Starovaite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Starovaite
Formula:
KCu5O(VO4)3
Colour:
Golden brown to reddish brown
Lustre:
Sub-Metallic
Hardness:
3½ - 4
Specific Gravity:
4.54 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
After Galina Leonidovna Starova (Галина Леонидовна Старова) (b. 1946) Russian crystallographer and crystal chemist, associate professor of the Chemical Faculty of St. Petersburg State University, a specialist in single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, for her contribution to the crystal chemistry of minerals from the Tolbachik fumaroles.
This page provides mineralogical data about Starovaite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
42872
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:42872:5
Similar Names
| Struvite | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | (NH4)Mg(PO4) · 6H2O |
| Struvite-(K) | A valid IMA mineral species | KMg(PO4) · 6H2O |
IMA Classification of Starovaite
Approved
IMA Formula:
KCu2+5O(V5+O4)3
Approval year:
2011
First published:
2013
Type description reference:
Pekov, Igor V., Zelenski, Michael E., Yapaskurt, Vasiliy O., Polekhovsky, Yury S., Murashko, M Ikhailn. (2013) Starovaite, KCu5O(VO4)3, a new mineral from fumarole sublimates of the Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia. European Journal of Mineralogy, 25 (1) 91-96 doi:10.1127/0935-1221/2013/0025-2258
Classification of Starovaite
8.BF.25
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
F : With medium-sized and large cations, (OH, etc.):RO4< 0.5:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
F : With medium-sized and large cations, (OH, etc.):RO4< 0.5:1
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sro | 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 Starovaite
Sub-Metallic
Colour:
Golden brown to reddish brown
Streak:
Yellowish brown
Hardness:
3½ - 4 on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN20=165 - 195 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Parting:
None observed
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
4.54 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Starovaite
Anisotropism:
Weak
Bireflectance:
Weak
1.5
1.5
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 (%) | R2 (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 400nm | 15.8% | 14.6% |
| 420nm | 15.2% | 13.8% |
| 440nm | 14.8% | 13.1% |
| 460nm | 14.4% | 12.6% |
| 480nm | 14.0% | 12.3% |
| 500nm | 13.7% | 12.0% |
| 520nm | 13.5% | 11.8% |
| 540nm | 13.3% | 11.6% |
| 560nm | 13.1% | 11.5% |
| 580nm | 13.0% | 11.4% |
| 600nm | 12.9% | 11.4% |
| 620nm | 12.8% | 11.3% |
| 640nm | 12.7% | 11.3% |
| 660nm | 12.5% | 11.2% |
| 680nm | 12.4% | 11.2% |
| 700nm | 12.3% | 11.1% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 15.8%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
Grey with a brownish hue
Internal Reflections:
Distinct red-brown
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Starovaite
Mindat Formula:
KCu5O(VO4)3
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Starovaite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Setting:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.08(4) Å, b = 8.26(5) Å, c = 10.71(6) Å
α = 97.8(1)°, β = 92.4(1)°, γ = 90.4(1)°
α = 97.8(1)°, β = 92.4(1)°, γ = 90.4(1)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.736 : 1 : 1.297
Unit Cell V:
532 ų
Z:
2
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0018740 | Starovaite | Martin F D, Mueller-Buschbaum H (1994) Ein neues Alkalimetall-Kupfer-Oxovanadat: KCu5V3O13 Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung B49 1137-1140 | 1994 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 10.65 Å | (32) |
| 8.18 Å | (46) |
| 3.047 Å | (41) |
| 2.745 Å | (47) |
| 2.526 Å | (100) |
| 2.322 Å | (98) |
| 1.867 Å | (25) |
| 1.410 Å | (23) |
Reference:
Pekov, Igor V., Zelenski, Michael E., Yapaskurt, Vasiliy O., Polekhovsky, Yury S., Murashko, M Ikhailn. (2013) Starovaite, KCu5O(VO4)3, a new mineral from fumarole sublimates of the Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia. European Journal of Mineralogy, 25 (1) 91-96 doi:10.1127/0935-1221/2013/0025-2258
