Aspedamite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Aspedamite
Aspedammen train station
Formula:
◻ 12(Fe+23Fe2+)Nb4(ThNb9Fe+23 Ti4+O42)(H2O)9(OH)3
Colour:
Brownish orange to deep red
Lustre:
Adamantine
Hardness:
3 - 4
Specific Gravity:
4.070 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Isometric
Name:
Named after the locality close to Aspedammen, Halden, Østfold, Norway.
Type Locality:
Isostructural with:
A natural heteropolyniobate - the second known after menezesite. Chemically somewhat related to hexaniobates peterandresenite and hansesmarkite.
Found on only one specimen at the TL (status 2018).
Found on only one specimen at the TL (status 2018).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
42356
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:42356:2
IMA Classification of Aspedamite
Approved
IMA Formula:
◻12(Fe3+,Fe2+)3Nb5+4[Th4+(Nb5+,Fe3+)12O42][(H2O),(OH)]12
Approval year:
2011
First published:
2012
Type description reference:
Cooper, M. A., Abdu, Y. A., Ball, N. A., Cerny, P., Hawthorne, F. C., Kristiansen, R. (2012) Aspedamite, ideally ◻12(Fe3+,Fe2+)3Nb4[Th(Nb,Fe3+)12O42]{(H2O),(OH)}12, a new heteropolyniobate mineral species from the Herrebøkasa Quarry, Aspedammen, Østfold, southern Norway: description and crystal structure. The Canadian Mineralogist, 50 (4) 793-894 doi:10.3749/canmin.50.4.793
Classification of Aspedamite
4.FN.
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
F : Hydroxides (without V or U)
N : Hydroxides with H2O±(OH); frameworks of corner and/or face-sharing octahedra
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
F : Hydroxides (without V or U)
N : Hydroxides with H2O±(OH); frameworks of corner and/or face-sharing octahedra
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Apd | 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 Aspedamite
Adamantine
Colour:
Brownish orange to deep red
Streak:
Very pale orange
Hardness:
3 - 4 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Parting:
None observed
Density:
4.070 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Aspedamite
Type:
Isotropic
RI values:
n = 2.084
Birefringence:
Isotropic minerals have no birefringence
Surface Relief:
Very High
Comments:
Refractive index is calculated.
Chemistry of Aspedamite
Mindat Formula:
◻ 12(Fe+23Fe2+)Nb4(ThNb9Fe+23 Ti4+O42)(H2O)9(OH)3
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Aspedamite
Crystal System:
Isometric
Class (H-M):
m3(2/m3) - Diploidal
Space Group:
Im3
Cell Parameters:
a = 12.9078(6) Å
Unit Cell V:
2150.6 ų
Z:
2
Morphology:
Dominant forms: the dodecahedron {110} modified by the cube {100}
Twinning:
None observed
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 9.107 Å | (100) |
| 4.567 Å | (15) |
| 4.083 Å | (15) |
| 3.454 Å | (18) |
| 3.233 Å | (28) |
| 2.889 Å | (33) |
| 2.635 Å | (36) |
| 1.726 Å | (29) |
Reference:
Cooper, M. A., Abdu, Y. A., Ball, N. A., Cerny, P., Hawthorne, F. C., Kristiansen, R. (2012) Aspedamite, ideally ◻12(Fe3+,Fe2+)3Nb4[Th(Nb,Fe3+)12O42]{(H2O),(OH)}12, a new heteropolyniobate mineral species from the Herrebøkasa Quarry, Aspedammen, Østfold, southern Norway: description and crystal structure. The Canadian Mineralogist, 50 (4) 793-894 doi:10.3749/canmin.50.4.793
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 34 : Complex granite pegmatites |
Type Occurrence of Aspedamite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Small to 50 micron, euhedral crystals of dodecahedra and cubes perched on a white mat of an Al-Nb-Fe-Ti-Ca-K-bearing silicate on a partly 12 x 12 x 6 mm large monazite crystal.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Department of Natural History, Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, catalogue number M56117
Empirical Formula of Type Material:
K0.09Ca0.13Ce0.26La0.08Nd0.07Fe2+1.00Mn0.30Fe3+3.48Th0.56Ti 4+0.71Si0.34Nb12.98Ta0.21O42(H2O)9(OH)3
Chemical Analysis of Type Material:
| Nb2O5 | 65.64 % |
|---|---|
| Ta2O5 | 1.78 % |
| SiO2 | 0.78 % |
| ThO2 | 5.64 % |
| Fe2O3 | 10.56 % |
| FeO | 2.73 % |
| MnO | 0.82 % |
| CaO | 0.28 % |
| K2O | 0.16 % |
| La2O3 | 0.52 % |
| Ce2O3 | 1.62 % |
| Nd2O3 | 0.44 % |
| H2O | 7.20 % |
| TiO2 | 2.15 % |
| Total: | 100.32 % |
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Granite pegmatite
