Achalaite (original) (raw)
A valid IMA mineral species
About AchalaiteHide
This section is currently hidden. Click the show button to view.
Formula:
(Fe2+,Mn)(Ti,Fe3+,Ta)(Nb,Ta)2O8
Specific Gravity:
6.285 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
After the type locality, the Achala granite batholith, located in Córdoba, Argentina.
Achalaite is the first member of the wodginite group with Nb dominant over Ta; it is genetically considered a post-magmatic phase.
In hand specimens achalaite shows the same properties as columbite-group minerals. (via Miguel Galliski)
Unique IdentifiersHide
This section is currently hidden. Click the show button to view.
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:46039:6
cb76f7a7-6a66-465a-bc61-e7ff474ba363
IMA Classification of AchalaiteHide
This section is currently hidden. Click the show button to view.
Type description reference:
Galliski, Miguel Ángel, Márquez-Zavalía, María Florencia, Černý, Petr, Lira, Raúl, Colombo, Fernando, Roberts, Andrew C., Bernhardt, Heinz-Jürgen (2016) Achalaite, Fe2+TiNb2O8, a new member of the wodginite group from the La Calandria Granitic pegmatite, Córdoba, Argentina. The Canadian Mineralogist, 54 (4) 1043-1052 doi:10.3749/canmin.1500094
Classification of AchalaiteHide
This section is currently hidden. Click the show button to view.
4.D0.
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
D : Metal: Oxygen = 1:2 and similar
0 :
Mineral SymbolsHide
This section is currently hidden. Click the show button to view.
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ahl | 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 AchalaiteHide
This section is currently hidden. Click the show button to view.
Cleavage:
None Observed
Appears to lack cleavage
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
6.285 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Calculated based on empirical formula
Optical Data of AchalaiteHide
This section is currently hidden. Click the show button to view.
Anisotropism:
Weak in air, particularly noticeable along grain boundaries; in oil, it is medium with light to intermediate olive grey tint
Bireflectance:
Weak but noticeable
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 | R2 | imR1 | imR2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 400nm | 17.57% | 18.80% | 5.82% | 6.17% |
| 440nm | 17.25% | 18.15% | 5.50% | 6.03% |
| 470nm | 16.89% | 17.72% | 5.26% | 5.76% |
| 500nm | 16.66% | 17.50% | 5.12% | 5.53% |
| 546nm | 16.49% | 17.26% | 4.98% | 5.32% |
| 560nm | 16.45% | 17.16% | 4.96% | 5.29% |
| 589nm | 16.34% | 17.04% | 4.97% | 5.26% |
| 620nm | 16.37% | 17.07% | 4.94% | 5.25% |
| 650nm | 16.23% | 16.94% | 4.86% | 5.19% |
| 680nm | 16.16% | 16.85% | 4.85% | 5.17% |
| 700nm | 16.13% | 16.70% | 4.79% | 5.09% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Top of box is 100%. Peak reflectance is 18.80%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red, imR1 shown in green, imR2 shown in blue
Colour in reflected light:
Light grey with a slightly violet tint in air, and light grey with an olive tint in oil
Internal Reflections:
None observed
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of AchalaiteHide
This section is currently hidden. Click the show button to view.
Mindat Formula:
(Fe2+,Mn)(Ti,Fe3+,Ta)(Nb,Ta)2O8
Crystallography of AchalaiteHide
This section is currently hidden. Click the show button to view.
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.422(4) Å, b = 11.427(3) Å, c = 5.120(1) Å
β = 90.12(4)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.825 : 1 : 0.448
X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide
This section is currently hidden. Click the show button to view.
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.630 Å | (40) |
| 2.964 Å | (100) |
| 2.564 Å | (35) |
| 2.493 Å | (40) |
| 1.766 Å | (35) |
| 1.735 Å | (40) |
| 1.711 Å | (50) |
| 1.453 Å | (40) |
Comments:
From Type Description.
Geological EnvironmentHide
This section is currently hidden. Click the show button to view.
Type Occurrence of AchalaiteHide
This section is currently hidden. Click the show button to view.
General Appearance of Type Material:
As polygranular aggregates up to 1.5 cm across, included in albite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Type material is deposited in the collections of the Museo de Mineralogiá y Geologiá ‘‘Dr. Alfred Stelzner’’, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina, catalogue number 3279
Empirical Formula of Type Material:
(Fe2+2.211Mn1.524Fe3+0.226U0.030Ca0.009)Σ4.000(Ti1.819Fe3+0.920Ta0.579Sn0.533Zr0.150)Σ4.000(Nb4.781Ta3.000W0.219)Σ8.000O32
Chemical Analysis of Type Material:
| WO3 | 2.41 % |
|---|---|
| Nb2O5 | 30.18 % |
| Ta2O5 | 37.56 % |
| TiO2 | 6.90 % |
| ZrO2 | 0.88 % |
| SnO2 | 3.82 % |
| Fe2O3 | 4.35 % |
| FeO | 7.54 % |
| MnO | 5.14 % |
| CaO | 0.02 % |
| UO2 | 0.38 % |
| Total: | 99.18 % |
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Galliski, M. Á., Márquez-Zavalía, M. F., Černý, P., Lira, R., Colombo, F., Roberts, A. C., Bernhardt, H. J. (2016) Achalaite, Fe2+TiNb2O8, a new member of the wodginite group from the La Calandria granitic pegmatite, Córdoba, Argentina. The Canadian Mineralogist 54: 1043-1052
Synonyms of AchalaiteHide
This section is currently hidden. Click the show button to view.
Relationship of Achalaite to other SpeciesHide
This section is currently hidden. Click the show button to view.
Other Members of this group:
Common AssociatesHide
This section is currently hidden. Click the show button to view.
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide
This section is currently hidden. Click the show button to view.
Fluorescence of AchalaiteHide
This section is currently hidden. Click the show button to view.
Other InformationHide
This section is currently hidden. Click the show button to view.
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 AchalaiteHide
This section is currently hidden. Click the show button to view.
References for AchalaiteHide
This section is currently hidden. Click the show button to view.
Reference List:
Galliski, Miguel Ángel, Márquez-Zavalía, María Florencia, Černý, Petr, Lira, Raúl, Colombo, Fernando, Roberts, Andrew C., Bernhardt, Heinz-Jürgen (2016) Achalaite, Fe2+TiNb2O8, a new member of the wodginite group from the La Calandria Granitic pegmatite, Córdoba, Argentina. The Canadian Mineralogist, 54 (4) 1043-1052 doi:10.3749/canmin.1500094
Localities for AchalaiteHide
This section is currently hidden. Click the show button to view.
This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the 
symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
Locality ListHide
This section is currently hidden. Click the show button to view.
- 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). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
| Argentina (TL) | |
|---|---|
| Córdoba Province San Alberto Department Ambul District Cañada del Puerto ⓘ La Calandria mine (TL) | Galliski et al. (2016) |
| Madagascar | |
| Betsiboka Tsaratanàna District Bekapaika Commune ⓘ Berere Pegmatite Field | Färber (n.d.) |