Chernovite-(Y)
A valid IMA mineral species
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About Chernovite-(Y)
Aleksandr A. Chernov
Formula:
Y(AsO4)
Colour:
Colorless, pale yellow
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
4 - 5
Specific Gravity:
4.866 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Member of:
Name:
Named simply chernovite in 1967 by B. A. Goldin, N. P. Yushkin, and M. V. Fishman in honor of Aleksandr Aleksandrovich Chernov (Александр Александрович Чернов) (11 (23) July 1877, Solikamsk, Russian empire – 23 January 1963, Syktyvkar, USSR), geologist, Institute of Geology, Syktyvar, Russia, explorer of the Polar Urals and professor at the Moscow State University and Academy of Sciences of the USSR. The suffix/modifier was added in 1987 to conform to the Levinson rule for species with essential REE indicating, in this case, a predominance of yttrium.
Type Locality:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
992
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:992:8
Similar Names
| Chernovite-(Ce) | Valid as an unnamed mineral | (Ce,Y)(AsO4) |
| Chernovite-(Y)-Xenotime-(Y) Series | A solid-solution series between two end-member minerals |
IMA Classification of Chernovite-(Y)
Approved
IMA status notes:
Renamed by the IMA
IMA Formula:
YAs5+O4
Approval year:
1967
First published:
1967
Classification of Chernovite-(Y)
8.AD.35
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
A : Phosphates, etc. without additional anions, without H2O
D : With only large cations
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
A : Phosphates, etc. without additional anions, without H2O
D : With only large cations
38.4.11.2
38 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, AND VANADATES
4 : AXO4
38 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, AND VANADATES
4 : AXO4
20.4.12
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
4 : Arsenates of Group III metals (Al, rare earths)
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
4 : Arsenates of Group III metals (Al, rare earths)
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Chv-Y | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Cvt | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Physical Properties of Chernovite-(Y)
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colorless, pale yellow
Comment:
May show color zoning.
Streak:
White
Hardness:
4 - 5 on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN100=225 - 429 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
{010}.
{010}.
Translation gliding:
{001}
Density:
4.866 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Could not be measured, but >4.2.
Optical Data of Chernovite-(Y)
Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 1.783(1) nε = 1.879(2)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.096
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 uniaxial interference figure - the conoscopic
(convergent-light, Bertrand-lens-in) view, for a grain cut with the optic axis
centred and vertical. The coloured rings are isochromatics, computed with the
same physics as the Michel-Lévy bar above; the dark cross is the isogyre.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
ε = colorless; ω = pale rose-yellow.
Chemistry of Chernovite-(Y)
Mindat Formula:
Y(AsO4)
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Chernovite-(Y)
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Class (H-M):
4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) - Ditetragonal Dipyramidal
Space Group:
I41/amd
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.05 Å, c = 6.25 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.887
Unit Cell V:
310.64 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Type material: Prismatic crystals showing forms include {010}, {011}, and {001}, sometimes with narrow rough {110}.
Comment:
Range: a = 6.99–7.09 c = 6.17–6.32 A.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0012653 | Chernovite-(Y) | Strada M, Schwendimann G (1934) La struttura cristallina di alcuni fosfati ed arseniati di metalli trivalenti. II. Arseniato e fosfato di ittrio Gazzetta Chimica Italiana 64 662-674 | 1934 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.519 Å | (100) |
| 2.644 Å | (100) |
| 2.479 Å | (70) |
| 1.997 Å | (80) |
| 1.811 Å | (100) |
| 1.756 Å | (60) |
| 1.571 Å | (80) |
| 1.464 Å | (90) |
| 1.431 Å | (60) |
| 1.326 Å | (70) |
| 1.261 Å | (100) |
| 1.177 Å | (100) |
| 1.125 Å | (100) |
| 1.109 Å | (100) |
| 1.023 Å | (90) |
Comments:
Nyarta-Syu-Yu River, Russia. Data from type description.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 26 : Hadean detrital minerals | |
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks |
Type Occurrence of Chernovite-(Y)
General Appearance of Type Material:
Prismatic crystals, generally 0.25 mm and maximum 0.65 mm in size.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Mining Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia, number 1013/1 (type).
