Fernandinite
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Formula:
(Ca,K)(V5+,V4+,Fe2+)8O20 · 10H2O
System:
Monoclinic
Colour:
Dull green; light green, ...
Lustre:
Sub-Metallic
Hardness:
2 - 3
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1915 by Waldemar Theodore Schaller in honor of Eulagio E. Fernandini (13 September 1860; 24 December 1947), who was formerly an owner of the Minasragra deposit.
Classification of Fernandinite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
4/G.11-35
4.HE.20
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
47.3.2.3
47 : VANADIUM OXYSALTS
3 : Hydrated Normal Vanadium Oxysalts
47 : VANADIUM OXYSALTS
3 : Hydrated Normal Vanadium Oxysalts
21.2.7
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
Physical Properties of Fernandinite
Sub-Metallic
Diaphaneity (Transparency):
Opaque
Colour:
Dull green; light green, dark olive-green, brownish green in transmitted light
Streak:
Dark green
Hardness (Mohs):
2 - 3
Tenacity:
Waxy
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Sub-Conchoidal, Micaceous
Density:
2.78 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.07 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Fernandinite
Type:
Biaxial
RI values:
n = 2.05
Birefringence:
Strong
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.000
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Very High
Comments:
2V measured value not determined.
Chemical Properties of Fernandinite
Formula:
(Ca,K)(V5+,V4+,Fe2+)8O20 · 10H2O
IMA Formula:
(Ca,Na,K)0.9(V5+,V4+,Fe2+,Ti)8O20 · 4H2O
Crystallography of Fernandinite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/m
Space Group Setting:
C2/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 11.680 Å, b = 3.6537 Å, c = 11.023 Å
β = 105.00°
β = 105.00°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 3.197 : 1 : 3.017
Unit Cell Volume:
V 454.38 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1
Morphology:
Crystals rare, platy and rectangular. Fibrous, cryptocrystalline, porous masses.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 10.68 | (100) |
| 5.65 | (10) |
| 3.545 | (4) |
| 3.483 | (26) |
| 2.826 | (7) |
| 2.549 | (4) |
| 1.949 | (6) |
| 1.836 | (8) |
Comments:
Very similar to the data for corvusite.
Type Occurrence of Fernandinite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA: #101718. U.S. National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA: #87661, R5706.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
A rich vanadium deposit in fissures that cut red shales
Relationship of Fernandinite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Group:
| Bariandite | Al0.6(V5+,V4+)8O20 · 9H2O |
| Bokite | (Al,Fe3+)1.3(V5+,V4+,Fe3+)8O20 · 7.4H2O |
| Corvusite | (Na,K,Ca,Mg)2(V5+,V4+,Fe2+)8O20 · 6-10H2O |
| Straczekite | (Ca,K,Ba)(V5+,V4+)8O20 · 3H2O |
| 4.HE.05 | Melanovanadite | Ca(V5+,V4+)4O10 · 5H2O |
| 4.HE.10 | Shcherbinaite | V25+O5 |
| 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,Fe3+)1.3(V5+,V4+,Fe3+)8O20 · 7.4H2O |
| 4.HE.20 | Corvusite | (Na,K,Ca,Mg)2(V5+,V4+,Fe2+)8O20 · 6-10H2O |
| 4.HE.20 | Straczekite | (Ca,K,Ba)(V5+,V4+)8O20 · 3H2O |
| 4.HE.25 | Häggite | V3+V4+O2(OH)3 |
| 4.HE.30 | Doloresite | V34+O4(OH)4 |
| 4.HE.35 | Duttonite | V4+O(OH)2 |
| 4.HE.40 | Cavoite | CaV34+O7 |
| 21.2.1 | Metarossite | Ca(V2O6) · 2H2O |
| 21.2.2 | Rossite | Ca(VO3)2•4H2O |
| 21.2.3 | Metahewettite | CaV6O16 · 3H2O |
| 21.2.4 | Hewettite | CaV6O16 · 9H2O |
| 21.2.5 | Pintadoite | Ca2(V2O7) · 9H2O |
| 21.2.6 | Hendersonite | (Ca,Sr)1.3V6O16 · 6H2O |
