Bluestreakite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Bluestreakite
Formula:
K4Mg2(V4+2V5+8O28) · 14H2O
Colour:
Dark greenish blue
Lustre:
Sub-Adamantine
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
2.630 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
For the type locality, the Blue Streak mine.
Type Locality:
New structure type.
The mineral forms from the oxidation of montroseite-corvusite assemblages in a moist environment.
The mineral forms from the oxidation of montroseite-corvusite assemblages in a moist environment.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
46227
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:46227:9
Classification of Bluestreakite
The Decavanadate Cluster
Bluestreakite contains a modified version of the decavanadate cluster with two reduced V4+ and eight V5+. The connectivity of the cluster is otherwise unchanged. Nashite also contains a modified decavanadate cluster, but with only one reduced V per cluster. The mixture of valence states is the cause of the dark blue-green color of bluestreakite and nashite arising from the intervalence charge transfer color mechanism.
IMA Classification of Bluestreakite
Approved
IMA Formula:
K4Mg2[(V4+2V5+8)O28]·14H2O
Approval year:
2014
4.HC.20
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
H : V[5,6] Vanadates
C : [6]-Sorovanadates
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
H : V[5,6] Vanadates
C : [6]-Sorovanadates
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Blu | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Bluestreakite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Bluestreakite
Sub-Adamantine
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Dark greenish blue
Streak:
Light blue
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Hardness Data:
Estimated
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
2.630 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Based on the empirical formula and single-crystal cell data
Optical Data of Bluestreakite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.750(5) nβ = 1.800(5) nγ = 1.829
2V:
Measured: 73°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.079
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:
Weak
Comments:
slight, with X < Y ≈ Z dark greenish blue.
Chemistry of Bluestreakite
Mindat Formula:
K4Mg2(V4+2V5+8O28) · 14H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Bluestreakite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:
a = 12.2383(7) Å, b = 10.3834(4) Å, c = 14.1945(6) Å
β = 103.008(2)°
β = 103.008(2)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.179 : 1 : 1.367
Unit Cell V:
1757.48 ų
Z:
2
Morphology:
Irregular polycrystalline coatings; Rarely as tablets or blades
Comment:
P21/n
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M12002 | Bluestreakite | Kampf, Anthony R., Hughes, John M., Marty, Joe, Nash, Barbara P., Chen, Yu-Sheng, Steele, Ian M. (2014) Bluestreakite, K4Mg2(V4+2V5+8O28)·14H2O, a new mixed-valence decavanadate mineral from the Blue Streak Mine, Montrose County, Colorado: crystal structure and descriptive mineralogy. The Canadian Mineralogist, 52 (6) 1007-1018 doi:10.3749/canmin.1400072 |  | 2014 | Blue Streak Mine, Colorado, USA | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 10.34 Å | (57) |
| 8.27 Å | (100) |
| 7.90 Å | (21) |
| 3.162 Å | (14) |
| 2.781 Å | (15) |
| 2.266 Å | (16) |
| 1.9814 Å | (22) |
| 1.7354 Å | (15) |
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] | |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals |
Type Occurrence of Bluestreakite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Irregular polycrystalline coatings on rounded quartz grains or masses of montroseite.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Cotype material is deposited in the collections of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County,USA, catalogue numbers 64174 and 64175
Geological Setting of Type Material:
On corvusite-montroseite-bearing sandstone blocks
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Bluestreakite
Other Language Names for Bluestreakite
Dutch:Bluestreakiet
German:Bluestreakit
Relationship of Bluestreakite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Pascoite Family:
| Ammoniolasalite | [(NH4)2Mg2(H2O)20] [V10O28] | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Burroite | Ca2(NH4)2(V10O28) · 15H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Caseyite | [(V5+O2)Al10-x(OH)20-2x(H2O)18-2x]2[H2V4+V5+9O28][V5+10O28]2(Na,K,Ca)2-y(SO4)2-z · (60+8x+y+4z)H2O (x = 0-2.5; y = 0-2; z = 0-2) | Mon. |