Geological Setting of Type Material:
In piemontite veinlets in liparite prophyry.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Chernovite-(Y)
Other Language Names for Chernovite-(Y)
Relationship of Chernovite-(Y) to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Xenotime Group:
| Anningite-(Ce) | (Ca0.5Ce4+0.5)(VO4) | Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I41/amd |
| Pretulite | Sc(PO4) | Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I41/amd |
| Wakefieldite-(Ce) | Ce(VO4) | Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I41/amd |
| Wakefieldite-(La) | La(VO4) | Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I41/amd |
| Wakefieldite-(Nd) | Nd(VO4) | Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I41/amd |
| Wakefieldite-(Y) | Y(VO4) | Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I41/amd |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 9 photos of Chernovite-(Y) associated with Hematite | Fe2O3 |
| 9 photos of Chernovite-(Y) associated with Rutile | TiO2 |
| 8 photos of Chernovite-(Y) associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 6 photos of Chernovite-(Y) associated with Pseudobrookite | Fe3+2Ti4+O5 |
| 5 photos of Chernovite-(Y) associated with Zircon | Zr(SiO4) |
| 4 photos of Chernovite-(Y) associated with Muscovite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| 3 photos of Chernovite-(Y) associated with Bixbyite-(Mn) | Mn3+2O3 |
| 2 photos of Chernovite-(Y) associated with 'Minasgeraisite-(Y)' | (Ca2Y2)◻2(Be2B2)[SiO4]4(OH)4 |
| 2 photos of Chernovite-(Y) associated with Microcline | K(AlSi3O8) |
| 2 photos of Chernovite-(Y) associated with Milarite | K(◻H2O)Ca2(Be2Al)[Si12O30] |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.AD. | 'Unnamed (Monoclinic polymorph of ximengite)' | Bi(PO4) |
| 8.AD. | Keplerite | Ca9(Ca0.5◻0.5)Mg(PO4)7 |
| 8.AD. | Mazorite | Ba3(PO4)2 |
| 8.AD. | Deynekoite | Ca9◻Fe3+(PO4)7 |
| 8.AD. | Monazite-(Gd) | Gd(PO4) |
| 8.AD.05 | Nahpoite | Na2(PO3OH) |
| 8.AD.10 | Weilite | Ca(HAsO4) |
| 8.AD.10 | Švenekite | Ca(H2AsO4)2 |
| 8.AD.10 | Monetite | Ca(PO3OH) |
| 8.AD.15 | Archerite | (K,NH4)(H2PO4) |
| 8.AD.15 | Biphosphammite | NH4(H2PO4) |
| 8.AD.20 | Phosphammite | (NH4)2(PO3OH) |
| 8.AD.25 | Buchwaldite | NaCa(PO4) |
| 8.AD.30 | Schulténite | Pb(HAsO4) |
| 8.AD.35 | Dreyerite | Bi(VO4) |
| 8.AD.35 | Wakefieldite-(La) | La(VO4) |
| 8.AD.35 | Anningite-(Ce) | (Ca0.5Ce4+0.5)(VO4) |
| 8.AD.35 | Pretulite | Sc(PO4) |
| 8.AD.35 | Wakefieldite-(Ce) | Ce(VO4) |
| 8.AD.35 | Wakefieldite-(Y) | Y(VO4) |
| 8.AD.35 | Xenotime-(Yb) | Yb(PO4) |
| 8.AD.35 | 'Chernovite-(Ce)' | (Ce,Y)(AsO4) |
| 8.AD.35 | Xenotime-(Gd) | Gd(PO4) |
| 8.AD.35 | Xenotime-(Y) | Y(PO4) |
| 8.AD.35 | Wakefieldite-(Nd) | Nd(VO4) |
| 8.AD.40 | Pucherite | Bi(VO4) |
| 8.AD.45 | Ximengite | Bi(PO4) |
| 8.AD.50 | 'UM2005-35-VO:CaFePSiTh' | (Th,Ca)(VO4,SiO4,PO4) |
| 8.AD.50 | Rooseveltite | Bi(AsO4) |
| 8.AD.50 | Gasparite-(Ce) | Ce(AsO4) |
| 8.AD.50 | Monazite-(Sm) | Sm(PO4) |
| 8.AD.50 | Monazite-(Ce) | Ce(PO4) |
| 8.AD.50 | Monazite-(La) | La(PO4) |
| 8.AD.50 | Monazite-(Nd) | Nd(PO4) |
| 8.AD.50 | Gasparite-(La) | La(AsO4) |
| 8.AD.50 | Cheralite | CaTh(PO4)2 |
| 8.AD.55 | Tetrarooseveltite | Bi(AsO4) |
| 8.AD.60 | Chursinite | [Hg2]2+Hg2+2[AsO4]2 |
| 8.AD.65 | Clinobisvanite | Bi(VO4) |
| 8.AD.70 | Gurimite | Ba3(VO4)2 |
| 8.AD.75 | Picaite | NaCa[AsO3OH][AsO2(OH)2] |
Other Information
Notes:
Insoluble in acids.
