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Corvusite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Corvusite
Formula:
(Na,K,Ca,Mg)2(V5+,V4+,Fe2+)8O20 · 6-10H2O
Colour:
Blue-black, brown
Hardness:
2½ - 3
Specific Gravity:
2.82
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
From "corvus", raven, in allusion to the color.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1138
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1138:5
IMA Classification of Corvusite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
(Na,Ca,K)1-x(V5+,V4+,Fe2+)8O20·4H2O
First published:
1933
Classification of Corvusite
4.HE.20
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
H : V[5,6] Vanadates
E : Phyllovanadates
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
H : V[5,6] Vanadates
E : Phyllovanadates
47.3.2.2
47 : VANADIUM OXYSALTS
3 : Hydrated Normal Vanadium Oxysalts
47 : VANADIUM OXYSALTS
3 : Hydrated Normal Vanadium Oxysalts
7.12.11
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
12 : Oxides of V, Nb and Ta
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
12 : Oxides of V, Nb and Ta
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cvu | 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 Corvusite
Transparency:
Opaque
Comment:
Lusterous
Colour:
Blue-black, brown
Streak:
Blue-black to brown
Hardness:
2½ - 3 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
2.82 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.02 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Corvusite
Type:
Biaxial
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 (%) | R2 (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 400nm | 10.3% | 20.7% |
| 420nm | 9.8% | 19.8% |
| 440nm | 9.3% | 18.9% |
| 460nm | 9.0% | 18.0% |
| 480nm | 8.7% | 17.3% |
| 500nm | 8.5% | 16.6% |
| 520nm | 8.4% | 16.0% |
| 540nm | 8.2% | 15.6% |
| 560nm | 8.2% | 15.1% |
| 580nm | 8.1% | 14.7% |
| 600nm | 8.0% | 14.3% |
| 620nm | 8.0% | 14.0% |
| 640nm | 8.0% | 13.7% |
| 660nm | 8.0% | 13.5% |
| 680nm | 8.0% | 13.4% |
| 700nm | 8.0% | 13.3% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 20.7%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Chemistry of Corvusite
Mindat Formula:
(Na,K,Ca,Mg)2(V5+,V4+,Fe2+)8O20 · 6-10H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Corvusite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/m
Setting:
C2/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 11.706 Å, b = 3.644 Å, c = 11.11 Å
β = 103.47°
β = 103.47°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 3.212 : 1 : 3.049
Unit Cell V:
460.88 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1
Morphology:
Massive.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 10.82 Å | (100) |
| 3.590 Å | (6) |
| 3.464 Å | (18) |
| 3.255 Å | (2) |
| 2.595 Å | (3) |
| 1.934 Å | (4) |
| 1.819 Å | (6) |
Comments:
Very similar to the data for fernandinite.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47e : [Vanadates, chromates, manganates] | |
| 47h : [Near-surface oxidized, dehydrated minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Corvusite
Co-Type Localities:
General Appearance of Type Material:
Massive, but slickenside action can make it appear fibrous. With numerous shrinkage cracks.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National School of Mines, Paris, France.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 96806.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 96806.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Uranium and vandadium mineralization in fossil vegitation in sandstone.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Corvusite
Other Language Names for Corvusite
Relationship of Corvusite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Straczekite Group:
| Bariandite | Al0.6(V5+,V4+)8O20 · 9H2O | Mon. |
| Bokite | (Al,Fe)1.3(V5+,V4+,Fe3+)8O20 · 7.5H2O | Mon. |
| Fernandinite | (Ca,K)(V5+,V4+,Fe2+)8O20 · 10H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Straczekite | (Ca,K,Ba)(V5+,V4+)8O20 · 3H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 17 photos of Corvusite associated with Montroseite | (V3+,Fe3+)O(OH) |
| 13 photos of Corvusite associated with Pascoite | Ca2Ca(V10O28) · 17H2O |
| 6 photos of Corvusite associated with Uraninite | UO2 |
| 5 photos of Corvusite associated with Lasalite | Na2Mg2(V10O28) · 20H2O |
| 4 photos of Corvusite associated with Metahewettite | CaV6O16 · 3H2O |
| 4 photos of Corvusite associated with 'Sandstone' | |
| 3 photos of Corvusite associated with Rossite | Ca(VO3)2 · 4H2O |
| 3 photos of Corvusite associated with Pascoite Family | |
| 3 photos of Corvusite associated with Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
| 3 photos of Corvusite associated with Schindlerite | {(NH4)4Na2(H2O)10}{V10O28} |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.HE.05 | Melanovanadite | Ca(V5+,V4+)4O10 · 5H2O |
| 4.HE.10 | Shcherbinaite | V5+2O5 |
| 4.HE.15 | Hewettite | CaV6O16 · 9H2O |
| 4.HE.15 | Metahewettite | CaV6O16 · 3H2O |
| 4.HE.20 | Bariandite | Al0.6(V5+,V4+)8O20 · 9H2O |
| 4.HE.20 | Bokite | (Al,Fe)1.3(V5+,V4+,Fe3+)8O20 · 7.5H2O |
| 4.HE.20 | Fernandinite | (Ca,K)(V5+,V4+,Fe2+)8O20 · 10H2O |
| 4.HE.20 | Straczekite | (Ca,K,Ba)(V5+,V4+)8O20 · 3H2O |
| 4.HE.25 | Häggite | V3+V4+O2(OH)3 |
| 4.HE.30 | Doloresite | V4+3O4(OH)4 |
| 4.HE.35 | Duttonite | V4+O(OH)2 |
| 4.HE.40 | Cavoite | CaV4+3O7 |
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 Corvusite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1138.html
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References for Corvusite
Reference List:
Henderson, Edward P., Hess, Frank L. (1933) Corvusite and rilandite, new minerals from the Utah-Colorado carnotite region. American Mineralogist, 18 (5) 195-205
Evans, Howard T., Jr.,, Hughes, John M. (1990) Crystal chemistry of the natural vanadium bronzes. American Mineralogist, 75 (5-6) 508-521
Localities for Corvusite
Showing 101 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.
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Temple Mountain Mining District, Emery County, Utah, USA