| Flatimerite | [Al13(OH)24(H2O)24][V5+9V4+O28] · [(SO4)4(H2O)24] | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Gunterite | Na4Ca(V10O28) · 20H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Huemulite | Na4Mg(V10O28) · 24H2O | Tric. |
| Hughesite | Na3Al(V10O28) · 22H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Hummerite | K2Mg2(V10O28) · 16H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Hydropascoite | Ca3(V10O28) · 24H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Kokinosite | Na2Ca2(V10O28) · 24H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Lasalite | Na2Mg2(V10O28) · 20H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Magnesiopascoite | Ca2Mg(V10O28) · 16H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Nashite | Na3Ca2[(V5+9V4+)O28] · 24H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/m |
| Okieite | Mg3[V10O28] · 28H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Pascoite | Ca2Ca(V10O28) · 17H2O | Mon. 2 : B2 |
| Postite | Mg(H2O)6Al2(OH)2(H2O)8(V10O28) · 13H2O | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pccn |
| Protocaseyite | [Al4(OH)6(H2O)12][V10O28] · 8H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Rakovanite | (NH4)3Na3(V10O28) · 12H2O | Mon. 2/m |
| Schindlerite | {(NH4)4Na2(H2O)10}{V10O28} | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Trebiskyite | Na3Mg2[TiV9O28] · 22H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Wernerbaurite | {(NH4)2[Ca2(H2O)14](H2O)2}{V10O28} | Tric. 1 : P1 |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 10 photos of Bluestreakite associated with Metamunirite | NaVO3 |
| 10 photos of Bluestreakite associated with Pascoite Family | |
| 2 photos of Bluestreakite associated with Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
| 1 photo of Bluestreakite associated with Huemulite | Na4Mg(V10O28) · 24H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.HC. | Protocaseyite | [Al4(OH)6(H2O)12][V10O28] · 8H2O |
| 4.HC. | Ammoniolasalite | [(NH4)2Mg2(H2O)20] [V10O28] |
| 4.HC. | Beckettite | Ca2V6Al6O20 |
| 4.HC.05 | Pascoite | Ca2Ca(V10O28) · 17H2O |
| 4.HC.05 | Hydropascoite | Ca3(V10O28) · 24H2O |
| 4.HC.05 | Lasalite | Na2Mg2(V10O28) · 20H2O |
| 4.HC.05 | Hughesite | Na3Al(V10O28) · 22H2O |
| 4.HC.05 | Magnesiopascoite | Ca2Mg(V10O28) · 16H2O |
| 4.HC.05 | Rakovanite | (NH4)3Na3(V10O28) · 12H2O |
| 4.HC.10 | Hummerite | K2Mg2(V10O28) · 16H2O |
| 4.HC.15 | Sherwoodite | Ca5.5(AlV4+V5+12O39) · 28H2O |
| 4.HC.25 | Wernerbaurite | {(NH4)2[Ca2(H2O)14](H2O)2}{V10O28} |
| 4.HC.25 | Burroite | Ca2(NH4)2(V10O28) · 15H2O |
| 4.HC.30 | Caseyite | [(V5+O2)Al10-x(OH)20-2x(H2O)18-2x]2[H2V4+V5+9O28][V5+10O28]2(Na,K,Ca)2-y(SO4)2-z · (60+8x+y+4z)H2O (x = 0-2.5; y = 0-2; z = 0-2) |
| 4.HC.35 | Gunterite | Na4Ca(V10O28) · 20H2O |
| 4.HC.40 | Kokinosite | Na2Ca2(V10O28) · 24H2O |
| 4.HC.45 | Nashite | Na3Ca2[(V5+9V4+)O28] · 24H2O |
| 4.HC.50 | Okieite | Mg3[V10O28] · 28H2O |
| 4.HC.55 | Postite | Mg(H2O)6Al2(OH)2(H2O)8(V10O28) · 13H2O |
| 4.HC.60 | Schindlerite | {(NH4)4Na2(H2O)10}{V10O28} |
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) | 11.0555% | 3,427 | 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
Fluorescence of Bluestreakite
Does not fluoresce in short- or long-wave ultraviolet radiation
Other Information
Notes:
Slowly soluble in H2O (days) and easily soluble in dilute HCl with immediate loss of color.
Special Storage/
Display Requirements:
Display Requirements:
Slowly soluble in H2O (days)
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 Bluestreakite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-46227.html
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References for Bluestreakite
Reference List:
Williams, P. A., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2014) IMA Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification (CNMNC), CNMNC Newsletter No. 22. Mineralogical Magazine, 78 (5) 1241-1248 doi:10.1180/minmag.2014.078.5.10
Kampf, Anthony R., Hughes, John M., Marty, Joe, Nash, Barbara P., Chen, Yu-Sheng, Steele, Ian M. (2014) Bluestreakite, K4Mg2(V4+2V5+8O28)·14H2O, a new mixed-valence decavanadate mineral from the Blue Streak Mine, Montrose County, Colorado: crystal structure and descriptive mineralogy. The Canadian Mineralogist, 52 (6) 1007-1018 doi:10.3749/canmin.1400072
Localities for Bluestreakite
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.
USA (TL) | |
| Kampf et al. (2014) +1 other reference |
| Carnegie Museum of Natural History ... |
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Pickett Corral Mine, Montrose County, Colorado, USA