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Metamunirite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Metamunirite
Formula:
NaVO3
Colour:
Colourless
Specific Gravity:
2.877
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named for its probable relationship to munirite.
Type Locality:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2680
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2680:8
IMA Classification of Metamunirite
Approved
IMA Formula:
NaV5+O3
Approval year:
1990
First published:
1991
Classification of Metamunirite
4.HD.20
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
H : V[5,6] Vanadates
D : Inovanadates
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
H : V[5,6] Vanadates
D : Inovanadates
47.1.3.2
47 : VANADIUM OXYSALTS
1 : Normal Anhydrous Vanadium Oxysalts
47 : VANADIUM OXYSALTS
1 : Normal Anhydrous Vanadium Oxysalts
21.1.1
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 for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Mmni | 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 Metamunirite
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Colourless
Comment:
Hardness = Very soft
Tenacity:
Fragile
Cleavage:
Perfect
{101} and {001}
{101} and {001}
Density:
2.877 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.926 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Measured is synthetic material
Optical Data of Metamunirite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.780(2) nβ = 1.800(2) nγ = 1.85
2V:
Measured: 30° to 40°
Birefringence:
Note that the calculated and illustrated birefringence is a minimum, based on nγ = 1.85; because nγ is reportedly >> 1.85, the actual observed birefringence will be higher.
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.070
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
Very High (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure
- the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using
this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points
where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the
field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are
isogyres.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Dispersion:
r > v distinct
Optical Extinction:
X = c; Y = a; Z = b; positive elongation
Chemistry of Metamunirite
Mindat Formula:
NaVO3
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Metamunirite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pnma
Setting:
Pnma
Cell Parameters:
a = 14.134(7) Å, b = 3.648(2) Å, c = 5.357(2) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 3.874 : 1 : 1.468
Unit Cell V:
276.21 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Needle-like crystals, which sometimes are broadened into narrow laths. Dominant crystal habit is {101}, with no clearly developed terminal faces.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
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Display Options
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2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
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View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0009802 | Metamunirite | Kato K, Takayama E (1984) Das entwaesserungsverhalten des natriummetavanadatdihydrats und die kristallstruktur des beta-natriummetavanadats Acta Crystallographica B40 102-105 |  | 1984 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 5.05 Å | (100) |
| 2.957 Å | (35) |
| 3.530 Å | (25) |
| 3.241 Å | (18) |
| 3.016 Å | (13) |
| 2.685 Å | (12) |
| 7.07 Å | (11) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47e : [Vanadates, chromates, manganates] | |
| 47h : [Near-surface oxidized, dehydrated minerals] | |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals | |
| 56 : Slag and smelter minerals (see also #51 and #55) |
Type Occurrence of Metamunirite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Clusters of radiating colourless needles up to 0.2 mm in length in cavities in sandstone.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 168386.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
sandstone vanadium deposit
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Metamunirite
Other Language Names for Metamunirite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 11 photos of Metamunirite associated with Pascoite Family | |
| 10 photos of Metamunirite associated with Bluestreakite | K4Mg2(V4+2V5+8O28) · 14H2O |
| 4 photos of Metamunirite associated with Schröckingerite | NaCa3(UO2)(CO3)3(SO4)F · 10H2O |
| 1 photo of Metamunirite associated with Zippeite | K3(UO2)4(SO4)2O3(OH) · 3H2O |
| 1 photo of Metamunirite associated with Corvusite | (Na,K,Ca,Mg)2(V5+,V4+,Fe2+)8O20 · 6-10H2O |
| 1 photo of Metamunirite associated with Metarossite | Ca(V2O6) · 2H2O |
| 1 photo of Metamunirite associated with 'Sandstone' |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.HD. | Pseudodickthomssenite | Mg(VO3)2 · 8H2O |
| 4.HD.05 | Rossite | Ca(VO3)2 · 4H2O |
| 4.HD.10 | Metarossite | Ca(V2O6) · 2H2O |
| 4.HD.15 | Munirite | NaVO3 · 1.9H2O |
| 4.HD.25 | Dickthomssenite | Mg(V2O6) · 7H2O |
| 4.HD.30 | Ansermetite | Mn2+(V2O6) · 4H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
Readily 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 Metamunirite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2680.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Metamunirite
Reference List:
Kato, K., Takayama, E. (1984) Das Entwässerungsverhalten des Natriummetavanadatdihydrats und die Kristallstruktur des β-Natriummetavanadats. Acta Crystallographica Section B Structural Science, 40 (2) 102-105 doi:10.1107/s0108768184001828
Evans, Howard T. (1991) Metamunirite, a new anhydrous sodium metavanadate from San Miguel County, Colorado. Mineralogical Magazine, 55 (381) 509-513 doi:10.1180/minmag.1991.055.381.02
Localities for Metamunirite
Showing 15 localities.
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.
China | |
| www.mining120.com (2016) |
Greece | |
| Koshlyakova et al. (2016) |
Spain | |
| Joan Abella i Creus and Joan Viñals i Olià (2012) |
USA | |
| Färber (n.d.) |
| Kampf et al. (2014) |
| In the collection of Alex Earl | |
| Evans (1991) +2 other references |
| Evans (1991) +1 other reference | |
| Patrick Haynes communication (2004) |
| Michael Shannon collection |
| Färber (n.d.) |
| Collected by Michael Cline |
| Collection of Chris Clemens | |
| Collected and EDS analyzed by Joy Desor. |
| Patrick Haynes communication (2004) |
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Burro Mine, San Miguel County, Colorado, USA