Betpakdalite-CaCa
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Betpakdalite-CaCa
Betpak-Dala desert, Kazakhstan
Formula:
[Ca2(H2O)17Ca(H2O)6][Mo6+8As5+2Fe3+3O36(OH)]
Colour:
Lemon-yellow with greenish tint
Lustre:
Dull
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
2.98 - 3.05
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named betpakdalite by L.P. Ermilova and V.M. Senderova in 1961 after the Betpakdala (Bet-Pak-Dal) Desert, Kazakhstan that includes the type locality.
It was redefined in 2010 (IMA 10-E) and renamed betpakdalite-CaCa.
It was redefined in 2010 (IMA 10-E) and renamed betpakdalite-CaCa.
This page provides mineralogical data about Betpakdalite-CaCa.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
651
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:651:4
Similar Names
| Betpakdalite-NaCa | A valid IMA mineral species | [Na2(H2O)17Ca(H2O)6][Mo86+As25+Fe33+O34(OH)3] |
IMA Classification of Betpakdalite-CaCa
Approved
IMA status notes:
Renamed by the IMA
First published:
1961
Approval history:
Renamed by IMA: 2010
Classification of Betpakdalite-CaCa
8.DM.15
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
M : With large and medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 > 2:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
M : With large and medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 > 2:1
49.4.1.1
49 : HYDRATED MOLYBDATES AND TUNGSTATES
4 : Compound Molybdates and Tungstates
49 : HYDRATED MOLYBDATES AND TUNGSTATES
4 : Compound Molybdates and Tungstates
22.5.8
22 : Phosphates, Arsenates or Vanadates with other Anions
5 : Phosphates, arsenates or vanadates with chromate, molybdate, niobate or tantalate
22 : Phosphates, Arsenates or Vanadates with other Anions
5 : Phosphates, arsenates or vanadates with chromate, molybdate, niobate or tantalate
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bpd-CaCa | 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 Betpakdalite-CaCa
Dull
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Lemon-yellow with greenish tint
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Very Good
{001}
{001}
Density:
2.98 - 3.05 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.913 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Betpakdalite-CaCa
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.782 - 1.809 nβ = 1.797 - 1.821 nγ = 1.850 - 1.857
2V:
Measured: 60° , Calculated: 53° to 88°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.048 - 0.068
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.
Dispersion:
extreme, inclined
Optical Extinction:
Y = b; X ∧ c = 12°.
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X = pale yellow, Y = greenish yellow, Z= bluish.
Comments:
Absorption: Z > Y > X.
Chemistry of Betpakdalite-CaCa
Mindat Formula:
[Ca2(H2O)17Ca(H2O)6][Mo6+8As5+2Fe3+3O36(OH)]
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Betpakdalite-CaCa
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/m
Setting:
C2/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 19.507(2) Å, b = 11.0768(9) Å, c = 15.2618(19) Å
β = 131.2618(5)°
β = 131.2618(5)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.761 : 1 : 1.378
Unit Cell V:
2470.3 ų
Comment:
Cell parameters from SCXRD (Kampf et al 2012)
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0014792 | Betpakdalite-CaCa | Schmetzer K, Nuber B, Tremmel G (1984) Betpakdalite from Tsumeb, Namibia: mineralogy, crystal chemistry and structure Neues Jahrbuch fur Mineralogie, Monatshefte 1984 393-403 | 1984 | Tsumeb, Namibia | 0 | 293 | |
| 0005591 | Betpakdalite-CaCa | Cooper M A, Hawthorne F C (1999) The crystal structure of betpakdalite, and a new chemical formula: {Mg(H2O)6}Ca2(H2O)13[Mo8As2Fe3O36(OH)](H2O)4 The Canadian Mineralogist 37 61-66 |  | 1999 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 8.75 Å | (100) |
| 3.63 Å | (90) |
| 1.532 Å | (80) |
| 1.480 Å | (80) |
| 2.95 Å | (70) |
| 1.723 Å | (70) |
| 1.191 Å | (70) |
| 1.024 Å | (70) |
Comments:
Kara-Oba deposit, Kazakhstan. Data from Ermilova and Senderova (1961).
