Melanovanadite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About Melanovanadite
Formula:
Ca(V5+,V4+)4O10 · 5H2O
Colour:
Black; dark reddish brown in transmitted light
Lustre:
Sub-Metallic
Hardness:
2½
Specific Gravity:
2.55
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
From the Greek for "black," in allusion to its colour, and in allusion to its composition, containing VANADium.
Type Locality:
A secondary mineral occurring in Colorado Plateau-type U-V deposits and in altered black shale in a very rich vanadium deposit (TL). Contains interlayer H2O which is easily displaced.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2622
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2622:8
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
4d295454-a622-41d5-93fe-53253a405bbd
IMA Classification of Melanovanadite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1921
Classification of Melanovanadite
4.HE.05
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
H : V[5,6] Vanadates
E : Phyllovanadates
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
H : V[5,6] Vanadates
E : Phyllovanadates
47.3.6.1
47 : VANADIUM OXYSALTS
3 : Hydrated Normal Vanadium Oxysalts
47 : VANADIUM OXYSALTS
3 : Hydrated Normal Vanadium Oxysalts
21.2.10
21 : Vanadates (and vanadates with arsenate or phosphate)
2 : Vanadates of Mg, Ca, Sr or Ba
21 : Vanadates (and vanadates with arsenate or phosphate)
2 : Vanadates of Mg, Ca, Sr or Ba
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mvd | 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 Melanovanadite
Sub-Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Black; dark reddish brown in transmitted light
Streak:
Dark reddish brown
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {010}, perfect.
On {010}, perfect.
Density:
2.55 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.53 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Melanovanadite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.730 nβ = 1.960 nγ = 1.980
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.250
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Very High
Dispersion:
relatively strong
Optical Extinction:
Z = b; Y ∧ c = 15°.
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X = Light reddish brown; Y = Deep reddish brown; Z = Dark reddish brown.
Comments:
2V = medium.
Chemistry of Melanovanadite
Mindat Formula:
Ca(V5+,V4+)4O10 · 5H2O
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Melanovanadite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.360(2) Å, b = 18.090(9) Å, c = 6.276(2) Å
α = 110.18(4)°, β = 101.62(3)°, γ = 82.86(4)°
α = 110.18(4)°, β = 101.62(3)°, γ = 82.86(4)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.352 : 1 : 0.347
Unit Cell V:
662.67 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Crystals prismatic, striated and elongated [001], with prominent but rounded prism zone and complexly terminated; radiating aggregates and rosettes; velvety.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0001095 | Melanovanadite | Konnert J A, Evans H T (1987) Crystal structure and crystal chemistry of melanovanadite, a natural vanadium bronze note: reportd Uiso values seem off by a factor of 10, so they have been modified American Mineralogist 72 637-644 |  | 1987 | Minas Ragra, Cerro de Pasco, Peru | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Image Loading
Radiation - Copper Kα
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 8.40 Å | (100) |
| 4.208 Å | (55) |
| 2.974 Å | (50) |
| 2.473 Å | (50) |
| 3.109 Å | (45) |
| 4.120 Å | (40) |
| 3.182 Å | (40) |
Comments:
Minasragra, Peru. Data from Bayliss and Hughes (1985).
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47e : [Vanadates, chromates, manganates] | |
| 47h : [Near-surface oxidized, dehydrated minerals] |
Geological Setting:
Colorado Plateau-type U-V deposits in Shinarump sandstone.
Type Occurrence of Melanovanadite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA: #90452. American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York, USA: #19310. U.S. National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA: #138067, 160076.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Altered black shale in a very rich vanadium deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Lindgren, W. (1921) Melanovanadite, A New Mineral from Mina Ragra, Pasco, Peru. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences: 7(8): 249-251.
Other Language Names for Melanovanadite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 1 photo of Melanovanadite associated with Corvusite | (Na,K,Ca,Mg)2(V5+,V4+,Fe2+)8O20 · 6-10H2O |
| 1 photo of Melanovanadite associated with Fernandinite | (Ca,K)(V5+,V4+,Fe2+)8O20 · 10H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.HE.10 | Shcherbinaite | V5+2O5 |
| 4.HE.15 | Hewettite | CaV6O16 · 9H2O |
| 4.HE.15 | Metahewettite | CaV6O16 · 3H2O |
| 4.HE.20 | Bariandite | Al0.6(V5+,V4+)8O20 · 9H2O |
| 4.HE.20 | Bokite | (Al,Fe)1.3(V5+,V4+,Fe3+)8O20 · 7.5H2O |
| 4.HE.20 | Corvusite | (Na,K,Ca,Mg)2(V5+,V4+,Fe2+)8O20 · 6-10H2O |
| 4.HE.20 | Fernandinite | (Ca,K)(V5+,V4+,Fe2+)8O20 · 10H2O |
| 4.HE.20 | Straczekite | (Ca,K,Ba)(V5+,V4+)8O20 · 3H2O |
| 4.HE.25 | Häggite | V3+V4+O2(OH)3 |
| 4.HE.30 | Doloresite | V4+3O4(OH)4 |
| 4.HE.35 | Duttonite | V4+O(OH)2 |
| 4.HE.40 | Cavoite | CaV4+3O7 |
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:
Before the blowpipe it fuses easily to a brown liquid.
Notes:
Readily soluble in acids. Decomposed by KOH.
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 Melanovanadite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2622.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Melanovanadite
Reference List:
Konnert, Judith A., Evans, Howard T. (1987) Crystal structure and crystal chemistry of melanovanadite, a natural vanadium bronze. American Mineralogist, 72 (5-6) 637-644
Localities for Melanovanadite
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.
Quick NavTopAbout MelanovanaditeUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence Other LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Ragra Mine, Huayllay District, Pasco Province, Pasco, Peru