Mendozavilite-NaCu
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About Mendozavilite-NaCu
Formula:
[Na2(H2O)15Cu(H2O)6][Mo8P2Fe3+3O34(OH)3]
Colour:
Lime green
Lustre:
Sub-Adamantine, Vitreous
Hardness:
2½
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Type Locality:
This page provides mineralogical data about Mendozavilite-NaCu.
Classification of Mendozavilite-NaCu
Approved
Approval Year:
2011
Physical Properties of Mendozavilite-NaCu
Sub-Adamantine, Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Lime green
Streak:
Colorless to very pale green
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Flexible
Cleavage:
Perfect
{001}
{001}
Parting:
001}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Optical Data of Mendozavilite-NaCu
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.770(5) nβ = 1.785(5) nγ = 1.805(5)
2V:
Measured: 80° (10)
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.035

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, strong, inclined
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
Pale olive green, Y > X = Z
Chemical Properties of Mendozavilite-NaCu
Formula:
[Na2(H2O)15Cu(H2O)6][Mo8P2Fe3+3O34(OH)3]
IMA Formula:
[Na2(H2O)15Cu(H2O)6][Mo8P2Fe3+3O34(OH)3]
Crystallography of Mendozavilite-NaCu
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 18.9984(16) Å, b = 10.9296(7) Å, c = 15.0818(12) Å
β = 129.906(2)°
β = 129.906(2)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.738 : 1 : 1.38
Unit Cell V:
2,402.29 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Sixsided (pseudohexagonal) tabular crystals up to 1 mm across and 0.1mm thick. Forms observed: {001},{110}, {111},{20-1} and {110}.
Twinning:
Ubiquitous: contact on {001} and penetration, both on roatation of 120° about [102].
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
8.841 | (100) |
7.330 | (37) |
3.676 | (17) |
3.132 | (19) |
3.007 | (25) |
2.932 | (21) |
2.743 | (20) |
1.769 | (22) |
Type Occurrence of Mendozavilite-NaCu
General Appearance of Type Material:
As thin vein fillings and well developed crystals in cavities of quartz
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, catalogue numbers 60483, 60484,60485 and 60486
Geological Setting of Type Material:
In the oxidation zone of a porphyry copper deposit
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Mendozavilite-NaCu
Relationship of Mendozavilite-NaCu to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
Melkovite | [Ca2(H2O)15Ca(H2O)6][Mo8P2Fe3+3O36(OH)] | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
Mendozavilite-KCa | [K2(H2O)15Ca(H2O)6][Mo8P2Fe3+3O34(OH)3] | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
Mendozavilite-NaFe | [Na2(H2O)15Fe3+(H2O)6][Mo8P2Fe3+3O35(OH)2] | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
Fluorescence of Mendozavilite-NaCu
None
Other Information
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 Mendozavilite-NaCu
Reference List:
Sort by Year (asc) | by Year (desc) | by Author (A-Z) | by Author (Z-A)
Kampf, A.R., Mills, S.J., Pluth, J.J., Steele, I.M. and Jenkins, R.A. (2011): Mendozavilite-NaCu, IMA 2011-039. CNMNC Newsletter No. 10, October 2011, page 2557
Kampf, A.R., Mills, S.J., Rumsey, M. S., Dini, M., Birch, W. D., Spratt, J., Pluth, J.J., Steele, I. M., Jenkins, R. A., and Pinch, W. W. (2012): The heteromolybdate family: structural relations, nomenclature scheme and new species. Mineralogical Magazine: 76(5): 1175-1207.
Internet Links for Mendozavilite-NaCu
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-41946.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
Localities for Mendozavilite-NaCu
Locality List




All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Chile (TL) | |
| Kampf, A.R., Mills, S.J., Pluth, J.J., Steele, I.M. and Jenkins, R.A. (2011): Mendozavilite-NaCu, IMA 2011-039. CNMNC Newsletter No. 10, October 2011, page 2557; Kampf, A.R., Mills, S.J., Rumsey, M. S., Dini, M., Birch, W. D., Spratt, J., Pluth, J.J., Steele, I. M., Jenkins, R. A., and Pinch, W. W. (2012): The heteromolybdate family: structural relations, nomenclature scheme and new species. Mineralogical Magazine: 76(5): 1175-1207. |
| samples analysed by Tony Kampf, Senior Curator, LAC museum, USA |
Lomas Bayas Mine, Antofagasta Province, Antofagasta, Chile