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Ashanite

Formula:
(Nb,Ta,U,Fe,Mn)
 
4
O
 
8
System:OrthorhombicColour:Dark brown to ...
Lustre:Resinous, Sub-MetallicHardness:5½ - 6½
Name:From Altai and SHAN, Chinese for mountains, for the occurrence in the Altai Mountains, China.


Originally thought to be the Nb-dominant analogue of Ixiolite, the type material is now believed to be a mixture of several minerals including Ixiolite, Samarskite-(Y) and Uranmicrolite.

Originally reported from Koktokay (Keketuohai) Pegmatite field, Fuyun Co., Altay (Aletai) Prefecture, Ili Kazakh (Yili Hasake) Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang (Xinjiang-Uygur) Autonomous Region, China

Classification of Ashanite

IMA status:Discredited
Hey's CIM Ref.:18.3.8

18 : Niobates and Tantalates
3 : Niobates and tantalates containing U but not rare earths
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Physical Properties of Ashanite

Lustre:Resinous, Sub-Metallic
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Translucent on thin edges, Opaque
Colour:Dark brown to pitch-black; brownish red in thin section
Streak:Brown
Hardness (Mohs):5½ - 6½
Hardness (Vickers):VHN100=570 - 851
Fracture:Conchoidal, Sub-Conchoidal
Density (measured):6.61 g/cm3
Density (calculated):6.6 g/cm3

Crystallography of Ashanite

Crystal System:Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:Pban (P2/b 2/a 2/n)
Cell Parameters:a = 5.869Å, b = 4.873Å, c = 5.216Å
Ratio:a:b:c = 1.204 : 1 : 1.07
Unit Cell Volume:V 149.18 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:1
Morphology:Single crystals are mentioned, but the habit is not stated.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
d-spacingIntensity
2.95 (10)
3.65 (5)
2.54 (3)
2.51 (3)
2.38 (3)
1.729 (3)
Comments:Recorded on type material

Optical Data of Ashanite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 2.310 nβ = 2.350 nγ = 2.400
2V:Measured: 70° to 75°, Calculated: 86°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.090

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Very High
Dispersion:none
Reflectivity:
440 nmR1=12.1%R2= 12.1%
460 nmR1=11.4%R2= 11.5%
480 nmR1=11.2%R2= 11.3%
500 nmR1=11.0%R2= 11.0%
520 nmR1=11.0%R2= 11.0%
540 nmR1=10.9%R2= 10.9%
560 nmR1=10.9%R2= 10.8%
580 nmR1=10.8%R2= 10.8%
600 nmR1=10.8%R2= 10.7%
620 nmR1=10.7%R2= 10.7%
640 nmR1=10.7%R2= 10.6%
660 nmR1=10.6%R2= 10.6%
680 nmR1=10.6%R2= 10.6%
700 nmR1=10.6%R2= 10.6%


Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 12.1%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:Pale bluish grey
Pleochroism:Weak
Comments:X = light brownish red, Z = dark brownish red; Orientation: X = b, Y = a, Z = c

Chemical Properties of Ashanite

Formula:
(Nb,Ta,U,Fe,Mn)
 
4
O
 
8
Essential elements:Nb, O
All elements listed in formula:Fe, Mn, Nb, O, Ta, U
Analyical Data:Analysis of type material
U3O8 (23.81)
Nb2O5 (36.76)
Ta2O5 (23.41)
REE2O3 (1.40)
FeO (8.25)
MnO (7.77)

sum 101.40 wt.-%
Empirical Formula:
(Nb
 
1.61
Fe
 
0.66
Mn
 
0.63
Ta
 
0.61
U
 
0.51
REE
 
0.07
)
 
=4.09
O
 
7.98

Relationship of Ashanite to other Species

Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
18.3.1Liandratite
U(Nb,Ta)
 
2
O
 
8
18.3.2Uranmicrolite
(U,Ca,Ce)
 
2
(Ta,Nb)
 
2
O
 
6
(OH,F)
18.3.3Betafite
(Ca,U)
 
2
(Ti,Nb)
 
2
O
 
6
(OH)
18.3.4Plumbobetafite
(Pb,U,Ca)(Ti,Nb)
 
2
O
 
6
(OH,F)
18.3.5Petscheckite
UFe(Nb,Ta)
 
2
O
 
8
18.3.6 Hydroxyl-petscheckite
UFe
 
1/3
(Nb,Ta)
 
2
O
 
7
(O,OH)
18.3.7 Oxy-petscheckite
UFe
 
2/3
(Nb,Ta)
 
2
O
 
8

Other Names for Ashanite

Other Languages:
German:Ashanit
Spanish:Ashanita

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 Ashanite

Reference List:Zhan Rubo, Tian Huixin, Peng Zhizhong, Ma Zhesheng, Han Fengming, and Jing Zebei (1980): A new mineral - Ashanite, (Nb,Ta,U,Fe,Mn)4O8. Chinese Science Bulletin [Kexue Tongbao] 25(6), 510-514 (in English). - American Mineralogist (1981) 66, 217 (abstract).

Anthony, J. W. et al. (1997): Handbook of Mineralogy, Vol. 3, 27.

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    Localities for Ashanite

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    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.
    China
     
    • Xinjiang (Xinjiang-Uygur) Autonomous Region
      • Yili Hasake (Ili Kazakh) Autonomous Prefecture
        • Aletai (Altay) Prefecture
          • Fuyun Co.
    		Zhan Rubo, Tian Huixin, Peng Zhizhong, Ma Zhesheng, Han Fengming, and Jing Zebei (1980): A new mineral - Ashanite, (Nb,Ta,U,Fe,Mn)4O8. Chinese Science Bulletin [Kexue Tongbao] 25(6), 510-514
    Czech Republic
     
    • Bohemia (Böhmen; Boehmen)
      • Karlovy Vary Region
        • Krušné Hory Mts (Erzgebirge)
          • Ostrov
            • Jáchymov (St Joachimsthal)
    		Pauliš P., Kopecký S., Černý P. 2007: Uranové minerály České Republiky a jejich naleziště. 1. část. (Kutna Hora, issue 1)
    Madagascar
     
    • Antananarivo Province
      • Vakinankaratra Region (Betafo - Antsirabé region)
        • Sahatany Pegmatite Field (Mt Bity (Ibity) area)
          • Sahatany Valley
    		Ranorosoa, N.(1986): Etude mineralogiques des pegmatites du champ de la Sahatany, Madagascar
    Mineral and/or Locality
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