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Steigerite

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Big Photo

Monument No. 2 Mine, Monument No. 2 channel, Monument Valley, Navajo Indian Reservation, Apache Co., Arizona, USA
© Maurice de Graaf

Show Steigerite Photos (8)



Formula:
Al(VO
 
4
) · 3H
 
2
O
System:MonoclinicColour:Canary-yellow, greenish ...
Hardness:2½ - 3
Name:Named after American Dr. George Steiger (1869-1944), Chief Chemist, US Geological Survey, Washington, D.C., USA.


A secondary mineral occurring either as impregnations in sandstones or as a weathering product from vanadium-rich schists.

Classification of Steigerite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:7/C.12-20
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:8.CE.65

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
E : With only medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O about 1:2.5
Dana 8th edition ID:40.4.5.1

40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
4 : (AB)5(XO4)2·xH2O
Hey's CIM Ref.:21.3.1

21 : Vanadates (and vanadates with arsenate or phosphate)
3 : Vanadates of Al, rare earths, Pb, V or Bi
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Type Occurrence of Steigerite

Type Locality:Sullivan Brothers claims, Gypsum Valley District, San Miguel Co., Colorado, USA
General Appearance of Type Material:Fracture cotings
Place of Conservation of Type Material:U.S. National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA: #C5108.
Year of Discovery:1935
Geological Setting of type material:Nodular concretions of Corvusite in sandstone.
Associated Minerals at type locality:
GypsumFervanite

Physical Properties of Steigerite

Lustre:Waxy
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Translucent
Comment:Lustre waxy in compact aggregates
Colour:Canary-yellow, greenish yellow, olive-green
Hardness (Mohs):2½ - 3
Tenacity:Fragile
Cleavage:Perfect
On {010}, perfect; on {100}, fair.
Density (measured):2.52 - 2.58 g/cm3
Density (calculated):2.58 g/cm3

Crystallography of Steigerite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Class (H-M):2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:P21/m {P1 1 21/m} {P21/m} {P1 21/m 1}
Cell Parameters:a = 11.84Å, b = 25Å, c = 11.04Å
β = 111.17°
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.474 : 1 : 0.442
Unit Cell Volume:V 3,047.30 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:24
Morphology:Cryptocrystalline fibrous, may be flat platy {010} Gumlike to compact massive, commonly as pulverulent coatings.
Comment:Class is either 2/ or 2; Space Group is either P21/m or P21.

Optical Data of Steigerite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.720 - 1.730 nβ = 1.730 - 1.734 nγ = 1.748 - 1.752
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.028

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:High
Dispersion:relatively strong

Chemical Properties of Steigerite

Formula:
Al(VO
 
4
) · 3H
 
2
O
Essential elements:Al, H, O, V
All elements listed in formula:Al, H, O, V

Relationship of Steigerite to other Species

Common Associates:
VashegyiteVarisciteVanaliteTyuyamuniteSatpaevite
RauviteNavajoiteHewettiteHalloysiteGypsum
FervaniteDelvauxiteCorvusiteAlunite
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
8.CE.05Chudobaite
(Mg,Zn)
 
5
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(HAsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 10H
 
2
O
8.CE.05Geigerite
Mn
2+
5
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(HAsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 10H
 
2
O
8.CE.10Newberyite
Mg(HPO
 
4
) · 3H
 
2
O
8.CE.15Brassite
Mg(HAsO
 
4
) · 4H
 
2
O
8.CE.20Phosphorrösslerite
Mg(HPO
 
4
) · 7H
 
2
O
8.CE.20Rösslerite
Mg(HAsO
 
4
) · 7H
 
2
O
8.CE.25Metaswitzerite
Mn
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
8.CE.25Switzerite
(Mn,Fe)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 7H
 
2
O
8.CE.30Lindackerite
CuCu
 
4
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(HAsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8-9H
 
2
O
8.CE.30Ondrušite
CaCu
 
4
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(HAsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 10H
 
2
O
8.CE.30Veselovskýite
ZnCu
 
4
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(HAsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 9H
 
2
O
8.CE.30Pradetite
CoCu
 
4
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(HAsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 9H
 
2
O
8.CE.30Klajite
MnCu
 
4
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(HAsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 9-10H
 
2
O
8.CE.35Bobierrite
Mg
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
8.CE.40Annabergite
Ni
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
8.CE.40Arupite
Ni
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
8.CE.40Barićite
(Mg,Fe)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
8.CE.40Erythrite
Co
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
8.CE.40Ferrisymplesite
Fe
3+
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
3
 · 5H
 
2
O
8.CE.40Hörnesite
Mg
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
8.CE.40Köttigite
Zn
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
8.CE.40Manganohörnesite
(Mn,Mg)
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
8.CE.40Parasymplesite
Fe
2+
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
8.CE.40Vivianite
Fe
2+
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
8.CE.40Pakhomovskyite
Co
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
8.CE.45Symplesite
Fe
2+
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
8.CE.50Cattiite
Mg
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 22H
 
