Mendozavilite-KCa
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About Mendozavilite-KCa
Formula:
[K2(H2O)15Ca(H2O)6][Mo8P2Fe3+3O34(OH)3]
Colour:
Greenish yellow
Lustre:
Sub-Adamantine, Vitreous
Hardness:
2½
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
First recognized as a potential hypothetical member of the Betpakdalite group (IMA 10-E). Later in 2011, approved by IMA as a valid species.
Classification of Mendozavilite-KCa
Approved
Approval Year:
2011
Physical Properties of Mendozavilite-KCa
Sub-Adamantine, Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Greenish yellow
Streak:
Very pale yellowish green
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
Parting:
{001}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Optical Data of Mendozavilite-KCa
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.780(5) nβ = 1.795(5) nγ = 1.817
2V:
Measured: 80° (10)
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.037

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
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemical Properties of Mendozavilite-KCa
Formula:
[K2(H2O)15Ca(H2O)6][Mo8P2Fe3+3O34(OH)3]
IMA Formula:
[K2(H2O)15Ca(H2O)6][Mo8P2Fe3+3O34(OH)3]
Crystallography of Mendozavilite-KCa
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/m
Setting:
C2/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 18.909(5) Å, b = 10.897(2) Å, c = 14.958(4) Å
β = 129.780(9)°
β = 129.780(9)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.735 : 1 : 1.373
Unit Cell V:
2368.6 ų
Morphology:
Pseudeohexagonal, tabular crystals up to 0.5 mm across and 0.05 mm 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 |
---|---|
11.643 | (16) |
8.850 | (100) |
7.369 | (34) |
3.675 | (16) |
3.125 | (26) |
2.998 | (25) |
2.846 | (16) |
2.018 | (21) |
Type Occurrence of Mendozavilite-KCa
General Appearance of Type Material:
Greenish yellow pseudohexagonal crystals on massive vein quartz
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, California, USA, catalogue numbers 63315 and 63572
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Mendozavilite-KCa
Relationship of Mendozavilite-KCa 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-NaCu | [Na2(H2O)15Cu(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-KCa
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-KCa
Reference List:
Sort by Year (asc) | by Year (desc) | by Author (A-Z) | by Author (Z-A)
Kampf, A.R., Mills, S.J., Rumsey, M.S., Spratt, J. and Dini, M. (2012): Mendozavilite-KCa, IMA 2011-088. CNMNC Newsletter No. 12, February 2012, page 154; Mineralogical Magazine, 76, 151-155
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-KCa
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-41947.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
Localities for Mendozavilite-KCa
Locality List




All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Chile (TL) | |
| Kampf, A.R., Mills, S.J., Rumsey, M.S., Spratt, J. and Dini, M. (2012): Mendozavilite-KCa, IMA 2011-088. CNMNC Newsletter No. 12, February 2012, page 154; Mineralogical Magazine, 76, 151-155; 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. |
Chuquicamata Mine, Chuquicamata District, Calama, El Loa Province, Antofagasta, Chile