Vote for your favorite mineral in #MinCup26! - Azurite vs. Smithsonite
It's carbonate-vs-carbonate to kick off Mineral Cup 2026 with copper-rich Azurite against zinc-rich Smithsonite.
Log InRegister
Quick Links : The Mindat ManualThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryMindat Newsletter [Free Download]
Home PageAbout MindatThe Mindat ManualHistory of MindatCopyright StatusWho We AreContact UsAdvertise on Mindat
Donate to MindatCorporate SponsorshipSponsor a PageSponsored PagesMindat AdvertisersAdvertise on Mindat
Learning CenterWhat is a mineral?The most common minerals on earthInformation for EducatorsMindat ArticlesThe ElementsThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryGeologic TimeExplore Fossils
Minerals by PropertiesMinerals by ChemistryMineral Visual ExplorerAdvanced Locality SearchRandom MineralRandom LocalitySearch by minIDLocalities Near MeSearch ArticlesSearch GlossaryMore Search Options
Search For:
Mineral Name:
Locality Name:
Keyword(s):
 
The Mindat ManualAdd a New PhotoRate PhotosLocality Edit ReportCoordinate Completion ReportAdd Glossary Item
Mining CompaniesStatisticsUsersMineral MuseumsClubs & OrganizationsMineral Shows & EventsThe Mindat DirectoryDevice SettingsThe Mineral QuizTime Machine
Photo SearchPhoto GalleriesSearch by ColorPhoto Colour ExplorerNew Photos TodayNew Photos YesterdayMembers' Photo GalleriesPast Photo of the Day GalleryPhotography

Katiarsite

A valid IMA mineral species
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
Hide all sections | Show all sections

About KatiarsiteHide

Formula:
KTiO(AsO4)
Colour:
Colorless
Lustre:
Vitreous
Specific Gravity:
3.49 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Name of the mineral reflects its chemical composition, kalium titanyl arsenate.
Known synthetic analogue (an important linear non-linear optical material). Unique combination of elements. One of a few Ti-As approved minerals, the group also including asbecasite, braithwaiteite, cafarsite, graeserite, hemloite and tomichite; the only Ti-As mineral from the volcanic fumarole environment.

Compare yurgensonite, its Sn-Ti-ordered analogue.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
46153
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:46153:5

IMA Classification of KatiarsiteHide

Approved
IMA Formula:
KTi4+O(As5+O4)
Approval year:
2014
First published:
2016

Classification of KatiarsiteHide

8.BH.70

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
H : With medium-sized and large cations, (OH,etc.):RO4 = 1:1

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

Physical Properties of KatiarsiteHide

Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colorless
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
3.49 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of KatiarsiteHide

Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.784(3) nβ = 1.792(3) nγ = 1.870(5)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.086
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.

Surface Relief:
Moderate
Comments:
2V is small

Chemistry of KatiarsiteHide

Mindat Formula:
KTiO(AsO4)
Element Weights:
Element% weight
O33.073 %
As30.974 %
Ti19.789 %
K16.164 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
Common Impurities:
Fe(III)

Crystallography of KatiarsiteHide

Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mm2 - Pyramidal
Space Group:
Pna21
Setting:
Pna21
Cell Parameters:
a = 13.174(4) Å, b = 6.5635(10) Å, c = 10.805(2) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 2.007 : 1 : 1.646
Unit Cell V:
934.28 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
8
Morphology:
Long prismatic to acicular, typically sword-like crystals up to 3 x 10 x 50 um, rarely up to 0.15 mm long. Crystal forms are: {011}, {201}, {100} and {001}.

Crystal StructureHide

Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
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
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File    Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0020226KatiarsiteMayo S C, Thomas P A, Teat S J, Loiacono G M, Loiacono D N (1994) Structure and non-linear optical properties of KTiOAsO4 Acta Crystallographica B50 655-6621994synthetic0293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
5.91 Å(17)
5.62 Å(74)
4.18 Å(19)
3.633 Å(15)
3.157 Å(66)
2.826 Å(100)
2.809 Å(96)
2.704 Å(19)
Comments:
From Type Description.

