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Villiaumite

A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About VilliaumiteHide

Formula:
NaF
Colour:
Dark carmine-red, dark red, light orange, pink
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2 - 2½
Specific Gravity:
2.79
Crystal System:
Isometric
Member of:
Name:
Named after Maxime Villiaume, French explorer and officer in the colonial artillery corps stationed in northern Madagascar, for his help in the acquisition of mineral and rock collections from Madagascar and Guinea. The species was first found in his collection.
The Na analogue of carobbiite.

Water-soluble and toxic!

According to Calas et al. (2021) the red colour comes from metal Na nanoparticles, 2.5–3 nm in diameter. Similar nanoparticles impart blue colour to halite.






Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
4181
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4181:8
GUID
(UUID V4):
42d8fefb-8883-4090-90b3-7576fc4dd26d

IMA Classification of VilliaumiteHide

Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1908

Classification of VilliaumiteHide

3.AA.20

3 : HALIDES
A : Simple halides, without H2O
A : M:X = 1:1, 2:3, 3:5, etc.
9.1.1.3

9 : NORMAL HALIDES
1 : AX
8.1.2

8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
1 : Halides of the alkali metals and ammonium

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference
VllIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of VilliaumiteHide

Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Dark carmine-red, dark red, light orange, pink
Comment:
The reddish colours were thought to be due to structural defects, caused by irradiation (Sørensen, 1973; Jahn et al., 2014). However, according to Calas et al. (2021) the red colour comes from metal Na nanoparticles, 2.5–3 nm in diameter.
Villiaumite samples began to change color very slowly after being heated above 300 °C in a muffle furnace. Subsequent color changes required heating at increasingly higher temperatures for approximately 48–72 h. Samples of the reddish mineral villiaumite turned orange, pink and finally colorless (at approximately at 430 °C).[[1]]
Heating is accompanied by strong thermoluminescence (Sørensen, 1973).
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2 - 2½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {001}.
Parting:
Translation gliding with T{011}, t[011], and probably also T{001}, t[011].
Density:
2.79 g/cm3 (Measured)    2.81 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of VilliaumiteHide

Type:
Isotropic
RI values:
n = 1.327 - 1.328
Birefringence:
Isotropic minerals have no birefringence
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Pleochroism:
Strong
Comments:
E = yellow
O = pink to deep carmine
Comments:
Weak anomalous birefringence.

Chemistry of VilliaumiteHide

Mindat Formula:
NaF
CAS Registry number:
7681-49-4

CAS Registry numbers are published by the American Chemical Society

Crystallography of VilliaumiteHide

Crystal System:
Isometric
Class (H-M):
m3m (4/m 3 2/m) - Hexoctahedral
Space Group:
Fd3m
Cell Parameters:
a = 4.6342 Å
Unit Cell V:
99.52 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Cubic, often rounded crystals; massive, granular.

Crystal StructureHide

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0009251VilliaumiteDeshpande V T (1961) Thermal expansion of sodium fluoride and sodium bromide Acta Crystallographica 14 794-79419610302.6
0009252VilliaumiteDeshpande V T (1961) Thermal expansion of sodium fluoride and sodium bromide Acta Crystallographica 14 794-79419610341.1
0009253VilliaumiteDeshpande V T (1961) Thermal expansion of sodium fluoride and sodium bromide Acta Crystallographica 14 794-79419610381
0009254VilliaumiteDeshpande V T (1961) Thermal expansion of sodium fluoride and sodium bromide Acta Crystallographica 14 794-79419610421
0009255VilliaumiteDeshpande V T (1961) Thermal expansion of sodium fluoride and sodium bromide Acta Crystallographica 14 794-79419610449
0009256VilliaumiteDeshpande V T (1961) Thermal expansion of sodium fluoride and sodium bromide Acta Crystallographica 14 794-79419610481
0009257VilliaumiteDeshpande V T (1961) Thermal expansion of sodium fluoride and sodium bromide Acta Crystallographica 14 794-79419610527
0011357VilliaumiteWyckoff R W G (1963) Second edition. Interscience Publishers, New York, New York rocksalt structure Crystal Structures 1 85-23719630293
0018133VilliaumiteBragg W (1920) Crystal structure of Na F _cod_database_code 1011282 Nature 105 646-64819200293
0018029VilliaumiteBarth T, Lunde G (1927) Ueber das Mineral Villiaumit _cod_database_code 1011141 Zentralblatt fur Mineralogie und Geologie, A1927 57-6619270293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
2.319 Å(100)
1.639 Å(60)
1.338 Å(17)
1.0363 Å(12)
0.9458 Å(8)
1.1588 Å(7)
2.680 Å(3)
Comments:
Synthetic.

