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Rowleyite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Rowleyite
Formula:
[Na(NH4,K)9Cl4][V5+,4+2(P,As)O8]6 · n[H2O,Na,NH4,K,Cl]
Colour:
Very dark brownish green
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
2.23
Crystal System:
Isometric
Name:
Named for the Rowley Mine, Arizona, USA, the type locality.
New structure type. Unique combination of elements (compare another but still somewhat similar species from the same mine - davidbrownite-(NH4) - though); another ammonium-rich vanadate (or V-bearing) mineral after schindlerite, wernerbaurite, and rakovanite.
Awarded 'Mineral of the Year' by the IMA-CNMNC in 2017.
Awarded 'Mineral of the Year' by the IMA-CNMNC in 2017.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
50335
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:50335:4
IMA Classification of Rowleyite
Approved
IMA Formula:
[Na(N3-H4,K)9Cl4][(V5+,V4+)2(P,As5+)O8]6·n[H2O,Na,N3-H4,K,Cl]
Approval year:
2016
First published:
2017
Type description reference:
Kampf, A.R., Cooper, M.A., Nash, B.P., Cerling, T.E., Marty, J., Hummer, D.R., Celestian, A.J., Rose, T.P., Trebisky, T.J. (2017) Rowleyite, [Na(NH4,K)9Cl4][V25+,4+(P,As)O8]6·n[H2O,Na,NH4,K,Cl], a new mineral with a microporous framework structure. American Mineralogist, 102. 1037-1044 doi:10.2138/am-2017-5977
Classification of Rowleyite
8.DH.
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
H : With large and medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 < 1:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
H : With large and medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 < 1:1
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Rwl | 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 Rowleyite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Very dark brownish green
Comment:
Appearing black
Streak:
Brownish green
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Comment:
About 2
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
2.23 g/cm3 (Measured)
Optical Data of Rowleyite
Type:
Isotropic
RI values:
n = 1.715(5)
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
Chemistry of Rowleyite
Mindat Formula:
[Na(NH4,K)9Cl4][V5+,4+2(P,As)O8]6 · n[H2O,Na,NH4,K,Cl]
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Rowleyite
Crystal System:
Isometric
Class (H-M):
m3m(4/m32/m) - Hexoctahedral
Space Group:
Fd3m
Setting:
Fd3m
Cell Parameters:
a = 31.704(14) Å
Unit Cell V:
31867 ų
Z:
16
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 18.304 Å | (49) |
| 11.209 Å | (100) |
| 9.559 Å | (31) |
| 7.926 Å | (63) |
| 7.273 Å | (34) |
| 4.439 Å | (20) |
| 3.186 Å | (32) |
| 2.802 Å | (74) |
Reference:
Kampf, A.R., Cooper, M.A., Nash, B.P., Cerling, T.E., Marty, J., Hummer, D.R., Celestian, A.J., Rose, T.P., Trebisky, T.J. (2017) Rowleyite, [Na(NH4,K)9Cl4][V25+,4+(P,As)O8]6·n[H2O,Na,NH4,K,Cl], a new mineral with a microporous framework structure. American Mineralogist, 102. 1037-1044 doi:10.2138/am-2017-5977
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] | |
| 47e : [Vanadates, chromates, manganates] | |
| 47g : [Halogen-bearing surface weathering minerals] | |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals |
Type Occurrence of Rowleyite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Truncated octahedra up to about 50 μm in diameter.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Mineralogical collections of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, California, USA (catalogue numbers 66268, 66269, 66270, 66271, and 66272) (cotypes)
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Low-temperature, apparently post-mining
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Kampf, A.R., Cooper, M.A., Nash, B.P., Cerling, T.E., Marty, J., Hummer, D.R., Celestian, A.J., Rose, T.P., Trebisky, T.J. (2017) Rowleyite, [Na(NH4,K)9Cl4][V25+,4+(P,As)O8]6·n[H2O,Na,NH4,K,Cl], a new mineral with a microporous framework structure. American Mineralogist, 102. 1037-1044 doi:10.2138/am-2017-5977
Synonyms of Rowleyite
Other Language Names for Rowleyite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 3 photos of Rowleyite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 2 photos of Rowleyite associated with Relianceite-(K) | K4Mg(V4+O)2(C2O4)(PO3OH)4(H2O)10 |
| 2 photos of Rowleyite associated with Antipinite | KNa3Cu2(C2O4)4 |
Rowley Mine, Theba, Painted Rock Mining District, Painted Rock Mountains, Maricopa County, Arizona, USA