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event<2.4
45a : [Sulfates, arsenates, selenates, antimonates]

Type Occurrence of KatiarsiteHide

General Appearance of Type Material:
Long prismatic to acicular, typically sword-like crystals up to 3 x 10 x 50 µm, rarely up to 0.15 mm long; crystal forms observed: {011}, {201}, {100}, {001}
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Type material is deposited in the collections of the Fersman Mineralogical Museum of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, registration number 4540/1
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Volcanic fumaroles.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Synonyms of KatiarsiteHide

Other Language Names for KatiarsiteHide

German:Katiarsit

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
1 photo of Katiarsite associated with SanidineK(AlSi3O8)

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

8.BH.PeterchiniteZn3Zn2(OH)6As[O3(OH)3]Mon. 2/m : B2/m
8.BH.ReznitskyiteCaMg(VO4)FMon. 2/m : B2/b
8.BH.PlumbogottlobitePbMg(VO4)(OH)Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma
8.BH.CuprozheshengitePb4CuZn2(AsO4)2(PO4)2(OH)2Tric. 1 : P1
8.BH.ZheshengitePb4ZnZn2(AsO4)2(PO4)2(OH)2Tric. 1 : P1
8.BH.CrimsonitePbFe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Cccm
8.BH.05ThadeuiteCa(Mg,Fe2+)3(PO4)2(OH,F)2Orth. 222 : C2221
8.BH.10PanasqueiraiteCaMg(PO4)(OH)Mon.
8.BH.10IsokiteCaMg(PO4)FMon. 2/m : B2/b
8.BH.10LacroixiteNaAl(PO4)FMon. 2/m : B2/b
8.BH.10ArsenatrotitaniteNaTi(AsO4)OMon. 2/m : B2/b
8.BH.10MaxwelliteNaFe3+(AsO4)FMon. 2/m : P2/m
8.BH.10DurangiteNaAl(AsO4)FMon. 2/m : B2/b
8.BH.10KononoviteNaMg(SO4)FMon. 2/m : B2/b
8.BH.15DrugmanitePb2Fe3+(PO4)(PO3OH)(OH)2Mon. 2/m : P21/b
8.BH.20Nigelcookite PbFe2+2V3+2(PO4)3(OH)3Mon. 2/m : P21/m
8.BH.20Plumbojohntomaite PbFe2+2Fe3+2(PO4)3(OH)3Mon. 2/m : P21/m
8.BH.20CirroliteCa3Al2(PO4)3(OH)3 (?)
8.BH.20PenikisiteBa(Mg,Fe2+,Ca)2Al2(PO4)3(OH)3Mon. 2/m : P21/m
8.BH.20PerloffiteBa(Mn2+,Fe2+)2Fe3+2(PO4)3(OH)3Mon. 2/m : P21/m
8.BH.20Bjarebyite Group
8.BH.20StrontioperloffiteSrMn2+2Fe3+2(PO4)3(OH)3Mon. 2/m : P21/m
8.BH.20PlumboperloffitePbMn2+2Fe3+2(PO4)3(OH)3Mon. 2/m : P21/m
8.BH.20JohntomaiteBaFe2+2Fe3+2(PO4)3(OH)3Mon. 2/m : P21/m
8.BH.20Bjarebyite(Ba,Sr)(Mn2+,Fe2+,Mg)2Al2(PO4)3(OH)3Mon. 2/m : P21/m
8.BH.20KulaniteBa(Fe2+,Mn2+,Mg)2(Al,Fe3+)2(PO4)3(OH)3Mon. 2/m : P21/m
8.BH.25BertossaiteLi2CaAl4(PO4)4(OH)4Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
8.BH.25NatropalermoiteNa2SrAl4(PO4)4(OH)4Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
8.BH.25PalermoiteLi2SrAl4(PO4)4(OH)4Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
8.BH.30SewarditeCaFe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Cccm
8.BH.30CarminitePbFe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Cccm
8.BH.35AdeliteCaMg(AsO4)(OH)Orth. 222 : P212121
8.BH.35DuftitePbCu(AsO4)(OH)Orth. 222 : P212121
8.BH.35CobaltaustiniteCaCo(AsO4)(OH)Orth. 222 : P212121
8.BH.35NickelaustiniteCaNi(AsO4)(OH)Orth. 222 : P212121
8.BH.35GabrielsonitePbFe3+(As3+O3)OOrth. mm2 : Pmc21
8.BH.35ConichalciteCaCu(AsO4)(OH)Orth. 222 : P212121
8.BH.35ArsendescloizitePbZn(AsO4)(OH)Orth. 222 : P212121
8.BH.35'Duftite-alpha'PbCu(AsO4)(OH)
8.BH.35GottlobiteCaMg(VO4)(OH)Orth. 222 : P212121
8.BH.35AustiniteCaZn(AsO4)(OH)Orth. 222 : P212121
8.BH.35HermannroseiteCaCu(PO4)(OH)Orth. 222 : P212121
8.BH.35TangeiteCaCu(VO4)(OH)Orth. 222 : P212121
8.BH.40ČechitePbFe2+(VO4)(OH)Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
8.BH.40Khorixasite(Bi0.670.33)Cu(VO4)(OH)Mon. 2/m : P2/m
8.BH.40MottramitePbCu(VO4)(OH)Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma
8.BH.40DescloizitePbZn(VO4)(OH)Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma
8.BH.40PyrobelonitePbMn2+(VO4)(OH)Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma
8.BH.45BayldonitePbCu3(AsO4)2(OH)2Mon. 2/m : B2/b
8.BH.45VésigniéiteBaCu3(VO4)2(OH)2Mon. 2/m : B2/m
8.BH.50PaganoiteNiBi(AsO4)OTric. 1 : P1
8.BH.55JagoweriteBaAl2(PO4)2(OH)2Tric.
8.BH.55HarrisoniteCa(Fe2+,Mg)6(PO4)2(SiO4)2Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
8.BH.60AttakoliteCaMn2+Al4(SiO3OH)(PO4)3(OH)4Mon. 2/m : B2/m
8.BH.65LeningraditePbCu3(VO4)2ClOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Ibam
8.BH.70YurgensoniteK2SnTiO2(AsO4)2Orth. mm2 : Pna21
8.BH.75MelanarsiteK3Cu7Fe3+O4(AsO4)4Mon. 2/m : B2/b
8.BH.80EvseeviteNa2Mg(AsO4)FOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbcn
8.BH.80MoraskoiteNa2Mg(PO4)FOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbcn
8.BH.85PiccoliiteNaCaMn3+2(AsO4)2O(OH)Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbcm

