Smirnite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Smirnite
Formula:
Bi2Te4+O5
Colour:
Colourless, gray, light yellow
Hardness:
3½ - 4
Specific Gravity:
7.78
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named after Vladimir Ivanovich Smirnov (Владимир Иванович Смирнов) (18 (31) January 1910, Moscow, Russian Empire - 16 June 1988, Moscow, USSR), chief of economic minerals studies in the geology department, Moscow State University, a specialist in ore deposit geology. He also served as Vice-President of the International Union of Geological Sciences (1968-1976).
Type Locality:
This page provides mineralogical data about Smirnite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3686
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3686:9
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
c3340076-768e-4bba-93fc-714576916c32
IMA Classification of Smirnite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Bi3+2Te4+O5
Approval year:
1982
First published:
1984
Classification of Smirnite
4.JK.40
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
K : Tellurites without additional anions, without H2O
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
K : Tellurites without additional anions, without H2O
Dana 7th ed.:
34.1.9.1
34.1.8.1
34 : SELENITES, TELLURITES AND SULFITES
1 : A(XO3)
34 : SELENITES, TELLURITES AND SULFITES
1 : A(XO3)
28.3.16
28 : Selenites, Selenates, Tellurites, and Tellurates
3 : Tellurites
28 : Selenites, Selenates, Tellurites, and Tellurates
3 : Tellurites
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 |
---|---|---|
Smr | 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 Smirnite
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Colourless, gray, light yellow
Comment:
Darkens on exposure to sunlight
Hardness:
3½ - 4 on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN20=142 - 227 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Comment:
Great anisotropy
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect on {010}
Distinct in other directions
Perfect on {010}
Distinct in other directions
Density:
7.78 g/cm3 (Measured) 7.72 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Smirnite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 2.350 nβ = 2.360 nγ = 2.460
2V:
Measured: 35° to 40°, Calculated: 38°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.110
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
Anisotropism:
Strong
Dispersion:
none
Optical Extinction:
Straight extinction.
Reflectivity:
Wavelength | R1 | R2 |
---|---|---|
400nm | 20.7% | 19.1% |
420nm | 20.5% | 18.8% |
440nm | 20.0% | 18.1% |
460nm | 19.7% | 17.8% |
480nm | 19.4% | 17.5% |
500nm | 19.3% | 17.5% |
520nm | 19.3% | 17.4% |
540nm | 19.2% | 17.4% |
560nm | 19.1% | 17.3% |
580nm | 19.0% | 17.2% |
600nm | 18.8% | 17.0% |
620nm | 18.7% | 16.8% |
640nm | 18.5% | 16.7% |
660nm | 18.3% | 16.5% |
680nm | 18.2% | 16.3% |
700nm | 18.0% | 16.3% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Top of box is 100%. Peak reflectance is 20.7%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Comments:
Z = a, Y = b, X = c
Chemistry of Smirnite
Mindat Formula:
Bi2Te4+O5
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Smirnite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mm2 - Pyramidal
Cell Parameters:
a = 16.447(19) Å, b = 5.513(3) Å, c = 11.579(15) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 2.983 : 1 : 2.1
Unit Cell V:
1,049.89 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
8
Morphology:
Crystals tabular to 2mm, aggregates and incrustations.
Comment:
Space Group: Cm2a.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
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CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
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Rotation
Stop | Start
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Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0014203 | Smirnite | Mercurio D, El Farissi M, Frit B, Goursat P (1983) Etude structurale et densification d'un nouveau materiau piezoelectrique: Bi2TeO5 Materials Chemistry and Physics 9 467-476 | 1983 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
3.226 Å | (100) |
2.890 Å | (60) |
1.996 Å | (30) |
1.992 Å | (28) |
1.727 Å | (27) |
2.743 Å | (24) |
2.750 Å | (23) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates] | |
47e : [Vanadates, chromates, manganates] | |
47h : [Near-surface oxidized, dehydrated minerals] |
Geological Setting:
Oxidation zone of tellurium bearing hydrothermal ore deposits.
Type Occurrence of Smirnite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Tabular crystals up to 2 mm and aggregates, or crusts on quartz and tellurides.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
A.E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, 82767.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Occurs in fractures of vein quartz and chalcedony, containing the relics of tellurobismuthite, tetradymite, volynskite and galena.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Spiridonov, E.M., Demina, L.A., Dolgikh, V.A., Antonina, G.M., Rakcheev, A.D., Bulgak, L.V., Lebedeva, S.I., Chvileva, T.N. (1984) Smirnite Bi2TeO5 - a new mineral. Doklady Akademii Nauk SSSR: 278: 199-202.
Synonyms of Smirnite
Other Language Names for Smirnite
Common Associates
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
4.JK. | Matthiasweilite | PbTe4+O3 |
4.JK.05 | Winstanleyite | TiTe4+3O8 |
4.JK.05 | Walfordite | (Fe3+,Te6+)Te4+3O8 |
4.JK.10 | Spiroffite | Mn2+2Te4+3O8 |
4.JK.10 | Zincospiroffite | Zn2Te4+3O8 |
4.JK.15 | Balyakinite | Cu(TeO3) |
4.JK.20 | Rajite | Cu(Te4+2O5) |
4.JK.25 | Carlfriesite | CaTe4+2Te6+O8 |
4.JK.30 | Denningite | (Mn2+,Ca,Zn)Te4+2O5 |
4.JK.35 | Chekhovichite | Bi2Te4+4O11 |
4.JK.45 | Choloalite | (Cu,Sb)3(Pb,Ca)3(TeO3)6Cl |
4.JK.50 | Fairbankite | Pb2+12(Te4+O3)11(SO4) |
4.JK.55 | Plumbotellurite | Pb(TeO3) |
4.JK.60 | Magnolite | [Hg2]2+[Te4+O3] |
4.JK.65 | Moctezumite | Pb(UO2)(TeO3)2 |
4.JK.70 | Schmitterite | (UO2)(TeO3) |
4.JK.75 | Cliffordite | (UO2)Te4+3O7 |
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:
Melts at 900 C without decomposition.
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 Smirnite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3686.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Smirnite
Localities for Smirnite
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.
Armenia (TL) | |
| Spiridonov et al. (1984) +1 other reference |
Georgia | |
| Kekelia et al. (2017) |
Kazakhstan | |
| Pekov (1998) +1 other reference |
Poland | |
| Pieczka et al. (2011) |
Russia | |
| Sidorov et al. (2007, November) |
| Kondratieva et al. (2021) |
| [[1]]Kondratieva et al. (2023) |
| Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) |
Spain | |
| Romero Silva +3 other references |
Ukraine | |
| Pekov (1998) +1 other reference |
Quick NavTopAbout SmirniteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Sotk gold mine, Sotk, Gegharkunik Province, Armenia