Dioskouriite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Dioskouriite
The Dioskouri (Castor and Polydeuces)
Formula:
CaCu4Cl6(OH)4 · 4H2O
Colour:
Bright green, Grey
Lustre:
Vitreous
Specific Gravity:
2.75
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named for the Dioskouri (Castor and Polydeuces), twin brothers of Greek mythology. The name relates to "the existence of two polytypes that are indistinguishable in appearance but different in symmetry, unit cell configuration and XRD pattern."
Chemically related to centennialite; compare Unnamed (Ca-Cu Chloride).
Two polytypes, intergrown with each other, are known.
Two polytypes, intergrown with each other, are known.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
47598
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:47598:1
IMA Classification of Dioskouriite
Approved
IMA Formula:
CaCu2+4Cl6(OH)4·4H2O
Approval year:
2016
First published:
2021
Type description reference:
Pekov, Igor V., Zubkova, Natalia V., Zolotarev, Andrey A., Yapaskurt, Vasiliy O., Krivovichev, Sergey V., Belakovskiy, Dmitry I., Lykova, Inna, Vigasina, Marina F., Kasatkin, Anatoly V., Sidorov, Evgeny G., Pushcharovsky, Dmitry Yu. (2021) Dioskouriite, CaCu4Cl6(OH)4·4H2O: A New Mineral Description, Crystal Chemistry and Polytypism. Minerals, 11 (1) 90 doi:10.3390/min11010090
Classification of Dioskouriite
3.DA.70
3 : HALIDES
D : Oxyhalides, hydroxyhalides and related double halides
A : With Cu, etc., without Pb
3 : HALIDES
D : Oxyhalides, hydroxyhalides and related double halides
A : With Cu, etc., without Pb
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Dio | 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 Dioskouriite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Bright green, Grey
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
One distinct (believed to be (100)) and one imperfect
One distinct (believed to be (100)) and one imperfect
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
2.75(1) g/cm3 (Measured) 2.765 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Calculated value above is for dioskouriite-2O and 2.820 g cm−3 for dioskouriite-2M.
Optical Data of Dioskouriite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.695(4) nβ = 1.715(8) nγ = 1.750(6)
2V:
Measured: 70° (10), Calculated: 75.5°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.055
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
Dispersion:
very strong, r < v
Pleochroism:
Strong
Comments:
Z (grass green) > Y (yellowish-green) > X (pale yellowish-green)
Chemistry of Dioskouriite
Mindat Formula:
CaCu4Cl6(OH)4 · 4H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Dioskouriite
Polytype:
Formula:
Crystal System:
Class (H-M)
Space Group:
Space Group Setting:
Cell Parameters:
Ratio:
Unit Cell Volume (calc):
Z:
Comment:
| Dioskouriite-2M | Dioskouriite-2O |
|---|---|
| CaCu4Cl6(OH)4 · 4H2O | CaCu4Cl6(OH)4 · 4H2O |
| Monoclinic | Orthorhombic |
| 2/m - Prismatic | 222 - Disphenoidal |
| P21/b | P212121 |
| P21/c | |
| a = 7.2792(8) Å, b = 10.3000(7) Å, c = 20.758(2) Å β = 100.24(1)° | a = 7.3193(7) Å, b = 10.371(1) Å, c = 20.560(3) Å |
| a:b:c = 0.707 : 1 : 2.015 | a:b:c = 0.706 : 1 : 1.982 |
| V 1,531.56 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell) | V 1,560.68 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell) |
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 10.29 Å | (100) |
| 5.960 Å | (22) |
| 5.754 Å | (7) |
| 5.492 Å | (11) |
| 5.170 Å | (16) |
| 5.035 Å | (13) |
| 2.737 Å | (28) |
| 2.417 Å | (8) |
Reference:
Pekov, Igor V., Zubkova, Natalia V., Zolotarev, Andrey A., Yapaskurt, Vasiliy O., Krivovichev, Sergey V., Belakovskiy, Dmitry I., Lykova, Inna, Vigasina, Marina F., Kasatkin, Anatoly V., Sidorov, Evgeny G., Pushcharovsky, Dmitry Yu. (2021) Dioskouriite, CaCu4Cl6(OH)4·4H2O: A New Mineral Description, Crystal Chemistry and Polytypism. Minerals, 11 (1) 90 doi:10.3390/min11010090
Comments:
Data for the 2M polytype
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45b : [Other oxidized fumarolic minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Dioskouriite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Green sword-like crystals in groups or crusts up to 1 × 2 mm2
