Volborthite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Volborthite
Formula:
Cu3(V2O7)(OH)2 · 2H2O
Colour:
Olive-green, yellow-green; green to yellow-green in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Vitreous, Waxy, Greasy, Pearly
Hardness:
3½
Specific Gravity:
3.5 - 3.8
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
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.
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 Identifiers
Mindat ID:
4200
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4200:6
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
adc3b96a-7d7d-4e21-9687-ecc843d1af65
Classification of Volborthite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1838
Type description reference:
8.FD.05
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
F : Polyphosphates, Polyarsenates, [4]-Polyvanadates
D : Polyphosphates, etc., with OH and H2O
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
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
21 : Vanadates (and vanadates with arsenate or phosphate)
1 : Vanadates of the alkalis and Cu
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 |
---|---|---|
Vbo | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Volborthite
Pronunciation:
Play | Recorded by | Country |
---|---|---|
Jolyon & Katya Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Volborthite
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.
One perfect.
Density:
3.5 - 3.8 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.52 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Volborthite
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.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Very High
Dispersion:
r > v or r < v
Pleochroism:
Weak
Chemical Properties of Volborthite
Formula:
Cu3(V2O7)(OH)2 · 2H2O
IMA Formula:
Cu3V2O7(OH)2 · 2H2O
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Volborthite
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)°
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 Structure
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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) |
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0019133 | Volborthite | Ishikawa 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-i44 | 2012 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
0018666 | Volborthite | Kashaev A A, Bakakin V V (1968) Crystal structure of volborthite Cu3(OH)2V2O7*2H2O Doklady Akademii Nauk SSSR 181 967-969 | 1968 | 0 | 293 | ||
0013677 | Volborthite | Lafontaine 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 85 220-227 | 1990 | 0 | 293 | ||
0013678 | Volborthite | Lafontaine 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 85 220-227 | 1990 | 0 | 293 | ||
0018692 | Volborthite | Kashaev 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 49 708-711 | 2008 | not given | 0 | 293 | |
0019037 | Volborthite | Yoshida H, Yamaura J, Isobe M, Nilsen G J, Hiroi Z (2012) Orbital switching in a frustrated magnet Nature Communications 3 8601-8605 | 2012 | synthetic | 0 | 150 | |
0019038 | Volborthite | Yoshida H, Yamaura J, Isobe M, Nilsen G J, Hiroi Z (2012) T = 323 K Nature Communications 3 8601-8605 | 2012 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
0018693 | Volborthite | Basso R, Palenzona A, Zefiro L (1988) Crystal structure refinement of volborthite from Scrava mine (Eastern Liguria, Italy) Neues Jahrbuch fur Mineralogie, Monatshefte 1988 385-394 | 1988 | Scrava mine, Eastern Liguria, Italy | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
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Radiation - Copper Kα
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
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 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] | |
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 Volborthite
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 Volborthite
Other Language Names for Volborthite
Varieties of Volborthite
Barium-bearing Volborthite | A barium-bearing variety of volborthite. |
Relationship of Volborthite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
Karpenkoite | Co3(V2O7)(OH)2 · 2H2O | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1 |
Martyite | Zn3(V2O7)(OH)2 · 2H2O | Trig. 3m : P3m1 |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
37 photos of Volborthite associated with Tyuyamunite | Ca(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 5-8H2O |
33 photos of Volborthite associated with Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
30 photos of Volborthite associated with Chrysocolla | Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1 |
24 photos of Volborthite associated with Brochantite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 |
16 photos of Volborthite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
11 photos of Volborthite associated with Tangeite | CaCu(VO4)(OH) |
11 photos of Volborthite associated with Cyanotrichite | Cu4Al2(SO4)(OH)12 · 2H2O |
8 photos of Volborthite associated with Sulvanite | Cu3VS4 |
7 photos of Volborthite associated with Vashegyite | Al11(PO4)9(OH)6 · 38H2O |
7 photos of Volborthite associated with Azurite | Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
8.FD.05 | Martyite | Zn3(V2O7)(OH)2 · 2H2O | Trig. 3m : P3m1 |
8.FD.05 | Karpenkoite | Co3(V2O7)(OH)2 · 2H2O | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1 |
8.FD.10 | Vanarsite | NaCa12(As3+V5+8.5V4+3.5As5+6O51)2 · 78H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
8.FD.10 | Packratite | Ca11(As3+V5+10V4+2As5+6O51)2 · 83H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
8.FD.10 | Morrisonite | Ca11(As3+V4+2V5+10As5+6O51)2 · 78H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
8.FD.10 | Gatewayite | Ca6(As3+V4+3 V5+9As5+6O51) · 31H2O | Mon. 2 : P21 |
8.FD.10 | Kegginite | Pb3Ca3[AsV12O40(VO)] · 20H2O | Trig. 3 : P3 |
8.FD.10 | Bicapite | [KNa2Mg2(H2O)25][H2PV5+12O40(V5+O)2] | Tet. 4/m : I4/m |
8.FD.10 | Lumsdenite | NaCa3Mg2(As3+V4+2V5+10As5+6O51) · 45H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
8.FD.15 | Chinchorroite | Na2Mg5(As2O7)2(AsO3OH)2(H2O)10 | Tric. 1 : P1 |
Other Information
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 Volborthite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-4200.html
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References for Volborthite
Reference List:
Localities for Volborthite
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).
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.
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
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| Bullock, Kenneth C. (1981) Minerals and mineral localities of Utah. Bulletin 117. Utah Geological and Mineral Survey Bullock, Kenneth C. (1981) Minerals and mineral localities of Utah. Bulletin 117. Utah Geological and Mineral Survey Bullock, Kenneth C. (1981) Minerals and mineral localities of Utah. Bulletin 117. Utah Geological and Mineral Survey |
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Monument No. 1 Mine, Monument No. 1 channel, Mystery Valley, Mineral Mining District, Navajo County, Arizona, USA