Ashanite
A discredited species name
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About Ashanite
Formula:
(Nb,Ta,U,Fe,Mn)4O8
Colour:
Dark brown to pitch-black; brownish red in thin section
Lustre:
Resinous, Sub-Metallic
Hardness:
5½ - 6½
Specific Gravity:
6.61
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
From Altai and SHAN, Chinese for mountains, for the occurrence in the Altai Mountains, China.
Originally thought to be the Nb-dominant analogue of Ixiolite, the type material is now believed to be a mixture of several minerals including Ixiolite, Samarskite-(Y) and Uranmicrolite.
Originally reported from Koktokay (Keketuohai) Pegmatite field, Fuyun Co., Altay (Aletai) Prefecture, Ili Kazakh (Yili Hasake) Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang (Xinjiang-Uygur) Autonomous Region, China.
Possibly to be redefined (see Zubkova et al. 2020).
Originally reported from Koktokay (Keketuohai) Pegmatite field, Fuyun Co., Altay (Aletai) Prefecture, Ili Kazakh (Yili Hasake) Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang (Xinjiang-Uygur) Autonomous Region, China.
Possibly to be redefined (see Zubkova et al. 2020).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
387
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:387:2
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
a1534f36-f7c0-441e-91d9-efe0cfc0f117
IMA Classification of Ashanite
Discredited
Classification of Ashanite
18.3.8
18 : Niobates and Tantalates
3 : Niobates and tantalates containing U but not rare earths
18 : Niobates and Tantalates
3 : Niobates and tantalates containing U but not rare earths
Physical Properties of Ashanite
Resinous, Sub-Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Dark brown to pitch-black; brownish red in thin section
Streak:
Brown
Hardness:
5½ - 6½ on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN100=570 - 851 - Vickers
Fracture:
Conchoidal, Sub-Conchoidal
Density:
6.61 g/cm3 (Measured) 6.6 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Ashanite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 2.310 nβ = 2.350 nγ = 2.400
2V:
Measured: 70° to 75°, Calculated: 86°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.090
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Very High
Dispersion:
none
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 | R2 |
|---|---|---|
| 440 nm | 12.1% | 12.1% |
| 460 nm | 11.4% | 11.5% |
| 480 nm | 11.2% | 11.3% |
| 500 nm | 11.0% | 11.0% |
| 520 nm | 11.0% | 11.0% |
| 540 nm | 10.9% | 10.9% |
| 560 nm | 10.9% | 10.8% |
| 580 nm | 10.8% | 10.8% |
| 600 nm | 10.8% | 10.7% |
| 620 nm | 10.7% | 10.7% |
| 640 nm | 10.7% | 10.6% |
| 660 nm | 10.6% | 10.6% |
| 680 nm | 10.6% | 10.6% |
| 700 nm | 10.6% | 10.6% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Top of box is 100%. Peak reflectance is 12.1%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
Pale bluish grey
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
X = light brownish red, Z = dark brownish red; Orientation: X = b, Y = a, Z = c
Chemistry of Ashanite
Mindat Formula:
(Nb,Ta,U,Fe,Mn)4O8
Crystallography of Ashanite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pban
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.869 Å, b = 4.873 Å, c = 5.216 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.204 : 1 : 1.07
Unit Cell V:
149.18 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1
Morphology:
Single crystals are mentioned, but the habit is not stated.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 2.95 Å | (10) |
| 3.65 Å | (5) |
| 2.54 Å | (3) |
| 2.51 Å | (3) |
| 2.38 Å | (3) |
| 1.729 Å | (3) |
| 2.874 Å | (2) |
Comments:
Recorded on type material
Other Language Names for Ashanite
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 Ashanite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-387.html
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References for Ashanite
Localities for Ashanite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The 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).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
China | |
| Rubo Zhang and Fengming Han (1983) |
| Zhang Rubo et al. (1985) |
Czech Republic | |
| Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) |
Madagascar | |
| Ranorosoa (1986) |
Romania | |
| minerals-of-the-carpathians.eu (2008) |
| Hîrtopanu (1997) +1 other reference |
Nanro Pegmatite, Gilé District, Zambezia Province, Mozambique