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Ekplexite

A valid IMA mineral species
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Formula:
(Nb,Mo,W)S2 · (Mg1-xAlx)(OH)2+x
Colour:
Iron-black
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
1
Specific Gravity:
3.63 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Name:
From the Greek έκπληξις ("ekplexis") = surprise, apparently alluding to the surprising combination of elements in its chemical formula.
This page provides mineralogical data about Ekplexite.


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Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
42864
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:42864:6

IMA Classification of EkplexiteHide

Classification of EkplexiteHide

Strunz-mindat (2026):
2.FD.30

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
D : With O, OH, H2O

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

Physical Properties of EkplexiteHide

Lustre:
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Iron-black
Hardness:
1 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Flexible
Cleavage:
Perfect
{001} perfect
Density:
3.63 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Chemistry of EkplexiteHide

Mindat Formula:
(Nb,Mo,W)S2 · (Mg1-xAlx)(OH)2+x
Elements listed:
Al, H, Mg, Mo, Nb, O, S, W - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of EkplexiteHide

Crystal System:
Trigonal
Cell Parameters:
a = 3.791(3) Å, c = 11.30(1) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 2.981
Unit Cell V:
140.64 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Mical-like flakes in aggregates.
Comment:
Space group: P321, P3m1 or P3¯ m1

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks>3.0
35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event<2.4
47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals]

Type Occurrence of EkplexiteHide

Type Locality:
ⓘ Kaskasnyunchorr Mountain, Murmansk Oblast, Russia
General Appearance of Type Material:
Lenticular nests up to 0.2 mm×1 mm×1 mm consisting of near-parallel, radiating or chaotic aggregates of soft flakes.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Fersman Mineralogical Museum of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, registration number 4155/1
Geological Setting of Type Material:
In perthite-rich fenite, Khibiny alkaline complex, Russia.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Alabandite'Anorthoclase'CorundumEdgariteFluorophlogopite
GraphiteKaskasiteManganokaskasiteMolybdeniteMonazite-(Ce)
NephelineOrthoclasePyritePyrrhotiteRutile
Tungstenite
Reference:
Pekov, I. V., Yapaskurt, V. O., Polekhovsky, Y. S., Vigasina, M. F., Siidra, O. I. (2014) Ekplexite (Nb,Mo)S2·(Mg1−xAlx)(OH)2+x, kaskasite (Mo,Nb)S2·(Mg1−xAlx)(OH)2+x and manganokaskasite (Mo,Nb)S2·(Mn1−xAlx)(OH)2+x, three new valleriite-group mineral species from the Khibiny alkaline complex, Kola peninsula, Russia. Mineralogical Magazine, 78 (3) 663-679 doi:10.1180/minmag.2014.078.3.14

Synonyms of EkplexiteHide

Other Language Names for EkplexiteHide

Dutch:Ekplexiet
German:Ekplexit

Relationship of Ekplexite to other SpeciesHide

Member of:
Valleriite Group
Other Members of Valleriite Group:
FerrotochiliniteFe2+6(Fe2+,Mg)5S6(OH)10Mon.
Ferrovalleriite2(Fe,Cu)S · 1.5Fe(OH)2 Trig.
Haapalaite(Fe2+,Ni)2(Mg,Fe2+)1.61S2(OH)3.22Hex.
TochiliniteFe2+5-6(Mg,Fe2+)5S6(OH)10Mon.
Valleriite(Fe2+,Cu)4(Mg,Al)3S4(OH,O)6Trig.
Yushkinite(Mg,Al)V4+S2(OH)2Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

2.FD.Ferrovalleriite2(Fe,Cu)S · 1.5Fe(OH)2 Trig.
2.FD.05KermesiteSb2S2OTric. 1 : P1
2.FD.10Viaeneite(Fe,Pb)4S8OMon.
2.FD.20ErditeNaFeS2 · 2H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
2.FD.25CoyoteiteNaFe3S5 · 2H2OTric.
2.FD.30Yushkinite(Mg,Al)V4+S2(OH)2Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1
2.FD.30Valleriite(Fe2+,Cu)4(Mg,Al)3S4(OH,O)6Trig.
2.FD.30Haapalaite(Fe2+,Ni)2(Mg,Fe2+)1.61S2(OH)3.22Hex.
2.FD.35Kaskasite(Mo,Nb)S2 · (Mg1-xAlx)(OH)2+xTrig.
2.FD.35Manganokaskasite(Mo,Nb)S2 · (Mn1-xAlx)(OH)2+xTrig.
2.FD.35TochiliniteFe2+5-6(Mg,Fe2+)5S6(OH)10Mon.
2.FD.35FerrotochiliniteFe2+6(Fe2+,Mg)5S6(OH)10Mon.
2.FD.40WilhelmramsayiteCu3FeS3 · 2H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pmmm
2.FD.45VyalsoviteFeCaAlS(OH)5Mon. m : Bm
2.FD.50BazhenoviteCa8S2(S3)(S2O3)(OH)12 · 20H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
2.FD.55'UM2004-56-OS:BiCuPb'PbCu4Bi4S2(O,OH,H2O)16 (?)Tet.

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 EkplexiteHide

References for EkplexiteHide

Localities for EkplexiteHide

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)
 
  • Murmansk Oblast
Williams et al. (2012) +1 other reference
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