Nestolaite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Nestolaite
Fabrizio Nestola
Formula:
CaSeO3 · H2O
Colour:
Light violet
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2½
Specific Gravity:
3.18
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named in honour of Fabrizio Nestola (b. 1972), Italian mineralogist and crystallographer University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
First purely calcium selenate mineral; second Ca-bearing selenate after piretite.
The crystal structure is based on layers, with sheets of edge-sharing CaO-H2O polyhedra, with [7]Ca; the sheets are interconnected by selenate groups, while the adjacent ones are linked through hydrogen bonds. The Se4+ cations are stacked up towards the interlayer.
The crystal structure is based on layers, with sheets of edge-sharing CaO-H2O polyhedra, with [7]Ca; the sheets are interconnected by selenate groups, while the adjacent ones are linked through hydrogen bonds. The Se4+ cations are stacked up towards the interlayer.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
45943
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:45943:3
IMA Classification of Nestolaite
Approved
IMA Formula:
CaSe4+O3·H2O
Approval year:
2013
First published:
2014
Classification of Nestolaite
4.JH.30
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
H : Selenites without additional anions, with H2O
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
H : Selenites without additional anions, with 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ntl | 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 Nestolaite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Light violet
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Hardness Data:
Measured
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect on {100}
Perfect on {100}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
3.18(2) g/cm3 (Measured) 3.163 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Nestolaite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.642(3) nβ = 1.656(3) nγ = 1.722(6)
2V:
Measured: 55° (5), Calculated: 51°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.080
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.
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Comments:
It does not show pleochroism but has strong pseudo-absorption caused by high birefringence
Chemistry of Nestolaite
Mindat Formula:
CaSeO3 · H2O
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Nestolaite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/b
Setting:
P21/c
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.6502(9) Å, b = 6.7473(10) Å, c = 7.9358(13) Å
β = 108.542(12)°
β = 108.542(12)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.134 : 1 : 1.176
Unit Cell V:
388.37 ų
Z:
4
Morphology:
As mm-large aggregates consisting of tightly intergrown oblique-angled, flattened to acicular crystals up to 30 μm long and up to 7 μm (very rarely up to 15 μm) thick.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0020621 | Nestolaite | Kasatkin A V, Plasil J, Marty J, Agakhanov A A, Belakovskiy D I, Lykova I S (2014) Nestolaite, CaSeO3*H2O, a new mineral from the Little Eva mine, Grand County, Utah, USA Mineralogical Magazine 78 497-505 | 2014 | Little Eva mine, Grand County, Utah, USA | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 7.277 Å | (100) |
| 4.949 Å | (37) |
| 3.767 Å | (29) |
| 3.630 Å | (58) |
| 3.371 Å | (24) |
| 3.163 Å | (74) |
| 2.9783 Å | (74) |
| 2.7231 Å | (31) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates] |
Type Occurrence of Nestolaite
General Appearance of Type Material:
On sandstone matrix as rounded aggregates up to 2 mm across and up to 0.05 mm thick; aggregates consist of flattened to
acicular crystals, up to 30 x 7 µm, with oblique angles
acicular crystals, up to 30 x 7 µm, with oblique angles
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Sandstone
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Nestolaite
Other Language Names for Nestolaite
Dutch:Nestolaiet
German:Nestolait
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 2 photos of Nestolaite associated with Cobaltomenite | CoSeO3 · 2H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.JH. | Magselite | [Mg(H2O)6](Se4+O3) |
| 4.JH. | Bernardevansite | Al2(SeO3)3 · 6H2O |
| 4.JH.05 | Chalcomenite | CuSeO3 · 2H2O |
| 4.JH.10 | Clinochalcomenite | CuSeO3(H2O)2 |
| 4.JH.10 | Ahlfeldite | Ni(SeO3) · 2H2O |
| 4.JH.10 | Cobaltomenite | CoSeO3 · 2H2O |
| 4.JH.15 | Mandarinoite | Fe3+2(Se4+O3)3 · (6-x)H2O (x = 0.0-1.0) |
| 4.JH.20 | Orlandiite | Pb3(SeO3)(Cl,OH)4 · H2O |
Fluorescence of Nestolaite
none
Other Information
Notes:
Raman vibrations [cm-1]: ~825, ~750, ~470, and 410–370 (mostly Se-O stretching); 3400-3200 (OH stretching); 1680 (H-O-H bending);
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 Nestolaite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-45943.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Nestolaite
Reference List:
Williams, P. A., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2013) New minerals and nomenclature modifications approved in 2013. CNMNC Newsletter No 18. Mineralogical Magazine, 77 (8) 3249-3258 doi:10.1180/minmag.2013.077.8.15
Localities for Nestolaite
Showing 3 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) | |
| Kasatkin et al. (2014) +1 other reference |
| Collected by and in the collection of ... |
| Chuck Adan Collection. The Paris 25 ... |
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Little Eva Mine, Yellow Cat Mesa, Thompsons Mining District, Grand County, Utah, USA