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Volborthite

A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About VolborthiteHide

04343060016243988503529.jpg
Alexander F. Volborth
Formula:
Cu3(V2O7)(OH)2 · 2H2O
Colour:
Olive-green, yellow-green; green to yellow-green in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Vitreous, Waxy, Greasy, Pearly
Hardness:
Specific Gravity:
3.5 - 3.8
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named in honor of Alexander Fedorovich Volborth (Александр Федорович Фольборт) (1800, Mogilev, Russian Empire - 1876, St. Petersburg, Russian Empire), paleontologist, who first noted the mineral. At least ten fossil species are also named after him.
A secondary mineral found in the oxidized zones of vanadium-bearing hydrothermal deposits.

At least two different monoclinic space-group variants (C2/m, C2/c) seem to be stable at ambient temperature.

Visually similar to vésigniéite.
Structurally related to engelhauptite.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
4200
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4200:6
GUID
(UUID V4):
adc3b96a-7d7d-4e21-9687-ecc843d1af65

Classification of VolborthiteHide

Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1838
8.FD.05

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
F : Polyphosphates, Polyarsenates, [4]-Polyvanadates
D : Polyphosphates, etc., with OH and H2O
40.3.10.1

40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
3 : A3(XO4)2·xH2O
21.1.12

21 : Vanadates (and vanadates with arsenate or phosphate)
1 : Vanadates of the alkalis and Cu

Mineral SymbolsHide

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

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

Pronunciation of VolborthiteHide

Pronunciation:
PlayRecorded byCountry
Jolyon & Katya RalphUnited Kingdom

Physical Properties of VolborthiteHide

Vitreous, Waxy, Greasy, Pearly
Transparency:
Translucent
Comment:
Lustre pearly on the cleavage surfaces.
Colour:
Olive-green, yellow-green; green to yellow-green in transmitted light.
Hardness:
3½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
One perfect.
Density:
3.5 - 3.8 g/cm3 (Measured)    3.52 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of VolborthiteHide

Type:
Biaxial (+/-)
RI values:
nα = 1.793 nβ = 1.801 nγ = 1.816
2V:
Measured: 63° to 83°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.023
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Very High
Dispersion:
r > v or r < v
Pleochroism:
Weak

Chemical Properties of VolborthiteHide

Formula:
Cu3(V2O7)(OH)2 · 2H2O
IMA Formula:
Cu3V2O7(OH)2 · 2H2O

Crystallography of VolborthiteHide

Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/m
Setting:
C2/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.610(2) Å, b = 5.866(1) Å, c = 7.208(1) Å
β = 95.04(2)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.809 : 1 : 1.229
Unit Cell V:
446.88 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Pseudohexagonal. Scaly, fibrous or spongy crusts and rosette-like aggregates; also reticulated. Scales may have a triangular or hexagonal outline.

Crystal StructureHide

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0019133VolborthiteIshikawa H, Yamaura J, Okamoto Y, Yoshida H, Nilsen G J, Hiroi Z (2012) A novel crystal polymorph of volborthite, Cu3V2O7(OH)2*2H2O Acta Crystallographica C68 i41-i442012synthetic0293
0018666VolborthiteKashaev A A, Bakakin V V (1968) Crystal structure of volborthite Cu3(OH)2V2O7*2H2O Doklady Akademii Nauk SSSR 181 967-96919680293
0013677VolborthiteLafontaine M A, LeBail A, Ferey G (1990) Copper-containing minerals - I. Cu3V2O7(OH)2,2H2O: The synthetic homolog of volborthite; crystal structure determination from X-ray and neutron data; structural correlations Journal of Solid State Chemistry 85 220-22719900293
0013678VolborthiteLafontaine M A, LeBail A, Ferey G (1990) Copper-containing minerals - I. Cu3V2O7(OH)2,2H2O: The synthetic homolog of volborthite; crystal structure determination from X-ray and neutron data; structural correlations Journal of Solid State Chemistry 85 220-22719900293
0018692VolborthiteKashaev A A, Rozhdestvenskaya I V, Bannova I I, Sapozhnikov A N, Glebova O D (2008) Balance, uniformity, and asymmetry of the structure of volborthite Cu3(OH)2(V2O7)*2H2O Journal of Structural Chemistry 49 708-7112008not given0293
0019037VolborthiteYoshida H, Yamaura J, Isobe M, Nilsen G J, Hiroi Z (2012) Orbital switching in a frustrated magnet Nature Communications 3 8601-86052012synthetic0150
0019038VolborthiteYoshida H, Yamaura J, Isobe M, Nilsen G J, Hiroi Z (2012) T = 323 K Nature Communications 3 8601-86052012synthetic0293
0018693VolborthiteBasso R, Palenzona A, Zefiro L (1988) Crystal structure refinement of volborthite from Scrava mine (Eastern Liguria, Italy) Neues Jahrbuch fur Mineralogie, Monatshefte 1988 385-3941988Scrava mine, Eastern Liguria, Italy0293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

