Kaskasite
A valid IMA mineral species
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Formula:
(Mo,Nb)S2 · (Mg1-xAlx)(OH)2+x
Colour:
Iron-black
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
1
Specific Gravity:
3.83 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Name:
Named after Mount Kaskasnyunchorr, Russia, the type locality.
Isostructural with:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
43888
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:43888:3
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
8c135e82-5af4-494c-af51-3cb6a22771a5
Classification of Kaskasite
Approved
First published:
2014
2.FD.35
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
F : Sulfides of arsenic, alkalies; sulfides with halide, oxide, hydroxide, H2O
D : With O, OH, H2O
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
F : Sulfides of arsenic, alkalies; sulfides with halide, oxide, hydroxide, H2O
D : With O, OH, H2O
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 |
---|---|---|
Kks | 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 Kaskasite
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Iron-black
Hardness:
1 on Mohs scale
Hardness Data:
Estimated
Tenacity:
Elastic
Cleavage:
Perfect
{001} perfect and mica-like
{001} perfect and mica-like
Fracture:
Micaceous
Density:
3.83 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Kaskasite
Anisotropism:
Very strong
Bireflectance:
Very strong (ΔR = 12.4%)
Reflectivity:
Wavelength | R1 | R2 |
---|---|---|
470nm | 8.6% | 21.5% |
546nm | 9.2% | 21.6% |
589nm | 9.2% | 21.5% |
650nm | 8.9% | 21.3% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Top of box is 100%. Peak reflectance is 21.6%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
Grey
Internal Reflections:
Without internal reflections.
Pleochroism:
Strong
Comments:
Light gray with a yellowish hue to gray
Chemical Properties of Kaskasite
Formula:
(Mo,Nb)S2 · (Mg1-xAlx)(OH)2+x
IMA Formula:
(Mo,Nb)S2 · (Mg1-xAlx)(OH)2+x
Crystallography of Kaskasite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Cell Parameters:
a = 3.220(2) Å, c = 11.47(2) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 3.562
Unit Cell V:
102.99 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Comment:
Space group P3¯ m1, P3m1 or P321
Epitaxial Relationships of Kaskasite
Epitaxial Minerals:
Pyrrhotite | Fe1-xS |
Manganokaskasite | (Mo,Nb)S2 · (Mn1-xAlx)(OH)2+x |
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
11.46 Å | (97) |
5.72 Å | (100) |
2.786 Å | (51) |
2.627 Å | (7) |
2.219 Å | (7) |
1.613 Å | (33) |
1.557 Å | (10) |
Comments:
From Type Description.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks |
Type Occurrence of Kaskasite
General Appearance of Type Material:
As flakes and near-parallel ‘stacks’ up to 0.03 mm×1 mm×1.5 mm, epitaxially overgrow Ti-bearing pyrrhotite partially replaced by Ti-bearing pyrite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Type material is deposited in the collections of the collections of the Fersman Mineralogical Museum of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, registration number 4401/1
Geological Setting of Type Material:
In perthite-rich fenite, Khibiny alkaline complex, Russia.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Pekov, I.V., Yapaskurt, V.O., Polekhovsky, Y.S., Vigasina, M.F., Siidra, O.I. (2014) Ekplexite (Nb,Mo)S2•(Mg1−xAlx)(OH)2+x, kaskasite (Mo,Nb)S2•(Mg1−xAlx)(OH)2+x and manganokaskasite (Mo,Nb)S2•(Mn1−xAlx)(OH)2+x, three new valleriite-group mineral species from the Khibiny alkaline complex, Kola peninsula, Russia. Mineralogical Magazine: 78: 663-679.
Synonyms of Kaskasite
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
2.FD. | Ferrovalleriite | 2(Fe,Cu)S · 1.5Fe(OH)2 | Trig. |
2.FD.05 | Kermesite | Sb2S2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
2.FD.10 | Viaeneite | (Fe,Pb)4S8O | Mon. |
2.FD.20 | Erdite | NaFeS2 · 2H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
2.FD.25 | Coyoteite | NaFe3S5 · 2H2O | Tric. |
2.FD.30 | Haapalaite | (Fe2+,Ni)2(Mg,Fe2+)1.61S2(OH)3.22 | Hex. |
2.FD.30 | Valleriite | (Fe2+,Cu)4(Mg,Al)3S4(OH,O)6 | Trig. |
2.FD.30 | Yushkinite | (Mg,Al)V4+S2(OH)2 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1 |
2.FD.30 | Ekplexite | (Nb,Mo,W)S2 · (Mg1-xAlx)(OH)2+x | Trig. |
2.FD.35 | Tochilinite | Fe2+5-6(Mg,Fe2+)5S6(OH)10 | Mon. |
2.FD.35 | Ferrotochilinite | Fe2+6(Fe2+,Mg)5S6(OH)10 | Mon. |
2.FD.35 | Manganokaskasite | (Mo,Nb)S2 · (Mn1-xAlx)(OH)2+x | Trig. |
2.FD.40 | Wilhelmramsayite | Cu3FeS3 · 2H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pmmm |
2.FD.45 | Vyalsovite | FeCaAlS(OH)5 | Orth. |
2.FD.50 | Bazhenovite | Ca8S2(S3)(S2O3)(OH)12 · 20H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
2.FD.55 | UM2004-56-OS:BiCuPb | PbCu4Bi4S2(O,OH,H2O)16 (?) | Tet. |
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 Kaskasite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-43888.html
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References for Kaskasite
Reference List:
Localities for Kaskasite
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.
Russia (TL) | |
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