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 Chernovite-(Y)
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-992.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Chernovite-(Y)
Reference List:
Nickel, Ernest H., Mandarino, Joseph A. (1987) Procedures involving the IMA Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names and guidelines on mineral nomenclature. American Mineralogist, 72 (9-10) 1031-1042
Pagliaro, Francesco, Lotti, Paolo, Guastoni, Alessandro, Rotiroti, Nicola, Battiston, Tommaso, Gatta, G. Diego (2022) Crystal chemistry and miscibility of chernovite-(Y), xenotime-(Y), gasparite-(Ce) and monazite-(Ce) from Mt. Cervandone, Western Alps, Italy. Mineralogical Magazine, 86 (1) 150-167 doi:10.1180/mgm.2022.5
Localities for Chernovite-(Y)
Showing 72 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.
Algeria | |
| Oulebsir et al. (2021) |
Australia | |
| Ciobanu et al. (2019) |
Austria | |
| Kolitsch (2017) |
| Kolitsch et al. (2015) +2 other references |
| Kolitsch et al. (2025) | |
| Putz (2010) |
| Putz (2010) | |
Brazil | |
| Barbosa et al. (2000) |
| Cassedanne et al. (1994) |
China | |
| Yunhuai Lin and Shiyang Chen (1985) +1 other reference |
| Deqian Chen et al. (1994) | |
Czech Republic | |
| Scharm +7 other references |
| Breiter |
| Novák et al. (2007) |
Egypt | |
| Mahdy et al. (2025) +1 other reference |
Finland | |
| Pavel M. Kartashov analytical data (2011) |
Germany | |
| [Wittern (1995) |
| Lorenz (1996) |
Greece | |
| Stouraiti et al. (2022) |
Italy | |
| Palenzona A. (1988) |
| Bruno Marello collection |
| Balestra et al. (2020) |
| Castellaro et al. (2011) |
| Castellaro F. (2014) |
| Gentile et al. (2023) |
| Cabella et al. (1999) +2 other references |
| www.webmineralshop.com (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| Albertini (1991) +2 other references | |
| Cuchet et al. (2016) |
| Cuchet et al. (2016) | |
Mongolia | |
| Pavel M. Kartashov (n.d.) +1 other reference |
Namibia | |
| Rio Tinto Group |
North Macedonia | |
| Galuskina et al. (2026) |
| Ermolaeva et al. (2019) | |
Norway | |
| Hawthorne et al. (1991) |
| Husdal (2019) |
| Ellingsen et al. (1995) +1 other reference |
| Kristiansen (1993) |
| Larsen et al. (2020) |
| Husdal et al. (2019) |
Poland | |
| Matyszczak (2018) |
| Matyszczak (2018) |
Portugal | |
| Azevedo (2024) |
Russia | |
| Alekseev (2025) |
| Alekseev (2025) |
| Alekseev (2025) | |
| Alekseev et al. (2015) |
| Alekseev et al. (2015) |
| Pavel M. Kartashov (n.d.) |
| Pavel M. Kartashov (n.d.) | |
| Pavel M. Kartashov (n.d.) |
| Gorelikova et al. (2021) |
| Kasatkin et al. (2021) |
| Pekov (1998) |
| Clark (1993) | |
Slovakia | |
| Ondrejka M. et al. (Western Carpathians, Slovakia) |
Sweden | |
| Gatedal (n.d.) +7 other references |
Switzerland | |
| Brugger et al. (1998) |
| |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
| Stalder et al. (1998) | |
| Cuchet et al. (2005) |
| Cuchet et al. (2014) | |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
Tajikistan | |
| Pavel M. Kartashov analytical data (2011) |
| Mirakov M.A. et al. (2018) |
Turkey | |
| Powell et al. (2021) |
UK | |
| Embrey (1978) |
USA | |
| - (1989) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
Quick NavTopAbout Chernovite-(Y)Unique IdentifiersSimilar NamesIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Wanni glacier - Scherbadung area, Binn, Goms, Valais, Switzerland