2
O
8.CE.55Koninckite
Fe
3+
 
PO
 
4
 · 3H
 
2
O
8.CE.60Kaňkite
FeAsO
 
4
 · 3.5H
 
2
O
8.CE.70Metaschoderite
Al
 
2
(PO
 
4
)(VO
 
4
) · 6H
 
2
O
8.CE.70Schoderite
Al
 
2
(PO
 
4
)(VO
 
4
) · 8H
 
2
O
8.CE.75Malhmoodite
FeZr(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
8.CE.75Zigrasite
MgZr(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
8.CE.75Unnamed (Ca-analogue of Zigrasite)
CaZr[PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
8.CE.80Santabarbaraite
Fe
3+
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
3
 · 5H
 
2
O
8.CE.85Metaköttigite
(Zn,Fe,Fe)
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8(H
 
2
O,OH)
8.CE.85Metavivianite
Fe
2+
3-x
Fe
3+
x
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)x · (8-x)H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
21.3.2Alvanite
(Zn,Ni)Al
 
4
(V
5+
 
O
 
3
)
 
2
(OH)
 
12
 · 2H
 
2
O
21.3.3Metaschoderite
Al
 
2
(PO
 
4
)(VO
 
4
) · 6H
 
2
O
21.3.4Schoderite
Al
 
2
(PO
 
4
)(VO
 
4
) · 8H
 
2
O
21.3.5Satpaevite
Al
 
12
V
4+
2
V
5+
6
O
 
37
 · 30H
 
2
O
21.3.6Vanalite
NaAl
 
8
V
 
10
O
 
38
 · 30H
 
2
O
21.3.7Wakefieldite-(Ce)
Ce(VO
 
4
)
21.3.7Wakefieldite-(Y)
Y(VO
 
4
)
21.3.8Chervetite
Pb
 
2
(V
 
2
O
 
7
)
21.3.9Mottramite
PbCu(VO
 
4
)(OH)
21.3.10Descloizite
Pb(Zn,Cu)(VO
 
4
)(OH)
21.3.11Clinobisvanite
Bi(VO
 
4
)
21.3.11Dreyerite
Bi(VO
 
4
)
21.3.11Pucherite
Bi(VO
 
4
)
21.3.12Schumacherite
Bi
 
3
(VO
 
4
)
 
2
O(OH)
21.3.13Namibite
Cu(BiO)
 
2
(VO
 
4
)(OH)
21.3.14Pottsite
HPbBi(VO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
21.3.15Duhamelite
(Pb,Bi,Ca)Cu(VO
 
4
)(OH,O)

Other Names for Steigerite

Other Languages:
German:Steigerit
Spanish:Steigerita
Varieties:
Chromsteigerite

Other Information

Other Information:Readily soluble in dilute mineral acids to a deep cherry-red solution. Insoluble in water.
Health Warning:No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

References for Steigerite

Reference List:

- +
Henderson (1935) American Mineralogist: 20: 769-772.

Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged, 1124 pp.: 1049-1050.

Ankinovich, E.A., F.A. Kurmakaeva, and I.S. Zazubina (1987) Steigerite and vanalite from carbonaceous-siliceous vanadium-bearing formations of northwestern Kara-Tau (southern Kazakhstan).Zapiski Vserossiyskogo Mineralogicheskogo Obshchestva: 116: 100–113 (in Russian with English abstract).

Internet Links for Steigerite

Search Engines:
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    • External Links:
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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Steigerite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    • Localities for Steigerite

    The map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
    Hide Locality List
    (TL) indicates type locality. ? indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. All other localities listed without reference should be considered as uncertain and unproven until references can be found.
    Kazakhstan
     
    • Southern Kazakhstan Province (Ongtüstik Qazaqstan Oblysy; Yuzhno-Kazakhstanskaya Oblast')
      • Karatau Range
        • Aksumbe
    		Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
    Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
    USA
     
    • Arizona
      • Apache Co.
        • Navajo Indian Reservation
          • Monument Valley
            • Monument No. 2 channel
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 380; Witkind, I.J. & R.E. Thaden (1963), Geology and uranium-vanadium deposits of the Monument Valley area, Apache and Navajo Cos., AZ: 117; Weeks, A.D., et al (1955), Navajoite, a new vanadium oxide from AZ, Am.Min.: 40: 207-212; Galbraith, F.W. & D.J. Brennan (1959), Minerals of AZ: 77
    • Colorado
      • Mesa Co.
        • Uravan District
          • Calamity Mesa
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) E.B. Eckels
    Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
      • Montrose Co.
        • Uravan District
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) E.B. Eckels
      • San Miguel Co.
        • Gypsum Valley District
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) E.B. Eckels
    Amer.Min(1935) 20, 769-772; "Minerals of Colorado, updated & revised", p. 455, by Eckel, Edwin B., 1997
    • Utah
      • Grand Co.
        • Yellow Cat District (W. part of Thompsons District)
          • Cisco
    		UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
    Mineral and/or Locality
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