Formicaite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Formicaite
Formula:
Ca(HCOO)2
Colour:
White with bluish tint
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
1
Specific Gravity:
1.9
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Name:
For its chemical composition: the FORMate of CAlcium.
Dimorph of:
Naturally occurring calcium formate - one of just two such minerals currently known (compare dashkovaite).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
6954
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:6954:6
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
c935fb3e-d46e-4ce0-b809-48cd284b5713
IMA Classification of Formicaite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Ca(CHOO)2
Approval year:
1998
First published:
1999
Classification of Formicaite
10.AA.05
10 : ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
A : Salts of organic acids
A : Formates, Acetates, etc.
10 : ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
A : Salts of organic acids
A : Formates, Acetates, etc.
Dana 7th ed.:
50.2.3.1
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Fmc | 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 Formicaite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
White with bluish tint
Streak:
White
Hardness:
1 on Mohs scale
Comment:
H=1 for compact aggregates
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
{001}
{001}
Density:
1.9(1) g/cm3 (Measured) 1.93(2) g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Formicaite
Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 1.553 nε = 1.573
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.020
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:
Low
Chemistry of Formicaite
Mindat Formula:
Ca(HCOO)2
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Formicaite
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Class (H-M):
4 2 2 - Trapezohedral
Space Group:
P41 21 2
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.79(4) Å, c = 9.50 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 1.399
Unit Cell V:
437.99 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 5.54 Å | (90) |
| 3.40 Å | (100) |
| 3.19 Å | (60) |
| 2.859 Å | (80) |
| 2.196 Å | (70) |
| 1.947 Å | (60) |
Comments:
Almost identical to that of synthetic Ca β-formiate
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 23 : Subaerial aqueous alteration by non-redox-sensitive fluids (see also #47) | |
| High-𝑇 alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 31 : Thermally altered carbonate, phosphate, and iron formations |
Type Occurrence of Formicaite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Compact cryptocrystalline and colloform masses, and as aggregates in which the crystals are tabular and up to 5 × 30 × 30 µm. Also in a veinlet in skarnified marble.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
A. E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Moscow, Russia.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Hydrothermal veinlets that cut kurchatovite-sakhaite ore at the skarn deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Chukanov, N.V., Malinko, S.V., Lisitsyn, A.E., Dubinchuk, V.T., Kuz'mina, O.V., Zadov, A.E. (1999) Formicaite Ca(HCO2)2, a new mineral. Zapiski Vserossijskogo Mineralogicheskogo Obshchestva: 128(2): 43-47.
Synonyms of Formicaite
Other Language Names for Formicaite
German:Formicait
Spanish:Formicaita
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 10.AA. | Stanevansite | Mg(C2H3O3)2 · 2H2O |
| 10.AA. | Jimkrieghite | Ca(C2H3O3)2 |
| 10.AA. | Lianbinite | (NH4)(C2H3O3)(C2H4O3) |
| 10.AA. | Glecklerite | Na(C2H3O3) |
| 10.AA.10 | Dashkovaite | Mg(HCOO)2 · 2H2O |
| 10.AA.20 | Acetamide | CH3CONH2 |
| 10.AA.25 | Calclacite | Ca(CH3COO)Cl · 5H2O |
| 10.AA.30 | Paceite | CaCu(CH3COO)4 · 6H2O |
| 10.AA.35 | Hoganite | Cu(CH3COO)2 · H2O |
| 10.AA.40 | Lazaraskeite | Cu(C2H3O3)2 |
| 10.AA.45 | Marchettiite | C5H7N5O3 |
Fluorescence of Formicaite
Some specimens have a weak, light bluish luminescence in shortwave ultraviolet light.
Other Information
IR Spectrum:
Absorption bands at 791, 1364, 1380, and 1603 (very strong), 2870 (weak), and 2925 cm–1 (very weak).
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 Formicaite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-6954.html
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References for Formicaite
Localities for Formicaite
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.
Russia (TL) | |
| Chukanov et al. (1999) +1 other reference |
| maurice.strahlen.org (2004) |
| Chukanov et al. (1999) +1 other reference |
USA | |
| Gunnar Färber - Mineralienliste 1-2018. +2 other references |
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Solongo B deposit, Ozernoe ore cluster, Yeravninsky District, Buryatia, Russia