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates] |
Type Occurrence of Betpakdalite-CaCa
General Appearance of Type Material:
Powdery finely-crystalline aggregates, individual crystals being 0.005 to 0.025 mm.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
No designated type material.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Oxidation zone of a wolframite deposit, that consists of early quartz-wolframite-veins and later quartz-huebnerite-pyrite-arsenopyrite veins.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Betpakdalite-CaCa
Relationship of Betpakdalite-CaCa to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Betpakdalite Group:
| Betpakdalite-CaMg | [Ca2(H2O)17Mg(H2O)6][Mo8As2Fe3+3O36(OH)] | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Betpakdalite-FeFe | [Fe3+2 (H2O)15(OH)2Fe3+(H2O)6][Mo8As2Fe3+3O37] | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Betpakdalite-NaCa | [Na2(H2O)17Ca(H2O)6][Mo6+8As5+2Fe3+3O34(OH)3] | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Betpakdalite-NaNa | [Na2(H2O)16Na(H2O)6][Mo8As2Fe3+3O33(OH)4] | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 9 photos of Betpakdalite-CaCa associated with Scorodite | Fe3+AsO4 · 2H2O |
| 6 photos of Betpakdalite-CaCa associated with Molybdenite | MoS2 |
| 3 photos of Betpakdalite-CaCa associated with Ferrimolybdite | Fe2(MoO4)3 · nH2O |
| 2 photos of Betpakdalite-CaCa associated with Zeunerite | Cu(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 2 photos of Betpakdalite-CaCa associated with Chistyakovaite | Al(UO2)2(AsO4)2(F,OH) · 6.5H2O |
| 1 photo of Betpakdalite-CaCa associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 1 photo of Betpakdalite-CaCa associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 1 photo of Betpakdalite-CaCa associated with Pharmacosiderite | KFe3+4(AsO4)3(OH)4 · 6-7H2O |
| 1 photo of Betpakdalite-CaCa associated with Powellite | Ca(MoO4) |
| 1 photo of Betpakdalite-CaCa associated with Anglesite | PbSO4 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.DM. | Tomsquarryite | NaMgAl3(PO4)2(OH)6 · 8H2O |
| 8.DM. | Elliottite | NaMgAl3(PO4)2F6 · 9H2O |
| 8.DM. | Betpakdalite-FeFe | [Fe3+2 (H2O)15(OH)2Fe3+(H2O)6][Mo8As2Fe3+3O37] |
| 8.DM. | Penriceite | [Mg(H2O)6][Na(H2O)2Al3(PO4)2F6] · H2O |
| 8.DM. | Betpakdalite-CaMg | [Ca2(H2O)17Mg(H2O)6][Mo8As2Fe3+3O36(OH)] |
| 8.DM. | Chinnerite | [Mg(H2O)6]Na(H2O)2Al3(PO4)2F6 |
| 8.DM. | Sarrochite | [Ca4(H2O)38][Mo8P2Fe3+3O37(OH)] |
| 8.DM.05 | Esperanzaite | NaCa2Al2(AsO4)2(OH)F4 · 2H2O |
| 8.DM.05 | Morinite | NaCa2Al2(PO4)2(OH)F4 · 2H2O |
| 8.DM.10 | Alexshubnikovite | Ca2Cu9(AsO4)4(OH)9Cl(H2O)8 · 2H2O |
| 8.DM.10 | Tangdanite | Ca2Cu9(AsO4)4(SO4)0.5(OH)9 · 9H2O |
| 8.DM.10 | Tyrolite | Ca2Cu9(AsO4)4(CO3)(OH)8 · 11H2O |
| 8.DM.15 | Melkovite | [Ca2(H2O)15Ca(H2O)6][Mo8P2Fe3+3O36(OH)] |
| 8.DM.15 | Betpakdalite-NaCa | [Na2(H2O)17Ca(H2O)6][Mo6+8As5+2Fe3+3O34(OH)3] |
| 8.DM.20 | Phosphovanadylite-Ba | Ba[V4+4P2O8(OH)8] · 12H2O |
| 8.DM.20 | Phosphovanadylite-Ca | Ca[V4+4P2O12(OH)4] · 12H2O |