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
collections of the Fersman Mineralogical Museum of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia (registration number 4803/1), catalog number 95282.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Fumarolic. Possibly formed through interactions involving high-temperature sublimate minerals, fumarolic gas and atmospheric water vapor at temperatures not higher than 150 C.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Pekov, Igor V., Zubkova, Natalia V., Zolotarev, Andrey A., Yapaskurt, Vasiliy O., Krivovichev, Sergey V., Belakovskiy, Dmitry I., Lykova, Inna, Vigasina, Marina F., Kasatkin, Anatoly V., Sidorov, Evgeny G., Pushcharovsky, Dmitry Yu. (2021) Dioskouriite, CaCu4Cl6(OH)4·4H2O: A New Mineral Description, Crystal Chemistry and Polytypism. Minerals, 11 (1) 90 doi:10.3390/min11010090
Synonyms of Dioskouriite
Other Language Names for Dioskouriite
Dutch:Dioskouriiet
German:Dioskouriit
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 3.DA. | Parahibbingite | Fe2(OH)3Cl |
| 3.DA. | Centennialite | CaCu3Cl2(OH)6 · nH2O (n ~ 0.7) |
| 3.DA. | Bounahasite | Cu+Cu2+2(OH)3Cl2 |
| 3.DA. | Muonionalustaite | Ni3(OH)4Cl2 · 4H2O |
| 3.DA.05 | Melanothallite | Cu2Cl2O |
| 3.DA.10c | Haydeeite | Cu3Mg(OH)6Cl2 |
| 3.DA.10b | Clinoatacamite | Cu2(OH)3Cl |
| 3.DA.10c | Paratacamite | Cu3(Cu,Zn)(OH)6Cl2 |
| 3.DA.10c | Kapellasite | Cu3Zn(OH)6Cl2 |
| 3.DA.10c | Leverettite | Cu3Co(OH)6Cl2 |
| 3.DA.10a | Hibbingite | Fe2+2(OH)3Cl |
| 3.DA.10c | Paratacamite-(Ni) | Cu3(Ni,Cu)(OH)6Cl2 |
| 3.DA.10a | Kempite | Mn2+2(OH)3Cl |
| 3.DA.10c | Tondiite | Cu3Mg(OH)6Cl2 |
| 3.DA.10a | Atacamite | Cu2(OH)3Cl |
| 3.DA.10b | Belloite | Cu(OH)Cl |
| 3.DA.10c | Misakiite | Cu3Mn(OH)6Cl2 |
| 3.DA.10b | Iyoite | MnCuCl(OH)3 |
| 3.DA.10c | Kuliginite | Fe3Mg(OH)6Cl2 |
| 3.DA.10c | Gillardite | Cu3Ni(OH)6Cl2 |
| 3.DA.10b | 'Unnamed (Cu-Zn Chloride Hydroxide)' | CuZnCl(OH)3 |
| 3.DA.10b | Botallackite | Cu2(OH)3Cl |
| 3.DA.10c | Herbertsmithite | Cu3Zn(OH)6Cl2 |
| 3.DA.15 | Claringbullite | Cu4ClF(OH)6 |
| 3.DA.15 | Barlowite | Cu4BrF(OH)6 |
| 3.DA.20 | Simonkolleite | Zn5Cl2(OH)8 · H2O |
| 3.DA.25 | Buttgenbachite | Cu19(NO3)2(OH)32Cl4 · 2H2O |
| 3.DA.25 | Connellite | Cu19(SO4)(OH)32Cl4 · 3H2O |
| 3.DA.30 | Abhurite | Sn21Cl16(OH)14O6 |
| 3.DA.35 | Ponomarevite | K4Cu4Cl10O |
| 3.DA.40 | Calumetite | CaCu4(OH)8Cl2 · 3.5H2O |
| 3.DA.40 | Anthonyite | Cu(OH,Cl)2 · 3H2O |
| 3.DA.45 | Khaidarkanite | Cu4Al3(OH)14F3 · 2H2O |
| 3.DA.50 | Bobkingite | Cu5Cl2(OH)8 · 2H2O |
| 3.DA.55 | Avdoninite | K2Cu5(OH)4Cl8 · H2O |
| 3.DA.60 | Droninoite | Ni6Fe3+2(OH)16Cl2 · 4H2O |
| 3.DA.70 | Chrysothallite | K6Cu6Tl3+Cl17(OH)4 · H2O |
| 3.DA.75 | Feodosiyite | Cu11Mg2Cl18(OH)8 · 16H2O |
| 3.DA.80 | Romanorlovite | K8Cu6Cl17(OH)3 |
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 Dioskouriite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-47598.html
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References for Dioskouriite
Reference List:
Hålenius, U., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S.J. (2016) New minerals and nomenclature modifications approved in 2016, CNMNC Newsletter no 30. Mineralogical Magazine, 80 (2) 407-413 doi:10.1180/minmag.2016.080.081
Pekov, Igor V., Zubkova, Natalia V., Zolotarev, Andrey A., Yapaskurt, Vasiliy O., Krivovichev, Sergey V., Belakovskiy, Dmitry I., Lykova, Inna, Vigasina, Marina F., Kasatkin, Anatoly V., Sidorov, Evgeny G., Pushcharovsky, Dmitry Yu. (2021) Dioskouriite, CaCu4Cl6(OH)4·4H2O: A New Mineral Description, Crystal Chemistry and Polytypism. Minerals, 11 (1) 90 doi:10.3390/min11010090
Localities for Dioskouriite
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. (2016) |
| Hålenius et al. (2016) +1 other reference |
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Arsenatnaya fumarole, Second scoria cone, Northern Breakthrough, Great Fissure eruption, Tolbachik Volcanic field, Milkovsky District, Kamchatka Krai, Russia