Wortupaite
A valid IMA mineral species - pending publication
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Formula:
MgNi2+2(Te4+O3)3 · 3H2O
Colour:
pale yellowish green
Lustre:
Vitreous, Earthy
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
4.42 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Name:
Wortupaite is named for the type locality. The name ‘Wortupa’ means ‘shadow’ in the language of the local indigenous people, the Adnyamathanha.
Structurally related to zemannite (more specifically: to keystoneite, that is also similar in terms of chemistry, and that belongs to the zemannite group).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
470616
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:470616:4
IMA Classification of Wortupaite
Approved, Pending publication
IMA Formula:
MgNi2+2(Te4+O3)3·3H2O
Approval history:
IMA no. 2022-107
Classification of Wortupaite
4.JM.
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
M : Tellurites without additional anions, with H2O
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
M : Tellurites without additional anions, with 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Wor | 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 Wortupaite
Vitreous, Earthy
Comment:
masses have a more earthy lustre
Colour:
pale yellowish green
Streak:
Pale-green
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Comment:
analogous to zemannite
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Parting:
none
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
4.42 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Wortupaite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.882(10) nε = 1.957(10)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.075
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:
O = green-blue,
E = yellow with green tinge
E = yellow with green tinge
Comments:
RI calc
Chemistry of Wortupaite
Mindat Formula:
MgNi2+2(Te4+O3)3 · 3H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Wortupaite
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Class (H-M):
6/m - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
P63/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.221(1) Å, c = 7.515(1) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.815
Unit Cell V:
553.37 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Twinning:
none
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 8.059 Å | (93) |
| 4.034 Å | (92) |
| 2.832 Å | (43) |
| 2.769 Å | (100) |
| 2.332 Å | (30) |
| 1.920 Å | (45) |
| 1.782 Å | (22) |
| 1.718 Å | (39) |
Type Occurrence of Wortupaite
General Appearance of Type Material:
needles up to 25 μm in length, generally clustered and sometimes in blocky masses of shorter (10‒15 μm) crystals.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
collections of the Museums Victoria, P.O. Box 666, Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia, specimen number M2021
Geological Setting of Type Material:
oxidation zone of nickel telluride
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Wortupaite
Dutch:Wortupaiet
German:Wortupait
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.JM. | Rudolfhermannite | Fe3+2(Te4+O3)3(H2O) |
| 4.JM.05 | Zemannite | Mg0.5ZnFe3+(Te4+O3)3 · 4.5H2O |
| 4.JM.05 | Keystoneite | Mg0.5Ni2+Fe3+(Te4+O3)3 · 4.5H2O |
| 4.JM.05 | Kinichilite | Mg0.5Mn2+Fe3+(Te4+O3)3 · 4.5H2O |
| 4.JM.05 | Ilirneyite | Mg0.5ZnMn3+(Te4+O3)3 · 4.5H2O |
| 4.JM.10 | Emmonsite | Fe3+2(TeO3)3 · 2H2O |
| 4.JM.10 | Blakeite | Fe3+2[TeO3]3 (?) |
| 4.JM.15 | Graemite | Cu[TeO3] · H2O |
| 4.JM.20 | Telluromandarinoite | Fe3+2Te3O9 · 6H2O |
| 4.JM.20 | Teineite | Cu2+(Te4+O3) · 2H2O |
| 4.JM.25 | Millsite | Cu2+(Te4+O3) · 2H2O |
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 Wortupaite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-470616.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
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References for Wortupaite
Localities for Wortupaite
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.
Australia (TL) | |
| Bosi et al. (2023) +1 other reference |
