Marchettiite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Marchettiite
Formula:
C5H7N5O3
structural formula: (NH4)HO(CNNHC2C(OH)NC(OH)N)
Colour:
Pale pink to white
Lustre:
Dull
Hardness:
2 - 2½
Specific Gravity:
1.69 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
For Gianfranco Marchetti who collected the type material.
Natural ammonium hydrogen urate.
Known synthetic analogue.
This or a very similar compound may occur in ammonium urate stones (biogenic materials).
Known synthetic analogue.
This or a very similar compound may occur in ammonium urate stones (biogenic materials).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
52574
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:52574:5
IMA Classification of Marchettiite
Classification of Marchettiite
10.AA.45
10 : ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
A : Salts of organic acids
A : Formates, Acetates, etc.
10 : ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
A : Salts of organic acids
A : Formates, Acetates, etc.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mht | 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 Marchettiite
Dull
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Pale pink to white
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2 - 2½ on Mohs scale
Hardness Data:
Estimated
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Parallel to {001}
Parallel to {001}
Density:
1.69 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Calculated using empirical formula and unit cell data
Optical Data of Marchettiite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.503(3) nβ = 1.712(3) nγ = 1.740(1)
2V:
Measured: 40° (10)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.237
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:
Moderate
Chemistry of Marchettiite
Mindat Formula:
C5H7N5O3
structural formula: (NH4)HO(CNNHC2C(OH)NC(OH)N)
structural formula: (NH4)HO(CNNHC2C(OH)NC(OH)N)
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Marchettiite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 3.6533(2) Å, b = 10.2046(7) Å, c = 10.5837(7) Å
α = 113.809(5)°, β = 91.313(8)°, γ = 92.44(1)°
α = 113.809(5)°, β = 91.313(8)°, γ = 92.44(1)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.358 : 1 : 1.037
Unit Cell V:
360.312 ų
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 9.784 Å | (50) |
| 8.663 Å | (80) |
| 5.659 Å | (100) |
| 4.614 Å | (50) |
| 3.443 Å | (100) |
| 3.241 Å | (70) |
| 3.158 Å | (100) |
| 3.004 Å | (60) |
Comments:
From Type Description.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 52 : Guano- and urine-derived minerals | <0.4 |
Type Occurrence of Marchettiite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Marchettiite occurs as aggregates of opaque pale pink to white, elongated, platy, prismatic crystals.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Type material is deposited in the collections of the Museum of Mineralogy, University of Padova, Via Giotto 1, I-35122, Padova, Italy, catalogue number MMP M17892
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Formed by low temperature (20-30ºC) alteration of organic material derived from bird or marmot excrement.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Marchettiite
Other Language Names for Marchettiite
Dutch:Marchettiiet
German:Marchettiit
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 10.AA. | Henrysunite | Na2(C2H3O3)2(H2O) |
| 10.AA.05 | Formicaite | Ca(HCOO)2 |
| 10.AA.10 | Dashkovaite | Mg(HCOO)2 · 2H2O |
| 10.AA.20 | Acetamide | CH3CONH2 |
| 10.AA.25 | Calclacite | Ca(CH3COO)Cl · 5H2O |
| 10.AA.30 | Paceite | CaCu(CH3COO)4 · 6H2O |
| 10.AA.35 | Hoganite | Cu(CH3COO)2 · H2O |
| 10.AA.40 | Lianbinite | (NH4)(C2H3O3)(C2H4O3) |
| 10.AA.40 | Domitrovicite | Zn(C2H3O3)2 · 2H2O |
| 10.AA.40 | Puschridgeite | Mn(C2H3O3)2(H2O)2 |
| 10.AA.40 | Lazaraskeite | Cu(C2H3O3)2 |
| 10.AA.40 | Glecklerite | Na(C2H3O3) |
| 10.AA.40 | Jimkrieghite | Ca(C2H3O3)2 |
| 10.AA.40 | Stanevansite | Mg(C2H3O3)2 · 2H2O |
| 10.AA.40 | Rasmussenite | Ca(C2H3O3)2 · 3H2O |
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 Marchettiite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-52574.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Marchettiite
Reference List:
Hålenius, U., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2017) New minerals and nomenclature modifications approved in 2017, CNMNC Newsletter No 40. Mineralogical Magazine, 81 (6) 1577-1581 doi:10.1180/minmag.2017.081.096
deepcarbon.net (n.d.) https://deepcarbon.net/feature/marchettiite-joins-new-carbon-mineral-roster-13
Guastoni, Alessandro, Nestola, Fabrizio, Zorzi, Federico, Lanza, Arianna, Ernst, Michelle, Gentile, Paolo, Andò, Sergio, Lorenzetti, Alessandra (2022) Marchettiite, (NH4)C5H3N4O3, a new organic mineral from Mount Cervandone, Devero Valley, Western–Central Alps, Italy. Mineralogical Magazine, 86 (6) 966-974 doi:10.1180/mgm.2022.97
Localities for Marchettiite
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.
Italy (TL) | |
| Hålenius et al. (2017) +1 other reference |
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Mount Cervandone, Monte Cervandone area, Devero Alp, Baceno, Verbano-Cusio-Ossola Province, Piedmont, Italy