Ekplexite
A valid IMA mineral species
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Formula:
(Nb,Mo,W)S2 · (Mg1-xAlx)(OH)2+x
Colour:
Iron-black
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
1
Specific Gravity:
3.63 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Member of:
Name:
From the Greek έκπληξις ("ekplexis") = surprise, apparently alluding to the surprising combination of elements in its chemical formula.
This page provides mineralogical data about Ekplexite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
42864
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:42864:6
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
425f74ff-945d-4e84-937f-ec209434557a
IMA Classification of Ekplexite
Approved
IMA Formula:
(Nb,Mo)S2 · (Mg1-xAlx)(OH)2+x
Approval year:
2011
First published:
2014
Type description reference:
Pekov, I. V., Yapaskurt, V. O., Polekhovsky, Y. S., Vigasina, M. F., Siidra, O. I. (2014) Ekplexite (Nb,Mo)S2·(Mg1−xAlx)(OH)2+x, kaskasite (Mo,Nb)S2·(Mg1−xAlx)(OH)2+x and manganokaskasite
(Mo,Nb)S2·(Mn1−xAlx)(OH)2+x, three new valleriite-group mineral species from the Khibiny alkaline
complex, Kola peninsula, Russia. Mineralogical Magazine, 78 (3) 663-679 doi:10.1180/minmag.2014.078.3.14
Classification of Ekplexite
2.FD.30
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
F : Sulfides of arsenic, alkalies; sulfides with halide, oxide, hydroxide, H2O
D : With O, OH, H2O
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
F : Sulfides of arsenic, alkalies; sulfides with halide, oxide, hydroxide, H2O
D : With O, OH, H2O
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 |
---|---|---|
Ekp | 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 Ekplexite
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Iron-black
Hardness:
1 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Flexible
Cleavage:
Perfect
{001} perfect
{001} perfect
Density:
3.63 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Chemistry of Ekplexite
Mindat Formula:
(Nb,Mo,W)S2 · (Mg1-xAlx)(OH)2+x
Crystallography of Ekplexite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Cell Parameters:
a = 3.791(3) Å, c = 11.30(1) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 2.981
Unit Cell V:
140.64 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Mical-like flakes in aggregates.
Comment:
Space group: P321, P3m1 or P3¯ m1
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
11.37 Å | (100) |
5.65 Å | (55) |
3.155 Å | (4) |
2.809 Å | (20) |
1.623 Å | (11) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks | |
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Ekplexite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Lenticular nests up to 0.2 mm×1 mm×1 mm consisting of near-parallel, radiating or chaotic aggregates of soft flakes.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Fersman Mineralogical Museum of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, registration number 4155/1
Geological Setting of Type Material:
In perthite-rich fenite, Khibiny alkaline complex, Russia.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Pekov, I.V., Yapaskurt, V.O., Polekhovsky, Y.S., Vigasina, M.F., Siidra, O.I. (2014) Ekplexite (Nb,Mo)S2•(Mg1−xAlx)(OH)2+x, kaskasite (Mo,Nb)S2•(Mg1−xAlx)(OH)2+x and manganokaskasite (Mo,Nb)S2•(Mn1−xAlx)(OH)2+x, three new valleriite-group mineral species from the Khibiny alkaline complex, Kola peninsula, Russia. Mineralogical Magazine: 78: 663-679.
Synonyms of Ekplexite
Relationship of Ekplexite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
Ferrotochilinite | Fe2+6(Fe2+,Mg)5S6(OH)10 | Mon. |
Ferrovalleriite | 2(Fe,Cu)S · 1.5Fe(OH)2 | Trig. |
Haapalaite | (Fe2+,Ni)2(Mg,Fe2+)1.61S2(OH)3.22 | Hex. |
Tochilinite | Fe2+5-6(Mg,Fe2+)5S6(OH)10 | Mon. |
Valleriite | (Fe2+,Cu)4(Mg,Al)3S4(OH,O)6 | Trig. |
Yushkinite | (Mg,Al)V4+S2(OH)2 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
2.FD. | Ferrovalleriite | 2(Fe,Cu)S · 1.5Fe(OH)2 |
2.FD.05 | Kermesite | Sb2S2O |
2.FD.10 | Viaeneite | (Fe,Pb)4S8O |
2.FD.20 | Erdite | NaFeS2 · 2H2O |
2.FD.25 | Coyoteite | NaFe3S5 · 2H2O |
2.FD.30 | Haapalaite | (Fe2+,Ni)2(Mg,Fe2+)1.61S2(OH)3.22 |
2.FD.30 | Valleriite | (Fe2+,Cu)4(Mg,Al)3S4(OH,O)6 |
2.FD.30 | Yushkinite | (Mg,Al)V4+S2(OH)2 |
2.FD.35 | Tochilinite | Fe2+5-6(Mg,Fe2+)5S6(OH)10 |
2.FD.35 | Ferrotochilinite | Fe2+6(Fe2+,Mg)5S6(OH)10 |
2.FD.35 | Kaskasite | (Mo,Nb)S2 · (Mg1-xAlx)(OH)2+x |
2.FD.35 | Manganokaskasite | (Mo,Nb)S2 · (Mn1-xAlx)(OH)2+x |
2.FD.40 | Wilhelmramsayite | Cu3FeS3 · 2H2O |
2.FD.45 | Vyalsovite | FeCaAlS(OH)5 |
2.FD.50 | Bazhenovite | Ca8S2(S3)(S2O3)(OH)12 · 20H2O |
2.FD.55 | UM2004-56-OS:BiCuPb | PbCu4Bi4S2(O,OH,H2O)16 (?) |
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 Ekplexite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-42864.html
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References for Ekplexite
Reference List:
Williams, P. A., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2012) New minerals and nomenclature modifications approved in 2012. CNMNC Newsletter No 12. Mineralogical Magazine, 76 (1) 151-155 doi:10.1180/minmag.2012.076.1.151
Pekov, I. V., Yapaskurt, V. O., Polekhovsky, Y. S., Vigasina, M. F., Siidra, O. I. (2014) Ekplexite (Nb,Mo)S2·(Mg1−xAlx)(OH)2+x, kaskasite (Mo,Nb)S2·(Mg1−xAlx)(OH)2+x and manganokaskasite
(Mo,Nb)S2·(Mn1−xAlx)(OH)2+x, three new valleriite-group mineral species from the Khibiny alkaline
complex, Kola peninsula, Russia. Mineralogical Magazine, 78 (3) 663-679 doi:10.1180/minmag.2014.078.3.14
Localities for Ekplexite
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).
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.
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Russia (TL) | |
| Williams et al. (2012) +1 other reference |