RadioactivityHide

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) 16.1641% 5,011 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:

DistanceDose rateRisk
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 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 KatiarsiteHide

References for KatiarsiteHide

Localities for KatiarsiteHide

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.
Hide all sections | Show all sections

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)
 
  • Kamchatka Krai
    • Milkovsky District
      • Tolbachik Volcanic field
        • Great Fissure eruption (Main Fracture)
          • Northern Breakthrough (North Breach)
            • Second scoria cone
Williams et al. (2014) +2 other references
 
and/or  
Mindat.org® is an outreach project of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Mindat® and mindat.org® are registered trademarks of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy.
Copyright © mindat.org and the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy 1993-2026, except where stated. Most political location boundaries are © OpenStreetMap contributors. Mindat.org relies on the contributions of thousands of members and supporters. Founded in 2000 by Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau.
Content on this site may not be used to train, fine-tune, or otherwise develop artificial intelligence or machine learning models without prior written permission - see our Terms & Conditions.
To cite: Ralph, J., Von Bargen, D., Martynov, P., Zhang, J., Que, X., Prabhu, A., Morrison, S. M., Li, W., Chen, W., & Ma, X. (2025). Mindat.org: The open access mineralogy database to accelerate data-intensive geoscience research. American Mineralogist, 110(6), 833–844. doi:10.2138/am-2024-9486.
Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Contact Us / DMCA issues - Report a bug/vulnerability Current server date and time: September 1, 2026 09:54:37 Page updated: August 19, 2026 04:46:43
Go to top of page