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Near-surface Processes
25 : Evaporites (prebiotic)
Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks>3.0
35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks
Geological Setting:
Alkalic rocks.

Type Occurrence of VilliaumiteHide

General Appearance of Type Material:
Carmine red to dark violet masses 1-3 mm in size.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Muséum Nationale d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France, number 108.220/6 (cotype).
Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Mines, Paris, France, number 51037 (cotype).
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Small miarolytic cavities in nepheline syenite.

Other Language Names for VilliaumiteHide

German:Villiaumit
Simplified Chinese:氟盐
Spanish:Villiaumita
Traditional Chinese:氟鹽

Relationship of Villiaumite to other SpeciesHide

Member of:
Other Members of this group:
CarobbiiteKFIso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fm3m
GriceiteLiFIso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fm3m
HaliteNaClIso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fm3m
SylviteKClIso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fm3m

Common AssociatesHide

Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
101 photos of Villiaumite associated with AegirineNaFe3+Si2O6
66 photos of Villiaumite associated with TuperssuatsiaiteFe3+Fe3+2(Na◻)◻2Si8O20(OH)2(H2O)4 · 2H2O
50 photos of Villiaumite associated with EllingseniteNa5Ca6Si18O38(OH)13 · 6H2O
44 photos of Villiaumite associated with PectoliteNaCa2Si3O8(OH)
38 photos of Villiaumite associated with NatroliteNa2Al2Si3O10 · 2H2O
34 photos of Villiaumite associated with MicroclineK(AlSi3O8)
22 photos of Villiaumite associated with FluoriteCaF2
18 photos of Villiaumite associated with ThermonatriteNa2CO3 · H2O
16 photos of Villiaumite associated with HilairiteNa2Zr[SiO3]3 · 3H2O
13 photos of Villiaumite associated with SeranditeNaMn2+2Si3O8(OH)

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

3.AA.Brontesite(NH4)3PbCl5Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma
3.AA.05MarshiteCuIIso. 4 3m : F4 3m
3.AA.05Miersite(Ag,Cu)IIso. 4 3m : F4 3m
3.AA.05NantokiteCuClIso. 4 3m : F4 3m
3.AA.05UM1999-11:I:CuSCu(I,S)
3.AA.10IodargyriteAgIHex. 6mm : P6mm
3.AA.10Tocornalite(Ag,Hg)IHex.
3.AA.15BromargyriteAgBrIso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fm3m
3.AA.15ChlorargyriteAgClIso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fm3m
3.AA.20CarobbiiteKFIso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fm3m
3.AA.20GriceiteLiFIso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fm3m
3.AA.20HaliteNaClIso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fm3m
3.AA.20SylviteKClIso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fm3m
3.AA.25SalammoniacNH4ClIso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m)
3.AA.25UM1998-03-Cl:TlTlCl
3.AA.25LafossaiteTl(Cl,Br)Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Pm3m
3.AA.25NataliyamalikiteTlIOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Cmcm
3.AA.30Calomel[Hg2]2+Cl2Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : I4/mmm
3.AA.30Kuzminite[Hg2]2+(Br,Cl)2Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : I4/mmm
3.AA.30Moschelite[Hg2]2+I2Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : I4/mmm
3.AA.35NeighboriteNaMgF3Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
3.AA.35ParascandolaiteKMgF3Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Pm3m
3.AA.40ChlorocalciteKCaCl3Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma
3.AA.40JavorieiteKFeCl3Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma
3.AA.45KolaritePbTeCl2Orth.
3.AA.50RadhakrishnaitePbTe3(Cl,S)2Tet.
3.AA.55ChallacolloiteKPb2Cl5Mon. 2/m : P21/b
3.AA.60HephaistositeTlPb2Cl5Mon. 2/m : P21/b
3.AA.90PseudocotunniteK2PbCl4Orth.

Fluorescence of VilliaumiteHide

Dark red to orange and yellow fluorescence under SW and LW UV.

