Iquiqueite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Iquiqueite
Formula:
K3Na4Mg(CrO4)B24O39(OH) · 12H2O
Colour:
Bright yellow
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
2.05
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Name:
Named for the city of Iquique (pronounced ee-KEE-kay) in 1986. It was a major historic port for nitrate shipments from Tarapacá, Chile from the 1830s until the 1930s.
Type Locality:
This page provides mineralogical data about Iquiqueite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2039
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2039:4
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
fd3083fc-a356-48c0-9579-16f763875146
IMA Classification of Iquiqueite
Approved
Approval year:
1984
First published:
1986
Approval history:
IMA1984-019
Classification of Iquiqueite
6.H0.20
6 : BORATES
H : Unclassified borates
0 :
6 : BORATES
H : Unclassified borates
0 :
27.1.8.1
27 : COMPOUND BORATES
1 : Miscellaneous
27 : COMPOUND BORATES
1 : Miscellaneous
9.2.17
9 : Borates
2 : Borates of Be and Mg
9 : Borates
2 : Borates of Be and Mg
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 |
---|---|---|
Iqu | 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 Iquiqueite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Bright yellow
Streak:
Pale yellow to yellow
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
(0001) perfect, (1010) imperfect
(0001) perfect, (1010) imperfect
Density:
2.05(9) g/cm3 (Measured) 2.05 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Iquiqueite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.496 - 1.502 nε = 1.447 - 1.448
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.049 - 0.054
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:
Moderate
Comments:
may be anomalously biaxial
Chemistry of Iquiqueite
Mindat Formula:
K3Na4Mg(CrO4)B24O39(OH) · 12H2O
Crystallography of Iquiqueite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m - Ditrigonal Pyramidal
Space Group:
P3 1c
Cell Parameters:
a = 11.6369(14) Å, c = 30.158(7) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 2.592
Unit Cell V:
3,536.78 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
3
Morphology:
c (0001) and m (1010)
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
10.11 Å | (85) |
6.04 Å | (85) |
3.28 Å | (85) |
3.22 Å | (85) |
3.02 Å | (100) |
2.856 Å | (100) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Near-surface Processes | |
25 : Evaporites (prebiotic) |
Type Occurrence of Iquiqueite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Platelets singly or as vermiform aggregates, 5-50 µm in diameter.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian), Washington, D.C., USA, 163774.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Nitrate fields.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Ericksen, G.E., Mrose, M.E., Marinenko, J.W., McGee, J.J. (1986) Mineralogical studies of the nitrate deposits of Chile. V. Iquiqueite, Na4K3Mg(CrO4)B24O39(OH).12H2O, a new saline mineral. American Mineralogist: 71: 830-836.
Synonyms of Iquiqueite
Other Language Names for Iquiqueite
German:Iquiqueit
Spanish:Iquiqueita
Common Associates
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
6.H0.05 | Chelkarite | CaMgB2O4(Cl,OH)2 · 5H2O Or near, with Cl:OH = 3:1 |
6.H0.10 | Braitschite-(Ce) | (Ca,Na2)7(Ce,La)2B22O43 · 7H2O |
6.H0.15 | Satimolite | KNa2(Al5Mg2)[B12O18(OH)12](OH)6Cl4 · 4H2O |
6.H0.25 | Wardsmithite | Ca5Mg[B4O7]6 · 30H2O |
6.H0.35 | Halurgite | Mg4[B8O13(OH)2]2 · 7H2O |
6.H0.40 | Ekaterinite | Ca2(B4O7)(Cl,OH)2 · 2H2O |
6.H0.45 | Vitimite | Ca6[B14O19](SO4)(OH)14 · 5H2O |
6.H0.50 | Canavesite | Mg2(HBO3)(CO3) · 5H2O |
6.H0.55 | Qilianshanite | NaHCO3 · H3BO3 · 2H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
Slowly soluble in cold water
Special Storage/
Display Requirements:
Display Requirements:
Slightly hygroscopic
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 Iquiqueite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2039.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Iquiqueite
Localities for Iquiqueite
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.
Chile | |
| Christophe Boutry collection |
| RRUFF Specimen ID: R060822 |
| Ericksen et al. (1986) |
Quick NavTopAbout IquiqueiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography X-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Salar de Miraje, María Elena, Tocopilla Province, Antofagasta, Chile