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Radiation - Copper Kα
Data Set:
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
7.16 Å(10)
4.103 Å(5)
3.090 Å(5)
2.998 Å(5)
2.643 Å(7)
2.571 Å(7)
2.389 Å(7)

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]
47h : [Near-surface oxidized, dehydrated minerals]
Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere<0.6
53 : Other minerals with taphonomic origins<0.4
Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals<10 Ka
55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals
Geological Setting:
Oxidized zones of vanadium-bearing hydrothermal deposits.

Type Occurrence of VolborthiteHide

Place of Conservation of Type Material:
No designated type material.
Reference:
Hess, H., Volborth, A. (1838) Ueber (das Volborthit), ein neues Vanadhaltiges Mineral. Bulletin Scientifique publié par L'Académie Impériale des Sciences de Saint-Pétersbourg: 4: 21-23.

Synonyms of VolborthiteHide

Other Language Names for VolborthiteHide

Varieties of VolborthiteHide

Barium-bearing VolborthiteA barium-bearing variety of volborthite.

Relationship of Volborthite to other SpeciesHide

Other Members of this group:
KarpenkoiteCo3(V2O7)(OH)2 · 2H2OTrig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1
MartyiteZn3(V2O7)(OH)2 · 2H2OTrig. 3m : P3m1

Common AssociatesHide

Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
37 photos of Volborthite associated with TyuyamuniteCa(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 5-8H2O
33 photos of Volborthite associated with MalachiteCu2(CO3)(OH)2
30 photos of Volborthite associated with ChrysocollaCu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1
24 photos of Volborthite associated with BrochantiteCu4(SO4)(OH)6
16 photos of Volborthite associated with QuartzSiO2
11 photos of Volborthite associated with TangeiteCaCu(VO4)(OH)
11 photos of Volborthite associated with CyanotrichiteCu4Al2(SO4)(OH)12 · 2H2O
8 photos of Volborthite associated with SulvaniteCu3VS4
7 photos of Volborthite associated with VashegyiteAl11(PO4)9(OH)6 · 38H2O
7 photos of Volborthite associated with AzuriteCu3(CO3)2(OH)2

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

8.FD.05MartyiteZn3(V2O7)(OH)2 · 2H2OTrig. 3m : P3m1
8.FD.05KarpenkoiteCo3(V2O7)(OH)2 · 2H2OTrig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1
8.FD.10VanarsiteNaCa12(As3+V5+8.5V4+3.5As5+6O51)2 · 78H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.FD.10PackratiteCa11(As3+V5+10V4+2As5+6O51)2 · 83H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.FD.10MorrisoniteCa11(As3+V4+2V5+10As5+6O51)2 · 78H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.FD.10GatewayiteCa6(As3+V4+3 V5+9As5+6O51) · 31H2OMon. 2 : P21
8.FD.10KegginitePb3Ca3[AsV12O40(VO)] · 20H2OTrig. 3 : P3
8.FD.10Bicapite[KNa2Mg2(H2O)25][H2PV5+12O40(V5+O)2]Tet. 4/m : I4/m
8.FD.10LumsdeniteNaCa3Mg2(As3+V4+2V5+10As5+6O51) · 45H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.FD.15ChinchorroiteNa2Mg5(As2O7)2(AsO3OH)2(H2O)10Tric. 1 : P1