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45b : [Other oxidized fumarolic minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Starovaite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Prismatic crystals up to 3 x 6 x 20 µm or divergent long-prismatic crystals up to 1 x 3 x 70 µm. The crystals are combined in sprays, sheaf-like aggregates or crusts up to 0.3 x 0.5 mm overgrowing lammerite.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Fersman Mineralogical Museum of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, registration number 4196/1
Geological Setting of Type Material:
In the sublimates of a fumarole.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Pekov, Igor V., Zelenski, Michael E., Yapaskurt, Vasiliy O., Polekhovsky, Yury S., Murashko, M Ikhailn. (2013) Starovaite, KCu5O(VO4)3, a new mineral from fumarole sublimates of the Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia. European Journal of Mineralogy, 25 (1) 91-96 doi:10.1127/0935-1221/2013/0025-2258
Synonyms of Starovaite
Other Language Names for Starovaite
Dutch:Starovaiet
German:Starovait
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 8 photos of Starovaite associated with Lammerite | Cu3(AsO4)2 |
| 4 photos of Starovaite associated with Cupromolybdite | Cu3O(MoO4)2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.BF. | Manganoarrojadite-(KNa) | (KNa)(NaNa)Mn2+(Na2◻)Fe2+13Al(PO4)11(PO3OH)(OH)2 |
| 8.BF. | Sigismundite | (Ba◻)(Fe2+◻)Ca(Na2◻)Fe2+13Al(PO4)11(PO3OH)(OH)2 |
| 8.BF.05 | Dickinsonite-(KMnNa) | (KNa)(Mn2+◻)Ca(Na2Na)Mn2+13Al(PO4)11(PO4)(OH)2 |
| 8.BF.05 | Arrojadite-(KNa) | (KNa)(NaNa)Ca(Na2◻)Fe2+13Al(PO4)11(PO3OH)(OH)2 |
| 8.BF.05 | Fluorarrojadite-(BaNa) | (Ba◻)(NaNa)Ca(Na2◻)Fe2+13Al(PO4)11(PO3OH)F2 |
| 8.BF.05 | Arrojadite-(KFe) | (KNa)(Fe2+◻)Ca(Na2◻)Fe2+13Al(PO4)11(PO3OH)(OH)2 |
| 8.BF.05 | Arrojadite-(PbFe) | (Pb◻)(Fe2+◻)Ca(Na2◻)Fe2+13Al(PO4)11(PO3OH)(OH)2 |
| 8.BF.05 | Fluorarrojadite-(BaFe) | (Ba◻)(Fe2+◻)Ca(Na2◻)Fe2+13Al(PO4)11(PO3OH)F2 |
| 8.BF.05 | 'Unnamed (Ba-dominant member of dickinsonite group)' | |
| 8.BF.05 | 'Unnamed (Pb-dominant member of dickinsonite group)' | |
| 8.BF.05 | Arrojadite-(SrFe) | (Sr◻)(Fe2+◻)Ca(Na2◻)Fe2+13Al(PO4)11(PO3OH)(OH)2 |
| 8.BF.05 | 'Arrojadite-(NaFe)' | (NaNa)(Fe2+◻)Ca(Na2◻)Fe2+13Al(PO4)11(PO3OH)(OH)2 |
| 8.BF.05 | Arrojadite-(BaNa) | (Ba◻)(NaNa)Ca(Na2◻)Fe2+13Al(PO4)11(PO3OH)(OH)2 |
| 8.BF.05 | 'Arrojadite-(KFeNa)' | (KNa)(Fe2+◻)Ca(Na2Na)Fe2+13Al(PO4)11(PO4)(OH)2 |
| 8.BF.05 | 'Ferri-arrojadite-(BaNa)' | (Ba◻)(NaNa)Ca(Na2◻)Fe2+13Fe3+(PO4)11(PO3OH)(OH)2 |
| 8.BF.05 | 'Fluorarrojadite-(KNa)' | (KNa)(NaNa)Ca(Na2◻)Fe2+13Al(PO4)11(PO3OH)F2 |
| 8.BF.05 | 'Fluorarrojadite-(NaFe)' | (NaNa)(Fe2+◻)Ca(Na2◻)Fe2+13Al(PO4)11(PO3OH)F2 |
| 8.BF.05 | Fluorcarmoite-(BaNa) | (Ba◻)(NaNa)Ca(Na2◻)Mg13Al(PO4)11(PO3OH)F2 |
| 8.BF.10 | Samuelsonite | (Ca,Ba)Ca8Fe2+2Mn2+2Al2(PO4)10(OH)2 |
| 8.BF.15 | Griphite | Na4Li2Ca6(Mn2+,Fe2+,Mg)19Al8(PO4)24(F,OH)8 |
| 8.BF.20 | Nabiasite | BaMn9(VO4)6(OH)2 |
| 8.BF.30 | Achyrophanite | (K,Na)3(Fe3+,Ti,Al,Mg)5O2(AsO4)5 |
| 8.BF.35 | Cryptochalcite | K2Cu5O(SO4)5 |
| 8.BF.35 | Cesiodymite | CsKCu5O(SO4)5 |
Radioactivity
Radioactivity:
| Element | % Content | Activity (Bq/kg) | Radiation Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uranium (U) | 0.0000% | 0 | α, β, γ |
| Thorium (Th) | 0.0000% | 0 | α, β, γ |
| Potassium (K) | 5.4481% | 1,689 | 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
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 Starovaite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-42872.html
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References for Starovaite
Reference List:
Williams, P. A., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2012) New minerals and nomenclature modifications approved in 2012. CNMNC Newsletter No 12. Mineralogical Magazine, 76 (1) 151-155 doi:10.1180/minmag.2012.076.1.151
Pekov, Igor V., Zelenski, Michael E., Yapaskurt, Vasiliy O., Polekhovsky, Yury S., Murashko, M Ikhailn. (2013) Starovaite, KCu5O(VO4)3, a new mineral from fumarole sublimates of the Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia. European Journal of Mineralogy, 25 (1) 91-96 doi:10.1127/0935-1221/2013/0025-2258
Localities for Starovaite
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.
Italy | |
| Balassone et al. (2019) |
| Balassone et al. (2019) |
| Locality description | |
Russia (TL) | |
| Williams et al. (2012) +1 other reference |
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Yadovitaya fumarole, Second scoria cone, Northern Breakthrough, Great Fissure eruption, Tolbachik Volcanic field, Milkovsky District, Kamchatka Krai, Russia