |
| Tánago et al. (2012) |
Switzerland | |
|
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Alpe Rosso, Orcesco, Druogno, Verbano-Cusio-Ossola Province, Piedmont, Italy