Log In
Pliniusite
A valid IMA mineral species
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About Pliniusite
Gaius Plinius Secundus
Formula:
Ca5(VO4)3F
Colour:
Colorless or white
Lustre:
Vitreous
Specific Gravity:
3.402 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Member of:
Name:
Named in honor of Gaius Plinius Secundus (AD 23/24 â 79), called Pliny the Elder. He was a Roman author and naturalist, and a naval and army commander. He wrote Naturalis Historia ("Natural History"), which became a model for encyclopedias.
Pekov et al. (2022) report the discovery of a new apatite-group mineral, pliniusite, ideally Ca5(VO4)3F, the second vanadate mineral of the apatite supergroup, in fumarole exhalations at the Tolbachik volcano (Kamchatka, Russia) and in a pyrometamorphic rock of the Hatrurim Complex (Israel).
Pliniusite, fluorapatite Ca5(PO4)3F, and svabite Ca5(AsO4)3F form an almost continuous ternary solid-solution system with wide variations of T5+ = P, As, and V. The combination of high temperature, low pressure, and high oxidizing potential is favorable for the incorporation of V5+ into calcium apatite-type compounds and in general for the formation of fluorovanadates.
Known as a synthetic compound.
Pliniusite, fluorapatite Ca5(PO4)3F, and svabite Ca5(AsO4)3F form an almost continuous ternary solid-solution system with wide variations of T5+ = P, As, and V. The combination of high temperature, low pressure, and high oxidizing potential is favorable for the incorporation of V5+ into calcium apatite-type compounds and in general for the formation of fluorovanadates.
Known as a synthetic compound.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
53051
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:53051:6
IMA Classification of Pliniusite
Classification of Pliniusite
8.BN.05
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
N : With only large cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 = 0.33:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
N : With only large cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 = 0.33:1
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMAâCNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Pli | IMAâCNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMAâCNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Pliniusite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Colorless or white
Streak:
White
Density:
3.402 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Pliniusite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.763(5) nε = 1.738(5)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.025
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 ”m 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 ”m 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 uniaxial interference figure - the conoscopic
(convergent-light, Bertrand-lens-in) view, for a grain cut with the optic axis
centred and vertical. The coloured rings are isochromatics, computed with the
same physics as the Michel-Lévy bar above; the dark cross is the isogyre.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
Chemistry of Pliniusite
Mindat Formula:
Ca5(VO4)3F
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Pliniusite
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Class (H-M):
6/m - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
P63/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.5777(7) Å, c = 6.9659(5) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.727
Unit Cell V:
553.39 Ă
Âł (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Hexagonal prismatic crystals.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.958 Ă | (27) |
| 3.488 Ă | (33) |
| 2.869 Ă | (100) |
| 2.823 Ă | (35) |
| 2.776 Ă | (58) |
| 2.674 Ă | (25) |
| 1.980 Ă | (19) |
| 1.871 Ă | (23) |
Comments:
From Type Description.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45b : [Other oxidized fumarolic minerals] | |
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 50 : Coal and/or oil shale minerals | <0.36 |
| 51 : Pyrometamorphic minerals (see also #54 and #56) | <0.36 |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 54 : Coal and other mine fire minerals (see also #51 and #56) | |
| 56 : Slag and smelter minerals (see also #51 and #55) |
Geological Setting:
Pyrometamorphic rock. Fumaroles.
Type Occurrence of Pliniusite
Co-Type Localities:
General Appearance of Type Material:
Hexagonal prismatic crystals up to 0.3 Ă 0.1 mm and open-work aggregates up to 2 mm across.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Type material is deposited in the collections of the Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, registration numbers 5202/1 (Tolbachik) and 5202/2 (Nahal Morag).
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Fumaroles and a pyrometamorphic rock.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Pliniusite
Other Language Names for Pliniusite
Dutch:Pliniusiet
German:Pliniusit
Relationship of Pliniusite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Apatite Group:
| Alforsite | Ba5(PO4)3Cl | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| 'Apatite' | Ca5(PO4)3A | |
