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Ophirite

A valid IMA mineral species
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About OphiriteHide

Formula:
Ca2Mg4[Zn2Mn3+2(H2O)2(Fe3+W9O34)2] · 46H2O
heteropolytungstate
Colour:
orange-brown
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
4.060 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
Names for the type locality, Ophir Hill Consolidated mine, Ophir District, Oquirrh Mountains, Tooele County, Utah
Ophirite is the first known mineral to contain a lacunary defect derivative of the Keggin anion, a heteropolyanion that is well known in synthetic phases.

Awarded 'Mineral of the Year' by the IMA-CNMNC in 2014.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
43845
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:43845:8
GUID
(UUID V4):
6349bccd-5200-43ea-9916-3ad1f0022390

IMA Classification of OphiriteHide

Approved
IMA Formula:
Ca2Mg4[Zn2Mn3+2(H2O)2(Fe3+W9O34)2] · 46H2O
Approval year:
2013

Classification of OphiriteHide

7.GB.80

7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
G : Molybdates, Wolframates and Niobates
B : With additional anions and/or H2O

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference
OphIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of OphiriteHide

Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
orange-brown
Streak:
pale orange
Hardness:
Hardness Data:
Measured
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Parting:
none
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
4.060 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of OphiriteHide

Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.730(3) nβ = 1.735(3) nγ = 1.770(3)
2V:
Measured: 43° (2)
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.040
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
High
Dispersion:
r > v strong
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X = light orange brown, Y = light orange brown, Z = orange brown; X < Y << Z

Chemistry of OphiriteHide

Mindat Formula:
Ca2Mg4[Zn2Mn3+2(H2O)2(Fe3+W9O34)2] · 46H2O

heteropolytungstate

Crystallography of OphiriteHide

Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Setting:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 11.9860(2) Å, b = 13.2073(2) Å, c = 17.689(1) Å
α = 69.690(5)°, β = 85.364(6)°, γ = 64.875(5)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.908 : 1 : 1.339
Unit Cell V:
2370.35 ų
Z:
1
Morphology:
Tablets on {001} with irregular {100} and {110} bounding forms.

Crystal StructureHide

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0020331OphiriteKampf A R, Hughes J M, Nash B P, Wright S E, Rossman G R, Marty J (2014) Ophirite, Ca2Mg4[Zn2Mn3+2(H2O)2(Fe3+W9O34)2]*46H2O, a new mineral with a heteropolytungstate tri-lacunary Keggin anion American Mineralogist 99 1045-10512014Ophir Hill Consolidated mine, Tooele County, Utah, USA0293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
16.72 Å(38)
11.33 Å(91)
10.69 Å(100)
8.27 Å(55)
5.44 Å(33)
2.992 Å(75)
2.760 Å(55)
2.594 Å(33)

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event<2.4
47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals]
47e : [Vanadates, chromates, manganates]

Type Occurrence of OphiriteHide

General Appearance of Type Material:
orange-brown tablets on {001} with irregular {100} and {110} bounding forms. Individual crystals up to about 1mm in maximum dimension.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Cotype specimens - Natual History Museum of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, California, catalog numbers 64029 and 64030

Synonyms of OphiriteHide

Common AssociatesHide

Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
2 photos of Ophirite associated with ScheeliteCa(WO4)
2 photos of Ophirite associated with PyriteFeS2

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

7.GB.WangpuiteK3(PO4)(Mo12O36)Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Pn3m
7.GB.NatromolybditeNa2MoO4 · 2H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbca
7.GB.OotanniteTh4+2W6+4O16 · 5H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.GB.05LindgreniteCu3(MoO4)2(OH)2Mon. 2/m : P21/m
7.GB.10SzenicsiteCu3(MoO4)(OH)4Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnnm
7.GB.15CuprotungstiteCu2(WO4)(OH)2Tet. 4 2 2 : P41 21 2
7.GB.15UM1999-38-WO:CrV(V, Cr, W, O, H) [V:Cr:W ratio about 2:1:3]
7.GB.15HueniteCu4(MoO4)3(OH)2Trig. 3m : P3 1c
7.GB.20Phyllotungstite(H2O,M)x(W,Fe)(O,OH)3 · yH2O (M = Ca, Cs, Pb or K)Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P63/mmc
7.GB.25RankachiteCa0.5(V4+,V5+)(W6+,Fe3+)2O8(OH) · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P21/m
7.GB.30FerrimolybditeFe2(MoO4)3 · nH2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pmmn
7.GB.35AnthoiniteAlWO3(OH)3Tric. 1
7.GB.35MpororoiteWAlO3(OH)3 · 2(H2O)Tric.
7.GB.40Obradovicite-KCu[K2(H2O)17Cu(H2O)6][Mo8As2Fe3+3O34(OH)3]Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pmna
7.GB.45Mendozavilite-NaFe[Na2(H2O)15Fe3+(H2O)6][Mo8P2Fe3+3O35(OH)2]Mon. 2/m : B2/m
7.GB.45Paramendozavilite[KAl4(H2O)30][Mo12P6Fe3+6O60(OH)13]Mon.
7.GB.45Obradovicite-NaCuNa2(H2O)17Cu(H2O)6][Mo8As2Fe3+3O34(OH)3] Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pmna
7.GB.45Obradovicite-NaNa[Na2(H2O)16Na(H2O)6][Mo8As2Fe3+3O33(OH)4] Orth.
7.GB.50Tancaite-(Ce)FeCe(MoO4)3 · 3H2O Trig. 3 : R3
7.GB.50Mendozavilite-NaCu[Na2(H2O)15Cu(H2O)6][Mo8P2Fe3+3O34(OH)3] Mon. 2/m : B2/m
7.GB.50Mendozavilite-KCa[K2(H2O)15Ca(H2O)6][Mo8P2Fe3+3O34(OH)3] Mon. 2/m : B2/m
7.GB.60PeterandreseniteMn4Nb6O19 · 14H2OMon. 2/m : B2/m
7.GB.60MelcheriteBa2Na2Mg[Nb6O19] · 6H2OTrig. 3 : R3
7.GB.60HansesmarkiteCa2Mn2Nb6O19 · 20H2OTric. 1 : P1
7.GB.65IchnusaiteTh(MoO4)2 · 3H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
7.GB.70MarkascheriteCu3(MoO4)(OH)4 Mon. 2/m : P21/m
7.GB.75NuragheiteTh(MoO4)2 · H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b

Fluorescence of OphiriteHide

Does not fluoresce in short- or long-wave ultraviolet radiation

Other InformationHide

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 OphiriteHide

References for OphiriteHide

Localities for OphiriteHide

This 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.

Locality ListHide

- 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). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
USA (TL)
 
  • Utah
    • Tooele County
      • Ophir Mining District
        • Ophir
Williams et al. (2013)
 
Mineral and/or Locality  
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