Vanarsite
A valid IMA mineral species
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About Vanarsite
Formula:
NaCa12(As3+V5+8.5V4+3.5As5+6O51)2 · 78H2O
Colour:
Very dark blue
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
2.48
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named for the composition, that includes vanadate, arsenite, and arsenate groups.
One of a few polyoxometalate minerals from the Packrat mine, that include the related morrisonite and packratite; compare other Ca-As-V bearing similar species: gatewayite and kegginite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
46169
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:46169:6
IMA Classification of Vanarsite
Approved
IMA Formula:
NaCa12(As3+V5+8.5V4+3.5As5+6O51)2·78H2O
Approval year:
2014
First published:
2016
Type description reference:
Classification of Vanarsite
8.FD.10
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
F : Polyphosphates, Polyarsenates, [4]-Polyvanadates
D : Polyphosphates, etc., with OH and H2O
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
F : Polyphosphates, Polyarsenates, [4]-Polyvanadates
D : Polyphosphates, etc., with OH and 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Vns | 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 Vanarsite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Very dark blue
Streak:
Grayish blue
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Comment:
~ 2
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Imperfect/Fair
{100}
{100}
Density:
2.48(2) g/cm3 (Measured) 2.460 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Vanarsite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.645(5) nβ = 1.677 nγ = 1.681
2V:
Measured: 37° (2)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.036
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:
Not observable
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X cornflower blue, Y dark blue, Z dark blue; X << Z~Y
Chemistry of Vanarsite
Mindat Formula:
NaCa12(As3+V5+8.5V4+3.5As5+6O51)2 · 78H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Vanarsite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/c
Setting:
P21/c
Cell Parameters:
a = 25.8902(8) Å, b = 10.9468(3) Å, c = 28.2980(8) Å
β = 102.252(1)°
β = 102.252(1)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 2.365 : 1 : 2.585
Unit Cell V:
7828.9 ų
Z:
2
Morphology:
Blades flattened on {100} and elongated on [010].
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M12029 | Vanarsite | Kampf, A. R., Hughes, J. M., P. Nash, B., & Marty, J. (2016) Vanarsite, packratite, morrisonite, and gatewayite: four new minerals containing the [As3+ V4+, 5+ 12As5+ 6O51] heteropolyanion, a novel polyoxometalate cluster. The Canadian Mineralogist, 54(1), 145-162. |  | 2016 | Packrat Mine, Colorado, USA | 0 | 298 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 13.1 Å | (100) |
| 10.0 Å | (98) |
| 9.3 Å | (63) |
| 7.87 Å | (56) |
| 4.44 Å | (31) |
| 3.339 Å | (33) |
| 2.962 Å | (32) |
| 2.772 Å | (30) |
Reference:
Comments:
From Type Description.
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] | |
| 47e : [Vanadates, chromates, manganates] | |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals |
Type Occurrence of Vanarsite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Sub-parallel intergrowths and fan-like or finger-like aggregates up to about 5 mm in length.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Type material is deposited in the mineralogical collections of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, California, USA, catalogue numbers 64149 and 64150.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
On montroseite- and corvusite-bearing sandstone.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Synonyms of Vanarsite
Other Language Names for Vanarsite
Relationship of Vanarsite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Vanarsite Group:
| Gatewayite | Ca6(As3+V4+3 V5+9As5+6O51) · 31H2O | Mon. 2 : P21 |
| Lumsdenite | NaCa3Mg2(As3+V4+2V5+10As5+6O51) · 45H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Morrisonite | Ca11(As3+V4+2V5+10As5+6O51)2 · 78H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/c |
| Packratite | Ca11(As3+V5+10V4+2As5+6O51)2 · 83H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 2 photos of Vanarsite associated with Fulbrightite | Ca(V4+O)2(As5+O4)2 · 4H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.FD.05 | Volborthite | Cu3(V2O7)(OH)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.FD.05 | Martyite | Zn3(V2O7)(OH)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.FD.05 | Karpenkoite | Co3(V2O7)(OH)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.FD.10 | Packratite | Ca11(As3+V5+10V4+2As5+6O51)2 · 83H2O |
| 8.FD.10 | Bicapite | [KNa2Mg2(H2O)25][H2PV5+12O40(V5+O)2] |
| 8.FD.10 | Morrisonite | Ca11(As3+V4+2V5+10As5+6O51)2 · 78H2O |
| 8.FD.10 | Lumsdenite | NaCa3Mg2(As3+V4+2V5+10As5+6O51) · 45H2O |
| 8.FD.10 | Gatewayite | Ca6(As3+V4+3 V5+9As5+6O51) · 31H2O |
| 8.FD.10 | Kegginite | Pb3Ca3[AsV12O40(VO)] · 20H2O |
| 8.FD.15 | Chinchorroite | Na2Mg5(As2O7)2(AsO3OH)2(H2O)10 |
Fluorescence of Vanarsite
None
Other Information
Notes:
Insoluble in room-temperature H2O; easily soluble in room-temperature dilute HCl.
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 Vanarsite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-46169.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 Vanarsite
Reference List:
Williams, P. A., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2014) New minerals and nomenclature modifications approved in 2014, CNMNC Newsletter No 21. Mineralogical Magazine, 78 (4) 797-804 doi:10.1180/minmag.2014.078.4.03
Localities for Vanarsite
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.
USA (TL) | |
| Williams et al. (2014) +1 other reference |
Quick NavTopAbout VanarsiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Packrat Mine, Beaver Mesa, Gateway Mining District, Mesa County, Colorado, USA