Natromolybdite
A valid IMA mineral species
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Formula:
Na2MoO4 · 2H2O
Colour:
colorless
Lustre:
Vitreous
Specific Gravity:
2.573 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Natromolybdite (Cyrillic: натромолибдит) is named for the chemical composition.
The simplest sodium molybdate among minerals (at the upload time).
It is a natural analogue of a well-studied synthetic sodium molybdate dihydrate.
It is a natural analogue of a well-studied synthetic sodium molybdate dihydrate.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
470697
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:470697:3
IMA Classification of Natromolybdite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Na2Mo6+O4·2H2O
Approval year:
2023
Approval history:
IMA No. 2022-130
Type description reference:
Pekov, Igor V.; Britvin, Sergey N.; Koshlyakova, Natalia N.; Agakhanov, Atali A.; Belakovskiy, Dmitry I.; Chukanov, Nikita V.; Ksenofontov, Dmitry A.; Turchkova, Anna G.; Zhegunov, Pavel S. (2025) Natromolybdite, Na2MoO4 2H2O, a new mineral from fumarole deposits of the Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia. Mineralogical Magazine, 89 (5). 700-705 doi:10.1180/mgm.2025.10079
Classification of Natromolybdite
7.GB.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nmyb | 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 Natromolybdite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colorless
Streak:
White
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
(001) - from synthetic crystals
(001) - from synthetic crystals
Density:
2.573 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Natromolybdite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.575(2) nβ = 1.598(2) nγ = 1.598(3)
2V:
Measured: 20° (10)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.023
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
Chemistry of Natromolybdite
Mindat Formula:
Na2MoO4 · 2H2O
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Natromolybdite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pbca
Setting:
Pbca
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.483(1) Å, b = 10.577(2) Å, c = 13.842(2) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.802 : 1 : 1.309
Unit Cell V:
1,241.97 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
8
Comment:
from synthetic crystals
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 6.92 Å | (100) |
| 4.243 Å | (20) |
| 4.206 Å | (32) |
| 3.618 Å | (31) |
| 3.310 Å | (31) |
| 3.169 Å | (49) |
| 3.067 Å | (21) |
| 2.987 Å | (30) |
Reference:
Pekov, Igor V.; Britvin, Sergey N.; Koshlyakova, Natalia N.; Agakhanov, Atali A.; Belakovskiy, Dmitry I.; Chukanov, Nikita V.; Ksenofontov, Dmitry A.; Turchkova, Anna G.; Zhegunov, Pavel S. (2025) Natromolybdite, Na2MoO4 2H2O, a new mineral from fumarole deposits of the Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia. Mineralogical Magazine, 89 (5). 700-705 doi:10.1180/mgm.2025.10079
Type Occurrence of Natromolybdite
General Appearance of Type Material:
rectangular, octagonal or rhomb-like lamellar to thin-tabular crystals up to 40 μm across and up to 3 μm thick, in near-parallel, pile-like or rose-like aggregates and crystal crusts up to 0.2 mm across
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
collections of the Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninskiy Prospekt 18-2, Moscow 119071, Russia, registration number 5948/1
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Fumarole in the temperature range of 100–200ºC.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Pekov, Igor V.; Britvin, Sergey N.; Koshlyakova, Natalia N.; Agakhanov, Atali A.; Belakovskiy, Dmitry I.; Chukanov, Nikita V.; Ksenofontov, Dmitry A.; Turchkova, Anna G.; Zhegunov, Pavel S. (2025) Natromolybdite, Na2MoO4 2H2O, a new mineral from fumarole deposits of the Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia. Mineralogical Magazine, 89 (5). 700-705 doi:10.1180/mgm.2025.10079
Other Language Names for Natromolybdite
Dutch:Natromolybdiet
German:Natromolybdit
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. | 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 |
| 7.GB.80 | Ophirite | Ca2Mg4[Zn2Mn3+2(H2O)2(Fe3+W9O34)2] · 46H2O |
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 Natromolybdite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-470697.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Natromolybdite
Reference List:
Bosi, Ferdinando, Hatert, Frédéric, Pasero, Marco, Mills, Stuart J. (2023) Newsletter 72. Mineralogical Magazine, 87 (3) 512-518 doi:10.1180/mgm.2023.21
Pekov, Igor V.; Britvin, Sergey N.; Koshlyakova, Natalia N.; Agakhanov, Atali A.; Belakovskiy, Dmitry I.; Chukanov, Nikita V.; Ksenofontov, Dmitry A.; Turchkova, Anna G.; Zhegunov, Pavel S. (2025) Natromolybdite, Na2MoO4 2H2O, a new mineral from fumarole deposits of the Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia. Mineralogical Magazine, 89 (5). 700-705 doi:10.1180/mgm.2025.10079
Localities for Natromolybdite
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.
Russia (TL) | |
| Bosi et al. (2023) |