Other InformationHide

Thermal Behaviour:
The evolution of Cu-V minerals during in situ heating is as follows: volborthite Cu3(V2O7)(OH)2·2H2O (30–230 °C) → X-ray amorphous phase (230–290 °C )→ ziesite β-Cu2(V2O7) (290–430 °C) → ziesite + pseudolyonsite α-Cu3(VO4)2 + mcbirneyite β-Cu3(VO4)2 (430–510 °C) → mcbirneyite (510–750 °C).
Notes:
Soluble in acids.
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 VolborthiteHide

References for VolborthiteHide

Reference List:

Localities for VolborthiteHide

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.
Argentina
 
  • Neuquén Province
    • Añelo Department
      • Los Chihuidos
    • Confluencia department
      • Plaza Huincul
Australia
 
  • South Australia
    • Flinders Ranges
      • North Flinders Ranges
        • Arkaroola Region (Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary; Arkaroola Station)
          • Yudnamutana District
        • Leigh Creek
          • Copley
          • Mount Coffin
        • Mount Lyndhurst station
          • Nichol Nob
      • South Flinders Ranges
        • Wilmington
    • Ironstone Lagoon
    • Mt Lofty Ranges
      • North Mt Lofty Ranges
        • Burra
Austria
 
  • Carinthia
    • Villach-Land District
      • Bad Bleiberg
  • Salzburg
    • Zell am See District
      • Rauris
        • Alteck - Hoher Sonnblick area
          • Kolm-Saigurn
  • Styria
    • Bruck-Mürzzuschlag District
      • Breitenau am Hochlantsch
        • Hochlantsch
Belgium
 
  • Wallonia
    • Luxembourg
      • Vielsalm
        • Cahay
Canada
 
  • British Columbia
    • Vancouver Island
      • Nanaimo Mining Division
        • Menzies Bay
        • Quadra Island
Chile
 
  • Atacama
    • Copiapó Province
      • Copiapó
      • Tierra Amarilla
Czech Republic
 
  • Central Bohemian Region
    • Příbram District
      • Vrančice
  • Hradec Králové Region
    • Jičín District
      • Železnice
        • Doubravice
    • Trutnov District
      • Dolní Kalná
  • Liberec Region
    • Semily District
DR Congo
 
  • Haut-Katanga
    • Kambove Territory
      • Shinkolobwe
    • Kipushi Territory
      • Kawama
  • Lualaba
    • Kolwezi
    • Mutshatsha
France
 
  • Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
    • Savoie
      • Albertville
        • Tignes
Germany
 
  • Baden-Württemberg
    • Freiburg Region
      • Lörrach
        • Fröhnd
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        • Oberwolfach
  • Lower Saxony
    • Göttingen District
      • Bad Lauterberg
      • Harz (Landkreis Göttingen)
  • Rhineland-Palatinate
    • Birkenfeld
      • Baumholder
    • Mayen-Koblenz
      • Maifeld
        • Ochtendung
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        • Bell
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        • Kruft
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      • Vordereifel
        • Ettringen
    • Neuwied
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        • Kasbach-Ohlenberg
    • Vulkaneifel
      • Daun
        • Daun
          • Neunkirchen
        • Oberstadtfeld
        • Strohn
        • Üdersdorf
      • Gerolstein
        • Hillesheim
        • Walsdorf
  • Saxony
    • Görlitz District
      • Neißeaue
  • Thuringia
    • Gotha District
      • Friedrichroda
        • Gottlob Hill
    • Greiz District
      • Kauern
      • Ronneburg
    • Saalfeld-Rudolstadt District
      • Saalfeld
        • Garnsdorf
Greece
 
  • Attica
    • East Attica
      • Lavreotiki
Hungary
 
  • Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County
    • Kazincbarcika District
      • Dédestapolcsány
Italy
 
