Mesaite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Mesaite
Formula:
CaMn2+5(V2O7)3 · 12H2O
Colour:
Orangish red
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
2.74
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
For Mesa County where the type locality is located.
Structurally related to fianelite. Chemically similar to palenzonaite. Other divanadate minerals include engelhauptite, karpenkoite, martyite, and volborthite.
The structure is based on zigzag chains comprising edge-sharing MnO6 octahedra. Octahedra-hosted oxygens are shared with divanadate groups, that provide a link to adjacent octahedral chains; thus {010} heteropolyhedral layers are formed. Calcium and water are located in the interlayer space; each [7]Ca atoms are bonded to (1) two O6 atoms of the heteropolyhedral layer and (2) to two fully occupied and six partially occupied O (water) sites.
The structure is based on zigzag chains comprising edge-sharing MnO6 octahedra. Octahedra-hosted oxygens are shared with divanadate groups, that provide a link to adjacent octahedral chains; thus {010} heteropolyhedral layers are formed. Calcium and water are located in the interlayer space; each [7]Ca atoms are bonded to (1) two O6 atoms of the heteropolyhedral layer and (2) to two fully occupied and six partially occupied O (water) sites.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
46888
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:46888:4
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
a2abd67d-6da2-428f-8910-da33f128bc95
IMA Classification of Mesaite
Classification of Mesaite
8.FC.35
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
F : Polyphosphates, Polyarsenates, [4]-Polyvanadates
C : Polyphosphates, etc., with H2O only
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
F : Polyphosphates, Polyarsenates, [4]-Polyvanadates
C : Polyphosphates, etc., with H2O only
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Msa | 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 Mesaite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Orangish red
Streak:
Light pinkish orange
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Comment:
ca. 2
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
{010}
{010}
Parting:
none
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
2.74(1) g/cm3 (Measured) 2.744 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Mesaite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.760 nβ = 1.780(5) nγ = 1.795(5)
2V:
Measured: 81° (2)
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:
strong (r > v)
Comments:
Brownish orange (various shades)
Comments:
α is calculated.
Chemistry of Mesaite
Mindat Formula:
CaMn2+5(V2O7)3 · 12H2O
Crystallography of Mesaite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P2/b
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.135(2) Å, b = 10.427(3) Å, c = 15.530(4) Å
β = 102.650(7)°
β = 102.650(7)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.876 : 1 : 1.489
Unit Cell V:
1,443.34 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Blades up to 0.1 mm long
Comment:
P2/n
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 10.47 Å | (100) |
| 8.60 Å | (10) |
| 4.30 Å | (11) |
| 3.568 Å | (24) |
| 3.132 Å | (11) |
| 3.067 Å | (17) |
| 2.881 Å | (25) |
| 2.615 Å | (11) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47e : [Vanadates, chromates, manganates] | |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals |
Type Occurrence of Mesaite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Orange blades, up to 0.1 mm long
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Cotype material is deposited in the collections of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County,Los Angeles, California, USA, catalogue numbers 65595,65596,65597, 65598 and 65599
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Asphaltum blocks associated with montroseite- and corvusite-bearing sandstone. Oxidation in a moist environment.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Mesaite
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.FC.X | Hylbrownite | Na3Mg(P3O10) · 12H2O |
| 8.FC. | Donowensite | Ca(H2O)3Fe3+2(V2O7)2 |
| 8.FC.05 | Fianelite | Mn2+2((V,As)2O7) · 2H2O |
| 8.FC.05 | Rüdlingerite | Mn2+2V5+As5+O7 · 2H2O |
| 8.FC.10 | Canaphite | Na2Ca(P2O7) · 4H2O |
| 8.FC.15 | Pintadoite | Ca2(V2O7) · 9H2O |
| 8.FC.20 | Arnhemite | (K,Na)4Mg2(P2O7)2 · 5H2O |
| 8.FC.25 | Wooldridgeite | Na2CaCu2+2(P2O7)2 · 10H2O |
| 8.FC.30 | Kanonerovite | Na3Mn2+(P3O10) · 12H2O |
Fluorescence of Mesaite
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.
Internet Links for Mesaite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-46888.html
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References for Mesaite
Reference List:
Hålenius, U., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2015) New minerals and nomenclature modifications approved in 2015, CNMNC Newsletter no 28. Mineralogical Magazine, 79 (7) 1859-1864 doi:10.1180/minmag.2015.079.7.18
Localities for Mesaite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The 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).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
USA (TL) | |
| Hålenius et al. (2015) +1 other reference |
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Packrat Mine, Beaver Mesa, Gateway Mining District, Mesa County, Colorado, USA