Lyonsite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Lyonsite
Formula:
Cu3Fe4(VO4)6
Colour:
Black.
Lustre:
Metallic
Specific Gravity:
4.215 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named in 1987 by J.M. Hughes, S.J. Starkey, M.L. Malinconico, and L.L. Malinconico in honor of John Bartholomew Lyons (22 November 1916, Quincy, Massachusetts, USA - 19 February 1998, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA), Professor of Mineralogy, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA.
Type Locality:
Visually similar to pseudolyonsite.
A large number of isotypic synthetic compounds are known. Compare also to 'Unnamed (Ni-Mg-analogue of Lyonsite)', found in the "Liebenbergite slag dump" locality in the Lavrion area, Greece.
A large number of isotypic synthetic compounds are known. Compare also to 'Unnamed (Ni-Mg-analogue of Lyonsite)', found in the "Liebenbergite slag dump" locality in the Lavrion area, Greece.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2464
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2464:4
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
6fd12d02-811f-4d6b-9e52-ca1cbf7a7fca
IMA Classification of Lyonsite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Cu2+3Fe3+4(VO4)6
Classification of Lyonsite
8.AB.40
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
A : Phosphates, etc. without additional anions, without H2O
B : With medium-sized cations
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
A : Phosphates, etc. without additional anions, without H2O
B : With medium-sized cations
38.5.2.1
38 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, AND VANADATES
5 : Miscellaneous
38 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, AND VANADATES
5 : Miscellaneous
21.1.15
21 : Vanadates (and vanadates with arsenate or phosphate)
1 : Vanadates of the alkalis and Cu
21 : Vanadates (and vanadates with arsenate or phosphate)
1 : Vanadates of the alkalis and Cu
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lyo | 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 Lyonsite
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Black.
Streak:
dark gray
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Good on {001}
Good on {001}
Density:
4.215 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Lyonsite
Type:
Biaxial
Anisotropism:
weak
Colour in reflected light:
creamy white
Chemistry of Lyonsite
Mindat Formula:
Cu3Fe4(VO4)6
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Lyonsite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.296(1) Å, b = 17.207(2) Å, c = 4.910(1) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.598 : 1 : 0.285
Unit Cell V:
869.87 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Comment:
Space Group: Pmcn.
Crystal Structure
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Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0001127 | Lyonsite | Hughes J M, Starkey S J, Malinconico M L, Malinconico L L (1987) Lyonsite, Cu3Fe4(VO4)6, a new fumarolic sublimate from Izalco volcano, El Salvador: Descriptive mineralogy and crystal structure American Mineralogist 72 1000-1005 |  | 1987 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.279 Å | (100b) |
| 2.526 Å | (60) |
| 4.423 Å | (40) |
| 2.779 Å | (40) |
| 2.722 Å | (40) |
| 1.591 Å | (40) |
| 1.550 Å | (40) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45b : [Other oxidized fumarolic minerals] | |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals |
Type Occurrence of Lyonsite
General Appearance of Type Material:
euhedral crystals, lathlike
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 164470
Geological Setting of Type Material:
fumaroles
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Hughes, J.M., Starkey, S.J., Malinconico, M.L., Malinconico, L.L. (1987) Lyonsite, Cu32+Fe43+(VO4)63-, a new fumarolic sublimate from Izalco volcano, El Salvador: Descriptive mineralogy and crystal structure. American Mineralogist: 72: 1000-1005.
Synonyms of Lyonsite
Other Language Names for Lyonsite
Varieties of Lyonsite
| Cu-rich lyonsite | A Cu-rich variety of lyonsite found in fumarolic sublimates of the Tolbachik volcano (Kamchatka, Russia). |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 3 photos of Lyonsite associated with Hematite | Fe2O3 |
| 2 photos of Lyonsite associated with Pseudolyonsite | Cu3(VO4)2 |
| 1 photo of Lyonsite associated with Unnamed (Lyonsite-like Cu-Fe-Vanadate) | (Cu,Zn)2(Fe,Al)2[(V,Mo,S,As)O4]3 |
| 1 photo of Lyonsite associated with Alumoklyuchevskite | K3Cu3(Al,Fe3+)(SO4)4O2 |
| 1 photo of Lyonsite associated with Piypite | K4Cu4O2(SO4)4 · (Na,Cu)Cl |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.AB. | Rodolicoite | Fe3+PO4 |
| 8.AB. | Johanngeorgenstadtite | Ni2+4.5(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AB. | Borisenkoite | Cu3[(V,As)O4]2 |
| 8.AB. | Niasite | Ni2+4.5(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AB. | Olsenite | KFe4(PO4)3 |
| 8.AB. | Karwowskiite | Ca9Mg(Fe2+0.5◻0.5)(PO4)7 |
| 8.AB.05 | Farringtonite | Mg3(PO4)2 |
| 8.AB.10 | Ferrisicklerite | Li1-x(Fe3+xFe2+1-x)PO4 |
| 8.AB.10 | Heterosite | (Fe3+,Mn3+)PO4 |
| 8.AB.10 | Lithiophilite | LiMn2+PO4 |
| 8.AB.10 | Natrophilite | NaMn2+PO4 |
| 8.AB.10 | Purpurite | Mn3+(PO4) |
| 8.AB.10 | Sicklerite | Li1-x(Mn3+xMn2+1-x)PO4 |
| 8.AB.10 | Simferite | LiMg(PO4) |
| 8.AB.10 | Triphylite | LiFe2+PO4 |
| 8.AB.10 | Karenwebberite | NaFe2+PO4 |
| 8.AB.15 | Sarcopside | Fe2+3(PO4)2 |
| 8.AB.15 | Chopinite | Mg3(PO4)2 |
| 8.AB.15 | Zavalíaite | Mn2+3(PO4)2 |
| 8.AB.20 | Beusite | Mn2+Mn2+2 (PO4)2 |
| 8.AB.20 | Graftonite | Fe2+Fe2+2(PO4)2 |
| 8.AB.20 | Graftonite-(Ca) | CaFe2+2(PO4)2 |
| 8.AB.20 | Graftonite-(Mn) | MnFe2+2(PO4)2 |
| 8.AB.20 | Beusite-(Ca) | CaMn2+2(PO4)2 |
| 8.AB.25 | Xanthiosite | Ni3(AsO4)2 |
| 8.AB.30 | Lammerite | Cu3(AsO4)2 |
| 8.AB.30 | Paralammerite | Cu3(AsO4)2 |
| 8.AB.35 | Mcbirneyite | Cu3(VO4)2 |
| 8.AB.35 | Stranskiite | Zn2Cu(AsO4)2 |
| 8.AB.35 | Pseudolyonsite | Cu3(VO4)2 |
| 8.AB.40 | Michalskiite | Fe3+1.33Cu2+2(MgFe3+)2(VO4)6 |
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 Lyonsite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2464.html
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References for Lyonsite
Localities for Lyonsite
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.
El Salvador (TL) | |
| Hughes et al. (1987) |
Germany | |
| T. Witzke & F. Rüger: Lapis 1998 (7/8) |
Russia | |
| Pekov et al. (2013) |
| Pekov et al. (2013) | |
| Pekov et al. (2013) |
| Igor Pekov etc data +2 other references | |
USA | |
| Barton et al. (2018) |
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Izalco Volcano, Sonsonate Department, El Salvador