| 21.2.8 | Pascoite | Ca3(V10O28) · 17H2O |
| 21.2.9 | Sherwoodite | Ca4.5(AlV24+V125+O40) · 28H2O |
| 21.2.10 | Melanovanadite | Ca(V5+,V4+)4O10 · 5H2O |
| 21.2.11 | Grantsite | (Na,Ca)2+x(V5+,V4+)6O16 · 4H2O |
| 21.2.12 | Hummerite | K2Mg2(V10O28) · 16H2O |
| 21.2.13 | Metadelrioite | CaSr(V2O6)(OH)2 |
| 21.2.14 | Delrioite | CaSr(V2O6)(OH)2 · 3H2O |
| 21.2.15 | Straczekite | (Ca,K,Ba)(V5+,V4+)8O20 · 3H2O |
| 21.2.16 | Gamagarite | Ba2Fe3+(VO4)2(OH) |
Other Names for Fernandinite
Name in Other Languages:
Other Information
Not fluorescent in UV
Other Information:
Readily soluble in acids to a green solution. Somewhat soluble in cold H2O, yielding a yellow solution.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
References for Fernandinite
Reference List:
Schaller (1915) Journal of the Washington Academy of Science: 5: 7.
Dana, E.S. (1915) System of Mineralogy, 6th. Edition, New York. App. 3, by W.E. Ford: 29 (Schaller in).
Larsen, E.S. (1921) The Microscopic Determination of the Nonopaque Minerals, First edition, USGS Bulletin 679: 74.
Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged, 1124 pp.: 1062.
Evans, Jr., H.T., and Hughes, J.M. (1990): Crystal chemistry of the natural vanadium bronzes. American Mineralogist 75, 508-521.
Evans, H.T., Jr., J.E. Post, D.R. Ross, and J.A. Nelen (1994) The crystal structure and crystal chemistry of fernandinite and corvusite. Canadian Mineralogist: 32: 339-351.
American Mineralogist (1995): 80: 407.
Dana, E.S. (1915) System of Mineralogy, 6th. Edition, New York. App. 3, by W.E. Ford: 29 (Schaller in).
Larsen, E.S. (1921) The Microscopic Determination of the Nonopaque Minerals, First edition, USGS Bulletin 679: 74.
Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged, 1124 pp.: 1062.
Evans, Jr., H.T., and Hughes, J.M. (1990): Crystal chemistry of the natural vanadium bronzes. American Mineralogist 75, 508-521.
Evans, H.T., Jr., J.E. Post, D.R. Ross, and J.A. Nelen (1994) The crystal structure and crystal chemistry of fernandinite and corvusite. Canadian Mineralogist: 32: 339-351.
American Mineralogist (1995): 80: 407.
Internet Links for Fernandinite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1483.html
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
Specimens:
The following Fernandinite specimens are currently listed for sale on minfind.com.
Localities for Fernandinite
This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the 
symbol to view information about a locality.
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(TL) indicates type locality for a valid mineral species. (FRL) indicates first recorded locality for everything else. ? indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. All other localities listed without reference should be considered as uncertain and unproven until references can be found.
Peru (TL) | |
| Schaller (1915) Journal of the Washington Academy of Science: 5: 7; Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 1062. |
USA | |
| Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 220; Witkind, I.J. & R.E. Thaden (1963), Geology and uranium-vanadium deposits of the Monument Valley area, Apache and Navajo Cos., AZ: 115; Galbraith, F.W. & D.J. Brennan (1959), Minerals of AZ: 79. |
| Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B. |
| Min News (1987) 3:9 p 5-6 |
| Excalibur Mineral Co. sample and analysis |
| UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah |
| Van King |
Sunday Mine, Slick Rock District, San Miguel Co., Colorado, USA