Other InformationHide

Thermal Behaviour:
Becomes colourless and isotropic when heated to 300° (see also commments on colour). Melts to a thin liquid, becoming white and opaque on cooling.
Notes:
Soluble in water. Strong thermoluminescence.
Health Risks:
Poisonous! Fluoride ion in water-soluble form is what makes this mineral highly toxic. Its availability in macrospecimens, and the attractive colour, might lure small children into tasting it. May be fatal if swallowed or inhaled. Affects respiratory system, heart, skeleton, circulatory system, central nervous system and kidneys. Causes irritation to skin, eyes and respiratory tract. Irritation effects may be delayed.
Wash hands after handling; do not generate dust by grinding or sawing; and keep out of reach of small children.
Oral ld50 close to 50mg/kg (52 in rat, 57 in mouse).
See MSDS Ref. S3722

Internet Links for VilliaumiteHide

References for VilliaumiteHide

Reference List:

Localities for VilliaumiteHide

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.

Locality ListHide

- 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). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Brazil
 
  • Minas Gerais
    • Poços de Caldas
ELLERT (1969)
Andrezza Azzi et al. (2018)
Canada
 
  • Northwest Territories
    • North Slave Region
      • Blachford Lake alkaline complex
        • Thor Lake syenite complex
MÖLLER (2016)
  • Québec
    • Montérégie
      • La Vallée-du-Richelieu RCM
        • Mont Saint-Hilaire
166-175. +2 other references
      • Lajemmerais RCM
        • Varennes & St-Amable
Horváth et al. (1998)
Horváth et al. (1998)
Greenland
 
  • Kujalleq
Petersen (2001) +1 other reference
      • Kuannersuit Plateau (Kvanefjeld)
Thomas Witzke photo
Petersen et al. (2001)
Khomyakov et al. (2001)
Petersen +3 other references
Guinea
 
  • Conakry Region
Gerasimovskii et al. (Guinea) +8 other references
a magmatic marker of the evolution of the Central and Equatorial Atlantic. The Canadian Mineralogist (2) +1 other reference
a magmatic marker of the evolution of the Central and Equatorial Atlantic. The Canadian Mineralogist (2) +2 other references
Italy
 
  • Campania
    • Naples
      • Somma-Vesuvius Complex
        • Mount Vesuvius
Russo et al. (2004) +1 other reference
Kenya
 
  • Kajiado County
Nielsen (1999)
Namibia
 
  • Khomas Region
    • Windhoek Rural
      • Aris
von Knorring et al. (1992) +6 other references
Norway
 
  • Telemark
    • Nome
Neumann (1985)
Poland
 
  • Silesian Voivodeship
    • Wodzisław County
      • Radlin
Ł. Kruszewski PXRD data (to be published soon) +3 other references
Russia
 
  • Irkutsk Oblast
Andreeva et al. (2006, May)
  • Krasnoyarsk Krai
Kovalev et al. (2023)
  • Murmansk Oblast
    • Khibiny Massif
Pekov (1998)
      • Koashva Mt
Arzamastsev et al. (2008)
[World of Stones 95:5-6 +6 other references
ZRMO 138 (2)
[World of Stones 95:5-6 +1 other reference
ZVMO 135 (1)
Am Min 79:1011 +2 other references
        • Rasvumchorr Mine
Pekov (1998)
Sokolova et al (2005) +1 other reference
Pekov (1998)
      • The Carbonatite Stock in the vicinity of Tul'ilukht Bay
Pekov (1998)
Pekov (1998) +1 other reference
Pekov (1998)
Kapustin et al. (1982) +2 other references
Mikhailova et al. (2023)
    • Lovozersky District
Pekov (2003) +1 other reference
Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.)
Khomyakov et al. (1992) +1 other reference
V. Grishin collection
World of Stones 95: 5-6 +2 other references
Rastsvetaeva +3 other references
Pavel M. Kartashov analytical data
Pekov et al. (2004) +1 other reference
Pluth et al. (1997)
Pekov (1998)
  • Zabaykalsky Krai
    • Gazimuro-Zavodsky District
Kovalev et al. (2019)
Spain
 
  • Canary Islands
    • Santa Cruz de Tenerife Province
      • Tenerife
Dill et al. (2023)
Dill et al. (2023)
Dill et al. (2023)
Tanzania
 
  • Arusha region
    • Ngorongoro District
Zaitsev et al. (2006) +1 other reference
USA
 
  • Colorado
    • Boulder County
      • Jamestown Mining District
Eckel et al. (1997)
  • New Mexico
    • Colfax County
      • Springer
        • Point of Rocks Mesa (Pecks Mesa)
Rocks & Min.:60:229.
 
Mineral and/or Locality  
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