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Cooper, M. A., Abdu, Y. A., Ball, N. A., Cerny, P., Hawthorne, F. C., Kristiansen, R. (2012) Aspedamite, ideally ◻12(Fe3+,Fe2+)3Nb4[Th(Nb,Fe3+)12O42]{(H2O),(OH)}12, a new heteropolyniobate mineral species from the Herrebøkasa Quarry, Aspedammen, Østfold, southern Norway: description and crystal structure. The Canadian Mineralogist, 50 (4) 793-894 doi:10.3749/canmin.50.4.793
Synonyms of Aspedamite
Other Language Names for Aspedamite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 1 photo of Aspedamite associated with Ilmenite | Fe2+TiO3 |
| 1 photo of Aspedamite associated with Albite | Na(AlSi3O8) |
| 1 photo of Aspedamite associated with Mica Group | |
| 1 photo of Aspedamite associated with Monazite Group | REE(PO4) |
| 1 photo of Aspedamite associated with Columbite-(Fe) | Fe2+Nb2O6 |
| 1 photo of Aspedamite associated with Aegirine | NaFe3+Si2O6 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.FN.05 | Menezesite | Ba2MgZr4(BaNb12O42) · 12H2O |
Radioactivity
Radioactivity:
| Element | % Content | Activity (Bq/kg) | Radiation Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uranium (U) | 0.0000% | 0 | α, β, γ |
| Thorium (Th) | 8.3958% | 335,832 | α, β, γ |
| Potassium (K) | 0.0000% | 0 | β, γ |
For comparison:
- Banana: ~15 Bq per fruit
- Granite: 1,000–3,000 Bq/kg
- EU exemption limit: 10,000 Bq/kg
Note: Risk is shown relative to daily recommended maximum exposure to non-background radiation of 1000 µSv/year. Note that natural background radiation averages around 2400 µSv/year so in reality these risks are probably extremely overstated! With infrequent handling and safe storage natural radioactive minerals do not usually pose much risk.
Interactive Simulator:
Note: The mass selector refers to the mass of radioactive mineral present, not the full specimen, also be aware that the matrix may also be radioactive, possibly more radioactive than this mineral!
Activity: –
| Distance | Dose rate | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cm | ||
| 10 cm | ||
| 1 m |
The external dose rate (D) from a radioactive mineral is estimated by summing the gamma radiation contributions from its Uranium, Thorium, and Potassium content, disregarding daughter-product which may have a significant effect in some cases (eg 'pitchblende'). This involves multiplying the activity (A, in Bq) of each element by its specific gamma ray constant (Γ), which accounts for its unique gamma emissions. The total unshielded dose at 1 cm is then scaled by the square of the distance (r, in cm) and multiplied by a shielding factor (μshield). This calculation provides a 'worst-case' or 'maximum risk' estimate because it assumes the sample is a point source and entirely neglects any self-shielding where radiation is absorbed within the mineral itself, meaning actual doses will typically be lower. The resulting dose rate (D) is expressed in microsieverts per hour (μSv/h).
D = ((AU × ΓU) + (ATh × ΓTh) + (AK × ΓK)) / r2 × μshield
Fluorescence of Aspedamite
None
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 Aspedamite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-42356.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
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References for Aspedamite
Reference List:
Williams, P. A., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2011) New minerals and nomenclature modifications approved in 2011. CNMNC Newsletter No 11. Mineralogical Magazine, 75 (6) 2887-2893 doi:10.1180/minmag.2011.075.6.2887
Cooper, M. A., Abdu, Y. A., Ball, N. A., Cerny, P., Hawthorne, F. C., Kristiansen, R. (2012) Aspedamite, ideally ◻12(Fe3+,Fe2+)3Nb4[Th(Nb,Fe3+)12O42]{(H2O),(OH)}12, a new heteropolyniobate mineral species from the Herrebøkasa Quarry, Aspedammen, Østfold, southern Norway: description and crystal structure. The Canadian Mineralogist, 50 (4) 793-894 doi:10.3749/canmin.50.4.793
Localities for Aspedamite
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.
Norway (TL) | |
| Williams et al. (2011) +1 other reference |
| Larsen et al. (2012) |
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Herrebøkasa, Aspedammen, Idd, Halden, Østfold, Norway