Itelmenite
A valid IMA mineral species
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Itelmen ethic group
Formula:
Na4Mg3Cu3(SO4)8
Colour:
Light grey-blue
Lustre:
Vitreous
Specific Gravity:
3.10 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
The name is for the Itelmens, an ethnic group who are the original inhabitants living in the area around the Tolbachik volcano and Kamchatka Peninsula.
Type Locality:
Isostructural with:
Chemically somewhat similar but more simple than dravertite and saranchinaite.
The structure of itelmenite is based on a unique type of [A2+3(SO4)4]2- (A = Mg, Cu, Zn) heteropolyhedral framework with voids filled by Na+ cations.
The structure of itelmenite is based on a unique type of [A2+3(SO4)4]2- (A = Mg, Cu, Zn) heteropolyhedral framework with voids filled by Na+ cations.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
46802
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:46802:4
IMA Classification of Itelmenite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Na2Cu2+Mg2(S6+O4)4
Approval year:
2015
First published:
2018
Type description reference:
Classification of Itelmenite
7.AC.40
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
A : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, without H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
A : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) without additional anions, without H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Itm | 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 Itelmenite
Vitreous
Colour:
Light grey-blue
Streak:
White
Comment:
Probably 2-3, but could not be measured
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
3.10 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Itelmenite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.535(2) nβ = 1.555(2) nγ = 1.585(2)
2V:
Calculated: 79.82°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.050
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:
Moderate
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Itelmenite
Mindat Formula:
Na4Mg3Cu3(SO4)8
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Itelmenite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pbca
Setting:
Pbca
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.568(2) Å, b = 8.790(2) Å, c = 28.715(8) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.089 : 1 : 3.267
Unit Cell V:
2415 ų
Z:
4
Morphology:
irregularly shaped grains; microcrystalline masses
Comment:
From single-crystal diffraction data (type description)
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 7.961 Å | (30) |
| 7.180 Å | (31) |
| 5.912 Å | (100) |
| 3.845 Å | (62) |
| 3.629 Å | (33) |
| 3.491 Å | (26) |
| 3.000 Å | (24) |
| 2.939 Å | (52) |
Reference:
Comments:
From Type Description.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45a : [Sulfates, arsenates, selenates, antimonates] |
Type Occurrence of Itelmenite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Irregularly shaped grains and microcrystalline masses
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Type material is deposited in the collections of the Mineralogical Museum, Department of Mineralogy, St Petersburg State University, St Petersburg, Russia, specimen number 19637.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Synonyms of Itelmenite
Other Language Names for Itelmenite
Dutch:Itelmeniet
German:Itelmenit
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.AC. | Aluminopyracmonite | (NH4)3Al(SO4)3 |
| 7.AC. | Amgaite | Tl+32Te6+O6 |
| 7.AC.05 | Vanthoffite | Na6Mg(SO4)4 |
| 7.AC.08 | Pyracmonite | (NH4)3Fe(SO4)3 |
| 7.AC.10 | Langbeinite | K2Mg2(SO4)3 |
| 7.AC.10 | Efremovite | (NH4)2Mg2(SO4)3 |
| 7.AC.10 | Ferroefremovite | (NH4)2Fe2+2(SO4)3 |
| 7.AC.10 | Manganolangbeinite | K2Mn2(SO4)3 |
| 7.AC.15 | Yavapaiite | KFe3+(S6+O4)2 |
| 7.AC.15 | Eldfellite | NaFe3+(SO4)2 |
| 7.AC.20 | Sabieite | (NH4)Fe3+(SO4)2 |
| 7.AC.20 | Godovikovite | (NH4)Al(SO4)2 |
| 7.AC.20 | Steklite | KAl(SO4)2 |
| 7.AC.35 | Aphthitalite | K3Na(SO4)2 |
| 7.AC.35 | Belomarinaite | KNa(SO4) |
| 7.AC.35 | Natroaphthitalite | KNa3(SO4)2 |
| 7.AC.35 | Möhnite | (NH4)K2Na(SO4)2 |
| 7.AC.45 | Saranchinaite | Na2Cu(SO4)2 |
| 7.AC.50 | Majzlanite | K2Na(ZnNa)Ca(SO4)4 |
| 7.AC.60 | Philoxenite | (K,Na,Pb)4(Na,Ca)2(Mg,Cu)3(Fe3+0.5Al0.5)(SO4)8 |
| 7.AC.75 | Petrovite | Na12Cu2(SO4)8 |
Other Information
Notes:
Unstable in air
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 Itelmenite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-46802.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Itelmenite
Reference List:
Hålenius, U.; Hatert, F.; Pasero, M.; Mills, S. J. (2015) New minerals and nomenclature modifications approved in 2015. Mineralogical Magazine, 79 (5). p.1223-1230. doi:10.1180/minmag.2015.079.5.16
Localities for Itelmenite
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.
Russia (TL) | |
| Hålenius et al. (2015) +2 other references |
| Sharygin et al. (2018) |
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