  • Campania
    • Naples
      • Somma-Vesuvius Complex
          • Torre del Greco
  • Liguria
    • Genoa
      • Ne
        • Reppia
        • Statale
    • La Spezia Province
      • Maissana
        • Lagorara Valley
      • Rocchetta di Vara
    • Savona Province
      • Castelvecchio di Rocca Barbena
  • Tuscany
    • Livorno Province
      • Livorno
        • Valle Benedetta
    • Lucca Province
      • Bagni di Lucca
    • Massa-Carrara Province
        • Colonnata quarrying basin
          • Colonnata
        • Miseglia quarrying basin (Miseglia-Fantiscritti quarrying basin; Fantiscritti quarrying basin)
        • Torano quarrying basin
      • Massa
        • Casette
Japan
 
  • Aichi Prefecture
    • Inuyama
  • Gifu Prefecture
    • Kakamigahara City (Kagamigahara City)
  • Tokyo Metropolis
    • Hachijō Subprefecture
      • Aogashima
Kazakhstan
 
  • Kyzylorda Region
    • Shieli
  • Turkistan Region
    • Aksumbe
Kyrgyzstan
 
  • Batken Region
    • Kadamjay District
  • Issyk-Kul Region
  • Osh Region
    • Aravan District
      • Tyuya-Muyun Massif
Mexico
 
  • Sonora
    • Santa Cruz Municipality
      • Milpillas
Namibia
 
  • Erongo Region
    • Swakopmund Constituency
  • ǁKaras Region
    • ǃNamiǂNûs Constituency
Poland
 
  • Lower Silesian Voivodeship
      • Gmina Janowice Wielkie
          • Miedzianka field (Western field)
Portugal
 
  • Beja
    • Barrancos
      • Barrancos
Russia
 
  • Kamchatka Krai
    • Milkovsky District
      • Tolbachik Volcanic field
  • Khakassia (Republic of Khakassia)
    • Sorsk
  • Komi Republic
    • Pay Khoy Mountains
  • Perm Krai
    • Kungursky District
      • Yugovskii Zavod (Kalinino)
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  • Republic of Karelia
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      • Zaonezhie peninsula
  • Sakhalin Oblast
    • Kuril Islands (Kurile Islands)
      • Severo-Kurilsky District
        • Atlasov Island
Slovakia
 
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      • Vyšný Skálnik
Spain
 
  • Catalonia
    • Lleida
      • El Pallars Jussà
        • La Vall Fosca
          • La Torre de Cabdella
            • Castell-estaó
Switzerland
 
  • Grisons
    • Viamala Region
      • Ferrera
        • Ausserferrera
UK
 
  • England
    • Cornwall
      • St Just
        • Botallack
      • St Keverne
    • Devon
      • East Devon
        • Budleigh Salterton
    • Leicestershire
      • Charnwood
        • Shepshed
      • Hinckley and Bosworth
        • Stanton under Bardon
          • Cliffe Hill Quarry
      • Leicester
      • North West Leicestershire
        • Bardon
USA
 
  • Arizona
    • Apache County
      • Cane Valley Mining District
        • Yazzie Mesa
          • Monument No. 2 channel
      • Carrizo Range
        • Black Rock Point Mining District
          • Black Rock Point
      • Dinnehotso
        • Garnet Ridge
    • Coconino County
      • Prospect Canyon Mining District
    • Gila County
      • Globe-Miami Mining District
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          • Globe
    • Navajo County
      • Mineral Mining District
        • Mystery Valley
          • Monument No. 1 channel (Channel No. 36)
  • California
    • Inyo County
      • Inyo Mts (Inyo Range)
        • Kearsarge Mining District [2]
          • Kearsarge
    • San Benito County
      • Panoche
  • Colorado
    • Costilla County
      • McCarty Park Area
    • Custer County
    • Huerfano County
      • La Veta Pass Area
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      • Copper Harbor
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          • Ludwig
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        • Manhattan Mining District
  • New Mexico
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      • Red Creek (Browns Park)
    • Emery County
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        • Mammoth
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Uzbekistan
 
  • Navoiy
    • Uchkuduk area
 
and/or  
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