Cupromolybdite
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Formula:
Cu3O(MoO4)2
System:
Orthorhombic
Colour:
Honey-yellow to ...
Lustre:
Adamantine
Hardness:
3
Name:
For the chemical composition.
Isostructural with:
Classification of Cupromolybdite
Approved
Approval Year:
2011
Physical Properties of Cupromolybdite
Adamantine
Diaphaneity (Transparency):
Translucent
Colour:
Honey-yellow to chestnut-brown or dark brown; bright yellow
Streak:
Yellow or light brown
Hardness (Mohs):
3
Hardness (Vickers):
VHN50=189 kg/mm2
Comment:
Mohs hardness derived from VHN.
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Splintery
Density:
4.512 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Cupromolybdite
Type:
Anisotropic
Anisotropism:
Distinct
Bireflectance:
Weak
Reflectivity:
| 400nm | R1=17.0% | R2= 18.5% |
| 420nm | R1=16.3% | R2= 17.7% |
| 440nm | R1=15.7% | R2= 17.1% |
| 460nm | R1=15.2% | R2= 16.5% |
| 480nm | R1=14.7% | R2= 16.1% |
| 500nm | R1=14.3% | R2= 15.7% |
| 520nm | R1=13.9% | R2= 15.3% |
| 540nm | R1=13.5% | R2= 15.0% |
| 560nm | R1=13.1% | R2= 14.6% |
| 580nm | R1=12.9% | R2= 14.3% |
| 600nm | R1=12.4% | R2= 13.8% |
| 620nm | R1=12.2% | R2= 13.6% |
| 640nm | R1=12.15% | R2= 13.5% |
| 660nm | R1=11.9% | R2= 13.2% |
| 680nm | R1=17.0% | R2= 18.5% |
| 700nm | R1=16.3% | R2= 17.7% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Top of box is 100%. Peak reflectance is 18.5%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
Grey, with a weak bluish hue
Internal Reflections:
Orange-red or orange-brown
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemical Properties of Cupromolybdite
Formula:
Cu3O(MoO4)2
IMA Formula:
Cu32+O(Mo6+O4)2
Elements listed in formula:
Analytical Data:
Average of 7 electron-microprobe analyses; prismatic variety of type material.
CuO (43.03) FeO (0.08) ZnO (0.53) MoO3 (54.48) SO3 (0.71) V2O5 (0.28) SiO2 (0.04) Total (99.15)
Crystallography of Cupromolybdite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pnma
Space Group Setting:
Pnma
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.6638(1) Å, b = 6.8670(1) Å, c = 14.5554(2) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.116 : 1 : 2.12
Unit Cell Volume:
V 766.01 ų
Z:
4
X-Ray Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 7.312 | (67) |
| 3.842 | (37) |
| 3.701 | (38) |
| 3.664 | (30) |
| 3.518 | (55) |
| 3.436 | (100) |
| 3.301 | (99) |
| 3.065 | (79) |
| 2.556 | (62) |
| 2.506 | (66) |
Type Occurrence of Cupromolybdite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Prismatic or acicular crystals up to 0.15 mm in length; radiating aggregates.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia: registration number is 4072/1.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Within 2-5 cm thick sublimate crusts, along with other fumarolic minerals.
Empirical Formula:
(Cu2.83Zn0.03Fe0.01)(Mo1.98S0.05V0.02)O9
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Names for Cupromolybdite
Name in Other Languages:
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 Cupromolybdite
Reference List:
Zelenski, M.E., Zubkova, N.V., Pekov, I.V., Polekhovsky, Yu.S. & Pushcharovsky, D.Yu. (2012): Cupromolybdite, Cu3O(MoO4)2, a new fumarolic mineral from the Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia. European Journal of Mineralogy, 24, 749-757.
Internet Links for Cupromolybdite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-41953.html
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External Links:
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Localities for Cupromolybdite
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.
Russia (TL) | |
| Zelenski, M.E., Zubkova, N.V., Pekov, I.V., Polekhovsky, Yu.S. & Pushcharovsky, D.Yu. (2012): Cupromolybdite, Cu3O(MoO4)2, a new fumarolic mineral from the Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia. European Journal of Mineralogy, 24, 749-757. |
Yadovitaya fumarole, Second scoria cone, Northern Breakthrough, Great Fissure eruption, Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka Oblast', Far-Eastern Region, Russia