Ophirite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Ophirite
Formula:
Ca2Mg4[Zn2Mn3+2(H2O)2(Fe3+W9O34)2] · 46H2O
heteropolytungstate
Colour:
orange-brown
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
4.060 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
Names for the type locality, Ophir Hill Consolidated mine, Ophir District, Oquirrh Mountains, Tooele County, Utah
Ophirite is the first known mineral to contain a lacunary defect derivative of the Keggin anion, a heteropolyanion that is well known in synthetic phases.
Awarded 'Mineral of the Year' by the IMA-CNMNC in 2014.
Awarded 'Mineral of the Year' by the IMA-CNMNC in 2014.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
43845
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:43845:8
Similar Names
| Overite | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | CaMgAl(PO4)2(OH) · 4H2O |
IMA Classification of Ophirite
Classification of Ophirite
7.GB.80
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
G : Molybdates, Wolframates and Niobates
B : With additional anions and/or H2O
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
G : Molybdates, Wolframates and Niobates
B : With additional anions and/or H2O
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Oph | 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 Ophirite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Orange-brown
Streak:
Pale orange
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Hardness Data:
Measured
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Parting:
none
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
4.060 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Ophirite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.730(3) nβ = 1.735(3) nγ = 1.770(3)
2V:
Measured: 43° (2)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.040
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 = light orange brown, Y = light orange brown, Z = orange brown; X < Y << Z
Chemistry of Ophirite
Mindat Formula:
Ca2Mg4[Zn2Mn3+2(H2O)2(Fe3+W9O34)2] · 46H2O
heteropolytungstate
heteropolytungstate
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Ophirite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Setting:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 11.9860(2) Å, b = 13.2073(2) Å, c = 17.689(1) Å
α = 69.690(5)°, β = 85.364(6)°, γ = 64.875(5)°
α = 69.690(5)°, β = 85.364(6)°, γ = 64.875(5)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.908 : 1 : 1.339
Unit Cell V:
2370.35 ų
Z:
1
Morphology:
Tablets on {001} with irregular {100} and {110} bounding forms.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
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Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
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Perspective On | Perspective Off
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View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0020331 | Ophirite | Kampf A R, Hughes J M, Nash B P, Wright S E, Rossman G R, Marty J (2014) Ophirite, Ca2Mg4[Zn2Mn3+2(H2O)2(Fe3+W9O34)2]*46H2O, a new mineral with a heteropolytungstate tri-lacunary Keggin anion American Mineralogist 99 1045-1051 | 2014 | Ophir Hill Consolidated mine, Tooele County, Utah, USA | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 16.72 Å | (38) |
| 11.33 Å | (91) |
| 10.69 Å | (100) |
| 8.27 Å | (55) |
| 5.44 Å | (33) |
| 2.992 Å | (75) |
| 2.760 Å | (55) |
| 2.594 Å | (33) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47e : [Vanadates, chromates, manganates] |
Type Occurrence of Ophirite
General Appearance of Type Material:
orange-brown tablets on {001} with irregular {100} and {110} bounding forms. Individual crystals up to about 1mm in maximum dimension.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Cotype specimens - Natual History Museum of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, California, catalog numbers 64029 and 64030
Synonyms of Ophirite
Other Language Names for Ophirite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.GB. | Stunorthropite | (NH4)4[Mo2O6(MoO4)2] |
| 7.GB. | Hartkoppeite | Ca4Mn2+Mo6+6As5+4O32(OH)2(H2O)14 · 5H2O |
| 7.GB. | Wangpuite | K3(PO4)(Mo12O36) |
| 7.GB. | Alexearlite | Hg3S2(MoO4) |
| 7.GB. | Ootannite | Th4+2W6+4O16 · 5H2O |
| 7.GB. | Natromolybdite | Na2MoO4 · 2H2O |
| 7.GB. | Marsaalamite-(Y) | Y(MoO4)(OH) |
| 7.GB.05 | Lindgrenite | Cu3(MoO4)2(OH)2 |
| 7.GB.10 | Szenicsite | Cu3(MoO4)(OH)4 |
| 7.GB.15 | 'UM1999-38-WO:CrV' | (V, Cr, W, O, H) [V:Cr:W ratio about 2:1:3] |
| 7.GB.15 | Huenite | Cu4(MoO4)3(OH)2 |
| 7.GB.15 | Cuprotungstite | Cu2(WO4)(OH)2 |
| 7.GB.20 | Phyllotungstite | (H2O,M)x(W,Fe)(O,OH)3 · yH2O (M = Ca, Cs, Pb or K) |
| 7.GB.25 | Rankachite | Ca0.5(V4+,V5+)(W6+,Fe3+)2O8(OH) · 2H2O |
| 7.GB.30 | Ferrimolybdite | Fe2(MoO4)3 · nH2O |
| 7.GB.35 | Mpororoite | WAlO3(OH)3 · 2(H2O) |
| 7.GB.35 | Anthoinite | AlWO3(OH)3 |
| 7.GB.40 | Obradovicite-KCu | [K2(H2O)17Cu(H2O)6][Mo8As2Fe3+3O34(OH)3] |
| 7.GB.45 | Paramendozavilite | [KAl4(H2O)30][Mo12P6Fe3+6O60(OH)13] |
| 7.GB.45 | Mendozavilite-NaFe | [Na2(H2O)15Fe3+(H2O)6][Mo8P2Fe3+3O35(OH)2] |
| 7.GB.45 | Obradovicite-NaCu | Na2(H2O)17Cu(H2O)6][Mo8As2Fe3+3O34(OH)3] |
| 7.GB.45 | Obradovicite-NaNa | [Na2(H2O)16Na(H2O)6][Mo8As2Fe3+3O33(OH)4] |
| 7.GB.50 | Tancaite-(Ce) | FeCe(MoO4)3 · 3H2O |
| 7.GB.50 | Mendozavilite-NaCu | [Na2(H2O)15Cu(H2O)6][Mo8P2Fe3+3O34(OH)3] |
| 7.GB.50 | Mendozavilite-KCa | [K2(H2O)15Ca(H2O)6][Mo8P2Fe3+3O34(OH)3] |
| 7.GB.60 | Peterandresenite | Mn4Nb6O19 · 14H2O |
| 7.GB.60 | Hansesmarkite | Ca2Mn2Nb6O19 · 20H2O |
| 7.GB.60 | Melcherite | Ba2Na2Mg[Nb6O19] · 6H2O |
| 7.GB.65 | Ichnusaite | Th(MoO4)2 · 3H2O |
| 7.GB.70 | Markascherite | Cu3(MoO4)(OH)4 |
| 7.GB.75 | Nuragheite | Th(MoO4)2 · H2O |
Fluorescence of Ophirite
Does not fluoresce in short- or long-wave ultraviolet radiation
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 Ophirite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-43845.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Ophirite
Reference List:
Williams, P. A., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2013) New minerals and nomenclature modifications approved in 2013. CNMNC Newsletter No 16. Mineralogical Magazine, 77 (6) 2695-2709 doi:10.1180/minmag.2013.077.6.01
Localities for Ophirite
Showing 1 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.
USA (TL) | |
| Williams et al. (2013) |
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Ophir Hill Consolidated Mine, Ophir, Ophir Mining District, Tooele County, Utah, USA