Vajdakite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Vajdakite
Josef Vajdak
Formula:
[(Mo6+O2)2(H2O)2As3+2O5] · 3H2O
Colour:
Green to grey-green
Lustre:
Vitreous
Specific Gravity:
3.50
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
After Josef Vajdak (born March 31, 1930, in Helena, Montana, USA, deceased June 21, 2019, Massapequa, New York). American mineral collector and dealer of rare minerals.
An arsenite. The first molybdenyl-bearing mineral to date (compare the second one, bouškaite, and the third one, hasanovite).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
7053
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:7053:5
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
7cfd26bf-6d0a-4ee5-ab60-44a481f51081
IMA Classification of Vajdakite
Approved
IMA Formula:
(Mo6+O2)2As3+2O5 · 3H2O
First published:
2002
Type description reference:
Classification of Vajdakite
4.JC.20
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
C : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites; without additional anions, with H2O
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
C : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites; without additional anions, with 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Vaj | 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 Vajdakite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Green to grey-green
Streak:
White to light gray green
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect parallel to (100)and good parallel to (010)
Perfect parallel to (100)and good parallel to (010)
Density:
3.50(2) g/cm3 (Measured) 3.509 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Measured using flotation method in Clerici solution
Optical Data of Vajdakite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.757(2) nβ = 1.778(2) nγ = 2.040(1)
2V:
Calculated: 35.1°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.283
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:
r > v
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X~Y = light gray to light greenish gray, Z = yellowish gray
Comments:
X || b, Z ^ c = 12 deg.
Chemistry of Vajdakite
Mindat Formula:
[(Mo6+O2)2(H2O)2As3+2O5] · 3H2O
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Vajdakite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/b
Setting:
P21/c
Cell Parameters:
a = 7,0515(6) Å, b = 12.0908(9) Å, c = 12.2190(14) Å
β = 101.268(9)°
β = 101.268(9)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.579 : 1 : 1.011
Unit Cell V:
1,014.23 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
acicular to lath-shaped crystals to 0.5 mm; in divergent sprays and crusts.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0002870 | Vajdakite | Ondrus P, Skala R, Cisarova I, Veselovsky F, Fryda J, Cejka J (2002) Description and crystal structure of vajdakite, [(MoO2)2(H2O)2As2O5].H2O - a new mineral from Jachymov, Czech Republic American Mineralogist 87 983-990 |  | 2002 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 6.046 Å | (100) |
| 3.324 Å | (59) |
| 6.915 Å | (26) |
| 2.264 Å | (19) |
| 3.457 Å | (16) |
| 2.624 Å | (15) |
| 3.819 Å | (10) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates] |
Type Occurrence of Vajdakite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Minute acicular crystals or continuous crusts
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Mineralogical collection, National Museum, Prague, Czech Republic (P1p 19/98)
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Ondruš, P., Skála, R., Císařová, I., Veselovský, F., Frýda, J., Cejka, J. (2002) Description and crystal structure of vajdakite, [(Mo6+O2)2(H2O)2As3+2O5]·H2O - a new mineral from Jáchymov, Czech Republic. American Mineralogist: 87: 983-990.
Synonyms of Vajdakite
Other Language Names for Vajdakite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 2 photos of Vajdakite associated with Nickelhexahydrite | Ni(SO4) · 6H2O |
| 1 photo of Vajdakite associated with Scorodite | Fe3+AsO4 · 2H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.JC.05 | Cafarsite | Ca5.9Mn1.7Fe3Ti3(AsO3)12 · 4-5H2O |
| 4.JC.10 | Lazarenkoite | (Ca,Fe2+)Fe3+As3+3O7 · 3H2O |
| 4.JC.15 | Rouseite | Pb2Mn2+[AsO3]2 · 2H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
Slightly soluble in water
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 Vajdakite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-7053.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Vajdakite
Reference List:
Ondruš, P., Veselovský, F., Skála, R., Cisařová, I., Hloušek, J., Frýda, J., Vavřín, I., Čejka, J., Gabašová, A. (1997) New naturally occurring phases of secondary origin from Jáchymov (Joachimsthal) Journal of the Czech Geological Society, 42 (4) 77-108 [as unnamed phase]
Ondruš, Petr, Skála, Roman, Císařová, Ivana, Veselovský, František, Frýda, Jiří, Čejka, Jiří (2002) Description and crystal structure of vajdakite, [(Mo6+O2)2(H2O)2As3+2O5]·H2O—A new mineral from Jáchymov, Czech Republic. American Mineralogist, 87 (7) 983-990 doi:10.2138/am-2002-0722
Mandarino, Joseph A. (2003) New minerals. The Canadian Mineralogist, 41 (5) 1309-1319 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.41.5.1309
Localities for Vajdakite
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.
Czech Republic (TL) | |
| Lapis 2002 (7/8) +1 other reference |
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Geschieber vein, Svornost Mine, Jáchymov, Karlovy Vary District, Karlovy Vary Region, Czech Republic