| 8.DM.25 | Yukonite | Ca3Fe3+(AsO4)2(OH)3 · 5H2O |
| 8.DM.30 | Uduminelite | Ca3Al8(PO4)2O12 · 2H2O |
| 8.DM.35 | Aldermanite | [Mg(H2O)6][Na(H2O)2Al3(PO4)2(OH,F)6] · H2O |
| 8.DM.35 | 'Azovskite' | Fe3+3(PO4)(OH)6 or near |
| 8.DM.35 | Delvauxite | CaFe4(PO4,SO4)2(OH)8 · 4-6H2O not confirmed |
| 8.DM.40 | Santafeite | (Na,Ca,Sr)12(Mn2+,Fe3+,Al,Mg)8Mn4+8(VO4)16(OH,O)20 · 8H2O |
| 8.DM.55 | Tapiaite | Ca5Al2(AsO4)4(OH)4 · 12H2O |
| 8.DM.60 | Alcantarillaite | [Fe3+0.5(H2O)4][CaAs3+2(Fe3+2.5W6+0.5)(AsO4)2O7] |
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 Betpakdalite-CaCa
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-651.html
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References for Betpakdalite-CaCa
Reference List:
IMA (1967) International Mineralogical Association: Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 36 (277) 131-136 doi:10.1180/minmag.1967.036.277.20
Dunn, Pete J., Ferraiolo, James A., Fleischer, Michael, Gobel, Volker, Grice, Joel D., Langley, Richard H., Shigley, James E., Vanko, David A., Zilczer, Janet A. (1985) New mineral names. American Mineralogist, 70 (11-12) 1329-1335
Moore, PB (1992) Betpakdalite Unmasked, and a Comment on Bond Valences. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 45 (9) 1335 doi:10.1071/ch9921335
Cooper, M. A., Hawthorne, F. C. (1999) The crystal structure of betpakdalite, and a new chemical formula: {Mg(H2O)6}Ca2(H2O)13[Mo6+8As5+2Fe3+3O36(OH)](H2O)4. The Canadian Mineralogist, 37 (1) 61-66
Williams, P. A., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2011) New minerals and nomenclature modifications approved in 2010, CNMNC Newsletter No 7. Mineralogical Magazine, 75 (1) 27-31 doi:10.1180/minmag.2011.075.1.27
Kampf, A. R., Mills, S. J., Rumsey, M. S., Dini, M., Birch, W. D., Spratt, J., Pluth, J. J., Steele, I. M., Jenkins, R. A., Pinch, W. W. (2012) The heteropolymolybdate family: structural relations, nomenclature scheme and new species. Mineralogical Magazine, 76 (5) 1175-1207 doi:10.1180/minmag.2012.076.5.09
Localities for Betpakdalite-CaCa
Showing 20 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.
Australia | |
| Williams et al. (2005) |
Chile | |
| analysed with Edx (by dr. Jochen Schlüter) +1 other reference |
China | |
| Dahlkamp (2009) |
Czech Republic | |
| Sejkora et al. (2006) |
| Sejkora (1998) |
France | |
| Robinson et al. (1992) |
| Queneau (n.d.) +1 other reference |
Germany | |
| Witzke (2023) |
Greece | |
| Rieck et al. (2020) |
| Rieck et al. (2020) |
Italy | |
| Gentile et al. (2023) |
| Marco Bonifazi collection |
Japan | |
| The Mineral Species of Japan (5th ed) |
Kazakhstan (TL) | |
| Ermilova et al. (1961) +1 other reference |
| Pavel M. Kartashov (n.d.) |
Mongolia | |
| Kampf et al. (2012) |
Namibia | |
| Schmetzer |
Norway | |
| Husdal (2011) +1 other reference |
Russia | |
| Kasatkin et al. (2014) |
USA | |
| Kampf et al. (2012) |
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Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia