Yttrotungstite-(Y)
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Yttrotungstite-(Y)
Formula:
YW2O7(OH) · H2O
Colour:
Orange-yellow
Hardness:
1
Specific Gravity:
5.96
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named after its chemical composition containing yttrium and tungsten. The original material from 1927 was named thorotungstite as it was thought to contain thorium. A reanalysis in 1950 showed no thorium and rather yttrium, so the name was changed to yttrotungstite. A thorough reanalysis was published in 1971. The suffix was added by the IMA in 1987, following the Levinson rule for rare-earth elements.
Type Locality:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
4374
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4374:4
Similar Names
| Hydrotungstite | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | WO3 · 2H2O |
| Yttrotungstite-(Ce) | A valid IMA mineral species | CeW2O7(OH) · H2O |
| Yttrotungstite-(Nd) | A valid IMA mineral species | NdW2O7(OH) · H2O |
IMA Classification of Yttrotungstite-(Y)
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Y(W6+,Fe3+,Si,Al,Ti4+)2(O,OH,H2O)9
First published:
1971
Classification of Yttrotungstite-(Y)
4.FD.20
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
F : Hydroxides (without V or U)
D : Hydroxides with OH, without H2O; chains of edge-sharing octahedra
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
F : Hydroxides (without V or U)
D : Hydroxides with OH, without H2O; chains of edge-sharing octahedra
49.3.3.2
49 : HYDRATED MOLYBDATES AND TUNGSTATES
3 : Hydrated Molybdates and Tungstates Containing Hydroxyl or Halogen
49 : HYDRATED MOLYBDATES AND TUNGSTATES
3 : Hydrated Molybdates and Tungstates Containing Hydroxyl or Halogen
27.4.6
27 : Sulphites, Chromates, Molybdates and Tungstates
4 : Tungstates
27 : Sulphites, Chromates, Molybdates and Tungstates
4 : Tungstates
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ytgs-Y | 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 Yttrotungstite-(Y)
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Orange-yellow
Hardness:
1 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
{010}, good; on {101}, probable, very poor.
{010}, good; on {101}, probable, very poor.
Density:
5.96 g/cm3 (Measured) 5.98 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Yttrotungstite-(Y)
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.89 nβ = 1.98 nγ = 2.02
2V:
Measured: 68° , Calculated: 64°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.130
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.
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.
Dispersion:
r > v strong
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X = pale yellow; Y = Z = dark yellow
Comments:
Z = b; X ∧ c = 26◦
Chemistry of Yttrotungstite-(Y)
Mindat Formula:
YW2O7(OH) · H2O
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Yttrotungstite-(Y)
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/m
Setting:
P21/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.954(6) Å, b = 6.954(9) Å, c = 5.771(6) Å
β = 104.93(4)°
β = 104.93(4)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1 : 1 : 0.83
Unit Cell V:
269.65 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Elongated along [001], flattened, and always twinned to pseudo-orthorhombic symmetry. Frequently bevelled by {110} and very rarely terminated by {101}.
Twinning:
On {100}, probably universal, as contact twins.
Comment:
pseudo-orthorhombic
Crystal Structure
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Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
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View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
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Rotation
Stop | Start
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Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0014453 | Yttrotungstite-(Y) | Davis R J, Smith G W (1971) Yttrotungstite Mineralogical Magazine 38 261-285 |  | 1971 | Kinta district, Perak, Malaysia | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Loading XRD data...
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 4.69 Å | (vvs) |
| 3.26 Å | (vvs) |
| 2.028 Å | (vs) |
| 6.73 Å | (ms) |
| 3.36 Å | (ms) |
| 2.869 Å | (ms) |
| 2.790 Å | (ms) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 26 : Hadean detrital minerals | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Yttrotungstite-(Y)
General Appearance of Type Material:
Yellow earthy material and as monoclinic lath-like crystals.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
n.d.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Yttrotungstite-(Y)
Other Language Names for Yttrotungstite-(Y)
Relationship of Yttrotungstite-(Y) to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Yttrotungstite Group:
| Yttrotungstite-(Ce) | CeW2O7(OH) · H2O | Mon. 2 : P21 |
| Yttrotungstite-(Nd) | NdW2O7(OH) · H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/m |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 8 photos of Yttrotungstite-(Y) associated with Hydrokenoelsmoreite | ◻2W2O6(H2O) |
| 5 photos of Yttrotungstite-(Y) associated with 'Alumotungstite' | ◻2W2O6(H2O) |
| 2 photos of Yttrotungstite-(Y) associated with Kaolinite | Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.FD.05 | Spertiniite | Cu(OH)2 |
| 4.FD.10 | Diaspore | AlO(OH) |
| 4.FD.10 | Goethite | Fe3+O(OH) |
| 4.FD.10 | Montroseite | (V3+,Fe3+)O(OH) |
| 4.FD.10 | Tsumgallite | GaO(OH) |
| 4.FD.10 | Groutite | Mn3+O(OH) |
| 4.FD.10 | Bracewellite | CrO(OH) |
| 4.FD.10 | Guyanaite | CrO(OH) |
| 4.FD.15 | Manganite | Mn3+O(OH) |
| 4.FD.20 | Yttrotungstite-(Ce) | CeW2O7(OH) · H2O |
| 4.FD.25 | Frankhawthorneite | Cu2Te6+O4(OH)2 |
| 4.FD.30 | 'Khinite-3T' | Pb2+Cu2+3Te6+O6(OH)2 |
| 4.FD.30 | Housleyite | Pb6CuTe6+4O18(OH)2 |
| 4.FD.30 | Khinite | Pb2+Cu2+3[Te6+O6](OH)2 |
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 Yttrotungstite-(Y)
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-4374.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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Mineral Dealers:
References for Yttrotungstite-(Y)
Reference List:
Scrivenor, J.B.; Shenton, J.C. (1927) Thorotungstite. A mineral containing tungsten and thorium from the Federated Malay States. American Journal of Science, S5-13 (78). doi:10.2475/ajs.s5-13.78.487
Beard, E. H. (1950) Thorotungstite - A Misnomer. Colonial Geology and Mineral Resources, 1 (1) 50-51
Sahama, Th.G., v. Knorring, O., Lehtinen, M. (1970) Cerotungstite, a cerian analogue to yttrotungstite, from Uganda. Bulletin of the Geological Society of Finland, 42. 223-228 doi:10.17741/bgsf/42.018
Davis, R. J., Smith, G. W. (1971) Yttrotungstite. Mineralogical Magazine, 38 (295) 261-285 doi:10.1180/minmag.1971.038.295.01
Sahama, Th. G. (1981) The secondary tungsten minerals, a review. The Mineralogical Record, 12 (2) 81-87
Localities for Yttrotungstite-(Y)
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.
Malaysia | |
| Sahama (1981) |
| Beard (1950) +1 other reference |
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Kramat Pulai Mine, Kinta District, Perak, Malaysia