Lyonsite

Last updated
Lyonsite
General
CategoryVanadate mineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
Cu3Fe+34(VO4)6
IMA symbol Lyo [1]
Strunz classification 8.AB.40
Crystal system Orthorhombic
Crystal class Dipyramidal (mmm)
H-M symbol: (2/m 2/m 2/m)
Space group Pmcn
Unit cell a = 10.29, b = 17.2
c = 4.91 [Å]; Z = 2
Identification
ColorBlack; creamy white in reflected light in polished section
Crystal habit As euhedral flattened lath shaped crystals
Cleavage Good on {001}
Tenacity Brittle
Luster Metallic
Streak Dark gray
Diaphaneity Opaque
Specific gravity 4.215 calculated
References [2] [3] [4]

Lyonsite (Cu 3 Fe +34(V O 4)6) is a rare black vanadate mineral that is opaque with a metallic lustre. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system. Lyonsite often occurs as small tabular typically well formed crystals. Lyonsite has a good cleavage and a dark gray streak.

Lyonsite occurs as a sublimate in volcanic fumaroles. It is often associated with howardevansite and thenardite. [2] It was first described in 1987 for an occurrence on the Izalco volcano, El Salvador. It was named for mineralogist John Bartholomew Lyons (1916–1998) of Dartmouth College. [3] It has also been reported from a mine dump in the Lichtenberg Absetzer Mine of Thuringia, Germany. [4]

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References

  1. Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi: 10.1180/mgm.2021.43 . S2CID   235729616.
  2. 1 2 Mineral Handbook
  3. 1 2 Webmineral
  4. 1 2 Mindat