| Chlorapatite | Ca5(PO4)3Cl | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Fluoralforsite | Ba5(PO4)3F | Hex. 6/m : P6/m |
| Fluorapatite | Ca5(PO4)3F | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Fluorpyromorphite | Pb5(PO4)3F | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Hydroxylapatite | Ca5(PO4)3(OH) | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Hydroxylpyromorphite | Pb5(PO4)3(OH) | Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P63/mcm |
| Johnbaumite | Ca5(AsO4)3(OH) | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Mimetite | Pb5(AsO4)3Cl | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| 'Oxypyromorphite' | Pb10(PO4)6O | |
| Pieczkaite | Mn5(PO4)3Cl | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Pyromorphite | Pb5(PO4)3Cl | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Stronadelphite | Sr5(PO4)3F | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Svabite | Ca5(AsO4)3F | Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P63/mmc |
| Turneaureite | Ca5(AsO4)3Cl | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| 'Unnamed (OH-analogue of Mimetite)' | Pb5(AsO4)3(OH) | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Vanadinite | Pb5(VO4)3Cl | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
Common Associates
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.BN. | Fluoralforsite | Ba5(PO4)3F |
| 8.BN. | Aradite | BaCa6[(SiO4)(VO4)](VO4)2F |
| 8.BN. | Magganasite | CuFe3+3O(AsO4)3 |
| 8.BN. | Fluorpyromorphite | Pb5(PO4)3F |
| 8.BN. | Fluorsigaiite | Ca2Sr3(PO4)3F |
| 8.BN.05 | Pieczkaite | Mn5(PO4)3Cl |
| 8.BN.05 | Fluorapatite | Ca5(PO4)3F |
| 8.BN.05 | Fluorcaphite | SrCaCa3(PO4)3F |
| 8.BN.05 | Vanadinite | Pb5(VO4)3Cl |
| 8.BN.05 | Hedyphane | Ca2Pb3(AsO4)3Cl |
| 8.BN.05 | Hydroxylhedyphane | Ca2Pb3(AsO4)3(OH) |
| 8.BN.05 | 'Mimetite-M' | Pb5(AsO4)3Cl |
| 8.BN.05 | Johnbaumite | Ca5(AsO4)3(OH) |
| 8.BN.05 | 'Hydroxylapatite-M' | Ca5(PO4)3OH |
| 8.BN.05 | Hydroxylpyromorphite | Pb5(PO4)3(OH) |
| 8.BN.05 | Miyahisaite | (Sr,Ca)2Ba3(PO4)3F |
| 8.BN.05 | Carlgieseckeite-(Nd) | NaNdCa3(PO4)3F |
| 8.BN.05 | Belovite-(Ce) | NaCeSr3(PO4)3F |
| 8.BN.05 | Kuannersuite-(Ce) | NaCeBa3(PO4)3F0.5Cl0.5 |
| 8.BN.05 | Alforsite | Ba5(PO4)3Cl |
| 8.BN.05 | 'Unnamed (OH-analogue of Mimetite)' | Pb5(AsO4)3(OH) |
| 8.BN.05 | Stronadelphite | Sr5(PO4)3F |
| 8.BN.05 | Parafiniukite | Ca2Mn3(PO4)3Cl |
| 8.BN.05 | Mimetite | Pb5(AsO4)3Cl |
| 8.BN.05 va | 'Germanate-pyromorphite' | Pb5(PO4)2GeO4 |
| 8.BN.05 | Belovite-(La) | NaLaSr3(PO4)3F |
| 8.BN.05 | Fluorphosphohedyphane | Ca2Pb3(PO4)3F |
| 8.BN.05 | Fluorstrophite | SrCaSr3(PO4)3F |
| 8.BN.05 | Hydroxylapatite | Ca5(PO4)3(OH) |
| 8.BN.05 | 'Johnbaumite-M' | Ca5(AsO4)3OH |
| 8.BN.05 | Phosphohedyphane | Ca2Pb3(PO4)3Cl |
| 8.BN.05 | Turneaureite | Ca5(AsO4)3Cl |
| 8.BN.05 | Morelandite | Ca2Ba3(AsO4)3Cl |
| 8.BN.05 | 'Oxypyromorphite' | Pb10(PO4)6O |
| 8.BN.05 | Deloneite | (Na0.5REE0.25Ca0.25)(Ca0.75REE0.25)Sr1.5(CaNa0.25REE0.25)(PO4)3F0.5(OH)0.5 |
| 8.BN.05 | Chlorapatite | Ca5(PO4)3Cl |
| 8.BN.05 | Pyromorphite | Pb5(PO4)3Cl |
| 8.BN.05 | Vanackerite | Pb4Cd(AsO4)3Cl |
| 8.BN.05 | Svabite | Ca5(AsO4)3F |
| 8.BN.10 | Arctite | Na2Ca4(PO4)3F |
| 8.BN.10 | KrĂŒgerite | BaCa6(SiO4)2[(P0.5S0.5)O4]2F |
| 8.BN.15 | Goryainovite | Ca2(PO4)Cl |
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 Pliniusite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-53051.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Pliniusite
Reference List:
He, Qiang; Liu, Xi; Hu, Xiaomin; Li, Sicheng; Wang, Hejing (2011) Solid solution between lead fluorapatite and lead fluorvanadate apatite: Mixing behavior, Raman feature and thermal expansivity. Physics and Chemistry of Minerals, 38 (10). 741-752 doi:10.1007/s00269-011-0447-y
HĂ„lenius, U., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2018) CNMNC Newsletter No. 44, New minerals and nomenclature modifications approved in 2018. Mineralogical Magazine, 82 (4) 1015-1021 doi:10.1180/mgm.2018.148p.1019
Pekov, Igor V., Koshlyakova, Natalia N., Zubkova, Natalia V., KrzÄ
taĆa, Arkadiusz, Belakovskiy, Dmitry I., Galuskina, Irina O., Galuskin, Evgeny V., Britvin, Sergey N., Sidorov, Evgeny G., Vapnik, Yevgeny, Pushcharovsky, Dmitry Yu (2022) Pliniusite, Ca5(VO4)3F, a new apatite-group mineral and the novel natural ternary solid-solution system pliniusiteâsvabiteâfluorapatite. American Mineralogist, 107 (8) 1626-1634 doi:10.2138/am-2022-8100
Localities for Pliniusite
Showing 6 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
â - 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.
France | |
| publication date: November 2018 +1 other reference |
Israel (TL) | |
| HĂ„lenius et al. (2018) +1 other reference |
| Galuskina et al. (2026) | |
Poland | |
| Ć. Kruszewski EPMA/PXRD data +1 other reference |
Russia | |
| Pekov et al. (2022) |
| HĂ„lenius et al. (2018) +2 other references |
Quick NavTopAbout PliniusiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography X-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Southern fumarole field, Mountain 1004, Tolbachik Volcanic field, Milkovsky District, Kamchatka Krai, Russia