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Sophiite

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Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka Oblast', Far-Eastern Region, Russia
© Brent Thorne

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Formula:
Zn
 
2
(SeO
 
3
)Cl
 
2
System:OrthorhombicColour:Colourless
Hardness:2 - 2½
Name:Named after Sofia Ivanova Naboko (b. 1909), mineralogist, institute of volcanology, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky (Russia)


A fumarole mineral.
A synthetic, monoclinic polymorph is known (Johnsson & Törnroos, 2007).

Classification of Sophiite

IMA status:Approved
Strunz 8th edition ID:4/K.05-40
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:4.JG.15

4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
G : Selenites with additional anions, without H2O
Dana 8th edition ID:34.6.5.1

34 : SELENITES, TELLURITES AND SULFITES
6 : Anhydrous Selenites, Tellurites and Sulfites containing Hydroxyl or Halogen
Hey's CIM Ref.:28.1.4

28 : Selenites, Selenates, Tellurites, and Tellurates
1 : Selenites
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Type Occurrence of Sophiite

Type Locality:Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka Oblast', Far-Eastern Region, Russia
Year of Discovery:1989

Physical Properties of Sophiite

Lustre:Vitreous, Silky
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Colour:Colourless
Hardness (Mohs):2 - 2½

Crystallography of Sophiite

Crystal System:Orthorhombic
Cell Parameters:a = 10.15Å, b = 15.22Å, c = 7.71Å
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.667 : 1 : 0.507
Unit Cell Volume:V 1,191.06 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Optical Data of Sophiite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.709 nβ = 1.726 nγ = 1.750
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.041

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

Chemical Properties of Sophiite

Formula:
Zn
 
2
(SeO
 
3
)Cl
 
2
Essential elements:Cl, O, Se, Zn
All elements listed in formula:Cl, O, Se, Zn

Relationship of Sophiite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
4.JG.Prewittite
KPb
 
1.5
ZnCu
 
6
(SeO
 
3
)
 
2
O
 
2
Cl
 
10
4.JG.05Georgbokiite
Cu
 
5
(SeO
 
3
)
 
2
O
 
2
Cl
 
2
4.JG.05Parageorgbokiite
Cu
 
5
(SeO
 
3
)
 
2
O
 
2
Cl
 
2
4.JG.10Chloromenite
Cu
 
9
(SeO
 
3
)
 
4
O
 
2
Cl
 
6
4.JG.20Ilinskite
(Na,K)Cu
 
5
(SeO
 
3
)
 
2
O
 
2
Cl
 
3
4.JG.25Francisite
Cu
 
3
Bi(SeO
 
3
)
 
2
O
 
2
Cl
4.JG.30Derriksite
Cu
 
4
(UO
 
2
)(SeO
 
3
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
 · H
 
2
O
4.JG.35Burnsite
KCdCu
2+
7
(SeO
 
3
)
 
2
O
 
2
Cl
 
9
4.JG.40Allochalcoselite
Cu
+
 
PbCu
2+
5
(SeO
 
3
)
 
2
Cl
 
5
O
 
2
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
28.1.1Chalcomenite
CuSeO
 
3
 · 2H
 
2
O
28.1.2Clinochalcomenite
CuSeO
 
3
 · 2H
 
2
O
28.1.3Francisite
Cu
 
3
Bi(SeO
 
3
)
 
2
O
 
2
Cl
28.1.5Molybdomenite
PbSeO
 
3
28.1.6Haynesite
(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(OH)
 
2
(SeO
 
3
)
 
2
 · 5H
 
2
O
28.1.7Derriksite
Cu
 
4
(UO
 
2
)(SeO
 
3
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
 · H
 
2
O
28.1.8Marthozite
Cu(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(SeO
 
3
)
 
3
(OH)
 
2
 · 7H
 
2
O
28.1.9Guilleminite
Ba(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(SeO
 
3
)
 
2
(OH)
 
4
 · 3H
 
2
O
28.1.10Demesmaekerite
Pb
 
2
Cu
 
5
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(SeO
 
3
)
 
6
(OH)
 
6
 · 2H
 
2
O
28.1.11Mandarinoite
Fe
3+
2
(SeO
 
3
)
 
3
 · 4H
 
2
O
28.1.12Cobaltomenite
CoSeO
 
3
 · 2H
 
2
O
28.1.13Ahlfeldite
(Ni,Co)SeO
 
3
 · 2H
 
2
O

Other Names for Sophiite

Synonyms:
IMA1987-028Sofiite
Other Languages:
German:Sophiit
Spanish:Sophiita

Other Information

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 Sophiite

Reference List:

- +
Vergasova L.P., Filatov S.K., Semenova T.F., Filosofova T.M. (1989), Zapiski Vserossiyskogo Mineralogicheskogo Obshchestva: 118(1): 65-69.

American Mineralogist (1990): 75: 1211-1212 (abs.).

M. Johnsson and K. W. Törnroos (2007): Zinc selenium oxochloride, beta-Zn2(SeO3)Cl2, a synthetic polymorph of the mineral sophiite. Acta Cryst. C63, i34-i36.

Internet Links for Sophiite

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    • Localities for Sophiite

    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.
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    (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.
    Russia
     
    • Far-Eastern Region
      • Kamchatka Oblast'
    		L. P. Vergasova et al.: Zap. Vses. Min. Obshch. 118(1):65-69 (1989)
    Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
            • Northern Breakthrough (North Breach)
              • Second scoria cone
    		Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
            • Southern Breakthrough (South Breach)
    		Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
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