Cafarsite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Cafarsite
Formula:
Ca5.9Mn1.7Fe3Ti3(AsO3)12 · 4-5H2O
Chemical formula soon to be changed to either Ca16(Na,Fe2+,REE)(Ti,Fe3+,Fe2+,Mn2+,Al)16(AsO3)28F or Ca16(Na,Fe2+,REE)(Ti,Fe3+,Al)12(Fe2+,Mn)4(AsO3)28F. Fluorine is essential.
Colour:
Dark brown
Hardness:
5½ - 6
Specific Gravity:
3.9
Crystal System:
Isometric
Name:
For the elements in its composition.
This page provides mineralogical data about Cafarsite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
849
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:849:7
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
f100404c-19ef-4968-8147-1af39cf031f7
IMA Classification of Cafarsite
Approved
IMA Formula:
(Ca,Na,◻)19Ti8Fe3+4Fe2+4(AsO3)28F
Classification of Cafarsite
4.JC.05
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
C : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites; without additional anions, with H2O
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
C : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites; without additional anions, with H2O
45.1.4.1
45 : ACID AND NORMAL ANTIMONITES AND ARSENITES
1 : Miscellaneous
45 : ACID AND NORMAL ANTIMONITES AND ARSENITES
1 : Miscellaneous
20.5.1
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
5 : Arsenates of Ti and Pb
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
5 : Arsenates of Ti and Pb
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 |
---|---|---|
Caf | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Cafarsite
Pronunciation:
Play | Recorded by | Country |
---|---|---|
Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Cafarsite
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Dark brown
Streak:
Yellow-brown
Hardness:
5½ - 6 on Mohs scale
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
3.9 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.5 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Cafarsite
Type:
Isotropic
RI values:
n = 2.2
Birefringence:
Isotropic minerals have no birefringence
Surface Relief:
Very High
Chemistry of Cafarsite
Mindat Formula:
Ca5.9Mn1.7Fe3Ti3(AsO3)12 · 4-5H2O
Chemical formula soon to be changed to either Ca16(Na,Fe2+,REE)(Ti,Fe3+,Fe2+,Mn2+,Al)16(AsO3)28F or Ca16(Na,Fe2+,REE)(Ti,Fe3+,Al)12(Fe2+,Mn)4(AsO3)28F. Fluorine is essential.
Chemical formula soon to be changed to either Ca16(Na,Fe2+,REE)(Ti,Fe3+,Fe2+,Mn2+,Al)16(AsO3)28F or Ca16(Na,Fe2+,REE)(Ti,Fe3+,Al)12(Fe2+,Mn)4(AsO3)28F. Fluorine is essential.
Crystallography of Cafarsite
Crystal System:
Isometric
Class (H-M):
m3 (2/m 3) - Diploidal
Space Group:
Pn3
Cell Parameters:
a = 15.984 Å
Unit Cell V:
4,083.72 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Cuboctahedra.
Comment:
Space-group Pn-3 (symbol shown above is wrong - Mindat bug).
Crystal Structure
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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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0020738 | Cafarsite | Gatta G D, Rotiroti N, Camara F, Meven M (2018) On the labyrinthine world of arsenites: a single-crystal neutron and X-ray diffraction study of cafarsite province, Italy Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 45 819-829 | 2018 | Mount Leone-Arbola nappe, Alpe Devero area, Verbano-Cusio-Ossola | 0 | 293 | |
0020739 | Cafarsite | Gatta G D, Rotiroti N, Camara F, Meven M (2018) On the labyrinthine world of arsenites: a single-crystal neutron and X-ray diffraction study of cafarsite province, Italy Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 45 819-829 | 2018 | Mount Leone-Arbola nappe, Alpe Devero area, Verbano-Cusio-Ossola | 0 | 293 | |
0020740 | Cafarsite | Gatta G D, Rotiroti N, Camara F, Meven M (2018) On the labyrinthine world of arsenites: a single-crystal neutron and X-ray diffraction study of cafarsite province, Italy Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 45 819-829 | 2018 | Mount Leone-Arbola nappe, Alpe Devero area, Verbano-Cusio-Ossola | 0 | 293 | |
0015405 | Cafarsite | Edenharter A, Nowacki W, Weibel M (1977) Zur Struktur und Zusammensetzung von Cafarsit, Cafarsit ein As(III)-oxid, kein Arsenat Schweizerische Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen 57 1-16 | 1977 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
2.827 Å | (100) |
2.747 Å | (80) |
3.140 Å | (60) |
1.6857 Å | (60) |
3.675 Å | (50) |
1.724 Å | (50) |
9.17 Å | (40) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates] | |
47g : [Halogen-bearing surface weathering minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Cafarsite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Natural History Museum, Basel, Switzerland, SG749; The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1966,434.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Graeser, S. (1966): Asbecasit und Cafarsit, zwei neue Mineralien aus dem Binnatal (Kt. Wallis). Schweizerische Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen 46, 367-375 (in German).
Synonyms of Cafarsite
Other Language Names for Cafarsite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
14 photos of Cafarsite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
12 photos of Cafarsite associated with Agardite | |
5 photos of Cafarsite associated with Magnetite | Fe2+Fe3+2O4 |
5 photos of Cafarsite associated with Clinochlore | Mg5Al(AlSi3O10)(OH)8 |
4 photos of Cafarsite associated with Mixite | BiCu6(AsO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O |
4 photos of Cafarsite associated with Smoky Quartz | SiO2 |
4 photos of Cafarsite associated with Albite | Na(AlSi3O8) |
4 photos of Cafarsite associated with Hematite | Fe2O3 |
3 photos of Cafarsite associated with Muscovite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
3 photos of Cafarsite associated with Senaite | Pb(Mn,Y,U)(Fe,Zn)2(Ti,Fe,Cr,V)18(O,OH)38 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
4.JC.10 | Lazarenkoite | (Ca,Fe2+)Fe3+As3+3O7 · 3H2O |
4.JC.15 | Rouseite | Pb2Mn2+[AsO3]2 · 2H2O |
4.JC.20 | Vajdakite | [(Mo6+O2)2(H2O)2As3+2O5] · 3H2O |
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 Cafarsite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-849.html
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References for Cafarsite
Reference List:
Localities for Cafarsite
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).
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.
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Canada | |
| HARRIS (1989) |
Italy | |
| |
Albertini C. (1991) +3 other references | |
Switzerland | |
| |
| Graeser et al. (1994) +1 other reference |
Schweiz.Min.Petr.Mitt. (1966) | |
| Cuchet et al. (2005) |
Krzemnicki (1992) |
Quick NavTopAbout CafarsiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPronunciation Physical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Monte Cervandone area, Devero Alp, Baceno, Verbano-Cusio-Ossola Province, Piedmont, Italy