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Viaeneite

A valid IMA mineral species
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About ViaeneiteHide

04822410017271929021361.jpg
Willy Viaene (1940-2000)
Formula:
(Fe,Pb)4S8O
Colour:
Yellow
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
3½ - 4½
Specific Gravity:
3.8
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named after Professor Willy A. Viaene (born 22 January 1940 in Staden, Belgium - died 13 March 2000), Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium.
An unusual species characterised by mixed sulphur valencies. Many similar (intermediate/mixed-valence) species, usually Fe-dominant, are known from carbonate-hosted Zn-Pb deposits; compare especially 'UM1995-35-SO:FePb'; Unnamed (Fe Pyrosulphite), Unnamed (Fe Sulphoxylane), Unnamed (Fe Sulphite), Unnamed (Fe Subsulphite); thiosulphates: UM1995-34-SO:Fe and Unnamed (Fe Thiosulphate II). Compare also Unnamed (Fe Oxysulphide).

When viaeneite is exposed to air it tarnishes within a few weeks.

Compare also albertiniite - another mineral with untypical S valence.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
7353
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:7353:6

Similar NamesHide

VeeniteA valid IMA mineral speciesPb16Sb9-xAs7+xS40, x ~ 0-0.5
VeniteA rock classification type

IMA Classification of ViaeneiteHide

Classification of ViaeneiteHide

2.FD.10

2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
F : Sulfides of arsenic, alkalies; sulfides with halide, oxide, hydroxide, H2O
D : With O, OH, H2O
Dana 7th ed.:
2.3.4.1

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference for Standard
ViaIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of ViaeneiteHide

Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Yellow
Streak:
Black
Hardness:
3½ - 4½ on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN200=123 - 357 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
On {110}
Density:
3.8(1) g/cm3 (Measured)    3.65 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of ViaeneiteHide

Anisotropism:
Strong; orange, yellow-orange, greenish gray.
Bireflectance:
Distinct; grayish brown to orange to yellow-orange.
Reflectivity:
WavelengthR1 (%)R2 (%)imR1 (%)imR2 (%)
400nm18.1%29.6%9.5%13.8%
410nm17.5%29.3%9.8%14.2%
420nm17.1%29.1%9.6%14.2%
430nm17.4%29.5%9.9%14.6%
440nm17.9%30.0%10.1%15.0%
450nm18.4%30.6%10.4%15.7%
460nm18.9%31.3%10.8%16.3%
470nm19.5%32.1%11.3%17.0%
480nm20.2%32.9%11.7%17.6%
490nm20.7%33.6%12.3%18.4%
500nm21.5%34.5%12.9%19.1%
510nm22.1%35.2%13.4%20.0%
520nm22.8%35.9%14.0%20.6%
530nm23.2%36.3%14.4%21.0%
550nm23.8%36.8%14.8%21.6%
560nm24.2%37.3%15.1%21.8%
570nm24.3%37.3%15.2%21.9%
580nm24.5%37.4%15.2%21.9%
590nm24.6%37.4%15.3%21.9%
600nm24.7%37.4%15.2%21.8%
610nm24.9%37.4%15.2%21.6%
620nm25.0%37.4%15.0%21.3%
630nm25.0%37.4%15.1%21.1%
640nm25.1%37.3%15.0%20.9%
650nm25.1%37.3%14.9%20.6%
660nm25.2%37.3%14.8%20.3%
670nm25.2%37.1%14.6%19.9%
680nm25.2%37.0%14.4%19.5%
690nm25.2%36.8%14.2%19.0%
700nm25.1%36.7%13.9%18.5%


Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 37.4%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red, imR1 shown in green, imR2 shown in blue
Colour in reflected light:
Yellow with a brassy hue.

Chemistry of ViaeneiteHide

Mindat Formula:
(Fe,Pb)4S8O
Element Weights:
Element% weight
S51.728 %
Fe45.045 %
O3.226 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.

Crystallography of ViaeneiteHide

Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.717 (8) Å, b = 7.280 (6) Å, c = 6.559 (7) Å
β = 95.00(3)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.335 : 1 : 0.901
Unit Cell V:
462.22 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
As crystals, to 80 µm.
Twinning:
Type material: No twinning was observed on polished sections. However twinning was observed on some of the electron diffraction patterns.
Comment:
Probable primitive.

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
2.709 Å(100)
2.419 Å(80)
1.758 Å(80)
2.323 Å(70)
0.9576 Å(70)
1.925 Å(60)
0.9605 Å(60)
Comments:
Engis, Belgium. Data from the type description.

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
High-? alteration and/or metamorphism
33 : Minerals deposited by hydrothermal metal-rich fluids (see also [#12])
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event<2.4
46 : Near-surface hydrothermal alteration of minerals (see also #22)

Type Occurrence of ViaeneiteHide

Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Academy of Mining & Metallurgy, Krak´ow, Poland, EMP9; Catholic University, Louvain, KUR32, ONB2, ONB3; Museum of Natural History, Brussels, Belgium, RN 6380.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Pb-Zn deposit in limestone

Synonyms of ViaeneiteHide

Other Language Names for ViaeneiteHide

Dutch:Viaeneiet
German:Viaeneit
Spanish:Viaeneita

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

2.FD.Ferrovalleriite2(Fe,Cu)S · 1.5Fe(OH)2 Trig.
2.FD.05KermesiteSb2S2OTric. 1 : P1
2.FD.20ErditeNaFeS2 · 2H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
2.FD.25CoyoteiteNaFe3S5 · 2H2OTric.
2.FD.30Yushkinite(Mg,Al)V4+S2(OH)2Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1
2.FD.30Valleriite(Fe2+,Cu)4(Mg,Al)3S4(OH,O)6Trig.
2.FD.30Ekplexite(Nb,Mo,W)S2 · (Mg1-xAlx)(OH)2+xTrig.
2.FD.30Haapalaite(Fe2+,Ni)2(Mg,Fe2+)1.61S2(OH)3.22Hex.
2.FD.35Kaskasite(Mo,Nb)S2 · (Mg1-xAlx)(OH)2+xTrig.
2.FD.35Manganokaskasite(Mo,Nb)S2 · (Mn1-xAlx)(OH)2+xTrig.
2.FD.35TochiliniteFe2+5-6(Mg,Fe2+)5S6(OH)10Mon.
2.FD.35FerrotochiliniteFe2+6(Fe2+,Mg)5S6(OH)10Mon.
2.FD.40WilhelmramsayiteCu3FeS3 · 2H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pmmm
2.FD.45VyalsoviteFeCaAlS(OH)5Mon. m : Bm
2.FD.50BazhenoviteCa8S2(S3)(S2O3)(OH)12 · 20H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
2.FD.55'UM2004-56-OS:BiCuPb'PbCu4Bi4S2(O,OH,H2O)16 (?)Tet.

Other InformationHide

Notes:
When exposed to air it tarnishes within a few weeks, however, it remains unchanged when kept in an air-tight container.
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 ViaeneiteHide

References for ViaeneiteHide

Localities for ViaeneiteHide

Showing 3 localities.

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
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Locality ListHide

- 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). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Australia
 
  • Western Australia
    • Kalgoorlie-Boulder Shire
      • Kalgoorlie-Boulder
        • Boorara
Caruso et al. (2018) +1 other reference
Belgium (TL)
 
  • Wallonia
    • Liège
      • Engis
Kucha et al. (1996) +1 other reference
Bolivia
 
  • Oruro
    • Pantaleón Dalence Province
      • Santa Fé mining district
Jiménez-Franco et al. (2018)
 
and/or  
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