Shilovite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Shilovite
Alexander E. Shilov
Formula:
Cu(NH3)4(NO3)2
Colour:
Deep violet blue
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
1.92 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named in honor of Alexander Evgen’evich Shilov (Александр Евгеньевич Шилов) (6 January 1930, Ivanovo-Voznesensk, USSR - 6 June 2014, Chernogolovka, Moscow Region, Russia), chemist, professors, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and a specialist in biomimetics and the chemistry of nitrogen.
The first natural tetrammine copper complex. Also the first ammine-nitrate mineral (compare pabellóndepicaite).
Supergene mineral formed in the contact zone between a deeply altered guano deposit and chalcopyrite-bearing gabbro. Guano was the source of nitrogen and oxidized chalcopyrite was the source of Cu.
Chemically (in terms of elements) similar to other copper nitrates: gerhardtite, likasite, and rouaite.
Supergene mineral formed in the contact zone between a deeply altered guano deposit and chalcopyrite-bearing gabbro. Guano was the source of nitrogen and oxidized chalcopyrite was the source of Cu.
Chemically (in terms of elements) similar to other copper nitrates: gerhardtite, likasite, and rouaite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
46139
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:46139:5
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
3b415377-2f9b-432e-aea6-ec2a5d27efa4
IMA Classification of Shilovite
Approved
Approval year:
2014
Classification of Shilovite
5.NA.25
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
N : NITRATES
A : Without OH or H2O
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
N : NITRATES
A : Without OH or 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Shil | 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 Shilovite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Deep violet blue
Streak:
violet blue and becomes light blue as a result of decomposition and loss of NH3
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Hardness Data:
Measured
Tenacity:
Sectile
Cleavage:
None Observed
Density:
1.92 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Shilovite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.527(2) nβ = 1.545(5) nγ = 1.610(2)
2V:
Measured: 40° to 50°, Calculated: 57°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.083
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:
Low
Chemistry of Shilovite
Mindat Formula:
Cu(NH3)4(NO3)2
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Fe
Crystallography of Shilovite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mm2 - Pyramidal
Space Group:
Pnn2
Setting:
Pnn2
Cell Parameters:
a = 23.6585(9) Å, b = 10.8238(4) Å, c = 6.9054(3) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 2.186 : 1 : 0.638
Unit Cell V:
1768.3 ų
Z:
8
Morphology:
Thick tabular to equant crystals up to 0.15 mm in size.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 5.931 Å | (41) |
| 5.841 Å | (100) |
| 5.208 Å | (47) |
| 4.162 Å | (88) |
| 4.005 Å | (62) |
| 3.462 Å | (50) |
| 3.207 Å | (32) |
| 2.881 Å | (40) |
Comments:
From Type Description.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 52 : Guano- and urine-derived minerals | <0.4 |
Type Occurrence of Shilovite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Imperfect, thick tabular to equant crystals up to 0.15 mm in size included in massive halite.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Type material is deposited in the collections of the Fersman Mineralogical Museum of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, registration number 4542/1
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Guano deposit hosted in a chalcopyrite bearing gabbro.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Shilovite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.NA.05 | Nitratine | NaNO3 |
| 5.NA.10 | Niter | KNO3 |
| 5.NA.15 | Gwihabaite | (NH4,K)NO3 |
| 5.NA.20 | Nitrobarite | Ba(NO3)2 |
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 Shilovite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-46139.html
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Shilovite
Reference List:
Williams, P. A., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2014) New minerals and nomenclature modifications approved in 2014, CNMNC Newsletter No 21. Mineralogical Magazine, 78 (4) 797-804 doi:10.1180/minmag.2014.078.4.03
Chukanov, Nikita V., Britvin, Sergey N., Möhn, Gerhard, Pekov, Igor V., Zubkova, Natalia V., Nestola, Fabrizio, Kasatkin, Anatoly V., Dini, Maurizio (2015) Shilovite, natural copper(II) tetrammine nitrate, a new mineral species. Mineralogical Magazine, 79 (3) 613-623 doi:10.1180/minmag.2015.079.3.07
Localities for Shilovite
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.
Chile (TL) | |
| Mineralogical Magazine +2 other references |
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Pabellón de Pica, Chanabaya, Iquique Province, Tarapacá, Chile