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Cupromolybdite

A valid IMA mineral species
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About CupromolybditeHide

Formula:
Cu3O(MoO4)2
Colour:
Honey-yellow to chestnut-brown or dark brown; bright yellow
Lustre:
Adamantine
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
4.512 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
For the chemical composition.
Isostructural with:
S-free analogue of vergasovaite. May form via topotactic transformation of the latter (Nazarchuk et al., 2023).


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
41953
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:41953:2

IMA Classification of CupromolybditeHide

Classification of CupromolybditeHide

7.BB.30

7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
B : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, without H2O
B : With medium-sized cations

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference for Standard
CmybIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of CupromolybditeHide

Adamantine
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Honey-yellow to chestnut-brown or dark brown; bright yellow
Streak:
Yellow or light brown
Hardness:
Hardness:
VHN50=189 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Comment:
Mohs hardness derived from VHN.
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Splintery
Density:
4.512 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of CupromolybditeHide

Anisotropism:
Distinct
Bireflectance:
Weak
Reflectivity:
WavelengthR1 (%)R2 (%)
400nm17.0% 18.5%
420nm16.3% 17.7%
440nm15.7% 17.1%
460nm15.2% 16.5%
480nm14.7% 16.1%
500nm14.3% 15.7%
520nm13.9% 15.3%
540nm13.5% 15.0%
560nm13.1% 14.6%
580nm12.9% 14.3%
600nm12.4% 13.8%
620nm12.2% 13.6%
640nm12.15% 13.5%
660nm11.9% 13.2%


Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 18.5%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
Grey, with a weak bluish hue
Internal Reflections:
Orange-red or orange-brown
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Comments:
The reflectivity data for 680 and 700 nm, given in the type description, are in error (they duplicate 400 and 420 nm).

Chemistry of CupromolybditeHide

Mindat Formula:
Cu3O(MoO4)2
Element Weights:
Element% weight
Mo36.448 %
Cu36.205 %
O27.347 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.

Crystallography of CupromolybditeHide

Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pnma
Setting:
Pnma
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.6638(1) Å, b = 6.8670(1) Å, c = 14.5554(2) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.116 : 1 : 2.12
Unit Cell V:
766.01 ų
Z:
4
Morphology:
Prismatic to acicular.

Crystal StructureHide

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0019362CupromolybditeZelenski M E, Zubkova N V, Pekov I V, Polekhovsky Y S, Pushcharovsky D Y (2012) Cupromolybdite, Cu3O(MoO4)2, a new fumarolic mineral from the Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia European Journal of Mineralogy 24 749-7572012the Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia0293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event<2.4
45a : [Sulfates, arsenates, selenates, antimonates]
45b : [Other oxidized fumarolic minerals]

Type Occurrence of CupromolybditeHide

Synonyms of CupromolybditeHide

Other Language Names for CupromolybditeHide

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
4 photos of Cupromolybdite associated with StarovaiteKCu5O(VO4)3
2 photos of Cupromolybdite associated with LammeriteCu3(AsO4)2
1 photo of Cupromolybdite associated with PseudolyonsiteCu3(VO4)2
1 photo of Cupromolybdite associated with PiypiteK4Cu4O2(SO4)4 · (Na,Cu)Cl

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

7.BB.IskandaroviteSb6O7(SO4)2Orth. mm2 : Ccc2
7.BB.BrumadoiteCu3(Te6+O4)(OH)4 · 5H2OMon. 2/m : P21/m
7.BB.Novikovite(NH4)4Mo6+2Mo5+2O8(SO4)5Mon. 2/m
7.BB.10HauckiteFe3+3(Mg,Mn2+)24Zn18(SO4)4(CO3)2(OH)81Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P6/mmm
7.BB.15AntleriteCu3(SO4)(OH)4Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
7.BB.20DolerophaniteCu2(SO4)OMon. 2/m : B2/m
7.BB.25BrochantiteCu4(SO4)(OH)6Mon. 2/m : P21/b
7.BB.25RamaccioniiteCu4[SeO4](OH)6Mon. 2/m : P21/b
7.BB.30VergasovaiteCu3(SO4)(MoO4,SO4)OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
7.BB.35KlebelsbergiteSb4O4(SO4)(OH)2Orth. mm2
7.BB.35TavagnascoiteBi4O4(SO4)(OH)2Orth. mm2 : Pca21
7.BB.40SchuetteiteHg2+3O2(SO4)Trig. 32 : P3121
7.BB.45ParaotwayiteNi(OH)2-x(SO4,CO3)0.5xMon.
7.BB.50XocomecatliteCu3(TeO4)(OH)4Orth.
7.BB.55Pauflerite(V4+O)SO4Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma
7.BB.60GrandviewiteCu3Al2(SO4)(OH)10 · H2OTric. 1 : P1
7.BB.65TimroseitePb2Cu5(TeO6)2(OH)2Orth. mm2 : Pmn21
7.BB.70GlikiniteZn3O(SO4)2Mon. 2/m : P21/m
7.BB.80MojaveiteCu6[Te6+O4(OH)2](OH)7ClTrig. 3 : R3
7.BB.85ParatimroseitePb2Cu4(TeO6)2(H2O)2Orth. 222 : P212121

Other InformationHide

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 CupromolybditeHide

References for CupromolybditeHide

Localities for CupromolybditeHide

Showing 1 localities.

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
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Locality ListHide

- 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). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Russia (TL)
 
  • Kamchatka Krai
    • Milkovsky District
      • Tolbachik Volcanic field
        • Great Fissure eruption (Main Fracture)
          • Northern Breakthrough (North Breach)
            • Second scoria cone
Williams et al. (2011) +2 other references
 
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