Kaskasite
A valid IMA mineral species
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Formula:
(Mo,Nb)S2 · (Mg1-xAlx)(OH)2+x
Colour:
Iron-black
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
1
Specific Gravity:
3.83 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Name:
Named after Mount Kaskasnyunchorr, Russia, the type locality.
Type Locality:
Isostructural with:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
43888
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:43888:3
Similar Names
| Kaukasite | A synonym of 'Caucasite' |
IMA Classification of Kaskasite
Approved
IMA Formula:
(Mo,Nb5+)S2·(Mg1-xAlx)(OH)2+x
Approval year:
2013
First published:
2014
Type description reference:
Pekov, I. V., Yapaskurt, V. O., Polekhovsky, Y. S., Vigasina, M. F., Siidra, O. I. (2014) Ekplexite (Nb,Mo)S2·(Mg1−xAlx)(OH)2+x, kaskasite (Mo,Nb)S2·(Mg1−xAlx)(OH)2+x and manganokaskasite
(Mo,Nb)S2·(Mn1−xAlx)(OH)2+x, three new valleriite-group mineral species from the Khibiny alkaline
complex, Kola peninsula, Russia. Mineralogical Magazine, 78 (3) 663-679 doi:10.1180/minmag.2014.078.3.14
Classification of Kaskasite
2.FD.35
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
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
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kks | 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 Kaskasite
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Iron-black
Hardness:
1 on Mohs scale
Hardness Data:
Estimated
Tenacity:
Elastic
Cleavage:
Perfect
{001} perfect and mica-like
{001} perfect and mica-like
Fracture:
Micaceous
Density:
3.83 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Kaskasite
Anisotropism:
Very strong
Bireflectance:
Very strong (ΔR = 12.4%)
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 (%) | R2 (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 470nm | 8.6% | 21.5% |
| 546nm | 9.2% | 21.6% |
| 589nm | 9.2% | 21.5% |
| 650nm | 8.9% | 21.3% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 21.6%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
Grey
Internal Reflections:
Without internal reflections.
Pleochroism:
Strong
Comments:
Light gray with a yellowish hue to gray
Chemistry of Kaskasite
Mindat Formula:
(Mo,Nb)S2 · (Mg1-xAlx)(OH)2+x
Crystallography of Kaskasite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Cell Parameters:
a = 3.220(2) Å, c = 11.47(2) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 3.562
Unit Cell V:
102.99 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Comment:
Space group P3¯ m1, P3m1 or P321
Epitaxial Relationships of Kaskasite
Epitaxial Minerals:
| 'Manganokaskasite' | (Mo,Nb)S2 · (Mn1-xAlx)(OH)2+x |
| 'Pyrrhotite' | Fe1-xS |
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 11.46 Å | (97) |
| 5.72 Å | (100) |
| 2.786 Å | (51) |
| 2.627 Å | (7) |
| 2.219 Å | (7) |
| 1.613 Å | (33) |
| 1.557 Å | (10) |
Reference:
Pekov, I. V., Yapaskurt, V. O., Polekhovsky, Y. S., Vigasina, M. F., Siidra, O. I. (2014) Ekplexite (Nb,Mo)S2·(Mg1−xAlx)(OH)2+x, kaskasite (Mo,Nb)S2·(Mg1−xAlx)(OH)2+x and manganokaskasite
(Mo,Nb)S2·(Mn1−xAlx)(OH)2+x, three new valleriite-group mineral species from the Khibiny alkaline
complex, Kola peninsula, Russia. Mineralogical Magazine, 78 (3) 663-679 doi:10.1180/minmag.2014.078.3.14
Comments:
From Type Description.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks |
Type Occurrence of Kaskasite
General Appearance of Type Material:
As flakes and near-parallel ‘stacks’ up to 0.03 mm×1 mm×1.5 mm, epitaxially overgrow Ti-bearing pyrrhotite partially replaced by Ti-bearing pyrite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Type material is deposited in the collections of the collections of the Fersman Mineralogical Museum of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, registration number 4401/1
Geological Setting of Type Material:
In perthite-rich fenite, Khibiny alkaline complex, Russia.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Pekov, I. V., Yapaskurt, V. O., Polekhovsky, Y. S., Vigasina, M. F., Siidra, O. I. (2014) Ekplexite (Nb,Mo)S2·(Mg1−xAlx)(OH)2+x, kaskasite (Mo,Nb)S2·(Mg1−xAlx)(OH)2+x and manganokaskasite
(Mo,Nb)S2·(Mn1−xAlx)(OH)2+x, three new valleriite-group mineral species from the Khibiny alkaline
complex, Kola peninsula, Russia. Mineralogical Magazine, 78 (3) 663-679 doi:10.1180/minmag.2014.078.3.14
Synonyms of Kaskasite
Other Language Names for Kaskasite
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 2.FD. | Ferrovalleriite | 2(Fe,Cu)S · 1.5Fe(OH)2 |
| 2.FD.05 | Kermesite | Sb2S2O |
| 2.FD.10 | Viaeneite | (Fe,Pb)4S8O |
| 2.FD.20 | Erdite | NaFeS2 · 2H2O |
| 2.FD.25 | Coyoteite | NaFe3S5 · 2H2O |
| 2.FD.30 | Yushkinite | (Mg,Al)V4+S2(OH)2 |
| 2.FD.30 | Valleriite | (Fe2+,Cu)4(Mg,Al)3S4(OH,O)6 |
| 2.FD.30 | Ekplexite | (Nb,Mo,W)S2 · (Mg1-xAlx)(OH)2+x |
| 2.FD.30 | Haapalaite | (Fe2+,Ni)2(Mg,Fe2+)1.61S2(OH)3.22 |
| 2.FD.35 | Manganokaskasite | (Mo,Nb)S2 · (Mn1-xAlx)(OH)2+x |
| 2.FD.35 | Tochilinite | Fe2+5-6(Mg,Fe2+)5S6(OH)10 |
| 2.FD.35 | Ferrotochilinite | Fe2+6(Fe2+,Mg)5S6(OH)10 |
| 2.FD.40 | Wilhelmramsayite | Cu3FeS3 · 2H2O |
| 2.FD.45 | Vyalsovite | FeCaAlS(OH)5 |
| 2.FD.50 | Bazhenovite | Ca8S2(S3)(S2O3)(OH)12 · 20H2O |
| 2.FD.55 | 'UM2004-56-OS:BiCuPb' | PbCu4Bi4S2(O,OH,H2O)16 (?) |
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 Kaskasite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-43888.html
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References for Kaskasite
Reference List:
Williams, P. A., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2013) New minerals and nomenclature modifications approved in 2013. CNMNC Newsletter No 16. Mineralogical Magazine, 77 (6) 2695-2709 doi:10.1180/minmag.2013.077.6.01
Pekov, I. V., Yapaskurt, V. O., Polekhovsky, Y. S., Vigasina, M. F., Siidra, O. I. (2014) Ekplexite (Nb,Mo)S2·(Mg1−xAlx)(OH)2+x, kaskasite (Mo,Nb)S2·(Mg1−xAlx)(OH)2+x and manganokaskasite
(Mo,Nb)S2·(Mn1−xAlx)(OH)2+x, three new valleriite-group mineral species from the Khibiny alkaline
complex, Kola peninsula, Russia. Mineralogical Magazine, 78 (3) 663-679 doi:10.1180/minmag.2014.078.3.14
Localities for Kaskasite
Showing 1 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) | |
| Williams et al. (2013) +2 other references |
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